Abstract: A tracking system (20) for durable assets such as personal weapons (22) is provided. The tracking system (20) includes a durable asset tag (84) including an RFID transponder physically mounted within an externally exposed cavity of the durable asset (22), and an identification card (32) with a machine-readable unique identifier associated with a person. The system also includes first (40) and second (48) databases, each storing information associated with the durable asset (22), and an interface terminal (56) for receiving a unique identifier from the durable asset tag (84) and the unique identifier from the identification card (32), and which communicates with the databases (40, 48) for checking in or checking out the durable asset (22) to the person having the identification card (32). The durable asset tag (84) may be original to the durable asset (22) or retrofitted thereto after manufacture.

Abstract: A tracking system (20) for durable assets such as personal weapons (22) is provided. The tracking system (20) includes a durable asset tag (84) including an RFID transponder physically mounted within an externally exposed cavity of the durable asset (22), and an identification card (32) with a machine-readable unique identifier associated with a person. The system also includes first (40) and second (48) databases, each storing information associated with the durable asset (22), and an interface terminal (56) for receiving a unique identifier from the durable asset tag (84) and the unique identifier from the identification card (32), and which communicates with the databases (40, 48) for checking in or checking out the durable asset (22) to the person having the identification card (32). The durable asset tag (84) may be original to the durable asset (22) or retrofitted thereto after manufacture.

Abstract: A tracking system for durable assets such as personal weapons is provided. The tracking system includes a durable asset tag including an RFID transponder physically mounted within an externally exposed cavity of the durable asset, and an identification card with a machine-readable third unique identifier associated with a person. Different embodiments are disclosed for the durable asset tag, with one embodiment including a helical antenna connected to the RFID transponder for facilitating communication with an RFID reader. The system also includes first and second databases, each storing information associated with the durable asset, and an AIM interface terminal for receiving the first unique identifier from the durable asset tag and the third unique identifier from the identification card, and which communicates with the databases for checking-in or checking-out the durable asset to the person having the identification card.

Abstract: A tracking system for durable assets such as personal weapons is provided. The tracking system includes a durable asset tag including an RFID transponder physically mounted within an externally exposed cavity of the durable asset, and an identification card with a machine-readable third unique identifier associated with a person. Different embodiments are disclosed for the durable asset tag, with one embodiment including a helical antenna connected to the RFID transponder for facilitating communication with an RFID reader. The system also includes first and second databases, each storing information associated with the durable asset, and an AIM interface terminal for receiving the first unique identifier from the durable asset tag and the third unique identifier from the identification card, and which communicates with the databases for checking-in or checking-out the durable asset to the person having the identification card.

Abstract: An aircraft refueling system incorporates a fuel port adapter configured to allow the use of jet fuel nozzle spout but prevent the use of avgas nozzle spout. The device has an opening that configured to receive a standard jet fuel nozzle spout. The device also includes a blocking plate that prevents a smaller, round standard avgas nozzle spout from being inserted into the opening. In addition, the device includes one or more spring-loaded flapping doors to prevent incorrect refueling while the jet fuel nozzle spout is not inserted through the flapping doors.

Abstract: A method of determining the condition of a bulk tissue sample, by: positioning a bulk tissue sample between a pair of induction coils (or antennae); passing a spectrum of alternating current (or voltage) through a first of the induction coils (or antennae); measuring spectrum of alternating current (or voltage) produced in the second of the induction coils (or antennae); and comparing the phase shift between the spectrum of alternating currents (or voltages) in the first and second induction coils (or antennae), thereby determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample.

Abstract: The headliner comprises guiding means (2) for a concealing element (3), part of a system for concealing a transparent element provided in the roof of a vehicle, guiding means (2) that are disposed in line with the perimeter of at least one opening (4) in said interior lining trim (1) provided to match up with the transparent element in the roof of the vehicle. The guiding means (2) are connected up and supported by said interior lining trim (1), said guiding means (2) acting as a reinforcement element so as to form a strong assembly, which supports the weight of the concealing system and the stresses generated during its operation, together with the interior lining trim (1).

Abstract: An aircraft refueling system incorporates a fuel port adapter configured to allow the use of jet fuel nozzle spout but prevent the use of avgas nozzle spout. The device has an opening that configured to receive a standard jet fuel nozzle spout. The device also includes a blocking plate that prevents a smaller, round standard avgas nozzle spout from being inserted into the opening. In addition, the device includes one or more spring-loaded flapping doors to prevent incorrect refueling while the jet fuel nozzle spout is not inserted through the flapping doors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sunshade for vehicle roofs having a transparent element by means of a flexible element. This device allows maintaining a constant longitudinal and transverse tension in the laminar element during its deployment and stowing. This prevents the appearance of wrinkles in said laminar element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a linear motor armature assembly is provided for maintaining minimal separation between a motor housing and a magnet plate, wherein the motor housing has a housing opening formed at a side of the motor housing facing the magnet plate. The method includes: a) covering the housing opening with a thin sheet of non-magnetic material having a thickness of less than approximately 0.015 inch to enclose the coil assembly within the motor housing; and b) drawing a cooling fluid through the motor housing to create a negative pressure within the cooling fluid and to cool the coil assembly.

