Abstract: A weather radar with an integrated flat plate slotted array antenna system mounted to a motorized, gimbaled platform. The integrated antenna system includes a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) receiver/transmitter antenna integrated with other printed circuit board (PCB) layers. The PCB includes radar transmitter, receiver and processing circuits configured to communicate with weather radar display and controller units. A protective shield provides radio-frequency (RF) shielding and mechanical support for the integrated antenna system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for processing a radar return signal to estimate reflectivity values. An example weather radar system includes one or more antennas configured to transmit a radar signal generated by a transmitter and deliver a radar return signal to a receiver. The example weather radar system further includes one or more processors configured to sample the radar return signal, determine a first signal power measurement of the sampled radar return signal based on Doppler signal processing, determine a quality of the first signal power measurement, and estimate reflectivity values of the sampled radar return signal based on the first signal power measurement when the quality is above a threshold. The example weather radar system further includes memory configured to store the estimated reflectivity values.

Abstract: A weather radar with an integrated flat plate slotted array antenna system mounted to a motorized, gimbaled platform. The integrated antenna system includes a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) receiver/transmitter antenna integrated with other printed circuit board (PCB) layers. The PCB includes radar transmitter, receiver and processing circuits configured to communicate with weather radar display and controller units. A protective shield provides radio-frequency (RF) shielding and mechanical support for the integrated antenna system.

Abstract: A method for tracking weather cells from a moving platform includes receiving, from a detection and ranging system, reflectivity data sampled for a volume of space and generating a feature map based on the reflectivity data, wherein the feature map is a representation of the volume of space that indicates locations with significant weather and generating a first segmented feature map based on the feature map that identifies the location and spatial extent of individual weather cells. The method further includes translating the first segmented feature map and a second segmented feature map, generated from data collected at a different point in time and/or space, to a common frame of reference and comparing the first segmented feature map to the second segmented feature map. The method further includes creating one or more track hypotheses based on the comparison of the first segmented feature map and the second segmented feature map.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for processing a radar return signal to estimate reflectivity values. An example weather radar system includes one or more antennas configured to transmit a radar signal generated by a transmitter and deliver a radar return signal to a receiver. The example weather radar system further includes one or more processors configured to sample the radar return signal, determine a first signal power measurement of the sampled radar return signal based on Doppler signal processing, determine a quality of the first signal power measurement, and estimate reflectivity values of the sampled radar return signal based on the first signal power measurement when the quality is above a threshold. The example weather radar system further includes memory configured to store the estimated reflectivity values.

Abstract: A convective weather graphic element generator system generates graphic elements associated with severe convective weather for presentation on a display on an aircraft. An exemplary system employs a weather radar and a processing system. The processing system determines a value associated with the detected convective weather based on the received weather radar returns detected by the weather radar, compares the value associated with the detected convective weather with a threshold, and generates a graphic element for a region of airspace when the value associated with the detected convective weather exceeds the threshold. The display is configured to concurrently present the weather reflectivity information generated by the weather radar and the graphic element associated with the convective weather, wherein portions of both the presented graphic element and the presented weather reflectivity information of the corresponding area are concurrently visible on the display.

Abstract: A method for tracking weather cells from a moving platform includes receiving, from a detection and ranging system, reflectivity data sampled for a volume of space and generating a feature map based on the reflectivity data, wherein the feature map is a representation of the volume of space that indicates locations with significant weather and generating a first segmented feature map based on the feature map that identifies the location and spatial extent of individual weather cells. The method further includes translating the first segmented feature map and a second segmented feature map, generated from data collected at a different point in time and/or space, to a common frame of reference and comparing the first segmented feature map to the second segmented feature map. The method further includes creating one or more track hypotheses based on the comparison of the first segmented feature map and the second segmented feature map.

Abstract: A convective weather graphic element generator system generates graphic elements associated with severe convective weather for presentation on a display on an aircraft. An exemplary system employs a weather radar and a processing system. The processing system determines a value associated with the detected convective weather based on the received weather radar returns detected by the weather radar, compares the value associated with the detected convective weather with a threshold, and generates a graphic element for a region of airspace when the value associated with the detected convective weather exceeds the threshold. The display is configured to concurrently present the weather reflectivity information generated by the weather radar and the graphic element associated with the convective weather, wherein portions of both the presented graphic element and the presented weather reflectivity information of the corresponding area are concurrently visible on the display.

Abstract: An injector includes an injector body that has at least an injection side surface. A plurality of passages extends within the injector body for injecting combustion fluids at the injection side surface. The plurality of passages include a first set of passages that has a first arrangement defining a first impingement point in space with regard to the injection side surface and a second, different set of passages that has a second arrangement defining a second impingement point in space with regard to the injection side surface.

Abstract: There is provided an injector assembly having two or more oxidizer manifolds and/or two or more fuel manifolds for delivery of liquid propellants to a combustion chamber such that combustion instability is reduced or eliminated during throttling. Delivery of the oxidizer to the oxidizer manifolds is controlled by an oxidizer valve, which may comprise an integral valve. The oxidizer passes from the oxidizer manifolds into the oxidizer element and then into the combustion chamber. The multiple oxidizer manifolds allow the oxidizer to be provided through selective openings of the oxidizer element thus reducing the change in pressure drop across the oxidizer element to thereby reduce or eliminate combustion instability and other problems. Additionally, the injector assembly may also include a lift-off seal or a filler fluid source to fill any temporarily unused oxidizer manifolds with an oxidizer or filler fluid.

Abstract: A pivoting joint for use in a task chair or the like provides an adjustable elastomeric coupling that permits multi-axis rocking of the seat pan with a restoring force that provides controlled stability.

