Abstract: A high temperature flange joint in a gas turbine engine includes a first flange formed on a first component abutting a second flange formed on a second component. The flange joint includes multiple adjacently spaced bolt connections. Each bolt connection includes a first spacer plate bearing against the first flange and a second spacer plate bearing against the second flange. First and second lock washers are provided that bear against the first and second spacer plates respectively. A bolt is inserted through the first and second flanges, the first and second spacer plates and the first and second lock washers. The bolt is preloaded to clamp the first flange to the second flange. Each spacer plate has a respective thickness and is sized to enhance a bearing surface in contact with the respective flange. Thereby, a bolt preload is maintained during operation of the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A non-contact seal assembly for sealing a circumferential gap between a first machine component and a second machine component which is rotatable relative to the first machine component about a longitudinal axis is provided. The non-contact seal assembly includes a seal carrier, a primary seal that includes a plurality of shoes, a mid plate, a secondary seal, and a front plate. The secondary seal may comprise a plurality of sealing segments. The non-contact seal also includes a plurality of damping elements to damp vibrations of the primary seal during operation.

Abstract: A rotor journal support system (10) configured to allow for a bearing shoe (16) to properly align to the rotor (14) while keeping the bearing shoe (16) constrained during handling, installation, and operation limit is disclosed. The rotor journal support system (10) may be configured to enable limited movement of a bearing shoe (16) such that when the rotor journal (14) is installed, the bearing shoe (16) is properly aligned with the rotor journal (14), thereby requiring less torque to turn the rotor journal (14) from a stop than when the bearing shoe (16) is misaligned. The rotor journal support system (10) may include bearing shoe supports (88) extending radially outward from the bearing shoe (16). The bearing shoe support (88) may include an outer bearing surface (100) having at least a partial spherical shape configured to bear against the aligning ring (24).

Abstract: A rotor journal support system (10) configured to allow for a bearing shoe (16) to properly align to the rotor (14) while keeping the bearing shoe (16) constrained during handling, installation, and operation limit is disclosed. The rotor journal support system (10) may be configured to enable limited movement of a bearing shoe (16) such that when the rotor journal (14) is installed, the bearing shoe (16) is properly aligned with the rotor journal (14), thereby requiring less torque to turn the rotor journal (14) from a stop than when the bearing shoe (16) is misaligned. The rotor journal support system (10) may include bearing shoe supports (88) extending radially outward from the bearing shoe (16). The bearing shoe support (88) may include an outer bearing surface (100) having at least a partial spherical shape configured to bear against the aligning ring (24).

Abstract: A device to route cooling air to a turbine blade is provided. The device includes a seal ring having an L-shaped cross section configured to abut a turbine disc. The seal ring includes a radial portion extending radially with respect to a rotor and an axial portion extending axially with respect to the rotor. The seal ring also includes a plurality of radial cooling holes disposed within the radial portion of the seal ring and arranged circumferentially around the seal ring. The plurality of cooling holes route cooling air from a device configured to impart tangential momentum to the cooling air to a turbine blade in order to cool the turbine blade. A system and a method to improve a flow of rotor cooling air to a turbine blade are also provided.

Abstract: A communication system that is capable of collecting information from one or more users of the communication system includes one or more data collection mechanisms that are operated by a first entity. The mechanisms operate to collect at least a portion of information from a user of a communication system on behalf of a second entity that is different than the first entity. The system also includes one or more memory modules that are coupled to the one or more data collection mechanisms and that are operable to store one or more records on behalf of the second entity. Each of the one or more records comprises information that is associated with a client of the second entity. At least one of the one or more records comprises at least a portion of the information collected from the user of the communication system. In one particular embodiment, the one or more records are controlled by the first entity.

Abstract: The invention is a system for encoding inputs and methods of operation thereof.

Abstract: A data entry apparatus includes a mosaic display as a template for inputting characters, by a stylus or other device. The displayed mosaic includes a plurality of segments, each represented by a tile area of the template. Inputted characters are recognized based on first and second tile areas contacted by the stylus or otherwise selected by an operator. The two tile areas may be the same or different, and may be the initial and final areas of the input operation. To enable character input by no more than two operations, hinge tile areas are provided, each representing selection of a plurality of standard tile areas. The system further recognizes input characters in response to a single input stroke, based on the initial and final tile areas thereof and, when the stroke is imprecisely inputted, by reference to directional characteristics thereof.

Abstract: An off-site remote telephone service system is connected in series with subscribers to the system and the associated central telephone office for providing to each of the subscribers additional telephone services. The telephone service system is connected in series between the subscribers and the main frame distribution mechanism of the central telephone office. In addition to the wires connecting the telephone service system in the series connection, the system also has at least one independent telephone line for placement of calls, which telephone line extends to the central office. All of these telephone lines are connected to a control switching mechanism of the telephone service system. The control switching mechanism includes a bridging mechanism for coupling a subscriber telephone line either to a continuation of the subscriber telephone line or to one of the independent telephone lines of the system for placement and receipt of calls for enabling normal service by the subscriber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for entering data into a computer including an abbreviated keyboard wherein each key represents a plurality of characters. Depression of a key of the keyboard causes the generation and transmission of a first electronic signal to a computer. The computer receives the signal and according to a predetermined algorithm, generates a best guess of which one of the plurality of alphanumeric characters represented by the key and signal sent to the computer is desired to be ultimately entered into the computer. A second electronic signal is generated by the computer and transmitted to a display to cause the display to indicate the guess. By subsequent stroke or strokes of the keyboard, the guess is either selected if correct, or if incorrect changed until the correct alphanumeric character is guessed.The computer programmed with the algorithm for making the guesses may be remote to the keyboard or contain within the keyboard such as by the incorporation of an appropriate microchip.

