Abstract: A wireless communication device transmits data to a relay destination being one of first relaying devices capable of communicating out of relaying devices; obtains first information, from each first relaying device, that indicates a representative value of remaining operating times of relaying devices present on a relay route from the first relaying device to a target device; determines to perform a new route search, based on the first information; increases a transmission power; then transmits a request; receive responses from all or a part of second relaying devices, which are relaying devices that have received the request, including pieces of second information each of which indicates a representative value of remaining operating times of relaying devices present on a relay route from the second relaying device to the target device; and selects a relay destination of data from among the second relaying devices based on the pieces of second information.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a failure detection apparatus includes a communicator, a selector, an execution unit, and a determiner. The communicator communicates with a wireless terminal mounted on a moving object via at least one of first bridge devices located at predetermined positions. The selector selects second bridge devices from the first bridge devices. The execution unit executes test connections to the wireless terminal using the second bridge devices. The determiner determines that the wireless terminal is inoperative if the test connection via any of the second bridge devices has failed.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method are provided that allow food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenses a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system. A conveyor system transports the filled container to a suitable pick-up location.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method are provided that allow food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenses a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system. A conveyor system transports the filled container to a suitable pick-up location.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a voltage generator for generating a body bias voltage is described. The voltage generator includes a charge source and a voltage regulator coupled to the charge source. Transistors are coupled to the charge source to receive the body bias voltage from the voltage generator.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenser a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine. Food is dispensed from the automated dispensing device to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenser a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine. Food is dispensed from the automated dispensing device to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenses a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine. Food is dispensed from the automated dispensing device to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system.

Abstract: A combustor assembly is provided that includes a forward annular liner, an aft annular liner, and a stator. The forward annular liner has an inner annular edge and an outer annular edge. The aft annular liner is spaced apart from the forward annular liner to form a combustion chamber. The aft annular liner has an inner annular edge and an outer annular edge. The stator has a forward end and an aft end. The stator forward end includes an inner annular edge and an outer annular edge. The stator forward end inner annular edge is coupled to the aft annular liner outer annular edge via a first bayonet mount system, and the stator forward end outer annular edge is coupled to the forward annular liner outer annular edge via a second bayonet mount system.

Abstract: An integrated assembly is provided for a centrifugal compressor, which integrates selected static portions of the centrifugal compressor into a monolithic structure to allow a small deflection of the inner flow path at assembly. The integrated assembly may include a machined compressor shroud casting having integral diffuser vanes, an aft sheet metal inner flow ring having a radially extending rim with slots in the inner flow ring for receiving diffuser vanes and slots in the rim for receiving deswirler vanes, an outer deswirler band surrounding the inner flow ring and having slots opposing those in the rim, and a plurality of deswirler vanes for fabrication between the inner flow ring and the deswirler band within the respective slots.

Abstract: An electrically programmable fuse includes a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) programmable transistor that is gate-source coupled by a resistive element. The resistive element can comprise a gate-source coupled MOS transistor. If the MOS transistor is unprogrammed, then the resistive element ensures that the programmable transistor is turned off during read operations. However, when a programming voltage is applied across the source and drain terminals of the programmable transistor, the resistive element allows the programming voltage to be capacitively coupled to the gate of the programmable transistor from its drain. This turns the programmable transistor on, thereby reducing the snapback voltage of the programmable transistor, and hence, the required programming voltage. Once the snapback mode is entered, current flow through the programmable transistor increases until thermal breakdown occurs and the programmable transistor shorts out.

