Abstract: A method for braking an electric utility vehicle including a motor and an electromechanical brake. The method includes storing a value indicative of at least one of an amount of current, voltage, and power that is commanded to a motor of the electric utility vehicle to maintain the electric utility vehicle in a stopped state; engaging a parking brake function of an electromechanical brake after the storing; disabling the motor after the engaging; commanding the at least one of the current, voltage, and power to the motor at the stored value when an accelerator pedal is depressed; and disengaging the parking brake function after the commanding.

Abstract: The invention refers to a headlamp cleaning device for motor vehicles comprising an elongate housing (2) formed with an inlet port (3) connectable to a source of pressurized cleaning fluid and a retractable hollow cleaning liquid supply tube (4) slidably arranged within the housing (2) and being biassed in the retracted position, at least one spray nozzle (6) provided at the distal end of the cleaning fluid supply tube (4) and a fluid valve at the proximal of the cleaning liquid supply tube (4) allowing ingress of the cleaning fluid into the tube once the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined amount, the fluid valve being designed as a resilient closure cap which at the same time functions as a piston seal for the cleaning fluid supply tube (4) (FIG. 3).

Abstract: Textile-based electrodes include a fabric portion having stretch-recovery non-conductive yarns and an electrically conductive region having stretch-recovery electrically conductive yarn filaments. The electrodes can further include float yarns and can be configured in a textured or ribbed construction. When incorporated into a garment, the electrodes can be used to monitor biophysical characteristics, such as the garment wearer's heart rate.

Abstract: In a system and method, the emitted beams of multiple diode bar array assemblies are combined to achieve an increase in the resulting power density in the combined output beam, while addressing the need for heat distribution in each of the individual assemblies. The present invention enables the combination of output planes of illumination, to form a single, merged beam of area Ag having intensity IM˜M*Istack and brightness BM˜M*Bstack, where Istack and Bstack refer respectively to the intensity and brightness of the output plane of illumination of a single stacked array, and where IM and BM refer respectively to the intensity and brightness of the combined output plane of illumination of M stacked arrays. In this manner, the present invention is useful in applications where there is a need for high-intensity, high-brightness light energy.

Abstract: Two garments with textile based electrodes are disclosed. First, a wrist band for use with a cardiac patient remote monitoring system includes two fabric layers with integral textile-based electrodes. The textile based electrodes include a fabric portion having stretch-recovery non-conductive yarns and an electrically conductive region having stretch-recovery electrically conductive yarn filaments. The skin contacting surface of the band includes a conductive region formed as a continuous ring or stripe. A connector links the conductive region to a lead to a device. Second, an infant garment includes textile based electrodes at the torso region and optionally at other regions in order to monitor the infant's biophysical characteristics as the garment is worn.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel tank (1) with at least one filler pipe (2) enclosing a refueling duct and with at least one vent line (6), which comprises at least one first and one second line section (6a, 6b), the first line section (6a) extending from a vent connection (7) of the fuel tank (1) to a connection on the filler pipe (2), and the second line section (6b) extending from a connection on the filler pipe (2) to a fuel vapor filter (10), wherein at least one line section (6a, 6b) opens directly into the filler pipe (2) via a connection fitting.

Abstract: A fuel vapor storage and recovery apparatus includes a fuel vapor storage canister, said fuel vapor storage canister comprising at least first and second vapor storage compartments filled with an absorbent material, for instance filled with activated carbon, at least a vapor inlet port, an atmospheric vent port and a purge port. Said fuel vapor storage canister defines an air flow path between said vapor inlet port and said atmospheric vent port during shut-off of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle. During purging cycles there is defined an air flow path between said atmospheric vent port and said purge port wherein said first and second vapor storage compartments are arranged in concentric relationship and wherein said first and second vapor storage compartments in flow direction are separated from each other by an air gap diffusion barrier.

Abstract: A surveillance system is configured to detect a rotary-wing aircraft approaching a fixed facility and provide a warning upon detection. The system includes acoustic processing nodes that receive acoustic signals from the environment surrounding the fixed facility. As the nodes receive the acoustic signals, the nodes perform a spectral analysis of the signals to detect if the source of the acoustic signals is a rotary-wing aircraft. Additionally, based upon the acoustic signals, the nodes detect an altitude of the rotary-wing aircraft and a distance between the rotary-wing aircraft and the fixed facility. In the case where the system identifies the rotary-wing aircraft as encroaching a predefined geographical area outside of the facility, based upon the altitude and distance between the rotary-wing aircraft and the facility, the system generates a warning to allow security forces to intercept the rotary-wing aircraft prior to its arrival at the facility.

Abstract: A crash attenuation system for an aircraft, the system having an airbag carried by the aircraft and inflatable generally adjacent an exterior of the aircraft. The airbag has at least one vent for releasing gas from the interior of the airbag. A first gas source is in fluid communication with the interior of the airbag for inflating the airbag with gas generated provided by the first gas source. A vent valve is provided for controlling a flow of gas through each vent, each vent valve being selectively configurable between an open state, in which gas can pass through the associated vent from the interior of the airbag, and a closed state, in which gas is retained within the interior of the airbag. A second gas source is provided for at least partially re-inflating the airbag after venting of gas through the at least one vent.

Abstract: The invention concerns a nozzle for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material by extrusion blow molding. According to the invention, continuous extrusion of at least two preforms in web form of plasticized material is effected by means of a plurality of extrusion devices. The preforms are jointly shaped to form a hollow body in the still plastic condition, that is to say, in the first heat, within a multi-part tool forming a mold cavity. In that case, a wall thickness profile is imparted to at least one preform during the extrusion operation independently of the respective other preform by continuous nozzle gap adjustment during the extrusion operation.

