Abstract: A method and system for taking direct measurements of GNSS signal's arrival angle to remotely measure the atmospheric variables used for weather prediction. More specifically, an improved method and system for obtaining and processing accurate information regarding the weather and other atmospheric changes by measuring the total refractive bending angle of the GNSS signal. For mobile platforms on which receivers are mounted, phased array receivers are used to allow precise measurements of GNSS arrival angles. By measuring the refractive bending angle, more accurate and cost-efficient measurements of atmospheric changes are obtained, thereby resulting in more accurate predictions of the weather.

Abstract: A package pickup indicator system is disclosed. The system includes a monitoring system and an indicator capable of being detected by a route driver for a shipping carrier in a shipping carrier vehicle. The monitoring system is in communication with at least one shipping carrier customer package tracking system and is in communication with the indicator. The monitoring system is configured to activate the indicator when a package at a place of business is ready to be picked up for shipment by the shipping carrier and is further configured to query the shipping carrier customer package tracking system about a status of the package to be shipped. The monitoring system automatically deactivates the indicator upon a response from the shipping carrier customer package system that the package to be shipped is in possession of the shipping carrier.

Abstract: An antiferroelectric ceramic material that can be formed into a multilayer capacitor is disclosed. The antiferroelectric ceramic material is selected from the Pb(Sn, Zr, Ti)O3 (PSnZT) composition family.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides coated polymeric substrates that have a polymeric substrate body with a coated surface. The surface coating includes more than one pair of coating layers. Each pair of coating layers includes a first applied coating layer and a second applied coating layer. In addition, an indicator, applied on top of or between coating layers, provides an indication of wear of the coating.

Abstract: An electromagnetically variable transmission includes an outer rotor and an inner rotor. The inner rotor is independently rotatable within a center aperture of the outer rotor. The outer rotor is independently rotatable about the inner rotor. One of the rotors has a plurality of permanent magnets configured in pairs and facing an air gap disposed between the outer rotor and the inner rotor. The other rotor has a plurality of slots spaced about a magnetically permeable core having embedded windings. The outer inner rotors are simultaneously rotatable in one direction. In response to rotation of the outer rotor portion and the inner rotor portion, a magnetic flux path is generated between the permanent magnet pairs, the air gap, the outer rotor core and the inner rotor portion core, to induce electrical power in the windings, which transfers power between the inner rotor portion and the outer rotor portion.

Abstract: A portable light-emitting stage component including a deck supported by a support portion comprising at least one light-producing element, a first side, a second side substantially parallel the first side, a first end connected to the first side and the second side, and a second end substantially parallel the first end, the second end connected to the first side and the second side. The at least one light-producing element directs light through the deck. The first side includes a first rotatable latch member comprising a first hook. The first side and the axis of rotation of the first rotatable latch member are substantially coplanar or parallel. The second side includes a first receiving member comprising a first post. The support portion includes a protrusion protruding from a side or end selected from the group consisting of the first side, the second side, the first end, and the second end.

Abstract: A method is provided for indicating the useful service life of a gas filtration and purification system comprising steps of embedding two or more mass-responsive electronic sensors (e.g., surface acoustic wave devices) in a sorbent bed of a filtration cartridge, wherein the mass-responsive electronic sensors are coated with a non-conductive absorptive organic polymer; passing a gas containing a volatile chemical of interest through the filtration cartridge and in contact with the two mass-responsive electronic sensors; and measuring a difference in an electronic property between the two mass-responsive electronic sensors. In such a manner, the two mass-responsive electronic sensors act as internal references with respect to each other, thereby eliminating variations in temperature, interferents, pressure, and the like.

Abstract: Provided is a method for heat treating a precipitation-hardened article having a thick section and a thin section so that the thin section can be solution annealed while the metallurgical structure of the thick section is substantially unaffected by the solution-annealing process. The method restores the microstructure of the thin section uniformly by solution annealing the thin section to achieve a preselected microstructure but without affecting the microstructure of the thick section.

Abstract: A plastic liquid cooled variable speed drive or inductor provided. The cooler provides lightweight, space conservative, corrosive free cooling to the components as well as provides a mounting area for modules. A cooler can be mounted to the core of an inductor to absorb heat generated by the core losses.

Abstract: A wheel trolley assembly that enables easier and more efficient tire rotation is provided. Various service stations, one of which includes the wheel trolley assembly, are arranged sequentially one after the other by means of a series of conveyor means, each positioned in a manner which allows them to rotate independently of one another, while at the same time facilitating the transfer of vehicles from one station to the next. The wheel trolley assembly and series of independently-moving conveyors greatly increase the efficiency and speed of vehicle service, thereby increasing the volume of vehicles which can be serviced as well as customer satisfaction levels.

