Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for temporarily increasing, on demand, the relative humidity of an area located proximate to a user in environments having lower than ambient relative humidity are provided by integrating a personal humidification circuit into a water delivery circuit to provide a diverted flow of water, and provide a flow of water vapor to a user, and returning the relative humidity-enhanced environment to a predetermined relative humidity by purging the environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting infiltration of cabin air into the flight deck of an aircraft, where the systems include at least one upper nozzle disposed adjacent to and above an outer upper edge of a flight deck doorway and directed downwardly, and at least one lower nozzle disposed adjacent to and below an outer lower edge of the flight deck doorway and directed upwardly; a conduit system to deliver air from a flight deck air supply to the upper and lower nozzles; and an airflow controller configured to provide sufficient air flow from the flight deck air supply to the upper and lower nozzles to create directional airstreams across the gaps between the closed flight deck door and the upper and lower edges of the flight deck doorway, so that the airstreams limit infiltration of cabin air into the flight deck via the gaps.

Abstract: A test cage and method for testing a gap formed between a wall and an insulation layer in a vehicle. The test cage includes first and second end walls and a sidewall to form an interior space. Openings extend through one or more of the first and second end walls and the sidewall. The openings are configured to allow air flow through the interior space. Two or more ports extend through the first end wall and are in communication with the interior space. Each of the ports comprises an inner end at the interior space with the inner ends spaced apart within the interior space and also spaced away from the second end wall. Hoses can be connected to the ports to provide for inputting a gas and/or testing the air within the gap.

Abstract: A test cage and method for testing a gap formed between a wall and an insulation layer in a vehicle. The test cage includes first and second end walls and a sidewall to form an interior space. Openings extend through one or more of the first and second end walls and the sidewall. The openings are configured to allow air flow through the interior space. Two or more ports extend through the first end wall and are in communication with the interior space. Each of the ports comprises an inner end at the interior space with the inner ends spaced apart within the interior space and also spaced away from the second end wall. Hoses can be connected to the ports to provide for inputting a gas and/or testing the air within the gap.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for temporarily increasing, on demand, the relative humidity of an area located proximate to a user in environments having lower than ambient relative humidity are provided by integrating a personal humidification circuit into a water delivery circuit to provide a diverted flow of water, and provide a flow of water vapor to a user, and returning the relative humidity-enhanced environment to a predetermined relative humidity by purging the environment.

Abstract: An air drying system including a compressor coupled to a first air inlet through which moist air is received, a first turbine in fluid communication with the compressor and coupled to a first air outlet through which dry air is expelled, and a second turbine coupled to a second air inlet and a second air outlet and being driven, at least in part, by an air flow caused by a pressure differential between the second air inlet and the second air outlet, where the second turbine is operably coupled to the compressor and the first turbine by a drive mechanism so that rotation of the second turbine drives rotation of the compressor and the first turbine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting infiltration of cabin air into the flight deck of an aircraft, where the systems include at least one upper nozzle disposed adjacent to and above an outer upper edge of a flight deck doorway and directed downwardly, and at least one lower nozzle disposed adjacent to and below an outer lower edge of the flight deck doorway and directed upwardly; a conduit system to deliver air from a flight deck air supply to the upper and lower nozzles; and an airflow controller configured to provide sufficient air flow from the flight deck air supply to the upper and lower nozzles to create directional airstreams across the gaps between the closed flight deck door and the upper and lower edges of the flight deck doorway, so that the airstreams limit infiltration of cabin air into the flight deck via the gaps.

Abstract: An air drying system including a compressor coupled to a first air inlet through which moist air is received, a first turbine in fluid communication with the compressor and coupled to a first air outlet through which dry air is expelled, and a second turbine coupled to a second air inlet and a second air outlet and being driven, at least in part, by an air flow caused by a pressure differential between the second air inlet and the second air outlet, where the second turbine is operably coupled to the compressor and the first turbine by a drive mechanism so that rotation of the second turbine drives rotation of the compressor and the first turbine.

Abstract: A pressure relief system is provided and a corresponding method for relieving pressure from a duct routing a gas from a compressor to a load utilizing the same. According to one aspect, a pressure relief assembly, located near the load, and independent of the primary load compressor pressure relief valve, for use with a duct includes a cover, first and second chambers, and a piston. The piston provides a moveable wall between the chambers and is coupled to the cover. As gas from the duct enters the two chambers, the configuration of the chambers provides for a pressure differential that moves the piston and the corresponding cover. This movement transitions the cover from a closed configuration that seals the duct to an open configuration that allows gas within the duct to escape.

