Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for facilitating international return of dutiable goods. A typical application involves a purchaser buying goods on-line, resulting in shipping the goods internationally to the purchaser. After receipt of the goods, the purchaser determines that return of the goods is necessary. The purchaser contacts the merchant selling the goods to request returning the goods. The merchant, in turn, communicates to the carrier delivering the goods that an international return is requested. The merchant provides certain information to the carrier allowing the carrier to make available the necessary documentation required by the customer to return the goods to the merchant. The documentation includes a properly completed commercial invoice that is made available to the consignee. The consignee can then sign and use the documentation for returning the item. The documentation may be variously provided to the customer either by the merchant or the carrier.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for facilitating international return of dutiable goods. A typical application involves a purchaser buying goods on-line, resulting in shipping the goods internationally to the purchaser. After receipt of the goods, the purchaser determines that return of the goods is necessary. The purchaser contacts the merchant selling the goods to request returning the goods. The merchant, in turn, communicates to the carrier delivering the goods that an international return is requested. The merchant provides certain information to the carrier allowing the carrier to make available the necessary documentation required by the customer to return the goods to the merchant. The documentation includes a properly completed commercial invoice that is made available to the consignee. The consignee can then sign and use the documentation for returning the item. The documentation may be variously provided to the customer either by the merchant or the carrier.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for facilitating international return of dutiable goods. A typical application involves a purchaser buying goods on-line, resulting in shipping the goods internationally to the purchaser. After receipt of the goods, the purchaser determines that return of the goods is necessary. The purchaser contacts the merchant selling the goods to request returning the goods. The merchant, in turn, communicates to the carrier delivering the goods that an international return is requested. The merchant provides certain information to the carrier allowing the carrier to make available the necessary documentation required by the customer to return the goods to the merchant. The documentation includes a properly completed commercial invoice that is made available to the consignee. The consignee can then sign and use the documentation for returning the item. The documentation may be variously provided to the customer either by the merchant or the carrier.

Abstract: A seal for a rotary machine includes a flexible element extending circumferentially about a rotor and extending generally radially from a first end to a free second end. The flexible element is coupled proximate the first end for rotation with the rotor. The flexible element extends at substantially a first angle between at least an intermediate portion of the flexible element and the free second end when the rotor is operating at less than a critical speed, such that a clearance gap is defined between the free second end and a stationary portion. The seal also includes a retaining plate having a stop that orients the flexible element at a second angle proximate the free second end when the rotor is operating at equal to or greater than the critical speed, such that the flexible element forms a dynamic seal between the rotor and the stationary portion.

Abstract: A seal includes a housing having a back plate and a front plate. A supporting bristle layer is disposed adjacent to the back plate, and bristles in the supporting bristle layer have a first diameter. A sealing bristle layer is disposed adjacent to the supporting bristle layer, and bristles in the sealing bristle layer have a second diameter. A shielding/protecting bristle layer is disposed adjacent to the sealing bristle layer, and bristles in the shielding/protecting bristle layer have a third diameter. The second diameter is smaller than both the first diameter and the third diameter.

Abstract: A brush seal has bristles with a free end sealing against a radially inward surface of a stationary component. The bristles are angled axially 15 degrees to 70 degrees, and circumferentially at an angle that is less than the axial angle. A retaining plate extends radially outward from the rotating component, and supports the bristles from centrifugal loading in an operative state of a turbomachine. A bristle shield extends radially outward along a length of the bristles, such that the bristle shield is configured to shield the bristles from flow during an operative state of the turbomachine. The bristles are located between the retaining plate and the bristle shield. A circumferential groove has a downstream side and an upstream side, and a side plate is attached to the upstream side. The fixed end of the bristles is attached to the upstream side of the groove by the side plate.

Abstract: A method is provided of determining the coverage of at least one optical sensor in a three dimensional (3-D) area. The 3-D area is divided into cells. The field of view of the sensor in the 3-D area is determined and rays are projected from the sensor into the 3-D area within sensor's field of view. The intersections between the rays and the cells are determined and a visual display of the 3-D area is generated showing the coverage of the sensor, based on the intersections.

Abstract: A seal for a rotary machine includes a flexible element extending circumferentially about a rotor and extending generally radially from a first end to a free second end. The flexible element is coupled proximate the first end for rotation with the rotor. The flexible element extends at substantially a first angle between at least an intermediate portion of the flexible element and the free second end when the rotor is operating at less than a critical speed, such that a clearance gap is defined between the free second end and a stationary portion. The seal also includes a retaining plate having a stop that orients the flexible element at a second angle proximate the free second end when the rotor is operating at equal to or greater than the critical speed, such that the flexible element forms a dynamic seal between the rotor and the stationary portion.

Abstract: A brush seal is provided having a brush housing having a back plate and a front plate, a first layer of bristles disposed adjacent to the back plate, where at least one of the first layer of bristles has a first diameter. A second layer of bristles are disposed adjacent to the first layer of bristles, and at least one of the second layer of bristles has a second diameter. A third layer of bristles are disposed adjacent to the second layer of bristles, and at least one of the third layer of bristles has a third diameter. The first diameter and the third diameter are larger than the second diameter.

