Abstract: Asphalt adhesive compositions and methods of producing the same are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, an asphaltic adhesive useful for self-adhering membranes includes asphalt at from about 40 to about 70 weight percent, based on a total weight of the adhesive. The adhesive also includes a low molecular weight (LMW) polyolefin at from about 1 to about 10 weight percent, based on the total weight of the adhesive. The LMW polyolefins have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from about 500 to about 20,000 Daltons. The adhesive has an aged peeling strength greater than an aged peeling strength of a comparable comparison adhesive, wherein the comparison adhesive includes from about 40 to about 70 weight percent asphalt but is free of a LMW polyolefin, as determined by Guobiao recommended (GB/T) 328.20-2007 in specification Guobiao (GB) 23441-2009 (self-adhering polymer modified bituminous waterproof sheet.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein related generally to a multi-layer garment liner including an inner layer and an adjacent layer joined together around a periphery with a heat trapping space between the inner and adjacent layers. A plurality of inlet vents in the inner layer are configured to direct air from outside of the liner/garment into the heat trapping space. The inlet vents can be located in a lower part of the liner/garment. A plurality of outlet vents in the inner layer are configured to direct air from the heat trapping space to outside of the liner/garment. The outlet vents can be located in an upper part of the garment liner. The multi-layer garment liner can further include a plurality of elongate spacer strips located in the heat trapping space, the spacer strips arranged to direct an airflow from the inlet vents toward the outlet vents.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method comprises: receiving thermal energy at a heat resistant container; converting all or a portion of the received thermal energy into electric energy; converting the electric energy into electromagnetic energy; and radiating the electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle. The lighting device has a PAR form fit, and includes a housing with a circumferential wall. The circumferential wall has an inner surface, an outer surface and an opening for light emission. The device includes a plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices. The plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices are mounted on a surface of a substrate such that the peak emitted light intensity direction of each one of the plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices is directed toward the central axis. A second surface of the substrate is in thermal contact with the inner surface of the circumferential wall. The device also includes a plurality of curved reflecting surfaces arranged between the plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices and the central axis, arranged to reflect light emitted by the plurality of light emitting semiconductor devices through the opening.

Abstract: An airfoil for a gas turbine engine includes a first side wall; a second side wall joined to the first side wall at a leading edge and a trailing edge; and an internal cooling system arranged within the first and second side walls configured to direct cooling air through and out of the airfoil. The internal cooling system has a first cooling circuit that includes an acceleration channel generally extending in a radial outward direction. A first section of the acceleration channel decreases in cross-sectional area along the radial outward direction such that the cooling air is accelerated through the first section of the acceleration channel. The first cooling circuit further includes a trailing edge chamber fluidly coupled to receive at least a portion of the cooling air from the acceleration channel and extending generally in a chordwise aft direction from the acceleration channel to the trailing edge.

Abstract: An enhanced flight control system and method providing a technological improvement over a conventional flight control systems is provided. A control module employs rules to determine whether or not a received traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) evasive maneuver is automatically implemented. Specifically, the control module effectively couples the TCAS to the FMS, allowing access to the flight plan and to the navigation database and the approach procedures and runway data therein. An algorithm in the control module determines when there is a co-occurrence of the conditions (1) a flight plan uploaded in the FMS, (2) autopilot is engaged, (3) VNAV is engaged. Upon co-occurrence of (1) and (2) and (3), and an evasive maneuver is received from a TCAS, the control module determines whether or not to automatically implement the evasive maneuver. Look ahead algorithms may also analyse and modify the flight plan to preclude TCAS alerts and evasive procedures being required.

Abstract: An environmentally-sealed refractive lighting optic includes a single light-emitting diode (LED) printed circuit card that includes a plurality of LED components and a single, refractive optic element retained directly to the LED printed circuit card in a self-sealing manner without mechanical fasteners. The refractive optic element is configured to environmentally seal the LED components on the LED printed circuit card. Further, the refractive optic element may include a liquid silicone rubber material or an optically-clear low-pressure molded room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone material.

Abstract: An external auxiliary switch mechanism having a base device and an expansion module. The base device may incorporate a transceiver and microcontroller connected to the transceiver. The expansion module may incorporate a transceiver and a microcontroller connected to the transceiver. The microcontroller of the expansion module may have a connection to one or more switches and/or a communication module connected to a network. Data may be transferred wirelessly between the transceiver of the base device and the transceiver of the expansion module with, for example, near-field communication techniques. In some versions of the present mechanism, the expansion module may derive power from signals from the basic device.

Abstract: A method of automatically generating a fault model from a network diagram comprising parsing a network diagram to identify schematic components and schematic interfaces, mapping each schematic component to a respective standard component, and mapping each schematic interface to a respective standard interface, generating component failure information for each schematic component based on the respective standard component, wherein component failure information includes standard failure modes of the respective standard component, generating interface failure information for each schematic interface based on the respective standard interface, wherein interface failure information includes standard failure modes of the respective standard interface, and constructing a fault model specific to the network diagram based on component failure information and interface failure information.

