Abstract: The present technology is directed to thrusting rails for launch vehicles, and associated systems and methods. Certain embodiments of the thrusting rails can include a first rail housing portion having a cavity and a second rail housing portion having a projection positioned at least partially within the cavity. The rails can include a bellows positioned within the cavity and an elongated tube positioned within the bellows. The elongated tube can include a vent opening in a lateral wall of the elongated tube. A shield can be positioned between the vent opening at the bellows and a sleeve can be positioned within the elongated tube. The sleeve can be constructed from a fibrous material and positioned to retain an ordnance within the elongated tube.

Abstract: Alignment systems and associated methods of using such systems to help aim an x-ray source at an x-ray detector are described in this application. The alignment systems can contain an electromagnetic radiation transmitter (or receiver) that is associated with the x-ray detector and an electromagnetic radiation receiver (or transmitter) that is associated with the x-ray source. Electromagnetic radiation produced by the electromagnetic radiation transmitter can be detected by the receiver and used to align the x-ray source and the x-ray detector in the x-ray device. In some configurations, the electromagnetic radiation transmitter contains a radio-frequency (RF) antenna (or antenna array) that is attached in a fixed position relative to the x-ray detector and the electromagnetic radiation receiver also contains an RF antenna (or antenna array) that is in a fixed position relative to the x-ray detector. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating an optimal gear shift time is disclosed. The apparatus includes an input circuit that obtains a plurality RPM readings over a selected interval of time, a processing module that determines an RPM acceleration based upon the plurality of RPM readings, the processing module also determines an appropriate shift time based upon the RPM acceleration and estimated shift reaction time, and a shift indicator that communicates the appropriate shift time. In certain embodiments, the appropriate shift time includes shifting within a range of maximum engine power. In some embodiments, the shift indicator comprises a shift indicator light or an audible signal generator.

Abstract: A system and method for merchandising products in a home improvement or commercial construction retail store by providing an enhanced integrated shopping experience for customers that improves the customer's understanding of a particular home improvement or commercial construction project while introducing the seller's products adapted to perform the home improvement or commercial construction project through coordination of graphic elements such as color or number coding of the seller's products with an interactive display that conveys information regarding the project and aisle merchandising that directs the customer to the seller's products.