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 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 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 system for reducing fouling and improving efficiency in a coal-fired power plant that may include: 1) an analyzer grid, the analyzer grid including a plurality of sensors that measure gas characteristics through an approximate cross section of a flow through a boiler of the coal-fired power plant; 2) a plurality of air injectors with enhanced controllability; 3) means for analyzing the measurements of the gas characteristics; and 4) means for controlling the air injectors with enhanced controllability. The analysis of the measurements of the gas characteristics may include analyzing the measurements to determine zones of non-homogeneous flow.

Abstract: A corner drift connector for preventing damage to exterior walls of buildings during wind, earthquake, or other building-deforming events is described. The corner drift connector is slidably attached to each of two angled walls which form a corner of a building. Slots in flanges of the corner drift connector facilitate utilizing connectors to attach the corner drift connector to the walls while allowing relative motion between the walls and the connector. A cover placed outside the corner drift connector conceals the connector and its intersections with the walls.

Abstract: The invention describes a method, a system and a computer program product for masking data in a database system. The database system includes a database in which sensitive data is stored. The database system also includes a Database Management System (DBMS) which manages the database. Further, the database system includes a plurality of users that run various database queries and commands on the sensitive data. Masking policies are set for users that have access to the sensitive data. Users without privileges to view or manipulate sensitive data may run their queries and commands on masked data, while users with privileges to run and manipulate sensitive data may run their queries and commands on sensitive data. The masked data is generated in real-time and is not stored on the database, thereby preserving its integrity.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a building structure is provided. The connector assembly includes an elongated track that is mounted to a first member of a building frame structure. A connecting member is connected to the elongated track and retained within a pair of opposed channels that form a part of the track. Connected to the connecting member is a second member of the building frame structure. Formed in the connecting member is at least one elongated slot that permits the connecting member to be connected to the second member and for there to be relative movement between the connecting member and the second member. Further, the connecting member is slidable back and forth within the elongated track. Thus, it is appreciated that bidirectional movement between the first and second members can be accommodated by the connecting member sliding back and forth along the track on one hand and by there being relative movement about the connection between the connecting member and the second member.

Abstract: A system for reducing fouling and improving efficiency in a coal-fired power plant that may include: 1) an analyzer grid, the analyzer grid including a plurality of sensors that measure gas characteristics through an approximate cross section of a flow through a boiler of the coal-fired power plant; 2) a plurality of air injectors with enhanced controllability; 3) means for analyzing the measurements of the gas characteristics; and 4) means for controlling the air injectors with enhanced controllability. The analysis of the measurements of the gas characteristics may include analyzing the measurements to determine zones of non-homogeneous flow.

Abstract: A method for controlling the use of oligonucleotide sequences released from arrays, comprises synthesizing a chemical array of oligonucleotides on a substrate under conditions for producing an array of cleavable oligonucleotides that are blocked from enzymatic reactions after cleavage. Methods may also include receiving a chemical array of cleavable oligonucleotides on a substrate, and cleaving the oligonucleotides from the array, wherein the oligonucleotides are blocked from enzymatic reactions after cleavage. Arrays, populations of oligonucleotides and kits are also provided to facilitate the methods.

Abstract: A connector for interconnecting two building members together. The connector, in one embodiment, includes first and second plates secured together. Each plate includes one or more elongated slots wherein the elongated slots of one plate are oriented at an angle of approximately 90° with respect to the slots formed in the other plate. Fasteners extend through the slots in the plates and connect the plates of the connector to two building members such as a horizontal building member and a vertical building member. Once connected, one of the building members is free to move with respect to the other building member while the connector is connected to the two building members. In another embodiment, the connector is slidable within a track. In this embodiment, a portion of the connector extends from the track and connects to one of the building members while the track connects to the other one of the building members.

Abstract: A tape dispensing unit (10), feeding tear tapes (12, 13), to a continuous portion of packaging material (14). The tear tape is applied to the packaging portions so that consumers may easily open the assembled packages. Tape is applied to packaging from a reel. A reserve reel also holding tape is provided. When the end of the tape on the reel in use is reached the tape dispensing unit splices together the end of the tape in use with the beginning of the reserve reel, so that tape is fed continuously to the packaging material.

Abstract: A system for managing replacement components for equipment having a plurality of components each with a limited useful life has a computer with a processor. The system includes a computer program module for defining a duty profile comprising a plurality of usage cases for the equipment, each usage case involving two or more of the plurality of components and specified operating conditions assumed to be experienced by the involved components during the execution of each of the usage cases. There are also a computer program module for determining a theoretical useful life for each component involved in a duty profile, the theoretical useful life being based on component useful life data under the specified operating conditions; and sensors for determining and monitoring the occurrence of equipment operation corresponding to a usage case and measuring the actual operating conditions experienced in the operation and the number of such operations.

Abstract: A tape dispensing unit (10), feeding tear tapes (12, 13), to a continuous portion of packaging material (14). The tear tape is applied to the packaging portions so that consumers may easily open the assembled packages. Tape is applied to packaging from a reel. A reserve reel also holding tape is provided. When the end of the tape on the reel in use is reached the tape dispensing unit splices together the end of the tape in use with the beginning of the reserve reel, so that tape is fed continuously to the packaging material.

Abstract: A support device for supporting the forearm of a worker in a generally horizontal plane comprising:(a) an attachment member for affixing the support device to a support member;(b) a lower support member having a forward end and a rearward end, the rearward end being pivotally mounted to the attachment member for free pivotal rotation of the forward end of the lower support member within an arc with respect to the attachment member due to force applied to the lower support member when the arm of the worker is moved in the horizontal plane; and,(c) an upper longitudinally extending support member for supporting the forearm of a worker, the upper member having a forward end and a rearward end, the upper support member being slidably mounted on the lower support member for movement of the upper support member in the longitudinal direction between a recessed position and an extended position with respect to the lower support member due to force applied to the upper support member when the arm of the worker is move

Abstract: A piezoelectric coaxial cable comprises a central stretchable electrical conductor (1), preferably formed from a low melting point metal alloy, a piezoelectric intermediate layer (2), preferably formed from a vinylidene fluoride polymer which has been stretched and radially polarized to render it piezoelectric, and an outer electrical conductor (3).The intermediate layer has a ratio R of its internal radius to its external radius which is preferably not more than 0.5 and more preferably not more than 0.4. This construction enables coaxial cables to be formed without voiding or breaking of the internal conductor during stretching.

Abstract: A piezoelectric coaxial cable comprises a central stretchable electrical conductor (1), preferably formed from a low melting point metal alloy, a piezoelectric intermediate layer (2), preferably formed from a vinylidene fluoride polymer which has been stretched and radially polarized to render it piezoelectric, and an outer electrical conductor (3).The intermediate layer has a ratio R of its internal radius to its external radius which is preferably not more than 0.5 and especially not more than 0.4. This construction enables coaxial cables to be formed without voiding or breaking of the internal conductor during stretching.