Abstract: The present invention is a formliner apparatus comprising a plurality of substantially planar layers. The formliner further comprises a plurality of ribs extending in a direction away from the substantially planar layers and defining a plurality of recesses within the formliner in conjunction with the substantially planar layers, each of the plurality of ribs extending to a preselected rib plane. The present invention further comprises at least one resilient ridge on each rib defining each recess, each at least one resilient ridge extending into an adjacent recess, wherein each substantially planar layer is substantially parallel with the rib plane and located a preselected variance depth distance from the rib plane, each variance depth distance for at least some of the substantially planar layers being preselected from a preselected variance depth distance range, wherein each preselected variance depth distance not being equal to every other variance depth distance.

Abstract: A rail stress monitoring system is disclosed. This system includes a sensor module that further includes a sensing device that is adapted to be mountable directly on a length of rail. The sensing device further includes a generally flat metal shim and at least one, and typically two or more, sensors mounted on one side of the shim. The sensors are typically strain gauges, which are mounted on the shim in a specific, predetermined configuration. At least one data acquisition module is in electrical communication with the sensing device and a data processing module receives and processes information gathered by data acquisition module.

Abstract: A flow metering device includes at least two stackable modular bodies including at least one set of adjacent modular bodies, each modular body having an orifice for modulating fluid flow therethrough. The modular bodies arranged such that the orifices between adjacent modular bodies are offset from each other. Adjacent stacked modular bodies define a chamber for trapping particulates entrained in fluid flow without obstructing fluid flow through the orifices.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine component and coating system including a superalloy substrate having a coating system disposed thereon. A bond coating may be applied to the substrate. An adherent layer of ceramic material forming a thermal barrier coating is present on the bond coat layer. A topcoat layer overlies the thermal barrier coating. The topcoat layer includes greater than about 20 wt % yttria.

Abstract: A system is provided for leasing motor vehicles to credit challenged consumers or consumers that do not qualify for conventional financing. The system utilizes a short term prepaid lease in combination with a device utilizing microprocessor technology installed in the motor vehicle to encourage payment. The consumer pays in advance to use the motor vehicle for a predetermined lease period. If the consumer does not make the prepayment, the device installed in the vehicle prevents the vehicle from operating. The system is used to make a determination as to the amount of a weekly payment a credit challenged consumer (“Consumer”) can afford. Using the weekly payment amount, the system then extrapolates the value of a vehicle appropriate for the Consumer's payment ability. Once the lease has been executed, a predetermined operating time is loaded into the device, which is connected to the vehicle's ignition system.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems for and methods providing a user in a commercial establishment with personalized information, which can include a personalized shopping list, targeted advertisements, health information, nutritional information, promotional offers, offers on sale items, offers on discounted items, manufacturer's coupons, storewide coupons, information on user specific favorite items, and information on user specific staple items. Also disclosed is a device for and method of providing the precise location of a user in a commercial facility comprising a signal receiver and position calculating system that uses one of biangulation and triangulation techniques.

Abstract: The present invention is an integral composite structural (ICS) material comprising an open metal structure having at least one external side and internal surfaces defining a plurality of open shapes with a ceramic matrix composite bonded to at least one external side and the surfaces of at least a substantial portion of the plurality of open shapes and occupying at least a substantial portion of the plurality of open shapes. The open metal structure, independent of the ceramic matrix composite, has a total metal volume percent in the range of about 10% to about 90%, with no dimension of any open shape being greater than about ¾ inch. The ceramic matrix layer covers a substantial portion of at least one external side of the open metal structure.

Abstract: A system for cancelling or attenuating noise in at least two positive displacement compressors proximately located from each other for use with a heating or cooling system. A lead compressor and a lag compressor have a controllable rotational speed and phase of operation. A controller selectably controls the rotational speed and the phase of operation of each of the compressors. The controller controls the rotational speed of the compressors at substantially the same speed for each compressor, with a phase-lock loop and a comparator circuit for each compressor. The controller controls the phase of operation of the compressors through an oscillator so that the lead and lag compressor pressure pulses are spaced between successive outlet pressure pulses to effectively double the combined pulsation frequency for noise attenuation.

Abstract: A pull-down control process for a chiller system is provided. The pull-down control process can override the capacity control process for the chiller system to pull-down the leaving chilled liquid temperature faster than the capacity control process. The pull-down control process can maintain pre-rotation vanes in a fully open position to pull-down the leaving chilled liquid temperature as quickly as possible to a predetermined setpoint.