Abstract: An autonomous vehicle system is configured to receive vehicle commands from one or more parties and to execute those vehicle commands in a way that prevents the execution of stale commands. The autonomous vehicle system includes a finite state machine and a command counter or stored vehicle timestamp, which are used to help reject invalid or stale vehicle commands.

Abstract: An Unmanned Aerial System configured to receive a request from a user and fulfill that request using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The Unmanned Aerial System selects a distribution center that is within range of the user, and deploys a suitable Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to fulfill the request from that distribution center. The Unmanned Aerial System is configured to provide real-time information about the flight route to the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle during its flight, and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is configured to dynamically update its mission based on information received from the Unmanned Aerial System.

Abstract: Microchips which are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer include a microchip body with at least one fluid channel formed into the microchip body and at least two flat monolithic closely spaced integrated ESI (electrospray ionization) emitters defined by shaped projections formed to extend from one side of the microchip body, a respective one being in fluid communication with a fluid channel. Related systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: Microchips which are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer include a microchip body with at least one fluid channel formed into the microchip body and at least two flat monolithic closely spaced integrated ESI (electrospray ionization) emitters defined by shaped projections formed to extend from one side of the microchip body, a respective one being in fluid communication with a fluid channel. Related systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: An impingement cooling arrangement comprises a projection extending partially across a coolant passage upstream of a jet aperture. An end surface of the projection increases the available surface area for heat exchange with a cross flow whilst a coolant air flow jetted from the jet aperture can transgress a proportion of the air flow passing between the end surface and a junction surface incorporating the jet aperture. A spacing gap B between the end surface and the junction surface avoids localised distortions to the cross flow whilst the projection provides that the coolant air flow projected from the jet aperture mostly passes through a lower turbulence wake downstream of the projection for greater impingement upon a target surface for heat transfer and cooling efficiency. Typically the impingement cooling arrangement is incorporated within turbine blades or vanes of a jet engine.

Abstract: Cooling jets 1 are provided with a longitudinal aspect 2 greater than width 3. Thus, the coolant flow through the jet 1 is less susceptible to deflection by lateral or cross flows presented to that coolant flow such that cooling by impingement of the coolant flow upon a surface 7 to be cooled is improved. Typically, a plurality of jets 1 are provided in a housing wall 8. These jets 1 will be arranged in an appropriate pattern to achieve cooling by flow impingement upon the surface 7 to be cooled. Possibly, a plurality of jets 1 in an appropriate pattern may be arranged upstream of conventional circular coolant jets in order to provide some protection for those circular coolant jets from lateral or cross flow.

Abstract: Cooling jets 1 are provided with a longitudinal aspect 2 greater than width 3. Thus, the coolant flow through the jet 1 is less susceptible to deflection by lateral or cross flows presented to that coolant flow such that cooling by impingement of the coolant flow upon a surface 7 to be cooled is improved. Typically, a plurality of jets 1 are provided in a housing wall 8. These jets 1 will be arranged in an appropriate pattern to achieve cooling by flow impingement upon the surface 7 to be cooled. Possibly, a plurality of jets 1 in an appropriate pattern may be arranged upstream of conventional circular coolant jets in order to provide some protection for those circular coolant jets from lateral or cross flow.