Abstract: A multi-degree-of-freedom electromagnetic machine that may be operated as a motor, a generator, or a motor-generator, includes a first structure and a second structure. The first structure comprises a first conductor, a second conductor, and a third conductor, each of which follows a different trajectory. The first, second, and third conductors together form a general shape of a surface. The second structure is disposed adjacent to the first structure and includes a magnet that emanates a magnetic field. The magnet has at least one of its magnetic poles facing the surface. A Lorentz force affects relative movement between the first structure and the second structure when the magnetic field that emanates from the at least one magnetic pole interacts with electrical currents within any of the electrical conductors.

Abstract: A retracting lifeline system, includes: a housing, a first connector attached to the housing, a lifeline, and a hub to which the lifeline is attached at a first end of the lifeline and around which the lifeline is coiled within the housing. The housing includes an opening through which the lifeline exits the housing. The hub is tensioned to rotate in a first direction to cause retracting of the lifeline and coiling of the lifeline around the hub. The retracting lifeline system further includes a second connector attached to a second end of the lifeline. At least a section of the lifeline has an initial ultimate tensile load of at least 8000 pounds and is abrasion resistant (that is, satisfying the abrasion test requirement set forth in the ANSI/ASSE Z359.13 2009 standard) such that the section of the lifeline is available for tie-back anchoring using the second connector. The section of the lifeline is at least partially retractable within the housing.

Abstract: A system having a utility, a communications intermediary and demand response resources. The utility may be connected to the communications intermediary via a network. The demand response resources may be connected to the communications intermediary via another network. A single dispatch destined for the demand response resources may be sent to the communications intermediary. The dispatch may be disaggregated at the communications intermediary into a multitude of dispatches which may be dispersed to their respective destined demand response resources. The demand response resources may send telemetries to the communications intermediary that aggregates the telemetries into a single telemetry. The single telemetry may be sent to the utility.

Abstract: Systems and computer-implemented methods for executing a command in an autonomous vehicle are provided, including the steps of: generating at least three independent vehicle data-sets; transmitting the at least three independent vehicle data-sets to at least three command determination modules, respectively; and, at each one of the at least three command determination modules, using the respective received vehicle data-set to determine a command. The method further includes the step of, during a monitoring phase, comparing the commands to each other to determine if any one of these commands is desynchronized from the other commands. If a command is determined to be desynchronized from the other commands during the monitoring phase, the method includes the step of excluding the command determination module which determined the desynchronized command.

Abstract: An illustrative humidity sensor may include a substrate and a sensing field effect transistor. The sensing field effect transistor may comprise a source formed on the substrate, a drain formed on the substrate, a gate, and a piezoelectric layer disposed over the gate. Another illustrative humidity sensor may comprise a substrate, a semi-conductor layer disposed over the substrate, a piezoelectric layer disposed over the semi-conductor layer, a first electrode disposed on the piezoelectric layer, and a second electrode disposed on the piezoelectric layer. In some instances, the piezoelectric layer may comprise aluminum nitride.

Abstract: A method of predicting a parameter for an aircraft includes detecting an actual approach profile of the aircraft. The actual approach profile includes an actual approach angle. The method also includes comparing, by a processor, the actual approach profile to a predetermined approach profile to determine a difference between the actual and predetermined approach profiles. The predetermined approach profile includes a predetermined approach angle. The method further includes determining, by the processor, an effective approach angle by combining the actual approach angle and the predetermined approach angle according to a factor that varies based on the difference between the actual and predetermined approach profiles. Moreover, the method includes determining, by the processor, the predicted parameter based on the effective approach angle.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for abandoning a tee assembly. The tee assembly comprises a tee member, a plug, and a retention member. The tee member is coupled to a conduit and defines a main passage and a branch passage. The main passage extends into the conduit, and the branch passage extends to the main passage. The plug is slideably disposed in the branch passage and extends at least partially into the main passage. The retention member is slideably disposed in the main passage and configured to interlock with the plug within the main passage. The plug is substantially prevented from sliding out of the branch passage when the plug is interlocked with the retention member.

Abstract: A display system configured for displaying critical aeronautical information on an aircraft display that is not certified for displaying critical aeronautical information comprises a mounting adapter and an application server. The mounting adapter is configured to mount, in an aircraft cockpit, a personal electronic device (PED) wherein the PED is not certified to display critical aeronautical information. The mounting adapter further comprises a surface with an actuatable covering that is configured to be overlaid on a PED display and an actuation source configured to actuate the covering. The application server is configured to execute a module that generates critical aeronautical information, transmit the generated critical aeronautical information to the PED for display, determine whether a problem exists with the image displayed on the PED display, and enable the actuation source to cause the covering to annunciate a message indicating a problem with the image displayed on the PED display.

Abstract: A display integrity system for use in a mounting adapter configured to mount a personal electronic device (PED) on an aircraft is disclosed. The display integrity system includes a transparent surface configured to overlay the display surface of a PED when the PED is mounted in the mounting adapter. The transparent surface includes one or more regions embedded with one or more coating layers that when activated with a select excitation wavelength are configured to emit visible light to annunciate a message indicating a problem with an image displayed on the PED. The display integrity system further includes a lighting source housed in the mounting adapter and configured to provide light in the select excitation wavelength when activated to illuminate the transparent surface and an imaging device mounted in the mounting adapter and configured to capture an image of the PED display for transmission to a server for integrity checking.