Abstract: A gas turbine engine and a retaining ring are disclosed. The gas turbine engine includes a rotating disc assembly, including a rotating disc, a cover plate, and a retaining ring disposed between the rotating disc and the cover plate, wherein the retaining ring axially retains the rotating disc and the cover plate, the retaining ring including a rotating disc face to interface with the rotating disc; a cover plate face to interface with the cover plate; and an end gap portion defining an end gap, wherein at least one of the rotating disc face, the cover plate face, and the end gap portion includes a stress reducing feature.

Abstract: A spring damper includes a split ring body. The split ring body defines a center and a circular gap separating opposed first and second end portions of the split ring body. The first and second end portions are connected by a split ring body segment that is evenly spaced from the center. At least one of the first and second end portions is unevenly spaced from the center in relation to the segment that is evenly spaced with respect to the center.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine and a retaining ring are disclosed. The gas turbine engine includes a rotating disc assembly, including a rotating disc, a cover plate, and a retaining ring disposed between the rotating disc and the cover plate, wherein the retaining ring axially retains the rotating disc and the cover plate, the retaining ring including a rotating disc face to interface with the rotating disc; a cover plate face to interface with the cover plate; and an end gap portion defining an end gap, wherein at least one of the rotating disc face, the cover plate face, and the end gap portion includes a stress reducing feature.

Abstract: A spring damper includes a split ring body. The split ring body defines a center and a circular gap separating opposed first and second end portions of the split ring body. The first and second end portions are connected by a split ring body segment that is evenly spaced from the center. At least one of the first and second end portions is unevenly spaced from the center in relation to the segment that is evenly spaced with respect to the center.

Abstract: A CHP system can include one or more heat sources generating heat output and producing emissions. The CHP system can further include one or more power converters configured to convert the heat into a useful power output. The power converters can deliver the balance of heat to one or more thermally-activated devices (TADs) configured to convert the heat into a useful thermal (heating and cooling) output. The method for configuring the CHP system can comprise the steps of: representing the useful power output by the power converters as a function of the heat output by the heat sources; representing the useful thermal output by the TADs as a function of the heat output by the heat sources; representing the specific emission output as a function of the heat output by the heat sources; and determining the values of the individual heat source heat output which are sufficient to attain the pre-defined levels for useful power output and useful thermal output, while meeting the regulated specific emission levels.

Abstract: An elevator system design incorporates a belt having a jacket coating a plurality of elongate load bearing members such as steel cords. The jacket includes a plurality of spaced grooves on at least one side of the belt. The width of the grooves and the size of at least the drive sheave in the system are selected so that a ratio of the groove width to the sheave diameter is within a selected range. In one example, the ratio preferably is less than about 0.05. The grooves also preferably include a fillet at the edges of the grooves where the grooves meet with the sheave-engaging surface on the belt jacket.

Abstract: Turbulators are disclosed for use in a high-stage generator for an exhaust-fired absorption chiller/heater. The turbulators are designed to minimize pressure drop across the turbulator, and thus minimize the efficiency loss to the exhaust source. One turbulator design has a number of flanges extending at a non-normal angle to a central web. Further, some of the flanges have cutout portions. The overall turbulator design is intended to minimize wake downstream of the turbulator blades, which could otherwise cause undesirable pressure drop. A second turbulator design incorporates flanges that extend at a normal angle relative to the central web, but wherein the flanges have a non-rectangular cross-sectional shape. Again, the goal of the turbulator designs here is to minimize wake, and potential pressure drop.

Abstract: A control for controlling the amount of heated fluid entering the inlet of the driving heat source for a refrigerant absorption cycle is controlled to vary the relative amount of heated fluid entering the driving heat source inlet, and being dumped to atmosphere. Preferably, a diverter valve is utilized such that a first valve body (40) communicates the flow into the driving heat source inlet, and moves in opposition to a second valve body (46) controlling the flow through the exhaust. The two valves bodies (40, 46) are preferably mechanically linked. Since the heated fluid is not allowed to enter the refrigerant absorption cycle as its drive heating source, no additional hardware and control for dumping excess heat is necessary within the refrigerant absorption cycle. A computer control preferably drives the first valve to a precise position and the linkage ensures the second valve is also received at a precise position.

Abstract: Turbulators are disclosed for use in a high-stage generator for an exhaust-fired absorption chiller/heater. The turbulators are designed to minimize pressure drop across the turbulator, and thus minimize the efficiency loss to the exhaust source. One turbulator design has a number of flanges extending at a non-normal angle to a central web. Further, some of the flanges have cutout portions. The overall turbulator design is intended to minimize wake downstream of the turbulator blades, which could otherwise cause undesirable pressure drop. A second turbulator design incorporates flanges that extend at a normal angle relative to the central web, but wherein the flanges have a non-rectangular cross-sectional shape. Again, the goal of the turbulator designs here is to minimize wake, and potential pressure drop.

Abstract: This application discloses a control logic for maintaining a proper solution concentration within an absorption chiller. Further, safeguards are added to a system control to ensure robust operation when operated in a co-generation application with a heat source such as a micro-turbine, a reciprocating engine, etc. In such applications, in proper management of the heat flow into the chiller from such sources can result in crystallization of the absorption solution, which would be undesirable. Inventive control logic works to minimize such occurrences.

Abstract: An absorption chiller system has an efficient start-up control that monitors system condition, and in particular the absorption solution temperature. The system limits the amount of heat delivered into the absorption chiller generator, to provide a gradual rise in the absorption solution temperature at start-up. In this manner, undesirable noise vibration and rapid thermal expansion, which may have occurred in the past is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: This application discloses a control logic for maintaining a proper solution concentration within an absorption chiller. Further, safeguards are added to a system control to ensure robust operation when operated in a co-generation application with a heat source such as a micro-turbine, a reciprocating engine, etc. In such applications, in proper management of the heat flow into the chiller from such sources can result in crystallization of the absorption solution, which would be undesirable. Inventive control logic works to minimize such occurrences.

Abstract: A sound absorbing light fixture (42) installed in a surface system, such as an elevator ceiling system (40), of an enclosed interior, such as the interior (32) of an elevator cab (32) is presented. The light fixture (42) comprises a frame (46) disposed in fixed relationship to the surface system, the frame (46) having an interior rear surface and interior side surfaces extending outwardly from the rear surface to define a cavity (50). A light source (48) is supported by the frame (46) within the cavity (50). Additionally, a light diffuser (44) is disposed in fixed relationship to a front portion of the frame (46) between the light source (48) and the enclosed interior. The installed light fixture (42) enhances a sound absorption coefficient, e.g., above 0.6, of the surface system for a predetermined frequency range of sound energy, e.g., 300-600 Hz.

Abstract: The profile of the valve stop of a discharge valve is configured such that the portion facing the free length of the valve member has an increasing radius portion and a decreasing radius portion.