Abstract: A method of forming a self-sealing fuel tank includes: providing a container including internal surfaces and external surfaces and configured to hold a fuel; forming a latex coating layer over at least a portion of the internal surfaces and/or external surfaces; depositing or encapsulating an environmental layer over at least a portion of the latex coating layer; where the latex coating layer swells when contacted with the fuel; and where the latex coating layer is formed from a latex coating composition that is substantially free of a non-ionic associative thickener.

Abstract: A method of forming a self-sealing fuel tank includes: providing a container including internal surfaces and external surfaces and configured to hold a fuel; forming a latex coating layer over at least a portion of the internal surfaces and/or external surfaces; depositing or encapsulating an environmental layer over at least a portion of the latex coating layer; where the latex coating layer swells when contacted with the fuel; and where the latex coating layer is formed from a latex coating composition that is substantially free of a non-ionic associative thickener.

Abstract: A support surface assembly includes a housing including a chamber and an opening. The support surface assembly also includes a support surface retractably coupled to the housing between a deployed position and a stored position. The support surface includes a plurality of slats pivotally coupled together, wherein each slat comprises a first end opening and an opposing second end opening. The support surface assembly also includes a plurality of rods associated with a corresponding slat of the plurality of slats. Each rod is positioned entirely within the first end opening of a first slat in the stored position and each rod is positioned partially within the second end opening of an adjacent second slat in the deployed position.

Abstract: A support surface assembly includes a housing including a chamber and an opening. The support surface assembly also includes a support surface retractably coupled to the housing between a deployed position and a stored position. The support surface includes a plurality of slats pivotally coupled together, wherein each slat comprises a first end opening and an opposing second end opening. The support surface assembly also includes a plurality of rods associated with a corresponding slat of the plurality of slats. Each rod is positioned entirely within the first end opening of a first slat in the stored position and each rod is positioned partially within the second end opening of an adjacent second slat in the deployed position.

Abstract: An anti-roll off assembly. The assembly comprises a band, a plurality of compression-resistant well filler assemblies and a coupler assembly. The band is configured to extend substantially around a circumference of a well portion of a wheel. The compression-resistant well filler assemblies are coupled to the band and are configured to be positioned against the well portion to block off respective volumes along circumferential portions of the well portion. The coupler assembly is configured to increase a tension force of the band and comprises a first trunnion, a second trunnion and a threaded member. The first trunnion is in contact with the band and has a first threaded opening. The second trunnion is in contact with the band and has a second threaded opening. The threaded member comprises a first end threadedly engaged with the first threaded opening and a second end threadedly engaged with the second threaded opening.

Abstract: An anti-roll off assembly. The assembly comprises a band, a plurality of compression-resistant well filler assemblies and a coupler assembly. The band is configured to extend substantially around a circumference of a well portion of a wheel. The compression-resistant well filler assemblies are coupled to the band and are configured to be positioned against the well portion to block off respective volumes along circumferential portions of the well portion. The coupler assembly is configured to increase a tension force of the band and comprises a first trunnion, a second trunnion and a threaded member. The first trunnion is in contact with the band and has a first threaded opening. The second trunnion is in contact with the band and has a second threaded opening. The threaded member comprises a first end threadedly engaged with the first threaded opening and a second end threadedly engaged with the second threaded opening.

Abstract: A system. The system includes a wheel, a tire mounted on the wheel, a tire shield, elastomeric members and an extension limiting member. The elastomeric members are coupled to the wheel and the tire shield. The an extension limiting member is coupled to the wheel and the tire shield. The elastomeric members are configured to allow for controlled radial and rotational displacement of the tire shield relative to the wheel in x and y directions while the wheel is rotating during a collision event involving the tire shield.

Abstract: A system. The system includes a one-piece wheel, a tire mounted to the wheel, and an antiroll off assembly. The wheel defines an axis of rotation and includes a disc portion which defines a central opening, and a rim portion which is connected to the disc portion and defines first and second flange portions, first and second seat portions and a well portion. The anti-roll off assembly is positioned in the well portion and includes a band, a plurality of filler assemblies connected to the band and a coupler assembly configured to adjust a tension force applied to the band. The coupler assembly includes a first trunnion in contact with the band and having a first threaded opening, a second trunnion in contact with the band and having a second threaded opening, and a threaded member threadedly engaged with the first threaded opening and the second threaded opening.

Abstract: A system. The system includes a one-piece wheel, a tire mounted to the wheel, and an antiroll off assembly. The wheel defines an axis of rotation and includes a disc portion which defines a central opening, and a rim portion which is connected to the disc portion and defines first and second flange portions, first and second seat portions and a well portion. The anti-roll off assembly is positioned in the well portion and includes a band, a plurality of filler assemblies connected to the band and a coupler assembly configured to adjust a tension force applied to the band. The coupler assembly includes a first trunnion in contact with the band and having a first threaded opening, a second trunnion in contact with the band and having a second threaded opening, and a threaded member threadedly engaged with the first threaded opening and the second threaded opening.

Abstract: A system. The system includes a wheel, a tire mounted on the wheel, a tire shield, elastomeric members and an extension limiting member. The elastomeric members are coupled to the wheel and the tire shield. The an extension limiting member is coupled to the wheel and the tire shield. The elastomeric members are configured to allow for controlled radial and rotational displacement of the tire shield relative to the wheel in x and y directions while the wheel is rotating during a collision event involving the tire shield.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a novel cooling system and fuel preheating system for use in an advanced, high speed aerospace vehicle. A hydrocarbon fluid, such as fuel is accelerated to supersonic conditions within a cooling channel located proximate a high-temperature flight surface. The hydrocarbon fuel absorbs a heat load as it passes through the cooling channel in the flight control surface prior to the fuel being directed into the aircraft engine.

