Abstract: A method for installing an interior structure for a mobile platform is provided. The method includes carrying a lightweight collapsible frame through a man-door of a mobile platform while the collapsible frame is in a collapsed state. The collapsed frame is then expanded to provide at least a portion of a load bearing frame for a mobile platform interior structure. A plurality of interchangeable panels are removable attached to the collapsible frame to form interior surfaces of the mobile platform interior structure.

Abstract: A wheeled conveyance comprising a chassis (4), support means for a load mounted on the chassis (4), a suspension assembly mounted on the chassis (4), and at least one shock absorber means (38) acting on at least part of the suspension assembly and adapted and arranged to limit tilting of the chassis (4) relative to at least part of the suspension assembly under dynamic load conditions tending to produce such tilting. The suspension assembly comprises spring means (32) and suspension arms pivotably mounted on the chassis (4) and extending in forward and rearward directions in the region of opposite sides of the chassis (4). Each suspension arm has a wheel (16, 26) rotatably mounted at the free end.

Abstract: An interior structure for a mobile platform is provided. The interior structure is constructed of a lightweight collapsible frame that can be reconfigured from a compact, substantially flat collapsed state to a non-compact, substantially sprawling expanded state. In the expanded state, the collapsible frame provides at least a portion of a structural load bearing frame for the interior structure. The interior structure additionally includes a plurality of interchangeable panels that attach to the collapsible frame to form interior surfaces of the structure. The panels form such things as the interior wall, ceiling and floor surfaces and can also include amenities such as shelves, lights, beds, closets, electrical outlets, Internet connections and entertainment equipment. The interior structure can be carried though the typical man-door of a mobile platform.

Abstract: A method for brominating hydroxyaromatic compounds to form products, such as p-bromophenol, is disclosed. The method uses elemental bromine as the brominating agent and comprises contacting a hydroxyaromatic compound with bromine and oxygen in the presence of metal catalyst. Suitable catalysts include elemental copper, copper compounds, and compounds of Group IV–VIII transition metals.

Abstract: Brominated hydroxyaromatic compounds such as p-bromophenol are prepared by contacting a hydroxyaromatic compound with oxygen and a bromine source such as hydrogen bromide or an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal bromide in an acidic medium, in the presence of elemental copper or a copper compound as catalyst. The brominated product of this reaction may be converted alternately to a dihydroxyaromatic compound such as hydroquinone by hydrolyses, or a dihydroxybiphenyl compound such as 4,4?-dihydroxybiphenyl by reductive coupling.

Abstract: A crew rest module for use in a mobile platform, particularly on commercial aircraft. The crew rest module in one implementation forms a pair of laterally adjacent crew rest compartments that each include a reclinable seat and a dedicated stairway for ingress and egress. The crew rest compartments are further elevated above a main floor of the cabin of a mobile platform to provide a degree of storage space underneath the crew rest compartments. Another embodiment provides a crew rest module having upper and lower crew rest compartments, with each compartment including a berth and a seat disposed laterally adjacent its associated berth. A stairway allows access to the upper crew rest compartment. Each of the modules provide a highly space efficient area that can accommodate a pair of crew members simultaneously and provide a degree of privacy for each crew member for rest and relaxation. The module further makes efficient use of the crown area of a commercial aircraft.

Abstract: A cabin crew area (10) of an aircraft (14) includes an aft area (16) with multiple galley carts (30). The aft area (16) has a fore/aft depth that is approximately equal to the depth of two or more of the galley carts (30). A galley storage unit (32) resides in the aft area (16) and stores the galley carts (30). The galley storage unit (32) is configured for placement of a portion of the galley carts (30) in a lateral row in a forward section (42) of the aft area (16). A main counter (34) resides over the galley storage unit (32) and extends laterally across a galley-servicing area (12) of the aircraft (14).

Abstract: A method for preparing hydroxyaromatic compounds brominated in the para-position, such as p-bromophenol, is disclosed. The method yields overall high process selectivity through isomeric equilibration and separation of the brominated products, thereby eliminating the need for high para selectivity in the products of catalytic oxybromination reactions of hydroxyaromatic compounds using oxygen, a bromine source, and an acidic medium in the presence of a metal catalyst. Furthermore, the invention provides an efficient method for recycling the metal catalyst, as well as reagents used in the bromination, to further reactions.

Abstract: An overhead area access staircase stowage system (7) includes a servicing unit (10) having a stowage unit and a staircase (12) proximate to the stowage unit. The staircase (12) has a stowed state (18) and a deployed state (20). The staircase (12) includes multiple stair elements (40) and a state actuating system (60). The state actuating system (60) transitions the stair elements (40) between the stowed state (18) and the deployed state (20).

