Abstract: An initial node deployment to form a cluster involves execution of program code to begin discovering other nodes on a LAN that will constitute the cluster. A node initially starts processes to obtain information to transition from an unconfigured state to a configured state. The nodes on the LAN can execute a discovery process that facilitates forming and configuring of the cluster, but the discovered information is confined within the LAN. This effectively blocks cluster configuration until someone locally connects to a host and retrieves a node address. To remove this obstacle, a node image can include program code to detect a compliant target device and extract to the target device an address of a discovered node that is valid for remote cluster configuration. The target device can then be used to convey the extracted address to allow commencement of cluster configuration remotely.

Abstract: A friction tester is provided which can measure the friction provided by a surface at a slip speed independent to the speed of travel of the friction tester. The friction tester comprises a vehicle which can travel over a surface at a first speed, and a test element which is driven to a second speed, and a measuring device, wherein the second speed is independently controllable; test element is engaged with the surface; and the first and second speeds are different so that the test element slips over the surface with a slip speed.

Abstract: A solid state liquid-chilled bar unit for an aircraft galley includes a multilevel frame dimensioned to fit the galley and including stacked slots, each slot configured to fit a compartment. Warmer compartments include a liquid thermoelectric device (LTD) with “cold” and “hot” sides and a liquid heat exchanger (LHE) connected to the cold side. Scroll fans circulate air over a finned heat exchanger (on the LTD's hot side) to heat the compartment. Chiller compartments include LTDs with an LHE connected to the “hot” side, and may be bottle coolers or chiller drawers. Bottle coolers chill bottles or other containers via conductive contact with the LTD “cold” side, while chiller drawers chill air by circulating it over a finned heat exchanger on the “cold” side. Unchilled drawers store food, drink, or supplies at or near the ambient cabin temperature.

Abstract: A potable water supply and waste system for an aircraft galley is provided that includes a potable water distribution manifold in fluid communication with a potable water source. The potable water distribution manifold is configured to distribute water from the potable water source to a galley insert in a work deck of the aircraft galley. A galley insert drain line is connected to the galley insert for draining waste water from the galley insert into a sump. The sump, in turn, is connected to a main drain line for the potable water supply and waste system that is positioned below the work deck. A rotary, cruciform valve is connected in fluid communication with the potable water distribution manifold and the galley insert. The cruciform valve is selectively configured to allow the potable water source to supply or drain the entire system through the same manifold.

Abstract: A compose form for drafting a message is presented inline within a window along with a message list. For example, instead of overlaying the message application's user interface (UI) with a new window for composing a message, the compose form is displayed within a portion of the window reserved for viewing content of messages. While composing the message using the compose form, the rest of the message application's UI remains visible and accessible to the user. For example, the user may navigate to another folder and/or move to another message/conversation by interacting with the tree view/message list view. A draft of the message being composed may be automatically saved when the user navigates away from the compose form (e.g. by selecting another conversation in the list view).

Abstract: A unitary deflection member. The unitary deflection member can have a backside defining an X-Y plane and a thickness in a Z-direction. The unitary deflection member can also have a reinforcing member and a plurality of protuberances positioned on the reinforcing member. Each protuberance can have a three-dimensional shape such that any cross-sectional area of the protuberance parallel to the X-Y plane can have an equal or greater area than any cross-sectional area of the protuberance being a greater distance from the X-Y plane in the Z-direction.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising at least two stacked fuel cell boards (22) which each comprise a membrane of substantially gas impervious electrolyte material and at least two electrode pairs wherein the anode and cathode of each said electrode pair are arranged on respective faces of said membrane. An electrode of each pair of electrodes is connected to an electrode of an adjacent pair of electrodes by a through-membrane connection (13) or by an external connection on a Printed Circuit Board, comprising an electrically conductive region of said electrolyte material. A method for forming the through-membrane electrical connections in the electrolyte membrane is also disclosed.

Abstract: A unitary deflection member. The unitary deflection member can have a fluid pervious reinforcing member and a patterned framework. The patterned framework can have a plurality of regularly spaced protuberances extending from the reinforcing member. At least two of said protuberances can be similar in size and shape, and each protuberance can have a transition portion having a transition portion width and a forming portion having a forming portion width. The transition portion width can be less than the forming portion width.

Abstract: A chilled air plenum system for aircraft galleys adapted to be connected to a food cart bay for a food cart includes an air return plenum having a return airflow duct with a plurality of midline primary apertures and a plurality of secondary lateral side edge apertures for receiving return airflow from the food cart. The return airflow duct also includes a central lower resilient back stop and lateral side edge resilient back stops to prevent a cart from impacting the rear of the food cart bay. The return air plenum cab be at least partially integrated into a galley back wall structure.

Abstract: A seamless unitary deflection member. The seamless unitary deflection member can have a backside defining an X-Y plane and a thickness in a Z-direction. The seamless unitary deflection member can also have a reinforcing member and a plurality of protuberances positioned on the reinforcing member. Each protuberance can have a three-dimensional shape such that any cross-sectional area of the protuberance parallel to the X-Y plane can have an equal or lesser area than any cross-sectional area of the protuberance being a greater distance from the X-Y plane in the Z-direction.

