Abstract: A propulsion system, the propulsion system comprising a rotating element, a stationary element, and an inlet between the rotating element and the stationary element, wherein the inlet passes radially inward of the stationary element; wherein the inlet passes radially inward of the stationary element; wherein the inlet leads to an inlet duct containing a ducted fan having an axis of rotation and a plurality of blades; and wherein the inlet duct divides into a first duct and a second duct, separate from the first duct. A method of operating a propulsion system, comprising the steps of: operating a first rotating fan assembly to produce a first stream of air; directing a portion of the first stream of air into a second ducted rotating fan assembly; operating the second ducted rotating fan assembly to produce a second stream of air; dividing the second stream of air into a core stream and a fan stream; and directing the core stream into a gas turbine engine core.

Abstract: A propulsion system, the propulsion system comprising a rotating element, a stationary element, and an inlet between the rotating element and the stationary element, wherein the inlet passes radially inward of the stationary element; wherein the inlet passes radially inward of the stationary element; wherein the inlet leads to an inlet duct containing a ducted fan having an axis of rotation and a plurality of blades; and wherein the inlet duct divides into a first duct and a second duct, separate from the first duct. A method of operating a propulsion system, comprising the steps of: operating a first rotating fan assembly to produce a first stream of air; directing a portion of the first stream of air into a second ducted rotating fan assembly; operating the second ducted rotating fan assembly to produce a second stream of air; dividing the second stream of air into a core stream and a fan stream; and directing the core stream into a gas turbine engine core.

Abstract: A propulsion system, the propulsion system comprising a rotating element, a stationary element, and an inlet between the rotating element and the stationary element, wherein the inlet passes radially inward of the stationary element; wherein the inlet passes radially inward of the stationary element; wherein the inlet leads to an inlet duct containing a ducted fan having an axis of rotation and a plurality of blades; and wherein the inlet duct divides into a first duct and a second duct, separate from the first duct. A method of operating a propulsion system, comprising the steps of: operating a first rotating fan assembly to produce a first stream of air; directing a portion of the first stream of air into a second ducted rotating fan assembly; operating the second ducted rotating fan assembly to produce a second stream of air; dividing the second stream of air into a core stream and a fan stream; and directing the core stream into a gas turbine engine core.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for executing software on distributed computing systems. In one aspect, a method comprises executing a workflow controller configured to manage a plurality of factory workflows; executing a plurality of extraction workers, each configured to extract data from a plurality of external data sources into plurality of extracted datasets; executing a plurality of intermediate workers, each configured to integrate and/or contextualize the extracted data sets into a plurality of intermediate datasets; and executing a plurality of visualization workers, each configured to use the intermediate datasets to produce an interactive display or a plurality of reports based on the intermediate datasets.

Abstract: A combustor dome assembly includes a dome plate with upstream and downstream faces and an aperture therein; a deflector with body and a tube section, the deflector fixedly attached to the dome plate adjacent the downstream face with the tube section in the aperture; a retainer having an annular body with a central opening therein, an annular flange, and at least one hook defining a slot, the retainer being fixedly attached to the dome plate adjacent the upstream face of the dome plate with the flange received in the aperture; and an annular mixer with a radial array of swirl vanes and an annular mounting flange, with a retention tab extending radially outward from the mounting flange. The mixer is disposed adjacent the upstream face with the mounting flange against the retainer. The retention tab is engaged in the slot to prevent axial withdrawal of the mixer from the retainer.

Abstract: A combustor dome assembly includes a dome plate with upstream and downstream faces and an aperture therein; a deflector with body and a tube section, the deflector fixedly attached to the dome plate adjacent the downstream face with the tube section in the aperture; a retainer having an annular body with a central opening therein, an annular flange, and at least one hook defining a slot, the retainer being fixedly attached to the dome plate adjacent the upstream face of the dome plate with the flange received in the aperture; and an annular mixer with a radial array of swirl vanes and an annular mounting flange, with a retention tab extending radially outward from the mounting flange. The mixer is disposed adjacent the upstream face with the mounting flange against the retainer. The retention tab is engaged in the slot to prevent axial withdrawal of the mixer from the retainer.

Abstract: An adjustable pillow, comprising of a stretchable pillow cover having a plurality of removable inserts. The inserts may be in various thicknesses, shapes, compositions and firmness to permit adjustment for overall pillow height, overall firmness, and surface firmness when inserted into the cover. The total height of the pillow depends on the total height of the various inserts being used, the overall firmness depends on whether the inserts are soft, medium or firm, and the surface firmness depends on the firmness of the topmost inside layer.

Abstract: A process of producing a metallic component having a desired shape that includes at least one nonuniform section, as well as metallic components produced by such a process. The process uses a composition containing a mixture of a polymeric binder and a metal powder that includes particles of an alloy having a reactive element that renders the alloy uncastable. The composition is metal injection molded to yield a green compact having a shape corresponding to the shape of the metallic component, including its at least one nonuniform section. A majority of the binder is then removed from the green compact, and then the green compact is sintered to remove a remainder of the binder and fuse particles of the metal powder together to form the metallic component and the nonuniform section thereof.

Abstract: A meter proving method and system. At lease some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising establishing a prover time by a prover device, measuring a flow rate of a fluid with a flow meter that uses multiple measurements taken over a period of time to produce each individual flow rate value (the flow meter electrically coupled to the prover device), and generating a meter volume over the prover time based on the flow rate. The generating the meter volume based on the flow rate does not involve: generating a pulse train output signal by the flow meter; and generating the meter volume based on an attribute of the pulse train.

Abstract: Improved methods for treating metallurgical compositions involve reacting a metallurgical composition with an aqueous nitric acid solution. The reaction is performed at a pressure of at least about 220 psig and at a temperature of at least 100° C. The metallurgical composition comprises iron and one or more non-ferrous metals. The reaction dissolves the majority of the non-ferrous metal compositions into the solution which is in contact with solid ferric oxide. The reaction can be repeated on the isolated solids to increase the purity of ferric oxide in the solids. Zinc can be removed from the mixed metal solutions obtained from furnace dust by a variety of separation techniques.

Abstract: A method and related ultrasonic meter identify and correct for transit time errors such as peak switch errors. The method includes calculating values for a set of diagnostics from measurements of the fluid flow, including transit time measurements. Based on the values for the diagnostics, and whether and how they fall outside of their respective ranges, the meter can identify a variety of problems with the meter or fluid flow, such as whether there has been an intermittent peak switch, a permanent peak switch, or the presence of noise, velocity pulsation in the fluid flow, temperature stratification, or other problem. In the event there is a problem with the meter, the meter self-tunes in order to minimize the chances of the problem happening again.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the time of flight of a signal is provided. The apparatus for measuring the time of flight of a signal comprises a transmitter for emitting a signal, a receiver for receiving the signal from the transmitter, and means for detecting the onset of the signal as it arrives at the receiver such that the period of time from emission by the transmitter to the time the receiver initially receives the signal can be determined.