Abstract: A ventilation system can include structural beam defining an interior beam volume, a window adjacent the structural beam, an interior cabin defined by the structural beam and the window, and an environmental conditioning system. The environmental conditioning system can include a switch operable between a first position and a second position, an indirect configuration with the switch operating in the first position and a direct configuration with the switch operating in the second position. The indirect configuration can direct the air from the interior beam volume onto the window and the direct configuration can direct the air from the interior beam volume toward the user.

Abstract: A thermal control system includes a housing defining an intake flow path for travel of intake airflow and an exhaust flow path for travel of exhaust airflow. An intake door is disposed along the intake flow path and has first and second positions blocking and allowing intake airflow through the intake door. An exhaust door is disposed along the exhaust flow path and has first and second positions blocking and allowing exhaust airflow through the exhaust door. A mode door is disposed in the housing between the intake flow path and the exhaust flow path with a first position blocking the intake airflow and allowing the exhaust airflow to pass through a heat exchanger, a second position blocking the exhaust airflow and allowing the intake airflow to pass through the heat exchanger, and a third position allowing the intake airflow and the exhaust airflow to pass through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An HVAC system can include a multiport valve for controlling refrigerant circulation that permits refrigerant flow in a first direction through an interior heat exchanger and in a first direction through an auxiliary heat exchanger and at least one additional configuration in which refrigerant flows in a second direction through at least one of the interior heat exchanger and the auxiliary heat exchanger. The at least one configuration can include a second configuration in which refrigerant flows in the first direction through the interior heat exchanger and in the second direction through the auxiliary heat exchanger and a third configuration in which refrigerant flows in the second direction through the interior heat exchanger and the auxiliary heat exchanger.

Abstract: A deaeration device for a fluid includes a reservoir that contains a portion of the fluid, a fluid flow path that carries a portion of the fluid, a pressure regulating structure that creates a pressure gradient along the fluid flow path, a fluid exit in the fluid flow path, and a fluid entrance in the fluid flow path. The pressure gradient causes some of the fluid to exit the fluid flow path through the fluid exit and join the fluid in the reservoir. The pressure gradient causes some of the fluid from the reservoir to join the fluid flow path through the fluid entrance.

Abstract: An attenuation system is connected to a structural portion and includes a first portion, a second portion, and an actuator. The actuator is configured to move the attenuation system between a retracted position and an extended position. The first portion is moved outward relative to the second portion during movement of the attenuation system from the retracted position to the extended position.

Abstract: A thermal control system for use in an electric vehicle includes a reservoir in fluid communication with a first loop having a first loop component and a second loop having a second loop component. First and second pumps are operable to circulate a liquid coolant to the first loop and the second loop, respectively. A first valve, a second valve, and a third valve are moved between alternate liquid coolant flow positions by a vehicle control unit to selectively change the first and second loops from a parallel orientation to a series orientation providing alternate methods to reclaim or exhaust excess heat generated by the first loop component or to provide redundancy in order to maintain operation of the first loop and the second loop in the event of a failure of the first pump or the second pump.

Abstract: A climate control system for a vehicle includes a front-end or first heat exchanger configured to thermally condition airflow from an environment external to a vehicle cabin, a rear-end or second heat exchanger configured to thermally condition airflow from the vehicle cabin, a recirculation path configured to return airflow from the second heat exchanger to the vehicle cabin, and an extraction path configured to vent airflow from the second heat exchanger to the environment external to the vehicle cabin. Various operational modes of the climate control system direct airflow to either the recirculation path or the extraction path.

Abstract: A power ecosystem is disclosed that includes a premises power interface associated with a premises, a moving object power interface associated with a moving object, and an accessory power pack comprising an accessory sensor. The accessory power pack is configured to receive an electrical charge from the premises power interface, supply an electrical charge to the moving object power interface, and be releasably secured to the moving object. The accessory power pack is configured to send accessory sensor information captured by the accessory sensor to at least one of the premises or the moving object.

Abstract: A deaeration device for a fluid includes a reservoir that contains a portion of the fluid, a fluid flow path that carries a portion of the fluid, a pressure regulating structure that creates a pressure gradient along the fluid flow path, a fluid exit in the fluid flow path, and a fluid entrance in the fluid flow path. The pressure gradient causes some of the fluid to exit the fluid flow path through the fluid exit and join the fluid in the reservoir. The pressure gradient causes some of the fluid from the reservoir to join the fluid flow path through the fluid entrance.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body portion, an opening defined by the body portion, and an extendable bumper that is positioned in the opening and is moveable with respect to the body portions between an extended position and a retracted position. The extendable bumper includes an inflatable structure that causes movement of the extendable bumper between the retracted position and the extended position in response to inflation and deflation of the inflatable structure.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body portion, an opening defined by the body portion, and an extendable bumper that is positioned in the opening and is moveable with respect to the body portions between an extended position and a retracted position. The extendable bumper includes an inflatable structure that causes movement of the extendable bumper between the retracted position and the extended position in response to inflation and deflation of the inflatable structure.

Abstract: A system for effecting automatic identifying of a receiving aircraft receiving fuel from a fuel delivery apparatus in a delivering aircraft during an airborne fueling operation includes: (a) a first unit coupled with the receiving aircraft; (b) a second unit coupled with the delivering aircraft; and (c) a processing unit coupled with at least one of the first unit and the second unit. The first and second units cooperate to effect communicative coupling for conveying identifying information between the receiving aircraft and the delivering aircraft. The processing unit cooperates with at least one of the first unit and the second unit for employing the identifying information to effect the identifying.

Abstract: A system for effecting automatic identifying of a receiving aircraft receiving fuel from a fuel delivery apparatus in a delivering aircraft during an airborne fueling operation includes: (a) a first unit coupled with the receiving aircraft; (b) a second unit coupled with the delivering aircraft; and (c) a processing unit coupled with at least one of the first unit and the second unit. The first and second units cooperate to effect communicative coupling for conveying identifying information between the receiving aircraft and the delivering aircraft. The processing unit cooperates with at least one of the first unit and the second unit for employing the identifying information to effect the identifying.

Abstract: A system for effecting automatic identifying of a receiving aircraft receiving fuel from a fuel delivery apparatus in a delivering aircraft during an airborne fueling operation includes: (a) a first unit coupled with the receiving aircraft; (b) a second unit coupled with the delivering aircraft; and (c) a processing unit coupled with at least one of the first unit and the second unit. The first and second units cooperate to effect communicative coupling for conveying identifying information between the receiving aircraft and the delivering aircraft. The processing unit cooperates with at least one of the first unit and the second unit for employing the identifying information to effect the identifying.