Abstract: A seating assembly comprising: a frame having an opening; a support surface spanning the opening in the frame; a variable thermal resistance device that opposes the support surface when the variable thermal resistance device is in a closed state in which airflow is obstructed, the variable thermal resistance device being movable from the closed state to an open state in which airflow is not obstructed and from the open state to the closed state; and an actuator coupled to the variable thermal resistance device. The actuator is operable to actuate movement of the variable thermal resistance device between the open and closed states.

Abstract: A seating assembly comprising: a frame having an opening; a support surface spanning the opening in the frame; a variable thermal resistance device that opposes the support surface when the variable thermal resistance device is in a closed state in which airflow is obstructed, the variable thermal resistance device being movable from the closed state to an open state in which airflow is not obstructed and from the open state to the closed state; and an actuator coupled to the variable thermal resistance device. The actuator is operable to actuate movement of the variable thermal resistance device between the open and closed states.

Abstract: A seating assembly comprising: a frame having an opening; a support surface spanning the opening in the frame; a variable thermal resistance device that opposes the support surface when the variable thermal resistance device is in a closed state in which airflow is obstructed, the variable thermal resistance device being movable from the closed state to an open state in which airflow is not obstructed and from the open state to the closed state; and an actuator coupled to the variable thermal resistance device. The actuator is operable to actuate movement of the variable thermal resistance device between the open and closed states.

Abstract: A seating assembly comprising: a frame having an opening; a support surface spanning the opening in the frame; a variable thermal resistance device that opposes the support surface when the variable thermal resistance device is in a closed state in which airflow is obstructed, the variable thermal resistance device being movable from the closed state to an open state in which airflow is not obstructed and from the open state to the closed state; and an actuator coupled to the variable thermal resistance device. The actuator is operable to actuate movement of the variable thermal resistance device between the open and closed states.

Abstract: A sensor network for monitoring vehicle operations comprises a set of wireless gateways, a plurality of wireless sensors, a plurality of wireless routers, and data processing system. The set of wireless gateways is capable of receiving emissions data from the sensor network. The plurality of wireless sensor units has sensors capable of monitoring vehicle emissions and is capable of generating the emissions data in response to monitoring the vehicle emissions. The plurality of wireless routers is capable of receiving emissions data received from the plurality of wireless sensor units and routing the emissions data received from the plurality of sensors to the set of wireless gateways. The data processing system is capable of receiving the operations data from the set of wireless gateways and capable of processing the operations data. The operations data may include data related to emissions from the vehicle or equipment.

Abstract: Electrically dimmable windows for aircraft are powered by energy harvesting devices on-board the aircraft. The harvested energy is stored and used to control the opacity of the windows based on individual window opacity settings selected either by passengers or a cabin attendant. Each window has an associated control circuit that controls the electrical power applied to the window based on the selected opacity setting. The control circuit includes a low energy usage processor that remains in a sleep mode until a change in the opacity setting is detected. Each control circuit may include a radio transceiver that receives control signals from a transmitter operated by the cabin attendant in order to simultaneously remotely control the opacity settings of multiple windows.

Abstract: A method is present for estimating engine load factor. Temperature data is obtained from a temperature sensor in a location with respect to an exhaust system for an engine. A rate of temperature change is estimated using the temperature data. A steady state temperature at a selected time is calculated for the location using the temperature data and the rate of temperature change. The engine load factor at the selected time is estimated from the steady state temperature.

Abstract: A method is present for estimating engine load factor. Temperature data is obtained from a temperature sensor in a location with respect to an exhaust system for an engine. A rate of temperature change is estimated using the temperature data. A steady state temperature at a selected time is calculated for the location using the temperature data and the rate of temperature change. The engine load factor at the selected time is estimated from the steady state temperature.

Abstract: A sensor network for monitoring vehicle operations comprises a set of wireless gateways, a plurality of wireless sensors, a plurality of wireless routers, and data processing system. The set of wireless gateways is capable of receiving emissions data from the sensor network. The plurality of wireless sensor units has sensors capable of monitoring vehicle emissions and is capable of generating the emissions data in response to monitoring the vehicle emissions. The plurality of wireless routers is capable of receiving emissions data received from the plurality of wireless sensor units and routing the emissions data received from the plurality of sensors to the set of wireless gateways. The data processing system is capable of receiving the operations data from the set of wireless gateways and capable of processing the operations data. The operations data may include data related to emissions from the vehicle or equipment.