Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a hybrid authentication system (10) for securing communication. In this embodiment, the system (10) includes a distributed authentication infrastructure (12) with a series of nodes (16) in communication with each other. These nodes (16) are intended to perform a series of functions, one of these functions being the authentication of other nodes. The system further includes a centralized authentication infrastructure (14), which is later integrated into the distributed authentication infrastructure (12) after the distributed authentication infrastructure (12) has been established. The centralized authentication infrastructure (14) includes a central server (22) coupled to the nodes (16) for verifying the identification of the nodes (16) and/or granting permission to those nodes (16).

Abstract: A rotational position-adjusting system (6) for a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (4). The system (6) includes multiple detectors (60) that generate rotor signals. The rotor signals are indicative of the position of each rotor (8) of the aircraft (4). The rotors (8) provide lift to the aircraft (4). A controller (24) is coupled to the detectors (60) and adjusts the rotational speed of one or more of the rotors (8) in response to the rotor signals.

Abstract: An aircraft (1000) includes multiple servicing levels (1014, 1016) and a flight deck level (1040) that is isolated from the servicing levels (1014, 1016). An aircraft security system (1001) includes a passive system (1030) and an active system (1032) that is in operation with said passive system (1030). The passive system (1030) includes a service opening (1050) for both passengers and cargo and the flight deck (1040) that is isolated from the service opening (1050).

Abstract: A stowable table is provided having a tabletop with a top surface that faces outward when stowed and upward when deployed. In one embodiment, the stowable table includes a tabletop, a support bracket and a back member. The tabletop has a top surface, a bottom surface and an end. The support bracket has an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end is pivotally connected to the bottom surface of the tabletop. The back member has a bottom end, a top end, a back side and a front side, where the front side extends between the bottom end and the top end, wherein the lower end of the support bracket is pivotally connected to the bottom end, and the end of the tabletop is positionably connected to the front side between a stowed position and a deployed position. The stowable table is selectively attachable to a wall or may use the wall as a member.

Abstract: A reclosable package comprises a receptacle having first and second walls, respective mouth portions of the front and rear walls forming a mouth that communicates with an interior volume of the receptacle; a zipper having mutually interengageable zipper strips, one zipper strip being joined to the mouth portion of the front wall and the other zipper strip being joined to the mouth portion of the rear wall; a slider mounted to the zipper, the slider initially being parked in a position whereat the zipper is closed along a majority of its length; and a tack seal that resists movement of the slider in an opening direction from the initially parked position. The tack seal is designed to rupture and no longer resist slider movement when a predetermined threshold level of force is exerted by the slider.

Abstract: An assembly comprising: a tube made of resilient material, at least a portion of the tube forming a circumferential boundary of a chamber; first and second end cap assemblies supporting the tube at opposite ends thereof and forming respective end boundaries of the chamber, the chamber being filled with pressurized fluid; a hard roller that forms a nip with the tube; a fixed structure that supports the first and second end cap assemblies and the hard roller, the first and second end cap assemblies and the hard roller being respectively pivotably coupled to the fixed structure, and the fixed structure comprising a passageway that is in fluid communication with the chamber; and a slider-zipper-film assembly that is passed through the nip. The tube is deformed radially inward to allow passage of slider through the nip.

Abstract: A driving anvil washer retaining apparatus (12) for a rivet gun (14) includes a magnetized element (21). The magnetized element (21) is coupled to the rivet gun (14) and retains an anvil washer (52) during installation of a rivet (82). A method of installing a rivet (82) includes inserting a stem (46) of a rivet assembly (80) into a rivet gun nose (22) having at least one magnetized portion (21). A rivet (82) of the rivet assembly (80) is inserted into at least one object. The stem (46) is removed from the rivet assembly (80). A driving anvil washer (52) is retained via the magnetized portion (21).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing flexible containers that are hermetically resealable. Each resealable container comprises a receptacle and a pair of plastic zipper strips. The zipper strips are flattened at the ends within the side seal regions and are joined to each other, without substantial deformation of the closure profiles, in respective transition areas substantially contiguous with the side seals. These transition areas of zipper strip joinder assist in providing a leakproof transition from the openable section of the zipper to the side seals, where the closure profiles are fused and flattened (i.e., crushed).

Abstract: An attachment system for coupling together two airplane sections includes an attachment section securing one of the airplane sections and a mount section affixed to the other section. The attachment section includes a top, a bottom, a first end, and a second end. Coupled to the top are a two clamp sections, whereby at least one of the clamp sections is moveable. Coupled to the bottom is a pair of buttons. The mount section includes a top and a bottom, such that the mount bottom couples to the second airplane section. The mount section further includes a track coupled to the mount top, wherein the track includes an open end having outwardly tapered edges and a closed end. The one of the buttons slides into the track for coupling the attachment section to the mount section.

