Abstract: A method for detecting icing conditions for an airborne aircraft operating within a zone defined using one or more aircraft-related parameter and one or more environment parameter includes: (a) In no particular order: (1) measuring the aircraft-related parameter(s) to obtain aircraft-related parametric value(s); and (2) measuring the environment-related parameter(s) to obtain environment-related parametric value(s). (b) Employing the aircraft-related parametric value(s) and the environment-related parametric value(s) to determine whether the aircraft is operating within the zone. (c) If the aircraft is operating within the zone, observing elapsed time during which the aircraft is operating within the zone. (d) If the aircraft has operated within the zone for a predetermined elapsed time-in-zone, displaying an alert message for a user to indicate a likelihood of presence of icing conditions.

Abstract: A system for supporting a load across non-intersecting beams each having a web depending from an upper chord with an upper surface generally parallel with a chordal plane includes at least one crossing member intersecting the beams at intersection loci. At each intersection locus the beam presents a channel receiving a crossing member in a nesting orientation in an installed orientation. The crossing member includes a support expanse configured for an abutting relation with the upper chord to present the upper surface and a top surface of the crossing member as coplanar in the installed orientation. The beam and the crossing member have aperture-pairs in register in the installed orientation. The apertures accommodate tension resisting members or compression resisting members coupled with the upper chord and traversing the crossing member for resisting tension or compression forces on the upper chord in the installed orientation.

Abstract: A signal treating apparatus for presenting an output signal representing an input signal over a signal range includes: (a) an input section receiving the input signal and presenting a first filtered signal limited to a first bandwidth at a first circuit locus; the input section presenting a second filtered signal limited to a second bandwidth at a second circuit locus; (b) an amplifying unit receiving the first filtered signal and presenting an increased gain signal at an amplifier output locus; (c) a detector coupled with the amplifier output locus and presenting third bandwidth-limited signal limited to a third bandwidth less than the first bandwidth at a third circuit locus; and (d) a combining section coupled with the second and third circuit loci and presenting a resulting signal related with the second filtered signal and the third filtered signal; said resultant signal being said output signal.

Abstract: A method for comparing a first drawing and a second drawing generated by a shape-based computer system includes: (a) In no particular order: (1) identifying shapes present in the first drawing; and (2) identifying shapes present in the second drawing. (b) In no particular order: (1) identifying deleted shapes; the deleted shapes being present in the first drawing and not present in the second drawing; and (2) identifying new shapes; the new shapes being present in the second drawing and not present in the first drawing. (c) In no particular order: (1) indicating the deleted shapes in the first drawing; and (2) indicating the new shapes in the second drawing.

Abstract: An apparatus for merging a low energy electron flow into a high energy electron flow may include: a high energy electron path for accommodating the high energy electron flow; and a plurality of magnetic elements arranged to guide the low energy electron flow through a chicane presenting a path having a first end and a second end. The path intersects the high energy electron path at the second end. The path has a plurality of turns and path segments intermediate the first and second ends. Respective adjacent path segments intersect at each respective turn. The path establishes a respective bend radius and subtends a respective path angle between respective adjacent path segments at each respective turn. Each respective path angle is maximized within predetermined path angle limits. Each respective bend radius is minimized within predetermined bend radius limits.

Abstract: A method for evaluating data representing a plurality of excitations of a plurality of sensors; the method comprising: (a) storing the data as a plurality of entries in an information store; each respective sensor-excitation pair being a respective entry; (b) exercising a fit relationship employing at least one first sine value to determine a fit value substantially simultaneously for at least a portion of the plurality of entries; (c) ascertaining a measure of fit error between the data and the fit value for the portion of entries; (d) employing the measure of fit error to estimate at least one next sine value; (e) employing the at least one next sine value to perform a fit optimization operation with the data substantially simultaneously for the portion of entries; and (f) repeating steps (c) through (e) until a desired number of the sine values has been exercised.