Abstract: A staircase system (2) includes a rail element (40) and multiple stair elements (42). Baluster elements (44) are coupled to the rail element (40) and to the stair elements (42). A center support system (46) is coupled to and supports the rail element (40) and the stair elements (42). The center support system (46) has a stowed state and a deployed state.

Abstract: A modular overhead privacy system for a mobile platform, in one form, includes a plurality of independent privacy modules located longitudinally spaced apart, above a passenger cabin, in an overhead crown area of the mobile platform. The system additionally includes a plurality of private access stairways providing access to the privacy modules from the passenger cabin. Each private module is accessible by an independent one of the private access stairways. Each privacy module includes at least one berth that provides a passenger or crew member a private reposing space separate from the passenger cabin. In one embodiment the privacy modules are longitudinally spaced apart in accordance with a seat pitch of a plurality of rows of seats in the passenger cabin. In another embodiment the seats are positioned adjacent one another behind a stairway leading the overhead privacy module. The system can be employed in either a passenger cabin area or a crew member area of a mobile platform.

Abstract: A modular overhead privacy system for a mobile platform is provided. The modular overhead privacy system includes a plurality of independent privacy modules located longitudinally spaced apart, above a passenger cabin, in an overhead crown area of the mobile platform. The modular overhead privacy system additionally includes a plurality of private access stairways providing access to the privacy modules from the passenger cabin. Each private module is accessible by an independent one of the private access stairways. Each privacy module includes at least one berth that provides a passenger or crew member a private reposing space separate from the passenger cabin. The privacy modules are longitudinally spaced apart in accordance with a seat pitch of a plurality of rows of seats in the passenger cabin. Therefore, each access stairway descends from the respective privacy module such that a bottom portion of the access stairway encroaches a single seat location within a specific row of seats.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a bis(hydroxy-aromatic) compound which comprises the steps of: contacting at least one halo-substituted hydroxy-aromatic compound in a solvent mixture comprising water and at least one organic solvent in the presence of at least one base, at least one catalyst comprising palladium and hydrogen gas at a pressure in a range of between atmospheric pressure and 350 Kilopascals.

Abstract: A method is described for the simultaneous preparation of p-bromophenols and p-benzoquinones, intermediates useful in the preparation of hydroquinones and 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyls, respectively. Hydroquinones and 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyls are useful monomers for the preparation of a variety of polymers. The method also comprises reducing the p-benzoquinone to its corresponding hydroquinone in the presence of the p-bromophenol. Limiting the amount of HBr present in the reaction mixture was shown to control the amount of benzoquinone produced. The method also allows for the recycling of many of the reagents used, thereby reducing the cost of producing each monomer.

Abstract: A method is described for the simultaneous preparation of p-bromophenols and p-benzoquinones, intermediates useful in the preparation of hydroquinones and 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyls, respectively. Hydroquinones and 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyls are useful monomers for the preparation of a variety of polymers. The method also comprises reducing the p-benzoquinone to its corresponding hydroquinone in the presence of the p-bromophenol. Limiting the amount of HBr present in the reaction mixture was shown to control the amount of benzoquinone produced. The method also allows for the recycling of many of the reagents used, thereby reducing the cost of producing each monomer.

Abstract: Brominated hydroxyaromatic compounds such as p-bromophenol are prepared by contacting a hydroxyaromatic compound with oxygen and a bromine source such as hydrogen bromide or an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal bromide in an acidic medium, in the presence of elemental copper or a copper compound as catalyst. The brominated product of this reaction may be converted alternately to a dihydroxyaromatic compound such as hydroquinone by hydrolyses, or a dihydroxybiphenyl compound such as 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl by reductive coupling.

Abstract: A method is described for the simultaneous preparation of 4-bromophenols and p-benzoquinones, intermediates useful in the preparation of hydroquinones and 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyls respectively. Hydroquinones and 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyls are useful monomers for the preparation of a variety of polymers. In one example phenol is reacted with in the presence of HBr, a catalytic amount of cupric bromide and a stoichiometric excess of oxygen under relatively mild conditions to provide a mixture of the phenol, 4-bromophenol, and 1,4-benzoquinone. Phenol conversion was 54 percent and selectivities for bromophenol and benzoquinone were 23% and 37% respectively. Limiting the amount of HBr present in the reaction mixture was shown to control the amount of benzoquinone produced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing interference between simultaneously-running processes in a set top box processing system which attempt to access certain shared processing hardware such as a drawing acceleration engine. A graphics processor or other device such as a CPU associated with the processor includes a register with an acquire bit portion and a process identifier portion. When a given process requests access to a graphics engine or other shared processing hardware, a determination is made as to whether the acquire bit of the register is set. A set acquire bit indicates that some process has already been granted access to the engine. If the acquire bit is not set, the requesting process is granted access to the engine, and its process identifier is stored in the process identifier portion of the register.