A method for extending the service life of a Collective Protection (CP) filter includes: providing at least one CP filter comprising a filter bed; and passing an airstream through a guard bed configured to protect the filter bed by removing one or more of airborne contaminants and battlefield contaminants. An apparatus for extending the service life of a CP filter includes: a CP filter comprising a filter bed; and a guard bed configured to protect the filter bed by removing one or more of airborne contaminants and battlefield contaminants.

A storage material for obtaining H-silanes which is present in the form of a hydrogenated polysilane (HPS), as a pure compound or as a mixture of compounds having on average at least six direct Si—Si bonds, the substituenis of which predominantly consist of hydrogen and in the composition of which the atomic ratio of sabstitueot to silicon is at least 1:1.

An apparatus for producing disilane through pyrolysis of monosilane, includes: a monosilane pyrolysis unit; a solid particle removal unit which removes solid particles generated in the pyrolysis unit; a condensing unit which liquefies and collects unreacted monosilane, and disilane and higher silanes with three (3) to seven (7) silicon atoms as pyrolysis products excluding hydrogen from a gas with the solid particles removed; a first separation unit which separates monosilane from a mixture of the liquefied unreacted monosilane, disilane and higher silanes; and a second separation unit which separates disilane and higher silanes from the mixture with the monosilane removed. In accordance with the present disclosure, disilane can be produced economically and efficiently with high purity through pyrolysis of monosilane.

The invention relates to a method for cleaning exhaust gases, in which an exhaust gas and a sorbent are combined in a fluidized bed reactor. In a subsequent filter system, solid matter is segregated, and thereafter, up to 99 per cent of the sorbent is re-channeled into the fluidized bed reactor, wherein the gas is subjected to a rotation around the flow axis in the fluidized bed reactor.

The present invention relates to a method for removal of SO2 from exhaust gas from a marine engine or a marine boiler of a ship. The exhaust gas from said marine engine or marine boiler is cooled and washed with seawater in a first scrubber section, and subsequently, in a second scrubber section, washed with circulating freshwater with an addition of an alkaline chemical. The circulating freshwater used for washing is warmer than the seawater used for cooling in the first scrubber section. The warmer freshwater is indirectly heat exchanged with cold seawater. The exhaust gas washed in the first scrubber section is passed via a demister unit before it is washed with circulating freshwater in the second scrubber section. The invention further relates to a corresponding scrubber system.

Provided is a catalyst article for simultaneously remediating the nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, and gaseous hydrocarbons present in diesel engine exhaust streams. The catalyst article has a soot filter coated with a material effective in the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) of NOx by a reductant, e.g., ammonia.

Apparatus and method for removal of particles and VOC from an airstream, in which particles carried by the airstream are charged by a corona ionizer and then collected by an electrically enhanced filter downstream of the ionizer. A catalytic filter downstream of the electrically enhanced filter removes VOC as well as ozone generated by the ionizer.

System and method for sustainable economic development which includes hydrogen extracted from substances, for example, sea water, industrial waste water, agricultural waste water, sewage, and landfill waste water. The hydrogen extraction is accomplished by thermal dissociation, electrical dissociation, optical dissociation, and magnetic dissociation. The hydrogen extraction further includes operation in conjunction with energy addition from renewable resources, for example, solar, wind, moving water, geothermal, or biomass resources.

A method of preparing functionalized graphene, comprises treating graphene with an alkali metal in the presence of an electron transfer agent and coordinating solvent, and adding a functionalizing compound. The method further includes quenching unreacted alkali metal by addition of a protic medium, and isolating the functionalized graphene.

Provided are a method for post-treatment of a carbonaceous material using dehydrocyclization, a carbonaceous material post-treated by the method, and a polymer composite material including the carbonaceous material. More particularly, provided are a method for post-treatment of a carbonaceous material using dehydrocyclization, including subjecting the carbonaceous material to dehydrocyclization at room temperature to heal structural defects in the carbonaceous material, while increasing the effective conjugated length of the carbonaceous material to improve the electrical conductivity thereof, as well as a carbonaceous material post-treated by the method and a polymer composite material including the carbonaceous material.

