Abstract: A brake control system includes an interface controller configured to communicate with different control paths of sources for control of a brake system of a vehicle system. Each of the control paths is configured to communicate a control signal from a different source of the sources to control operation of the brake system. The interface controller is configured to arbitrate between the control signals concurrently received from the different sources via the control paths to dictate which of the different sources controls operation of the brake system at different times and prevent control by other sources of the different sources from concurrently controlling the operation of the brake system.

Abstract: A brake control system includes an interface controller configured to communicate with different control paths of sources for control of a brake system of a vehicle system. Each of the control paths is configured to communicate a control signal from a different source of the sources to control operation of the brake system. The interface controller is configured to arbitrate between the control signals concurrently received from the different sources via the control paths to dictate which of the different sources controls operation of the brake system at different times and prevent control by other sources of the different sources from concurrently controlling the operation of the brake system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described herein for providing a test, validation, and debug architecture. At a target or base level, hardware hooks (Design for Test or DFx) are designed into and integrated with silicon parts. A controller may provide abstracted access to such hooks, such as through an abstraction layer that abstracts low level details of the hardware DFx. In addition, the abstraction layer through an interface, such as APIs, provides services, routines, and data structures to higher-level software/presentation layers, which are able to collect test data for validation and debug of a unit/platform under test. Moreover, the architecture potentially provides tiered (multiple levels of) secure access to the test architecture. Additionally, physical access to the test architecture for a platform may be simplified through use of a unified, bi-directional test access port, while also potentially allowing remote access to perform remote test and debug of a part/platform under test.

Abstract: A lockable retainer assembly adapted for retaining or releasing a panel having at least one edge by preventing or allowing movement of an edge of the panel. The lockable retainer assembly includes a rocker rotatably disposed at the edge, the rocker having a slot and is configured to protrude into the panel's path of movement when the rocker is rotatably disposed in a relaxed position. The rocker is configured to clear the panel's path of movement when the rocker is rotatably disposed in a depressed position. A lock is slidingly disposed within the slot and adapted to prevent rotation of the rocker when the lock is disposed in a relaxed position and allow rotation of the rocker when the lock is disposed in a depressed position. In the depressed position, the clears the path of movement of the panel, enabling the panel to be inserted or removed through the path.

Abstract: A lockable retainer assembly adapted for retaining or releasing a panel having at least one edge by preventing or allowing movement of an edge of the panel. The lockable retainer assembly includes a rocker rotatably disposed at the edge, the rocker having a slot and is configured to protrude into the panel's path of movement when the rocker is rotatably disposed in a relaxed position. The rocker is configured to clear the panel's path of movement when the rocker is rotatably disposed in a depressed position. A lock is slidingly disposed within the slot and adapted to prevent rotation of the rocker when the lock is disposed in a relaxed position and allow rotation of the rocker when the lock is disposed in a depressed position. In the depressed position, the clears the path of movement of the panel, enabling the panel to be inserted or removed through the path.

Abstract: A method for controlling coupler nodes in a vehicle system includes monitoring coupler forces between vehicle units in the vehicle system. The vehicle units include plural propulsion-generating vehicles. The method also includes identifying one or more nodes in the vehicle system based on the coupler forces. The one or more nodes represent one or more respective locations in the vehicle system disposed between a tensile section of the vehicle system experiencing a tensile force and a compressive section of the vehicle system experiencing a compressive force. The method also includes independently controlling tractive operations of the propulsion-generating vehicles based on the one or more nodes that are identified in order to control at least one of a number of the one or more nodes that are identified in the vehicle system or the one or more locations of the one or more nodes.

Abstract: A method for controlling coupler nodes in a vehicle system includes monitoring coupler forces between vehicle units in the vehicle system. The vehicle units include plural propulsion-generating vehicles. The method also includes identifying one or more nodes in the vehicle system based on the coupler forces. The one or more nodes represent one or more respective locations in the vehicle system disposed between a tensile section of the vehicle system experiencing a tensile force and a compressive section of the vehicle system experiencing a compressive force. The method also includes independently controlling tractive operations of the propulsion-generating vehicles based on the one or more nodes that are identified in order to control at least one of a number of the one or more nodes that are identified in the vehicle system or the one or more locations of the one or more nodes.

Abstract: A communication management system for a vehicle includes a control module, a communication module, and a management module. The control module is disposed on-board a lead powered unit of the vehicle. The control module is configured to automatically change propulsion energy settings of a remote powered unit of the vehicle. The communication module transmits instructions to the remote powered unit to automatically change the propulsion energy settings of the remote powered unit. The communication module identifies communication gaps that represent interruption in one or more communication connections between the lead powered unit and the remote powered unit. The management module compares the propulsion energy settings of the lead powered unit and of the remote powered unit during the communication gaps and, based on the propulsion energy settings, prevents the control module from switching from automatic control of the propulsion energy settings of the remote powered unit to manual control.