Abstract: A dome for a combustion chamber may have a plurality of effusion holes therein to provide efficient cooling while preventing carbon formation on the dome and chamber walls of the combustion chamber. Conventional dome cooling designs, using dome louvers, for example, may become corroded and/or may allow for ingestion of carbon particles that may build up and eventually separate from the dome. Furthermore, the dome cooling design of the present invention allows for the use of a lower profile dome as compared with conventional domes, thereby maximizing liner volume in the constrained combustion envelope while reducing combustor case weight. Additionally, the dome effusion cooling design of the present invention requires the use of less thermal barrier coating, as compared to conventional designs, in order to minimize thermal variation within the dome and between the dome and the combustor wall. A method for uniformly cooling a dome of a combustion chamber of an engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A compressor scroll housing for use in conjunction with turbo-machinery, particularly applicable in aircraft. The scroll housing can include a plurality of scroll vanes arrayed around the scroll housing. Scroll vanes, integrally formed with the scroll housing, carry stress load on the scroll housing, including the load from fluid pressure within the scroll and carcass loading from the engine. The plurality of scroll vanes adapted for guiding flow of fluid from an inlet to an outlet while supporting the scroll housing. Chord length and cross sectional area of each scroll vane can be sized to maintain an equal stress in all scroll vanes. A method of making the scroll housing for use with an impeller connected to an engine is disclosed, as well as a method of operating turbo-machinery including supporting a load on the scroll housing with scroll vanes while maintaining an equal stress on each scroll vane.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenser a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine. Food is dispensed from the automated dispensing device to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system.

Abstract: A conical helical design for a turbine combustor scroll utilizes as much cavity of the combustor housing as possible by adding an axial shift and an irregular cross sectional shape in the scroll without adversely effecting aerodynamic performance. The axial shift region of the combustor scroll extends the cross-sectional area centroid of the scroll beyond the scroll's discharge area B-width. The resulting scroll design allows for the use of a high performance engine with a larger combustor while reducing the weight of the system by making the combustor housing as small as possible. Furthermore, the scroll design increases the air velocity for convection cooling by reducing the gap between the scroll and the housing. The turbine scroll of the present invention is useful in engines for which high performance is required, such as certain high performance aircraft.

Abstract: An integral assembly that may improve control over thermal and mechanical behaviors of assembly structures during various transient operation conditions is disclosed. The integral assembly comprises a continuous ring disposed coaxial with, and orthogonal to a central axis, the continuous ring comprising a plurality of surfaces, the plurality of surfaces having a continuous outer surface and a continuous inner surface; the plurality of surfaces being characterized by a continuous cross section having a first cross sectional dimension longitudinally disposed parallel to the central axis; the plurality of surfaces comprising a bell mouth surface in physical communication with a compressor shroud surface; the compressor shroud surface being in physical communication with a diffuser surface; and the diffuser surface being in physical communication with the bell mouth surface. The integral assembly comprising a compressor shroud is also provided.

Abstract: A turbine scroll retention ring may comprise a retainer ring, a plurality of ring fingers, and a plurality of ring joggles. The turbine scroll retention ring may surround and be attached to a radial nozzle. The ring joggles may allow for thermal growth variations between the radial nozzle and the turbine scroll retention ring. The radially outer end portions of the ring fingers may be in contact with a turbine scroll component (for example, an aft scroll ring), such that the turbine scroll retention ring may force contact between the turbine scroll component and the radial nozzle. The finger joggles of the ring fingers may allow for thermal growth variations between the radial nozzle and the turbine scroll component. The turbine scroll retention ring may provide constant axial loading to the aft scroll ring during all engine operating conditions.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a turbine scroll inside a combustor housing, discouragers with 90-degree bending angles, a radial nozzle contacting a forward bayonet on the forward side of the turbine scroll at a bayonet engagement point and a B-width measured between the discouragers. Retaining ring maintains the size of the B-width. The turbine scroll may have eight surfaces sealing at four locations and a provision to maintain constant “B-width” for the thin sheet metal scroll within the combustion system. The design allows the scroll to operate at high temperature while maintaining lowest possible thermal and mechanical stresses. It can be easily assembled with excellent capability to control gas leakage and minimal component interface wearing or fretting. The gas turbine engine is adapted for aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and other flight vehicles, especially high performance, high cycle flight vehicles.

Abstract: A turbine engine compressor design utilizing multiple component integration, thereby reducing the number of required engine components. In conventional compressor designs, a multiple component system makes it difficult to predict the structural behaviors due to thermal and mechanical loading during transient conditions. The compressor design of the present invention has three main parts: a forward bearing housing, a bell-mouth (heat shield) and a coupled impeller shroud/diffuser. Such a design achieves the design objectives of the present invention, including reducing weight, reducing cost, minimizing tolerance build up and improving aerodynamic performance by utilizing multiple component integration for multiple modes of engine operation.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food.