Abstract: An actuator for a flow control valve comprises an electric motor (112) for driving an output shaft connected to the valve; an electric power supply (128) having a characteristic feature for defining an intended direction of drive of the electric motor; a sensor (132) for detecting the characteristic feature; a connector (134) for connecting the electric current supply to the electric motor; and a control system (130) arranged to connect the electric power supply to the electric motor. Operation of the actuator comprises providing electric current; detecting the characteristic feature; determining the intended direction of drive of the electric motor from an output of the sensor indicative of the characteristic feature of the electric current; determining that there are no predetermined conditions inhibiting operation of the electric motor in the intended direction of drive of the electric motor; and operating the connector to connect the electric power supply to the electric motor.

Abstract: The invention refers to an active aero shutter for a motor vehicle, comprising a frame with openings through which air can flow, at least one closing plate in each opening, which closes the opening and stops the air flow when closed, and the frame is formed by several struts, each connected to at least one other strut, wherein each closing plate is pivoted with a hinge on a basic strut. As the active aero shutter according to the invention has counterrotating closing plates which are rotating in several angles it is possible to explore new design concepts and ensure driving performance.

Abstract: A remote identification system for the remote identification of an object that includes a wireless transmitter configured to broadcast a static identifier, such as a WiFi SSID. The object also includes a local broadcast module that dynamically alters or re-purposes the identifier so that it is no longer a static identifier but instead includes broadcast data that varies depending on the status of the object, such as its location.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a display, a camera, a communication interface, a memory configured to store information, and a one or more processor configured to, based on the specific object being identified from an image obtained through the camera, identify a preset zone with respect to the identified specific object, based on a user being identified from the image obtained through the camera, identify whether the identified user is located within the preset zone, and based on a signal corresponding to a user interaction being received by the communication interface while the user is located in the preset zone, control the display to display a user interface screen corresponding to a type of the user interaction.

Abstract: A remote identification system for the remote identification of an object that includes a wireless transmitter configured to broadcast a static identifier, such as a WiFi SSID. The object also includes a local broadcast module that dynamically alters or re-purposes the identifier so that it is no longer a static identifier but instead includes broadcast data that varies depending on the status of the object, such as its location.

Abstract: An aircraft, such as a drone, includes (i) an authentication module, such as a 3G SIM card, and (ii) a communications module, such as a 3G module. The authentication module (a) stores an identity uniquely associated with or identifying a specific pilot or operator (“pilot ID”) and (b) sends that pilot ID, or data related to the pilot ID, to the communications module. The communications module sends that pilot ID, or related data, to a secure integrated airspace management (SIAM) system that determines whether the pilot or operator is permitted to fly that aircraft and, if it is permitted, then the communications module receives from the SIAM an authorisation signal that permits the aircraft to operate.

Abstract: A remote identification system for the remote identification of an object that includes a wireless transmitter configured to broadcast a static identifier, such as a WiFi SSID. The object also includes a local broadcast module that dynamically alters or re-purposes the identifier so that it is no longer a static identifier but instead includes broadcast data that varies depending on the status of the object, such as its location.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recycling municipal domestic waste comprises subjecting the waste to steam at 150° C.-200°. After steam treatment, the resultant material is separated into constituent parts and biomass and/or plastics subjected to further treatment. The further treatment preferably produces bioethanol from the biomass and diesel from the plastics. As an alternative, some or all of the biomass may be gasified in order to produce hydrogen which may, in turn be fed to a fuel cell to produce an electrical output. The bio diesel or bioalcohol can also be used to produce electricity.

Abstract: An aircraft, such as a drone, includes (i) an authentication module, such as a 3G SIM card, and (ii) a communications module, such as a 3G module. The authentication module (a) stores an identity uniquely associated with or identifying a specific pilot or operator (“pilot ID”) and (b) sends that pilot ID, or data related to the pilot ID, to the communications module. The communications module sends that pilot ID, or related data, to a secure integrated airspace management (SIAM) system that determines whether the pilot or operator is permitted to fly that aircraft and, if it is permitted, then the communications module receives from the SIAM an authorisation signal that permits the aircraft to operate.

Abstract: A lightweight aircraft passenger seat assembly comprises at least one seat portion and at least one supporting portion for supporting the at least one seat portion relative to an aircraft structure. In order to provide an improved lightweight aircraft passenger seat assembly having a reduced weight, size and complexity as compared to conventional lightweight passenger seat designs, the invention provides a lightweight aircraft passenger seat assembly, comprising at least one seat portion with at least one seat shell for an aircraft passenger and at least one supporting portion for supporting the at least one seat portion relative to an aircraft structure, wherein the at least one seat shell and the at least one supporting portion are constructed as lightweight components.