Abstract: A communication management system for a vehicle includes a control module, a communication module, and a management module. The control module is disposed on-board a lead powered unit of the vehicle. The control module is configured to automatically change propulsion energy settings of a remote powered unit of the vehicle. The communication module transmits instructions to the remote powered unit to automatically change the propulsion energy settings of the remote powered unit. The communication module identifies communication gaps that represent interruption in one or more communication connections between the lead powered unit and the remote powered unit. The management module compares the propulsion energy settings of the lead powered unit and of the remote powered unit during the communication gaps and, based on the propulsion energy settings, prevents the control module from switching from automatic control of the propulsion energy settings of the remote powered unit to manual control.

Abstract: A floating garden device for displaying and watering at least one living plant as the garden floats on a body of water. The device is composed of a buoyant body and at least one plant mounting recess attached to the buoyant body. The recess is comprised of a sidewall and a bottom. The bottom is positioned in a non-horizontal orientation, generally forming an angle between five degrees and forty-five degrees. The recess is located such that only a portion of the bottom is in fluid communication with the water, thus not submerging the entire bottom. The garden device may have at least one fluid passageway extending through the mounting recess bottom such that the water may fill the submerged portion of the mounting recess, or it may have a wicking device attached to the recess bottom such that the wicking device extends into the water.

Abstract: A system for charging a battery is described. The system includes a direct current (DC) power source configured to supply a DC power source output signal, a converter configured to convert the DC power source output signal into a converter output signal, a battery coupled to the converter and having a plurality of terminals, and a controller configured to receive a measure of a terminal charge across the terminals and configured to adjust a power that charges the battery based on the terminal charge.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a battery is electrically and physically connected to a battery charger includes monitoring a battery charging voltage supplied by a battery charger that has superimposed a known signal on the battery charging voltage, and determining that the battery charger is connected when the known superimposed signal is present and that the battery charger is not connected when the known superimposed signal is absent.

Abstract: A truss structure well suited for use as an engine strut on a commercial aircraft. The truss structure is cast as a single piece integrally formed component from a titanium alloy or another suitably lightweight, structurally strong material. The truss structure includes a plurality of integrally formed attachment structures which enable the truss structure to be secured to an element of an aircraft such as a wing. A plurality of attachment areas for an element such as an engine is also formed that allows the element (e.g. jet engine) to be secured to the truss structure. The truss structure includes a plurality of elongated rails and truss elements that are arranged to provide redundant load paths to ensure that a failure of any one truss element or elongated rail will not result in a failure of the overall truss structure to support whatever load is required.

Abstract: A method for charging a plurality of batteries wherein each battery includes an anode and a cathode. The method includes electrically coupling n batteries to form a string of batteries, electrically coupling n battery charger assemblies to the n batteries such that each respective battery charger assembly is coupled to an anode and a cathode of a respective battery, and charging the plurality of batteries utilizing the n battery charger assemblies.

Abstract: A floating garden device for displaying and watering at least one living plant as the garden floats on a body of water. The device is composed of a buoyant body and at least one plant mounting recess attached to the buoyant body. The recess is comprised of a sidewall and a bottom. The bottom is positioned in a non-horizontal orientation, generally forming an angle between five degrees and forty-five degrees. The recess is located such that only a portion of the bottom is in fluid communication with the water, thus not submerging the entire bottom. The garden device may have at least one fluid passageway extending through the mounting recess bottom such that the water may fill the submerged portion of the mounting recess, or it may have a wicking device attached to the recess bottom such that the wicking device extends into the water.

Abstract: A truss structure well suited for use as an engine strut on a commercial aircraft. The truss structure is cast as a single piece integrally formed component from a titanium alloy or another suitably lightweight, structurally strong material. The truss structure includes a plurality of integrally formed attachment structures which enable the truss structure to be secured to an element of an aircraft such as a wing. A plurality of attachment areas for an element such as an engine is also formed that allows the element (e.g. jet engine) to be secured to the truss structure. The truss structure includes a plurality of elongated rails and truss elements that are arranged to provide redundant load paths to ensure that a failure of any one truss element or elongated rail will not result in a failure of the overall truss structure to support whatever load is required.

Abstract: An electrically heated apparatus for dispensing fragrancing materials and other volatile substances to an enclosed volume comprising a container containing a quantity of a volatile substance, heating means, transfer means for transferring said volatile substance towards said heating means and a portable power supply for energising said heating means, characterised in that said heating means comprises a flexible thin film heater.

Abstract: A handheld device is provided in communication with an EEPROM in a control of a vehicle. Software in the device provides for reading EEPROM settings, writing EEPROM settings, retrieving fault data, a sentry monitoring mode, and flash downloading the control. A system for communicating with the control includes the handheld device, the control including an EEPROM, a communications link between the handheld device and the control, and software loaded into the handheld device for reading and updating settings stored in the EEPROM. A storage medium and a method provides an install tool for installing computer program code onto the handheld device and displaying a main menu, the main menu listing options for communicating between the computer and the EEPROM, the options including EEPROM settings, fault and sentry, and flash download.