Abstract: A turbine combustion air system includes a recuperator and a multi-zone combustor for accepting multiple combustion air streams at multiple temperatures.

Abstract: A combined heat and power system that may be ON/OFF controlled by the thermal load requirements for the system and/or operated at or below atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a precise power system which utilizes two separate inverters fed by a rectifying power supply from a generator set. During normal operation, the first or critical inverter would feed the critical load(s) and the second or non-critical inverter would assist the electric utility in feeding the non-critical load(s). During utility grid failure, the second inverter is disconnected from the power supply so that the entire output of the generator set is available to the critical load. During generator set failure, the utility grid powers the second inverter to supply power to the first inverter for the critical load(s).

Abstract: A combined heat and power system that may be ON/OFF controlled by the thermal load requirements for the system and/or operated at or below atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An expert system and a method of providing automated advice are described. The system is regularly updated by advice (or diagnosis, recommendation etc.) given by practitioners in the relevant field. The combination of the underlying facts and the consequent (human) advice is used to update a ruleset that is then used to provide automated advice. An example of financial advice is given. A database contains the details for the customers of a financial institution together with advice and recommendations given previously by the institution's human advisors. This database is used to derive a ruleset which is then applied to a subsequent customer's details in an automated manner, possibly at the user's own PC via the World Wide Web. Frequent updating using data from the human advisors' work means that the database (and hence the ruleset) are kept up to date. Consistent advice can thus be provided with minimum human interaction.

Abstract: An expert system and a method of providing automated advice are described. The system is regularly updated by advice (or diagnosis, recommendation etc.) given by practitioners in the relevant field. The combination of the underlying facts and the consequent (human) advice is used to update a ruleset that is then used to provide automated advice. An example of financial advice is given. A database contains the details for the customers of a financial institution together with advice and recommendations given previously by the institution's human advisors. This database is used to derive a ruleset which is then applied to a subsequent customer's details in an automated manner, possibly at the user's own PC via the World Wide Web. Frequent updating using data from the human advisors' work means that the database (and hence the ruleset) are kept up to date. Consistent advice can thus be provided with minimum human interaction.

Abstract: A precise power system to provide uninterruptible power to a critical load. The system utilizes two inverters, one to feed the critical load and a second inverter to assist the electric utility in feeding the non-critical load.

Abstract: Apparatus for accessing a displayable information resource and tailoring retrieved information to a user's requirements comprises a tag reader (18), a decoder (34) for identifying a coded resource address (38) carried by a tag (28), and access means for accessing the identified resource. A display means (14, 22, 24, 48) displays information loaded from the accessed information resource. The disclosed embodiment employs printed RF tag technology, and the information resource is an Internet, intranet or extranet resource whose address (38) is a URL. The disclosed apparatus is embodied in an item of furniture, more specifically a table (10, 52). The tag reader (18) reads a tag (28) when a tagged item (26) is placed onto a support surface (14), and a display is presented by the support surface (14). The tagged item can, for example, be a product or its packaging, a ticket or token, or a letter or information sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an improved root structure for a plant, the apparatus comprising a base, a plurality of vertical anti-circling channels connecting to the base and extending upwardly from the base, air channels formed in the base, a plurality of base anti-circling channels formed in the air channels extending along the length of the air channels, and ventilation holes in the base.

Abstract: A gas turbine which is capable of operating in more than one pressure mode. The gas turbine, which may include a single fixed spool, multiple fixed spools, or a combination of fixed spool(s) and a free turbine, can operate in a positive pressure mode, a transatmospheric mode, or a subatmospheric mode. Valving is provided to control the particular pressure mode of operation in response to system requirements and to switch between pressure modes as required. The gas turbine is particularly useful with a catalytic combustor where the gas turbine can be started in a mode where the catalytic combustor, and its associated preheater, is at or below atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Digital data storage apparatus (10) comprises attachment means (18) to removably attach the apparatus directly to the human body, storage means (34, 36) for storing data, and communication means (14, 16) for transferring data into and out of the apparatus (10). The apparatus is characterized in that the storage means (34, 36) comprises one or more of ports (34) each for connection to a discrete storage module (36) removably attachable to the apparatus and in that the communication means includes contact means separate from the ports and the storage means, the contact means being adapted to transfer data by physical contact with the apparatus. The user may then customize the apparatus (10) according to need by fitting memory devices (36) whose stored data embodies the functions deemed relevant by the user.