Abstract: An eccentric fastening device is provided. The eccentric fastening device includes a first threaded fastener, a base and a rotary lug providing a non-fastened pre-assembled position. The base includes a top, a bottom, a stem and a hole, where the stem axially extends from the bottom of the base, and the hole axially extends from the top through the stem of the base. The rotary lug is releasably retained in the hole of the base by the first threaded fastener. The rotary lug includes a cylindrical portion having a thread and a head, wherein the head is offset from the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion is substantially axially concentric with the hole of the base, allowing the head to be eccentrically rotated on or off of the stem, whereby a selective structure may be variably clamped and releasably retained between said head and said base. An aircraft having an eccentric fastening device is also provided. A method of installing the same is also provided.

Abstract: A security system for sea cargo containers wherein each container is provided with a container security device comprising a processor, a radio, a memory, a battery and one or more sensors. When the containers are within range of each other, the container security devices communicate to form an ad hoc wireless sensor network. That network communicates with a communications infrastructure, such as satellites or GSM communications means, via a gateway that aggregates data originating from the various container security devices.

Abstract: An architectural archway for an aircraft. The archways can be positioned individually, or in pairs or other sets along the length of an aircraft fuselage. The archways are used to run or connect various transport elements, such as electrical wiring, water lines, and environmental control system conduits, between the upper crown, lower bay and passenger cabin of the aircraft. The invention simplifies installation complexity and eliminates the installation and variability associated with running transport elements between the various sections of the aircraft.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector has a center component provided with opposite first and second ends into which first and second connector inserts holding ends of respective optical fiber bundles are to be inserted, an optical core element mounted in the center component having opposite ends against which the ends of the respective optical fiber bundles in the first and second connector inserts are to be abutted in alignment, and fastener elements provided with the first and second ends for securely holding the first and second connector inserts in abutting contact with the respective opposite ends of the optical core element.

Abstract: A method of manufacture comprising the following steps: (a) continuously advancing a web of bag making material at a first rate; (b) continuously joining portions of a downstream portion of a fastener tape to respective portions of the continuously advancing web of bag making material; (c) intermittently advancing an upstream portion of the fastener tape while the downstream portion is advancing continuously, the upstream portion of the fastener tape being stationary during a respective dwell time of each work cycle and advancing during the remainder of each work cycle at a second rate faster than the first rate; (d) accumulating a portion of the fastener tape disposed between the upstream and downstream portions to compensate for the difference in the first and second rates during the aforementioned remainder of each work cycle; and (e) deforming a respective section of the upstream portion of the fastener tape during each dwell time.

Abstract: A magnetic forming system (10) for creating a fluid circuit joint between a tube and a fitting includes an induction coil (12). The induction coil (12) may form a first stage electromagnetic current. A field concentrator (132) may focus the first stage electromagnetic current to form a second stage electromagnetic current. An insert (136) may focus the second stage electromagnetic current to form an electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field forms the fluid circuit joint. The induction coil (12) may be insertable within the tube, generate an electromagnetic field, and impose the electromagnetic field on and to expand a portion of the tube within the fitting to form the fluid circuit joint. The system (10) may include a receptacle (54) that is external to the tube and the fitting. An insert (56) may be mechanically coupled within the receptacle (54) and limit the outward expansion of the tube and the fitting.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a method for the direct manufacture of aerospace duct elements is provided comprising executing a single build run on a build chamber using direct fabrication technology to generate at least one duct section. The at least one duct section is generated by forming a plurality of partial cylinder duct segments orientated within the build chamber in a nested arrangement during the single build run, and assembling at least two of the partial cylinder duct segments to form the duct section. The duct section has a duct cross-sectional profile larger than a build chamber profile.

Abstract: A reclosable package comprises a receptacle having a mouth, a header that encloses a space above the mouth, and a slider-zipper assembly disposed in the mouth, the slider-zipper assembly comprising a slider mounted to a zipper. The header has a tear-away portion and respective remaining portions that flank at least a portion of the slider. A pull tab is coupled to and rotatable relative to the slider and projects above the upper edges of the remaining portions of the header. This arrangement enables the user to move the slider by grasping the pull tab. The user need not reach into the space between the remaining portions of the header to grasp the slider itself. In one embodiment, the pull tab is coupled to the sidewalls of the slider.

Abstract: The invention provides a film holder for an advanced scanner having a notched and grooved frame surrounding a central support, preferably a glass plate. The frame contains grooves along the side edges of the frame that correspond with accepting gears of a scanner such as a 4,000-dpi scanner. The central support provides a mounting surface for a piece of film to be scanned, wherein the film is mounted on the central support with a mounting fluid. The mounting fluid smoothes over imperfections in the film and central support, and holds the film secure to the support over the entire surface area of the film, thereby improving scan quality.