Abstract: An aerial refueling system has a fluid conduit. A plurality of actuators is coupled to the fluid conduit and a refueling aircraft housing the aerial refueling system to move the fluid conduit in a three perpendicular axes system.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for a drogue deployment system that may be removably attached to a non-tanker aircraft to modify the aircraft for providing aerial refueling operations. Aspects of the disclosure provide a drum unit that may be secured in a cargo area of the non-tanker aircraft and connected to the fuel system of the aircraft. A drogue deployment unit may be removably attached to an external surface of the aircraft fuselage and includes a drogue extension tube that may be selectively deployed outward from the fuselage to provide separation between a refueling drogue and the aircraft. The drogue and corresponding refueling hose may be deployed from a drogue container attached to the drogue extension tube and extended rearward for providing fuel to a receiving aircraft.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for a drogue deployment system that may be removably attached to a non-tanker aircraft to modify the aircraft for providing aerial refueling operations. Aspects of the disclosure provide a drum unit that may be secured in a cargo area of the non-tanker aircraft and connected to the fuel system of the aircraft. A drogue deployment unit may be removably attached to an external surface of the aircraft fuselage and includes a drogue extension tube that may be selectively deployed outward from the fuselage to provide separation between a refueling drogue and the aircraft. The drogue and corresponding refueling hose may be deployed from a drogue container attached to the drogue extension tube and extended rearward for providing fuel to a receiving aircraft.

Abstract: An aerial refueling system has a fluid conduit. A plurality of actuators is coupled to the fluid conduit and a refueling aircraft housing the aerial refueling system to move the fluid conduit in a three perpendicular axes system.

Abstract: A coffee brewer includes a drawer having an upper cartridge shell and a lower cartridge shell that enclose a coffee cartridge. Before the drawer is opened, an operator pulls an arm to rotate the upper cartridge shell relative to the lower cartridge shell. As the drawer is pulled, a slidable track moves relative to a fixed track, and the upper cartridge shell is biased upwardly. An ejector arm on the coffee brewer engages an ejector blade on the lower cartridge shell and biases the lower coffee shell downwardly to eject the used coffee cartridge into a used cartridge bin. As the drawer continues to open, the lower cartridge shell returns to the original position. A new coffee cartridge can then be added to the lower cartridge shell. The drawer is then closed and the brewing process can begin.

Abstract: A method for monitoring performance data illustrative of the performance seen by a user is presented. A “robot” policy which executes a user action emulation utility is deployed to a network node in a computer network, where it is installed and periodically executed to obtain performance data pertaining to the user action. Monitored performance data is compared to matched conditions defined within the robot policy such that, when matched, a set of automated actions are triggered.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for expanding tobacco, particularly tobacco impregnated with solid carbon dioxide are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an arcuate, generally C-shaped duct for conveying the tobacco material in a hot gaseous medium to sublimate the solid carbon dioxide and expand the tobacco. The duct has a non-circular cross-section, preferably a rectangular cross-section, with a high width-to-depth ratio and an increasing depth from the inlet to an intermediate portion of the duct then a decreasing depth from the intermediate portion to the outlet of the duct. A winnower device infeeds the tobacco material into the duct adjacent the throat of a venturi section connected to the inlet of the conveying duct. A tangential separator with an adjustable baffle at the inlet thereof for controlling velocity in the separator is used to separate the expanded tobacco from the gaseous medium.

Abstract: An electrocoating process in which a layer of an electrically conductive cathodic electrocoating composition containing film forming binder and pigment in a pigment to binder weight ratio of about 1:100 to 100:100, wherein the pigment comprises an electrically conductive pigment of silica which is either amorphous silica or a silica containing material, the silica is in association with a two-dimensional network of antimony-containing tin oxide crystallites in which the antimony content ranges from about 1-30% by weight of the tin oxide is electrocoated onto a metal substrate and cured to form a coated substrate, wherein the resulting layer has a resistance of less than 10.times.10.sup.15 ohms, a layer of a clear cathodic electrocoating composition is electrocoated over the layer of the conductive composition and the layer clear composition is cured to form a clear layer on the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cathodic electrocoat compositions which contain electroconductive pigments. These pigments are light in color, and can be added at higher pigment to binder ratios for improved edge coverage. More specifically, the electroconductive pigments are a two-dimensional network of antimony-containing tin oxide crystallites which exist in a unique association with amorphous silica or with a silica-containing material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cathodic electrocoat compositions which contain electroconductive pigments. These pigments are light in color, and can be added at higher pigment to binder ratios for improved edge coverage. More specifically, the electroconductive pigments are a two-dimensional network of antimony-containing tin oxide crystallites which exist in a unique association with amorphous silica or with a silica-containing material.