Abstract: A measurement apparatus calibrated to measure an absolute diameter of a part in a shop floor environment. The measurement apparatus includes a calibration that includes compensation factors for thermal expansion, shifting of measurement parts (arm, support tower, and related laser), and variances of these parts. The resulting measurements report an absolute diameter of a part to a higher degree of accuracy than previously possible. Also, the calculated compensation factor eliminate the need for an isolated, climate-controlled measurement room.

Abstract: A system for substantially aligning a shaft of a turbine engine with components of the turbine engine. The system includes a horizontal bed adapted to support a shaft in a horizontal orientation, at least one stand for rotatably supporting the shaft in the horizontal orientation, at least one sensor for measuring characteristics associated with the shaft, and a determination module receiving the measured characteristics and outputting alignment information of the shaft with components of the turbine engine based on the measured characteristics.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in assembling a plurality of rotatable elements in the assembly of a turbine engine. The system includes an initialization unit, a measurement unit, and a processing unit. The initialization unit is for entering initialization data into a database. The initialization data includes a first set of initialization data that is representative of characteristics of a first rotatable element, and a second set of initialization data that is representative of characteristics of a second rotatable element. The measurement unit is for permitting a user to enter measured data including a first set of measured data characteristic of measured features of the first rotatable element, and a second set of measured data characteristic of measured features of the second rotatable element.

Abstract: A method for substantially aligning a bearing seal on a shaft of a turbine engine. The method including measuring characteristics of the subject shaft, measuring characteristics of a plurality of bearing seal components and determining and outputting alignment information of the plurality of bearing seal components with the shaft based on the measured characteristics. The alignment information can be outputted for either substantially perpendicular alignment for an axial seal or substantially parallel alignment for a radial seal.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for use in assembling a plurality of rotatable elements in the assembly of a turbine engine. The system and method include an initialization unit, a measurement unit, and a processing unit. The initialization unit receives and stores initialization data in a computer datastore. The initialization data includes a first set of initialization data that is representative of characteristics of a first rotatable element, and a second set of initialization data that is representative of characteristics of a second rotatable element. The measurement unit receives measured data including a first set of measured data characteristic of measured features of the first rotatable element, and a second set of measured data characteristic of measured features of the second rotatable element.

Abstract: A computer system is provided that maintains information about products and provides for transactions between users buying and selling those products as well as providing a public exchange for valuing those products. The system also tracks the users who set up products in the system as well as maintain product categories. That tracking can be used for sharing revenue related to those products with the users, controlling which users become “experts” for a category of products or specific products, allowing for user-to-user interactions, etc. Users can apply to become category experts, and users who do become category experts are allowed to control the taxonomy of a product category and given other administrative controls over the product category.

Abstract: A computer method or corresponding system for optimally balancing a rotor assembly. The computer system defines a theoretical centerline based on a mathematical model of the rotor assembly. For each disc or component of the rotor assembly, the invention system calculates rotor blade or bolt and washer distribution, based on calculated centerline deviations and angular locations of the discs and effective weights of rotor blade or bolt-and-washer sets. The rotor blade or bolt-and-washer distribution provides locations for placement of the rotor blades or bolts-and-washers so as to offset the centerline deviations and thus correct imbalance of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A method for substantially aligning a bearing seal on a shaft of a turbine engine. The method including measuring characteristics of the subject shaft, measuring characteristics of a plurality of bearing seal components and determining and outputting alignment information of the plurality of bearing seal components with the shaft based on the measured characteristics. The alignment information can be outputted for either substantially perpendicular alignment for an axial seal or substantially parallel alignment for a radial seal.

Abstract: A computer method or corresponding system for optimally balancing a rotor assembly. The computer system defines a theoretical centerline based on a mathematical model of the rotor assembly. For each disc or component of the rotor assembly, the invention system calculates rotor blade or bolt and washer distribution, based on calculated centerline deviations and angular locations of the discs and effective weights of rotor blade or bolt-and-washer sets. The rotor blade or bolt-and-washer distribution provides locations for placement of the rotor blades or bolts-and-washers so as to offset the centerline deviations and thus correct imbalance of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A computer system is provided that maintains information about products and provides for transactions between users buying/selling those products as well as providing a public exchange for users wishing to value those products or obtain more information about those products. The system also tracks the users who set up products in the system as well as maintain product categories. That tracking can be used for sharing revenue related to those products with the users, controlling which users become “experts” for a category of products or specific products, allow for user-to-user interactions, etc.

Abstract: A computer method or corresponding system for optimally balancing a rotor assembly. The computer system defines a theoretical centerline based on a mathematical model of the rotor assembly. For each disc or component of the rotor assembly, the invention system calculates rotor blade or bolt and washer distribution, based on calculated centerline deviations and angular locations of the discs and effective weights of rotor blade or bolt-and-washer sets. The rotor blade or bolt-and-washer distribution provides locations for placement of the rotor blades or bolts-and-washers so as to offset the centerline deviations and thus correct imbalance of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in assembling a plurality of rotatable elements in the assembly of a turbine engine. The system includes an initialization unit, a measurement unit, and a processing unit. The initialization unit is for entering initialization data into a database. The initialization data includes a first set of initialization data that is representative of characteristics of a first rotatable element, and a second set of initialization data that is representative of characteristics of a second rotatable element. The measurement unit is for permitting a user to enter measured data including a first set of measured data characteristic of measured features of the first rotatable element, and a second set of measured data characteristic of measured features of the second rotatable element.

Abstract: A wristwatch, altimeter and compass are mounted in two side-by-side, releasably attached frames at least one of which has an arm band for carrying them on a wrist. One of the frames has two subframes for mounting the wristwatch and the compass. Flat, straight-edged flanges project from opposing peripheries of the frames and include a tongue and groove connection so that the frames, and therewith the watch and instrument contained therein, can be separated from or secured to each other by slidably moving the groove and tongue connection of the flanges into and out of engagement. A spring-biased locking member is pivotally mounted on the flange forming the groove for movement between an open and a closed position. In the closed position, the locking member prevents detachment of the groove and tongue connection.

Abstract: A saddle-like travel bag which comprises at least two structurally independent and separately usable pouches securely but releasably interconnected in back-to-back relation to each other by fasteners respectively attached to the two pouches. In this way, both the carrying capacity and the aesthetic features of the bag may be varied as desired.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved gun case which includes a bullet resistant material, integrally formed as part of the gun case or as an insert within the gun case, so that the gun case may be converted into a lightweight shield or a personal body protector garment.

Abstract: A zipper protector for use with luggage having one or more openings starting in the bottom of the case at the portion of the case which is near the corner where the ends meet, and extending around the corner and upwardly along that end, across the top and down the other end of the luggage and around the corner at the other end of the luggage to terminate at the bottom of the case, said protector consisting of a releasably securable flap of soft or rigid material pivotally attached to the bottom of and positioned so as to protect the portions of the zipper in the lower corner of the case against damage by abrasion or impact.

Abstract: A camera case comprising an openable casing having an interior adapted for receiving and supporting a camera and a pouch secured to the casing and having a first retracted position within the interior of the casing and a second projecting position in which the pouch is folded inside-out and extends from the casing to form an extension thereof. The interior of the casing is in communication with the interior of the pouch such that a camera can be accommodated within the casing and an extension on the lens of the camera can be accommodated within the extended pouch.