Abstract: A headrest assembly for a seat, such as an aircraft pilot seat, including a headrest and a headrest tilt mechanism. The tilt mechanism includes a headrest support, a casing fixed to the headrest support defining a rotation limiter feature determining a full aft headrest position and a full forward headrest position, a driven gear rotatably disposed in the casing, a driver gear rotatably disposed through an axial opening formed though the driven gear, an engaging feature for urging against the headrest, and an actuator for rotating the driver gear. The driven gear and the driver gear have a predetermined gear tooth reduction ratio and a predetermined axial shift distance such that the two gears are arranged in a profile shifted configuration.

Abstract: A method for combining log data generated by an appliance associated with an aircraft with flight data is disclosed. The method includes receiving an automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) signal, wherein the ADS-B signal is received by a communication module communicatively coupled to the appliance. The method includes processing the ADS-B signal into a digitized data signal and correlating the digitized data signal with the log data. The method further includes combining the ADS-B data signal into the log data to create a combined data and correlating the combined data with chronological data, wherein the combined data is timestamped based on the chronological data. A system is also disclosed. The system includes an appliance configured for use in an aircraft. The system further includes a communication module communicatively coupled to the appliance configured to receive automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) signals from the aircraft and send ADS-B data to the appliance.

Abstract: A spring-based seat diaphragm may include at least one support diaphragm component. The at least one support diaphragm component may be transversely coupled to the first structural beam and the second structural beam. The spring-based seat diaphragm may include at least one spring. The at least one spring may be proximate to the at least one support diaphragm component. The at least one spring may be parallel to or positioned transverse to the at least one support diaphragm component between the first primary spreader and the second primary spreader. The at least one spring may include a plurality of bends configured to distribute user weight applied to a cushion installed on the aircraft seat over the spring-based seat diaphragm. The spring-based seat diaphragm may be configured to support an aft portion of the cushion. The first structural beam may be configured to support a forward portion of the cushion.

Abstract: A dual-occupancy aircraft minisuite incorporating a modular multiple-egress door assembly is disclosed. In embodiments, the dual-occupancy minisuite can accommodate two passengers in enhanced privacy. Access to (and egress from) the minisuite is through the modular multiple-egress door assembly, which provides forward and rear (relative to the egress gap between) sets of outer, intermediate, and inner doors. The outer doors translate laterally along rails in the intermediate doors, and the intermediate doors likewise translate laterally along rails in the inner doors, to open the minisuite for passenger access or direct view (or to close the minisuite for enhanced privacy). The forward and rear sets of doors are proportioned such that when any forward or rear translating door is jammed in a closed position, the remaining egress gap is of sufficient width to provide a distinct and independent emergency egress path for each occupying passenger of at least minimum required width.

Abstract: A method includes conveying baggage through a baggage claim system, receiving a code from a first passenger in a queue, and scanning codes on the baggage in the baggage claim system for a baggage item that matches with the code received from the first passenger. The method includes detecting the bagging item that matches with the code received from the first passenger and diverting the baggage item from the baggage conveyed through the baggage claim system for retrieval by the first passenger. This can be performed without the first passenger touching any of the baggage in the baggage claim system other than the baggage item that matches with the code received from the passenger, and without any other passengers touching the baggage item.

Abstract: A solenoid valve including a non-sliding plunger assembly. The solenoid valve disclosed herein generally includes a plunger assembly that is moveably suspended within an internal chamber of a housing of the solenoid valve away from any sliding contact with adjacent surfaces. The plunger assembly may not be in sliding contact with any of the adjacent surfaces, and thus a radial gap may be defined between the plunger assembly and all non-moving, non-flexing features and surfaces of the solenoid valve. The solenoid valve may include a flexural washer that is resiliently flexible and is configured to enable selective axial movement of the plunger assembly in response to energizing the solenoid coil. In various embodiments, the flexural washer is configured to moveably suspend the plunger assembly within the internal chamber away from any sliding contact with adjacent surfaces.

Abstract: A chiller system for a refrigerated space can include a chiller refrigeration system comprising a refrigerant loop for a chiller refrigerant to flow, a compressor, an evaporator, expansion device, and a condenser. The chiller can be positioned directly underneath the refrigerated space to provide cooled air directly to the refrigerated space without ducting. The chiller system can include a condensate path configured to receive condensate from the refrigerated space and to cool the chiller refrigerant in the chiller refrigeration system using the condensate.

Abstract: A manual override mechanism for use in a vacuum toilet system may comprise: a shaft extending from a knob; a traveler configured to engage the shaft, the traveler comprising a first gear; a motor rack comprising a second gear configured to engage the first gear; and a flush gate extending from the motor rack, the flush gate configured to transition from a closed position to an open position in response to rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: An oxygen system for an aircraft may comprise: a chemical oxygen generator; an oxygen mask; and a tube assembly extending from the chemical oxygen generator to the oxygen mask, the tube assembly comprising a first tube and a second tube, the first tube defining a fluid conduit that fluidly couples the chemical oxygen generator to the oxygen mask in response to being in use, the second tube configured to house a plurality of lights therein.

