Abstract: Whenever an avionics computer system receives a flight plan, the avionics computer system performs rules-based conformity checks with respect to a predefine set of rules/thresholds. The rules may be general aviation best practices (no rate of elevation change beyond some threshold, no single change in direction beyond some threshold, etc.) or specific to the aircraft (no violation of an operational ceiling, no violation of some defined fuel reserve, etc.). Violations of the rules and criteria are communicated to crew members via visual indicia of such violations, including the relative severity.

Abstract: Thermal battery systems for management (e.g., load management) of electrical power sources, and related methods, are generally described. Thermal battery systems in certain embodiments have an electric heater, a thermal storage system, a heat exchange system and an electricity generator. The electric heater is configured to be connected in electrical communication with an electric power source, such as an electric power grid and to heat the thermal storage system. The electric heater may be a separate unit from the thermal storage system and heat the thermal storage system indirectly by heating a first fluid that is circulated through the thermal storage system during charging, or the electric heater may be integrated directly into the thermal storage system to heat it directly.

Abstract: A dynamic ligament repair device includes a suture, a femoral side suture anchor and a threaded screw or housing implant. The screw is configured for placement in the tibia, or alternatively in the femur. A spring is housed inside an axial bore in the threaded screw. In some embodiments, the spring is a compression spring. A moveable spring button is positioned inside the axial bore adjacent a distal end of the spring. The spring button engages the spring directly in some embodiments. In alternative embodiments, an intermediate structure such as a spacer is positioned between the spring button and the spring. The suture extends between the spring button and the suture anchor. When the joint flexes or extends, the spring button travels inside the axial bore and dynamically compresses or relaxes the spring.

Abstract: A system and method for offloading Future Air Navigation System (FANS) and Automated Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) functionality from the flight management system (FMS) to an aircraft-based communications management unit (CMU) receives intent data outputs from the FMS, each intent data output including aircraft state and trajectory intent data. Based on the received intent data outputs, the CMU generates a dynamic route representation approximating the aircraft route, inferring and connecting waypoints without otherwise querying the FMS or the pilot for additional data. The CMU receives inbound messages related to ADS-C contracts established with the aircraft by air traffic control (ATC) ground stations and, based on the dynamic route, generates and transmits any necessary ADS-C reports to the ATC ground stations. Further, the CMU queries aircraft-based absolute and relative navigational systems to verify navigational system availability and accuracy status with each ADS-C report.

Abstract: Neutron single effect events are mitigated using gadolinium. Layers of gadolinium are fully encapsulated as part of an airborne electronic hardware, in circuit boards, in heat sinks, and as part of the device packaging. The gadolinium layers are designed to shield semiconductor chips from neutrons. Shielding the semiconductor chips from the neutrons reduces the upset rate of device packages using the semiconductor ships.

Abstract: A self-cinching suture device includes a suture body forming an adjustable loop, and including a self-cinching section wherein the suture body passes through itself in one or more axial or transverse passes. In addition to the self-cinching section, the suture body includes a transverse pass where the suture body passes transversely through itself and makes a 180 degree turn back toward the adjustable loop.

Abstract: A system may include at least one processor configured to: obtain data of an aircraft, the data including and/or associated a flight path vector (FPV) and/or a flight path predictor (FPP); obtain image sensor data output; identify features associated with a runway; determine that the identified features are indicative of the runway; determine a touch down zone on the runway; determine whether the FPV and/or the FPP is in the touch down zone when the aircraft is at a decision altitude and/or is predicted to be in the touch down zone when the aircraft will be at the decision altitude; and (i) output a notification to proceed with a landing procedure, (ii) perform an operation configured to cause the aircraft to proceed with the landing procedure, (iii) output a notification to perform a go-around procedure, and/or (iv) perform an operation configured to cause the aircraft to perform the go-around procedure.

Abstract: A remote avionics display device connected to a source graphics generator device receives image data from the source device and presents an avionics display via a touch-sensitive display surface. The avionics display includes a set of display windows, each display window having a size and function defined by window context data. Touch sensors detect user contact points on the display surface. The remote ADD translates the sensed contact points into potential command/control gestures by correlating the contact points with window context data to determine which display window each contact is located and to which gesture each contact or set of contacts corresponds based on the window context data and current touch data structures for the appropriate display window. The remote ADD sends sensed contact points and the corresponding potential gesture data back to the source graphics generator.

Abstract: A system for displaying carbon savings to a user is disclosed. The system may include one or more carbon savings input devices. The one or more carbon savings input devices may include at least one of a flight management system, a fuel system, an air data system, and an engine control system. The system may include one or more user interface devices including one or more displays. The system may include one or more controllers including one or more processors configured to execute a set of program instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to: receive one or more carbon savings inputs from the carbon savings input devices; calculate a carbon savings value based on the received carbon savings inputs; and generate one or more control signals configured to cause the display of the user interface device to display the calculated carbon savings value to the user.

Abstract: A suture button and a self-cinching adjustable loop suture construct that approximates tissue to a desired location during ligament repair or reconstruction is provided. The suture button includes first and second bridges and corresponding passages positioned to attach a suture construct to the button using a hitch around the first and second bridges. A recess is defined in the bottom surface of the button to accommodate a portion of the suture construct spanning between the two bridges without interfering with the underlying bone, tissue or structure against which the suture button is positioned. The suture button is configured to provide an anchor such that tension may be applied to the self-cinching adjustable loop suture construct to tighten the adjustable loops of the construct and apply tension to a ligament.

