Abstract: A distributed ledger-based system, method and apparatus for managing tasks. An authorization record proposal is validated by a localized blockchain authorization network against a validated schema published by, in some cases, a core blockchain network. Once validated, it is published on a localized channel for use by other nodes to validate actions of the task as the task is being performed. Data relating to completed tasks may be shared in accordance with sharing information in the validated authorization record and the data may be deleted upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A wooden cable reel has a drum made of a plurality of staves and flanges secured at the ends of the drum. A steel support ring is rolled from a strip to have a diameter corresponding to the interior diameter of the drum and the ends of the strip are welded together. The support ring extends around the interior of the drum intermediate its ends and is secured to the drum from the inside by fasteners extending through the ring and into the interior surface of the drum. The support ring resists inwardly directed forces applied to the drum when cable is wound onto the reel and thus prevents the drum from deforming or collapsing.

Abstract: A wooden cable reel has a drum made of a plurality of staves and flanges secured at the ends of the drum. A steel support ring is rolled from a strip to have a diameter corresponding to the interior diameter of the drum and the ends of the strip are welded together. The support ring extends around the interior of the drum intermediate its ends and is secured to the drum from the inside by fasteners extending through the ring and into the interior surface of the drum. The support ring resists inwardly directed forces applied to the drum when cable is wound onto the reel and thus prevents the drum from deforming or collapsing.

Abstract: A self propelled robotic vehicle that faithfully follows a portable receiver at a defined distance can sense an impending collision with a solid object in its path and stops prior to collision. The vehicle observes objects that are parallel to its course and if within a distance of <200 mm inhibits the steering such that the vehicle is not able to collide even if the receiver instructs a convergence path. The vehicle stops and ceases moving if it contacts any solid object. The vehicle can sense unsafe gradients and ceases following if acceptable operating limits are exceeded. The vehicle can be used as a golf caddy, transport vehicle or cart, robotic pallet and robotic assistant.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for startup characterization in a turbine engine that provides the ability to accurately characterize engine startup. The startup characterization system and method uses engine temperature sensor data and engine speed sensor data to accurately characterize the startup of the turbine engine by determining when several key engine startup conditions are reached. By storing and analyzing engine sensor data taken during these key conditions of engine startup, the system and method is able to accurately characterize the performance of the engine during startup. This information can be used as part of a trending system to determine when faults in the start transient regime are occurring or likely to occur. Additionally, this information can be used in real time by control systems to better control the startup and operation of the turbine engine.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that facilitates improved fault detection. The fault detection system provides the ability to detect symptoms of fault in the fuel system of a turbine engine. The fault detection system captures selected data from the turbine engines that is used to characterize the performance of the fuel system. The fault detection system includes a feature extractor that extracts salient features from the selected sensor data. The extracted salient features are passed to a classifier that analyzes the extracted salient features to determine if a fault is occurring or has occurred in the turbine engine fuel system. Detected faults can then be passed to a diagnostic system where they can be passed as appropriate to maintenance personnel.

Abstract: A method, computer program, and system for paging platform configuration registers in and out of a trusted platform module. In a trusted computing platform, an unlimited number of platform configuration registers can be obtained through paging. The trust platform module encrypts and decrypts platform configuration registers for storage outside the trusted platform module.

Abstract: A solution for verifying an attribute of a computing device. In particular, a computing device can obtain an attribute from another computing device. The attribute can be measure by, for example, a Trusted Platform Module integrated on the other computing device. The computing device can then use an attestation server to determine whether the attribute reflects a desirable value or indicates that the other computing device may have been compromised.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting anomalies in turbine engines emanating from the main shaft and/or main shaft bearings. The anomaly detection system includes a sensor data processor and a matrix analysis mechanism. The sensor data processor receives engine sensor data, including main engine speed data during spin down, and formats the engine sensor data into an appropriate matrix. The matrix analysis mechanism receives the sensor data matrix and performs a singular value analysis on the sensor data matrix to detect potential anomalies in the turbine engine main shaft and/or bearings. The output of the matrix analysis mechanism is passed to a diagnostic system where further evaluation of the anomaly detection determination can occur.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing a turbine engine includes the steps of acquiring engine operating parameters; calculating corresponding engine residual values; computing the mean and the standard deviation of each engine residual value; normalizing dynamically each engine residual value to yield normalized engine residuals; mapping, via a cluster technique mapping, the normalized engine residuals as input vectors into an engine condition space having clusters representing either normal vector engine conditions or faulty vector engine conditions; and identifying a closest cluster within the engine condition space to determine whether the engine under analysis is normal or faulty. A belief factor may be obtained as a function of the distances between the input vectors and specific clusters.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for shared access to secure computing resources are provided. The apparatus, system, and method include a secure computing module. The secure computing module transacts a secure function for two or more computing modules including an excluding computing module configured to exclusively access the secure computing module. The secure computing module identifies a first computing module transacting the secure function and sets the context of the secure computing module to the first computing module context. The first computing module transacts the secure function, but cannot transact the secure function for a second computing module. The second computing module may also transact the secure function, but may not transact the secure function for the first computing module.

