Abstract: A rotor aircraft has an engine having an output shaft. At least one propeller is driven by the engine to provide forward thrust to the aircraft. Wings provide lift while in forward flight. A rotor is driven by rotor drive mechanism, which selectively provides torque to the rotor drive shaft from the engine while in a first mode. The rotor drive mechanism selectively provides torque to the rotor drive shaft to rotate at a speed independent of a speed of the output shaft of the engine while in a second mode. In one embodiment, the rotor drive mechanism is a variable speed transmission powered by the engine. In another embodiment, the rotor drive mechanism is an electric motor.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle including a passenger compartment and an instrument panel is provided. The instrument panel includes a beam disposed at a forward end of the compartment and extending across the width of the compartment. A driver's side instrument panel module is secured to the beam. A passenger's side instrument panel module is also secured to the beam. A defrost module is located adjacent at least one of the driver's side module and said passenger side module and positioned to provide forced air flow over the windshield of the vehicle. A driver's side vent module is disposed between the driver's side module and the sidewall of the compartment. In addition, a passenger side vent module is disposed between the passenger side module and the opposed compartment sidewall.

Abstract: A method of automatically learning how multiple devices are directly or indirectly linked in a monitoring system, comprises determining configuration parameters for the multiple devices in said system, receiving data measured by the devices, and grouping the devices into multiple segments according to at least one type of information selected from the group consisting of configuration parameters and data measured by said devices. Potential relationships of the devices in each segment are determined according to at least one type of information selected from the group consisting of configuration parameters and data measured by the devices, the hierarchies of the devices within individual segments are determined, and the hierarchies of the top-most device or devices in the segments are determined.

Abstract: A method for forming nanotube electrical devices, arrays of nanotube electrical devices, and device structures and arrays of device structures formed by the methods. Various methods of the present invention allow creation of semiconducting and/or conducting devices from readily grown SWNT carpets rather than requiring the preparation of a patterned growth channel and takes advantage of the self-controlling nature of these carpet heights to ensure a known and controlled channel length for reliable electronic properties as compared to the prior methods.

Abstract: Presented herein are methods and systems for managing an entity's risks of patent coverage. More specifically, the present invention is directed to methods and system for insuring an entity against damage awards in patent litigation. The presented methods and systems allow a manufacturer to minimize their exposure to damage awards in patent litigation by conducting pre-emptive analyses and properly allocating funds for royalty payments and/or damage awards. An insurance captive is also established as a risk management tool to insure the manufacturer against excessive damage awards.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for eliminating back drive in a push pull type control system, are provided. An exemplary apparatus includes a control rod including a pair of spaced apart piston displacement members each configured to carry a check valve. The apparatus also includes a pair of opposite-face check valves each configured to seal against respective opposing face of a piston head to form a hydraulic lock, preventing back drive in the control system.

Abstract: A method and system of converting numerical infrastructure data relating to a utility monitoring system having elements arranged in a hierarchy to a graphic compatible storage data format. Numerical infrastructure data relating to the elements of the utility monitoring system is obtained. The numerical infrastructure data relating to the elements of the utility monitoring system is converted to the graphic compatible storage data format. The graphic compatible storage data format may be System Specification Description (SSD). The converted data is stored in a storage file. A user interface may access the storage file to generate a graphic display showing the elements of the utility monitoring system arranged in the hierarchy.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle including a passenger compartment and an instrument panel is provided. The instrument panel includes a beam disposed at a forward end of the compartment and extending across the width of the compartment. A driver's side instrument panel module is secured to the beam. A passenger's side instrument panel module is also secured to the beam. A defrost module is located adjacent at least one of the driver's side module and said passenger side module and positioned to provide forced air flow over the windshield of the vehicle. A driver's side vent module is disposed between the driver's side module and the sidewall of the compartment. In addition, a passenger side vent module is disposed between the passenger side module and the opposed compartment sidewall.

Abstract: A method of automatically identifying whether intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) in a power monitoring system are in multiple electrical grids. A controller sends an instruction to each IED in a predetermined time sequence such that each IED receives the instruction at a different time, commanding each IED to begin logging frequency variation data in a current/voltage signal monitored by the IED and to send the data to the controller and an associated cycle count. The controller receives the variation data and associated cycle count and determines a peak correlation using a data alignment algorithm on IED pair combinations. If the IEDs are on the same electrical grid, the peak correlations should occur at cycle count offsets that match the order that the IEDs received the instruction. Any discrepancies in the expected order of peak correlations are flagged, and the corresponding IEDs are determined to be on different grids.

Abstract: A low color epoxy resin composition comprising (a) an epoxy resin and (b) at least one an inorganic phosphorous-containing compound stabilizing agent, for example an additive such as sodium pyrophosphate dibasic (SPD) compound; wherein the resulting epoxy resin composition is storage stable and the epoxy resin composition exhibits a low color. The low color epoxy resin composition is used to prepare an epoxy encapsulant which is useful in light emitting diodes (LEDs).