Abstract: A pressure relief system is provided and a corresponding method for relieving pressure from a duct routing a gas from a compressor to a load utilizing the same. According to one aspect, a pressure relief assembly, located near the load, and independent of the primary load compressor pressure relief valve, for use with a duct includes a cover, first and second chambers, and a piston. The piston provides a moveable wall between the chambers and is coupled to the cover. As gas from the duct enters the two chambers, the configuration of the chambers provides for a pressure differential that moves the piston and the corresponding cover. This movement transitions the cover from a closed configuration that seals the duct to an open configuration that allows gas within the duct to escape.

Abstract: Hearing glasses with a left temple and a right temple connected to a front portion supporting a pair of lenses, at least one temple with one single microphone and a processor connected to the single microphone. The single microphone is an omnidirectional microphone and located in the temple such that, when the hearing glasses are worn by a human's head where the at least one temple is at a predetermined side of the head, the single microphone can receive sound substantially unblocked by the head from sound sources both at a left and right frontal side of the head, as well as from one back side of the head corresponding to the predetermined side of the head.

Abstract: Connector assembly for connecting an earpiece (27) of a hearing aid to a glasses temple (13). The glasses temple (13) has hearing aid components. The connector assembly (31) has a first connector housing (34) and a second connector housing (37). The first connector housing (34) is designed to be attached to the earpiece (27) via an intermediate unit (29) whereas the second connector housing (37) is designed to be attached to the glasses temple (13). The first and second connector housings (34, 37) are designed to engage one another by way of a disconnectable connection.

Abstract: A hearing aid/spectacles combination includes a spectacle frame and a first reproduction unit. The spectacle frame has a microphone array in a first spectacle arm. The microphone array is able to pick up a sound signal and is able to transmit a processed signal, produced on the basis of the sound signal, to the first reproduction unit. The hearing aid/spectacles combination includes a sound registration module that includes the microphone array; a beam forming module for forming a direction-dependent processed signal; a reproduction adaptation module for controlling a reproduction characteristic of the processed sound signal produced by the first reproduction unit; a reproduction module that comprises the first reproduction unit; and a reproduction control module for controlling a reproduction characteristic of the processed sound signal produced by the first reproduction unit; the beam forming module and the reproduction adaptation module can be based on digital techniques.

Abstract: Hearing glasses with a left temple and a right temple connected to a front portion supporting a pair of lenses, at least one temple with one single microphone and a processor connected to the single microphone. The single microphone is an omnidirectional microphone and located in the temple such that, when the hearing glasses are worn by a human's head where the at least one temple is at a predetermined side of the head, the single microphone can receive sound substantially unblocked by the head from sound sources both at a left and right frontal side of the head, as well as from one back side of the head corresponding to the predetermined side of the head.

Abstract: Connector assembly for connecting an earpiece (27) of a hearing aid to a glasses temple (13). The glasses temple (13) has hearing aid components. The connector assembly (31) has a first connector housing (34) and a second connector housing (37). The first connector housing (34) is designed to be attached to the earpiece (27) via an intermediate unit (29) whereas the second connector housing (37) is designed to be attached to the glasses temple (13). The first and second connector housings (34, 37) are designed to engage one another by way of a disconnectable connection.

Abstract: Packages which are subject to tampering while in a store or deterioration over time due to the presence of oxygen may be readily identified by placing therein a multi-component visual indicator system which is sensitive to the presence of oxygen. The system, which may be prepared aerobically and then placed into an anaerobic environment for use, is not effected by the presence of reducing agents found commonly in foods, drugs, and cosmetics.

Abstract: A method of coloring foods using a color system comprising a diluent and a colorant in particle form is disclosed. The color of a food can be controlled by controlling the particle size and dilution ratio of the colorants. The colorants become visible on the food when the product to which the colorants are applied is exposed to heat.

Abstract: A coloring system and method for use is provided. The coloring system comprises a diluent and colorant in particle form. The dilution ratio and particle size can be utilized to control the color of the system during distribution and storage. The colorant can be any desired color, for example, brown, red, etc., and the system can be made such that it is generally invisible when applied to the product. When the food product with the associated coloring system is exposed to heat, e.g. radiation, the colorant becomes visible providing color to the food product in a preselected region. A carrier can also be provided in the coloring system to provide shelf life stability to the coloring system when the coloring system is applied to the food prior to distribution.