Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a wood hybrid light pole with an internal wireway for electrical wires and a base with anchoring bolts and space for electrical connections.

Abstract: A vehicle information system for passenger vehicles, such as automobiles and aircraft, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The vehicle information system includes a universal antenna system and a universal receiver system for receiving viewing content provided by diverse content sources during travel, including international travel. The universal antenna and receiver system provide selected viewing content for distribution throughout the vehicle information system and presentation via one or more passenger interfaces. As the vehicle approaches the coverage region of a selected content source, the vehicle information system automatically reconfigures the universal antenna and receiver system to receive viewing content from the content source without requiring manual adjustment to, or replacement of, the universal antenna system and/or the universal receiver system.

Abstract: A lightning protection element is incorporated into the portion of an aircraft signal distribution system which connects an antenna to flight critical equipment. The lightning protection element rejects surge currents associated with direct lightning strikes on the antenna, or its surrounding radome, while passing communication signals without significant interference with those signals. In a preferred embodiment, the lightning protection element comprises an optical fiber isolator element. A segment of optical fiber in the isolator prevents surge currents associated with the lightning strikes from reaching the equipment while passing communications signals transmitted on the signal distribution system.

Abstract: An aircraft entertainment system employing a hybrid video distribution system that permits distribution of direct broadcast satellite television programming to passengers of the aircraft. The aircraft entertainment system has a video control center 11, a plurality of groups of seat display units 40, and a plurality of audio and video processors 20 that control routing of programming to each seat display unit. A plurality of seat junction boxes 30 may be interposed between the audio and video processors 20 and the groups of seat display units 40. An antenna 12 is receives programming from a satellite, and a splitter 13 generates a plurality of channels of programming received by the antenna 12. A decoder 14 decodes the channels to provide video and audio signals, and an RF modulator 16 modulates the decoded audio and video signals for distribution.

Abstract: Cotton fibers are wet finished in a simpler and quicker manner by forming the loose cotton fibers into an integral batt by needling utilizing a needling machine, or air laying equipment. After formation of an integral batt having a weight in the range of 10-32 ounces per square yard, the cotton fibers in the integral batt form are fed to a wet finishing range for effecting scouring, bleaching, steaming, finish application, washing, and/or drying thereof. Subsequently, the finished integral batt will be passed to a conventional fiber opener to break it back into fibers, or it may be taken up into a package for further processing. 100% cotton fibers, or cotton blends having at least 60% cotton fibers, can be processed.