Author: claimsbot

What we claim is:

1. A method of selecting an optimal combination of a direct injection engine and a direct injecting fuel injector from a plurality of direct injection engines and direct fuel injectors, each of the engines and fuel injectors having characteristics selected from a plurality of engine and fuel injector characteristics, the method comprising:
(a) generating at least one map that relates engine load, engine speed and injector tip temperature for an operating range of the engine, the combination operating at a generally stochiometric air-fuel mixture;
(b) determining changes in fuel flow through the injector when the combination is operated at one or more selected points of the at least one map over a selected period of time;
(c) generating at least one engine-characteristic map as a function of:
(i) changes in fuel flow obtained while performing (b);
(ii) injector tip temperature obtained while performing (a);

(d) performing (a) to (c) for at least another combination; and
(e) selecting one combination that has the least amount of changes in fuel flow being indicated on the at least one engine-characteristic map generated in (c).
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generating further comprises selecting another combination from the plurality of engine and fuel injector characteristics, and generating another map whenever the injector tip temperatures over the operating range of the another combination are greater than a predetermined value.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the determining further comprises maintaining the engine load constant at the at least one selected speed point.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the maintaining further comprises maintaining air flow to the pre-selected engine substantially constant.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the determining further comprises operating the engine in a closed-loop mode, and monitoring a pulsewidth of the fuel injector required to maintain the closed-loop mode.
6. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the determining further comprises selecting a plurality of speed points over a plurality of engine loads representative of an entire range of injector tip temperatures from the at least one map and monitoring changes in fuel flow.
7. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the determining further comprises maintaining a substantially constant inlet air temperature, a substantially constant fuel temperature, and a substantially constant engine coolant temperature over the at least one operating range.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating of the at least one map further comprises changing to a different combination by changing at least one characteristic from the plurality of engine and fuel injector characteristics, the at least one characteristic comprising an axial position of the injector tip relative to a cylinder head of an engine.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating of the at least one map further comprises changing to a different combination by changing at least one characteristic from the plurality of different engine and fuel injector characteristics, the at least one characteristic comprising a different fuel composition of the fuel.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating of the at least one map further comprises changing to another combination by changing at least one characteristic from the plurality of different engine and fuel injector characteristic, the at least one characteristic comprising one of a coating on the injector valve seat, valve seat geometry and fuel composition.
11. A method of selecting an optimal combination of a direct injection engine and a direct injecting fuel injector from a plurality of direct injection engines and direct fuel injectors, each of the engines and fuel injectors having characteristics selected from a plurality of engine and fuel injector characteristics, the method comprising:
(a) generating at least one map that relates engine load, engine speed and injector tip temperature for an operating range of the engine, the combination operating at a generally stochiometric air-fuel mixture;
(b) evaluating the at least one map to determine whether the at least one combination includes a tendency to form injector tip combustion deposits; and
(c) generating at least one engine characteristic map when the evaluating indicates a tendency of the combination to form combustion deposits on the injector, the engine characteristic map being generated as a function of
(i) changes in fuel flow by determining changes in fuel flow through the injector when the combination is operated at one or more selected points of the at least one map over a selected period of time, and
(ii) injector tip temperatures obtained from (a).
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the generating of the at least one map further comprises changing at least one characteristic from the plurality of different engine and fuel injector characteristics whenever at least one injector tip temperature over the operating range is greater than a preset value.
13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the determining further comprises maintaining the engine load substantially constant at the at least one selected speed point.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the maintaining further comprises maintaining air flow to the engine substantially constant.
15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the determining further comprises operating the engine in a closed-loop mode, and monitoring a pulsewidth of the fuel injector required to maintain the closed-loop mode.
16. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the determining further comprises selecting a plurality of speed points of the at least one map that are representative of an entire range of injector tip temperatures for at least one combination.
17. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the generating of the at least one map at predetermined engine operating conditions comprises maintaining a substantially constant inlet air temperature, a substantially constant fuel temperature, and a substantially constant engine coolant temperature over the at least one operating range.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the evaluating comprises determining whether at least two or more points on the map, each point corresponding to a temperature greater than a predetermined temperature range.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the evaluating comprises determining whether at least two or more points on the map are between approximately 120 degrees Celsius and 140 degrees Celsius.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A thread repair tool comprising:
a) a support comprising a head and a leg depending from the head, the leg having an outer surface and an inner surface;
b) a removable cutter having a top surface proximate to the head, an inner surface against the inner surface of the leg, and an outer surface provided with cutting threads for tapping; and
c) a holder holding the cutter against the leg.
