Abstract: A ground support system configured to support servicing of aircraft may include a main body housing one or both of an engine and/or a blower, a control panel that is used to control operation of one or both of the engine and/or blower, and at least one acoustic wave engagement member positioned on the control panel. The acoustic wave member(s) is configured to selectively activate and deactivate an engine or blower function when touched by an operator. The acoustic wave engagement member(s) operates in the presence of moisture and debris.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for horizontally slicing a multi-stage switching fabric having transmission inputs and transmission outputs to and from the switch fabric. The switching fabric includes switch elements arranged in at least first and second stages, each switch element having element inputs and outputs with each switch element being configured to join one of the element inputs with an associated one of the element outputs. The switch fabric includes a first logic device that contains a stage-1 subset of the switch elements that is arranged within, and configured to operate as part of, the first stage. The first logic device also contains a stage-2 subset of the switch elements arranged within, and configured to operate as part of, the second stage. The switch fabric includes a second logic device that contains a stage-1 subset of the switch elements that is arranged within, and configured to operate as part of, the first stage.

Abstract: A filter bank is provided. The filter bank includes a housing having a front face and a back face. Air flows along an air flow path from the front face to the back face. A filter layer is held in the housing. The filter layer is oriented between the front and back faces such that air flows through the filter layer before discharging from the back face. An attenuation layer is positioned within the housing to attenuate sound as the sound propagates between the front and back faces. The attenuation layer is oriented to extend along the air flow direction.

Abstract: A method, optical arrangement, and apparatus for reading a microbead having a code. The method includes reflecting an incident light from the microbead to provide an output light. The output light is projected on a Fourier plane. The method also includes reading the code from the Fourier plane.

Abstract: A system configured to dry containers before a date coding process includes a blower assembly, an air manifold and a bracket assembly. The blower assembly includes a centrifugal air blower. The air manifold is connected to the blower assembly and includes a plurality of air nozzles. The air nozzles are configured to be positioned over a conveyor line, wherein the air nozzles are configured to expel air moved by the centrifugal air blower. The bracket assembly is configured to adjustably mount the air manifold over the conveyor line, wherein the bracket assembly allows the air manifold to be horizontally and/or vertically adjusted with respect to the conveyor line.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an analyte of interest in a sample is provided. The method includes passing a set of ions obtained from the sample through an ion mobility spectrometer to filter out ions that are not ions of interest and to generate an ion mobility spectrum. A mass spectrum of at least some of the ions is generated using a mass spectrometer. The method also includes determining that the analyte of interest is in the sample when peaks of interest are found in one or more of the ion mobility spectrum and the mass spectrum, and the peaks of interest follow a predetermined pattern of peaks associated with the analyte of interest or are confirmed by ion mobility spectrometry.

Abstract: A method of identifying analytes that react with probes on encoded particles. The method includes providing a support substrate that has a plurality of the particles randomly distributed on the support substrate. The particles have elongated bodies with codes that extend along the corresponding bodies. The codes identify probes that are attached to the corresponding bodies, wherein at least some of the probes include fluorescent labels from reactions with the analytes. The method also includes detecting fluorescent signals that are emitted from the fluorescent labels. The fluorescent signals emit from random spatial locations along the support substrate. The method also includes detecting the codes of the particles at the random spatial locations along the support substrate and analyzing the codes and the fluorescent signals to identify the analytes that react with the probes on the particles.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having dual cleaning motor and fan units is provided having a cleaning head engagable with a floor and a suction nozzle and a brush roller rotatably mounted therein. A first motor and fan unit is mounted in the vacuum cleaner for producing suction in the suction nozzle and is operatively connected to the brush roller for rotating it. An upright housing is connected to the cleaning head, the housing having a handle for moving the vacuum cleaner along the floor during floor cleaning use. Contained in the housing are a dirt storage container, a passageway leading from the suction nozzle in the cleaning head to the storage container and a second motor and fan unit operatively associated with the storage container for drawing dirt laden air from the cleaning head through the passageway and into the storage container simultaneously with operation of the first motor and fan unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing process execution within an operating system. The systems and method store a process initialization file, preparing a process list of processes that can be controlled by an individual user, and monitoring execution of the processes based on the process list for each user. The process initialization file is managed by a user with a first level of access to the operating system, and indicates which processes may have process execution controlled by users of the system having a different second level of access to the operating system. A process list is prepared for each individual user having the second level of access.

Abstract: A universal coupling assembly is provided including a housing having an inner bore that extends along an axis through a fluid port and a flange formed integral with the housing and the inner bore. The flange extends radially outward from the axis and has a mating surface. A nipple extends from the flange along the axis toward the fluid port. The nipple has a mating interface at an end thereof, and the nipple has a junction portion extending at least partially about the nipple and located between the mating interface and the flange. The junction portion and the mating interface are configured to receive at least two different types of interchangeable fittings based on a type of mating joint, and the junction portion is matable with one of a flange fitting, a threaded union fitting, a sweat fitting, an NPT fitting, and a barb fitting.