Abstract: A power converter having an aircraft power source detector configured to limit the amount of power that can be drawn by the power converter when utilized in an aircraft. The power converter may detect an artifact of the aircraft power source, such as the 400 Hz ripple noise on an aircraft power line, or existing in the aircraft cabin, such EMI or aircraft lighting.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for enabling access to mass transit systems using a financial transaction instrument including reading an identifier including financial payment information from the financial transaction instrument and determining whether the identifier is stored in a database. Access to a holder of the financial transaction instrument is provided based on the determining.

Abstract: The invention facilitates the fixation of bone fractures. In particular, the invention relates to a cap that has an inside surface comprising an interface component that is operable to engage a flexible wire. The flexible wire is connected to a head component that engages a first bone fragment. The outside surface of the cap may include cutting threads to facilitate attachment to a second bone fragment. A tensioner may be used to exert tension on the wire, the cap and the head component, thereby drawing the first bone fragment to the second bone fragment. In various embodiments, the cap is a planar disk that has a central hole that restricts backward translation and expands when the cap is translating down a wire.

Abstract: A light emitting apparatus includes a patterned conductive layer, a light emitting device on the patterned conductive layer, and a first light diffusion layer. The light emitting device and the patterned conductive layer are embedded in the first light diffusion layer. A method of forming such a light emitting apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for use in a molten metal pump helps alleviate jams between a rotating rotor and stationary inlet. The device includes an inlet structure including one or more openings and a displacement structure that preferably includes one or more rotor blades. The inlet structure and displacement structure are connected to one another (preferably, but not necessarily, as a unitary piece), thus enabling them both to rotate. A pump including the device is also enclosed. The invention further includes a bearing surface for an impeller or for a device according to the invention, wherein the bearing surface includes grooves that help reduce molten metal build up between the bearing surface of the impeller or device and the bearing surface of a pump chamber.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method provide a means for controlling an electric brake actuator. An electromechanical actuator controller (EMAC) is configured to receive first data indicative of a desired braking force, second data indicative of a braking command generated by a brake input device, the second data different from said first data, and third data indicative of a braking mode. Based on the third data, the EMAC selectively uses the first data or the second data to control the actuator.

Abstract: A learning system, including a centralized reusable learning object (RLO) repository that provides content to users, and communicates user performance data, via SCORM, to and from any one or more distributed, remote SCORM conformant learning management systems. The learning management system may include one or more pointer SCO's, which may point to a content delivery engine in the RLO repository.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates the dynamic provisioning of computing and data assets in a commodity computing environment. The invention provides a system and method for dynamically provisioning and de-provisioning computing resources based on multi-dimensional decision criteria. By employing specialized computing components configured to assess an asset and requestor of an asset, a provisioning engine is able to transform the input from the computing components into a specific configuration of computing resource provisioning and security controls. According to the rules and policies applying to a security domain, the provisioning engine may dynamically allocate computing resources in a manner that is both safe and efficient for the asset.

Abstract: A fan driven evaporator is one component for use in refrigeration applications such as an evaporative cooler which employs refrigeration. In one embodiment, a frosting evaporative cooler utilizes an evaporator in the shape of a squirrel cage blower that utilizes alternating and opposing flows of refrigerant in refrigerant tubing to allow for the dehumidifying and cooling of humid air without freezing over and losing air flow. A fan for use in coolers in humid conditions comprises a motor driving a centrifugal blower. At least two cooling coils that are parallel have cooling fins separating all the coils. The coils surround the blower wheel thereby matching the shape of the outside of the blower housing.

Abstract: The invention includes systems and methods for facilitating risk assessment for point of sale transactions utilizing at least one risk triggering value (RTV) stored within a distributed (e.g., local and/or regional) processing site. An RTV is a condensed version of a set of complex risk data and strategies usually found in central processing sites. The distributed site, after receiving a request for payment authorization, a risk value is calculated for the request. The distributed processing site compares the risk value to the RTV to determine whether to authorize payment. If the risk value is less than or equal to the RTV, the payment is authorized while a risk value greater than the RTV will not be authorized. After one or more authorizations, the distributed processing site forwards the information from the transaction(s) to the central site, wherein the central site calculates a new RTV for the account and distributes the new RTV to the distributed processing site.

