Abstract: A tool for the spacing of tiles during their installation includes a central body with radially projecting prongs that are fitted between adjacent tiles to control the spacing thereof.

Abstract: A roof decking membrane welding system and method comprises first and second roof decking membranes having edge portions thereof welded to each other so as to define a seamed connection therebetween. The edge portion of a first one of the membranes is disposed beneath a seam plate and folded over the top of the seam plate so as to be secured upon itself either at a location adjacent to the seamed connection with the second membrane or between the first membrane and the edge portion of the second membrane. In either case, the folded edge portion of the first membrane forms a closed loop portion which presents multiple regions for load-sharing in resisting uplifting wind load forces. Alternatively, the edge portion of the first membrane is folded over itself but disposed beneath the seam plate so as to present dual plies of the first membrane for engagement with the seam plate so as to again provide load-sharing characteristics under uplifting wind load forces.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are panelized wall systems and methods for their construction, wherein the wall systems have elastomeric joints that are resistant to cracking. The walls are constructed with trough-edge building panels. The trough-edge building panels are preferably fiber cement. The front surface of each panel has a trough adjacent to an edge of the panel. Panels are fastened to a frame with the trough-edges adjacent to each other. A joint tape is applied to the seam between the panels such that the edges of the joint tape fall within the troughs of the adjacent panels. The wall is then finished with an elastomeric finish.

Abstract: A hanging thin wall plate comprises a decorating plate; a plurality of composite plates fixed to a back side of the decorating plate; and at least one aluminum-extruding piece fixed to the back surface of the decorating plate and between two composite plates. When the decorating plate, composite plates and aluminum-extruding piece are combined, retainers are engaged on a backside of the aluminum-extruding piece for being combined with other steel element. Thereby, a wall plate is capable of being fixed to a wall of a building. No hole is drilled on the decorating plate so that the decorating plate has a complete surface without any crack. Thereby, the thickness of the decorating plate can be reduced. A thinner decorating plate can be used and thus the weight of the wall plate is reduced.

Abstract: A wall patch for repairing a dent, a hole, a crack or another flaw in a wall includes two thin sheets. One of the sheets is a lower sheet for adhesion to the wall in such a manner that the sheet covers the flaw. The other sheet is an upper sheet for adhesion to the wall in such a manner that it covers the lower sheet. The lower sheet is smaller in area and stronger than the upper sheet. The upper sheet has an irregularly corrugated edge and an upper surface rough in texture with a matted or (satin-)embossed pattern, which is similar to the surface texture of the wall.

Abstract: A bracket for reinforcing a wooden joist including a body having a central portion with a base wall. An upper portion is integrally formed with the central portion and has a first wall secured to and extending forwardly from the top of the base wall and a second wall secured to and extending from the front of the first wall. A notch in the top of the base wall extends upwardly through the first and second walls. A lower portion is integrally formed with the central portion and has a third wall secured to and extending at right angles from the bottom of the base wall and a fourth wall secured to and extending at right angles from the third wall. A brace is rigidly affixed to the base wall beneath the notch.

Abstract: Molds and processes that permit high-speed, mass production of retaining wall blocks having patterned or other processed front faces, as well as retaining wall blocks formed by such processes. The invention permits the front face of the block to be impressed with a pattern or otherwise directly processed, to allow the formation of pre-determined block front faces, while at the same time facilitating high-speed, high-volume production of blocks. Pre-determined front faces can include front faces having pre-determined patterns and textures, front faces having predetermined shapes, front faces made from different material(s) than the remainder of the block, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a trough-edge building panel used in the fabrication of panelized wall systems with elastomeric joints that are resistant to cracking. The panels are preferably fiber cement. The front surface of each panel has a trough adjacent to an edge of the panel. Panels are fastened to a frame with the trough-edges adjacent to each other. A joint tape is applied to the seam between the panels such that the edges of the joint tape fall within the troughs of the adjacent panels. The wall is then finished with an elastomeric finish. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the trough-edge panels.

Abstract: An improved deflection clip for connecting a stud to a structural building member while permitting relative compensating vertical movement of the clip, is disclosed. A planar sheet portion having a front end and a left and right side, has at least two perpendicular panels. A first panel extends downward at the front end of the planar sheet portion to form a bearing surface portion. The left side panel extends forward of the bearing surface portion and has an acute angle bend along its front width. This front segment is secured over the edge of a stud return, and the clip is then rotated so that the bearing surface portion contacts the outer surface of the stud flange. The laterally extending top surface of the planar sheet portion is then secured in any convenient manner to a bottom surface of a structural building member.

