Abstract: A system and method for plating a workpiece are described. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a deposition chamber, a workpiece holder adapted for insertion into and removal from the deposition chamber, a shield with patterns of apertures corresponding to features on the workpiece, a shield holder also adapted for insertion into and removal from the deposition chamber and a positioning mechanism to position the workpiece in the workpiece holder such that the pattern of apertures on the shield will align with the corresponding features on the workpiece when the workpiece holder and shield holder are inserted into the deposition chamber.

Abstract: A freeze drying vessel having a drying chamber and moveable transfer belts each moved by a driven drum. Each transfer belt includes a transfer surface that transports frozen particles. Each transfer surface is arranged vertically in the chamber and moves in an opposite direction than a lower transfer surface. A removal device is located adjacent each driven drum that removes frozen particles from an end of each transfer surface, respectively, to enable removed frozen particles to flow downward to a lower transfer surface. A heating element is located adjacent each transfer belt to sublimate the frozen particles to form freeze dried product.

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods include using an automated laser system to remove a portion of a coating for nutplate installation. An automated laser system comprises a laser scanner and a laser head, wherein the laser head is coupled to the laser scanner. The laser head comprises a containment unit and a vacuum connector wherein the vacuum connector is disposed on a first side of the containment unit. The laser head further comprises a camera system, a light source, a first actuator, and a second actuator all disposed on a top surface of the containment unit. The laser head further comprises an end piece, wherein the second actuator is configured to displace the end piece.

Abstract: A system includes a robotic arm, a rotisserie control linkage, and a computer system. The robotic arm includes a touch probe and laser head. The rotisserie control linkage is configured to couple to a transport cart. The computer system is communicatively coupled to the robotic arm and the rotisserie control linkage and is configured to control the system to probe, using the touch probe of the robotic arm, a transparent outer layer of an aircraft canopy located on the transport cart in order to determine surface measurements of the aircraft canopy. The computer system also controls the system to ablate, using a plurality of predetermined parameters and the laser head of the robotic arm, an interface layer located between the transparent outer layer and the aircraft canopy, wherein movements of the robotic arm during the ablation are based on the surface measurements.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage and an engine housed in the fuselage. A ram-air engine inlet is formed on an exterior of the fuselage. The ram-air engine inlet is defined, at least in part, by a cowling door. The cowling door is moveable between a closed position and an open position. An intake duct fluidly couples the ram-air engine inlet to the engine. A filter is disposed across the intake duct. A bypass duct is formed in the ram-air engine inlet aft of the intake duct. The bypass duct is operable to be selectively opened and closed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods include using an automated laser system to remove a portion of a coating for nutplate installation. An automated laser system comprises a laser scanner and a laser head, wherein the laser head is coupled to the laser scanner. The laser head comprises a containment unit and a vacuum connector wherein the vacuum connector is disposed on a first side of the containment unit. The laser head further comprises a camera system, a light source, a first actuator, and a second actuator all disposed on a top surface of the containment unit. The laser head further comprises an end piece, wherein the second actuator is configured to displace the end piece.

Abstract: A node in a power distribution system is described. The node includes an electrical connection to a single-phase power signal from an AC mains power source, a wireless communication interface configured to receive a first phase synchronization message, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether the first phase synchronization message is acceptable and detect a zero-crossing event on the single phase power signal subsequent to the receipt of the first phase synchronization message in response to determining that the first phase synchronization message is acceptable. The controller is further configured to calculate a time difference between the receipt of the first phase synchronization signal and the detected zero-crossing event, determine a local phase angle based on the time difference, and establish an identity of the single phase power signal based on the local phase angle.

Abstract: Systems for determining a phase of a device coupled to an electrical distribution system. The system includes a number of gateway devices configured to transmit a synchronization signal. The gateway device receives a node response message from a first node device that includes a duration value indicating a time between a receipt of the transmitted synchronization signal and a detected zero crossing. The gateway device compares the duration value against duration values received from node devices with a known phase connection and determines a phase of the first node device based on the comparison.

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods include using an automated laser system to remove a portion of a coating for nutplate installation. An automated laser system comprises a laser scanner and a laser head, wherein the laser head is coupled to the laser scanner. The laser head comprises a containment unit and a vacuum connector wherein the vacuum connector is disposed on a first side of the containment unit. The laser head further comprises a camera system, a light source, a first actuator, and a second actuator all disposed on a top surface of the containment unit. The laser head further comprises an end piece, wherein the second actuator is configured to displace the end piece.

Abstract: A system includes an abrasion assembly containing one or more abrasion pads configured to clean a faying surface of multiple nutplates, and a shaft attached to at least one of the abrasion pads and configured to rotate some or all of the abrasion pads during cleaning, wherein cleaning includes abrading the faying surfaces with the abrasion pads. The system also includes a base configured to attach to a pressure applicator, and a pressure applicator configured to attach to the base, hold the nutplates such that the faying surface of each nutplate is capable of contacting one of the abrasion pads, and apply pressure to the nutplates such that each of the nutplates contact one of the abrasion pads during the cleaning. Furthermore, the abrasion assembly is configured to rotate the abrasion pads within at least one of the base and the pressure applicator during cleaning.