Abstract: A linear motor armature includes a sealed metal case having a base portion with at least one cooling channel formed therein and having a central chamber. An epoxy block is disposed within the central chamber. A lamination stack is disposed within the epoxy block. A coil assembly is disposed within the lamination stack, and the coil assembly is cooled by means of the cooling channel. Preferably, more than one cooling channel is provided to facilitate bi-directional cooling flow.

Abstract: A two piece connecting rod assembly for a axial cylinder, internal combustion engine with each rod half having a bearing sleeve at each end for pivotal engagement with the universal joint turnion. The two rods are connected to each other at their centers and spaced apart concentric relations through a pair of raised bosses with mating surfaces and a bolt for retention of the two rod halves as a unified structure.

Abstract: A fuel injection type aircraft fuel system for piston aircraft engines including a gravity flow fuel tank in the aircraft; a pressurized fuel metering unit on the aircraft engine; a fuel line connecting the metering unit to the fuel tank; an engine driven pump in said fuel line positioned in the engine compartment; a vapor separator in said fuel line between the engine driven pump and the fuel metering unit; a first vapor vent line connecting the vapor separator to the fuel tank; a fuel reservoir in said fuel line between the fuel tank and the engine driven pump; a submerged auxiliary pump in said reservoir to charge said system; an auxiliary pump bypass valve connected and parallel to said auxiliary pump; and a second vapor vent line connecting the reservoir to the fuel tank.

Abstract: A linear motor armature includes a sealed metal case having a central chamber formed therein. A lamination stack is disposed within the central chamber and includes a coil assembly disposed within the lamination stack. The central chamber is flooded with an electrically nonconductive fluid, such as oil, for cooling the coil. The cooling oil is flowed in opposing directions to facilitate bidirectional cooling of the coil.

Abstract: A detonation detection system for internal combustion piston engines which senses pressure within each cylinder through a piezoelectric force transducers installed under each spark plug producing pressure charged signals which signal is converted from inline charge to voltage. The signal is then passed through a gating comparator which segregates out the low pressure signals associated with intake and exhaust strokes. The signal then passes through a high-pass filter which removes normal combustion pressures. The filtered signal is then processed through an RMS (root mean square) to a DC converter which continuously computes the instantaneous square of the input signal, averages it, and takes the square root of the result to provide a DC voltage proportional to the RMS of the input. The DC signal is then processed through a peak and hold circuit which holds the peak signal for an adjustable reset-time period.

Abstract: The system is an on-board and in-line system for blending two fuels of known characteristics to achieve instantaneous in-line change in the octane rating of fuel flowing to the engine. The blending system provides a means of precise in-line blending of two reference fuels in an on-board aircraft or land vehicle installation. Based on appropriate calibration blending curves, the system will provide instantaneous indications of both lean and rich performance ratings of the fuel. Instantaneous lean and rich performance ratings of the blended fuel streams may be recorded concurrently with engine parameters and ambient test data, and with combustion knock severity numbers derived from the previously mentioned detonation indication system.

Abstract: The invention is a method of forming a spherical bearing shell comprising an overlay casting process which utilizes a ceramic insert having a semi-spherical close-tolerance outer surface with a casting sprue opening therethrough and lubrication ribs on said outer surface. The ceramic insert is placed within structural bearing housing, defining an overlay cavity therebetween which is then cast with a molten bearing alloy into the sprue opening of the insert to a level above the height of the overlay cavity. The sprue opening is then back-drilled so that the ceramic insert and plug of bearing alloy can be separated from the bearing housing and overlay surface leaving a semi-spherical bearing surface with lubrication grooves cast therein.

Abstract: A barrel type internal combustion engine having a plurality of axially-positioned cylinders, with reciprocating pistons, arranged in a circular pattern with a drive shaft supported in a cylinder block in a cantilevered manner by a sleeve bearing and a wobble spider rotatably supported on an offset portion of the drive shaft by a second sleeve bearing. A first roller bearing positioned between the offset portion of the drive shaft and the wobble spider, and another roller bearing at the opposite end of the drive shaft acting in opposition to the first roller between the shaft and the engine block supporting thrust loads.

Abstract: A fuel-injection system for a stratified charge hybrid internal combustion engine including a main combustion chamber and prechamber, fuel injectors in both the main chamber and the prechamber which open at higher and lower pressure levels respectively to sequentially inject fuel into the prechamber and main chamber. The system also includes a timed-spark ignition means in the prechamber and an engine-driven and timed fuel injection pump having a variable output capacity which varies with the power level requirements, the injection pump being supplied by a low pressure charge pump.

Abstract: A low compression reciprocating internal combustion piston engine with a prechamber in the head connected to a main combustion chamber in the piston, the prechamber having an igniter, a pilot fuel injector and connecting lineal passage; the main chamber including a fuel injector for mixing the prechamber gases with the gases being compressed in the cylinder. The engine is a hybrid having transitional combustion modes from spark-ignited stratified charge mode at low power, to a spark-assisted compression ignition at higher power loads, and a strictly compression ignition mode at maximum power loads.