Abstract: For a performance analytics engine, a method defines a performance rule. The performance rule includes one or more Key Performance Indicator (KPI) components and one or more KPI qualifiers. Each KPI component includes one or more of a payout, a payout range, a payout rank, a payout top percentage, and a tiered payout. Each KPI qualifier includes one or more of a range qualifier, a top percentage qualifier, and a rank qualifier. The method further calculates a performance score from the performance rule.

Abstract: A method includes measuring one or more performance metrics of a set of solar cells coupled to an inverter. Based at least on the performance metrics meeting a first criterion, a first subset of the set of solar cells are disabled, reducing a voltage, power, or current provided to the inverter. Based at least on the performance metrics meeting a second criterion, a second subset of the set of solar cells are disabled, further reducing a voltage, power, or current provided to the inverter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include printed shooting targets having reactive zones and methods related to the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a shooting target comprising a substrate. In some embodiments, a first ink layer can be disposed on the substrate. An adhesion modifying layer disposed over the substrate and/or on the first ink layer. The adhesion modifying layer can cover less than the entire surface area of the substrate and/or first ink layer. A second ink layer disposed on the adhesion modifying layer. In an embodiment, a method of making a shooting target comprising applying discrete segments of a material over a substrate to form an adhesion modifying layer, wherein the adhesion modifying layer covers less than the entire surface area of the substrate; and applying a second ink layer over the adhesion modifying layer. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing an intensity of an electrical discharge that occurs within a fluid transport system in an aerospace vehicle. The aerospace vehicle is operated. The fluid transport system in the aerospace vehicle is comprised of materials selected such that the fluid transport system has an electrical configuration. The intensity of the electrical discharge that occurs within the fluid transport system during operation of the aerospace vehicle is reduced to within selected tolerances by the electrical configuration of the fluid transport system.

Abstract: A bulkhead fitting assembly may include a tube; a mounting flange attachable to a bulkhead; a thermal shell joining the mounting flange and the tube and having a portion spaced away from the tube forming an air pocket between the tube and the thermal shell; a plurality of mounting studs extending from the mounting flange away from the thermal shell; a plurality of bushings positioned between the mounting studs and the bulkhead, the plurality of bushings each shaped to complete a current path from the tube to the plurality of mounting studs, from the plurality of mounting studs to the plurality of bushings, and from the plurality of bushings to the bulkhead; and a plurality of nuts received on the adapter to lock the fitting assembly in place by sandwiching the bulkhead between the mounting flange and the nuts, wherein the nuts are in engagement with the bushings.

Abstract: A method of making a bulkhead fitting assembly may include joining a tube to a thermal shell of a mounting flange, the mounting flange shaped to be attached to a bulkhead and including an adapter; forming the thermal shell to have a portion spaced away from the tube to form an air pocket between the tube and the thermal shell adjacent the mounting flange; and placing a bushing on the adapter such that the bushing completes a current path from the tube to the adapter, from the adapter to the bushing, and from the bushing to the bulkhead.

Abstract: A method of sealing an opening in a bulkhead with a fitting assembly having a tube, a mounting flange, a thermal shell, an adapter, a bushing, and a jam nut may include inserting the tube through the opening; placing the mounting flange against the bulkhead, the mounting flange attached to the thermal shell, the thermal shell attached to the tube, and the mounting flange attached to the adapter so that the adapter extends away from the mounting flange and from the thermal shell through the opening; forming an air pocket by spacing a portion of the thermal shell away from the tube; placing the bushing on the adapter; and tightening the jam nut on the adapter to sandwich the bulkhead between the mounting flange and the bushing to form a seal between the mounting flange and the bushing to seal the opening.

Abstract: Microinverters useable in association with photovoltaic modules are described. A three phase-microinverter receives direct current output generated by a microsystems-enabled photovoltaic cell and converts such direct current output into three-phase alternating current out. The three-phase microinverter is interleaved with other three-phase-microinverters, wherein such microinverters are integrated in a photovoltaic module with the microsystems-enabled photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A method for directing electrical current to prevent sparking from the interaction between a composite structure and lightning or static electrical charge, the method including the steps of forming a hole in a composite structure; and positioning a bushing into the hole to create an interference fit between the bushing and the composite structure, wherein the bushing is formed of a material that has a coefficient of thermal expansion close to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the composite structure and the bushing provides an electrical path between a fastener disposed in the bushing and the composite structure.

