Abstract: The method of maintaining a first flow rate through a first valve in a fluid delivery system, the fluid delivery system including a and a plurality of fluid valves in fluid communication with the pump, and a controller controlling the pressure generated by the pump and the position of the plurality of valves. The method includes providing the first flow rate of a fluid pressurized by the pump through the first valve, receiving a request for a second flow rate of the fluid through a second valve, determining a predicted effect on the first flow rate based on the request, adjusting at least one of the position of the first valve and the pressure generated by the pump to maintain the first flow rate based on the predicted effect, and adjusting the position of the second valve to provide the second flow rate of the fluid through the second valve.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described to increase emissivity within a gearbox. Loss-of-lube conditions can cause a gearbox in a vehicle to quickly heat up and fail, which could lead to loss of aircraft and/or life. Surface treatments within a gearbox, such as black paint, black oxide coatings, shot-peening, and others, can increase emissivity within the gearbox. The increased emissivity can increase heat transfer via radiation, leading to longer operational capabilities during loss-of-lube conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for electronically managing coupons. The user no longer has to clip and organize coupons. The need for hand processing of coupons is substantially reduced. Rebates or payments for coupons can be substantially hastened and can be deposited directly into a user's bank, credit card, or payment provider account. Merchants and manufactures no longer have to be concerned with receiving bad (e.g., invalid, expired, or counterfeit) coupons. Thus, the electronic coupon management system benefits the users, merchants, and manufactures.

Abstract: Structured surfaces are described. In one embodiment, the structured surface comprises a plurality of structures having a complement cumulative slope magnitude distribution (Fcc) such that at least 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90% of structures have a slope greater than 10 degrees; and less than 80% of the structures have a slope greater than 35 degrees. In other embodiments, the structures comprise peaks and valleys defined by a Cartesian coordinate system such that the peaks and valleys have a width and length in the x-y plane and a height in the z-direction and at least a portion of the peaks and/or valleys vary in height in the y direction and/or the x-direction by at least 10% of the average height. Articles and methods are also described.

Abstract: An auxiliary step is primarily designed for facilitating entering and exiting the bed of a pickup truck. The step includes a shank for coupling a supporting post to an existing trailer hitch. A step is rotationally and linearly slidable on the supporting post for universal adjustment relative to the truck bed.

Abstract: A cargo restraint includes a support, a housing which is rotatable relative to the support about a first rotation axis, and a plunger which is slidable within the housing along a second axis normal to the first axis, the plunger having a portion serving as a restraint for cargo. A torsion spring connects the housing to the support such that the housing is automatically rotatably urged into a predetermined deployed or cargo-engaging position, and a compression spring automatically urges the plunger into an extended cargo-engaging position. The restraint is thus self-deploying, and can resiliently yield to both direct and indirect impacts.