The present invention relates to a method of preparing a spherical mesoporous silica structure containing silver nanoparticles dispersed therein by adding a silver nitrate solution to an aqueous surfactant solution and performing a sol-gel process and to spherical mesoporous silica prepared thereby. The spherical mesoporous silica is cost-effective compared to a conventional method that uses silver nanoparticles as a raw material, because the silver nitrate solution that is inexpensive compared to silver nanoparticles is used. Also, the spherical mesoporous silica can be with high productivity in large amounts, and thus is easily commercialized. Moreover, because silver nanoparticles are incorporated into the pores of the mesoporous silica, the silver nanoparticles are used stably and do not change color and odor. In addition, the spherical mesoporous silica exhibits various additional effects, including far-infrared ray emission and deodorization, attributable to silica.

Provided is a method of producing a carbon catalyst having an improved activity. The method of producing carbon catalyst including a carbonization step of carbonizing raw materials containing an organic compound as a carbon source, a metal, and an electrically conductive carbon material to produce a carbonized material; a metal impregnation step of impregnating the carbonized material with a metal; and a heat treatment step of subjecting the carbonized material impregnated with the metal to a heat treatment.

The present invention provides an alkali metal salt of fluorosulfonyl imide having favorable heat resistance and a reduced content of specific impurities and a water content, and provides a method for producing an alkali metal salt of fluorosulfonyl imide, which is capable of easily removing a solvent from a reaction solution. An alkali metal salt of fluorosulfonyl imide of the present invention is represented by the following general formula (I) and has a mass loss rate of 2% or less when the alkali metal salt of fluorosulfonyl imide is kept at 100° C. for 8 hours under an air current. A method for producing an alkali metal salt of fluorosulfonyl imide of the present invention comprises a step of concentrating a solution of the alkali metal salt of fluorosulfonyl imide by bubbling a gas into a reaction solution containing the alkali metal salt of fluorosulfonyl imide, and/or concentrating a solution of the alkali metal salt of fluorosulfonyl imide by thin layer distillation.

A highly reliable vacuum heat insulating material having excellent processability, usability and heat insulating performance and a heat insulating box using the vacuum heat insulating material are provided. A vacuum heat insulating material related to the present invention includes: a core material structured by a laminated structure of an organic fiber assembly formed by forming an organic fiber into a sheet shape and cutting an end face with a predetermined length, and having a core material opening portion formed by a through hole or a notch with cutting; a gas-barrier outer cover material containing the core material inside, having a sealing portion for sealing surrounding of the sheet-shaped organic fiber assembly and surrounding of the core material opening portion, and hermetically sealing an inside with almost vacuum status by sealing the sealing portion; and an outer cover material opening portion provided at the outer cover material under a status in which the sealing portion provided at the surrounding of the sheet-shaped organic fiber assembly and the surrounding of the core material opening portion is sealed, being a through hole or a notch which is smaller than the core material opening portion with a sealed amount, and a long fiber being equal to or longer than a length of the sheet is used for the organic fiber.

Methods and systems for transportation using a rail structure are disclosed. In one aspect, a track for use with at least one of a magnetic levitation vehicle and a rolling vehicle having one or more wheels is disclosed. The track includes a first head having a maximum lateral dimension, a second head having a maximum lateral dimension, and a connection portion extending between the first head and the second head. The first connection portion may have a maximum lateral dimension that is less than the maximum lateral dimension of the first head. The track may also include a base and a support extending between the second head and the base.

Method for applying an electrical contact to a hole (2) of a metal wall portion (1), comprising the steps of providing a bush (12), a punch (11) with a shaft (16), an expansion portion (19) and a connecting portion (20) thereof, a pulling device (21) with an abutment portion (22) and a pulling mechanism (23) for engaging the punch (11) and to pulling it proximally with respect to the abutment portion (22), inserting the punch (11) in a passage hole (25) of the bush (12) so that the connecting portion (20) protrudes proximally from the bush and the expansion portion (19) is located on end (14), bush connecting the punch (11) to the pulling device (21), inserting the preassembled bush (12)-punch (11)-unit from a proximal side of the wall portion (1) distally in the hole (2) and activating the pulling device (21) to pull the punch (11) proximally through the bush, thereby radially expanding bush and permanently anchoring it in the hole (2).

A system and methods for providing variable distribution and access control for purchased event tickets are described. In one embodiment, a network-based system receives an order for electronic tickets purchased by a buyer, receives one or more recipients other than the buyer for one or more of the electronic tickets, receives delivery options for the recipients from the buyer, receives delivery information for the recipients from the buyer, and delivers electronic ticket information to the recipients. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to improved designs of railroad spikes and improved methods of manufacturing the same. According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for manufacturing a railroad spike may have the steps of: preparing a metal blank having a substantially circular cross-section; subjecting the metal blank to at least one cold heading process and at least one cold extrusion process to form a railroad spike having (a) a circular head with a fillet at its bottom side that is angled to engage a railroad tie plate or rail base and (b) a non-threaded shank with a substantially square cross-section and a chiseled tip; and coating the railroad spike with an anti-corrosion material.

