Abstract: A galley chiller system for an aircraft includes at least one condenser having a refrigerant fluid. The fluid within the condenser rejects heat to a first surrounding environment. To more efficiently use the condenser of the galley chiller system and reduce the requirement on other cooling systems within an aircraft, the condenser may reject its heat to a desired location using a heat exchanger. The galley chiller system includes at least one evaporator that receives fluid from the condenser. A first evaporator absorbs heat from a galley, which may include a bank of carts. The first evaporator is arranged in ducting that carries cooled air to the carts. A second evaporator may absorb heat from a cabin recirculation air duct of the aircraft cooling system. In this manner, the evaporators of the inventive galley chilling system cools not only the galley carts but also provides supplemental cooling to the aircraft cooling system thereby reducing its cooling requirements.

Abstract: A galley chiller system for an aircraft includes at least one condenser having a refrigerant fluid. The fluid within the condenser rejects heat to a first surrounding environment. To more efficiently use the condenser of the galley chiller system and reduce the requirement on other cooling systems within an aircraft, the condenser may reject its heat to a desired location using a heat exchanger. The galley chiller system includes at least one evaporator that receives fluid from the condenser. A first evaporator absorbs heat from a galley, which may include a bank of carts. The first evaporator is arranged in ducting that carries cooled air to the carts. A second evaporator may absorb heat from a cabin recirculation air duct of the aircraft cooling system. In this manner, the evaporators of the inventive galley chilling system cools not only the galley carts but also provides supplemental cooling to the aircraft cooling system thereby reducing its cooling requirements.

Abstract: An air conditioning system provides a pack conditioned air passage which intersects with a recirculation passage prior to communication of the combined air flow with a mixer. The combined air flow traverses a distance between the intersection between the pack conditioned air passage and the recirculation passage and an entry to the mixer which reduces the required volume of the mixer as compared to conventional systems.

Abstract: An improved maximum likelihood detector with a trellis having three or more dimensions is disclosed. Trellis dimensions include a state dimension and a sample dimension found in a conventional Viterbi trellis. The additional dimensions are added to the trellis for adaptation to additional parameters that are responsive to channel variations such as pulse shape, amplitude, timing, media velocity and media tension. A set of rules govern most likely paths moving along the additional dimensions. In the preferred embodiment, a most likely path may transition up to a predetermined maximum number of unit lengths along each additional dimension per unit length movement in the sample dimension. Once a path has changed values in any given additional dimension then it must dwell at that value for a minimum number of samples.

Abstract: A bag presenter for moving a bag from a bag supply toward a packaging machine filling station, the bag presenter comprising: a bag supply holding area, a gripper for holding a bag in the filling station and a bag handler for moving the bag from the holding area toward the gripper, the bag handler including a bag feeder and a bag conveyor, the bag feeder being operable to pull a bag from a bottom of the bag supply holding area and to pass the bag to the bag conveyor. The bag handler can include a bag opening mechanism and a means for maintaining the bag in an open configuration, once the bag has been opened. The bag presenter is useful for handling non-wicketed bags and can be used to convert a packaging machine from reliance on wicketed bags to use of non-wicketed bags.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food.

Abstract: A circuit and a method of operation for detecting a bit sequence from an analog waveform representing the bit sequence and at least one other parameter associated with the analog waveform are disclosed. Detection includes digitizing the analog waveform and at least one other parameter using at least one analog to digital converter. The resulting digital numbers are synchronized in time by a plurality of registers so that the outputs of the registers always change simultaneously. The outputs of the registers are concatenated to form an address. The address is input into a read-only memory that looks up a most likely bit detected that has been predetermined for that address and stored in the read-only memory. The bits read from the read-only memory by the addresses are output periodically to form the bit sequence.

Abstract: A circuit and a method of operation for detecting a bit sequence from an analog waveform representing the bit sequence and at least one other parameter associated with the analog waveform are disclosed. Detection includes digitizing the analog waveform and at least one other parameter using at least one analog to digital converter. The resulting digital numbers are synchronized in time by a plurality of registers so that the outputs of the registers always change simultaneously. The outputs of the registers are concatenated to form an address. The address is input into a read-only memory that looks up a most likely bit detected that has been predetermined for that address and stored in the read-only memory. The bits read from the read-only memory by the addresses are output periodically to form the bit sequence.

Abstract: It is difficult to read data from curved helical data tracks in a helical scan tape drive. Curved helical tracks can be caused by improper tape tension, tape damage, tape path misalignment, tape head offset between different head systems, and debris. The present invention solves the problem of recovering data from curved helical tracks by providing a table of different curve offset signals. Each curve offset signal represents a curve track profile of a typical curved track. The position of the helical read head reading a curved data track is controlled as a function of one of the curve offset signals such that the read head is positioned properly with respect to the helical data track to provide a proper read back signal. The curve offset signals are selected one at a time to control the position of the helical read head until the helical read head provides a proper read back signal.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful apparatus for applying a removable protective cover to an optical disc in which the optical disc has a circular configuration, an aperture centered therein and an outer edge. The cover comprises at least one sheet of film of generally circular configuration which corresponds to the circular configuration of the disc. The cover is constructed of a material that will not adversely interfere with the read process of the disc when the cover is in place about the disc. The cover further comprises a plurality of resilient clasps spaced about a circumferential edge of the film to engage the disc about its outer edge in a snap-on spring-like fit.

Abstract: A moisture collector for collecting moisture from moisture containing air exiting from an air conditioning system in substantially a first flow direction is disclosed. The collector including a moisture collector housing defining a volume. An inlet extends into the volume for receiving the moisture containing air from the air conditioning system while substantially moving in the first flow direction. An outlet extends out of the volume for exhausting substantially moisture free air. A device for redirecting the moisture containing air is positioned within the volume and upstream of the outlet. At the device, moisture is removed from the moisture containing air for forming the substantially moisture free air. An air passageway is defined in the volume for directing the substantially moisture free air from the device for redirecting toward the outlet along with the moisture. A volume for collecting the moisture is provided.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful protective cover for an optical disc of circular configuration having a circular aperture centered therein and having an outer edge. The protective cover is a sheet of film of generally circular configuration corresponding to the configuration of the disc, wherein the film is of a material that will not interfere with the read process of the disc when the cover is in place about the disc. The protective cover has a plurality of clasps spaced about a circumferential edge of the film to engage the disc about its outer edge in a snap fit.

Abstract: An air cycle air conditioning system comprises a first air source for supplying cooling air and a second air source for supplying high temperature system air. The system further includes a device for transferring heat from the high temperature air and producing conditioned air having a temperature substantially lower than the high temperature system air. A mechanism for directing the conditioned air to the high temperature air prior to the high temperature air entering a component of the system for decreasing the temperature of the high temperature system air, prior to it contacting the system component is also provided.