Abstract: A system includes an abrasion component containing an abrasion pad configured to clean a faying surface of a nutplate and a shaft attached to the abrasion pad and configured to rotate the shaft and the abrasion pad during cleaning of the nutplate, which includes abrading the faying surface with the abrasion pad. The system further includes a base configured to attach to a pressure applicator, and the pressure applicator, which is configured to attach to the base, hold the nutplate such that the faying surface is capable of contacting the abrasion pad during the cleaning of the nutplate, and apply pressure to the nutplate such that the nutplate contacts the abrasion pad during the cleaning of the nutplate. Furthermore, the abrasion component is configured to rotate the abrasion pad within at least one of the base and the pressure applicator during the cleaning of the nutplate.

Abstract: An air intake system (AIS) has a plenum and an inlet barrier filter associated with the plenum, through which air can selectively enter the plenum. The AIS also has an inlet duct associated with the plenum, through which air can selectively enter the plenum. The AIS also has a bypass door associated with the inlet duct, the bypass door being configured to selectively change an amount of air allowed to pass through the inlet duct. The AIS also has a filter airflow change device configured to change an amount of airflow allowed through the inlet barrier filter.

Abstract: A tractor includes a frame defines longitudinal (nominally forward and backward), lateral (nominally left and right), and transverse (nominally up and down) directions (mutually orthogonal). First and second side structures connect by a width adjustment structure comprising beams of bearing length and bearing width capable of supporting loads (torque, bending, etc.) at any of a plurality of widths therebetween. Individual drive systems in the first and second sides each include a track, motor, sprocket, main idler, and bogey idlers. A carrier system secures, lifts, and descends an implement. Implements may be of any type, such as tillage, harrowing, furrowing, seeding, cultivation, personnel carrier, or the like. A controller is capable of directing the tractor based on a pre-determined course of travel, or a guided course in response to physical features in a farming field.

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods include using an automated laser system to remove a portion of a coating for nutplate installation. An automated laser system comprises a laser scanner and a laser head, wherein the laser head is coupled to the laser scanner. The laser head comprises a containment unit and a vacuum connector wherein the vacuum connector is disposed on a first side of the containment unit. The laser head further comprises a camera system, a light source, a first actuator, and a second actuator all disposed on a top surface of the containment unit. The laser head further comprises an end piece, wherein the second actuator is configured to displace the end piece.

Abstract: Improvements to IEC 61968-9:2013 meter reading schemas. These include significantly compressing messages into a single integer number which, when transmitted over a utility's communication system, is used to configure meters at utility user locations, obtain meter data, command and control operations at a utility location, and expand messaging capabilities. A method is disclosed for simplifying the IEC 61968-9:2013 schema for communications between a HeadEnd utility communications facility and the meter at an EndPoint so to enable use of the schema for operations it could not previously perform. While providing this enhanced capability, the IEC 61968-9:2013 schema's ability to function for its intended purpose; i.e., meter reading and control, is not compromised or impeded.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing energy transactions including a number of market participant nodes associated with an energy market participant, and a number of market authority node devices associated with a market authority. A network operator node device is further included, which is associated with a network operator. The market participant node device, the market authority node devices, and the network operator node devices are configured to communicate with each other to facilitate an energy transaction.

Abstract: A system includes a laser configured to conduct a cleaning cycle that includes producing a laser beam capable of cleaning a faying surface of each of a plurality of nutplates, and conducting a first pass to clean each of the faying surfaces, wherein the laser is at a first position having a first angle relative to an axis orthogonal to the faying surfaces during the first pass. The system also includes a nutplate tray configured to hold the plurality of nutplates such that each faying surface is oriented such that the laser beam is capable of contacting each faying surface at least once during the cleaning cycle.

Abstract: An improvement to a utility (U) meter's (M) meter reading schema. The improvement includes a device (D) responsive to a native language with which a meter is programmed to convert communications to and from the meter from that native language into a neutral language. The neutral language is convertible by other meters programmed with different native languages into the native language of a particular meter for meters programmed with different native languages can communicate with each other. This allows facilities within a localized area of a utility's power grid (G) to form into a micro-grid (MG) in which meters programmed with the same or different native languages can communicate with each other without having communications between them routed through a central location of the utility.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage and an engine housed in the fuselage. A ram-air engine inlet is formed on an exterior of the fuselage. The ram-air engine inlet is defined, at least in part, by a cowling door. The cowling door is moveable between a closed position and an open position. An intake duct fluidly couples the ram-air engine inlet to the engine. A filter is disposed across the intake duct. A bypass duct is formed in the ram-air engine inlet aft of the intake duct. The bypass duct is operable to be selectively opened and closed.

Abstract: A system includes a laser configured to conduct a cleaning cycle that includes producing a laser beam capable of cleaning a faying surface of each of a plurality of nutplates, and conducting a first pass to clean each of the faying surfaces, wherein the laser is at a first position having a first angle relative to an axis orthogonal to the faying surfaces during the first pass. The system also includes a nutplate tray configured to hold the plurality of nutplates such that each faying surface is oriented such that the laser beam is capable of contacting each faying surface at least once during the cleaning cycle.