Abstract: A fabric and elastomeric material (referred to as a fabric trilayer) combined with a sealant may be applied in such a fashion so as to eliminate or minimize air entrapment in an elastomeric composite structure that forms a seal-sealing volume. The performance of the self-sealing volume is dramatically improved with this minimizing of air entrapment. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, this construction approach may be accomplished without significantly adding to the weight or thickness of the volume and without affecting the outer dimension of the self-sealing volume. Thus, a method and system for forming a self-sealing volume are described. The system includes an elastomeric composite structure comprising at least one layer of an elastomeric material derived from a neat (no solvent) elastomeric material that does not substantially react at room temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes a brake associated with a respective wheel of the vehicle, a multi-pressure valve associated with the brake, and a controller electrically communicating with the multi-pressure valve. The multi-pressure valve receives fluid at a first pressure at a supply port and is capable of delivering the fluid at a delivery port at a plurality of pressure profiles. A control signal is transmitted to the multi-pressure valve. The multi-pressure valve delivers the pressurized fluid to the brake, via the delivery port, at one of the plurality of delivery pressure profiles based on the control signal.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for reading both chip and magnetic stripe cards, and in particular for preventing use of a magnetic stripe when a chip is present, in various settings such as fuel dispensers, ATMs, and retail settings. For example, a card reading device is provided that includes a housing and at least one card slot. A smart card reader and a magnetic stripe card reader are disposed within the housing. In one embodiment, a gate is configured to prevent insertion of a card into a rear portion of the card slot when a chip is detected to prevent the magnetic stripe card reader from reading a magnetic stripe. In another embodiment, a first card slot has a first depth that prevents insertion of a magnetic stripe but allows reading of a chip, and a second slot has a depth that allows insertion of a magnetic stripe.

Abstract: A veneer product and system includes a body having an aesthetic front surface and a back surface for installation adjacent the building. The body has a top side and a bottom side and a bracket attached to body and projecting away from the back surface of the body, the bracket further comprising a first end adjacent the top side for attachment to the building and a first protrusion for positioning the back surface a predetermined distance from the building and a second end having a second protrusion for positioning the bottom of the back surface a predetermined distance from the building and a bottom projection adjacent the bottom side for engagement with a second body to retain the bottom end of the veneer product.

Abstract: Electrocoagulation (EC) reactors having pellet flow circuits are disclosed. In one embodiment, the EC reactor includes a reactor vessel having a first inlet and an outlet through which a contaminated feed stream is received and discharged, respectively. An EC reaction chamber is located within the reactor vessel, fluidly coupled between the first inlet and the outlet, and configured to be loaded with consumable EC pellets. The EC reactor further includes an EC pellet flow circuit around which the consumable EC pellets circulate as the contaminated feed stream flows through the EC reaction chamber. First and second electrodes are coupled to the reactor vessel and positioned to generate an electrical field. The consumable EC pellets are exposed to (e.g., pass through or circulate within) the electrical field to induce coagulation of contaminants within the contaminated feed stream as the feed stream flows through the EC reaction chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus determining network health in a network comprising base station transceivers in bidirectional communication with radios, each having an identifier and transmitting a signal including the identifier. First and second devices each receive the transmitted signal during normal over-the-air operation of the radio, measure signal parameters, and determine operating characteristics of the radio from the parameters. Each of the devices produce a responsive received signal when the first operating characteristics determined by the first device indicate a healthy first radio and the second device produces a responsive received signal when the second operating characteristics determined by the second device indicate a healthy first radio. The devices determine respective signal parameters of the respective received signals. The received signals are time aligned to insure that the devices have determined the respective signal parameters of the same transmitted signal.

Abstract: A rod inserter, system and method can include an inserter that has a handle and an extension structure extending from the handle. A knob and a lever can be located adjacent the handle. A rod connection structure can be located at the distal end of the extension structure, and configured to rotate with respect to the extension structure. The rod connection structure can include a first clamshell structure and a second clamshell structure configured to move towards and away from each other in order to connect and disconnect from a rod, such as a spinal rod. The knob can be configured such that when actuated the first clamshell structure and second clamshell structure move with respect to each other. The lever can be configured such that when actuated the first clamshell structure and second clamshell structure are prevented from rotating with respect to the extension structure.