Abstract: A self-cinching adjustable loop suture construct includes a suture strand including a first end, a second end and an adjustable loop. An end loop is disposed on the first end, and a continuous loop is disposed on the suture strand in the adjustable loop, wherein the continuous loop is moveable along the suture strand in the adjustable loop. A self-cinching section is disposed in the suture strand between the adjustable loop and the end loop. An anchor is disposed on the end loop. A shuttling suture is disposed on the continuous loop, and a passing suture is disposed on the end loop. The suture construct provides a self-cinching adjustable loop tension device for securing tissue during ligament repair or reconstruction that can be secured without the use of knots to maintain tension.

Abstract: A suture button includes a body having first and second ends and first and second sides between the respective ends. Shoulders extend from each side of the body near the respective ends. A first recess is defined between the first and second shoulders on the first side, and a second recess is defined between the first and second shoulders on the second side. Each recess narrows toward its midpoint to receive a suture strand around the body in a loop or a hitch. The shoulders on each end of each recess prevents the suture material, once tightened around the body, from inadvertently slipping off the button. A center passage through the button accommodates passage of one or more suture constructs for ligament fixation and/or internal bracing. One or more holes are defined through the button between the center passage and one or both ends of the button in some embodiments.

Abstract: An internal brace device includes a fixed loop and first and second strands extending from the fixed loop. Each strand forms an adjustable loop, reverses back toward the fixed loop, and passes through a self-cinching section wherein tag ends of the first and second strands may be pulled in a direction away from the adjustable loops to tighten the adjustable loops. A first anchor may be disposed on the fixed loop, and a second anchor may be disposed on the adjustable loops or on a free loop disposed on the adjustable loops. The internal brace is configured to be tightened between the first and second anchors for mechanically bracing a joint. Each anchor may include a rigid anchor or a soft anchor in various embodiments.

Abstract: A covering for architectural openings includes a cord drive with a pulley that is supported by a bearing surface which lies in the plane of the cord.

Abstract: Whenever an avionics computer system receives a flight plan, the avionics computer system performs rules-based conformity checks with respect to a predefine set of rules/thresholds. The rules may be general aviation best practices (no rate of elevation change beyond some threshold, no single change in direction beyond some threshold, etc.) or specific to the aircraft (no violation of an operational ceiling, no violation of some defined fuel reserve, etc.). Violations of the rules and criteria are communicated to crew members via visual indicia of such violations, including the relative severity.

Abstract: Thermal battery systems for management (e.g., load management) of electrical power sources, and related methods, are generally described. Thermal battery systems in certain embodiments have an electric heater, a thermal storage system, a heat exchange system and an electricity generator. The electric heater is configured to be connected in electrical communication with an electric power source, such as an electric power grid and to heat the thermal storage system. The electric heater may be a separate unit from the thermal storage system and heat the thermal storage system indirectly by heating a first fluid that is circulated through the thermal storage system during charging, or the electric heater may be integrated directly into the thermal storage system to heat it directly.

Abstract: A power assist module for use in roller tube driven products, such as roller shades. The module may be pre-wound prior to installation in a roller tube and retains its pre-wound condition, even after use, when removed from the roller tube.

Abstract: A system for displaying carbon savings to a user is disclosed. The system may include one or more carbon savings input devices. The one or more carbon savings input devices may include at least one of a flight management system, a fuel system, an air data system, and an engine control system. The system may include one or more user interface devices including one or more displays. The system may include one or more controllers including one or more processors configured to execute a set of program instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to: receive one or more carbon savings inputs from the carbon savings input devices; calculate a carbon savings value based on the received carbon savings inputs; and generate one or more control signals configured to cause the display of the user interface device to display the calculated carbon savings value to the user.

Abstract: Thermal battery systems for management (e.g., load management) of electrical power sources, and related methods, are generally described. Thermal battery systems in certain embodiments have an electric heater, a thermal storage system, a heat exchange system and an electricity generator. The electric heater is configured to be connected in electrical communication with an electric power source, such as an electric power grid and to heat the thermal storage system. The electric heater may be a separate unit from the thermal storage system and heat the thermal storage system indirectly by heating a first fluid that is circulated through the thermal storage system during charging, or the electric heater may be integrated directly into the thermal storage system to heat it directly.

Abstract: A system and method for offloading Future Air Navigation System (FANS) and Automated Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) functionality from the flight management system (FMS) to an aircraft-based communications management unit (CMU) receives intent data outputs from the FMS, each intent data output including aircraft state and trajectory intent data. Based on the received intent data outputs, the CMU generates a dynamic route representation approximating the aircraft route, inferring and connecting waypoints without otherwise querying the FMS or the pilot for additional data. The CMU receives inbound messages related to ADS-C contracts established with the aircraft by air traffic control (ATC) ground stations and, based on the dynamic route, generates and transmits any necessary ADS-C reports to the ATC ground stations. Further, the CMU queries aircraft-based absolute and relative navigational systems to verify navigational system availability and accuracy status with each ADS-C report.