Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a tractive element coupled to the frame, an engine coupled to the frame and configured to drive the tractive element, and a debris shield coupled to the frame. The debris shield at least partially defines at least one of a left side or a right side of an engine compartment containing the engine. The debris shield includes an outer frame coupled to the frame and defining a ventilation aperture, an inner frame coupled to the outer frame, and a screen extending across the ventilation aperture. The screen extends between the outer frame and the inner frame such that the inner frame limits movement of the screen relative to the outer frame.

Abstract: A metronome includes a body, a sensor coupled to the body and a controller in communication with the sensor. The sensor is configured to detect one or more strikes by a user of the metronome. The controller is configured to receive a first user input to select a tap tempo mode, detect via the sensor a strike by the user on the body of the metronome, determine a tempo based on a plurality of strikes by the user. The controller is further configured to detect modulation of how the strikes are made to the body of the metronome and automatically adjust the tempo based on the detected modulation of the strike.

Abstract: An oil pipe assembly for a gas turbine engine. The oil pipe assembly includes a first pipe that defines a first fluid passage between an oil supply and a bearing chamber, and a second pipe that houses the first pipe and defines a second fluid passage between the first pipe and the second pipe that is supplied with cooling air. The oil pipe assembly also includes a restrictor that extends from the second pipe and restricts the passage of fluid from the second fluid passage before it flows into a breather. Pressure and temperature sensors) are located adjacent the restrictor to detect and measure changes in air pressure and air temperature adjacent the restrictor from which a controller identifies whether a leak has occurred in the first pipe or the second pipe. A method for detecting a leak in the oil pipe assembly, and a gas turbine are also described.

Abstract: A shaft apparatus for a gas turbine engine comprising: a first shaft portion; a second shaft portion; and a ratchet mechanism configured to permit the first shaft portion to rotate with respect to the second shaft portion in a first direction, and to prevent the first shaft portion from rotating with respect to the second shaft portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A gas turbine engines comprising the shaft apparatus and methods of operating a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.

Abstract: An oil pipe assembly for a gas turbine engine. The oil pipe assembly includes a first pipe that defines a first fluid passage between an oil supply and a bearing chamber, and a second pipe that houses the first pipe and defines a second fluid passage between the first pipe and the second pipe that is supplied with cooling air. The oil pipe assembly also includes a restrictor that extends from the second pipe and restricts the passage of fluid from the second fluid passage before it flows into a breather. Pressure and temperature sensors) are located adjacent the restrictor to detect and measure changes in air pressure and air temperature adjacent the restrictor from which a controller identifies whether a leak has occurred in the first pipe or the second pipe. A method for detecting a leak in the oil pipe assembly, and a gas turbine are also described.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising an engine core comprising a compressor; a compressor bleed valve in fluid communication with the compressor and configured to release bleed air from the compressor; and a combustor comprising a fuel manifold configured to provide fuel to the combustor; wherein the fuel manifold is in thermal contact with a cooling conduit; and the gas turbine engine further comprises a fluid conduit to supply bleed air from the compressor bleed valve to the cooling conduit.

Abstract: A shaft apparatus for a gas turbine engine comprising: a first shaft portion; a second shaft portion; and a ratchet mechanism configured to permit the first shaft portion to rotate with respect to the second shaft portion in a first direction, and to prevent the first shaft portion from rotating with respect to the second shaft portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A gas turbine engines comprising the shaft apparatus and methods of operating a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for converting physical coins into digital currency at a point of sale during a cash transaction at a retailer and related methods. A mobile app residing on a customer's mobile device communicates with a control module to manage the customer's account and obtain an identifier associated with the customer's account. During a cash transaction where physical change is due, the mobile device transmits the identifier to the point of sale. The point of sale transmits the identifier and the amount of change due to the control module. The control module confirms the identity of the customer using the identifier and directs a financial institution to move the amount of change due from the retailer's bank account to one or more designated bank accounts, one of which may be the customer's bank account.

Abstract: The present invention relates to activatable promoters, as well as expression systems, vectors, delivery systems, reaction vessels, aqueous objects and compositions comprising said activatable promoters. The invention also provides compositions comprising assemblies and networks of aqueous objects comprising said activatable promoters. The invention additionally provides methods of expressing a transcript and methods of expressing a polypeptide using the activatable promoters of the invention. The invention further provides phospholipid mixtures, as well as aqueous objects and compositions comprising said phospholipid mixtures.

Abstract: A hack-proof computer interface between a public-side operating system and a private-side operating system utilizing a “King's food taster” approach. A public-side operating system is exposed to the outside world, while a private-side operating system is isolated from the outside world except through the hack-proof interface. This effectively prevents infection of the private-side operating system with viruses or other computer malware from the outside world. The hack-proof interface includes a bitmap-coupled interface, such as a camera capturing a video image of the visible computer screen public-side operating system. A security device, such as a video scrambler or security lens, distorts or decimates the video image sufficiently to prevent active virus code from passing through the bitmap-coupled interface.

