Abstract: A system and method is provided for data over power in an aircraft that includes a direct current power source for providing power over power lines to devices onboard the aircraft and a data injector coupled to the power lines for digitally modulating radio frequency data onto twisted pair data over power lines to provide data and power to the devices. A controller is coupled to the direct current power source and the data injector for providing the data to digitally modulate the radio frequency onto the twisted pair data over power lines such that power for the devices onboard the aircraft and data for control of the device onboard the aircraft are provided to the devices onboard the aircraft over the twisted pair data over power lines.

Abstract: Interior panels for interiors of vehicles, vehicles, and methods for making interior panels for interiors of vehicles are provided. In one example, the interior panel includes an outer covering having a first surface. A second surface is disposed opposite the first surface. The second surface has a pattern formed therein that is hidden from the first surface. A light source is operative to generate light and is disposed adjacent to the second surface generally aligned with the pattern. When the light source generates light, an illuminated pattern corresponding to the pattern is visible on the first surface. A capacitive sensor is configured to generate a capacitance change signal in response to change in capacitance of the capacitive sensor. A controller is in communication with the capacitive sensor to receive the capacitance change signal and is configured to generate a command signal in response to the capacitance change signal.

Abstract: A radio communication system for a vehicle includes a first radio unit to communicate using a first channel within a designated radio frequency band, a second radio unit to communicate using a second channel within the designated radio frequency band, a common receive antenna shared by the first and second radio units, a signal splitter having a splitter input port coupled to the antenna, a first splitter output port, and a second splitter output port, a first circulator, and a second circulator. The first circulator has an input port coupled to the first splitter output port, an output port coupled to the first radio unit, and a termination port coupled to a matched load. The second circulator has an input port coupled to the second splitter output port, an output port coupled to the second radio unit, and a termination port coupled to a second matched load.

Abstract: A radio communication system for a vehicle includes a first radio unit to communicate using a first channel within a designated radio frequency band, a second radio unit to communicate using a second channel within the designated radio frequency band, a common receive antenna shared by the first and second radio units, a signal splitter having a splitter input port coupled to the antenna, a first splitter output port, and a second splitter output port, a first circulator, and a second circulator. The first circulator has an input port coupled to the first splitter output port, an output port coupled to the first radio unit, and a termination port coupled to a matched load. The second circulator has an input port coupled to the second splitter output port, an output port coupled to the second radio unit, and a termination port coupled to a second matched load.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for data over power in an aircraft that includes a direct current power source for providing power over power lines to devices onboard the aircraft and a data injector coupled to the power lines for digitally modulating radio frequency data onto twisted pair data over power lines to provide data and power to the devices. A controller is coupled to the direct current power source and the data injector for providing the data to digitally modulate the radio frequency onto the twisted pair data over power lines such that power for the devices onboard the aircraft and data for control of the device onboard the aircraft are provided to the devices onboard the aircraft over the twisted pair data over power lines.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for data over power in an aircraft that includes a direct current power source for providing power over power lines to devices onboard the aircraft and a data injector coupled to the power lines for digitally modulating radio frequency data onto twisted pair data over power lines to provide data and power to the devices. A controller is coupled to the direct current power source and the data injector for providing the data to digitally modulate the radio frequency onto the twisted pair data over power lines such that power for the devices onboard the aircraft and data for control of the device onboard the aircraft are provided to the devices onboard the aircraft over the twisted pair data over power lines.

Abstract: Cabin audio systems for aircraft, aircraft cabin acoustics, aircraft cabin audio amplification, and audio amplification algorithms are provided. In particular, a speech amplification system including a first microphone configured to receive a first audio signal including an ambient noise and a second audio signal including a voice signal, a bandpass filter configured to filter the voice signal from the second audio signal, an amplifier configured to adjust an amplitude of the voice signal to generate an amplified voice signal in response to a control signal, a first speaker configured to receive the amplified voice signal and to provide the amplified voice signal a first seating location, a processor configured to generate the control signal in response to an amplitude of the first audio signal such that an amplitude of the amplified voice signal exceeds an amplitude of the ambient noise.

Abstract: Cabin audio systems for aircraft, aircraft cabin acoustics, aircraft cabin audio amplification, and audio amplification algorithms are provided. In particular, a speech amplification system including a first microphone configured to receive a first audio signal including an ambient noise and a second audio signal including a voice signal, a bandpass filter configured to filter the voice signal from the second audio signal, an amplifier configured to adjust an amplitude of the voice signal to generate an amplified voice signal in response to a control signal, a first speaker configured to receive the amplified voice signal and to provide the amplified voice signal a first seating location, a processor configured to generate the control signal in response to an amplitude of the first audio signal such that an amplitude of the amplified voice signal exceeds an amplitude of the ambient noise.

Abstract: Vehicles and sound systems for vehicles are provided. In one example, the sound system includes a plurality of sound producing devices. An amplifier is in communication with the sound producing devices. The amplifier is configured to receive input channels of audio content, to map the input channels with output channels to the sound producing devices in one of stereo mode and surround sound mode, and to remap the input channels with the output channels to the sound producing devices in the other of the stereo mode and the surround sound mode.

