Abstract: An apparatus for an aircraft engine that is configured for actively adjusting physical characteristics of an airfoil. The apparatus includes an airfoil that has a body and a filler that is embedded within the body. A source for electromagnetic energy is positioned in a portion of the engine and configured to generate electromagnetic energy having a predetermined range which encompasses the airfoil. A physical property of the filler is configured to change between a first state in the absence of electromagnetic energy and a second state in the presence of electromagnetic energy. The airfoil has a first airfoil characteristic when the filler is in the first state and the airfoil has a second airfoil characteristic when the filler is in the second state.

Abstract: A vibration-damping component, a gas turbine engine having the vibration-damping component and a method for forming such component are disclosed. The vibration-damping component comprises a body formed from an additive manufacturing material by an additive manufacturing process and defining a cavity within the body, and a vibration damper disposed within the cavity. The vibration damper comprises a damping element and a damping medium containing a viscoelastic material surrounding the damping element. The damping element has a relative motion when the component vibrates.

Abstract: An apparatus for an aircraft engine that is configured for actively adjusting physical characteristics of an airfoil. The apparatus includes an airfoil that has a body and a filler that is embedded within the body. A source for electromagnetic energy is positioned in a portion of the engine and configured to generate electromagnetic energy having a predetermined range which encompasses the airfoil. A physical property of the filler is configured to change between a first state in the absence of electromagnetic energy and a second state in the presence of electromagnetic energy. The airfoil has a first airfoil characteristic when the filler is in the first state and the airfoil has a second airfoil characteristic when the filler is in the second state.

Abstract: A vibration-damping component, a gas turbine engine having the vibration-damping component and a method for forming such component are disclosed. The vibration-damping component comprises a body formed from an additive manufacturing material by an additive manufacturing process and defining a cavity within the body, and a vibration damper disposed within the cavity. The vibration damper comprises a damping element and a damping medium containing a viscoelastic material surrounding the damping element. The damping element has a relative motion when the component vibrates.

Abstract: An adjustable height shower apparatus comprises a rigid framework of fluid conduits to which a plurality of sprayers is attached in an arrangement of sprayers, the fluid conduits defining fluid passageways from a fluid inlet port to the arrangement of sprayers, whereby pressurized water is able to flow from the fluid inlet port to the arrangement of sprayers; and a mounting assembly comprising a mounting component configured for attachment at a fixed position on a wall in a shower stall or bathtub installation, the framework and arrangement of sprayers attached thereto being adjustable and lockable at different desired heights on the mounting component. The arrangement of sprayers may comprise a plurality of sprayers arranged in a circumferential manner along an oval portion of the framework.

Abstract: A shower apparatus includes: a mounting bracket or mounting component; and a rigid component or shower panel. The shower panel includes one or more spray arrangements of sprayers, spray arrays, or spray patterns, and fluid passageways connecting water input to the one or more spray arrangements. The shower apparatus further includes a water flow control assembly for selecting a single flow from a plurality of flows to different combinations of the spray arrangements. The water flow control assembly comprises a plurality of buttons, a constrained strip, and a plurality of valves. A button when selected deflects the constrained strip—which is constrained and capable of deflection at a single location—into a corresponding valve to activate flow through the valve. This deflection straightens a previous deflection, thereby closing the previously open valve.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be used to provide and implement a state machine in a display software user interface environment, and used to handle events and actions associated with the state machine. In one example embodiment, a virtual display environment provided by an engine is interfaced with a state machine that is configured to interpret various state machine definitions corresponding to states occurring in the virtual display environment. The state machine definitions may be used to determine how a particular state of a virtual item in the display environment may be represented, interacted with, and transitioned into another state. Use of the state machine definitions may enable representation of complex scenarios for virtual objects and events in the display environment in a unified definition format, without requiring specialized programming or scripting commands to implement the scenarios.

