Abstract: In various aspects, the catcher's mitt disclosed herein may include a catching side defining a thumb edge and a finger edge and a rear side opposed in spaced relation to the catching side with opposing edges of the catching side and rear side interconnected to form a thumb edge, a finger edge, a heel, and a tip. A hand cavity is formed within that comprises a palm cavity, a thumb cavity, and a finger cavity, with the thumb cavity extends generally along the thumb edge and the finger cavity extends along the finger edge, in various aspects. The hand cavity opens at the heel for insertion of at least portions of a hand therein, in various aspects. In various aspects, webbing extends between portions of the thumb edge and the finger edge proximate the tip, and a pocket is formed in the catching side and extending from adjacent the heel toward the tip and overlying at least portions of the palm cavity.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates an aerial defense system to defend against a detected threat. The aerial defense system may comprise a plurality of defensive aircraft, an aircraft storage system to house the plurality of defensive aircraft, an aircraft controller in communication with each of a targeting system and the plurality of defensive aircraft, and a human machine interface (HMI) device to provide operator interaction. In operation, one or more of the plurality of defensive aircraft may engage the detected threat. At least one of the plurality of defensive aircraft may include a target neutralization device to strike, or otherwise engage, the detected threat.

Abstract: An autonomy system for use with a vehicle in an environment. The autonomy system comprising a processor operatively coupled with a memory device, a plurality of sensors operatively coupled with the processor; a vehicle controller, a situational awareness module, a task planning module, and a task execution module. The situational awareness module being configured to determine a state of the environment based at least in part on sensor data from at least one of the plurality of sensors. The task planning module being configured to identify, via the processor, a plurality of tasks to be performed by the vehicle and to generate a task assignment list from the plurality of tasks that is based at least in part on predetermined optimization criteria. The task execution module being configured to instruct the vehicle controller to execute the plurality of tasks in accordance with the task assignment list.

Abstract: A fraud prevention exchange system is provided for gathering transaction data for centralized review. The system comprises a database for storing transaction data received from participating lenders and a data retrieval and processing engine for receiving transaction data including a first transaction status code and one or more transaction attributes for a pending transaction from a first participating lender; storing the first transaction status code in association with the transaction attribute(s) in the database; receiving a transaction verification request comprising at least one of the transaction attribute(s) from a second, different participating lender; determining one or more risk alerts for the at least one of the transaction attribute(s) based on the first transaction status code and one or more prior transaction status codes previously stored in the database in association with said attribute; and transmit said risk alert(s) to the second participating lender.

Abstract: Methods for magnetic recording are provided. The method can include: assembling a plurality of nanoparticles into a pattern on a disc; applying a polymer composition onto the pattern of nanoparticles; curing the polymer composition to form a polymer film on the disc, wherein the plurality of nanoparticles are immobilized in the pattern within the polymer film upon curing; and removing the polymer film containing the plurality of nanoparticles in the pattern. Diffraction gratings are also provided that can include a polymeric film comprising a plurality of nanoparticles immobilized in a pattern, wherein the polymer film defines a curvature.

Abstract: A curable film-forming composition is provided, comprising: (a) an acrylic polyol prepared from a monomer mixture comprising a hydroxyl functional monomer, wherein the hydroxyl functional monomer comprises a hydroxyalkyl group with an alkyl chain of at least four carbon atoms; (b) a rheology modifier comprising: (1) a non-aqueous dispersion of an internally crosslinked organic polymer; and (2) a reaction product of an amine and an isocyanate; and (c) a curing agent comprising functional groups that are reactive with hydroxyl functional groups. Also provided are a multi-component composite coating that includes the curable film-forming composition described above and methods for forming a composite coating on a substrate.

Abstract: An aircrew automation system that provides a pilot with high-fidelity knowledge of the aircraft's physical state, and notifies that pilot of any deviations in expected state based on predictive models. The aircrew automation may be provided as a non-invasive ride-along aircrew automation system that perceives the state of the aircraft through visual techniques, derives the aircraft state vector and other aircraft information, and communicates any deviations from expected aircraft state to the pilot.

Abstract: A passive multiphase separator is configured to separate gas from a two-phase fluid in a wellbore. The passive multiphase separator includes an intake tube that has an intake end, a discharge end and an interior section between the intake end and the discharge end. The interior section includes a rifled interior surface that induces rotation in fluids passing through the interior section. The passive multiphase separator further includes a head assembly connected to the discharge end of the intake tube. The head assembly includes a crossover tube extending into the interior section, one or more gas vents extending from an interior of the crossover tube to an exterior of the head assembly and a liquid discharge. The passive multiphase separator can be deployed in a variety of hydrocarbon recovery systems.

Abstract: A cable suspension may allow a cable to be pivoted about a pivot axis that passes through a thickness of a cable. A bend radius of the cable entering and exiting the cable suspension may be increased and/or the degree of bend by a cable entering and exiting the cable support may be decreased. The cable may comprise insulated electrical cables, non-insulated electrical cables (e.g., conductors), shielded cables, non-electrical signal cables (e.g., optical cables), and/or assemblies thereof.

