Abstract: The present invention provides an air-oil separator comprising a first region having a mixture of air and oil, a second region wherein separation of at least some of the oil from the air-oil mixture occurs and at least one multi-directional injector plug located on a rotating component in flow communication with the first region and the second region, the multi-directional injector plug having a discharge head that is oriented such that at least a part of the air-oil mixture discharged therefrom has a component of velocity that is tangential to the direction of rotation of the rotating component.

Abstract: A system for venting a high-pressure flow stream is disclosed, the system comprising a device having a plurality of orifice plates, each orifice plate having a plurality of orifices, wherein the plurality of orifice plates are oriented relative to each other such that the pressure of the flow stream substantially drops.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air-oil separator comprising a first region having a mixture of air and oil, a second region wherein separation of at least some of the oil from the air-oil mixture occurs and at least one multi-directional injector plug located on a rotating component in flow communication with the first region and the second region, the multi-directional injector plug having a discharge head that is oriented such that at least a part of the air-oil mixture discharged therefrom has a component of velocity that is tangential to the direction of rotation of the rotating component.

Abstract: A system for venting a high-pressure flow stream is disclosed, the system comprising a device having a plurality of orifice plates, each orifice plate having a plurality of orifices, wherein the plurality of orifice plates are oriented relative to each other such that the pressure of the flow stream substantially drops.

Abstract: A vent system is disclosed having a first flow stream flowing over a first surface in a flow path, a conduit that channels a second flow stream and an aero-chimney that is in flow communication with the conduit and located near the first surface wherein the aero-chimney has a body having an aerodynamic shape having a leading edge portion and a trailing edge portion such that the first flow stream flows around the aero-chimney near the first surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vortex generator that may be used in systems for separating oil from air oil mixtures. The vortex generator comprises a rotating disk having a rim having a plurality of passages extending through it and a cavity formed by the rotating disk and a cavity wall wherein a vortex is created when there is a flow through the plurality of passages into the cavity.

Abstract: A DC motor comprises a stator having at least three windings coupled to a neutral point; a first pair of upper and lower switches for driving a first winding of the at least three windings to a first voltage or in tristate; a second pair of upper and lower switches for driving a second winding of the at least three windings to a second voltage or in tristate; a third pair of upper and lower switches for driving a third winding of the at least three windings to a third voltage or in tristate, one of the first, second or third windings being in tristate; a back electro-motive force (BEMF) signal generation circuit coupled to receive a BEMF voltage from the winding in tristate; a comparator coupled to receive the BEMF voltage and a zero-crossing voltage representing the voltage at the neutral point at a predetermined time and for comparing the BEMF voltage and the zero-crossing voltage to generate a comparison result; a zero-crossing voltage generation circuit to output the zero-crossing voltage to the comparato

Abstract: A method for operating a gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a fan, a high pressure turbine coupled downstream from the fan, and a low pressure turbine downstream from the high pressure turbine. The method includes channeling a portion of air discharged from the fan through a clearance control system including an inlet assembly that includes a plurality of louvers, and directing air from the inlet assembly into a first pipe and second pipe coupled to the inlet assembly such that pressure losses associated with the airflow are facilitated to be reduced.

Abstract: A DC motor comprises a stator having at least three windings coupled to a neutral point; a first pair of upper and lower switches for driving a first winding of the at least three windings to a first voltage or in tristate; a second pair of upper and lower switches for driving a second winding of the at least three windings to a second voltage or in tristate; a third pair of upper and lower switches for driving a third winding of the at least three windings to a third voltage or in tristate, one of the first, second or third windings being in tristate; a back electro-motive force (BEMF) signal generation circuit coupled to receive a BEMF voltage from the winding in tristate; a comparator coupled to receive the BEMF voltage and a zero-crossing voltage representing the voltage at the neutral point at a predetermined time and for comparing the BEMF voltage and the zero-crossing voltage to generate a comparison result; a zero-crossing voltage generation circuit to output the zero-crossing voltage to the comparato

Abstract: The present invention provides an air-oil separator comprising a first region having a mixture of air and oil, a second region wherein separation of at least some of the oil from the air-oil mixture occurs and at least one multi-directional injector plug located on a rotating component in flow communication with the first region and the second region, the multi-directional injector plug having a discharge head that is oriented such that at least a part of the air-oil mixture discharged therefrom has a component of velocity that is tangential to the direction of rotation of the rotating component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vortex generator that may be used in systems for separating oil from air oil mixtures. The vortex generator comprises a rotating disk having a rim having a plurality of passages extending through it and a cavity formed by the rotating disk and a cavity wall wherein a vortex is created when there is a flow through the plurality of passages into the cavity.

