Abstract: A valve is provided that can selectively change the size of a flow channel in a valve in order to modulate the fluid flow through the valve. In one illustrative embodiment, the valve includes a housing that defines a cavity, with an inlet and an outlet extending into the cavity. A diaphragm is positioned in the cavity, where at least part of the diaphragm defines at least part of the fluid path. One or more electrodes are fixed relative to the diaphragm, and one or more electrodes are fixed relative to the housing such that the diaphragm can be electrostatically actuated to modulate the fluid flow through the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a micro-machined device having a movable mass rotatably suspended from a frame by one or more hinges for rotation relative thereto frame. A DETF resonator is suspended between the frame and reaction mass, and a capacitor is provided between the frame and movable mass for transmitting a drive signal to the DETF resonator.

Abstract: A face detection and recognition system having several arrays imaging a scene at different bands of the infrared spectrum. The system may use weighted subtracting and thresholding to distinguish human skin in a sensed image. A feature selector may locate a face in the image. The face may be framed or the image cropped with a frame or border to incorporate essentially only the face. The border may be superimposed on an image direct from an imaging array. A sub-image containing the face may be extracted from within the border and compared with a database of face information to attain recognition of the face. A level of recognition of the face may be established. Infrared lighting may be used as needed to illuminate the scene.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling automotive powertrains using a distributed control architecture are disclosed. A distributed control system may include a supervisory control unit for controlling one or more powertrain subsystems, and one or more subsystem control units in communication with the supervisory control unit. The supervisory control unit can be configured to execute a central optimization algorithm that computes variables from across multiple powertrain subsystems, and then outputs a number of globally approximated command values to each associated subsystem control unit. In some embodiments, the central optimization algorithm can be configured to solve a global cost function or optimization routine. One or more of the subsystem control units can be configured to execute a lower-level algorithm or routine, which can comprise a higher-fidelity model than that used by the central optimization algorithm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using pedal position and/or pedal change rate in the fuel side and/or air side control of an engine. By knowing the pedal position and/or pedal rate, an engine controller may anticipate future fuel and/or air needs of the engine, and adjust the fuel profile and/or air profile to meet those anticipated needs. This may help improve the responsiveness, performance and emissions of the engine.

Abstract: A bi-stable magnetic switch assembly is provided that comprises a stator and a rotor, which is configured for rotation with respect to the stator between a first latched position and a second latched position. The stator and the rotor cooperate to form a first magnetic path and a magnetic path having a shared portion. A spring, which is coupled to the rotor, biases the rotor toward the first and second latched positions when the rotor is in the second and first latched positions, respectively. At least one magnet is fixedly coupled to either the stator or the rotor. The magnet is included within the first magnetic path and configured to produce a magnetic latching force that biases the rotor toward first latched position when the rotor is closer to the first latched position than to the second latched position, and toward the second latched position when the rotor is closer to the second latched position than to the first latched position.

Abstract: An anti-ice formation device for a gas turbine engine is configured to be mounted within an inlet duct of the engine, and adjacent the gas turbine engine compressor inlet. The device is configured to selectively receive a flow of compressed air that is discharged from the compressor. Because the compressed air is relatively hot, the anti-ice formation device temperature increases to a temperature sufficient to prevent ice accumulation and formation in the engine inlet duct. The anti-ice formation device is also configured such that heat is not transferred to the compressor inlet housing. As a result, the anti-ice formation device does not cause impeller clearance variations, which would adversely affect engine performance.

Abstract: A centrifugal particle separator (202) is provided for removing particles such as dust particles from the compressed airflow (110) prior to reaching and cooling the turbine blades (122, 124, 126) of a turbine engine (100). A particle separator structure (208) has a side facing the axis (118) about which it rotates, the side including a plurality of pocket dividers (214) defining a plurality of pockets (216), and further defining an entrance cavity (206) for receiving the compressed air (110) containing particles.

Abstract: A system and method for providing digital video scan using 3-D geometry. The digital video scan system includes a 3-D scan scene maker for generating a plurality of video display units for displaying digital video data; a plurality of video producing devices producing a plurality of video feeds; a video scan sequencer receiving and organizing the plurality of video feeds into a predetermined order; a video rendering device rendering the digital video data from the plurality of video feeds for display within a separate one of the video display units; and video display apparatus displaying the digital video data from each video feed in the video display units. The plurality of video display units are positioned in a 3-D scene so that a plurality of video display units are at least partially viewable at the same time. Moreover, at intervals, the digital video data is incremented from one video display unit to another thus allowing an observer to view each digital video data in a foreground position.