Abstract: An introducer assembly includes a sheath and a tubular member that are coupled by a movement that is simultaneously longitudinal and radial.

Abstract: Described is a fan assembly comprising a body comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, and means for generating an air flow through the body. The fan assembly also comprises a nozzle for receiving the air flow from the body and for emitting the air flow, a filter upstream from the air inlet and having an upstream surface and a downstream surface, a seat on the body having an upwardly facing surface for supporting the filter, and sealing means for forming a seal between the filter and the body to define a flow path between the downstream surface of the filter and the air inlet.

Abstract: A system for enforcing expected communication patterns is provided. In some configurations, a routing device can determine one or more dedicated functions that the network-enabled device is specifically configured to perform. The routing device may also determine expected communication patterns for facilitating the one or more dedicated functions for the network-enabled device. For example, if the network-enabled device is a Smart TV, the expected communication pattern may include communications that are reasonably designed to facilitate displaying media content that is being streamed to the Smart TV. The routing device may monitor communications to and/or from the Smart TV to identify communications that are not designed to facilitate the dedicated functions.

Abstract: A system includes a thermographic temperature sensor that may measure a temperature of a fluid. The thermographic temperature sensor includes a probe, an optical source coupled to the probe, and a detector coupled to the probe. The system also includes a housing of the probe; and a light pipe of the probe disposed within the housing and including a thermographic phosphor that may phosphoresce in response to absorbing light from the optical source. The phosphorescence by the thermographic phosphor is representative of a temperature of the fluid within a flow path of the fluid, and the detector may detect the phosphorescence by the thermographic phosphor.

Abstract: An emulator is described herein, wherein the emulator is configured to emulate a rotary energy generator. The rotary energy generator can be one of a wind turbine, a diesel engine, or a hydrokinetic generator. The emulator includes an electromechanical motor that is mechanically linked to a generator. A motor drive is electrically coupled to the electromechanical motor, and controls torque at a rotor of the electromechanical motor. Electromagnetic torque produced by the generator is estimated, and the motor drive is controlled based upon the estimated generator torque.

Abstract: A thermographic temperature sensor includes a probe having a housing and a light pipe disposed within the housing. The light pipe includes a thermographic phosphor that may phosphoresce in response to absorbing light. The phosphorescence by the thermographic phosphor is representative of a temperature of a fluid in contact with the probe, and a surface area of the light pipe is not in contact with an inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates an aerial defense system to defend against a detected threat. The aerial defense system may comprise a plurality of defensive aircraft, an aircraft storage system to house the plurality of defensive aircraft, an aircraft controller in communication with each of a targeting system and the plurality of defensive aircraft, and a human machine interface (HMI) device to provide operator interaction. In operation, one or more of the plurality of defensive aircraft may engage the detected threat. At least one of the plurality of defensive aircraft may include a target neutralization device to strike, or otherwise engage, the detected threat.

Abstract: Described is a fan assembly comprising a body comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, and means for generating an air flow through the body. The fan assembly also comprises a nozzle removably mounted on the body for receiving the air flow from the body and for emitting the air flow, and a filter surrounding at least a portion of the body upstream from the air inlet. The filter being held captive on the fan assembly between the nozzle and a portion of the body while remaining free to move relative to the body and the nozzle. The filter is removable from the fan assembly only after removal of the nozzle from the body.

Abstract: A controller is adapted to recognize an input from a user using an input interface, determine if a user gaze information indicates that the user is gazing at a device, and when the user gaze information indicates that the user is gazing at the device, route response information to the device.

Abstract: A curable film-forming composition is provided, comprising: (a) an acrylic polyol prepared from a monomer mixture comprising a hydroxyl functional monomer, wherein the hydroxyl functional monomer comprises a hydroxyalkyl group with an alkyl chain of at least four carbon atoms; (b) a rheology modifier comprising: (1) a non-aqueous dispersion of an internally crosslinked organic polymer; and (2) a reaction product of an amine and an isocyanate; and (c) a curing agent comprising functional groups that are reactive with hydroxyl functional groups. Also provided are a multi-component composite coating that includes the curable film-forming composition described above and methods for forming a composite coating on a substrate.

Abstract: A passive multiphase separator is configured to separate gas from a two-phase fluid in a wellbore. The passive multiphase separator includes an intake tube that has an intake end, a discharge end and an interior section between the intake end and the discharge end. The interior section includes a rifled interior surface that induces rotation in fluids passing through the interior section. The passive multiphase separator further includes a head assembly connected to the discharge end of the intake tube. The head assembly includes a crossover tube extending into the interior section, one or more gas vents extending from an interior of the crossover tube to an exterior of the head assembly and a liquid discharge. The passive multiphase separator can be deployed in a variety of hydrocarbon recovery systems.