Abstract: Vehicles and sound systems for vehicles are provided. In one example, the sound system includes a plurality of sound producing devices. An amplifier is in communication with the sound producing devices. The amplifier is configured to receive input channels of audio content, to map the input channels with output channels to the sound producing devices in one of stereo mode and surround sound mode, and to remap the input channels with the output channels to the sound producing devices in the other of the stereo mode and the surround sound mode.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for data over power in an aircraft that includes a direct current power source for providing power over power lines to devices onboard the aircraft and a data injector coupled to the power lines for digitally modulating radio frequency data onto twisted pair data over power lines to provide data and power to the devices. A controller is coupled to the direct current power source and the data injector for providing the data to digitally modulate the radio frequency onto the twisted pair data over power lines such that power for the devices onboard the aircraft and data for control of the device onboard the aircraft are provided to the devices onboard the aircraft over the twisted pair data over power lines.

Abstract: Interior panels for interiors of vehicles, vehicles, and methods for making interior panels for interiors of vehicles are provided. In one example, the interior panel includes an outer covering having a first surface. A second surface is disposed opposite the first surface. The second surface has a pattern formed therein that is hidden from the first surface. A light source is operative to generate light and is disposed adjacent to the second surface generally aligned with the pattern. When the light source generates light, an illuminated pattern corresponding to the pattern is visible on the first surface. A capacitive sensor is configured to generate a capacitance change signal in response to change in capacitance of the capacitive sensor. A controller is in communication with the capacitive sensor to receive the capacitance change signal and is configured to generate a command signal in response to the capacitance change signal.

Abstract: A system and a method for drone detection and collision avoidance, particularly for use in an aircraft, is provided. The system includes, but is not limited to a sensor, a processor, and an avoidance unit comprising a control unit. The sensor is configured to detect a drone signal in a predetermined space and to transmit the drone signal to the processor. The processor is configured to determine the presence of a drone in the predetermined space based on the drone signal. The processor is configured to transmit a command to the avoidance unit when the processor determines the presence of a drone. The control unit is configured to receive the command and to generate a warning signal in response to receiving the command.

Abstract: A system and a method for drone detection and collision avoidance, particularly for use in an aircraft, is provided. The system includes, but is not limited to a sensor, a processor, and an avoidance unit comprising a control unit. The sensor is configured to detect a drone signal in a predetermined space and to transmit the drone signal to the processor. The processor is configured to determine the presence of a drone in the predetermined space based on the drone signal. The processor is configured to transmit a command to the avoidance unit when the processor determines the presence of a drone. The control unit is configured to receive the command and to generate a warning signal in response to receiving the command.

Abstract: A system for determining a concentration of gas in a confined space includes a first frequency generator for generating a first RF signal. A first antenna transmits the first RF signal across the confined space and second antenna receives the first RF signal. First and second RF signal power detectors detect the power of the first RF signal both prior to and after transmission through the confined space. A first comparator circuit determines a concentration of oxygen in the confined space based on the power of the first RF signal prior to transmission through the confined space and the power of the first RF signal received by the second antenna.

Abstract: A system for determining a concentration of gas in a confined space includes a first frequency generator for generating a first RF signal. A first antenna transmits the first RF signal across the confined space and second antenna receives the first RF signal. First and second RF signal power detectors detect the power of the first RF signal both prior to and after transmission through the confined space. A first comparator circuit determines a concentration of oxygen in the confined space based on the power of the first RF signal prior to transmission through the confined space and the power of the first RF signal received by the second antenna.

Abstract: A contact member for an electrical receptacle includes a connecting member having first and second ends. A first contact is connected to the first end of the connecting member and a second contact is connected to the second end of the connecting member. A first tab is connected to the first contact and is received by a base of the electrical receptacle. A second tab is connected to the second contact and is received by the base of the electrical receptacle. A plurality of barbs are disposed on the first and second tabs to securely retain the contact member in the electrical receptacle.

Abstract: A steam iron with a valve between the water reservoir and the soleplate. The valve has a valve stem that is connected to the temperature control. The valve stem is axially rotated when the temperature control is moved without longitudinally moving the valve stem. The valve stem has a groove of varying depth located between an inlet and an outlet of the valve member to vary the flow of water through the valve based upon the rotational position of the valve stem relative to the valve member. A user actuated mechanism is also provided to longitudinally move the valve stem among closed, variable, and non-variable open flow positions.

Abstract: A counting device for a battery operated appliance for visually displaying on a counter dial the number of uses of the appliance between recharging or replacement of the batteries. The counter dial is mounted within the appliance with an indicia portion visible at the outer surface of the casing. Movement of the dial is controlled by operation of the on/off switch for the appliance and a reset wheel is included for restoring the counter dial to an "0" or starting position.

Abstract: A cutter head assembly for a foil type electric dry shaver wherein the outer cutter foil is provided with a plurality of bowed arcuate outer cutting surfaces and wherein the inner cutter assembly comprises a balanced arrangement of individual blade members each having a plurality of arcuate cutting edges for engagement with the undersurface of the bowed arcuate outer cutting foil.