Abstract: A method of providing active flow control for an aircraft includes cooling a liquid coolant in a heat exchanger by circulating a cooling airflow through the heat exchanger, and providing fluid communication between the cooling airflow and a boundary layer flow of at least one flight control surface of the aircraft. The cooling airflow affects the boundary layer flow of the flight control surface(s) to provide active flow control. A method of cooling an engine core of an engine assembly includes circulating a cooling fluid through the engine core, and cooling the cooling fluid with a cooling airflow used to provide active flow control to a flight control surface of the aircraft. An active flow control system for an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: A pre-fluxing system and method to reduce inrush current for a winding used in a transformer, motor or a solenoid. The system has a primary winding and a tertiary winding connected with a power source for providing electrical energy to these windings. A pre-fluxing circuit is connected to the tertiary winding. The power source provides electrical energy to the tertiary winding via the pre-fluxing circuit, and the pre-fluxing circuit pre-magnetizes the tertiary winding when energized. The tertiary winding is configured to pre-magnetize the primary winding to reduce inrush current when the power source energizes the primary winding.

Abstract: A head assembly for an internal combustion engine includes an electromagnetic valve actuation system. The head has an intake or exhaust passage defined therein. A valve is disposed in the passage and is operable to selectively open and close the passage. The head has a cooling passage defined therein for passage of a cooling fluid. An electromagnetic actuator has a piston in mechanical communication with the valve and a coil in fluid communication with the cooling passage. The electromagnetic actuator is operable to move the valve between a closed and an open position.

Abstract: A pre-fluxing system and method to reduce inrush current for a winding used in a transformer, motor or a solenoid. The system has a primary winding and a tertiary winding connected with a power source for providing electrical energy to these windings. A pre-fluxing circuit is connected to the tertiary winding. The power source provides electrical energy to the tertiary winding via the pre-fluxing circuit, and the pre-fluxing circuit pre-magnetizes the tertiary winding when energized. The tertiary winding is configured to pre-magnetize the primary winding to reduce inrush current when the power source energizes the primary winding.

Abstract: A method of providing active flow control for an aircraft includes cooling a liquid coolant in a heat exchanger by circulating a cooling airflow through the heat exchanger, and providing fluid communication between the cooling airflow and a boundary layer flow of at least one flight control surface of the aircraft. The cooling airflow affects the boundary layer flow of the flight control surface(s) to provide active flow control. A method of cooling an engine core of an engine assembly includes circulating a cooling fluid through the engine core, and cooling the cooling fluid with a cooling airflow used to provide active flow control to a flight control surface of the aircraft. An active flow control system for an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: A method of providing active flow control for an aircraft includes cooling a liquid coolant in a heat exchanger by circulating a cooling airflow through the heat exchanger, and providing fluid communication between the cooling airflow and a boundary layer flow of at least one flight control surface of the aircraft. The cooling airflow affects the boundary layer flow of the flight control surface(s) to provide active flow control. A method of cooling an engine core of an engine assembly includes circulating a cooling fluid through the engine core, and cooling the cooling fluid with a cooling airflow used to provide active flow control to a flight control surface of the aircraft. An active flow control system for an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: Example embodiments include a controller, a first terminal, a second terminal, and a plurality of circuit elements connected in series between the first terminal and the second terminal. Each circuit element of the plurality of circuit elements includes a semiconductive element and a battery. Each circuit element of the plurality of circuit elements also includes a first node connected to the battery, and a second node coupled to the semiconductive element. At least one of the first node or the second node is coupled to another circuit element of the plurality of circuit elements. The system also includes a ground node exclusively coupled to a respective output node of one semiconductive element associated with a particular circuit element of the plurality of circuit elements.

Abstract: A method of providing active flow control for an aircraft includes cooling a liquid coolant in a heat exchanger by circulating a cooling airflow through the heat exchanger, and providing fluid communication between the cooling airflow and a boundary layer flow of at least one flight control surface of the aircraft. The cooling airflow affects the boundary layer flow of the flight control surface(s) to provide active flow control. A method of cooling an engine core of an engine assembly includes circulating a cooling fluid through the engine core, and cooling the cooling fluid with a cooling airflow used to provide active flow control to a flight control surface of the aircraft. An active flow control system for an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: A system senses the position of a movable element in a mechanical apparatus. The element moves along an elongated guide member, which is at least partially formed of a magnetic material. An excitation coil is positioned by the guide member and a sensing coil moves with the movable element. An excitation circuit energizes the excitation coil and a position sensing circuit sense a voltage or current in the sensing coil to determine the distance between the coils.