The present invention relates to a polyurethane ballast layer, the method for preparing the same and a railway comprising the polyurethane ballast layer. The polyurethane ballast layer provided in this invention comprises a polyurethane-filled ballast layer and a polyurethane external protective layer, wherein the polyurethane-filled ballast layer comprises ballasts and polyurethane foam filled in the space among the ballasts. The polyurethane ballast layer provided in this invention can reduce the probability of ballast crashing, shifting and cracking under heavy load, and separate the ballast track from the outside environment to prevent rain, snow and wastes from entering into the internal space of the ballast track bed. Furthermore, the polyurethane ballast layer can keep the polyurethane foam filled in the ballasts layer away from water in the outside environment to avoid hydrolysis. The polyurethane ballast layer presented in this invention can be used in the railway ballast track bed to extend the track bed maintenance cycle, and save maintenance cost significantly.

A rail support block assembly includes a resilient member and a molded block having a top, a bottom and peripheral wall. The block is adapted for fastening one or more rails on the top. The prefabricated resilient member has an outer tray and inner tray arranged within the outer tray, and includes a resilient intermediate structure between the trays. The block is molded in a block mold into with the moldable material is introduced and allowed to harden. The block is fixed in the inner tray to extend under the bottom of the block and along a lower region of the peripheral wall. The resilient member may form a part of the block mold, so that a mold member combined with the resilient member delimit the mold for the block. The moldable material is introduced and adheres directly to the inner tray of the prefabricated resilient member.

A system for fastening a rail to a solid foundation, and a method for renovating a rail-fastening point. The system and the method allow a fastening point for a rail to be easily and economically renovated in such a way that a permanently reliable function of the renovated fastening is then ensured again while the worn support section remains. The system for fastening a rail to a solid ground foundation includes: a layer formed by a compensating mass applied to the support section; a base plate resting on the layer and extending over the support section, upon which the rail is supported in the finally installed state; a spring element for exerting a resilient elastic retention force on the rail; and a clamping element that can be anchored in the solid foundation for clamping the spring element.

A method of making an electrical connection to a railroad rail includes fastening a wire bonding assembly to a railroad rail, the wire bonding assembly including first and second spaced apart washer plates contacting the rail and a metal bar supported by the washer plates. The metal bar is electrically connected with the rail with a first conductive lead contacting a selected point on the rail and a selected point on the metal bar. A second conductive lead is connected to another selected point on the metal bar for establishing an electrical connection to the rail from an electrical device.

A trackbed liner which has a particular utility in a railway trackbed, as well as in other trackbeds such as tram trackbeds. The trackbed liner may include an upper support layer; a lower support layer; and at least one middle filtration layer of a material having a plurality of pores and which is normally impermeable to liquid water. In use and under the load of a vehicle acting on the trackbed, the filtration layer permits passage of liquid water upwardly therethrough but restricts the passage of solids materials, so as to restrict pumping erosion of material located beneath the liner. The trackbed liner may be used to renovate a trackbed comprising ballast contaminated with clay particles. The method includes removing contaminated ballast; laying the trackbed liner; and locating fresh ballast on an upper surface of the liner to provide a renovated trackbed.

Systems and related methods involving isolation tubs are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes: an isolation tub formed of fiberglass reinforced plastic resin, the tub defining a reservoir; concrete positioned within the reservoir; and rails extending across the tub and being supported by the concrete, the rails being spaced from each other to form a special trackwork (STW) assembly.

An insulated container includes a first laminated structure having a metal layer and a second laminated structure having a metal layer. The metal layer of the first laminated structure faces the metal layer of the second laminated structure. The insulated container also includes a foam material layer disposed between the first laminated structure and the second laminated structure. The metal layer of the first laminated structure is bonded to the metal layer of the second laminated structure at a plurality of locations.