Abstract: A metal plate (11) for protecting plumbing pipes and plastic electrical conduits (13) from being pierced by a nail or screw when the wall covering is attached. Said plate is a generally flat rectangular metal plate (11) having metal tabs (12) for aligning said plate on concrete foundation form boards (10) and metal prongs (13) which act as nails to hold said plate in position until concrete (15) is poured. The concrete (15) flows around the concrete gripping prongs (14) where said concrete (15) bonds thereby locking said plate (11) permanently in place.

Abstract: A sealing mold arrangement includes at least an elongated mold strip adapted for mounting to an attachment corner edge of a panel frame such as a door and window frame. The elongated mold strip has an elongated first and second attachment surfaces and an alignment corner edge formed at a common line-edge where the first attachment surface meets the second attachment surface. Each of the first and second attachment surfaces has a longitudinally extended positioning guider sharp edge, a longitudinal attachment groove transversally extended from the positioning guider sharp edge towards an inner portion of the respective first and second attachment surfaces, and an edge gap surface transversally and inclinedly extended from the positioning guider sharp edge to the distal side edge of the respective first and second attachment surface to form an edge gap.

Abstract: A hinged protective cover for protecting a door threshold during construction or modification of a building or its contents. The cover is attached to a horizontal surface such as a building floor and covers the door threshold to prevent damage from foot traffic, contaminants and grit materials which may become lodged in the threshold. The hinge allows positioning of the protective cover to permit door closure while remaining attached to the floor. This leaves the cover in place for repositioning to the protecting position when the door is reopened and serves as an affirmative reminder to accomplish same.

Abstract: A box beam is provided that may be fabricated to any desired size, having a box-like structure defined by a seam defined by spaced apart first and second allowance ends or other connection means configuration, first and second top portions, first and second side portions, and a bottom portion, the bottom portion having a raised ridge formed midway about its width and running substantially along the length of the box beam. A method is also provided for fabricating the various embodiments of the box beam described from sheet metal, namely, forming the ridge, turning up the allowance ends at about right angles to the sheet, turning up the top portions likewise, then turning up the side portions likewise.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a structure with an additional member, said additional member comprising one or more sub-units comprising the steps of: (a) inserting pre-cooled or pre-heated shims (6) of shape memory alloy between said member (4, 8) and said structure (2, 3) or between at least two of said sub-units; (b) allowing said shims to expand on subsequent cooing or warming so as to force said member into compression or tension against said structure, simultaneously driving an adjacent portion of said structure into tension or compression.

Abstract: The intrusion of insects into a home or similar building is controlled by utilizing insect controlling plastic materials in the construction of the building. The insect controlling plastic building materials are manufactured by first blending one or more plastic resins with one or more insect controlling chemical agents to form a blended plastic resin/insect controlling chemical agent material. The blended plastic resin/insect controlling chemical agent material is then utilized to manufacture plastic films, sheets, non-woven fabrics, woven fabrics, insulating foams, flooring materials, wall covering materials, and the like utilizing conventional manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semi sandwich panel in which a cores material is partially formed in a portion which needs a strength and intensity between both surface finishing materials formed of a textile for thereby implementing a certain strength and intensity of a sandwich panel, so that it is possible to obtain a certain strength and intensity as a structure member which is a feature of a sandwich panel, and the number of fabrication processes is decreased, and the fabrication cost is decreased. A core material is inserted into a portion which needs a certain strength and intensity between both surface finishing materials formed of a textile.

Abstract: Disposed above a loading section (16), on which horizontally arranged strip-shaped packaging material (P) is longitudinally movable, is a shaping wheel (20), which has an, in relation to the loading section (16), transverse central axis (22) and is rotatable about the latter. The shaping wheel (20) has a cylindrical peripheral surface (24) and contains a plurality of moulds (32) which are disposed at angular intervals, starting from the cylindrical peripheral surface (24), radially in relation to the central axis (22). The peripheral speed of the shaping wheel (20) corresponds to a slip-free rolling of its peripheral surface (24) on the packaging material (P). Each of the moulds (32) contains a piston (50) which is movable back and forth between a retracted position for filling the mould (32) with substance (M) and an advanced position for ejecting the consolidated formed body (F) in a radially outward direction onto the packaging material (P).