Abstract: As access control system and method is provided.

Abstract: A system for detection of underground intrusions and reporting those intrusions, including a plurality of sensor packages planted underground, the plurality of sensor packages providing a corresponding plurality of detection outputs to a controller, the controller operative to receive at least one of the plurality of detection outputs and to provide a high speed output indication of intrusion presence.

Abstract: A trans-impedance amplifier with gain control for a fiber optic rotation rate sensor. A variable gain amplifier having gain control based on keeping the amplifier output above a certain level. The gain control approach allows the amplifier bandwidth to remain constant. A gain control circuit includes a control device connected to ground and the amplifier feedback network. The input to the gain control circuit may be the amplifier output that has been filtered, or the input could be from an external circuit or microcontroller.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a sensitivity of an acoustic detector. The acoustic detector receives a signal from a remote device. The signal embodies an operating instruction for the acoustic detector. The signal is decoded into an operating instruction for the acoustic detector. The sensitivity of the acoustic detector is adjusted according to the operating instruction. The acoustic detector can increase or decrease the sensitivity. After the sensitivity is adjusted, the acoustic detector sends a confirmation of the adjustment to the user.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a magnetic steel component. An electroless nickel plating is formed on a substrate that includes magnetic steel. A thermal cycle is thereafter performed at a temperature that is sufficiently high to sinter the electroless nickel plating and thereby form a densified plating on the substrate. According to one embodiment, the thermal cycle includes a solid state diffusion sintering process wherein the substrate and the densified plating are heated to a temperature of at least about 1300° F. (about 704° C.) but.below the melting temperature of the electroless nickel plating. According to another embodiment, the thermal cycle includes a transient liquid phase sintering process wherein the substrate and the densified plating are heated at least to the melting temperature of the electroless plating.

Abstract: A natural gas liquefaction train includes a nitrogen cooling loop. A controller is provided for controlling one or more controlled variables by adjusting one or more manipulated variables. The one or more manipulated variables may include a nitrogen flow associated with the nitrogen cooling loop in the natural gas liquefaction train. The controller could adjust the nitrogen flow by adjusting operation of a compressor associated with the nitrogen cooling loop. The one or more controlled variables may include a rundown temperature of liquefied natural gas exiting the nitrogen loop and/or a calorific or heating value of the liquefied natural gas exiting the nitrogen loop. A second controller could control other aspects of the natural gas liquefaction train, such as by controlling a mass flow rate of a feed gas in the natural gas liquefaction train.

Abstract: A system for initializing circuitry is presented. The system employs a power-on reset circuit having a threshold voltage and a programmable switch circuit. The power-on reset circuit has a detector circuit for detecting a reference voltage, and a one-sided latch for generating an output voltage reflective of the reference voltage. The detector circuit has a threshold after which the one-sided latch is activated. The programmable switch circuit receives the output voltage of the power-on reset circuit and generates an enable signal arid its complement based on the status of an internal fuse. The switch point of the power-on reset circuit provides for a rapid increase in output voltage, offsetting parasitic leakage current in the programmable switch circuit that can result in improper enable signal output.

Abstract: A method is provided for indicating the boundaries of a required navigational performance (RNP) corridor on an aircraft's map display. The method includes the steps of producing an aircraft leg segment symbol on the map display, establishing an RNP value, and scaling the RNP value to the map display field of view. The method further includes the step of generating an RNP corridor boundary graphic on the map display offset from the aircraft leg segment symbol by the scaled RNP value.

Abstract: Methods are provided for providing uniform and repeatable information security (INFOSEC) assessments. In the embodiments, a security assessor interacts with a system test evaluation and automation module (S.T.E.A.M.) to perform an INFOSEC assessment on a computer system. S.T.E.A.M. generates reports and checklists to help determine whether the computer system being assessed is compliant with one or more INFOSEC requirements. Additionally, S.T.E.A.M. generates reports and checklists that assist the INFOSEC assessor in determining the most important, and most vulnerable data on the computer system.

Abstract: An electric drive fuel control system and method for controlling a total drive torque supplied to a fuel metering pump includes a first main drive motor, a second main drive motor, and a backup drive motor, all coupled to the fuel metering pump. The operability of a main motor control to control electric current supply to the first main drive motor or the second main drive motor is determined. If the main motor control is operable, the total drive torque to the fuel pump is supplied from the backup motor and either the first main drive motor or the second main drive motor. If the main motor control is inoperable, the total drive torque to the fuel pump is supplied from only the backup drive motor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are used for power supply input connection.