Abstract: A vane cluster has a platform, a shroud, and at least first and second airfoils extending between an outer face of the platform and an inner face of the shroud. Each airfoil has a pressure side and a suction side. The pressure side of the first airfoil faces the suction side of the second airfoil. The cluster includes a cooling passageway system. The system includes at least one inlet in the shroud. At least one first feed passageway extends from the shroud to the platform through the first airfoil. At least one second feed passageway extends from the shroud to the platform through the second airfoil. A first platform cooling plenum is to the pressure side of the first airfoil. A second platform cooling plenum is to the suction side of the first airfoil.

Abstract: Restaurants featuring improved efficiency through use of pneumatic systems for delivery of fast food products from a kitchen area to a food delivery area, such as in an out building, can revolutionize the fast food industry. A customer order entry station is located on a first side of the restaurant, and an order unit transmits order entry information to an indicator located adjacent to the kitchen area. A pneumatic dispatch station located adjacent to the kitchen area is connected via a second dispatch unit located in the food delivery area to a pneumatic tube. Upon the taking of a customer's order, the order entry information is acted upon by food service personnel who prepare food products such as sandwiches and load them into the kitchen area dispatch station for transport to the food delivery area. The food products reach the customer who has, by this time, navigated around the restaurant to the out building.

Abstract: A hydrostatic cooker discharge apparatus includes a flight conveyor, a first belt conveyor and a second belt conveyor. The flight conveyor sequentially receives horizontally oriented sticks of containers from a cooker. The first belt conveyor in conjunction with the flight conveyor transports the stick containers to a waterfall structure whereat the containers are reoriented to an upright position and are individually placed on the second belt conveyor for removal from the cooker area.

Abstract: A hydrostatic cooker discharge apparatus comprises a flight conveyor, a first belt conveyor and a second belt conveyor. The flight conveyor sequentially receives horizontally oriented sticks of containers from a cooker. The first belt conveyor in conjunction with the flight conveyor transports the stick containers to a waterfall structure whereat the containers are reoriented to an upright position and are individually placed on the second belt conveyor for removal from the cooker area.

Abstract: A hydrostatic cooker infeed apparatus includes a double cable conveyor transporting horizontally oriented containers to a single cable, stick assembly conveyor. A braking mechanism in conjunction with a counting mechanism limits the number of containers entering an assembly pocket of the stick assembly conveyor. An assembed stick of containers is simultaneously ejected from the assembly pocket by linkage which is synchronously coordinated with an underlying flight conveyor, which transports the stick to a continuous hydrostatic cooker chain for batch loading thereon.

Abstract: A conveyed item divider apparatus and method for automatically dividing a mixture of a plurality of first items and a plurality of second items into a first group containing only the first items and a second group containing only the second items. The apparatus includes a first conveyor conveying the mixture of items along a common path beneath an overlying second conveyor containing a negative pressure chamber. Each of the containers is suctioned in abutting relationship with the second conveyor. A shutter mechanism selectively releases each of the second containers to the first conveyor where they are urged laterally to follow a second path along the first conveyor. Each of the first containers is subsequently returned to the first conveyor to follow a first path along the first conveyor which is substantially colinear with the common path and is separate from the second path.

Abstract: Mini-roller shafts are provided at opposite ends with resilient traction sleeves and with oversized transport sleeves therebetween. Bearing members are provided to position the traction sleeves for frictional engagement with endless drive members extending along opposite sides of the conveyor module. Each bearing member is provided with a relatively enlarged roller shaft-receiving opening that permits limited radial movement of the shaft, and some of the bearing members include a transport sleeve-receiving cradle. Accordingly the roller shaft is able to be deflected or displaced when the concentration or weight of the articles being conveyed on a given area of the conveyor reaches a point where reduction of pressure between the articles is desirable.

Abstract: A pallet restraint system for use in the cargo bay of an aircraft in an air drop sequence. The system assures an equal application of the parachute extraction force and simultaneous release of all load sensitive latches by means of hydraulic interconnectors between the latches to vary their position.

Abstract: A structural system for capturing, supporting, and releasably securing a tail ramp toe of an aircraft, while the aircraft is either on the ground or in flight. The preferred embodiment of the ramp toe stowage system is adapted for use with a cargo aircraft having: a downwardly and outwardly opening tail ramp, with at least one ramp toe removably attached to it; and, an upwardly and inwardly opening tail door that is complementary to, and aft of, the tail ramp, with the tail door having an internal surface. The stowage system is located over, and is attached to, the internal surface of the tail door, and includes two horizontally positioned tracks that accept complementary guide rollers which are on the side edges of the ramp toe, near the known center of gravity of the toe. Unlike the prior art, the system requires only one man to stow the ramp toe, or to release it from stowage, even while the aircraft is in flight.