Abstract: Local wind fields can be predicted if both the airspeed and the ground speed of the helicopter are known. An aircraft that uses an inertial navigation unit, autopilot and estimator allows a measure of ground speed to be known with good certainty. The embodiments herein extends this system to allow an estimate of the local wind field to be found without actively using an airspeed sensor, but instead combining the measurements of an accelerometer and a drag force model and a model of controlled aerodynamics of the aircraft to estimate the airspeed, which again can be used to estimate the local wind speed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recycling municipal domestic waste comprises subjecting the waste to steam at 150° C.-200° C. at above atmospheric pressure but less than twice atmospheric pressure, After steam treatment, the resultant material is separated into constituent parts and biomass and/or plastics subjected to further treatment: The further treatment preferably produces bioethanol from the biomass and diesel from the plastics. As an alternative, some or all of the biomass may be gasified in order to produce hydrogen which may, in turn be fed to a fuel cell to produce an electrical output.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recycling municipal domestic waste comprises subjecting the waste to steam at 150° C.-200°. After steam treatment, the resultant material is separated into constituent parts and biomass and/or plastics subjected to further treatment. The further treatment preferably produces bioethanol from the biomass and diesel from the plastics. As an alternative, some or all of the biomass may be gasified in order to produce hydrogen which may, in turn be fed to a fuel cell to produce an electrical output. The bio diesel or bioalcohol can also be used to produce electricity.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recycling municipal domestic waste comprises subjecting the waste to steam at 150° C.-200° C. at above atmospheric pressure but less than twice atmospheric pressure, After steam treatment, the resultant material is separated into constituent parts and biomass and/or plastics subjected to further treatment: The further treatment preferably produces bioethanol from the biomass and diesel from the plastics. As an alternative, some or all of the biomass may be gasified in order to produce hydrogen which may, in turn be fed to a fuel cell to produce an electrical output.

Abstract: A vehicular light assembly (10) is held in an operative position within a liner (12) by an intermediate retainer (32) which has spring-like tongues (42). The retainer (32) is held in position on the liner (12) by fixation tabs (36) which are bent through the receiving hole (18) and pinch the liner (12) against a mounting plate (34) of the retainer (32). Segmented shoulders (46) on a sidewall (20) of the light assembly (10) are received in channels (48) on each of the tongues (42) and seat above the tips (44) of each tongue (42) to retain the light assembly (10) in its operative position. By simple application of a manual force, a service person is able to install or remove the light assembly (10) from its operative position in the liner (12). Thus, no tools are required to install or service the light assembly (10). Furthermore, the intermediate retainer (32) functions as a single unit to interconnect the liner (12) and the light assembly (10).

Abstract: An interchangeable flashlight-cargo lamp system includes a docking station that is suitable for mounting either a cargo lamp or a rechargeable flashlight. The flashlight doubles as a cargo lamp when mounted within the docking station. Both the cargo lamp and the flashlight have common mounting elements that mate with corresponding mounting features of the docking station to permit either device to be inserted into and removed from the docking station. The interchangeable devices also include electrical contacts that mate with corresponding electrical contacts in the docking station. The flashlight further includes a battery that is recharged when the flashlight is mounted in the docking station.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion process such as an auto-thermal cracking process in which a hydrocarbon feed and a molecular oxygen-containing gas are contacted in a reaction zone in the presence of a catalyst to produce an outlet stream having an oxygen concentration which is at, near or above the flammable limit and in which process a loss of reaction is detected and used as a signal to activate means for mitigating the risk of explosion downstream of the reaction zone. The loss of reaction may be detected for example by a sudden increase in oxygen concentration in the outlet stream and/or a sudden drop in temperature of the outlet stream.

Abstract: An ionization system for a predefined area includes a plurality of emitter modules spaced around the area, a system controller for individually addressing and monitoring the emitter modules and communication lines for electrically connecting the plurality of emitter modules with the system controller. Each emitter module has an individual address and including at least one electrical ionizer.

Abstract: An interchangeable flashlight-cargo lamp system includes a docking station that is suitable for mounting either a cargo lamp or a rechargeable flashlight. The flashlight doubles as a cargo lamp when mounted within the docking station. Both the cargo lamp and the flashlight have common mounting elements that mate with corresponding mounting features of the docking station to permit either device to be inserted into and removed from the docking station. The interchangeable devices also include electrical contacts that mate with corresponding electrical contacts in the docking station. The flashlight further includes a battery that is recharged when the flashlight is mounted in the docking station.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electrochromic mirror having a variable reflectivity, a glare sensor for sensing levels of light directed towards the front element from the rear of the vehicle, an ambient sensor for sensing levels of ambient light, a display positioned behind the partially transmissive, partially reflective portion of the reflector for displaying information therethrough.