Abstract: A compound cycle engine having an output shaft; at least two rotary units each defining an internal combustion engine, a first stage turbine, and a turbocharger is discussed. The first stage turbine includes a rotor in driving engagement with the output shaft between two of the rotary units. The exhaust port of each rotary unit is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first stage turbine upstream of its rotor. The outlet of the compressor of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the inlet port of each rotary unit. The inlet of the second stage turbine of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first stage turbine downstream of its rotor. The first stage turbine has a lower reaction ratio than that of the second stage turbine. A method of compounding at least two rotary engines is also discussed.

Abstract: A compound cycle engine having an output shaft; at least two rotary units each defining an internal combustion engine, a first stage turbine, and a turbocharger is discussed. The first stage turbine includes a rotor in driving engagement with the output shaft between two of the rotary units. The exhaust port of each rotary unit is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first stage turbine upstream of its rotor. The outlet of the compressor of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the inlet port of each rotary unit. The inlet of the second stage turbine of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first stage turbine downstream of its rotor. The first stage turbine has a lower reaction ratio than that of the second stage turbine. A method of compounding at least two rotary engines is also discussed.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a patient on a hospital bed comprising: at least one deformation sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of a deformation of a frame of the bed; a location determination unit for determining a lateral and/or longitudinal location of the patient based on the deformation of the frame. A method for monitoring an exit of a patient from a hospital bed comprising: determining a patient location on the bed based on measured deformation and generating an alarm signal if the determined location is outside a predetermined area. A weight sensing system for a hospital bed having a base with a suspended frame suspended from a fixed frame comprising: a load sensor connecting the suspended frame and the fixed frame via a suspension member which is unsecured from the fixed frame to allow free vertical movement of the suspended frame relative to the fixed frame.

Abstract: A compound cycle engine having an output shaft; at least two rotary units each defining an internal combustion engine, a first stage turbine, and a turbocharger is discussed. The first stage turbine includes a rotor in driving engagement with the output shaft between two of the rotary units. The exhaust port of each rotary unit is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first stage turbine upstream of its rotor. The outlet of the compressor of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the inlet port of each rotary unit. The inlet of the second stage turbine of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first stage turbine downstream of its rotor. The first stage turbine has a lower reaction ratio than that of the second stage turbine. A method of compounding at least two rotary engines is also discussed.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a patient on a hospital bed comprising: at least one deformation sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of a deformation of a frame of the bed; a location determination unit for determining a lateral and/or longitudinal location of the patient based on the deformation of the frame. A method for monitoring an exit of a patient from a hospital bed comprising: determining a patient location on the bed based on measured deformation and generating an alarm signal if the determined location is outside a predetermined area. A weight sensing system for a hospital bed having a base with a suspended frame suspended from a fixed frame comprising: a load sensor connecting the suspended frame and the fixed frame via a suspension member which is unsecured from the fixed frame to allow free vertical movement of the suspended frame relative to the fixed frame.

Abstract: A compound cycle engine having an output shaft, at least two rotary units each including an internal combustion engine with the rotor of each rotary unit mounted on the output shaft and in driving engagement therewith, and a turbine including a rotor in driving engagement with the output shaft. The exhaust port of each rotary unit housing is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the turbine upstream of its rotor. The turbine is disposed co-axially between two of the rotary units. The engine may further include a compressor in fluid communication with the inlet port of each housing and a second turbine having an inlet in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first turbine downstream of its rotor. A method of compounding rotary engines is also discussed.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a patient on a hospital bed comprising: at least one deformation sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of a deformation of a frame of the bed; a location determination unit for determining a lateral and/or longitudinal location of the patient based on the deformation of the frame. A method for monitoring an exit of a patient from a hospital bed comprising: determining a patient location on the bed based on measured deformation and generating an alarm signal if the determined location is outside a predetermined area. A weight sensing system for a hospital bed having a base with a suspended frame suspended from a fixed frame comprising: a load sensor connecting the suspended frame and the fixed frame via a suspension member which is unsecured from the fixed frame to allow free vertical movement of the suspended frame relative to the fixed frame.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a patient on a hospital bed comprising: at least one deformation sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of a deformation of a frame of the bed; a location determination unit for determining a lateral and/or longitudinal location of the patient based on the deformation of the frame. A method for monitoring an exit of a patient from a hospital bed comprising: determining a patient location on the bed based on measured deformation and generating an alarm signal if the determined location is outside a predetermined area. A weight sensing system for a hospital bed having a base with a suspended frame suspended from a fixed frame comprising: a load sensor connecting the suspended frame and the fixed frame via a suspension member which is unsecured from the fixed frame to allow free vertical movement of the suspended frame relative to the fixed frame.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a patient on a hospital bed comprising: at least one deformation sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of a deformation of a frame of the bed; a location determination unit for determining a lateral and/or longitudinal location of the patient based on the deformation of the frame. A method for monitoring an exit of a patient from a hospital bed comprising: determining a patient location on the bed based on measured deformation and generating an alarm signal if the determined location is outside a predetermined area. A weight sensing system for a hospital bed having a base with a suspended frame suspended from a fixed frame comprising: a load sensor connecting the suspended frame and the fixed frame via a suspension member which is unsecured from the fixed frame to allow free vertical movement of the suspended frame relative to the fixed frame.

