Abstract:
A mechanically reconfigurable marine propulsion device that adapts to engine torque and/or vessel speed thereby providing improved propulsive efficiency and performance. The axial flow propulsion device has two or more stages each having an impeller section and a stator section. Stator vanes and/or the pumping chamber provide a flow diffusion that generates increased hydrostatic pressure from ram pressure recovered from high velocity working fluid which, due to reduced fluid velocity and increased hydrostatic pressure, lowers cavitation events and frictional losses within the propulsion device. Optionally, variable-pitch vanes in the stator section control the amount of ram pressure imparted to the working fluid. Also optionally, variable-pitch inlet guide vanes control the whirl angle and/or mass flow rate of incoming fluid independently of rotor or vessel speed. A set of fixed or variable exit guide vanes aft of the pumping chamber provides flow straightening and pressure maintenance at a discharge nozzle. Other options include a dual flow concentric pumping arrangement that improves performance at low to moderate vessel speeds, an inlet diffuser that recovers ram pressure within an intake duct, and/or a variable area throat in the discharge nozzle that controls the water jet exit velocity according to vessel speed in order to maintain propulsive efficiency. Advantageously, the variable geometry propulsion device enables a shipmaster to achieve improved performance and fuel efficiency over a wide range of vessel speed, vessel loading, sea state conditions, power settings, and/or engine set points in order to achieve higher vessel speeds (e.g., 10 to 30kts) and/or greater range (e.g., 25-40%) over conventional marine pump jets (i.e., centrifugal or mixed-flow water jets), which is particularly useful for vessels utilizing 10 to 100 megawatt power plants.
Abstract:
This invention relates to screed methods and building panels. According to the invention there is provided a construction panel comprising two outer wire mesh members and a middle member secured there between. The wire mesh members may have a plurality of V-shaped impressions along their length, which serve as a built in visual and mecahncial screed for finishing the panel with shotcrete or plaster. Alternatively, the wire mesh members may have a clipped-on-screed member attached thereto, which serves as a visual and mechanical screed for finishing the panel. The middle member may comprise a composite of alternating layers of wire trusses and polystyrene foam. The middle member may be secured in a compressed state and released after attachment to the wire mesh members.
Abstract:
Systems (100) and methods (100) for managing checkout line efficiency of a retail store. The methods involve electronically obtaining, by a store intelligence system (128), first data indicating an efficiency of each checkout lane of a plurality of checkout lanes (152) and second data indicating a total number of shopping carts (106) in each checkout lane and/or a total number of articles within each shopping cart. A checkout lane recommendation is then generated by the store intelligence system for a customer (104) based at least on the first data and/or the second data. The checkout lane recommendation is communicated from the SIS to a mobile communication device (102) in the possession of the customer.
Abstract:
An electronic article surveillance (EAS) antenna system including at least one transmit antenna and at least one amorphous core receiver antenna adapted for installation on the floor, in the grout region of the floor, or under the flooring of a passageway. An EAS system including at least one perimeter loop antenna adapted to extend around the entire perimeter of a passageway is also provided. The system may further include at least one floor antenna adapted for installation within a region of a floor of a passageway and at least one ceiling antenna adapted for installation adjacent a ceiling of the passageway.
Abstract:
A device for actuating a pneumatically operated gas-line shut-off valve is disclosed. The device comprises a shape memory alloy wire that is actuated by the application of electrical current. When the shape memory alloy wire is actuated, it opens a spring loaded air exhaust valve that releases the pneumatic pressure holding the gas-line shut-off valve in the open position. The shape memory alloy wire can be activated with an electronic remote control device or through direct wiring thereto.
Abstract:
A device for actuating a pneumatically operated gas-line shut-off valve is disclosed. The device comprises a shape memory alloy wire that is actuated by the application of electrical current. When the shape memory alloy wire is actuated, it opens a spring loaded air exhaust valve that releases the pneumatic pressure holding the gas-line shut-off valve in the open position. The shape memory alloy wire can be activated with an electronic remote control device or through direct wiring thereto.
Abstract:
A mechanically reconfigurable marine propulsion device (10) that adapts to engine torque and/or vessel speed thereby providing improved propulsive efficiency and performance. The axial flow propulsion device has two or more stages each having an impeller section and a stator section. Stator vanes (40, 42, 44) and/or the pumping chamber (19) provide a flow diffusion that generates increased hydrostatic pressure from ram pressure recovered from high velocity working fluid which, due to reduced fluid velocity and increased hydrostatic pressure, lowers cavitation events and frictional losses within the propulsion device. Optionally, variable-pitch vanes (80, 82) in the stator section control the amount of ram pressure imparted to the working fluid. Also optionally, variable-pitch inlet guide vanes (46) control the whirl angle and/or mass flow rate of incoming fluid independently of rotor or vessel speed. A set of fixed or variable exit guide vanes aft of the pumping chamber provides flow straightening.
Abstract:
An electronic article surveillance (EAS) antenna system including at least one transmit antenna and at least one amorphous core receiver antenna adapted for installation on the floor, in the grout region of the floor, or under the flooring of a passageway. An EAS system including at least one perimeter loop antenna adapted to extend around the entire perimeter of a passageway is also provided. The system may further include at least one floor antenna adapted for installation within a region of a floor of a passageway and at least one ceiling antenna adapted for installation adjacent a ceiling of the passageway.
Abstract:
This invention relates to screed methods and building panels. According to the invention there is provided a construction panel comprising two outer wire mesh members and a middle member secured there between. The wire mesh members may have a plurality of V-shaped impressions along their length, which serve as a built in visual and mecahncial screed for finishing the panel with shotcrete or plaster. Alternatively, the wire mesh members may have a clipped-on-screed member attached thereto, which serves as a visual and mechanical screed for finishing the panel. The middle member may comprise a composite of alternating layers of wire trusses and polystyrene foam. The middle member may be secured in a compressed state and released after attachment to the wire mesh members.
Abstract:
An electronic article surveillance antenna system with wide interrogation zones has a number of core transceiver antennas with each connectable to a transmitter. The core transceiver antennas are adapted to be installed adjacent a ceiling of the wide interrogation zone and generate an interrogation signal into the wide interrogation zone. The core transceiver antennas each are connectable to a receiver to receive and detect a response signal from an electronic surveillance marker disposed in the wide interrogation zone. The system also has transceiver antenna coils with each connectable to the transmitter and adapted to be installed adjacent a floor of the wide interrogation zone. The transceiver antenna coils generate the interrogation signal into the wide interrogation zone and each is also connectable to the receiver to receive and detect the response signal from the electronic surveillance marker disposed in the wide interrogation zone.