Abstract: A head assembly for an internal combustion engine includes an electromagnetic valve actuation system. The head has an intake or exhaust passage defined therein. A valve is disposed in the passage and is operable to selectively open and close the passage. The head has a cooling passage defined therein for passage of a cooling fluid. An electromagnetic actuator has a piston in mechanical communication with the valve and a coil in fluid communication with the cooling passage. The electromagnetic actuator is operable to move the valve between a closed and an open position.

Abstract: A head assembly for an internal combustion engine includes an electromagnetic valve actuation system. The head has an intake or exhaust passage defined therein. A valve is disposed in the passage and is operable to selectively open and close the passage. The head has a cooling passage defined therein for passage of a cooling fluid. An electromagnetic actuator has a piston in mechanical communication with the valve and a coil in fluid communication with the cooling passage. The electromagnetic actuator is operable to move the valve between a closed and an open position.

Abstract: A system senses the position of a movable element in a mechanical apparatus. The element moves along an elongated guide member, which is at least partially formed of a magnetic material. An excitation coil is positioned by the guide member and a sensing coil moves with the movable element. An excitation circuit energizes the excitation coil and a position sensing circuit sense a voltage or current in the sensing coil to determine the distance between the coils.

Abstract: A head assembly for an internal combustion engine includes an electromagnetic valve actuation system. The head has an intake or exhaust passage defined therein. A valve is disposed in the passage and is operable to selectively open and close the passage. The head has a cooling passage defined therein for passage of a cooling fluid. An electromagnetic actuator has a piston in mechanical communication with the valve and a coil in fluid communication with the cooling passage. The electromagnetic actuator is operable to move the valve between a closed and an open position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an actuation system for the pedal system of a keyboard instrument. The system includes an actuator with block of ferromagnetic material having a bore, a coil disposed in the bore, and a piston surrounded by the coil, the piston is in mechanical communication with a pedal rod. When the actuator is energized, the piston moves relative to the coil, thereby moving the rod.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the position of an actuator piston relative to a winding in an actuation system of a keyboard instrument. The keyboard instrument has a plurality of keys, each key being pivotally supported and having a front end that is depressed by a player to play a note. The actuation system includes a plurality of actuators operable to move at least some of the plurality of keys. Each actuator includes a winding surrounding a hole and a piston at least partially disposed in the hole. The method includes the step of sensing the reactive voltage of the winding in order to determine the position of the piston relative to the winding. A speaker system for a keyboard instrument is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an actuation system for the pedal system of a keyboard instrument. The system includes an actuator with block of ferromagnetic material having a bore, a coil disposed in the bore, and a piston surrounded by the coil, the piston is in mechanical communication with a pedal rod. When the actuator is energized, the piston moves relative to the coil, thereby moving the rod.

Abstract: A cooled turbine shroud assembly includes a first cooling path and a second cooling path adapted to provide shroud impingement air at different pressures to enhance efficiency. The cooling air is preferably acquired from a common source of secondary air. In one aspect the assembly, a shroud support supports a shroud ring and the cooling paths are separated in part by a flexible seal.

Abstract: A flow control device that creates a pulsating flow includes a body with a flow passage defined therethrough. The device further includes a flow interruption element having a flow interrupting position and an open position and a biasing element that biases the flow interruption element into the flow interrupting position. A flow of gas or fluid passing through the flow passage impinges on the flow-interrupting member causing the flow interrupting member to intermittently move between the flow interrupting position and the open position, thereby intermittently allowing the flow of gas or fluid to pass the flow interrupting element. This creates a pulsating flow of gas or fluid.

Abstract: A key actuation system that is designed for use with a keyboard instrument of the type having multiple keys. Each key is pivotally supported and has a front end that is depressed by a player to play a note. The actuation system includes multiple actuators that are operable to move at least some of the keys. The actuators together include a block of ferromagnetic material with a surface with multiple bores defined in the surface. Each of the bores has a diameter. A winding is positioned in each of the bores. Each of the windings has a hole. A piston is provided at least partially in each of the holes, with each piston being in mechanical communication with one of the keys such that movement of the piston causes movement of the key. Each piston has a width. A ferromagnetic flux plate with multiple openings is positioned on the surface of the block of ferromagnetic material with the openings aligned with the bores.

Abstract: A cooled turbine shroud assembly includes a first cooling path and a second cooling path adapted to provide shroud impingement air at different pressures to enhance efficiency. The cooling air is preferably acquired from a common source of secondary air. In one aspect the assembly, a shroud support supports a shroud ring and the cooling paths are separated in part by a flexible seal.