Abstract: A venting system for a battery includes a venting material disposed proximate to each cell of a plurality of electrochemical cells of the battery, the venting material configured to allow materials ejected due to a thermal event to flow through the venting material. The system also includes a venting device disposed in a fixed position relative to the venting material and the plurality of cells, the venting device including a structure for each cell. The structure includes a wall surrounding an area corresponding to a respective cell and extending away from the respective cell, the wall defining a venting path configured to direct ejected materials away from the respective cell.

Abstract: An actuator includes a first hinge assembly and a second hinge assembly. The actuator has a first dimension and a second dimension, the first dimension extending through the hinge assemblies. An outer skin is connected to the hinge assemblies. The outer skin defines a first actuator side, a second actuator side residing opposite the first actuator side, and a cavity. Shape-memory material (SMM) members are connected to the opposed hinge assemblies. At least one spring member is positioned within the cavity and structured to exert forces on the opposed first and second actuator sides tending to urge the sides away from each other along the second dimension. When an input is provided to the SMM members, the SMM members change their configurations and cause the actuator to morph into an activated configuration in which the first dimension decreases and the second dimension changes inversely to the first dimension.

Abstract: A remote actuator includes one or more bi-stable strips with at least one shape memory composite (SMC) spring connected to each bi-stable strip. The SMC spring includes a thermoplastic and an electrical and/or thermal conductor for transforming the length of the SMC spring upon heating. The contraction of the SMC spring transforms the bi-stable strip from its coiled stable state to its elongated stable state. The displacement of the SMC spring can be amplified by a simple machine included in the remote actuator. The remote actuator can include a shape memory alloy (SMA) strip for transforming the bi-stable strip from its elongated stable state to it curved stable state upon heating. Heating can be by Joule heating or from an adjacent heat source.

Abstract: A remote actuator includes one or more bi-stable strips with at least one shape memory composite (SMC) spring connected to each bi-stable strip. The SMC spring includes a thermoplastic and an electrical and/or thermal conductor for transforming the length of the SMC spring upon heating. The contraction of the SMC spring transforms the bi-stable strip from its coiled stable state to its elongated stable state. The displacement of the SMC spring can be amplified by a simple machine included in the remote actuator. The remote actuator can include a shape memory alloy (SMA) strip for transforming the bi-stable strip from its elongated stable state to it curved stable state upon heating. Heating can be by Joule heating or from an adjacent heat source.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an aircraft comprises a fuselage including composite skin; an enclosure located inside the fuselage; a rechargeable battery disposed inside the enclosure; and a ventilation conduit extending from the enclosure to an opening in the composite skin, the ventilation conduit including: a first portion having a first end coupled to the enclosure and a second end spaced from the composite skin, and a second portion extending between the composite skin and the second end of the first portion, the second portion comprising an electrically non-conductive material.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an aircraft comprises a fuselage including composite skin; an enclosure located inside the fuselage; a rechargeable battery disposed inside the enclosure; and a ventilation conduit extending from the enclosure to an opening in the composite skin, the ventilation conduit including: a first portion having a first end coupled to the enclosure and a second end spaced from the composite skin, and a second portion extending between the composite skin and the second end of the first portion, the second portion comprising an electrically non-conductive material.

Abstract: An aircraft comprises composite skin having an opening, and a ventilation conduit having an end portion that extends to the opening in the composite skin. The conduit is made of metal except for the end portion, which functions as an electrical insulator.

Abstract: An aircraft comprises a rechargeable battery including an array of battery cells, and means for mitigating consequences of failure of the rechargeable battery due to aircraft operating cycles.

Abstract: A method for recording operating information of a railroad train (10) comprising a lead locomotive (14), a remote locomotive (12A), and a trailing locomotive (15). The method comprises recording the operating information of at least one of the railroad train (10) and/or a distributed power communications system onboard the railroad train (10), determining a location of the lead locomotive (14), and including the location in a record of the operating information.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes an operation module configured for communication with a wireless message repeater, e.g., a rail vehicle distributed power message repeater. The wireless message repeater is of the type having an antenna system, a receiver for receiving an incoming message, and a transmitter for transmitting a repeat message of the incoming message. The operation module is further configured to assess operation of the message repeater by comparing a feedback signal to the incoming message. The feedback signal may comprise part of a signal energy of the transmitted repeat message as received by the receiver. Alternatively or additionally, the operation module is further configured to assess operation of the message repeater by comparing at least one signal power associated with the transmitted repeat message to at least one threshold.