Abstract: A system and methods for synchronizing quantized sampled data in a monitoring device. A variable frequency output signal is coupled to an analog to digital converter. A fixed frequency clock is coupled to the analog to digital converter. The analog to digital converter samples the output signal at a fixed frequency to produce high speed samples. A group of initial high speed samples is stored from the analog to digital converter over a fixed window of time. The group of initial high speed samples is interpolated to produce a group of fewer low speed samples from the initial group of high speed samples over the fixed window of time. The group of low speed samples is stored as a representation of the variable frequency output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning solid surfaces includes a housing configured to substantially encapsulate a surface being cleaned, a vacuum port traversing the housing, a high speed rotating coupler assembly rotatably coupled to the housing, a plurality of impeller blades coupled to the high speed rotating coupler, at least one fluid jet coupled to the impeller blades, and at least one air pathway configured to pass input air past the impeller blades to rotatably drive the impeller blades.

Abstract: A bidirectional axial flow turbine with self-pivoting blades is provided for use in a central opening of submerged horizontally-aligned structure forming a wave energy conversion device. Entry and exit inner guide vanes are positioned on opposite sides of the vertically-aligned central opening, for directing the bidirectional fluid flow into and out of the central opening and inducing a vortex swirl in both directions of fluid flow that has the same direction of rotation. Within the opening, a turbine hub is mounted with a plurality of uniformly spaced self-pivoting blades that have a symmetrical blade profile to the bidirectional flow. The self-pivoting blades automatically change their blade angle in response to the force of water flow on the blades, so that they turn the turbine shaft in the same rotational direction in both flow directions.

Abstract: Methods for processing substrate surfaces carrying coatings comprising a metal are disclosed. The methods involve providing a substrate surface having a coating comprising a metal, and exposing the substrate surface to a mixture including an oxidizing agent and an anion.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a system and method for supporting a carbon nanotube array that involve an entangled carbon nanotube mat integral with the array, where the mat is embedded in an embedding material. The embedding material may be depositable on a carbon nanotube. A depositable material may be metallic or nonmetallic. The embedding material may be an adhesive material. The adhesive material may optionally be mixed with a metal powder. The embedding material may be supported by a substrate or self-supportive. The embedding material may be conductive or nonconductive. The system and method provide superior mechanical and, when applicable, electrical, contact between the carbon nanotubes in the array and the embedding material. The optional use of a conductive material for the embedding material provides a mechanism useful for integration of carbon nanotube arrays into electronic devices.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the electrical power in multiple branch circuits of an AC electrical power distribution system comprises monitoring at least one voltage common to said multiple branch circuits using a main meter unit, monitoring currents of the multiple branch circuits using multiple current cards that receive a plurality of current inputs from current transducers in the multiple branch circuits, sampling the monitored voltage in the main meter unit and the monitored currents in the current cards multiple times in each cycle of the AC power signal, determining the magnitudes and angles of spectral components of the sampled current in the current cards, sending data representing the magnitudes and angles of at least selected spectral components from the current cards to the main meter unit, and storing the voltage samples and the magnitudes and angles of at least the selected spectral components in the main meter unit.

Abstract: A system and methods for determining points for an algorithm to calculate the frequency of a waveform measured from a monitoring device. Data points are measured from the waveform. A last point of interest from the previous cycle of the waveform is referenced. Four points of interest at equally spaced phase angles from the current cycle of the waveform are determined by calculating the average of the data points around each of the respective equally spaced phase angles of the current cycle of the waveform. The average value of the points of interest in the current cycle is subtracted from the four points of interest and the last point of interest from the previous cycle to compensate for DC bias. A frequency of the waveform is determined based on the determined four points of interest of the current cycle and the last point of interest from the previous cycle. The correction factor for determining sample frequency may be reduced for subsequent cycles in order to increase stability.

Abstract: A system and methods for synchronizing quantized sampled data in a monitoring device. A variable frequency output signal is coupled to an analog to digital converter. A fixed frequency clock is coupled to the analog to digital converter. The analog to digital converter samples the output signal at a fixed frequency to produce high speed samples. A group of initial high speed samples is stored from the analog to digital converter over a fixed window of time. The group of initial high speed samples is interpolated to produce a group of fewer low speed samples from the initial group of high speed samples over the fixed window of time. The group of low speed samples is stored as a representation of the variable frequency output signal.

Abstract: A new and useful nanotube growth substrate conditioning processes is herein disclosed that allows the growth of vertical arrays of carbon nanotubes where the average diameter of the nanotubes can be selected and/or controlled as compared to the prior art.