Abstract: A compact keyboard for entry of alphanumeric data or other characters into a computerized system. A character formation key on the keyboard is formed by a plurality of bars which are capable of being activated for providing light. These bars are arranged in a mosaic pattern with several of the bars forming an outer box pattern and several of the bars extending inside of the box pattern. Light is emitted from each bar when such bar is in an activated lit condition. Each of the bars is switchable between an activated lit condition and an off condition, with the activated bars emitting light so as to display an alphanumeric character. The keyboard has a data entry mechanism for causing the displayed alphanumeric character to be entered into a computerized system.

Abstract: A telephone answering system for use in conjunction with a PBX/CENTREX system for answering incoming calls directed to any of the extension lines within the system. The telephone answering system includes an operator control station and a line detection system. The line detection system monitors the telephone lines within the PBX/CENTREX system. This detection system includes a plurality of ring/hook interfaces each of which is connected in parallel across one of the telephone lines in the PBX/CENTREX system being monitored. Each of the interfaces has a ring detector for detecting a ring signal on the associated telephone line for providing a ring count when there is an incoming call and a hook detector for detecting the on/off hook condition on the associated telephone line.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in conjunction with a PBX system and a telephone answering system is disclosed in which line scanners are used to detect the presence of ring signals on each of the extension lines within the PBX system and to determine when the number of such ring signals on a monitored line exceeds a predetermined limit. A computer coupled to each of the line scanners, upon determining that the predetermined limit has been exceeded, actuates automatic dialing circuitry, which is connected to both the PBX and telephone answering systems, to dial the PBX system and cause it to carry out a directed call pick-up of the incoming call. Simultaneously, the automatic dialing system dials the telephone answering system on a different telephone line. The computer then controls the automatic dialing circuitry to couple the incoming call to the telephone answering system without the incoming call having been answered.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for identifying who is placing a call to a telephone prior to answering. The apparatus, which is preferably located at the telephone central office, includes a switching matrix having a plurality of DID access lines coupling the switching matrix to the central telephone office. The switching matrix also has a plurality of input and output lines which are assigned to individual subscribers' telephones who desire to identify callers prior to answering. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, twenty DID access lines are used to couple the telephone central office to the switching matrix and one hundred subscription and input and output lines are used to couple the switching matrix to individual subscriber telephones. The switching matrix is coupled to a programmed microprocessor which controls the operation of the system including the generation of a digitally synthesized vocal announcement of at least the number being called.

Abstract: A call screening system to be added onto and used with a PBX or Centrex telephone system having an attendant answering console. The call screening system enables incoming calls for various telephone extensions to be directed to another telephone extension in the system for screening such incoming calls. The call screening system includes a DTMF tone generator and a screening system. The DTMF tone generator is coupled to the attendant answering console for generating a first DTMF coded signal for enabling the attendant answering console to call a screening telephone extension within the telephone system and generating a second DTMF coded signal that provides an indication as to the particular telephone extension within the telephone system for the person that the incoming caller is calling. The screening system is coupled between a single tip/ring line from the PBX or Centrex and a tip/ring line to a screening telephone extension of a user screening incoming calls for other telephone extensions.

Abstract: The series connected interceptor is a control system for assisting in providing improved service operations for a PBX system. This control system is connected in series in a DID trunk between a TELCO central office and a PBX. By the nature of where it is connected and its function, the control system enables a telephone answering service to sense when an incoming DID call has rung on an extension for a predefined number of rings and to answer such call with the identity of the extension being called. The control system also can provide incoming DID call screening or call forwarding.

Abstract: A control system for enabling direct inward dialed telephone calls received on a single access line from a telephone central office to be answered with identity. The single access line is coupled at the telephone central office to a block of telephone numbers, and incoming calls to any of these numbers are connected to the access line and to an operator at a telephone answering location through the control system, and the number called is decoded by the control system. A DID line ("DID" stands for direct inward dial) on the interface is arranged in the input section of the control system and is coupled to the single access line that receives the telephone calls from the telephone central office. At least the last digit of the telephone number is decoded within the control system and a visual display of the decoded number is then provided for identifying the incoming call.

Abstract: The telephone answering system includes a call concentrator capable of coupling a plurality of subscriber telephone lines to a single answering station. The concentrator is coupled to the plurality of subscriber lines and transfers calls to such lines one at a time through a single talk path that is connected to the answering station. In addition, over the same single talk path all identification information and communication between the operator and the concentrator is transmitted. Prior to transferring calls from the subscriber lines to the answering station audible identification information is provided to the operator at the answering station. The operator can selectively choose to receive only the identification signal or the identification signal immediately followed by the call to the subscriber line. If a call to one of the subscriber lines is already coupled to the answering station then additional incoming calls are placed on hold and subsequently transferred one at a time to the answering station.