2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the holder comprises a bushing.
3. The tool of claim 1 wherein the holder comprises a clamp.
4. The tool of claim 1 wherein a portion of the support is threaded for engagement with an adjustment nut.
5. The tool of claim 1 comprising at least one spacer between the top surface of the cutter and the head.
6. The tool of claim 1 wherein the head is adapted for rotating the tool.
7. The tool of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the leg and the outer surface of the cutter define a cutting diameter and both inner surfaces are tapered so that moving the cutter away from the head decreases the cutting diameter.
8. The tool of claim 7 comprising at least one spacer between the top surface of the cutter and the head.
9. The tool of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the leg and the outer surface of the cutter define a cutting diameter, and both inner surfaces are tapered so that movement of the cutter relative to the head changes the cutting diameter.
10. The tool of claim 7 comprising a rotatable nut causing movement of the cutter relative to the head.
11. A thread repair tool comprising:
a) a support having a head and a core depending from the head, the core having an outer surface;
b) at least one removable guide proximate to the head, the guide having an outer surface and an inner surface against the core;
c) a removable cutter having a top surface proximate to the head, an inner surface against the core, and an outer surface provided with cutting threads for tapping; and
d) a holder holding the cutter and the guide against the core.
12. The tool of claim 11 comprising at least two removable guides proximate to the head, both legs having an outer surface and an inner surface against the core.
13. The tool of claim 11 wherein the outer surface of the cutter and the outer surface of the guide define a cutting diameter, and both inner surfaces and the core outer surface are tapered so that movement of the cutter and guide relative to the head alters the cutting diameter.
14. The tool of claim 13 comprising at least one spacer spacing the cutter away from the head.
15. The tool of claim 14 wherein the spacer also spaces the guide away from the head.
16. A thread repair tool comprising:
a) a support having an outer wall;
b) a cutter having an inner surface proximate to the circumferential wall and an outer cutting surface distal from the outer wall of the support;
c) means for adjusting the distance between the cutter and the outer wall of the support;
d) at least one guide proximate to the outer wall of the support; and
e) means for adjusting the distance between the support outer wall and the guide.
17. The tool of claim 16 wherein the cutter and the guide are at opposite sides of the support wall.
18. The tool of claim 17 wherein the guide has a cutting surface.
19. The tool of claim 17 comprising a plurality of guides without a cutting edge.
20. A method for repairing threads of hole comprising the steps of:
a) selecting the tool of claim 7;
b) moving the cutter relative to the head for adjusting the cutting diameter to a selected cutting diameter;
c) tightening the holder for holding the cutter at the selected cutting diameter; and
d) after step (c), rotating the tool in the hole for repairing the threads.

1. A gas turbine engine comprising:
a contra-rotating rotor incorporating an electrical generator arrangement,
the contra-rotating rotor including a first hub and a second hub being spaced apart to define a gap and configured to rotate in opposite directions, and
the electrical generator arrangement including a first generator part and a second generator part in each of the first and second hubs, each of the first generator parts in the first hub and second hub being paired with each of the second generator parts in the second hub and the first hub, respectively,
wherein the contra-rotating rotor further includes electrical loads provided on the first and second hubs and configured to connect to the first and second generator parts of each of the first and second hubs, respectively.
2. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second generator part is magnetic and the first generator part is an electrical coil.
3. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second generator part is a plurality of permanent magnets.
4. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein each hub of the contra-rotating rotor includes a plurality of first and second generator parts.
5. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of first and second generator parts present each first generator part and each second generator part across the gap with all first generator parts in the first hub and all second generator parts in the second hub.
6. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of first and second generator parts in a same hub are concentric with each other with a respective first generator part and second generator part opposite each other in the respective first hub and the second hub part of the rotor.
7. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first generator part is located radially inward from the second generator part in the first hub and the second generator part is located radially inward from the first generator part in the second hub.
8. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of first and second generator parts extend fully or partially around the periphery of the first hub and the second hub.
9. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second generator parts within each hub are connected to a plurality of electrical loads located on that hub.
10. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of electrical loads include at least one of an actuator for blade pitch control and a de-icer mechanism.
11. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 9, wherein a switch is provided to allow switching between the plurality of electrical loads.
12. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical generator arrangement is associated with an electrical power conditioner mechanism.
13. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first hub and the second hub are separately driven by a drive mechanism to cause relative motion between the first hub and the second hub.
14. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first hub and the second hub are associated with a propeller which incorporates one or both of the first and second generator parts opposed by a respective first and second generator parts in the first hub or the second hub.
15. The gas turbine engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first hub is a shaft or rotor and the second hub is arranged to rotate about the shaft or rotor.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A venting device adapted to be sealingly received in an opening of a drum, the device comprising:
a body having a pair of opposing sides and defining a plurality of vent passages, each vent passage having an opening at each of the pair of opposing sides and extending through the body, the vent passages being spaced apart and arranged around a center portion of the body;
a membrane structure covering the openings of the vent passages on one of the pair of opposing sides of the body, the membrane structure being sealingly affixed to the body portion in a sealing band surrounding the openings of the vent passages, a portion of the membrane structure being further affixed to the center portion of the body at a spot, thereby defining a portion of the membrane structure between the sealing band and the spot, the membrane structure not being attached to the body in the portion defined between the sealing band and the spot; and
a protective structure attached to the body and positioned over the membrane structure.
2. The venting device of claim 1, wherein the membrane structure includes a membrane layer and a backing layer.
3. The venting device of claim 2, wherein the membrane layer comprises a fluoropolymer material.
4. The venting device of claim 3, wherein the fluoropolymer material is PTFE.
5. The venting device of claim 2, wherein the membrane layer has a thickness of about 0.002 inch.
6. The venting device of claim 1, wherein the protective structure is spaced apart from the membrane structure by at least about 0.050 inch.
7. A drum for containing a liquid, comprising:
a bottom structure, a top structure, and a wall together defining an enclosure, the enclosure having at least one bunghole defined therein; and
a closure sealingly engaged in the at least one bunghole, the closure including a body portion having a pair of opposing sides and defining a plurality of vent passages, each vent passage having an opening at each of the pair of opposing sides and extending through the body, the vent passages being spaced apart and arranged around a center portion of the body, the closure further including a membrane structure covering the openings of the vent passages on one of the pair of opposing sides of the body, the membrane structure being sealingly affixed to the body portion in a sealing band surrounding the openings of the vent passages, a portion of the membrane structure being further affixed to the center portion of the body at a spot, thereby defining a portion of the membrane structure between the sealing band and the spot, the membrane structure not being attached to the body in the portion defined between the sealing band and the spot.
8. The drum of claim 7, wherein the wall is generally cylindrical.
9. The drum of claim 7, further comprising a protective structure attached to the body and positioned over the membrane structure.
10. The drum of claim 9, wherein the protective structure is spaced apart from the membrane structure by at least about 0.050 inch.
11. The drum of claim 7, wherein the membrane structure includes a membrane layer and a backing layer.
12. The drum of claim 11, wherein the membrane layer comprises a fluoropolymer material.
13. The drum of claim 12, wherein the fluoropolymer material is PTFE.
14. The drum of claim 10, wherein the membrane layer has a thickness of about 0.002 inch.
15. A venting device adapted to be sealingly received in an opening of a drum, the: device comprising:
a body having a pair of opposing sides and defining a plurality of vent passages, each vent passage having an opening at each of the pair of opposing sides and extending through the body, the vent passages being spaced apart and arranged around a center portion of the body;
membrane means covering the openings of the vent passages on one of the pair of opposing sides of the body, the membrane means being sealingly affixed to the body portion in a sealing band surrounding the openings of the vent passages, a portion of the membrane structure being further affixed to the center portion of the body at a spot, thereby defining a portion of the membrane means between the sealing band and the spot, the membrane means not being attached to the body in the portion defined between the sealing band and the spot; and
protective means attached to the body and positioned over the membrane structure.
16. The venting device of claim 15, wherein the membrane means comprises a membrane structure including a membrane layer and a backing layer.
17. The venting device of claim 16, wherein the membrane layer comprises a fluoropolymer material.
18. The venting device of claim 17, wherein the fluoropolymer material is PTFE.
19. The venting device of claim 16, wherein the membrane layer has a thickness of about 0.002 inch.
20. The venting device of claim 15, wherein the protective means is spaced apart from the membrane structure by at least about 0.050 inch.