Abstract: The present solution addresses the displaying of multiple levels of information in a constrained display footprint in a manner that allows a user to be vigilant over the information. Systems and methods are described herein for organizing data and information queries against data sources in a relational display with hierarchical grids, linked to query results, score displays, and alert monitoring. In an embodiment of the present solution, a system allows an analyst to view results and status from monitoring numerous and persistent queries against real-time data streams. Many of these queries may be inter-related and composed in a way to comprehensively analyze a problem. To display, monitor, and interact with a collection of queries, the present solution provides a relational display that makes use of a set of grids via a feature referred to as “grid of grids”. The grids may be arranged in a hierarchy of any number of levels.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping a varying input voltage signal received at an input locus to effect a desired varying output voltage signal at an output locus includes: (a) at least one energy transferring unit coupled with the input locus and with the output locus; and (b) at least one energy storing unit coupled with the at least one energy transferring unit. The at least one energy transferring unit presents at least one predetermined range of the input voltage signal at the output locus. The at least one energy transferring unit cooperates with the at least one energy storing unit to store energy in the at least one energy storing unit and to present energy from the at least one energy storing unit at the output locus when the input voltage signal is not presented at the output locus.

Abstract: A method determining distribution of a shared resource among nodes in a network includes: (a) identifying each node according to a function performed by the node; brokers collecting messages from the nodes and disseminating messages among the nodes; publishers originating messages for transmission via the network; subscribers receiving messages transmitted via the network; (b) in no particular order: (1) identifying a need for each node; and (2) identifying the shared resource available for distribution; (c) communicating the shared resource available for distribution within the network to the brokers; and (d) operating each broker to: (1) coordinate communication with all other brokers and individually apply an algorithm to optimally allocate the shared resource among the brokers; or (2) communicate with a central facility coupled with each broker while the central facility applies an algorithm to optimally allocate the shared resource among the brokers.

Abstract: A method for responding to a failure of hardware locus of at a communication installation having a plurality of control apparatuses for controlling a plurality of processes distributed among a plurality of hardware loci, the hardware loci including at least one spare hardware locus, includes the steps of: (a) Shifting control of a failed process from an initial control apparatus to an alternate control apparatus located at an alternate hardware locus than the failed hardware locus. The failed process is a respective process controlled by the initial control apparatus located at the failed hardware locus. (b) Relocating the respective control apparatuses located at the failed hardware locus to a spare hardware locus. (c) Shifting control of the failed process from the alternate control apparatus to the initial control apparatus relocated at the spare hardware locus.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating vortexes in fluid flow generally adjacent to a surface includes: (a) at least one vortex generating element; and (b) a piezoelectric motor element coupled with the at least one vortex generating element. The piezoelectric motor element responds to a varying voltage signal to move the at least one vortex generating element between a first position extending into the fluid flow an operating distance from the surface and a second position generally flush with the surface.

Abstract: A wireless communication device may have several contact buttons, including, for example, a Mom button, a Dad button and a Home button. The device may also have a Send button and an End button. A child may press one of the contact buttons, then dial Send, and a call will be placed to the specifically denoted contact. Accordingly, a child may easily and efficiently use the present invention to quickly wirelessly communicate with another person, without the confusion of extraneous buttons. The wireless communication device also includes a system and method for emergency dialing. Emergency dialing is effected by pressing an emergency call button and the Send button. In this manner, accidental dialing of an emergency number is avoided. The wireless device can be remotely programmed such that a parent or other person may remotely program the numbers called when the contact buttons are pressed.

Abstract: An apparatus for establishing an optical circuit path spanning a discontinuity in an optical channel supported by a first cable oriented about a first axis on a first side of the discontinuity and supported by a second cable section oriented about a second axis on a second side of the discontinuity includes: (a) a first coupling member coupled with the optical channel on the first side; (b) a first supporting member fixed with the first coupling member in an installed orientation in a clamping relation with the first cable section; (c) a second coupling member coupled with the optical channel on the second side; (d) a second supporting member fixed with the second coupling member in an installed orientation clamped with the second cable section; and (e) a connecting member optically coupling the first coupling member with the second coupling member to establish the optical circuit path.

