Abstract: A gear includes a steel rim having an inner circumferential surface a composite gear body attached thereto. The composite gear body includes an opening in a central region thereof. A first continuous fiber composite layer extends from a first point on an outer circumferential edge of the composite gear body to a second point on the outer circumferential edge. A second continuous fiber layer extends from the first point to the second point. The composite gear body also includes a filler layer disposed between the first and second continuous fiber layers, the filler layer extending within an inner region of the composite gear body. The inner region extends radially between the opening and a boundary inward of the inner circumferential surface such that the composite gear body is thicker within the inner region.

Abstract: A lubricating system includes a machine configured to operate in a first operating state and a second operating state; and a heat activated polymer material applied to at least a part of the machine and to remain solid during the first operating state and to soften upon being heated in the second operating state to lubricate the machine. The heat activated polymer material may soften due to increased friction incurred by the machine in the second operating state. A heating element may be operatively connected to any of the machine and the heat activated polymer material. The heat activated polymer material may soften due to being heated by the heating element in the second operating state. An injector may apply the heat activated polymer material to the machine. A channel may direct a flow of the heat activated polymer material as it softens in the second operating state.

Abstract: A lubricating system includes a machine configured to operate in a first operating state and a second operating state; and a heat activated polymer material applied to at least a part of the machine and to remain solid during the first operating state and to soften upon being heated in the second operating state to lubricate the machine. The heat activated polymer material may soften due to increased friction incurred by the machine in the second operating state. A heating element may be operatively connected to any of the machine and the heat activated polymer material. The heat activated polymer material may soften due to being heated by the heating element in the second operating state. An injector may apply the heat activated polymer material to the machine. A channel may direct a flow of the heat activated polymer material as it softens in the second operating state.

Abstract: A hybrid gear consisting of metallic outer rim with gear teeth and metallic hub in combination with a composite lay up between the shaft interface (hub) and gear tooth rim is described. The composite lay-up lightens the gear member while having similar torque carrying capability and it attenuates the impact loading driven noise/vibration that is typical in gear systems. The gear has the same operational capability with respect to shaft speed, torque, and temperature as an all-metallic gear as used in aerospace gear design.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for enhancing the durability as well as the strength and stiffness of prepreg fiber tows of the sort used in composite materials are disclosed. The method involves adhering electrospun fibers onto the surface of such composite materials as filament-wound composite objects and the surface of prepreg fiber tows of the sort that are subsequently used in the production of composite materials of the filament-wound, woven, and braided sorts. The apparatus performs the methods described herein.

Abstract: A Remote Area Monitoring System (RAMS) for detecting movement in a disallowed direction through a passageway (P). The RAMS monitors two volumetric spaces that are established by the system, both of which spaces are defined with respect to depth, width, and height. Both a warning zone and an alarm zone are defined for each space. The warning zone protects against inadvertent incursion into the protected spaces; while the alarm zone protects against intentional intrusions thereinto by movement in the disallowed direction. The RAMS automatically monitors both zones and does not require human vigilance to detect and warn of an incursion or intrusion. Human traffic, in both directions through the zones, is monitored; as well as the movement of objects. Movement of humans is detected using a sensor (16) employing machine vision technology including multiple overhead modules (12) linked together so to cover the passageway through which pedestrians travel.

Abstract: A gas turbine fan blade containment assembly includes a fan case having an inner surface surrounding a jet engine fan and an outer surface. Mounted on the inner surface and across a blade containing region of the fan case is a load spreader layer for initially receiving a point load from a fan blade release (a “blade-out event”). A band layer is mounted to an outer surface of the fan case for carrying at least a portion of a hoop tensile load on the fan case resulting from the blade-out event, and separator film layer is mounted between the outer surface of the fan case and the band layer to retard the formation of stress concentrations in the band layer. In one embodiment, the load spreader layer includes a plurality of circumferentially-arrayed load spreader layer segments.

Abstract: A vertical-axis, stator-less wind turbine includes a rotor rotatable about a vertical axis. The rotor has a plurality of vertically oriented rotor airfoils disposed circumferentially and with equiangular symmetry about the vertical axis. Each rotor airfoil has a substantially logarithmic curvature.

Abstract: A Remote Area Monitoring System (RAMS) for detecting movement in a disallowed direction through a passageway (P). The RAMS monitors two volumetric spaces that are established by the system, both of which spaces are defined with respect to depth, width, and height. Both a warning zone and an alarm zone are defined for each space. The warning zone protects against inadvertent incursion into the protected spaces; while the alarm zone protects against intentional intrusions thereinto by movement in the disallowed direction. The RAMS automatically monitors both zones and does not require human vigilance to detect and warn of an incursion or intrusion. Human traffic, in both directions through the zones, is monitored; as well as the movement of objects. Movement of humans is detected using a sensor (16) employing machine vision technology including multiple overhead modules (12) linked together so to cover the passageway through which pedestrians travel.

Abstract: A gas turbine fan blade containment assembly includes a fan case having an inner surface surrounding a jet engine fan and an outer surface. Mounted on the inner surface and across a blade containing region of the fan case is a load spreader layer for initially receiving a point load from a fan blade release (a “blade-out event”). A band layer is mounted to an outer surface of the fan case for carrying at least a portion of a hoop tensile load on the fan case resulting from the blade-out event, and separator film layer is mounted between the outer surface of the fan case and the band layer to retard the formation of stress concentrations in the band layer. In one embodiment, the load spreader layer includes a plurality of circumferentially-arrayed load spreader layer segments.