Abstract: A torsionally de-coupled engine mount system for use in tilt rotor aircraft applications is disclosed, in which an engine is mounted at its forward end to a prop rotor gear box by means of a forward mount that is a simple adapter fitting, and at its aft end to a pylon assembly by an aft mount that is a simple bi-pod fitting. The forward mount counteracts forces and moments in six degrees of freedom, but the aft mount only counteracts lateral and vertical loads. The contribution from the engine to the overall dynamic response of the aircraft is tuned by selectively tailoring the size, shape, weight, and material of the forward mount. The engine mount system torsionally de-couples the engines from the prop rotors, thereby preventing rotor torque from being induced into the engines.

Abstract: A functional elastic composite yarn comprises an elastic member that is surrounded by at least one functional covering filament(s). The functional covering filament has a length that is greater than the drafted length of the elastic member such that substantially all of an elongating stress imposed on the composite yarn is carried by the elastic member. The elastic composite yarn may further include an optional stress-bearing member surrounding the elastic member and the functional covering filament.

Abstract: A composite-steel hybrid mast for a rotorcraft includes a tubular, steel portion having an internal surface defining a space therein and a composite portion disposed within the space defined by the internal surface of the steel portion and held in a fixed spatial relationship with respect to the internal surface of the steel portion.

Abstract: A drive system is provided for a utility vehicle and includes an alternating-current (AC) motor for providing a drive torque. An AC motor controller receives a battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) signal, and run/tow signal indicative of the utility vehicle being configured to be driven and being configured to be towed. The AC motor controller generates an AC drive signal for the AC motor, wherein the AC drive signal is based on the battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, FNR signal, and run/tow signal.

Abstract: A flight control system for an aircraft receives a selected value of a first parameter, which is either the airspeed or inertial velocity of the aircraft. A primary feedback loop generates a primary error signal that is proportional to the difference between the selected value and a measured value of the first parameter. A secondary feedback loop generates a secondary error signal that is proportional to the difference between the selected value of the first parameter and a measured value of a second flight parameter, which is the other of the airspeed and inertial velocity. The primary and secondary error signals are summed to produce a velocity error signal, and the velocity error signal and an integrated value of the primary error signal are summed to produce an actuator command signal. The actuator command signal is then used for operating aircraft devices to control the first parameter to minimize the primary error signal.

Abstract: A protective skin (143a, 143b) for an aircraft is disclosed. The protective skin (143a, 143b) forms the leading edges of wing members, horizontal stabilizers, and vertical fins. A portion of the skin material (143a, 143b) is removed in a selected pattern (155a, 157a, 159a, 161a, 155b, 157b, 159b, 161b) from the interior surface of the skin (143a, 143b). In the preferred embodiment, the interior surface of the skin is chemically etched and/or mechanically milled in oval and rectangular patterns so as to create crumple zones (155a, 157a, 159a, 161a, 155b, 157b, 159b, 161b) and generate progressive failure of the metal. This allows the leading edge to absorb the impact energy from a collision with a bird or other object, and prevent the bird or other object from penetrating through the leading edge into the substructure.

Abstract: An ice management system is configured for an aircraft having at least one rotor (11), each rotor having a plurality of blades. The system has an alternating current (AC) electrical power supply for supplying AC power (13), the AC power supply being adapted to be carried by the aircraft remote from the rotor (11). A converter converts the AC power to direct-current (DC) power. At least one ice protection device is carried by the rotor and operated using the DC power.

Abstract: An attachment system for a cable puller provides for securing the cable puller to various sized conduits. The attachment system includes a clamping assembly having pivotable arms angled to generally be formed in V-shapes at the ends which engage and trap the conduit at four separate points. The clamping arms have gripping members that radially nest against the conduit threads and an overhang portion which acts as a location stop for the conduit. Each clamping arm has a face which extends past the pivot point. A screw and a nut between the extended portion of the clamping arms act on a push block which in turn acts against the arm faces such that when the nut is screwed inward, it causes the gripping members to be forced against the conduit in order to secure the conduit in place.

Abstract: An electrically conductive elastic composite yarn comprises an elastic member that is surrounded by at least one conductive covering filament(s). The elastic member has a predetermined relaxed unit length L and a predetermined drafted length of (N×L), where N is a number preferably in the range from about 1.0 to about 8.0. The conductive covering filament has a length that is greater than the drafted length of the elastic member such that substantially all of an elongating stress imposed on the composite yarn is carried by the elastic member. The elastic composite yarn may further include an optional stress-bearing member surrounding the elastic member and the conductive covering filament. The length of the stress-bearing member is less than the length of the conductive covering filament and greater than, or equal to, the drafted length (N×L) of the elastic member, such that a portion of the elongating stress imposed on the composite yarn is carried by the stress-bearing member.

Abstract: A method for braking an electric utility vehicle including a motor and an electromechanical brake. The method includes storing a value indicative of at least one of an amount of current, voltage, and power that is commanded to a motor of the electric utility vehicle to maintain the electric utility vehicle in a stopped state; engaging a parking brake function of an electromechanical brake after the storing; disabling the motor after the engaging; commanding the at least one of the current, voltage, and power to the motor at the stored value when an accelerator pedal is depressed; and disengaging the parking brake function after the commanding.