A pet waste disposal kit includes a kit bag with an impermeable lining that can be worn around the waist or over the shoulder of the pet handler. The kit bag serves as the secondary container for filled waste collection bags, and it also serves to store the other materials contained in the kit. The kit also includes a supply of lightweight, impermeable, biodegradable plastic gloves, which can be made of biodegradable polyethylene, and a supply of waste collection bags made of lightweight, impermeable, biodegradable plastic, containing a disinfecting-deodorizing mixture. The disinfecting-deodorizing mixture contains a highly alkaline compound, a desiccant and a deodorizer. The waste collection bags have re-sealable zip-locks or twist ties. The kit also includes a supply of antiseptic hand wipes or a liquid hand sanitizer.

An inflatable structure may be formed from a single piece of flexible film using a provided method of manufacturing. The inflatable structure may include quilting seals which divide the inflatable chamber. The inflatable structure may also include an external valve opening extending through multiple layers of the flexible film. The external valve opening may further be partially defined by edge portions of the flexible film formed by folding the flexible film. The external valve opening may be configured to align with an opening in a container or an inflation aperture in a pouch so that the inflatable structure can be inflated while inside the container/pouch. A corresponding inflation device fills the inflatable structure with air and may do so without requiring heat sealing or contact between the inflatable structure and outlet of the inflation device. A hinged plate apparatus may assist in directing air into the external valve opening.

A card body for a portable data carrier, in particular a chip card or magnetic strip card, and a method for manufacturing a card body. The card body includes at least a coextruded foil having at least two areas with different material properties. By using coextruded foils a card body consisting of a plurality of alternating opaque and transmissive strips as well as a card body with a window can be formed in a simple fashion.

A closure having two profile strips for an at least partially flexible container for connecting a first container to a second container in a manner sealed against the environment in a such a way that a closed docking position can be obtained. Further the closure provides for conducting a flow in a sealed manner against the environment in a flow direction through the closure from the first container into the second container in such a way that an open docking position can be obtained. According to the described system, the second container facing the first container is designed with an identical closure that engages in the closure of the first container in the open docking position and forms a channel for the flow in the flow direction together with the closure.

A packaging device allowing for the distribution, storage and cooking of various food products, such as perishable or frozen food product(s). The packaging device includes a plurality of micro-perforations that may promote the extended shelf-life of the perishable food product and the maintenance of the quality of the perishable food product or be configured to maintain the integrity of a frozen food product. The packaging device also includes a venting system that allows the cooking of the perishable or frozen food products within the packaging device.

The plastic bag may include flexible thermoplastic sidewalls that have a pattern imparted onto them. The wrinkle pattern may be a plurality of linear ribs formed into the sidewall that may be arranged adjacent and parallel to one another. To impart the pattern to the sidewall, a thermoplastic web used to make the sidewall may be directed between a first cylindrical roller and a second cylindrical roller, each of which may have a plurality of spaced ridges extending about their peripheries. When the web is directed between the first and second rollers, the meshing of the ridges may form ribs into the web.

An apparatus for anchoring at least two graft ligaments within a longitudinal bone tunnel includes a longitudinal sleeve having at least two ligament-contacting surfaces located in lateral opposition to a sleeve inner lumen. The sleeve is configured for at least partial insertion into the bone tunnel with each graft ligament positioned laterally adjacent a different ligament-contacting surface and at least partially located between the bone tunnel and the sleeve. An actuating member has proximal and distal actuating member ends. An asymmetrically offset profile is defined by the sleeve and/or the actuating member. The asymmetrically offset profile has engagement thresholds. The actuating member is inserted into the sleeve to cause frictional engagement of each graft ligament with both the bone tunnel and at least one ligament-contacting surface, the frictional engagement of each graft ligament being temporally spaced apart from the frictional engagement of at least one other graft ligament.

A locking security cover for an in a ground junction box that opens to the earth. A has an opening for access to the interior of the ground box and a lock receiver fixed thereto. Plural legs support the frame and a base flange engages the bottom of the ground box side walls. The leg mounts are selectively engaged to either a flexible connection suitable for insertion of the frame and the first leg into the ground box as a unit, and a fixed connection. A rigid cover engages the frame and provides a lock recess and lock shroud. A lock inserted into the lock shroud engages a lock receiver fixed to the frame.

Methods and devices for milling a channel-shaped cavity by a five-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machine by selecting a workpiece to be machined, determining cutting tool flow along the channel-shaped cavity, determining cutting tool in-depth penetration, determining a trochoid path, and determining auxiliary movements.