Abstract: A system for evaluating a network having a plurality of domains, each domain embodying a respective topology, includes: (a) at least one gateway unit effecting signal handling between adjacent domains; (b) a plurality of communicating nodes coupled with the at least one gateway unit; and (c) at least one respective edge establishing a respective communication link between adjacent respective communicating nodes. At least one first selected communicating node is a unicast node. At least one second selected communicating node is a multicast node. At least one communicating node is a media node. Each unicast node is configured for handling messages addressed to the unicast node. Each multicast node is connected with at least one media node within a domain. Each media node is configured for handling messages addressed to multicast nodes connected with the media node individually or en masse.

Abstract: An apparatus for bearing a tool against a workpiece includes: (a) a pneumatically driven motor unit rotating a drive shaft substantially about a longitudinal drive axis; (b) a process shaft coupled with the drive shaft for rotating the tool substantially about a longitudinal process axis; (c) a flywheel coupled with one shaft of the drive shaft and the process shaft; and (d) at least one urging unit coupled with at least one of the motor unit and the process shaft. The urging unit moves the tool with respect to the workpiece. The flywheel and the one shaft impart inertial rotational energy to the tool after the pneumatic motor achieves a predetermined rotational speed.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a received signal varying over an interval includes: (a) obtaining a data sample and a sample time; (b) determining whether the sample exceeds a previous exceeded extremum of the signal; (c) if the sample does not exceed an exceeded extremum, storing the sample; (d) if the sample exceeds the an exceeded extremum, in no particular order: (1) extracting and storing cycle information involving the exceeded extremum; and (2) replacing an earliest exceeded extremum with the sample; (e) outputting first selected data from a storage unit; (f) determining whether the interval has completed; (g) if the interval has not completed, repeating steps (a) through (f); (h) if the interval has completed, checking whether an output buffer is empty; (i) if the buffer is not empty, outputting second selected data from the buffer; j) if the buffer is empty, terminating the method.

Abstract: A method for employing a second bus controller on a data bus having a first bus controller including: (a) recording appearances of predetermined character groups on the data bus; (b) noting patterns of the appearances preceding a qualifying quiet period on the data bus; a qualifying quiet period being a time interval having a duration greater than a predetermined duration with no traffic on the data bus; (c) employing the patterns to determine probability of occurrence of a qualifying quiet period following at least one pattern; and (d) permitting the second bus controller to control operation of the data bus during a respective qualifying quiet period when the probability of occurrence for the respective qualifying quiet period is greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: An apparatus for affecting at least one physical parameter associated with a shaft oriented about a longitudinal axis includes: a piezoelectric tubular member in a substantially osculatory coaxial relation with at least a portion of the shaft; and at least one electrical network coupled with the piezoelectric tubular member for switchingly completing an electrical path through the piezoelectric tubular member.

Abstract: A system for conveying priority associated with a communication conveyed among networks includes: (a) a first network originating the communication in packets; each respective packet including two segments; a first segment containing a portion of the communication in information payload bits in a first encoding scheme; a second segment containing overhead information relating to the packet in overhead bits in a second encoding scheme; a number of the overhead bits being configured to indicate the priority; and (b) a second network cooperating with the first network to alter encoding of the first segment of a selected packet-set to express the information payload bits in a third encoding scheme that is unreadable in the second network; the second network employing the priority-indicating bits to ascertain priority for handling the communication by the second network; the second network preempting lower priority resources to reserve resources for higher priority packet-sets.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling an optical signal includes: an optical transmitting unit transmitting the optical signal from an input locus to an output locus. The optical transmitting unit includes a plurality of optical transmitting sections. Each respective optical transmitting section of the plurality of optical transmitting sections has a respective length and a respective attenuation gradient to establish a respective length-and-attenuation gradient configuration. Each respective optical transmitting section effects attenuation of the optical signal according to its respective length-and-attenuation gradient configuration.