Abstract: A hose management system with a longitudinally collapsible duct-like air hose may supply conditioned air for heating and/or cooling an aircraft. The system has a temperature controlled container and a motorized remotely controlled drive with treads for feeding out hose to a length appropriate to hook up to a stationary aircraft. The motorized drive also retracts the hose back into the container. The hose may have scuff strips, hook and loop fasteners, and reflective strips.

Abstract: A hose movement detector for an aircraft PCA hose management system comprises a sensor that provides a signal to indicate a first condition when a hose is moving into an aircraft ventilation hose management system or out of the aircraft ventilation hose management system and that does not provide the signal when the hose is not moving. The output of the sensor is usable to disable hose drive motors when a fault condition is preventing the hose from moving, such as the hose being caught by an obstruction, and thus avoid damage to the hose management system or its hose.

Abstract: A mechanical cutting device cuts twisted strips of foods such as potatoes. The device comprises twisted cutting tubes, each having a ring secured at a distance from the cutting end. A plurality of such tubes may be arranged in an array, which may be supported by plates having an array of tube-supporting orifices. The cutting tubes are supported for rotation in such manner that, when force is exerted on the tubes to insert the tubes into the food, the tubes rotate as they cut into the food obtaining as result twisted strips of food.

Abstract: A flexible air hose connection between a preconditioned air unit and an aircraft incorporates an air filter between the first and second ends to capture and filter foreign matter in the air stream through the flexible tube. The filter may be sewn, fitted with snaps, hook and loop and/or zippered into the interior of the air hose. In particular embodiments the air filter incorporates a mesh screen, or alternatively comprises a fibrous material of foam, pleated paper, or spun fiberglass. In one embodiment the filter may be a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter meeting the efficiency standard set by the Department of Energy.

Abstract: A container made of an elastomer such as silicone with an integrated leak resistant seal. The seal incorporates press-fit elements with sizes and shapes sufficient to provide a strong seal that resists leakage of liquids from inside the container. The seal is integrated into the container and requires no external clips or clasps. Additional features are provided to facilitate opening such as extended flaps for pulling the sides open, and asymmetric cavities for press-fit elements to reduce the initial opening force. The container itself may be of asymmetrical shape, such as trapezoidal, to provide a wide opening along with a strong seal.

Abstract: A hose management system with a longitudinally collapsible duct-like air hose may supply conditioned air for heating and/or cooling an aircraft. The system has a temperature controlled container and a motorized remotely controlled drive with treads for feeding out hose to a length appropriate to hook up to a stationary aircraft. The motorized drive also retracts the hose back into the container. The hose may have scuff strips, hook and loop fasteners, and reflective strips.

Abstract: The performance of a PCA unit associated with an airport gate is monitored by a temperature sensor in the stream of output air leaving the PCA unit, to produce a signal indicative of the temperature of the output air that may be compared to an acceptable range of values, or to the temperature of air input to the PCA unit (as measured by a second temperature sensor). An alert is generated to a human operator if the temperature measured does not compare favorably with the desired range.

Abstract: A mechanical cutting device cuts twisted strips of foods such as potatoes. The device comprises twisted cutting tubes, each having a ring secured at a distance from the cutting end. A plurality of such tubes may be arranged in an array, which may be supported by plates having an array of tube-supporting orifices. The cutting tubes are supported for rotation in such manner that, when force is exerted on the tubes to insert the tubes into the food, the tubes rotate as they cut into the food obtaining as result twisted strips of food.

Abstract: A hose section for use in a modular PCA air delivery system includes a tension strap extending approximately parallel to and away from the body of a first end of the hose section, and a receiver loop formed on the exterior of the second end that receives a part of the strap therethrough so that the strap can be folded back in the direction of the first end, and fastened to the first end thus holding the first hose section to the second hose section when either hose section is pulled.

Abstract: An apparatus for visually communicating to a pilot in the cockpit of a parked aircraft the status of a preconditioned air (PCA) unit associated with the gate has an electrically controlled PCA indicator box positioned so that it is visible to the pilot in the cockpit. The PCA indicator box has a first appearance when the preconditioned air unit is not operating and a second appearance when the preconditioned air unit is operating. A method of assisting aircraft operators to reduce fuel costs and emissions of an aircraft parked at a gate includes mounting to the gate an electrical PCA indicator and electrically coupling it to a preconditioned air unit at the gate.

Abstract: The performance of a PCA unit associated with an airport gate is monitored by a temperature sensor in the stream of output air leaving the PCA unit, to produce a signal indicative of the temperature of the output air that may be compared to an acceptable range of values, or to the temperature of air input to the PCA unit (as measured by a second temperature sensor). An alert is generated to a human operator if the temperature measured does not compare favorably with the desired range.

Abstract: A swivel connector for a pre-conditioned air (PCA) hose for an aircraft comprises an inner tube, an outer tube, and a bearing between the inner and outer tube such that an air hose mounted to the inner tube can rotate relative to an aircraft mounting affixed to the outer tube, to remove kinks or twists in the hose without disconnection.

Abstract: In a gaming establishment, a player feeds a general purpose charge card such as a VISA, MasterCard or AMERICAN EXPRESS card to a reader at a gaming machine or enters on a keyboard or other input device, information relating to the general purpose charge card, and keys in a desired amount of playing credit and optionally, a PIN (personal identification number) for automatic transmission to a remote financial institution (VISA or other charge card facility) either directly or through an intermediate transaction processing facility. Also transmitted are an identification of the gaming machine and the gaming operator. Upon approval of the requested playing credit, the gaming machine is enabled and thereafter a running net (balance) is kept for the player and/or each machine-and/or the gaming operator by accounting for win-lose-draws.

Abstract: In a gaming establishment, a player feeds a general purpose charge card such as a VISA, MasterCard or AMERICAN EXPRESS card to a reader at a gaming machine or enters on a keyboard or other input device, information relating to the general purpose charge card, and keys in a desired amount of playing credit and optionally, a PIN (personal identification number) for automatic transmission to a remote financial institution (VISA or other charge card facility) either directly or through an intermediate transaction processing facility. Also transmitted are an identification of the gaming machine and the gaming operator. Upon approval of the requested playing credit, the gaming machine is enabled and thereafter a running net (balance) is kept for the player and/or each machine and/or the gaming operator by accounting for win-lose-draws.

Abstract: A player feeds a general purpose charge card, such as a VISA, MasterCard or AMERICAN EXPRESS card, or an account identification to a reader at a gaming machine or enters on a keyboard or other input device, information relating to the general purpose charge card or account identification for transmission to a transaction processing facility. The processing facility associates the account information with a gaming account and determines whether to grant a user request. If the request is granted, the gaming machine is enabled and thereafter one or more running net credit balances are kept by accounting for win-lose-draws. After the playing session is over, net playing credit information is automatically transmitted to the transaction processing facility.