Abstract: A security thread for documents such as currency and banknote paper comprises a plastic substrate coated with a plurality of discrete metallic patterns of electrically-conductive material, such as aluminum. The metallic patterns are arranged on the surface of the thread to indicate the particular denomination of the currency paper. The thread is typically embedded entirely with the currency paper. A first embodiment of a verification device determines the authenticity and denomination of the currency paper by counting the number of conductive metallic patterns on the thread and comparing the count to various count ranges. A second embodiment of the verification device scans the thread in a narrow-edge direction such that it simultaneously encounters all of the conductive thread segments. Capacitive coupling of an oscillator signal into one or more sensing pads result in an electrical signal having a distinct pattern.

Abstract: A dual-pack, aircraft environmental control system has each pack dedicated to providing a temperature-controlled air supply to a corresponding compartment, either the crew or passenger, of the aircraft. Each refrigeration pack is fed hot, compressed bleed air from an associated turbine engine on the aircraft. During normal operation, the pack associated with a particular compartment on the aircraft provides the air supply with independent temperature control to that compartment. However, during failure of one of the refrigeration packs and the resulting operation of the other pack, the environmental control system is able to provide independent temperature control of the air supplied to each compartment.

Abstract: A foldable front-entry safety walker is disclosed having a resistance to backward motion of the walker. Various embodiments of the walker are disclosed. The walker includes a pair of side frames, along with a corresponding pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs. A foldable seat is disposed at the rear portion of the walker. The walker is relatively lightweight allowing a person with limited walking ability to easily advance the walker forward. The rear legs may have spring-loaded brakes that are functional to prevent backward motion of the walker under certain conditions. If the user falls backward for whatever reason, the user will strike either the seat back or the seat cushion and the force of the falling body will activate a spring-loaded rear legs to prevent backward motion of the walker.