Abstract: A method of making a rotor yoke includes preparing a cured composite rotor yoke preform on a single-sided curing tool and machining at least one portion of the cured rotor yoke preform to form a rotor yoke. In one embodiment, preparing the cured composite rotor yoke is accomplished by applying successive layers of uncured polymeric composite material to a single-sided tool in a configuration to produce an uncured rotor yoke preform; disposing a semi-rigid caul to an untooled side of the uncured rotor yoke preform; enclosing the uncured rotor yoke preform and the semi-rigid caul by substantially hermetically sealing a vacuum bag to the tool; substantially evacuating a volume defined by the vacuum bag and the tool of air; and heating the uncured rotor yoke preform, sometimes under pressure, to form the cured composite rotor yoke preform.

Abstract: A system and method for providing signature-based drive-through order tracking. An image with respect to a vehicle at a POS unit can be captured at an order point and a delivery point (e.g., a payment point and a pick-up point) utilizing an image capturing unit by detecting the presence of the vehicle at each point utilizing a vehicle presence sensor. The captured image can be processed in order to extract a small region of interest and can be reduced to a unique signature. The extracted signature of the vehicle at the order point can be stored into a database together with the corresponding order and the vehicle image. The signature extracted at the delivery point can be matched with the signature stored in the database. If a match is found, the order associated with the vehicle together with the images captured at the delivery point and the order point can be displayed in a user interface at the delivery point to ensure that the right order is delivered to a customer.

Abstract: A system and method for providing signature-based drive-through order tracking. An image with respect to a vehicle at a POS unit can be captured at an order point and a delivery point (e.g., a payment point and a pick-up point) utilizing an image capturing unit by detecting the presence of the vehicle at each point utilizing a vehicle presence sensor. The captured image can be processed in order to extract a small region of interest and can be reduced to a unique signature. The extracted signature of the vehicle at the order point can be stored into a database together with the corresponding order and the vehicle image. The signature extracted at the delivery point can be matched with the signature stored in the database. If a match is found, the order associated with the vehicle together with the images captured at the delivery point and the order point can be displayed in a user interface at the delivery point to ensure that the right order is delivered to a customer.

Abstract: An uncured, composite rope includes at least one inner tow of structural fibers of a first material and a plurality of outer tows of structural fibers disposed about the at least one inner tow, the structural fibers of at least one of the plurality of outer tows being made from a second material that is different from the first material. The uncured, composite rope further includes an uncured polymeric resin impregnated into the at least one inner tow and the plurality of outer tows.

Abstract: A resin-impregnated, structural fiber rope includes a plurality of tows disposed in a bundle, each of the plurality of tows including a plurality of structural fibers, and uncured polymeric resin impregnated into the bundle. Each of the plurality of structural fibers defines an angle with respect to a central axis of the rope of no more than about 10 degrees.

Abstract: A method of making a rotor yoke includes preparing a cured composite rotor yoke preform on a single-sided curing tool and machining at least one portion of the cured rotor yoke preform to form a rotor yoke. In one embodiment, preparing the cured composite rotor yoke is accomplished by applying successive layers of uncured polymeric composite material to a single-sided tool in a configuration to produce an uncured rotor yoke preform; disposing a semi-rigid caul to an untooled side of the uncured rotor yoke preform; enclosing the uncured rotor yoke preform and the semi-rigid caul by substantially hermetically sealing a vacuum bag to the tool; substantially evacuating a volume defined by the vacuum bag and the tool of air; and heating the uncured rotor yoke preform, sometimes under pressure, to form the cured composite rotor yoke preform.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for limiting mobile device functionality in defined environments. One system includes a detection structure or arrangement for detecting illicit mobile device RF transmissions and/or an operating state in relation to a defined environment, and an interference or disabling structure or arrangement for at least partially disabling the functionality of the mobile device upon detection of an illicit mobile device RF transmission or a particular operating state. For instance, the system may be implemented in an automobile or aircraft cabin to prevent drivers and/or passengers from utilizing at least one functionality of a mobile device (e.g., talking, texting, Internet surfing).

Abstract: A resin-impregnated, structural fiber rope includes a plurality of tows disposed in a bundle, each of the plurality of tows including a plurality of structural fibers, and uncured polymeric resin impregnated into the bundle. Each of the plurality of structural fibers defines an angle with respect to a central axis of the rope of no more than about 10 degrees.

