Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of protective coatings onto interior surface of long-length tubes or pipes having relatively small diameter, in order to prevent corrosion-, erosion-, or wear damage of said surface. The method for manufacturing a tube comprising an embedded corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant-coating, wherein the tube consists of an external tube layer, a bond layer, a corrosion- and wear-resistant coating, and an internal tube layer, includes: depositing the corrosion- and wear-resistant coating (CWRC) onto outer surface of the internal tube, depositing a bonding material onto CWRC, inserting the internal tube with deposited CWRC and bond material into the external tube to provide an embedded CWRC between external and internal tube layers, and bonding both tubes with the interior CWRC in one solid structure. A crack-healing compound or release compound is additionally deposited onto internal tube before CWRC, which is preferably alumina ceramic or hard thermal-sprayed alloy.

Abstract: A switch remoting system for extending the function of an existing wired switch in a residence or other building, so that, in its extended function, the switch controls AC power available at one or more additional AC outlets. The basic system comprises two plug-in modules including a control unit and a remote switching unit. The control unit is plugged into an AC outlet controlled by the switch whose function is being extended. When that switch is actuated, the AC power transition and the resulting "on" or "off" power state is sensed and corresponding encoded switching control signals are generated and relayed to the remote switching unit. There, the switching control signals are decoded, and actuate an internal AC switch that controls AC power to an integral AC outlet receptacle in the remote switching unit. A lamp or other device plugged into the AC receptacle of the remote switching unit is thereby switch controlled by action of the switch whose function is being extended.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle comprising a first vehicle portion attached to a second vehicle portion by a joint assembly. The joint assembly preferably comprises a bearing assembly that is pivotally attached to the first vehicle portion such that the bearing assembly can pivot relative to the first vehicle portion about a substantially horizontal axis that is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The bearing assembly is also preferably pivotally attached to the second vehicle portion such that the bearing assembly can pivot relative to the second vehicle portion about a substantially vertical axis. The bearing assembly is preferably constructed to enable the first vehicle portion to rotate about the longitudinal axis relative to the second vehicle portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a location and resistance of an electrical leak in a battery having a first and second terminals. The apparatus includes a resistor, a switch assembly for selectively connecting the resistor to the first terminal of the battery and for selectively connecting the resistor to the second terminal of the battery, and a controller.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a motor having an armature and a series-wound, series-connected field coil that can be separately controlled during regenerative braking. The circuit includes a main switching circuit, an armature circuit, and a field circuit. The main switching circuit includes a first switch and a first diode parallel-connected to the first switch. The armature circuit includes a second switch parallel-connected to the armature and series-connected to the main switching circuit, and includes a second diode parallel-connected to the second switch. The field circuit includes a third diode parallel-connected to the field coil and series-connected to the armature circuit.

Abstract: A process for forming a transparent silicon carbide film on substrates by magnetron sputtering a silicon carbide target in a partial vacuum having a partial pressure of hydrogen and argon.

Abstract: A fiber-optic sensor is formed from three optical fibers. The distal ends of the fibers are optically linked by bonding their cores and directing their ends to mirrors. A portion of one of the fibers near the bonded point is exposed directly to the fluid to be sensed. The transmission characteristics of this fiber, the signal fiber, is then affected by the chemical constituents of the fluid. Light directed into the proximal end of one of the other fibers, the input fiber, is split between the signal fiber and the remaining fiber, the reference fiber. The ratio of the light in the signal fiber to the light in the reference fiber provides an indication of the chemical constituents that minimizes errors introduced by factors such as bends in the fibers and temperature.

Abstract: In large turbine machines, it is critical to bearing performance that the turbine rotor remain aligned with the bearing surfaces. Misalignment can occur due to high thrust loads or thermal deformation. The object of the invention is to ensure correct rotor-bearing alignment under all operating conditions. The invention is a self-aligning bearing support structure capable of accommodating angular rotor misalignments. The bearing support structure includes a bearing casing which transfers axial loads or thrusts to the bearing standard through a yoke attached to the bearing casing and to the bearing standard by pairs of axially oriented flex struts. In combination with the axially oriented flex struts a transverse flex plate supports the bearing vertical load.

Abstract: The field of this invention is fluid flow control through large conduits. In particular, this invention is contemplated for use in a combined cycle power plant wherein gas turbine exhaust gas is either sent through a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) or diverted to the atmosphere. The invention is a damper and frame assembly believed to be well suited to the purpose of channeling the hot exhaust gas within the context of a combined cycle power plant either as an isolation damper to the HRSG or a bypass damper to the exhaust stack. One key consideration is the thermal relationship between the damper blade and its adjacent frame and provision is made to provide a damper blade that will not warp and a frame wherein thermal growth and distortion are limited.

Abstract: A semi-rigid aircraft wing is provided of the type having a rigid spar forming the leading edge, a flexible cable forming the trailing edge, and a fabric covering forming upper and lower surfaces. An inflatable air bag is placed within the wing extending from end to end of the wing adjacent the rigid spar to engage at least one of the wing surfaces when inflated to control the airfoil configuration.