Abstract: An improved monument structure combining an integrated construction system with carbon fiber reinforced composites to form an exoskeleton chassis that significantly reduces the build times, manufacturing skill level requirements, post processing activities, and overall weight of a given aircraft monument.

Abstract: A chiller for an aircraft galley beverage cart compartment is disclosed wherein a liquid cooled chiller is located in the cart compartment vertically oriented against a back wall. The chiller engages the carts and circulates chilled air efficiently with a reduced footprint, allowing the depth of the cart compartment to be reduced. The unit includes a proportioning valve to control the amount of fluid through the heat exchanger and a distribution block on the post-cooling side to efficiently route the spent refrigerant.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, an insert apparatus for creating an attachment point in an aircraft panel includes a flange insert configured for bonding against an inner surface of a skin of the aircraft panel such that a portion of a load from a component mounted to the attachment point is distributed through the skin. The flange insert may include a wide flange, a bore, and a central opening through the wide flange and the bore, and a nut including an enlarged end and a shaft, where the nut is disposed in the central opening of the flange such that the enlarged end is proximate the wide flange and the shaft extends along the bore. Upon bonding to the aircraft panel, the bore may extend from an underside of the wide flange to proximate an outer surface of the skin of the aircraft panel.

Abstract: A valve manifold includes a valve body carrying pairs of laterally spaced piston actuated valves controlled by control modules operative to selectively pressurize and exhaust an outlet port connected to a fluid device and configured in groupings permitting varying valve functionalities.

Abstract: A four-way distribution valve is provided that allows for efficient filling and drainage of a potable water supply and waste system including a potable water distribution manifold and water filter in a commercial aircraft galley. The water distribution valve includes a cruciform manifold having a filter drain port connected to the water filter, two supply manifold ports connected to the potable water distribution manifold, and a drainage discharge port. A rotary closure element within the cruciform manifold actuates in accordance with four selectable filling and discharge modes for the valve to fill and drain potable water in the potable water supply and waste system. As a result, the valve can be used to fill the potable water supply system with potable water before a flight, and to selectively drain potable water from the potable water distribution manifold, the water filter, or both after a flight, all through the same valve.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of fabrication for flexible pixelated Fabry-Perot filter. The flexible pixelated Fabry-Perot filter can include a first reflective layer, a second reflective layer, a Fabry-Perot cavity layer between the first reflective layer and the second reflective layer, wherein the Fabry-Perot cavity layer includes at least two regions of different cavity thickness, and a flexible substrate layer which structurally supports the first reflective layer, the Fabry-Perot cavity layer, and the second reflective layer. The flexible pixelated Fabry-Perot filter comprises, for example, random or specified mosaic arrangement of blocks, where each block has at least two counts of Fabry-Perot filter, which can act as pixel filters, having resonance transmissions in ultraviolet, visible or near/mid/far infrared regions. The constituent materials and their thicknesses allow the flexibility and fabrication.

Abstract: A universal modular ducting apparatus for chilled aircraft galleys for either air over or air through carts has modular primary supply and return duct assemblies. Outlet port connection adapters are configured to connect chiller supply air duct outlet ports to either air through or air over configurations of aircraft galley food carts. The supply and return duct assemblies are internally insulated, and may be made from thermoformed plastic, prepreg, or a carbon fiber reinforced composite. Supply duct upper and lower portions may be connected by a connection adapter, and return duct upper and lower portions may be connected by a connection adapter, allowing the supply duct upper portion and the return duct upper portion to overlap.

Abstract: A rotary latch assembly for a galley cart compartment door is disclosed comprising a barrel member rotating on a spindle and a handle connected to the barrel member. An interfering block outside the barrel member can prevent rotation of the barrel member when engaged with the barrel member, and be displaced by a lock button diametrically opposed with the interfering block. The handle of the rotary latch bears against the door in a locked position to prevent the door from opening, and the button when depressed releases the barrel member to rotate and the handle to pivot out of the path of the door.

Abstract: A unitary deflection member. The unitary deflection member can have a fluid pervious reinforcing member and a patterned framework. The patterned framework can have a plurality of regularly spaced protuberances extending from the reinforcing member. At least two of said protuberances can be similar in size and shape, and each protuberance can have a transition portion having a transition portion width and a forming portion having a forming portion width. The transition portion width can be less than the forming portion width.

Abstract: A modular chiller for an aircraft galley trolley compartment disposed below a galley work deck. The modular chiller includes an enclosure for components configured to chill air circulating throughout the trolley compartment. The modular chiller includes a heat exchanger for chilling air entering the enclosure from the trolley compartment through air return ports. The modular chiller includes a fan for directing air flow through the enclosure, wherein a speed of the fan is controllable by a controller thereby causing adjustment in a volume of the air passing through the heat exchanger. The modular chiller includes connection ports configured to couple the modular chiller to one or more aircraft systems, the connection ports including quick disconnect connections for aircraft line replacement units, wherein the plurality of connection ports comprise at least one connection port for supplying liquid refrigerant to the modular chiller.