Abstract: A compound cycle engine having an output shaft, at least two rotary units each including an internal combustion engine with the rotor of each rotary unit mounted on the output shaft and in driving engagement therewith, and a turbine including a rotor in driving engagement with the output shaft. The exhaust port of each rotary unit housing is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the turbine upstream of its rotor. The turbine is disposed co-axially between two of the rotary units. The engine may further include a compressor in fluid communication with the inlet port of each housing and a second turbine having an inlet in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first turbine downstream of its rotor. A method of compounding rotary engines is also discussed.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a patient on a hospital bed comprising: at least one deformation sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of a deformation of a frame of the bed; a location determination unit for determining a lateral and/or longitudinal location of the patient based on the deformation of the frame. A method for monitoring an exit of a patient from a hospital bed comprising: determining a patient location on the bed based on measured deformation and generating an alarm signal if the determined location is outside a predetermined area. A weight sensing system for a hospital bed having a base with a suspended frame suspended from a fixed frame comprising: a load sensor connecting the suspended frame and the fixed frame via a suspension member which is unsecured from the fixed frame to allow free vertical movement of the suspended frame relative to the fixed frame.

Abstract: A compound cycle engine having an output shaft; at least two rotary units each defining an internal combustion engine, a velocity turbine, and a turbocharger is discussed. The velocity turbine includes a rotor in driving engagement with the output shaft between two of the rotary units. The exhaust port of each rotary unit is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the velocity turbine upstream of its rotor. The outlet of the compressor of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the inlet port of each rotary unit. The inlet of the pressure turbine of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the velocity turbine downstream of its rotor. A method of compounding at least two rotary engines is also discussed.

Abstract: A compound cycle engine having an output shaft; at least two rotary units each defining an internal combustion engine, a first stage turbine, and a turbocharger is discussed. The first stage turbine includes a rotor in driving engagement with the output shaft between two of the rotary units. The exhaust port of each rotary unit is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first stage turbine upstream of its rotor. The outlet of the compressor of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the inlet port of each rotary unit. The inlet of the second stage turbine of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first stage turbine downstream of its rotor. The first stage turbine has a lower reaction ratio than that of the second stage turbine. A method of compounding at least two rotary engines is also discussed.

Abstract: A compound cycle engine having an output shaft; at least two rotary units each defining an internal combustion engine, a velocity turbine, and a turbocharger is discussed. The velocity turbine includes a rotor in driving engagement with the output shaft between two of the rotary units. The exhaust port of each rotary unit is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the velocity turbine upstream of its rotor. The outlet of the compressor of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the inlet port of each rotary unit. The inlet of the pressure turbine of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the velocity turbine downstream of its rotor. A method of compounding at least two rotary engines is also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diagnostic and control system for a patient support, wherein the patient support includes one or more of a plurality of electronic elements. Such elements may include load sensors, tilt sensors, actuators for adjusting patient support angles, in addition to other electronic elements. The diagnostic and control system can enable the specific control of each of these electronic element for desired operation thereof and further can enable monitoring of the operating conditions of these electronic elements and additional patient support conditions.

Abstract: The patient support with a head end and a foot end comprises a lying surface supported by a frame system. It also comprises a pair of head end siderails, a pair of foot end siderails, a headboard, a footboard, a power system and a communication system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diagnostic and control system for a patient support, wherein the patient support comprises one or more of a plurality of electronic elements including for example, load sensors, tilt sensors, actuators for adjusting patient support angles and the like, in addition to other electronic elements for example. The diagnostic and control system according to the present invention can enable the specific control of each of these electronic element for desired operation thereof and further can enable the monitoring of the operating conditions of these electronic elements and additional patient support conditions. The diagnostic and control system further enables the evaluation and determination of the existence of one or more faults relating to the operation of the patient support and the respective one or more electronic elements, for example the existence of a fault can be conveyed to an operator in a form of an error message.

Abstract: The patient support with a head end and a foot end comprises a lying surface supported by a frame system. It also comprises a pair of head end siderails, a pair of foot end siderails, a headboard, a footboard, a power system and a communication system.