Abstract: A system for receiving, transferring, and storing solar thermal energy. The system includes a concentrating solar energy collector, a transfer conduit, a thermal storage material, and an insulated container. The insulated container contains the thermal storage material, and the transfer conduit is configured to transfer solar energy collected by the solar energy collector to the thermal storage material through a wall of the insulated container.

Abstract: A cable tray section includes first and second side rails, each side rail having opposite longitudinal ends and a length extending between the opposite longitudinal ends. A splice member is secured to one of the first and second rails adjacent one of the longitudinal ends. The splice member includes at least one opening configured to receive a fastener to connect the splice member to another splice member of another cable tray section to attach the two cable tray sections together. The at least one opening has an axis extending along the length of at least one of the first and second rails.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wrench for loosening or tightening a threaded joint of two drill-string components. The wrench is mountable on a drill assembly. The wrench comprises: a jaw assembly with opposing jaws for engaging the drill-string component therebetween; a first actuator for actuating the pair of opposing jaws between an engaged position and a disengaged position; a second actuator configured to pivot the jaw assembly and configured for applying a torque when engaged with the drill-string component; a third actuator configured to extend and retract the jaw assembly in a first plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill assembly when the wrench is mounted on the drill assembly; and a fourth actuator for actuating the wrench in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane. Embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to drilling systems comprising the wrench.

Abstract: An air traffic command automation system for automating the process of listening to, interpreting, adhering to, and responding to air traffic command messages is disclosed. The system includes one or more processors configured by programming instructions on non-transient computer readable media. The system is configured to: receive an air traffic command message, from an entity other than the flight crew, that includes one or more tasks for the aircraft to perform; determine from the command message the one or more tasks for the aircraft to perform; generate a sequence of actions for each task that the aircraft can undertake to accomplish the task; verify the coherence, feasibility, and safety of the actions; relay an interpretation of the command message to the command message originator; preview the verified sequence of actions with the flight crew; and issue commands to execute actions at appropriate points during a mission.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an adjustable-depth ring assembly for connection to an electrical box that is accessible through a wall opening in a wall member disposed forward of the electrical box. The assembly generally comprises a cover plate having a planar rigid plate and a raised portion, and an extension ring. A method of installing the assembly is also provided herein.

Abstract: A hands-free door latch allows closing the door and latching the door shut without a person using the person's hands, and further allows unlatching the latch without the person using the person's hands. In one preferred embodiment, shutting the door causes the latch to close by the force of gravity. In some embodiments, the latch can be unlatched with a person's foot. In other embodiments, the latch can be unlatched with a person's arm or elbow. The hands-free door latch allows a person to latch and unlatch a door without hands, thereby decreasing the likelihood of exposing a person's hands to germs left by someone else.

Abstract: A method and system for training a person in the aiming of firearms at moving targets is described, the method including the steps of: providing at least one moving target; calculating the correct lead for the at least one target; displaying a visualisation of the correct lead to the person

Abstract: An intelligent blast-hole drill bit that includes a housing embedded into a cavity in a bit body. A controller is disposed in the housing. An external antenna is disposed in the housing and coupled to the controller. An internal antenna is disposed in the housing and coupled to the controller. A wear transducer is disposed in the housing and coupled to the controller.

Abstract: A cable tray assembly includes first and second cable tray sections each including a base and rails extending transversely from longitudinal sides of the base. At least one of the base and the rails defines a plurality of holes. A splice plate is configured to engage the first and second cable tray sections for attaching the first cable tray section to the second cable tray section. The splice plate defines a plurality of holes. At least one snap-fit connector includes a head and a plurality of resiliently deflectable arms extending from the head. The arms of the connector are configured to extend through aligned holes in the splice plate and one of the cable tray sections to secure the splice plate to said one of the cable tray sections.

Abstract: An elongate cylindrical projectile including processing circuitry, a head assembly, a tail section assembly, a mid body section positioned between the head assembly and tail assembly, and a wing assembly, the wing assembly including a deployable wing which is stored in a closed position entirely within the mid body section and is deployed, using an actuator, to outside the mid body section in an open position in response to a command from the processing circuitry.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a sway brace attachment for a bracing system comprising a body defining at least one slot for receiving a flange of a structural support of a building, a set screw bar coupled to the body, and set screws threadably received in threaded openings defined by the set screw bar

Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting a junction box to a stud of a wall includes a face plate having opposite left and right edge margins. The face plate attaches to the junction box. A stud mounting flange is coupled to one of the left and right edge margin of the face plate and engages the stud. At least one clamping flange is coupled to the stud mounting flange and is configured to engage the stud. The at least one clamping flange is resiliently deflectable and applies a force to the stud to hold the mounting bracket on the stud when the mounting bracket is mounted to the stud.

Abstract: A method, electromagnetic switch, controller and program product, when energizing an electromagnetic coil to urge a selected shoe into a diverting path downstream of the electromagnetic switch, reverse current flow during at least a portion of the time that the electromagnetic coil is energized to recover energy from the electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: A non-lethal tranquilizer bullet is provided. The non-lethal tranquilizer bullet may include a housing defining an internal space and having a non-penetrating distal tip. A plunger assembly, a tranquilizer fluid, and at least one plunger stop may be disposed in the internal space. The plunger assembly can include a piston and a needle, and the needle may include a shaft terminating in a tip. The shaft may have a plurality of holes disposed along its length. When the bullet is fired from a gun and contacts a living body, the plunger assembly can move toward the non-penetrating distal tip such that the needle tip breaches the housing tip and enters the living body. The force of the plunger assembly moving forward may disperse the tranquilizer fluid into the living body through at least one of the plurality of holes. The plunger stop can prevent the piston from exiting the tip.

Abstract: A rotorcraft comprising a rotor blade designed to flap about a hinge point, a measurement system designed to measure blade flapping, and a processing system designed to alter blade flapping measurements. The processing system further comprises a correction process to alter a blade flapping measurement dependent on rotor RPM or rotor torque.

Abstract: A method, electromagnetic switch, controller and program product utilize multiple electromagnetic coils that, whenever it is desirable to divert a shoe, are operated in sequence to urge the shoe into a diverting path downstream of the electromagnetic switch. The multiple electromagnetic coils may also be used in combination with a downstream permanent magnet such that energization of the electromagnetic coils appropriately positions the shoe adjacent the permanent magnet such that the permanent magnet can further urge the shoe towards the diverting path.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wrench for loosening or tightening a threaded joint of two drill-string components. The wrench is mountable on a drill assembly. The wrench comprises: a jaw assembly with opposing jaws for engaging the drill-string component therebetween; a first actuator for actuating the pair of opposing jaws between an engaged position and a disengaged position; a second actuator configured to pivot the jaw assembly and configured for applying a torque when engaged with the drill-string component; a third actuator configured to extend and retract the jaw assembly in a first plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill assembly when the wrench is mounted on the drill assembly; and a fourth actuator for actuating the wrench in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane. Embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to drilling systems comprising the wrench.

Abstract: A system and method for geo-certifying delivery of items is disclosed. In some embodiments, a system tracks the intended delivery addresses of items as well as the actual delivery points. The system then determines if it has geo-verified geo-coordinates for the intended delivery points. If so, the system geo-certifies a delivery if the actual delivery point is within a geofence surrounding the intended delivery address.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a hold-down for a cable tray. The hold-down may be configured for high-wind situations. The hold-down includes a support clamp for clamping onto a support, and a hold-down arm for holding the cable tray on the support.