Abstract: A titanium-based component having a high heat capacity surface. The high heat capacity surface prevents or inhibits titanium fires. The component is titanium-based, forming the substrate, and includes a high heat capacity surface overlying the titanium substrate. A diffusion barrier is intermediate the titanium-based substrate and the high heat capacity surface. The diffusion barrier is non-reactive with both the titanium-based substrate and the high heat capacity surface. The system eliminates the formation of detrimental phases due to diffusion between the applied high heat capacity surface and the titanium substrate. The high heat capacity material has a coefficient of thermal expansion compatible with the coefficient of thermal expansion of the titanium-based substrate.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section having a high pressure compressor, the high pressure compressor including an aft-most compressor stage. The gas turbine engine also includes a combustion section having a stage of discharge nozzles, the stage of discharge nozzles located downstream of the aft-most compressor stage and upstream of a diffuser cavity. The gas turbine engine also includes a high pressure spool drivingly coupled to the high pressure compressor, the high pressure spool forming in part a compressor discharge pressure seal and including a forward spool section. The forward spool section extends between the compressor discharge pressure seal and the aft-most compressor stage, the forward spool section defining an airflow cavity for providing a cooling airflow from the diffuser cavity to the aft-most compressor stage.

Abstract: A system for recovering water from air includes a skirt supported by legs and at least one interior wall suspended from the skirt. At least one exterior wall extends from an accumulator and is spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the at least one interior wall, thereby defining a flow channel between the at least one interior wall and the at least one exterior wall. At least one thermoelectric cooler (TEC) is connectable to an electrical power source for transferring heat from a cool side of the TEC to a warm side of the TEC, the cool side being positioned on the at least one interior wall, not in the flow channel, for cooling the at least one interior wall, the at least one interior wall defining a condensing surface proximate the at least one TEC.

Abstract: A system for recovering water from air includes a skirt supported by legs and at least one interior wall suspended from the skirt. At least one exterior wall extends from an accumulator and is spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the at least one interior wall, thereby defining a flow channel between the at least one interior wall and the at least one exterior wall. At least one thermoelectric cooler (TEC) is connectable to an electrical power source for transferring heat from a cool side of the TEC to a warm side of the TEC, the cool side being positioned on the at least one interior wall, not in the flow channel, for cooling the at least one interior wall, the at least one interior wall defining a condensing surface proximate the at least one TEC.

Abstract: A compressor cooling apparatus includes: a blade row mounted for rotation about a centerline axis; a stationary diffuser located downstream of, and in flow communication with, the blade row; an inducer disposed between the diffuser and the blade row, the inducer having an inlet in flow communication with the diffuser, and having an outlet oriented to direct flow towards the blade row.

Abstract: A system for recovering water from air includes a skirt supported by legs and at least one interior wall suspended from the skirt. At least one exterior wall extends from an accumulator and is spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the at least one interior wall, thereby defining a flow channel between the at least one interior wall and the at least one exterior wall. At least one thermoelectric cooler (TEC) is connectable to an electrical power source for transferring heat from a cool side of the TEC to a warm side of the TEC, the cool side being positioned on the at least one interior wall, not in the flow channel, for cooling the at least one interior wall, the at least one interior wall defining a condensing surface proximate the at least one TEC.

Abstract: A compressor cooling apparatus includes: a blade row mounted for rotation about a centerline axis; a stationary diffuser located downstream of, and in flow communication with, the blade row; an inducer disposed between the diffuser and the blade row, the inducer having an inlet in flow communication with the diffuser, and having an outlet oriented to direct flow towards the blade row.

Abstract: A titanium-based component having a high heat capacity surface. The high heat capacity surface prevents or inhibits titanium fires. The component is titanium-based, forming the substrate, and includes a high heat capacity surface overlying the titanium substrate. A diffusion barrier is intermediate the titanium-based substrate and the high heat capacity surface. The diffusion barrier is non-reactive with both the titanium-based substrate and the high heat capacity surface. The system eliminates the formation of detrimental phases due to diffusion between the applied high heat capacity surface and the titanium substrate. The high heat capacity material has a coefficient of thermal expansion compatible with the coefficient of thermal expansion of the titanium-based substrate.

Abstract: A system for recovering water from air includes a skirt supported by legs and at least one interior wall suspended from the skirt. At least one exterior wall extends from an accumulator and is spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the at least one interior wall, thereby defining a flow channel between the at least one interior wall and the at least one exterior wall. At least one thermoelectric cooler (TEC) is connectable to an electrical power source for transferring heat from a cool side of the TEC to a warm side of the TEC, the cool side being positioned on the at least one interior wall, not in the flow channel, for cooling the at least one interior wall, the at least one interior wall defining a condensing surface proximate the at least one TEC.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section having a high pressure compressor, the high pressure compressor including an aft-most compressor stage. The gas turbine engine also includes a combustion section having a stage of discharge nozzles, the stage of discharge nozzles located downstream of the aft-most compressor stage and upstream of a diffuser cavity. The gas turbine engine also includes a high pressure spool drivingly coupled to the high pressure compressor, the high pressure spool forming in part a compressor discharge pressure seal and including a forward spool section. The forward spool section extends between the compressor discharge pressure seal and the aft-most compressor stage, the forward spool section defining an airflow cavity for providing a cooling airflow from the diffuser cavity to the aft-most compressor stage.

