Abstract: A fan blade capable of dissipating a buildup of electrostatic charge configured for operation within the fan assembly of a gas turbine engine. The fan blade has a fan blade body covered in a static dissipative coating. A conductive ground tab is attached to the front face of an airfoil root of the fan blade. Connected to the ground tab, a conductive flow path travels up the neck portion of the airfoil and along a lower portion of the fan blade. As static charge builds up on the fan blade, the electrostatic charge migrates down the fan blade and into the conductive flow path. Traveling along the conductive flow path the buildup of electrostatic charge accumulates on the conductive ground tab and exits the fan blade through contact with a disc rotor covering touching the conductive ground tab.

Abstract: A fan blade of a gas turbine engine may include a blade body having an inner surface defining a cavity in the blade body. A blade filler may be disposed in the cavity. The blade filler may include a bump integrally formed on a first surface of the blade filler. An adhesive may be formed on the first surface of the blade filler. The first surface of the blade filler may be bonded to a fan blade component.

Abstract: An optical communication cable and related method is provided. The cable includes a cable body and a plurality of optical transmission elements surrounded by the cable body. The cable includes a reinforcement layer surrounding the plurality of optical transmission elements and located between the cable body and the plurality of optical transmission elements. The reinforcement layer includes an outer surface and a channel defined in the outer surface that extends in the longitudinal direction along at least a portion of the length of the cable. The cable includes an elongate strength element extending in the longitudinal direction within the channel.

Abstract: A flame-retardant fiber optic cable includes core elements, a film surrounding the core elements, and a jacket surrounding the film. The core elements include one or more optical fibers and at least one tube surrounding the one or more optical fibers. The material composition of the film differs from the jacket and the film is relatively thin.

Abstract: An optical cable is provided. The optical cable includes a tubular, elongate body having an inner surface defining a cavity extending between first and second ends of the elongate body and an optical transmission element located with the cavity. The optical cable includes a coupling or bonding structure non-permanently and non-rigidly joining the outer surface of the optical transmission element to the elongate body at a plurality of periodic contact zones such that relative movement between the optical transmission element and the elongate body is resisted.

Abstract: An optical communication cable includes a central strength member, at least one optical fiber, a buffer tube surrounding the at least one optical fiber; and at least one non-solid filler tube defining a cavity, wherein the cavity contains a water-blocking component and no optical fibers, and wherein the buffer tube and the filler tube are stranded about the central strength member.

Abstract: A fan blade capable of dissipating a buildup of electrostatic charge configured for operation within the fan assembly of a gas turbine engine. The fan blade has a fan blade body covered in a static dissipative coating. A conductive ground tab is attached to the front face of an airfoil root of the fan blade. Connected to the ground tab, a conductive flow path travels up the neck portion of the airfoil and along a lower portion of the fan blade. As static charge builds up on the fan blade, the electrostatic charge migrates down the fan blade and into the conductive flow path. Traveling along the conductive flow path the buildup of electrostatic charge accumulates on the conductive ground tab and exits the fan blade through contact with a disc rotor covering touching the conductive ground tab.

Abstract: A flame-retardant fiber optic cable includes core elements, a film surrounding the core elements, and a jacket surrounding the film. The core elements include one or more optical fibers and at least one tube surrounding the one or more optical fibers. The material composition of the film differs from the jacket and the film is relatively thin.

Abstract: A fire resistant optical communication cable is provided. The fire-resistant optical communication cable includes an extruded cable body including an inner surface defining a passage in the cable body and an outer surface. The fire-resistant optical communication cable includes a plurality of elongate optical transmission elements located within the passage of the cable body. The fire-resistant optical communication cable includes a layer of intumescent particles embedded in the material of the cable body forming an intumescent layer within the cable body. The cable may include one or more elements having flame resistant coatings that, upon exposure to heat, form a ceramic layer increasing the combustion time of the coated element.

Abstract: A drop cable includes a jacket, first and second support members, and at least one optical fiber. The jacket has a oval-shaped cavity defined therein, where the minor dimension of the cavity is as small as about 0.25 mm and wherein the major dimension of the cavity is in a range of 0.25 mm to 10 mm. The first and second support members are arranged on opposing sides of the cavity and run generally longitudinally. The optical fiber is within the cavity and has a length greater than a length of the drop cable. Further, the optical fiber is in a substantially serpentine configuration in the cavity, where the serpentine configuration is substantially along a plane defined by a major axis of the oval-shape of the cavity.

Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil body made of a first metal with a leading edge, a trailing edge, pressure side and suction side; a sheath with first and second flanks made of a second metal; a first layer of non-conductive material adhesively bonded between a portion of the end of the first flank and the airfoil body and extending beyond the end of the first flank on the pressure side; and a second layer of non-conductive material adhesively between a portion of the end of the second flank and the airfoil body and extending beyond the end of the second flank on the suction side.

Abstract: A drop cable includes a jacket, first and second support members, and at least one optical fiber. The jacket has a oval-shaped cavity defined therein, where the minor dimension of the cavity is as small as about 0.25 mm and wherein the major dimension of the cavity is in a range of 0.25 mm to 10 mm. The first and second support members are arranged on opposing sides of the cavity and run generally longitudinally. The optical fiber is within the cavity and has a length greater than a length of the drop cable. Further, the optical fiber is in a substantially serpentine configuration in the cavity, where the serpentine configuration is substantially along a plane defined by a major axis of the oval-shape of the cavity.

Abstract: A fan assembly is disclosed which includes a rotor having an outer periphery and at least one slot extending radially inwardly through the outer periphery. The slot terminates at a base surface disposed at a radial depth from the outer periphery of the rotor. The fan assembly also includes at least one fan blade that includes an airfoil connected to a root. The root is received in the slot. The root terminates in an inner face having a radial length that is less than the radial depth of the Slot to define a gap between the inner face of the root and the base surface of the slot when the root is bias away to the base surface of the slot. A spacer is disposed within a gap, wherein a spacer is fabricated from a polymer, which may be a composite material such as a polymer embedded with reinforcing materials such as carbon fibers and glass fibers.

Abstract: A fiber optic assembly includes a buffer tube forming an elongate passage and a plurality of optical fibers positioned therein. The buffer tube includes at least one layer of a composite material that includes a base material and a filler material blended therein. Particles of the filler material have an acicular structure, having a longest dimension that is on average at least ten times a narrowest dimension of the particles. Further the buffer tube has kink resistance.

Abstract: A fire resistant optical communication cable is provided. The fire-resistant optical communication cable includes an extruded cable body including an inner surface defining a passage in the cable body and an outer surface. The fire-resistant optical communication cable includes a plurality of elongate optical transmission elements located within the passage of the cable body. The fire-resistant optical communication cable includes a layer of intumescent particles embedded in the material of the cable body forming an intumescent layer within the cable body. The cable may include one or more elements having flame resistant coatings that, upon exposure to heat, form a ceramic layer increasing the combustion time of the coated element.

Abstract: A fiber optic assembly includes a buffer tube forming an elongate passage and a plurality of optical fibers positioned therein. The buffer tube includes at least one layer of a composite material that includes a base material and a filler material blended therein. Particles of the filler material have an acicular structure, having a longest dimension that is on average at least ten times a narrowest dimension of the particles. Further the buffer tube has kink resistance.

Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil body made of a first metal with a leading edge, a trailing edge, pressure side and suction side; a sheath with first and second flanks made of a second metal; a first layer of non-conductive material adhesively bonded between a portion of the end of the first flank and the airfoil body and extending beyond the end of the first flank on the pressure side; and a second layer of non-conductive material adhesively between a portion of the end of the second flank and the airfoil body and extending beyond the end of the second flank on the suction side.

Abstract: An bedding apparatus is provided that allows a user the ability to control a bedroom environment using one selectable control. The apparatus includes an adjustable bedding unit and a computing unit coupled to the adjustable bedding unit. A number of controllable electronic appliances, having an effect on the bedroom environment, are electrically coupled to the computing unit. These electronic appliances are capable of being controlled by the computing unit. A user interface control unit is coupled to the computing unit. The user interface presents the user with a number of user-selectable settings that cause an adjustment in the position of the adjustable bed and at least one of the electronic appliances.

Abstract: A method of forming a low-cost drop cable (10) is disclosed. The method includes providing a protective cover material (352) having an extrusion temperature of 140° C.?TE?160° C. The protective cover material is extruded through a die (420) having a single aperture (424) that defines the cable's elongate cross-sectional shape. The extrusion process involves covering first and second strength members (30) on either side of at least one optical fiber (50). The combination of the low temperature of the extrudable protective cover material and the elongate shape of the single die aperture cause the formation of an oval cavity (20) within the extruded protective cover material. The oval cavity has major and central axes (A1, AC) and surrounds the at least one optical fiber. The strength members lie along the cavity major axis. Tensioning the strength members during extrusion and then releasing the tension causes the drop cable length to be reduced.