Abstract: A method for a plurality of key cache managers for a plurality of localities to share cryptographic key storage resources of a security chip, includes: loading an application key into the key storage; and saving a restoration data for the application key by a key cache manager, where the restoration data can be used by the key cache manager to reload the application key into the key storage if the application key is evicted from the key storage by another key cache manager. The method allows each of a plurality of key cache managers to recognize that is key had been removed from the security chip and to restore its key. The method also allows each key cache manager to evict or destroy any key currently loaded on the security chip without affecting the functionality of other localities.

Abstract: A method and system for encrypting non-volatile storage regions, such as volumes, accessible by multiple users. A plurality of non-volatile storage regions is encrypted each with a different encryption key. A subset of the encryption keys is made available to each user thereby granting the user access to a corresponding subset of non-volatile storage regions. To protect a user's encryption keys, a private-public encryption key pair is generated, the private key being made available only to that user. The subset of the user's encryption keys is encrypted using the user's public encryption key. The users' private keys can be stored in a secure encryption module and can be protected with a password. Upon authenticating a user, the corresponding encryption keys may be provided to the user after decrypting the encryption keys using the user's private key. The contents of the non-volatile storage regions are then decrypted using the encryption keys.

Abstract: A system and method that provides improved fault detection in turbine engines is disclosed. The fault detection system provides the ability to detect symptoms of engine faults based on a relatively limited number of engine parameters that are sampled relatively infrequently. The fault detection system includes a sensor data processor that receives engine sensor data during operation and augments the sensor data. The augmented data set is passed to a fuzzy logic inference system that determines the likelihood that a fault has occurred. The inference system output can then be passed to a diagnostic system where evaluation of the output may yield a detailed diagnostic result and a prediction horizon.

Abstract: A cable end fitting assembly, adapted for attachment to a mounting plate in a motor vehicle, has a circumferential groove for receiving the edge of the mounting plate. A second part of the assembly is rotatable relative to the circumferential groove, and has a thumb pad for pressing the assembly into a recess in the mounting plate. The thumb pad also serves to align the assembly in the recess so that resillient projections extending from the assembly can engage indentations in the recess to secure the assembly to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A portable exercise apparatus sufficiently lightweight and compact to easily fit into a travel bag for use at remote locations, comprising a rigid telescoping pole that can be temporarily locked at an intermediate length depending on the exercise, an elastic member having handles on each end and removably and slidably coupled to the pole through an attachment collar. The attachment collar has an inwardly facing gripping surface for gripping a portion of the outer surface of the pole and an outward facing coupling ring for encircling a portion of the elastic member and thereby causing the elastic member to be removably and slidably coupled to the pole.

Abstract: A cable end fitting assembly comprising a first portion including a circumferential groove for receiving an edge of a mounting plate, and a second portion rotatably connected to the first portion, the second portion comprising a thumb pad for pressing the assembly into a recess in the mounting plate and for aligning the assembly within the recess, and resilient legs to engage complementary indentations in the recess to secure the cable end fitting to the mounting plate.

Abstract: An aqueous immersion bath contains a water-soluble peroxide compound and a transition metal salt and is used to activate the surface of a thermoplastic olefin prior to the application of a coating thereon. After immersion of the thermoplastic olefin material in the aqueous immersion bath, an improved adhesion between the coating and the surface of the thermoplastic olefin material is obtained.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes outer and inner liners defining a combustion chamber and an igniter mounted to the outer liner. A dome plate is disposed between the outer and inner liners and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings formed therein. A fuel-air mixer is disposed in each one of the openings; each fuel-air mixer includes a swirler mounted in the corresponding opening and a fuel nozzle received in the corresponding swirler. Two adjacent ones of the swirlers are low air flow swirlers in general circumferential alignment with the igniter and the rest of the swirlers are higher air flow swirlers. Each one of the fuel nozzles provides a similar amount of fuel so that the two fuel-air mixers having low air flow swirlers produce a local region of increased fuel-to-air ratio in the vicinity of the igniter.