Abstract: A triple authentication waste level monitoring system for an aircraft includes a point level sensor for monitoring a wastewater level within a waste tank, a load cell for measuring a weight of the waste tank, and a flush counter for counting a number of toilet flushes since a previous service to the waste tank. A controller receives data from these three sensors and determines whether the waste tank is at capacity. The controller can determine waste tank capacity whether or not the point level sensor is faulty and compares the sensor data with various thresholds to ensure accuracy of the waste tank fluid level determination.

Abstract: A system for communicating between passenger seats and an aircraft galley. The system may include a control unit including a display area for interfacing with a crew member. The system may include a plurality of devices, each positioned at a respective passenger seat. The control unit may be adapted to display on the display area data related to a particular order, including a location of an associated passenger seat. The control unit may be further adapted to transmit to a particular device associated with the order notifications concerning a status of the particular order.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve head. A valve stem extends from the valve head and into a drain bore in a housing. A first guidance retainer ring is mounted around the valve stem at a first axial location on the valve stem. A second guidance retainer ring is mounted around the valve stem at a second axial location on the valve stem spaced apart from the first axial location.

Abstract: A layered diffuser-channel heat exchanger may comprise a plurality of fluid channel layers and a plurality of diffuser fin layers interleaved with the plurality of fluid channel layers. Each fluid channel layer of the plurality of fluid channel layers may have a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a fluid channel located between the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: An aircraft galley insert is disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the aircraft galley insert includes a control unit including a control unit housing. The aircraft galley insert further includes one or more electronic components at least partially contained within the control unit housing, wherein at least one electronic component of the one or more electronic components is coupled to the control unit housing. The aircraft galley insert further includes one or more operating load components electrically coupled to the at least one electronic component via one or more electrical lines. In one or more embodiments, the control unit housing is configured to provide a grounding path for radiated emissions produced by the at least one electronic component by transferring radiated emissions back to the at least one electronic component.

Abstract: A system may comprise: a contactless sensor configured to couple to a waste tank; a controller electronically coupled to the contactless sensor, the controller configured to: receive, via the contactless sensor, a waste water level data from the contactless sensor, calculate a waste water level based on the waste water level data.

Abstract: An aircraft workstation is disclosed that includes a table that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In one implementation the workstation is incorporated by an aircraft within an exit row. Access to the workstation may be controlled by a latch that locks the table it is stowed position. The workstation may also include a power switch, one or more power sockets, and wire management. The table may incorporate one or more accessories, such as a cupholder, a mouse extender, a table extender, and a stand.

Abstract: A leak and/or overflow detection system for an aircraft may comprise a first sensor configured to be disposed in a toilet bowl, a second sensor configured to be disposed in a waste tank, a first acoustic emission sensor and a second acoustic emission sensor configured to be disposed upstream and downstream of a valve, or any combination of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the acoustic emission sensors. A controller may receive various data from the sensors and determine whether a leak and/or an overflow condition is occurring or about to occur.

Abstract: A system for boarding a plurality of passengers onto a passenger vehicle having a plurality of unassigned seats is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes a first passenger seat and a first occupancy indicator, the first occupancy indicator associated with the first passenger seat; a second passenger seat and a second occupancy indicator, the second occupancy indicator associated with the second passenger seat; and a processor connected to a communication link and to the first occupancy indicator and to the second occupancy indicator, the processor being configured to receive reservation data from a computing device having a seating reservation application engine installed thereon, the computing device configured for connection to the communication link and the seating reservation application engine configured to activate the first occupancy indicator or the second occupancy indicator.

Abstract: A temperature control system in an aircraft passenger service unit is disclosed. In embodiments, the system includes a swirl chamber configured to receive an inlet air stream, and a vortex tube configured to receive the inlet air stream from the swirl chamber and separate the inlet air stream into a warmer air stream and a cooler air stream. In embodiments, the system further includes a nozzle configured to direct a temperature-controlled air stream into a passenger space of an aircraft; wherein the nozzle is configured to be selectably adjusted in order to selectively blend the warmer air stream and the cooler air stream in order to generate the temperature-controlled air stream.

Abstract: A modular bar and shop space for an aircraft galley is disclosed. In embodiments, the bar and shop space includes an aircraft monument installable either adjacent to a galley complex or as a standalone. The monument has upper and lower portions disposed behind upper and lower panels; the upper portion includes chiller and warmer compartments. The lower portion includes storage shelving and is deployable into the space in front of the monument. When the lower portion deploys, the vertical upper panel tracks downward into a horizontal workdeck above the storage shelving. The deployed workdeck may be used as a counterspace for a snack bar or social area for passengers, or as additional temporary workspace for cabin crew.