Abstract: A patient temperature control system and method are provided for automated temperature control according to a programmed protocol. In one aspect, at least one programmed protocol may be established for each of a plurality of patient thermal therapy phases. In turn, the temperature of a thermal exchange medium may be controlled, based at least in part, upon the programmed protocol, during each of the phases. In another aspect, a plurality of programmed protocols may be established, wherein a selected one of the protocols (e.g. selected by a user at a user interface) may be utilized for automated temperature control during patient thermal therapy. The protocol(s) may include a target patient temperature and/or a set duration for one or more of the phase of thermal therapy. Further, the protocol(s) may be user-definable and modifiable during therapy.

Abstract: A method of assembling a gas turbine engine includes providing a gas turbine engine including a compressor, a combustor downstream from the compressor, and a turbine coupled to the compressor, and coupling a seal assembly aft of the compressor such that air discharged through the seal assembly facilitates reducing the cavity pressure, and therefore reducing the axial forces induced to an aft side of the compressor.

Abstract: A method for operating a gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a fan, a high pressure turbine coupled downstream from the fan, and a low pressure turbine downstream from the high pressure turbine. The method includes channeling a portion of air discharged from the fan through a clearance control system including an inlet assembly that includes a plurality of louvers, and directing air from the inlet assembly into a first pipe and second pipe coupled to the inlet assembly such that pressure losses associated with the airflow are facilitated to be reduced.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gas turbine engine includes providing a turbine mid-frame, coupling a plurality of rotor blades to a rotor disk, the rotor disk is coupled axially aft from the turbine mid-frame such that a cavity is defined between the rotor disk and the turbine mid-frame, and forming at least one opening extending through the turbine mid-frame to facilitate channeling cooling air into the gap, the opening configured to impart a high relative tangential velocity into the cooling air discharged from the opening.

Abstract: A method of assembling a gas turbine engine includes providing a gas turbine engine including a compressor, a combustor downstream from the compressor, and a turbine coupled to the compressor, and coupling a seal assembly aft of the compressor such that air discharged through the seal assembly facilitates reducing the cavity pressure, and therefore reducing the axial forces induced to an aft side of the compressor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gas turbine engine includes providing a turbine mid-frame, coupling a plurality of rotor blades to a rotor disk, the rotor disk is coupled axially aft from the turbine mid-frame such that a cavity is defined between the rotor disk and the turbine mid-frame, and forming at least one opening extending through the turbine mid-frame to facilitate channeling cooling air into the gap, the opening configured to impart a high relative tangential velocity into the cooling air discharged from the opening.

Abstract: A method for placing electrostatic discharge clamps within integrated circuit devices is disclosed. A region is initially defined within an integrated circuit design. A list of ESD-susceptible circuits located within the defined region is then generated. The center of gravity of the ESD-susceptible circuits located within the defined region is located. Next, an ESD protection device is placed at the center of gravity of the ESD-susceptible circuits located within the defined region. A determination is made as to whether or not all ESD-susceptible circuits within the list of ESD-susceptible circuits are protected by the placement of the ESD protection device. If so, the process is repeated in other regions until the entire integrated circuit is addressed. Otherwise, the defined region is divided into at least two smaller regions and the process is repeated.

Abstract: A rotor system for a gas turbine engine is provided having an outer rotor which includes an annular outer spool that comprises at least one ring portion of increased thickness with respect to the remainder of the outer spool, attached to a relatively thinner, axially extending arm portion. A plurality of outer turbine blades are attached to the ring portion of the outer spool and extend radially inwardly into a working gas flowpath of the engine. A casing surrounds the outer spool and defines an annular cavity between the casing and the outer spool, which is sealed by forward and aft brush seals at the forward and aft ends thereof. At least one inlet port is formed through the casing for admitting a flow of cooling air to the annular cavity. Means are provided for directing this cooling air flow to the ring portion of the outer spool.

Abstract: A method for placing electrostatic discharge clamps within integrated circuit devices is disclosed. A region is initially defined within an integrated circuit design. A list of ESD-susceptible circuits located within the defined region is then generated. The center of gravity of the ESD-susceptible circuits located within the defined region is located. Next, an ESD protection device is placed at the center of gravity of the ESD-susceptible circuits located within the defined region. A determination is made as to whether or not all ESD-susceptible circuits within the list of ESD-susceptible circuits are protected by the placement of the ESD protection device. If so, the process is repeated in other regions until the entire integrated circuit is addressed. Otherwise, the defined region is divided into at least two smaller regions and the process is repeated.