Abstract: An uncured, composite rope includes at least one inner tow of structural fibers of a first material and a plurality of outer tows of structural fibers disposed about the at least one inner tow, the structural fibers of at least one of the plurality of outer tows being made from a second material that is different from the first material. The uncured, composite rope further includes an uncured polymeric resin impregnated into the at least one inner tow and the plurality of outer tows.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for limiting mobile device functionality in defined environments. One system includes a detection arrangement for detecting illicit mobile device RF transmissions and/or an operating state in relation to a defined environment, and a disabling arrangement for at least partially disabling the functionality of the mobile device upon detection of an illicit mobile device RF transmission or a particular operating state. For instance, the system may be implemented in an automobile or aircraft cabin to prevent drivers and/or passengers from utilizing at least one functionality of a mobile device (e.g., talking, texting, interne surfing).

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for limiting mobile device functionality in defined environments. One system includes a detection arrangement for detecting illicit mobile device RF transmissions and/or an operating state in relation to a defined environment, and a disabling arrangement for at least partially disabling the functionality of the mobile device upon detection of an illicit mobile device RF transmission or a particular operating state. For instance, the system may be implemented in an automobile or aircraft cabin to prevent drivers and/or passengers from utilizing at least one functionality of a mobile device (e.g., talking, texting, interne surfing).

Abstract: A pressure indicator according to the present invention monitors the pressure of the fluid in a vessel. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a closed pressurized gas volume behind a dimpled metal diaphragm. In normal operation, the force of the fluid pressure acting on the external surface of the diaphragm overcomes the force of the gas pressure acting on the internal surface of the diaphragm to hold the diaphragm in a concave geometry. In the event of a sufficient loss of fluid pressure, the force of the gas pressure acting on the internal surface of the diaphragm will overcome the force of the fluid pressure acting on the external surface of the diaphragm, thereby moving the diaphragm into a convex geometry. A viewing window disposed in the side of the vessel can be used to view the pressure indicator and determine the shape of the indicator diaphragm.

Abstract: A vibration isolator (10) for isolating the vibration of two bodies that are connected together is disclosed. The vibration isolator (10) comprises an inner cylinder (16) and a pair of outer housings (12, 14) concentrically bonded together with elastomer structures (18, 20) to form two chambers (22, 26) that are joined by a tuning port (24). The elastomer structures (18, 20) may serve both as the seals for the chambers (22, 26) and the compliant spring members in the isolator (10). The isolator (10) connects to a vibrating body by a spherical bearing (28). The chambers (22, 26) and tuning port (24) are filled with an inviscid fluid (34) and pressurized to prevent cavitation. In certain embodiments, pressure within the isolator (10) is maintained by a volume compensating device (30) connected to the chambers (22, 26) via a small diameter orifice (36).

Abstract: A pressure indicator according to the present invention monitors the pressure of the fluid in a vessel. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a closed pressurized gas volume behind a dimpled metal diaphragm. In normal operation, the force of the fluid pressure acting on the external surface of the diaphragm overcomes the force of the gas pressure acting on the internal surface of the diaphragm to hold the diaphragm in a concave geometry. In the event of a sufficient loss of fluid pressure, the force of the gas pressure acting on the internal surface of the diaphragm will overcome the force of the fluid pressure acting on the external surface of the diaphragm, thereby moving the diaphragm into a convex geometry. A viewing window disposed in the side of the vessel can be used to view the pressure indicator and determine the shape of the indicator diaphragm.

Abstract: A vibration isolation system comprises four tunable dual-axis hydraulic inertial isolators, an array of accelerometers, and a controller. The controller inputs signals from the accelerometers and outputs signals to tune the isolators to minimize the vibration transmitted from a vibrating body to an isolated body. The isolators are tuned by varying the dimensions of their tuning passages or by application of magnetohydrodynamic force to the liquid within the tuning passages.

Abstract: A vibration isolation system comprises four tunable dual-axis hydraulic inertial isolators, an array of accelerometers, and a controller. The controller inputs signals from the accelerometers and outputs signals to tune the isolators to minimize the vibration transmitted from a vibrating body to an isolated body. The isolators are tuned by varying the dimensions of their tuning passages or by application of magnetohydrodynamic force to the liquid within the tuning passages.

Abstract: The reliability of a high-speed digital data traffic channel is determined by establishing end-to-end synchronization by use of confirming error detecting data transmitted on a side channel from an originating end, comparing the traffic data and the error detecting data and from time to time re-confirming the validity of the synchronization.