Abstract: A personal ballistic protection device incorporates multiple removable test coupons. Each of the test coupons are retained with the ballistic device during its use until each coupon is removed for test purposes. Each test coupon has a construction identical to the protective portions of the ballistic device and is removable and configured to allow for destructive testing. Sufficient coupons are provided with the ballistic protection device to allow for periodic testing over a predetermined useful life of the ballistic protection device. One embodiment of the device is a body armor vest.

Abstract: A processor includes a memory storing instructions executable by the processor. The instructions include determining a capacity of a plurality of satellite beams based at least in part on a beam traffic density associated with each of the plurality of satellite beams and transmitting, to a communication satellite, a control signal that commands the communication satellite to transmit the plurality of satellite beams in accordance with the beam traffic density determined by the processor. The processor may be incorporated into a telecommunications system that includes a communication satellite programmed to transmit signals in accordance with a plurality of beams.

Abstract: An illumination system verifies whether one or more aspects of an output signal provided by a photosensitive transducer fall within a threshold of an expected value for the aspect. The aspect may include a sunrise time, a sunset time, a dawn time, a dusk time, a solar noon time, a solar midnight time, or similar. Upon verification the illumination system uses a microcontroller to adjust one or more output parameters of a solid-state light source responsive to the output signal provided by the photosensitive transducer. Where verification is not possible, the illumination system uses the microcontroller to adjust one or more output parameters of the solid-state light source responsive to a schedule.

Abstract: A structural health monitoring system comprising intelligent sensors, wherein the intelligent sensors are individually programmable and can be tuned to listen to specific frequencies based on a scaling factor based on the sensor's location in the system being monitored, a set of pre-known frequencies based on the sensor's location in the system being monitored, and the output of a central frequency-based system sensor.

Abstract: A carrier for packaging one or more articles, includes outer walls (12, 16, 18, 22a, 22b, 24a, 24b) which define an interior of the carrier. An intermediate wall (30a, 30b) at least partially segregates the interior of the carrier in a first direction. A partition structure (50a, 52a) divides the interior of the carrier in a second transverse direction. The partition structure is struck, at least in part, from one (16) of the outer walls. The partition structure is configured and arranged to be automatically erected in the interior of the carrier in response to unfolding a flat collapsed folded blank when the carrier is erected.

Abstract: A satellite communication system, a method and a system are provided. In one aspect of the invention, an outdoor unit power source is connected to a switch of a satellite modem of an indoor unit. When the satellite modem receives a first signal from a wireless device, a first switch control signal is sent to the switch to open a connection between the outdoor unit power source and an inter-facility link connected to an antenna of an outdoor unit, thereby preventing power from flowing through the inter-facility link. When the satellite modem receives a second signal from the wireless device, a second switch control signal is sent to the switch to close a connection between the outdoor unit power source and the inter-facility link, thereby causing the power to flow through the inter-facility link. Other wirelessly received signals may cause various control signals to be sent via the inter-facility link.

Abstract: Various communication systems may benefit from suitable antenna systems. For example, unmanned aircraft may benefit from systems and methods for providing a distributed airborne collision avoidance system antenna array. An apparatus can include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive avionics signals at a host vehicle. The apparatus can also include an interface configured to communicate with an array of a plurality of avionics receivers, wherein the avionics receivers are configured to receive the avionics signals at the host vehicle.

Abstract: A method, computer program, and system for monitoring a person in a structure having a first room and a second room. The system includes motion sensors and accelerometers to determine states and activities within the states, respectively. No visual images of any type are used to monitor the person. The person does not need to wear any type of equipment or component or necklace or bracelet or special clothing with any type of equipment or component in order to be monitored by the system.

Abstract: A process of fusing common hydrogen to: (1) form all of the elements in the Periodic Table of Elements; and, (2) produce excess energy. The process involves controllably initiating the process of electron capture with a hydrogen nucleus, which produces virtual neutrons and a new short-lived negatively charged particle (Negatron).