Abstract: A stability device that increases foot security on the footbed of a shoe, provides lateral or medial stability, shock dampening, and optimizes flexibility. The stability device includes a resilient bladder insert having a horizontal sole portion underneath a wearer's foot, and a foot portion positioned along a lateral or medial side edge of a wearer's foot. The sole portion and the foot portion are in fluid communication. The stability device can be generally L-shaped to cradle a portion of the foot. The stability device can also include a plurality of finger-shaped elements that encircle the top of the foot and expand down onto the foot due to an increase in fluid pressure therein.

Abstract: A stability device that increases foot security on the footbed of a shoe, provides lateral or medial stability, shock dampening, and optimizes flexibility. The stability device includes a resilient bladder insert having a horizontal sole portion underneath a wearer's foot, and a foot portion positioned along a lateral or medial side edge of a wearer's foot. The sole portion and the foot portion are in fluid communication. The stability device can be generally L-shaped to cradle a portion of the foot. The stability device can also include a plurality of finger-shaped elements that encircle the top of the foot and expand down onto the foot due to an increase in fluid pressure therein.

Abstract: A stability device that increases foot security on the footbed of a shoe, provides lateral or medial stability, shock dampening, and optimizes flexibility. The stability device includes a resilient bladder insert having a horizontal sole portion underneath a wearer's foot, and a foot portion positioned along a lateral or medial side edge of a wearer's foot. The sole portion and the foot portion are in fluid communication. The stability device can be generally L-shaped to cradle a portion of the foot. The stability device can also include a plurality of finger-shaped elements that encircle the top of the foot and expand down onto the foot due to an increase in fluid pressure therein.

Abstract: A control for a water heater is provided that comprises a pressure switch for sensing a predetermined level of airflow sufficient for maintaining proper burner operation, and a temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the water in the tank. The control further comprises a processor for controlling the operation of the burner to maintain the water temperature above a predetermined value. When the processor receives a signal from the pressure switch or temperature switch indicating a malfunction, the processor shuts down the burner and subsequently attempts to restart the burner. The processor will lock-out further burner operation after a predetermined number of consecutive shut downs occurs, and will communicate any malfunction information to a remote display device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling a single phase induction motor having a main winding, an auxiliary start winding and a start capacitor in series with the start winding. The apparatus comprises a sensing means for sensing the voltage across the main winding and across the start winding of the induction motor, a means for detecting a condition of the sensed voltages across the main and start windings that is indicative of the phase angle between the voltage across the main and start windings. The apparatus comprises a switching means for disconnecting the start capacitor from the start winding when the switching means is energized, and a microcomputer for energizing the switching means to disconnect the start capacitor from the start winding in response to determining when the phase angle between the voltage across the main winding and the start winding increases by more than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A controller is provided for controlling the operation of a gas-fired water heating appliance. In one embodiment of the present invention, a controller is provided that comprises a switching means for connecting an electrical power source to an igniter for igniting gas, a voltage sensing means for sensing the voltage value of the electrical power source, and a processor that is capable of determining whether the power source is of a first rated voltage level or a second rated voltage level. The processor is capable of responsively selecting an appropriate switching sequence from a look-up table having a plurality of switching sequences corresponding to a plurality of voltage values for either the first rated voltage or the second rated voltage, where the processor controls the switching means based on the selected switching sequence to effect switching of power to supply an average predetermined voltage to the igniter that will heat the igniter to a desired temperature.

Abstract: A thermostat for controlling a climate control system is provided that comprises a network interface for establishing an internet connection with a website of a remote service provider, and a microprocessor for controlling the operation of a climate control system. The microprocessor is in communication with the network interface for establishing an internet connection and receiving user-specified information from a remote service provider that maintains a user-profile of information requested by the user. The thermostat further comprises a display device responsive to the microprocessor for displaying user-specified information received via the network controller from the remote service provider.

Abstract: A control for a water heater is provided that comprises a pressure switch for sensing a predetermined level of airflow sufficient for maintaining proper burner operation, and a temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the water in the tank. The control further comprises a processor for controlling the operation of the burner to maintain the water temperature above a predetermined value. When the processor receives a signal from the pressure switch indicating an insufficient level of airflow, the processor shuts down the burner and subsequently attempts to restart the burner. The processor will also lock-out further burner operation after a predetermined number of consecutive shut downs occurs before the water is heated to a desired temperature during a single call for heating.

Abstract: A stability device that increases foot security on the footbed of a shoe, provides lateral or medial stability, shock dampening, and optimizes flexibility. The stability device includes a resilient bladder insert having a horizontal sole portion underneath a wearer's foot, and a vertical foot portion positioned to a lateral or medial side edge of a wearer's foot. The horizontal sole portion and the vertical foot portion are in fluid communication and are proximal the first or fifth metatarsal regions of the foot. The stability device can be generally L-shaped to cradles a portion of the foot. A compression force of a foot landing onto horizontal sole portion causes an increase in fluid pressure in the foot portion which stiffens the veridical foot portion forming a bumper-like wall for absorbing side impacting force from the foot and serving to keep the foot on the footbed.