Abstract: The present invention refers to a device for raising and lowering a pressing arm in a fixed column and rotating platform winding apparatus. The device comprises a pneumatic cylinder that extends vertically along the column, an arm-holder trolley that can be raised and lowered along said column and connection means between said cylinder and said trolley, that can be moved between hooking points at different heights along the vertical axis of the trolley.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a support base for fixed column and rotating platform winding apparatus. The support base comprises a pair of horizontal side frames, on which are positioned a support plate of the fixed column, a support plate of the rotating platform and a closing plate of the space between said support plates. Said support and closing plates are fastened to the side frames by fastening means applied during the mounting phase, in particular by means of fastening bolts. The support plate of the rotating platform is in turn produced in the form of separate parts, that can be combined and fastened to each other and to the above-mentioned side frames by similar fastening means applied during the mounting phase, in particular by means of fastening bolts.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for orienting a part detached from a web of parts. The apparatus and method use a duct with at least one interior sloped side to orient the part in a substantially vertical orientation. The invention further provides an apparatus for stacking a plurality of flexible circuits. The apparatus includes a container having a contoured end that causes the flexible circuits to stack upon the contoured end.

Abstract: A floral sleeve and method of using the floral sleeve to cover a pot. The floral sleeve has an inwardly folded bottom gusset for forming a bottom in the sleeve which is concealed by the lower sidewall of the sleeve when the sleeve is opened and a pot is disposed therein. The sleeve may have a detachable upper portion.

Abstract: A method for providing a decorative covering for a floral grouping wherein at least one sheet of material is secured to an individual so as to maintain the individual's hands unconstrained. The sheet of material is detached, and then the detached sheet of material is disposed about at least a portion of the floral grouping such that a portion of the floral grouping is left exposed to provide the decorative covering for the floral grouping. In one embodiment, the decorative covering assembly is delivered to a customer for use by the customer in covering floral groupings. The customer can be a grower, for example.

Abstract: A wrapper for a floral grouping includes a sheet of material having a contoured configuration such that the wrapper formed therefrom has a contoured configuration which closely approximates the configuration of the floral grouping, as well as methods for making same. The sheet of material may be constructed of waxed tissue, non-waxed tissue or a tissue substitute, such as a tissue having a texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of waxed tissue.

Abstract: Methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages are provided. In one embodiment, a pair of opposing film extensions are provided on each package between which a zipper and slider are attached. In another embodiment, sliders are inserted on to zippered packages output from a form-fill-seal machine or the like. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and then a slider is inserted on to the zipper. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and a slider is inserted on to each zipper, either before or after zipper sealing.

Abstract: A device for packaging substantially platelike information carriers, provided with a first and a second cover part, wherein at least one of the cover parts is provided with receiving means for engaging and locking at least one information carrier, which receiving means comprise at least two guide elements, which can guide and lock at least a portion of an outer edge of the information carrier, such that during use the information carrier can be slid into or under the guide elements, while the information carrier can be taken out of the package by sliding it approximately parallel to its surface and approximately parallel to the respective cover part.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing continuously fed elongate material, such as forming sealed bags from continuously fed film tubes, uses at least one pair of orbital tools that are cantilevered from tool drives (e.g., crank arms) at one edge of the material, extending transversely across the direction of material travel to engage opposite faces of the material. During material engagement the tools run synchronously with the moving material, but may be returned upstream rapidly to reengage the material for the next processing cycle. In order to achieve a higher throughput an additional pair of tools can be used, cantilevered and driven from the opposite edge of the material, maintaining the same processing (e.g., sealing) time. Through this arrangement the tools on opposing sides can alternate contact with the material and be run independently of each other.

Abstract: An air cleaner assembly 10 includes a filter located within a housing 12 between an air inlet 20 and outlet 22 for filtering airflow therebetween. The air inlet 20 extends from the housing 12 to communicate with an air intake port located at a vehicle location where fresh air is available. A resonator device 28 is mounted within the housing 12. The resonator device 12 includes a resonator volume 30 and a tuning neck 32. The resonator volume 30 fits into the housing 12 to reduce bulk and readily lend itself to adaptation to space requirements. The tuning neck 32 is mounted within the outlet 22 such that noise and vibration are communicated directly to the resonator device 28.