Abstract: A system for recovering water from air includes a base plate having an upper surface having a substantially non-reflective surface to absorb heat energy from the sun. A column is positioned on the base plate and has at least one wall through which heat energy from the sun may pass to the base plate to heat the base plate, and the base plate heats air in the column. An upper thermally conductive plate is secured at an angle between horizontal and vertical within an upper end of the column. A lower plate is secured within the column parallel to and spaced beneath the upper plate to define a flow channel between the upper plate and the lower plate. A thermoelectric cooler is connectable to a power source for cooling the upper plate. An accumulator is positioned for collecting and accumulating water that condenses on and flows through the flow channel.

Abstract: A system for recovering water from air includes a base plate having an upper surface having a substantially non-reflective surface to absorb heat energy from the sun. A column is positioned on the base plate and has at least one wall through which heat energy from the sun may pass to the base plate to heat the base plate, and the base plate heats air in the column. An upper thermally conductive plate is secured at an angle between horizontal and vertical within an upper end of the column. A lower plate is secured within the column parallel to and spaced beneath the upper plate to define a flow channel between the upper plate and the lower plate. A thermoelectric cooler is connectable to a power source for cooling the upper plate. An accumulator is positioned for collecting and accumulating water that condenses on and flows through the flow channel.

Abstract: A system for condensing water from air includes a column having a substantially non-reflective surface effective for absorbing heat energy from the sun and transferring the heat to air in the interior of the column. A condenser is secured within the column, and includes a channel having a condensing surface with a thermoelectric or natural gas cooler positioned thereon for cooling the condensing surface. A collector is positioned within the column for collecting water that condenses on and flows through the channel, and an accumulator is coupled in fluid communication with the collector for accumulating the water.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide robotic control modules for use in a robotic control system of a vehicle, including structures, systems and methods, that can provide (i) a robotic control module that has multiple functional circuits, such as a processor and accompanying circuits, an actuator controller, an actuator amplifier, a packet network switch, and a power supply integrated into a mountable and/or stackable package/housing; (ii) a robotic control module with the noted complement of circuits that is configured to reduce heat, reduce space, shield sensitive components from electro-magnetic noise; (iii) a robotic control system utilizing robotic control modules that include the sufficiently interchangeable functionality allowing for interchangeability of modules; and (iv) a robotic control system that distributes the functionality and processing among a plurality of robotic control modules in a vehicle.

Abstract: A system for condensing water from air includes a column having a substantially non-reflective surface effective for absorbing heat energy from the sun and transferring the heat to air in the interior of the column. A condenser is secured within the column, and includes a channel having a condensing surface with a thermoelectric or natural gas cooler positioned thereon for cooling the condensing surface. A collector is positioned within the column for collecting water that condenses on and flows through the channel, and an accumulator is coupled in fluid communication with the collector for accumulating the water.

Abstract: Systems and methods for switching between autonomous and manual operation of a vehicle are described. A mechanical control system can receive manual inputs from a mechanical operation member to operate the vehicle in manual mode. An actuator can receive autonomous control signals generated by a controller. When the actuator is engaged, it operates the vehicle in an autonomous mode, and when disengaged, the vehicle is operated in manual mode. Operating the vehicle in an autonomous mode can include automatically controlling steering, braking, throttle, and transmission. A system may also allow the vehicle to be operated via remote command.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide robotic control modules for use in a robotic control system of a vehicle, including structures, systems and methods, that can provide (i) a robotic control module that has multiple functional circuits, such as a processor and accompanying circuits, an actuator controller, an actuator amplifier, a packet network switch, and a power supply integrated into a mountable and/or stackable package/housing; (ii) a robotic control module with the noted complement of circuits that is configured to reduce heat, reduce space, shield sensitive components from electro-magnetic noise; (iii) a robotic control system utilizing robotic control modules that include the sufficiently interchangeable functionality allowing for interchangeability of modules; and (iv) a robotic control system that distributes the functionality and processing among a plurality of robotic control modules in a vehicle.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide robotic control modules for use in a robotic control system of a vehicle, including structures, systems and methods, that can provide (i) a robotic control module that has multiple functional circuits, such as a processor and accompanying circuits, an actuator controller, an actuator amplifier, a packet network switch, and a power supply integrated into a mountable and/or stackable package/housing; (ii) a robotic control module with the noted complement of circuits that is configured to reduce heat, reduce space, shield sensitive components from electro-magnetic noise; (iii) a robotic control system utilizing robotic control modules that include the sufficiently interchangeable functionality allowing for interchangeability of modules; and (iv) a robotic control system that distributes the functionality and processing among a plurality of robotic control modules in a vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is method for controlling undesired vegetation of subfamily Mimosoideae comprising applying to the undesired vegetation or its environment a herbicidally effective amount of a mixture comprising (a) one or more compounds selected from the compound of Formula 1 and salts, esters and thioesters thereof: and (b) at least one additional herbicide selected from the group consisting of (b1) fosamine and salts thereof; (b2) imazapyr and salts thereof; (b3) metsulfuron-methyl and salts thereof; and (b4) triclopyr and esters, thioesters and salts thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is method for controlling undesired vegetation of subfamily Mimosoideae comprising applying to the undesired vegetation or its environment a herbicidally effective amount of a mixture comprising (a) one or more compounds selected from the compound of Formula 1 and salts, esters and thioesters thereof: ; and (b) at least one additional herbicide selected from the group consisting of (b1) fosamine and salts thereof; (b2) imazapyr and salts thereof; (b3) metsulfuron-methyl and salts thereof; and (b4) triclopyr and esters, thioesters and salts thereof.