Abstract: A composite fan casing for a gas turbine engine includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a core having a plurality of core layers of reinforcing fiber bonded together with a thermosetting polymeric resin. Each core layer includes a plurality of braided reinforcing fiber tows. The braids of reinforcing fiber tows are aligned in a circumferential direction with each fiber tow including a plurality of reinforcing fibers. The core also includes at least one additional fiber tow braided into at least one predetermined axial location to form at least one concentrated stiffening ring.

Abstract: An electrolytic water purification system and method use provides a water filtration device with a plurality of electrolytic cells having anodes and cathodes specifically selected to remove contaminants from water. The device is capable of efficiently removing nearly all contaminants from water and is also capable of purifying the water by destroying micro-organisms which are in the water. Many minerals are removed from the purified water, and it is not necessary to add chemicals to the water during or after the purification process.

Abstract: An aerodynamic-hybrid, vertical-axis wind turbine which includes a rotor airfoil and stator blade combination which maximizes energy production by increasing wind velocity and pressure while eliminating back pressure and improving the laminar flow of wind both around and through the device. The rotor airfoils have a horizontal cross-section with a crescent shape including a convex leading side and a concave trailing side with a thicker middle section that tapers to narrower sections at ends. The stator blades have a horizontal cross-section with a planar side and a convex side. Rotor airfoil and stator blade combinations are secured between upper and lower annular sails.

Abstract: An omni-directional, vertical-axis wind turbine which includes a rotor/stator combination which maximizes energy production by increasing wind velocity and pressure plus eliminating back pressure. The stator section includes a plurality of vortical blades secured between upper and lower conical sails. The blades have a radius fundamentally equal to that of the rotor and a chord length approximately 1.25 times its radius. The rotor has a diameter approximately equal to one-half that of the stator and has a plurality of concave blades secured to and spaced from a vertical spindle, said blades being arranged in stages within the vertical rise of the rotor. Each rotor blade has a chord line equal to twice its radii and a chord length approximating one-third the diameter of the stator.

Abstract: An omni-directional, vertical-axis wind turbine which includes a rotor/stator combination which maximizes energy production by increasing wind velocity and pressure plus eliminating back pressure. The stator section includes a plurality of vortical blades secured between upper and lower conical sails. The blades have a radius fundamentally equal to that of the rotor and a chord length approximately 1.25 times its radius. The rotor has a diameter approximately equal to one-half that of the stator and has a plurality of concave blades secured to and spaced from a vertical spindle, said blades being arranged in stages within the vertical rise of the rotor. Each rotor blade has a chord line equal to twice its radii and a chord length approximating one-third the diameter of the stator.

Abstract: A metallic protective housing for a skid-mounted aerobic reduction reactor which includes a pitched roof supported by two side walls and an end wall, each wall being secured to the skid. The two side walls and roof having reinforced structural members secured to the skid and to the reactor to form a point of attachment for moving the reactor. A series of hinged doors in the side and end walls to provide selective access to the reactor. The interior surfaces of the walls and roof being covered by insulation to control temperatures within the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is applicable to any a.c. electromagnetic reduction device which is used to change voltage or current levels or to transfer energy between mechanical and electrical systems and includes, for each phase, a combined pair of windings which are conductively and inductively dependent. The dominant winding of each combined pair is electrically connected to an input/output phase, while the reflux winding of each pair is electrically connected in additive or subtractive series with the dominant winding by means of a variable capacitive reactance. The capacitive reactance is then adjusted to minimize the net reactive factor of the coupled windings and the net reflected impedance of the input/output circuitry.

Abstract: Ballasting system for fluorescent lamps having improved energy transfer capability and which delivers a sinusoidal current waveform free of high order harmonics and induces a similar waveform into the power distribution system. The system includes a low leakage reactance auto-transformer which is tuned to the line frequency, and a separately-wound heating transformer and means for switching energy from the heating transformer each half cycle.

Abstract: Single and polyphase a.c. induction devices, such as: motors, generators, transformers, welders, ballasts, etc. are so wound as to maximize performance and efficiency. For each phase of such device this invention utilizes a combined pair of windings which are conductively and inductively dependent. An energy supply winding of each combined pair is electrically connected to a corresponding input/output phase, while the remaining, or reflux, winding of each pair is electrically connected in series with a tunable capacitive element and to neutral or electrical ground by means of a linear and non-linear resistive means.

Abstract: The present invention provides means to instantaneously optimize reactive kva for an a.c. power system containing both linear and non-linear reactive loads. The preferred means utilizes a reflux transformer which is tuned for maximum energy transfer between primary and secondary windings. Each secondary winding is connected in series with a variable inductor and a fixed capacitive means, so as to continuously reflect variable reactive kva to the power system via the primary and secondary windings. The reactive kva requirements of the power system can thus be continuously optimized without destructive voltage transients associated with switching graduated units of fixed capacitive compensation or incurring the risk of conducting series resonant currents associated with non-linear loads.