Abstract: A gas turbine which is capable of operating in more than one pressure mode. The gas turbine, which may include a single fixed spool, multiple fixed spools, or a combination of fixed spool(s) and a free turbine, can operate in a positive pressure mode, a transatmospheric mode, or a subatmospheric mode. Valving is provided to control the particular pressure mode of operation in response to system requirements and to switch between pressure modes as required.

Abstract: Methods and related systems are disclosed for sharing consumer information between consumers via a communications network that comprises a data store accessible by a plurality of terminals each associated with a respective consumer. One such method comprises a providing consumer entering information about a product into their terminal and uploading that information to the data store; classifying the entered information into channels, each channel relating to a particular consumer issue about said product; storing the classified information; and storing a profile of a requesting consumer that identifies the channels corresponding to consumer issues of interest to the requesting consumer. When the requesting consumer enters a request for information about said product into their terminal, information is downloaded to the requesting consumer's terminal if that information relates to said product and was classified into any of the channels defined by the requesting consumer's profile.

Abstract: A method of conducting an online auction on a communications network, and a corresponding online auction system, involve: a first user terminal generating an offer to sell or to buy an item in accordance with first offer criteria; a second user terminal generating an offer to buy or to sell a corresponding item in accordance with second offer criteria; comparing the offer criteria to match an offer to sell and an offer to buy if any or all of their criteria match; in response to a match between the offers, opening a peer to peer communication channel between the user terminals that made the matching offers; and conducting an auction between those user terminals via the communication channel.

Abstract: A gas turbine which is capable of operating in more than one pressure mode. The gas turbine, which may include a single fixed spool, multiple fixed spools, or a combination of fixed spool(s) and a free turbine, can operate in a positive pressure mode, a transatmospheric mode, or a subatmospheric mode. Valving is provided to control the particular pressure mode of operation in response to system requirements and to switch between pressure modes as required. The gas turbine is particularly useful with a catalytic combustor where the gas turbine can be started in a mode where the catalytic combustor, and its associated preheater, is at or below atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A gas turbine which is capable of operating in more than one pressure mode. The gas turbine, which may include a single fixed spool, multiple fixed spools, or a combination of fixed spool(s) and a free turbine, can operate in a positive pressure mode, a transatmospheric mode, or a subatmospheric mode. Valving is provided to control the particular pressure mode of operation in response to system requirements and to switch between pressure modes as required.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a rotatable impeller having a plurality of vanes with inlet and outlet ends. A plurality of diffuser channels are spaced apart radially beyond the outlet ends. A movable source of gaseous fuel is positioned adjacent the inlet ends of the vanes. The movable source of gaseous fuel is movable as a function of the rotational speed of the impeller, whereby the flow of gaseous fuel injected from the movable source is ejected from the outlet ends of the vanes into a selected one of the plurality of diffuser channels to facilitate combustion.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a rotatable impeller having a plurality of vanes with inlet and outlet ends. A plurality of diffuser channels are spaced apart radially beyond the outlet ends. A movable source of gaseous fuel is positioned adjacent the inlet ends of the vanes. The movable source of gaseous fuel is movable as a function of the rotational speed of the impeller, whereby the flow of gaseous fuel injected from the movable source is ejected from the outlet ends of the vanes into a selected one of the plurality of diffuser channels to facilitate combustion.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a rotatable impeller having a plurality of vanes with inlet and outlet ends. A plurality of diffuser channels are spaced apart radially beyond the outlet ends. A movable source of gaseous fuel is positioned adjacent the inlet ends of the vanes. The movable source of gaseous fuel is movable as a function of the rotational speed of the impeller, whereby the flow of gaseous fuel injected from the movable source is ejected from the outlet ends of the vanes into a selected one of the plurality of diffuser channels to facilitate combustion.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a rotatable impeller having a plurality of vanes with inlet and outlet ends. A plurality of diffuser channels are spaced apart radially beyond the outlet ends. A movable source of gaseous fuel is positioned adjacent the inlet ends of the vanes. The movable source of gaseous fuel is movable as a function of the rotational speed of the impeller, whereby the flow of gaseous fuel injected from the movable source is ejected from the outlet ends of the vanes into a selected one of the plurality of diffuser channels to facilitate combustion.