Abstract: A seal includes a housing having a back plate and a front plate. A supporting bristle layer is disposed adjacent to the back plate, and bristles in the supporting bristle layer have a first diameter. A sealing bristle layer is disposed adjacent to the supporting bristle layer, and bristles in the sealing bristle layer have a second diameter. A shielding/protecting bristle layer is disposed adjacent to the sealing bristle layer, and bristles in the shielding/protecting bristle layer have a third diameter. The second diameter is smaller than both the first diameter and the third diameter.

Abstract: A brush seal for a turbine including an annular layer of filaments having a generally L-shape including an axial portion of the filaments and a radial portion of filaments, wherein a first end of the filaments is at an end of the radial portion and faces a rotating component of the turbine and a second end region of the filaments is at an end of the axial portion of the filaments and is fastened to a stationary component of the turbine.

Abstract: An aspirating face seal for use with a rotary machine includes a rotating seal ring including a radially outer surface that includes an oblique portion. A stationary seal ring is coupled proximate the rotating seal ring such that a first gap is defined therebetween. The stationary seal ring is movable along a centerline axis of the rotary machine between an open position and a sealed position, and includes an extension member that extends across the first gap. An auxiliary seal includes at least one seal tooth that includes a seal tooth tip. The at least one seal tooth extends radially inward from the extension member such that a second gap is defined between the seal tooth tip and the oblique portion.

Abstract: A partial seal platform for mounting a seal and securing seal to a rotor or a casing including a first arcuate securing segment with a first securing notch for receiving a first securing ridge of rotor or casing; a second arcuate securing segment with a second securing notch for receiving a second securing ridge of rotor or casing; an arcuate coupling segment with a first flat ridge forming a first and second lateral notch on each side of the first flat ridge for receiving the first arcuate securing segment and the second arcuate securing segment; and an arcuate mounting segment including a second flat ridge forming a lateral notch on each side of second flat ridge for receiving first arcuate securing segment and second arcuate securing segment.

Abstract: A brush seal for a turbine including an annular layer of filaments having a generally L-shape including an axial portion of the filaments and a radial portion of filaments, wherein a first end of the filaments is at an end of the radial portion and faces a rotating component of the turbine and a second end region of the filaments is at an end of the axial portion of the filaments and is fastened to a stationary component of the turbine.

Abstract: A brush seal for use between a rotating component and a stationary component in a turbomachine is disclosed. The brush seal according to embodiments of this invention include a set of bristles having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end is attached to the rotating component, and wherein the set of bristles are angled axially with respect to the rotating component.

Abstract: An aspirating face seal for use with a rotary machine includes a rotating seal ring including a radially outer surface that includes an oblique portion. A stationary seal ring is coupled proximate the rotating seal ring such that a first gap is defined therebetween. The stationary seal ring is movable along a centerline axis of the rotary machine between an open position and a sealed position, and includes an extension member that extends across the first gap. An auxiliary seal includes at least one seal tooth that includes a seal tooth tip. The at least one seal tooth extends radially inward from the extension member such that a second gap is defined between the seal tooth tip and the oblique portion.

Abstract: A partial seal platform for mounting a seal and securing seal to a rotor or a casing including a first arcuate securing segment with a first securing notch for receiving a first securing ridge of rotor or casing; a second arcuate securing segment with a second securing notch for receiving a second securing ridge of rotor or casing; an arcuate coupling segment with a first flat ridge forming a first and second lateral notch on each side of the first flat ridge for receiving the first arcuate securing segment and the second arcuate securing segment; and an arcuate mounting segment including a second flat ridge forming a lateral notch on each side of second flat ridge for receiving first arcuate securing segment and second arcuate securing segment.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a brush seal assembly comprising, bending a first plate member to a helical shape, bending a second plate member to a helical shape, securing the first plate member to a drum, winding a wire material around the drum and the first plate member, securing the second plate member to the drum, attaching the second plate member and the first plate member to the wire, and cutting the wire to define a bristle length.

Abstract: A brush seal and brush seal segment for use in a rotary device are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a brush seal comprising: a plurality of brush seal segments, each segment including: an arcuate fence; an arcuate backplate substantially circumferentially coextensive with the arcuate fence, the arcuate backplate including a first end and a second end; and a plurality of brush seal bristles between the arcuate backplate and the arcuate fence, the plurality of brush seal bristles being angled with respect to a radial axis of the arcuate backplate and at least one of the first end and the second end of the arcuate backplate; and a static member to which at least one of the plurality of brush seal segments is affixed.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method for assembling a turbine includes placing a middle layer between a first and second outer member, wherein the middle layer includes a non-continuous layer of material and the first and second outer members each include a member of continuous material and welding a primary joint between the middle layer, first outer member and second outer member, the primary joint extending through the first outer member, the middle layer and at least a portion of the second outer member. The method also includes welding a secondary joint between the middle layer and first outer member, the secondary joint extending through the first outer member and at least a portion of the middle layer.