Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of controlling an aircraft, the aircraft including a plurality of actuators, a plurality of actuator control units, and a plurality of flight control systems for generating control signals. The method comprises, at each of the plurality of actuator control units: (a) from each of the plurality of flight control systems, obtaining a respective control signal for controlling an actuator associated with the actuator control unit, the actuator being one of the plurality of actuators; and (b) providing an actuator control signal to the associated actuator, wherein the actuator control signal is based on an analysis of the obtained control signals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of controlling an aircraft, the aircraft comprising a plurality of actuators, a plurality of actuator control units, and a plurality of flight control systems for generating control signals. The method comprises, at each of the plurality of actuator control units: (a) from each of the plurality of flight control systems, obtaining a respective control signal for controlling an actuator associated with the actuator control unit, the actuator being one of the plurality of actuators; and (b) providing an actuator control signal to the associated actuator, wherein the actuator control signal is based on an analysis of the obtained control signals.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a fuel cell module that produces heat and water, and a thermal energy storage module that stores the heat produced by the fuel cell module. The thermal energy storage module includes a phase-change material. A conduit couples the fuel cell module to the thermal energy storage module. The conduit is oriented to channel the water produced by the fuel cell module through the thermal energy storage module.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to computing methods and applications. A service platform includes standard functionalities that can be used in different applications, such as composite applications. The service platform includes a database that stores application specific information, which is mapped to the standard functionalities. To use these functionalities, different applications initialize relevant parts of the database and use predefined standards to access these functionalities.

Abstract: A lift and method for reciprocating a downhole pump includes an linear actuator, such as a piston-cylinder arrangement, located coaxially above the stuffing box of a well. The linear actuator includes a connecting rod that passes through and seals against the stuffing box, thereby taking the place of the traditional polished rod and allowing the linear actuator to be positioned lower and closer to the well. The connecting rod may be connected to the traditional polished rod below the stuffing box. A stopper may be selectively removed to allow the connecting rod to be pulled clear of the stuffing box while using the polished rod to seal the well, thereby allowing the linear actuator to be removed for maintenance.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a fuel cell module that produces heat and water, and a thermal energy storage module that stores the heat produced by the fuel cell module. The thermal energy storage module includes a phase-change material. A conduit couples the fuel cell module to the thermal energy storage module. The conduit is oriented to channel the water produced by the fuel cell module through the thermal energy storage module.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a fuel cell module that produces heat and water, and a thermal energy storage module that stores the heat produced by the fuel cell module. The thermal energy storage module includes a phase-change material. A conduit couples the fuel cell module to the thermal energy storage module. The conduit is oriented to channel the water produced by the fuel cell module through the thermal energy storage module.

Abstract: A lift and method for reciprocating a downhole pump includes an linear actuator, such as a piston-cylinder arrangement, located coaxially above the stuffing box of a well. The linear actuator includes a connecting rod that passes through and seals against the stuffing box, thereby taking the place of the traditional polished rod and allowing the linear actuator to be positioned lower and closer to the well. The connecting rod may be connected to the traditional polished rod below the stuffing box. A stopper may be selectively removed to allow the connecting rod to be pulled clear of the stuffing box while using the polished rod to seal the well, thereby allowing the linear actuator to be removed for maintenance.

Abstract: A method of performing data restore includes connecting, using a boot capable network communication interface, to a backup server over a data network, the backup server having stored thereon a block based backup data volume; accessing the block based backup data volume via the data network as a remotely readable storage resource; and using operating system data read from the block based backup data volume to perform a network boot operation.

Abstract: A side window shade device for a vehicle. The shade device includes a bottom edge for sliding into the gap formed between the side door and the side door window. Compressive force between the side door and the side door window holds the shade device in place. Extending upward from the bottom edge is a shade device body. The body is of sufficient size to block sun rays from contacting the arm of someone sitting in a seat next to the side door. In a preferred embodiment the side door is the driver's side door of an automobile and the shade device blocks sun rays from hitting the arm of the driver. Also, the shade device is curved inward to cover the arm of the driver and provide effective viewing out of the side of the car.

Abstract: A method determines a number of unique values in a sample of a list of values and estimates a number of the unique values for an unsampled portion of the list of values. The method estimates a number of the unique values in the list by adding the number of unique values in the sample to the number of the unique values in the unsampled portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to computing methods and applications. A service platform includes standard functionalities that can be used in different applications, such as composite applications. The service platform includes a database that stores application specific information, which is mapped to the standard functionalities. To use these functionalities, different applications initialize relevant parts of the database and use predefined standards to access these functionalities.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a fuel cell module that produces heat and water, and a thermal energy storage module that stores the heat produced by the fuel cell module. The thermal energy storage module includes a phase-change material. A conduit couples the fuel cell module to the thermal energy storage module. The conduit is oriented to channel the water produced by the fuel cell module through the thermal energy storage module.

Abstract: A method determines a number of unique values in a sample of a list of values and estimates a number of the unique values for an unsampled portion of the list of values. The method estimates a number of the unique values in the list by adding the number of unique values in the sample to the number of the unique values in the unsampled portion.

Abstract: A side window shade device for a vehicle. The shade device includes a bottom edge for sliding into the gap formed between the side door and the side door window. Compressive force between the side door and the side door window holds the shade device in place. Extending upward from the bottom edge is a shade device body. The body is of sufficient size to block sun rays from contacting the arm of someone sitting in a seat next to the side door. In a preferred embodiment the side door is the driver's side door of an automobile and the shade device blocks sun rays from hitting the arm of the driver. Also, the shade device is curved inward to cover the arm of the driver and provide effective viewing out of the side of the car.

Abstract: The invention relates to locking apparatus such as a door combination lock. The apparatus includes a lock housing having a number of code entry buttons mounted on its face. The buttons allow a user to enter a code combination in order to gain access through the door. In order to prevent deciphering of the code by an unauthorised user a load plate is provided to selectively impede actuation of the buttons between a released and a depressed configuration.

Abstract: A multiple-sided valve for implantation within a body vessel comprising a frame comprising a bioabsorbable material is provided. The devices can be pushed from a delivery catheter into the lumen of a duct or vessel and may include one or more barbs for anchoring purposes. A full or partial covering of fabric or other flexible material, or a bioabsorbable material, including a collagen-based material such as small intestinal submucosa (SIS), may be attached to the frame to form an occlusion device, a graft, or an implantable, intraluminal valve such as for correcting incompetent veins in the lower legs and feet.

Abstract: A process that lends itself to automation for producing multi-layer second-order nonlinear optical polymer (NLOP) thin films by the forming of a polycation layer containing an NLO-active cationic polymer, having non-centrosymmetric chromophores, on a substrate followed by the forming of a polyanion layer, also having non-centrosymmetric chromophores, on the polycation layer. A predetermind number of the polycation and the polyanion layers may be alternated upon the surface as well as one or more buffer layers. An added benefit is the formation of an ultra-smooth surface of the same order of roughness as the substrate upon which the layers are formed.