Abstract: There are disclosed processes and apparatus for reordering packets. The system includes a plurality of source processors that transmit the packets to a destination processor via multiple communication fabrics. The source processors and the destination processor are synchronized together. Time stamp logic at each source processor operates to include a time stamp parameter with each of the packets transmitted from the source processors. The system also includes a plurality of memory queues located at the destination processor. An enqueue processor operates to store a memory pointer and an associated time stamp parameter for each of the packets received at the destination processor in a selected memory queue. A dequeue processor determines a selected memory pointer associated with a selected time stamp parameter and operates to process the selected memory pointer to access a selected packet for output in a reordered packet stream.

Abstract: Drywall mud pump for pumping drywall joint compound, for instance, from a bucket into a drywall tool. The pump includes a cylinder, a piston, a rod, and a means, or a connection structure between the piston and the rod, for allowing the end of the rod to move laterally relative to the piston. Some embodiments have an elongated hole in the piston that receives a flattened or reduced diameter end of the rod, for example. Different embodiments include a pump head through which the rod passes, a handle, a linkage, a means for allowing the rod to pivot, a shortened guide, a means for preventing the piston from rotating about the rod, or a combination thereof. Pistons may include, for example, passageways with straight and curved sides, a flapper, an elongated washer to block the elongated hole, and a means for controlling the rotational position of the washer.

Abstract: A drive apparatus of the present invention includes a recording/reproduction section and a drive control section. The drive control section performs a process including: determining a first track of the plurality of tracks, based on the physical address corresponding to the logical address included in the recording instruction and the track management information; determining whether or not the first track is a closed track; when the first track is determined to be the closed track, performing a process including: determining a second track different from the first track, the second track being an open track; determining as a next writable address a physical address indicating a location at which data can be recorded next in the second track, based on the last recorded address in the second track; pseudo-overwrite recording the data at the next writable address as a replacement location.

Abstract: A financial account issuer facilitating transactions between accounts is disclosed. The invention provides sellers with an irrevocable method of receiving funds from a purchaser and for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party. The invention also enables the allocation of a portion or all of a charge or loyalty points to different transaction accounts issued by different issuers, or to sub-accounts.

Abstract: Systems and methods to determine whether a brake is dragging based on post-takeoff spindown data are provided. The method comprises measuring spindown of a wheel to obtain spindown data. The spindown data is compared with a spindown envelope, and notification is provided if the spindown data indicates a wheel is spinning down outside a spindown envelope.

Abstract: A financial account issuer facilitating transactions between accounts is disclosed. The invention provides sellers with an irrevocable method of receiving funds from a purchaser and for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party. The invention also enables the allocation of a portion or all of a charge or loyalty points to different transaction accounts issued by different issuers, or to sub-accounts.

Abstract: A thermocouple having at least one inner alignment feature or at least one outer alignment feature, or a combination thereof for positively positioning and aligning at least one thermocouple junction within a bore formed in a susceptor ring of a semiconductor substrate processing reactor. The outer alignment feature is configured to positively align the junction(s) longitudinally within the bore. The inner alignment feature configured to positively position the junction(s) rotationally within the sheath of the thermocouple relative to the bore.

Abstract: A parachute inlet control system is configured to provide an improved inflation profile for solo and/or clustered parachutes. An inlet parachute is coupled to a main parachute via a plurality of lacing loops and/or reefing rings. The lacing loops may be passed through the reefing rings and/or may be routed around one or more of the main parachute suspension lines. The inlet parachute is located in the inlet area of the main parachute, and causes the inlet of the main parachute to rapidly form a desirable shape. The inlet parachute and lacing loops function as a reefing means, and prevent full inflation of the main parachute until a reefing cutter has functioned. In this manner, parachute failures, such as those due to leading and/or lagging parachutes in a parachute cluster, may be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A method and system for converting a first transaction account device to a second transaction account device wherein a card number associated with, or defined as, a first transaction account (e.g., stored value account) is re-associated with, or re-defined as, a second transaction account (e.g., credit card account).