Abstract: A hack-proof computer interface between a public-side operating system and a private-side operating system utilizing a “King's food taster” approach. A public-side operating system is exposed to the outside world, while a private-side operating system is isolated from the outside world except through the hack-proof interface. This effectively prevents infection of the private-side operating system with viruses or other computer malware from the outside world. The hack-proof interface includes a bitmap-coupled interface, such as a camera capturing a video image of the visible computer screen public-side operating system. A security device, such as a video scrambler or security lens, distorts or decimates the video image sufficiently to prevent active virus code from passing through the bitmap-coupled interface.

Abstract: A system for converting physical coins into digital currency at a point of sale during a cash transaction at a retailer and related methods. A mobile app residing on a customer's mobile device communicates with a control module to manage the customer's account and obtain an identifier associated with the customer's account. During a cash transaction where physical change is due, the mobile device transmits the identifier to the point of sale. The point of sale transmits the identifier and the amount of change due to the control module. The control module confirms the identity of the customer using the identifier and directs a financial institution to move the amount of change due from the retailer's bank account to one or more designated bank accounts, one of which may be the customer's bank account.

Abstract: The present application provides an integrated bottoming cycle system for use with a gas turbine engine. The integrated bottoming cycle system described herein may include a compressor/pump, a cooling circuit downstream of the compressor/pump, a bottoming cycle heat exchanger, a heating circuit downstream of the bottoming cycle heat exchanger, and a number of turbine components in communication with the cooling circuit and/or the heating circuit to maximize the overall plant efficiency and economics.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing an electronic component to a heat sink or other support structure includes an insulative housing including a main body portion and a pair of opposed depending legs. The main body portion has a central recess formed therein. A pivot block or fulcrum is disposed in the recess. The apparatus also includes a load bar that is engageable with the pivot block to exert a compressive force upon the pivot block.

Abstract: A solar energy receiver includes a plurality of solar receiver elements. Each solar receiver element includes a substantially solid core configured to absorb solar radiation and to store the solar radiation as heat. The core includes a base surface and a plurality of absorption surfaces. The receiver further includes at least one fluid passageway defined within the core adjacent at least one absorption surface of the plurality of absorption surfaces, wherein the at least one fluid passageway is configured to channel a working fluid therethrough for absorbing heat stored in the core.

Abstract: The present application provides an integrated bottoming cycle system for use with a gas turbine engine. The integrated bottoming cycle system described herein may include a compressor/pump, a cooling circuit downstream of the compressor/pump, a bottoming cycle heat exchanger, a heating circuit downstream of the bottoming cycle heat exchanger, and a number of turbine components in communication with the cooling circuit and/or the heating circuit to maximize the overall plant efficiency and economics.

Abstract: A first portion of each of a plurality of Qu-type heat pipes is disposed in a hot gas path, and a second portion of each of the plurality of Qu-type heat pipes disposed away from the hot gas path. Also, the first portion of each of the plurality of Qu-type heat pipes extracts heat from the hot gas path and wherein the second portion of each of the plurality of Qu-type heat pipes creates a vapor that exits each second portion of the plurality of Qu-type heat pipes and away from the hot gas path.

Abstract: A power generation system includes a first compressor, a second compressor, a combustor configured to receive compressed air from the second compressor to produce an exhaust stream, a first turbine, and a power turbine. The first turbine is configured to receive the exhaust stream, generate a rotational power from the exhaust stream, output the rotational power to a second compressor, and output the exhaust stream. The system includes a coupling device configured to couple and decouple the first compressor to/from a second turbine, an electrical generator coupled to an output of the power turbine and configured to output electrical power, and a controller configured to cause the coupling device to mechanically decouple the second turbine from the first compressor, and cause the coupling device to direct compressed air from an air storage cavern to an inlet of the second compressor.

Abstract: A method of reducing the concentration of pollutants in a combustion flue gas having a first temperature is provided. The method includes the step of providing an organic Rankine cycle apparatus utilizing a working fluid and including at least one heat exchanger is arranged in thermal communication with the flue gas. The method further includes the step of reducing the temperature of the flue gas to a second temperature less than the first temperature by vaporizing the working fluid within the heat exchanger utilizing thermal energy derived from the flue gas. The method further includes the step of filtering the flue gas through at least one filter disposed downstream of the heat exchanger to remove pollutants from the flue gas. An associated system configured to reduce the concentration of pollutants in the combustion flue gas is also provided.

Abstract: A series of spaced-apart light gauge cold formed steel studs underlie an elongated light gauge cold formed steel channel or box. A series of joist supports are connected to the channel and a series of joists, formed of a light gauge cold formed steel, are connected to the joist supports and extend outwardly from the box. Decking is supported on the joist. Concrete is poured into the channel to form a reinforced header or beam, and concrete is also poured onto the decking to form a concrete floor. Together, the concrete floor and header form a monolithic concrete structure that enables the joist to be misaligned with studs.