Abstract: A vehicle (100) comprising a wading information display (1020) and a wading depth sensor, the display showing an elevation of a vehicle on which is superimposed the current wading depth. The display may also indicate simultaneously the maximum wading depth calculated according to the ride height of the vehicle, the inclination of the vehicle by inclination of the displayed elevation, and an advisory speed according to wading depth and/or vehicle inclination.

Abstract: An analysis apparatus for performing biochemical analysis of a sample using nanopores comprises: a sensor device that supports plural nanopores, reservoirs holding material for performing the analysis; a fluidics system; and plural containers for receiving respective samples, all arranged in a cartridge that is removably attachable to an electronics unit arranged to generate drive signals to perform signal processing circuit to generate output data representing the results of the analysis. The fluidics system supplies samples selectively from the containers to the sensor device using a rotary valve.

Abstract: There is described herein methods and systems for selective use of an auxiliary power source inflight in order to reduce fuel consumption of an aircraft.

Abstract: An aircraft heating assembly including an internal combustion engine having a liquid coolant system distinct from any fuel and lubricating system of the engine and including cooling passages in the internal combustion engine for circulating a liquid coolant from a coolant inlet to a coolant outlet, a coolant circulation path outside of the internal combustion engine and in fluid communication with the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet, and a heating element in heat exchange relationship with a portion of the aircraft to be heated. The coolant circulation path extends through a heat exchanger configured to remove a portion of a waste heat from the liquid coolant. The heating element is in heat exchange relationship with the coolant circulation path to receive another portion of the waste heat therefrom. A method of heating a portion of an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: An auxiliary power unit for an aircraft includes a rotary intermittent internal combustion engine drivingly engaged to an engine shaft, a turbine section having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the engine(s), the turbine section including at least one turbine compounded with the engine shaft, and a compressor having an inlet in fluid communication with an environment of the aircraft and an outlet in fluid communication with a bleed duct for providing bleed air to the aircraft, the compressor having a compressor rotor connected to a compressor shaft, the compressor shaft drivingly engaged to the engine shaft. The driving engagement between the compressor shaft and the engine shaft is configurable to provide at least two alternate speed ratios between the compressor shaft and the engine shaft.

Abstract: An auxiliary power unit for an aircraft includes a rotary intermittent internal combustion engine, a turbine having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the engine, the turbine compounded with the engine, a compressor having an inlet in fluid communication with an environment of the aircraft and an outlet in fluid communication with the aircraft, the compressor rotatable independently of the turbine, an electric motor drivingly engaged to the compressor, and a transfer generator drivingly engaged to the engine, the transfer generator and the electric motor being electrically connected to allow power transfer therebetween. The compressor or an additional compressor may be in fluid communication with the inlet of the engine. A method of operating an auxiliary power unit of an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: An auxiliary power unit for an aircraft, including an internal combustion engine having a liquid coolant system, a generator drivingly engaged to the internal combustion engine and having a liquid coolant system distinct from the liquid coolant system of the internal combustion engine, a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the liquid coolant system of the internal combustion engine, a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the liquid coolant system of the generator, an exhaust duct in fluid communication with air passages of the heat exchangers, and a fan received in the exhaust duct and rotatable by the internal combustion engine for driving a cooling air flow through the air passages. The liquid coolant system of the engine may be distinct from fuel and lubricating systems of the auxiliary power unit. A method of cooling a generator and an internal combustion engine is also discussed.

Abstract: A pump for use in low-profile applications comprises a barrel for holding fluid; and a piston that converts a rotational driving force into a longitudinal driving motion within the barrel. The pump provides space saving advantages by reducing the need for external equipment and mechanisms around the pump for providing actuation or moving the actuating mechanism.

Abstract: A method performed by a first computing device to transfer a multimedia conversation to the first computing device includes sending, to a first service node, a request to transfer a first communication session to the first computing device, the first communication session using a first type of protocol, the first communication session being between a second computing device and a first endpoint, and sending, to a second service node, a request to transfer a second communication session to the first computing device, the second communication session using a second type of protocol that is different from the first type of protocol, the second communication session being between the second computing device and a second endpoint. The multimedia conversation comprises the first communication session and the second communication session.