Abstract: An air filtration system for purifying an air stream, such as the intake air for an internal combustion engine, including a system plate (10), an unfiltered air zone (13), a filter housing (12) containing a filter element (16), and a filtered air zone (19). The filter element hermetically seals and separates the unfiltered air zone (13) from the filtered air zone. The unfiltered air zone (13) is configured by a first half shell (11), which is connected to the system plate (10) in a fixed, hermetically sealed manner. The filter housing (12) is also connected to the system plate in a fixed and sealed manner. The permanent, air-tight connection of the first half shell to the system plate allows the air filtration system to be manufactured in a simpler, more rapid and more cost effective manner by obviating the need for seals and connecting elements, as well as the need to assemble such parts.

Abstract: A reusable filter port assembly is installable on the wall of a sterilizable cultivation bag, such as is used in the cultivation of mushrooms. A grommet and locking collar are removably installed in the wall of the cultivation bag or pouch to provide gas flow communication between the interior of the bag and the ambient environment after the bag is sealed. A removable filter cap holds a filter member over the opening of the filter port assembly to prevent undesired particles from passing through the port of the assembly. In use, the grommet is placed against the interior surface of a bag or pouch, such as a plastic cultivation bag. The collar is screwed down over the grommet from the exterior surface of the bag to form a grommet-collar combination fixed in place to the wall of the bag. Once installed, a patch of bag material of the bag wall is still covering the grommet opening of the neck tube.

Abstract: An air purifying device is provided for removing airborne particles. The device includes a housing including an air inlet and an air outlet. A fan is positioned within the housing for drawing air into the housing through the air inlet and expelling air through the air outlet. A filter assembly is positioned within the housing between the air inlet and the fan. The filter assembly includes a frame and a filter element mounted to the frame. The device also includes a hanger and an elongate hanger support that removably extends within the hanger. Either the hanger or the elongate hanger support is coupled to the frame while the other is coupled to the housing. The hanger can include a channel or a pair of opposed legs configured to form a gap.

Abstract: A system for propelling a combine over the ground and driving other components of the combine includes an engine driving a transmission via a hydrostatic drive system. A microprocessor stores a work table and a road table for controlling engine speed. A gear selector operates a switch to select one of the tables and a throttle control operates switches to select a speed value from the selected table. When working a field, the work table is selected so that the engine runs at speeds in a range suitable for driving the other components. For transport of the combine the road table is selected so that the engine may run at a speed higher than speeds suitable for driving the other components. For a given setting of the throttle control, the engine is controlled to run at either a first or second speed depending on the setting of the gear select lever.

Abstract: A kit for modifying the bat drive assembly of a combine having a header ahead of a crop feed auger, the header having a cutter bar at its leading edge, and a bat reel assembly comprising a reel and a plurality of bats that rotate above and in front of the header and cutter bar to move crop into the cutter bar and cut crop into the auger. The existing bat drive assembly is removed and replaced with an improved bat drive assembly which rotates each of the bats from the essentially vertical at rest position up to 360 degrees in a clockwise rotation and up to 360 degrees in a counterclockwise rotation at any position of the bat reel to control each individual bat to clean the bats of cut crop-and to give each bat clean crop entry and clean crop exit as desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing and removing a harvesting combine rotor includes a harvesting combine having a frame portion. A linkage assembly is operatively connected to the frame portion A cab is operatively connected to the linkage assembly to allow the cab to be raised to allow the installation and removal of a combine rotor.

Abstract: A combination for a harvester pickup reel, a harvester tine, a harvester pickup reel, and a method of assembling a pickup reel. In some aspects, the combination for a harvester pickup reel comprises a shaft, a tine supportable on the shaft for rotation with the shaft, and a fastener assembly integrally formed on one of the shaft and the tine. In other aspects, the combination for a harvester pickup reel comprises a shaft, a tine supportable on the shaft for rotation with the shaft and a fastener assembly. In such aspects, the fastener assembly comprises a first fastener member including a projection and a second fastener member defining a recess, the projection being insertable into the recess. In some aspects, the harvester tine comprises a support portion connectable with the second shaft to support the tine for rotation with the second shaft, the support portion being connectable to the second shaft without separate fasteners.

Abstract: An inexpensive and readily available pruning blade for pruning crop growth, such as grape vines following harvest, has a disc-like base plate. The base plate has ordinary small diameter radial Skil-saw blades mounted around the periphery. The saw blades are fixed rotationally on the base plate by a clamp and have a portion of the saw teeth extending beyond the base plate periphery so that rotation of the base plate induces cutting action by the saw teeth at the periphery of the base plate. When the extending saw teeth become dull, the clamp is loosened, the saw blade is rotated through an arc sufficient to expose sharp teeth at the base plate periphery, and the clamp is tightened.