Abstract: There is provided an injector assembly having two or more oxidizer manifolds and/or two or more fuel manifolds for delivery of liquid propellants to a combustion chamber such that combustion instability is reduced or eliminated during throttling. Delivery of the oxidizer to the oxidizer manifolds is controlled by an oxidizer valve, which may comprise an integral valve. The oxidizer passes from the oxidizer manifolds into the oxidizer element and then into the combustion chamber. The multiple oxidizer manifolds allow the oxidizer to be provided through selective openings of the oxidizer element thus reducing the change in pressure drop across the oxidizer element to thereby reduce or eliminate combustion instability and other problems. Additionally, the injector assembly may also include a lift-off seal or a filler fluid source to fill any temporarily unused oxidizer manifolds with an oxidizer or filler fluid.

Abstract: There is provided an injector assembly having two or more oxidizer manifolds and/or two or more fuel manifolds for delivery of liquid propellants to a combustion chamber such that combustion instability is reduced or eliminated during throttling. Delivery of the oxidizer to the oxidizer manifolds is controlled by an oxidizer valve, which may comprise an integral valve. The oxidizer passes from the oxidizer manifolds into the oxidizer element and then into the combustion chamber. The multiple oxidizer manifolds allow the oxidizer to be provided through selective openings of the oxidizer element thus reducing the change in pressure drop across the oxidizer element to thereby reduce or eliminate combustion instability and other problems. Additionally, the injector assembly may also include a lift-off seal or a filler fluid source to fill any temporarily unused oxidizer manifolds with an oxidizer or filler fluid.

Abstract: There is provided an injector assembly having two or more oxidizer manifolds and/or two or more fuel manifolds for delivery of liquid propellants to a combustion chamber such that combustion instability is reduced or eliminated during throttling. Delivery of the oxidizer to the oxidizer manifolds is controlled by an oxidizer valve, which may comprise an integral valve. The oxidizer passes from the oxidizer manifolds into the oxidizer element and then into the combustion chamber. The multiple oxidizer manifolds allow the oxidizer to be provided through selective openings of the oxidizer element thus reducing the change in pressure drop across the oxidizer element to thereby reduce or eliminate combustion instability and other problems. Additionally, the injector assembly may also include a lift-off seal or a filler fluid source to fill any temporarily unused oxidizer manifolds with an oxidizer or filler fluid.

Abstract: A pivoting joint for use in a task chair or the like provides an adjustable elastomeric coupling that permits multi-axis rocking of the seat pan with a restoring force that provides controlled stability.

Abstract: There are provided an injector and an associated method for injecting and mixing gases, comprising a carbonaceous fuel and oxygen, in a combustion chamber of a combustion device. The injector has jets, which can be used to separately inject different combustion fuels. The injector is compatible with combustion devices that inject only gases, for example, a reheater that provides initial combustion in a power generation cycle or a reheater that recombusts a discharged gas from a gas generator and turbine. Further, the injector defines an annular space through which a recycle gas can be injected into the combustion chamber to lower the combustion temperature.

Abstract: There are provided an injector and an associated method for injecting and mixing gases, comprising a carbonaceous fuel and oxygen, in a combustion chamber of a combustion device. The injector has jets, which can be used to separately inject different combustion fuels. The injector is compatible with combustion devices that inject only gases, for example, a reheater that provides initial combustion in a power generation cycle or a reheater that recombusts a discharged gas from a gas generator and turbine. Further, the injector defines an annular space through which a recycle gas can be injected into the combustion chamber to lower the combustion temperature.

Abstract: There are provided an injector and an associated method for injecting and mixing gases, comprising a carbonaceous fuel and oxygen, in a combustion chamber of a combustion device. The injector has jets, which can be used to separately inject different combustion fuels. The injector is compatible with combustion devices that inject only gases, for example, a reheater that provides initial combustion in a power generation cycle or a reheater that recombusts a discharged gas from a gas generator and turbine. Further, the injector defines an annular space through which a recycle gas can be injected into the combustion chamber to lower the combustion temperature.

Abstract: An injection system, injector, and associated method are provided for injecting and combusting combustion fluids in a combustion chamber. The system includes a faceplate that faces the combustion chamber and a plurality of injectors that extend through the faceplate. Each of the injectors has an injector body with an outlet side. A fuel bore extends from a fuel bore inlet to a fuel bore outlet located at the outlet side of the injector. Each injector also includes a swirler chamber with at least one inlet for receiving steam and an oxidizing fluid and an oxidizing fluid outlet located on the injector outlet side. A converging channel extends from the oxidizing fluid outlet to the swirler chamber, and the converging channel converges relative to the fuel bore so that steam and oxidizing fluid exiting the injector through the oxidizing fluid outlet impinge on a stream of fuel in the combustion chamber flowing from the fuel bore.

Abstract: An injection system, injector, and associated method are provided for injecting and combusting combustion fluids in a combustion chamber. The system includes a faceplate that faces the combustion chamber and a plurality of injectors that extend through the faceplate. Each of the injectors has an injector body with an outlet side. A fuel bore extends from a fuel bore inlet to a fuel bore outlet located at the outlet side of the injector. Each injector also includes a swirler chamber with at least one inlet for receiving steam and an oxidizing fluid and an oxidizing fluid outlet located on the injector outlet side. A converging channel extends from the oxidizing fluid outlet to the swirler chamber, and the converging channel converges relative to the fuel bore so that that steam and oxidizing fluid exiting the injector through the oxidizing fluid outlet impinge on a stream of fuel in the combustion chamber flowing from the fuel bore.