Abstract: A compound engine assembly for use as an auxiliary power unit for an aircraft and including an engine core with internal combustion engine(s), a compressor having an outlet in fluid communication with an engine core inlet, a bleed conduit in fluid communication with the compressor outlet through a bleed air valve, and a turbine section having an inlet in fluid communication with the engine core outlet and configured to compound power with the engine core. The turbine section may include a first stage turbine having an inlet in fluid communication with the engine core outlet and a second stage turbine having an inlet in fluid communication the first stage turbine outlet. A method of providing compressed air and electrical power to an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: A compound engine assembly for use as an aircraft auxiliary power unit, having an engine core including internal combustion engine(s) in driving engagement with an engine shaft, a generator having a generator shaft directly engaged to the engine shaft such as to be rotatable at a same speed, a compressor having an outlet in communication with the engine core inlet, and a turbine section having an inlet in communication with the engine core outlet and configured to compound power with the engine core. The turbine section may include a first stage turbine having an inlet in communication with the engine core outlet, and a second stage turbine having an inlet in communication with the first stage turbine outlet. A method of providing electrical power to an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: An auxiliary power unit for an aircraft, having an engine core, a compressor having an outlet in fluid communication with the engine core inlet, a turbine section in fluid communication with the engine core outlet, and an excess air duct having a first end in fluid communication with the compressor outlet and a second end in fluid communication with a turbine inlet of the turbine section. The excess air duct defines a flow path between the compressor outlet and the turbine section separate from the engine core. The auxiliary power unit may include a generator in driving engagement with the engine core to provide electrical power for the aircraft. A method of providing compressed air and electrical power to an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: An auxiliary power unit for an aircraft, having a compressor, an intercooler including first conduit(s) having an inlet in fluid communication with the compressor outlet and second conduit(s) configured for circulation of a coolant therethrough, an engine core having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the first conduit(s), and a bleed conduit in fluid communication with the outlet of the first conduit(s) through a bleed air valve. The auxiliary power unit may include a generator in driving engagement with the shaft of the engine core to provide electrical power for the aircraft. A method of providing compressed air and electrical power to an aircraft is also discussed.

Abstract: A press roller spring frame is provided. The spring frame includes a frame body having a first section having an arcuate shape, a second section extending from the first section and having a substantially planar shape, a third section extending from the first section and having a substantially planar shape. The second and third sections are configured to oppose one another with the first section therebetween. The spring frame further includes a roller operatively coupled to the third section and configured to rotate about an axis. A compressive force may be applied to the roller to displace the third section closer to the second section, whereby the arcuate shape of the first member is compressed. The compression causes the first member to produce a spring force that resists the compressive force applied against the roller to keep the roller against the object applying the compressive force.

Abstract: An apparatus for swappable battery packaging for electric vehicle, the apparatus is contributing for dual purpose of protecting the batteries and providing contribution to the overall structural performance of the vehicle. The apparatus offer self repairable battery packing system to even a novice user thereof, offering each of replacement or recharging operations.

Abstract: A method of repairing a component having a metal part adhesively bonded to a composite body includes thermally coupling a heatsink to the metal part adjacent to a repair region of the metal part which is to be repaired; and performing a metal deposition process on the metal part in the repair region. During the metal deposition process the heatsink acts to transfer thermal energy away from the metal part caused by the metal deposition process. Equipment repairs a component having a metal part adhesively bonded to a composite body.

Abstract: A vehicle (100) comprising a wading information display (1020), a memory and a processor, the memory containing a program configured to run on the processor to calculate the maximum wading depth of the vehicle from the measured suspension travel, and to display the maximum wading depth on the display. The display may also show a dual wading depth, an advisory wading speed, and vehicle inclination.

Abstract: A method performed by a conversation manager in a communications network includes establishing a multimedia conversation between a first device associated with a first user and at least one endpoint associated with at least one other user, the multimedia conversation comprising at least two different media types according to respective and different protocol types. The method further includes receiving an instruction to transfer the conversation from the first device of the first user to a second device, adding the second device to the multimedia conversation by establishing connections for the at least two different media types to the second device, and removing the first device from the multimedia conversation by removing connections for the at least two media types to the first device.

Abstract: A system for charging power source of a recipient electric vehicle using an accelerated charge flow from a power source of a donor vehicle, the system comprising; recipient power source provided with an accessible recipient charge receptacle; donor power source provided with an extendable donor charge receptacle adapted to resiliently engage the recipient charge receptacle; a pack controller, in each donor and recipient vehicle, electrically connected to the acceptor and donor power sources and adapted to combine the functions of a battery pack protection circuit, battery charger, current and voltage regulator, a data monitor and a communication circuit associated with the charge transfer from the donor to acceptor vehicle facilitating regulated and informed power transfer; and a buck-booster electrically connected to the recipient and donor receptacles of the battery in each vehicle, configured to balance relative electrical potentials of the donor to the recipient vehicle.