Abstract: A security system adapted for use on an aircraft to prevent unauthorized access into a cockpit area of the aircraft via a cockpit door. The system includes a keypad accessible by individuals in a cabin area of the aircraft. A logic system is in communication with the keypad and also with a switch disposed inside the cockpit. Occupants of the cockpit, via the switch, have the ability to manually unlock the cockpit door, to deny the request for entry, or to do nothing, in which case the door will be automatically unlocked after the expiration of a predetermined time interval. A pressure sensor in communication with the controller allows the electronic door locking member to be automatically overridden, and the door immediately opened, in the event of a decompression condition occurring in the cockpit.

Abstract: A method of providing conditional electrical isolation for a bearing is disclosed. An inner race coupled to a first structure and an outer race coupled to a second structure are provided. An isolative means is provided for conditionally electrically isolating the first structure from the second structure.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a distributed power repeater for a train system. The method includes: (a) monitoring all radio traffic on a wireless communications channel used by the repeater to relay distributed power commands between a plurality of transmitters and receivers disposed on a plurality of trains for distributed power control of the trains; (b) determining the level of channel loading on the communications channel; (c) comparing the channel loading to a predetermined limit; (d) if the channel loading is less than the predetermined limit, relaying messages over the wireless communications channel at a first activity level; and (e) if the channel loading exceeds the predetermined limit, relaying messages over the wireless communications channel at a second activity level less than the first activity level.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes an operation module configured for communication with a wireless message repeater, e.g., a rail vehicle distributed power message repeater. The wireless message repeater is of the type having an antenna system, a receiver for receiving an incoming message, and a transmitter for transmitting a repeat message of the incoming message. The operation module is further configured to assess operation of the message repeater by comparing a feedback signal to the incoming message. The feedback signal may comprise part of a signal energy of the transmitted repeat message as received by the receiver.

Abstract: A wing blade attachment for a motor grader used to maintain unimproved rural roads. The wing blade attachment mounts to a trailing end of a main motor grader blade and swings up and down into ground scraping contact in order to create water drainage passages through the gravel windrows along the road edges or to smooth roadways at intersections, bridges and driveways. The windrows are placed by road maintenance crews to stockpile materials for roadway use. A linear actuator such as a hydraulic ram allows the grader operator to remotely and selectively swing the wing blade up and down and cut passages.

Abstract: A method for recording operating information of a railroad train (10) comprising a lead locomotive (14), a remote locomotive (12A), and a trailing locomotive (15). The method comprises recording the operating information of at least one of the railroad train (10) and/or a distributed power communications system onboard the railroad train (10), determining a location of the lead locomotive (14), and including the location in a record of the operating information.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a distributed power repeater for a train system. The method includes: (a) monitoring all radio traffic on a wireless communications channel used by the repeater to relay distributed power commands between a plurality of transmitters and receivers disposed on a plurality of trains for distributed power control of the trains; (b) determining the level of channel loading on the communications channel; (c) comparing the channel loading to a predetermined limit; (d) if the channel loading is less than the predetermined limit, relaying messages over the wireless communications channel at a first activity level; and (e) if the channel loading exceeds the predetermined limit, relaying messages over the wireless communications channel at a second activity level less than the first activity level.

Abstract: A system and a corresponding method processes data acquired from multiple medical devices located at one of multiple patient bed stations. A first data interface bi-directionally communicates with multiple medical devices in acquiring data, including patient related information, and acquisition device type identifier information from one of the multiple medical devices using a communication protocol selected from multiple communication protocols associated with different medical devices. A data processor incorporates the acquisition device type identifier information derived from the acquired data into a message in an Internet compatible format for communication to a remote device.

Abstract: The present invention allows developers of user installable software interfaces to generate end user installation procedures and documentation for the interface through a software solution. The method of the present invention reads interface configuration data present within a description of the interface and creates an installation guide that reflects that interface as it then exists. Guide creation may occur in real-time. In a preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention for automated generation of installation instructions for an interface comprises deriving installation related information from configuration data associated with the interface; retrieving template installation instruction information from a persistent data store; and incorporating the derived installation related information into the template installation information to form an installation instruction data file that may be formatted in numerous ways.

Abstract: A system for transmitting data includes a receiver that receives data at a first data transfer rate. A processor buffers the data into sequential frames of a predetermined length of time and arranges the frames into a byte of data. A transmitter transmits the byte of data a number of times greater than one and equal to a second data transfer rate divided by the first data transfer rate.