A system and method for modifying a gas turbine engine in the field to drill a series of cooling holes in a turbine rotor disk made of a superalloy. A portable field repair system includes a stand configured to receive, support, and position a turbine rotor disk, a drill having a self-feeding spindle and configured to automatically drill a predetermined depth through a superalloy and to automatically stop upon completion, a drill guide configured to coordinate the drill with a plurality of radial axes associated with a precise hole pattern to be cut and a drill mount configured to mechanically couple the drill to the drill guide and to position the drill during the modification of the gas turbine engine turbine rotor disk.

A method of chip-removal machining a tooth gap of a work piece includes executing a first substantially linear plunging movement of the cutting tool along a first plunge vector and machining a region of the work piece near a tooth head of a first tooth flank of the tooth. A substantially transverse movement of the tool along a transverse vector is then executed to machine a region of the work piece near a tooth head of the second tooth flank of the tooth. A second plunging movement of the cutting tool along a vector path is then executed, to an end point of the second plunging movement that lies at a position of the work piece corresponding to the slot depth of the tooth gap to be fabricated. The cutting tool is rotated about an axis of rotation thereof during execution of these steps.

Methods of fly-cutting a workpiece are disclosed, and in methods in which the position of a fly-cutting head or its associated cutting element is known as a function of time. Also disclosed are methods of forming features, such as grooves or groove segments, in a workpiece such as a cylindrical roll. The features may be provided according to one or more disclosed patterns. Articles made using tools machined in the manner described are also provided, such as polymeric film or sheeting that exhibit certain beneficial properties.

A rotary joint device includes attachment grooves formed at positions in an outer peripheral surface of an outer cylinder, each attachment groove being formed so as to straddle a pair of adjacent cylindrical blocks and so as to be exposed from the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder, each attachment groove having a bottom surface that is machined to form a flat surface in a state in which the cylindrical blocks are combined, and positioning blocks corresponding to the attachment grooves on a one-to-one basis and each having an attachment phase that is uniquely set to a corresponding one of the attachment grooves in the axial direction and in a circumferential direction of the outer cylinder, each positioning block having an attachment surface corresponding to the bottom surface of a corresponding one of the attachment grooves, the attachment surface being machined so as to form a flat surface.

In a machine tool having a rotary shaft for use in rotating a tool or a workpiece, a plurality of stable rotation speeds at which the chatter vibrations are expected to be suppressed, and at least one switching rotation speed across which a dynamic characteristic of a rotary shaft system changes are stored. The plurality of stable rotation speeds may be determined from chatter vibrations detected using a vibration detection unit. Optimum rotation speed that is a rotation speed to which a rotation speed of the rotary shaft is changeable without crossing the switching rotation speed is selected from the plurality of stable rotation speeds, and the rotation speed of the rotary shaft is changed to the optimum rotation speed. Thus, chatter vibrations generated during rotation of the rotary shaft can be suppressed effectively.

A translocation-simulating loading apparatus for the gear grinding machine with the shaped grinding wheel is provided. The apparatus includes a load-receiving test piece disposed on the gear grinding machine with the shaped grinding wheel and a load-exerting component for use in loading simulation. The gear grinding machine enables linear movements along the X, Y, and Z axes, a rotary movement around the Y axis, a rotary movement C around the Z axis, and a rotary movement A around the X axis. An angle α is formed between the axis L of a ball seat of the load-exerting component and the X axis direction of a Y axis component and an angle formed between the normal line of a load receiving face a and the X direction of the coordinate system of the machine tool is α. A detection method for static stiffness distribution is provided.

In a pilot hole of a workpiece made of a difficult-to-cut cast iron, a cutting tool having a leading end to which a cutting insert is attached is inserted to cut the surface of the wall of the pilot hole. At this time, the cutting tool rotates about an axis (α) and also revolves about another axis (β), so that contouring is performed on the workpiece by the tool. The cutting insert is formed of a sintered body having a CBN content of not less than 85% by volume, and the cutting insert has a thermal conductivity of not less than 100 W/(mK).

A master servo motor and a slave servo motor that synchronously drive for rotation a master main spindle provided with a center that supports one end of a work piece and a slave main spindle provided with a center that supports the other end of the work piece are included. Before grinding, a slip detection cycle that detects a limit current value for the servo motors, at which the work piece and the centers slip, is executed and, during grinding, a grinding condition is changed to prevent a slip between the work piece and the centers in advance at the time when any one of current values of the servo motors has reached a slip threshold value set on the basis of the limit current value.