Abstract: Systems and methods for harvesting fresh produce using a produce harvesting apparatus wherein the method includes trimming the fresh produce and placing the trimmed produce into a container. The container is placed onto a transport device located on the produce harvesting apparatus. The container is then transported on the transport device to a wash station and it is washed at the wash station. The container may be shaken during transport after the wash station.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a twisted pair cable comprising a device for rotating at a first predetermined rate of rotation a pair of elongated conductor strands about a twisting location, the device guiding the elongated conductor strands to the twisting location. The strands, after leaving the twisting location, enter a twist stop device mounted adjacent the twisting location and the twist stop device grips running lengths of elongated conductor strands passing through the device for rotating and the twisting location. A strand puller engages the running lengths of elongated conductor strands after passing through the twist stop and advances the strands passing through the device for rotating, the twist stop device, the strand puller at a second predetermined rate of rotation. The device for rotation and the strand puller operating independently to make twisted pair cable having different twist rates on different segments, the segments having different lengths.

Abstract: A combined cycle system includes a gas turbine (8) having a generator (1), a compressor (2), a combustor (3), a blade cooling air cooler (4), a fan (5), and a turbine (6); a steam turbine (29) having a high pressure turbine (21), an intermediate pressure turbine (22), and a low pressure turbine (23); and a waste heat recovery boiler (9). Saturated water from a high pressure pump (27) is partially led into a heat exchanger (110) for cooling steam to be supplied into a moving blade (52) and a stationary blade (53). Also, outlet steam from the high pressure turbine (21) is led into the moving blade (52), the stationary blade (53), and the combustor transition piece (54) for cooling thereof, and the steam is then supplied to an inlet of the intermediate pressure turbine (22). Further, the outlet steam from the high pressure turbine (21) is led into the turbine (6) for cooling blades thereof.

Abstract: A method facilitates generating thrust from a gas turbine engine using a pulse detonation system. The method includes introducing fuel and air to the engine, mixing fuel and air in a pulse detonation system deflagration chamber positioned radially outward from an engine exhaust centerbody, and detonating the fuel and air mixture within the pulse detonation system to facilitate increasing the temperature and pressure within the engine and to generate engine thrust.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine (10) includes a first fire zone (Zone 3) in the region of a core of the engine and a second fire zone (Zone 1) in the region of a fan case of the engine, the first and second fire zones being separated by fire walls. The first fire zone is located generally radially inwardly of the second fire zone but includes a bifurcation part which extends radially outwardly of the remainder of the zone for limited circumferential extent. The engine further includes a disconnect panel (52) mounted on the fan case (32) to extend radially outwardly therefrom, the disconnect panel (52) forming a fire wall and providing means for pipes and harnesses (44) to be routed therethrough.

Abstract: A method of making heat engine components, such as rocket nozzle throats, includes forming a body having at least one surface, wherein the body is made of a refractory metal, and compressing a ceramic powder between a die and the at least one surface of the body, with sufficient heat and pressure to densify and thus form a solid ceramic coating on the at least one surface of the body. Nozzle throats made according to the invention have bodies made of refractory metals, such as tantalum, and ceramic coatings on the inner surfaces of the annular bodies, wherein the ceramic coatings are made of ceramic materials such as tantalum carbide.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle includes coaxial inner and outer conduits. The inner conduit has a main outlet at an aft end thereof, and a row of radial apertures spaced upstream from the outlet. The outer conduit has an auxiliary outlet at an aft end thereof, and surrounds the inner conduit over the apertures to form a bypass channel terminating at the auxiliary outlet. A plurality of flaps are hinged at upstream ends thereof to selectively cover and uncover corresponding ones of the apertures and selectively bypass a portion of exhaust flow from the inner conduit through the outer conduit in confluent streams from both the main and auxiliary outlets.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification apparatus for an internal combustion engine comprises a NOx trap catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine and a control unit. At a purification timing, the control unit determines a space velocity of exhaust gas and selectively switches between a first air-fuel ratio control mode for controlling the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas to a rich air-fuel ratio with no need to decrease a concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gas when the determined space velocity is lower than or equal to a threshold value, and selects a second air-fuel ratio control mode for not only controlling the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas to a rich air-fuel ratio but also making the concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gas lower than that of the first air-fuel ratio control mode when the determined space velocity is higher than the threshold value.