Abstract: A bulkhead fitting assembly may include a tube, a mounting flange, and a thermal shell joining the mounting flange and the tube; the thermal shell may consist of a thin barrier and form an air gap between the tube and the mounting flange.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include shooting targets and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a shooting target. The shooting target can include a target mounting platform, a first spring, a second spring, and a target stand. The target mounting platform can include a front surface and a bottom surface. The target stand can include a first rod, a second rod, a first horizontal projection portion, and a second horizontal projection portion. The target mounting platform can effectively pivot backward with respect to the target stand as the springs flex. In an embodiment, the invention includes a shooting target kit. The shooting target kit can include a target mounting platform, a first spring, a second spring, and a target stand. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: An axially swaged fitting for use in permanently coupling tubes together. The swaged fitting may be useful in coupling metal hydraulic lines to one another in an airplane. According to one embodiment, the swaged fitting includes a sleeve with a hard metal surface and a swaging ring with a soft metal surface, such that during the swaging process the soft metal surface of the swaging ring is deformed.

Abstract: A hydraulic joint is disclosed. The hydraulic joint includes a tube, a hydraulic fitting, and a tip seal. The hydraulic fitting may be positioned around the tube. The hydraulic fitting may include a first open end for receiving the tube. The tip seal may be configured to define an opening that allows for the passage of leaks. The tip seal may be positioned on the hydraulic fitting adjacent the open end and forming a mechanical barrier between the fitting and the tube.

Abstract: An insert for a radiant tube of a furnace including a first section adapted to absorb heat from combustion gases passing through the radiant tube and radiantly transfer the heat to a wall of the radiant tube and a second section for directing heat and gases in the radiant tube toward the first section of the insert and a system including a radiant tube and one or more such inserts. Also, a method of improving heat transfer from a radiant tube of a furnace to the material being heated including supplying an insert as described above and placing the insert into the radiant tube such that the first section corresponds to a portion of the radiant tube that is closest to the material being heated. Also, an insert for a radiant tube of a furnace including a ceramic body and a metal deposited on the surface of the ceramic body.

Abstract: A catheter for use with a medical infusion or other fluid system. The catheter may include a flexible elongate tubular core that is resistant to radial collapse, and a separate tubular tip member forming the catheter distal tip. The catheter may further include a flexible, e.g., elastomeric, jacket that surrounds at least a portion of the tubular core. The jacket may have a radial compliance that is greater than that of the tubular core. The jacket may further define an outer diameter that is about 4 to about 6 times greater than an outer diameter of the core.

Abstract: A treatment product including trioxolanes or related stabilized oxygen molecules. Just as oxidation is a somewhat violent electron transfer that results in amino acid malformation, only a molecule with similar electron attraction potential, another oxygen species in the form of a stabilized trioxolane or equivalent, can reverse such damage in most cases. The human body has the ability to fix such oxidation on its own, but this ability declines with age and excess damage. The treatment product described herein including trioxolanes, assists the body in this natural process. The result is reduction of inflammation, aging, and other conditions of the human body.

Abstract: Described herein is a novel method and apparatus for preventing spark propagation from a hydraulic joint to a surrounding medium, such as a fuel source. The hydraulic joint includes a fitting and a tube. A tip seal may be placed about the edge of the hydraulic fitting or a sleeve may be placed about the joint, each resulting in an independent mechanical barrier between the joint and surrounding medium, thereby preventing spark propagation to the surrounding medium.

Abstract: A method for improving conductance on hydraulic fittings by incorporating a soft metal interlayer between the fitting and a hydraulic tube, wherein the soft metal interlayer is located in an area where the fitting engages the hydraulic tube upon swaging or installation under pressure.

Abstract: A treatment product is disclosed including a natural cellular DNA repair ingredient in combination with at least one other functional component. The natural cellular DNA repair ingredient may be derived from Uncaria tomentosa, Acacia plumose, and/or Uncana rhynchophylla. The treatment product may be internally administered, for example, where the at least one other functional component is selected from pyruvate, niacin, ubiquinone, lipoic acid, L-aspartic acid, citric acid, riboflavin, thiamine, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and magnesium citrate. The treatment product may be topically administered, for example, where the at least one other functional component includes an amino acid, zinc and a hydroxylating active. The amino acid may be glycine, lysine, and/or proline. The hydroxylating active may be alpha-ketoglutarate and/or vitamin C.