Abstract: An adjustable height shower apparatus comprises a rigid framework of fluid conduits to which a plurality of sprayers is attached in an arrangement of sprayers, the fluid conduits defining fluid passageways from a fluid inlet port to the arrangement of sprayers, whereby pressurized water is able to flow from the fluid inlet port to the arrangement of sprayers; and a mounting assembly comprising a mounting component configured for attachment at a fixed position on a wall in a shower stall or bathtub installation, the framework and arrangement of sprayers attached thereto being adjustable and lockable at different desired heights on the mounting component. The arrangement of sprayers may comprise a plurality of sprayers arranged in a circumferential manner along an oval portion of the framework.

Abstract: A shower apparatus includes a ceiling mounting assembly and a plurality of tensioning lines; and a framework and arrangement of sprayers suspended thereby. The ceiling mounting assembly includes a spool in engagement with the tension lines such that winding of the spool in a first rotational direction results retraction of the tensioning lines into the ceiling mounting assembly and raising of the suspended assembly, and unwinding of the spool in a second, opposite rotational direction results in extension of the tensioning lines out of the ceiling mounting assembly and lowering of the suspended assembly. The ceiling mounting assembly further includes a spring that biases rotation of the spool; and the ceiling mounting assembly defines an opening through which access to the exposed end of the spool is provided for winding and unwinding of the spool by a person standing under the ceiling mounting assembly.

Abstract: A shower apparatus includes a ceiling mounting assembly and a plurality of tensioning lines; and a framework and arrangement of sprayers suspended thereby. The ceiling mounting assembly includes a spool in engagement with the tension lines such that winding of the spool in a first rotational direction results retraction of the tensioning lines into the ceiling mounting assembly and raising of the suspended assembly, and unwinding of the spool in a second, opposite rotational direction results in extension of the tensioning lines out of the ceiling mounting assembly and lowering of the suspended assembly. The ceiling mounting assembly further includes a spring that biases rotation of the spool; and the ceiling mounting assembly defines an opening through which access to the exposed end of the spool is provided for winding and unwinding of the spool by a person standing under the ceiling mounting assembly.

Abstract: A gaming environment may be established, by executing a game engine module to provide an interactive game instance, and instantiating a state machine instance using one or both of a state machine client module or a state machine server module. In an example, during execution of the game engine module, scripting commands within a state machine definition may be parsed and executed to obtain information indicative of one or more of a state of an in-game object or a state transition of an in-game object. An in-game object may be controlled within the game instance via the state machine using at least a portion of the information obtained from parsing and executing the scripting commands. Use of the state machine definitions in conjunction with the scripting commands may enable representation of complex scenarios for virtual objects and events in the gaming environment in a simplified format.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be used to provide and implement a state machine in a display software user interface environment, and used to handle events and actions associated with the state machine. In one example embodiment, a virtual display environment provided by an engine is interfaced with a state machine that is configured to interpret various state machine definitions corresponding to states occurring in the virtual display environment. The state machine definitions may be used to determine how a particular state of a virtual item in the display environment may be represented, interacted with, and transitioned into another state. Use of the state machine definitions may enable representation of complex scenarios for virtual objects and events in the display environment in a unified definition format, without requiring specialized programming or scripting commands to implement the scenarios.

Abstract: The Fence Master is an apparatus and method of unrolling and stretching fence wire for use with a vehicle such as a bobcat, tractor, pallet fork attachment or as pulled trailer. This device is designed to aid in the installation of fencing such as woven, barb or welded wire and other types of roll fencing. The device stretches fencing against the preset posts as it is spooling the fencing material by applying constant tension on the dispensed fencing. This device allows the installer to attach the fence to the posts without loosing tension and having to re-stretch the fence before permanently attaching it. The fencing material is guided through the tensioning drums that apply pressure onto the fencing material. The tensioning drums are adjustable and tension is applied to the wire by an adjustable band brake. The device holds four rolls of fencing wire that allows for continuous fencing by splicing a new roll to the end of another before going through the tensioning drums.

Abstract: A dump truck is disclosed, including a tailgate connected to a series of linkages to maintain the tailgate in a stationary position when the dump truck bed is in any position between fully lowered and fully raised. Also, a dump truck is disclosed, including a tailgate connected to a series of linkages to rotate the tailgate away from the truck bed to provide a large opening when the contents of the bed are dumped.