Abstract: A method and a device are described for controlling an exhaust gas aftertreatment system, in particular for an internal combustion engine. A first quantity (SIMP), based on first characteristic operating quantities, which characterizes the amount of substances supplied to the exhaust gas aftertreatment system is determined in a first operating state. A second quantity (SIMR), based on second characteristic operating quantities, which characterizes the amount of substances removed from the exhaust gas aftertreatment system is determined in a second operating state. The first quantity and the second quantity are compared for error detection.

Abstract: To obtain an exhaust gas purification method for an internal combustion engine for detecting timing at which an inflow NOx amount flowing into an NOx absorption catalyst exceeds an NOx amount processable by the NOx absorption catalyst, and enriches the air/fuel ratio to prevent deterioration of the exhaust gas and maintain good fuel consumption. Based on an NOx amount absorbed in the NOx absorption catalyst and a maximum NOx absorption amount NOx of the absorption catalyst, a processable NOx amount processable by the NOx absorption catalyst per unit time is calculated and compared with the inflow NOx amount entering the NOx absorption catalyst per unit time, and when it is determined that the inflow NOx amount is greater, the air/fuel ratio is switched to rich.

Abstract: The burning of unburned fuel in an exhaust pipe is a technique for preventing a turbo lag. However, since the technique requires combustion in the exhaust pipe, the temperature in the exhaust pipe becomes high, which is likely to damage the exhaust pipe, cause the exhaust emissions to deteriorate. The present invention addresses this problem by providing an ignition control apparatus for an engine with a turbocharger, capable of adjusting an ignition timing and a turbocharger. When a throttle valve is opened rapidly, the ignition control apparatus causes the ignition timing to advance with respect to the ordinary ignition timing. Consequently, the start of combustion is advanced, and the speed of rotation of the engine is raised, thereby increasing the speed of an exhaust turbine to achieve the desired increase in engine performance, without the problems of conventional ignition control systems.

Abstract: Control apparatus for a nozzle for a rocket or other vehicle having a combustion chamber with a propellant therein in communication with the nozzle, the nozzle having a throat and a pair of bores extending into the throat The bores may be in opposed or any other suitable relation. A pair of plungers are slidably mounted in the bores and are movable between an open position wherein they are disposed outside of the throat and a closed position wherein they extend into the throat to substantially close it. The plungers have a width or diameter substantially the same as the width or diameter of the throat. Actuator devices are provided for moving the plungers independently of each other to control thrust by controlling the flow of combustion gases through the throat and the pressure in the combustion chamber. The movement of the plungers can also be used for thrust vector control.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, in a control system for controlling a gas turbine engine, there is provided a system and a method for determining an optimized output shaft speed for a required thrust and setting an appropriate engine power. The method comprises the steps of: providing a required thrust value at a particular flight condition; determining input values for each of a power, output shaft speed, airspeed, and altitude; determining whether the required thrust is a low power condition; if the required thrust is a low power condition, determining a reduced propeller speed value from the input values and the required thrust value; at least one of increasing and decreasing the optimized output shaft speed using the reduced propeller speed value.

Abstract: A system and method of combusting a hydrocarbon fuel is disclosed. The system and method combines the accuracy and controllability of an air staging system with the ultra-low emissions achieved by catalytic combustion systems. The present invention can achieve ultra-low emissions while maintaining the combustion system pressure drop constant over a wide range of power levels, with essentially no consequent impact on engine efficiency. Also, the present technology is easily applied to a multitude of different systems, such as conventional lean operating catalysts. One aspect of the invention is a system for combusting hydrocarbon fuel, which includes an air supply for supplying air from a compressor to the air inlet, an air inlet for entrance of an air mixture from the compressor, at least one air staging valve that directs air to a catalyst module and a bypass manifold. The catalyst module receives fuel and air, which mixes with a catalyst contained therein.

Abstract: An APU system includes a gas turbine engine having a low pressure spool, a high pressure spool and an electrical generator. The electrical generator is driven by the high pressure spool which is governed to a constant speed. Conversely, the low pressure spool is not governed at all, but is allowed to seek a speed that balances the power developed by the low pressure turbine (LPT) and power absorbed by the low pressure compressor (LPC). A step increase/decrease in electrical power demand is met with a step increase/decrease in fuel flow, which results in an overshoot/undershoot of the new equilibrium turbine inlet temperature TIT. The TIT returns to the new equilibrium when the LP spool has achieved it's new shaft speed and new equilibrium power balance. The HP Spool and generator maintain essentially constant speed and frequency, while the LP Spool responds to restore equilibrium.