A method for manufacturing a work piece is provided. The method includes preparing fiberglass in a mold, preparing a closed mold cavity around the fiberglass, flushing the closed mold cavity with an oxygen-free gas, injecting resin in the closed mold cavity, and curing the casted work piece. Furthermore, a work piece manufactured by the above method is provided.

An elongate web is attached to the root end of a spar of a wind turbine rotor blade to provide additional support along the width of the blade. The root end is formed by a winding operation, and a recess is then cut into the surface of the spar. The recess is defined by a relatively large first, cylindrical surface, which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the root end, and a relatively small second, conical surface. A tapered end of the elongate web is attached within the recess of the root end using a layer of suitable adhesive and an array of pins. Resilient spacer elements are arranged within the recess so as to surround the pins. The large area of the cylindrical surface causes the tensile and compressive stresses which arise along the elongate web in use to be transmitted to the spar as shear stresses.

The invention provides a method and system of monitoring bending strain on a wind turbine blade. The method in one aspect comprises: locating at least three strain sensors on the turbine blade, in use each strain sensor providing a strain measurement, the strain sensors located such that edgewise and flapwise bending can be determined from the strain measurements; calculating a plurality of resultant bending strains using the strain measurements; calculating an average resultant bending strain from the plurality of resultant bending strains; and calculating a confidence value for a first sensor based on a comparison of resultant bending strains derived from the strain measurement from the first sensor with the average resultant bending strain.

A blade for a rotor of a wind turbine is manufactured with a root region with a substantially circular or elliptical profile closest to the hub, an airfoil region with a lift generating profile furthest away from the hub and a transition region having a profile gradually changing the root region to the airfoil region. A first blade design is used for the first base part on a first longitudinal section of an airfoil region of a second blade, so that an induction factor of the first base part on the second blade deviates from a target induction factor. The first longitudinal section of the second blade is provided with flow altering devices so as to adjust the aerodynamic properties of the first longitudinal segment to substantially meet the target induction factor at the design point on the second blade.

A method is provided for operating a wind turbine having an elongated stand apparatus, a generator rotatably mounted on the stand apparatus, and a rotor coupled to the generator via a rotor hub and the wind turbine also having an elongated rotor blade. A position of a radar system is determined with respect to the wind turbine and at least one area is determined for the rotational axis of the rotor as a function of the determined position which is not intended to be permanently assumed for alignment of the rotational axis of the rotor about the longitudinal axis of the stand apparatus. The wind turbine is operated with the at least one determined area not being permanently assumed for the alignment of the rotational axis of the rotor about the longitudinal axis of the stand apparatus.

A wind turbine rotor includes a hub with a rotor blade mounted to a bearing of the hub wherein the rotor blade has a longitudinal axis extending in a radial direction relative to an axis of rotation of the hub, and the rotor blade is rotatable about its longitudinal axis whereby the pitch of the rotor blade is adjustable. The rotor blade has a tag such as an RFID tag fixed on the rotor blade at a predetermined angular position about the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade; and a sensor is fixed on the hub for contactless sensing of the tag when the tag is in a predetermined angular position about the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade. Repeated and accurate calibration of rotor blade pitch is hereby made possible.

Embodiments of an axially-split radial turbine, as are embodiments of a method for manufacturing an axially-split radial turbine. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of joining a forward bladed ring to a forward disk to produce a forward turbine rotor, fabricating an aft turbine rotor, and disposing the forward turbine rotor and the aft turbine rotor in an axially-abutting, rotationally-fixed relationship to produce the axially-split radial turbine.

In general terms, embodiments of the present invention relate to fan assemblies and methods for installing the same. For example, some embodiments of the present invention include a fan assembly that includes: (a) a rotational member; (b) a connection member structured for connection to the rotational member and including a body portion and a head portion; and (c) a blade arm defining an opening therein, such that the opening includes an open end portion and a closed end portion. In some embodiments, the connection member and the blade arm are configured such that, (a) when the blade arm is positioned in a support state, the head portion of the connection member rests against the blade arm to support the blade arm relative to the rotational member, and (b) when the blade arm is positioned in a secure state, the head portion of the connection member at least partially bears against the blade arm adjacent to the opening defined in the blade arm. Also, some of these embodiments of the present invention may be characterized as “easy install” fan assemblies because they include an “easy install” blade arm to motor connection, as described above, and/or an “easy install” blade arm to fan blade connection.