Abstract: A sound-damping panel. The sound-damping panel includes a first face sheet. The sound-damping panel also includes a core connected to the first face sheet. The core has a honeycomb structure. Walls of the honeycomb structure are embedded with a viscoelastic material configured to dampen sound in a pre-selected frequency range. The sound-damping panel also includes a second face sheet connected to the core, the second face sheet opposite the first face sheet relative to the core.

Abstract: A method of installing a decompression panel assembly in an aircraft. The decompression panel assembly includes a body portion, a baffle member, and a panel member. The method includes coupling the body portion to the panel member, wherein the body portion includes a plurality of frame members defining a plurality of openings in the body portion. The method also includes coupling the baffle member to the plurality of frame members such that the baffle member removably obstructs at least one opening of the plurality of openings. The baffle member is integrally formed with the plurality of frame members and is configured for at least partial displacement from the at least one opening during a decompression event. The decompression panel assembly is then coupled between a sidewall and a floor panel of the aircraft.

Abstract: An active noise control (ANC) system uses a proportional integral (PI) controller to produce a control signal based on feedback that comprises a combination of ambient sound and antinoise. The ANC system generates a corrected control signal based on the control signal and a configurable filtering parameter, and produces the antinoise under control of the corrected control signal such that the antinoise destructively interferes with frequencies of the ambient sound to produce the feedback. The ANC system uses a microphone to receive the feedback and provide the feedback to the PI controller.

Abstract: Active noise control (ANC) is performed within a vehicle. Suppressed sound is produced by suppressing frequencies of ambient sound above a threshold frequency that enter an interior cavity of a sound-suppressing enclosure disposed within, and spaced from, interior walls of the vehicle. A microphone disposed within the interior cavity of the sound-suppressing enclosure receives feedback comprising a combination of the suppressed sound produced by the sound-suppressing enclosure and antinoise produced by one or more speakers mounted to a headrest disposed within the interior cavity of the sound-suppressing enclosure. The speakers are controlled to produce the antinoise based on the feedback, such that the antinoise destructively interferes with frequencies of the suppressed sound that are above the threshold frequency.

Abstract: An active noise control (ANC) system uses a proportional integral (PI) controller to produce a control signal based on feedback that comprises a combination of ambient sound and antinoise. The ANC system generates a corrected control signal based on the control signal and a configurable filtering parameter, and produces the antinoise under control of the corrected control signal such that the antinoise destructively interferes with frequencies of the ambient sound to produce the feedback. The ANC system uses a microphone to receive the feedback and provide the feedback to the PI controller.

Abstract: Active noise control (ANC) is performed within a vehicle. Suppressed sound is produced by suppressing frequencies of ambient sound above a threshold frequency that enter an interior cavity of a sound-suppressing enclosure disposed within, and spaced from, interior walls of the vehicle. A microphone disposed within the interior cavity of the sound-suppressing enclosure receives feedback comprising a combination of the suppressed sound produced by the sound-suppressing enclosure and antinoise produced by one or more speakers mounted to a headrest disposed within the interior cavity of the sound-suppressing enclosure. The speakers are controlled to produce the antinoise based on the feedback, such that the antinoise destructively interferes with frequencies of the suppressed sound that are above the threshold frequency.

Abstract: A method of installing a decompression panel assembly in an aircraft. The decompression panel assembly includes a body portion, a baffle member, and a panel member. The method includes coupling the body portion to the panel member, wherein the body portion includes a plurality of frame members defining a plurality of openings in the body portion. The method also includes coupling the baffle member to the plurality of frame members such that the baffle member removably obstructs at least one opening of the plurality of openings. The baffle member is integrally formed with the plurality of frame members and is configured for at least partial displacement from the at least one opening during a decompression event. The decompression panel assembly is then coupled between a sidewall and a floor panel of the aircraft.

Abstract: A sound-damping panel. The sound-damping panel includes a first face sheet. The sound-damping panel also includes a core connected to the first face sheet. The core has a honeycomb structure. Walls of the honeycomb structure are embedded with a viscoelastic material configured to dampen sound in a pre-selected frequency range. The sound-damping panel also includes a second face sheet connected to the core, the second face sheet opposite the first face sheet relative to the core.

Abstract: A decompression panel assembly for use in an aircraft includes a body portion comprising a plurality of frame members defining a plurality of openings in the body portion. The decompression panel assembly also includes a baffle member integrally formed with the plurality of frame members such that the baffle member removably obstructs at least one opening of the plurality of openings. The baffle member is configured for at least partial displacement from the at least one opening during a decompression event.

Abstract: A decompression panel assembly for use in an aircraft includes a frame including a first surface and an opposing second surface, wherein the frame defines a grille opening and at least partially defines a flow path opening. The decompression panel assembly also includes a face panel having a first surface retained against the frame second surface such that the face panel at least partially covers the grille opening. A retention mechanism is coupled to the face panel and is configured to retain the face panel against the frame in a closed position.

Abstract: A decompression panel assembly for use in an aircraft includes a frame including a first surface and an opposing second surface, wherein the frame defines a grille opening and at least partially defines a flow path opening that are each defined between the first and second surfaces. The decompression panel assembly also includes a first panel and a second panel pivotally coupled together at a central hinge. A retention plate is releasably coupled to the first and second panels and is configured to move between a closed position and an open position. The first and second panels at least partially cover the grille opening in a planar position when the retention plate is in the closed position, and the first and second panels move away from the grille opening to a folded position when the retention plate is in the open position.

Abstract: A decompression panel assembly for use in an aircraft includes a frame including a first surface and an opposing second surface, wherein the frame defines a grille opening and at least partially defines a flow path opening. The decompression panel assembly also includes a face panel having a first surface retained against the frame second surface such that the face panel at least partially covers the grille opening. A retention mechanism is coupled to the face panel and is configured to retain the face panel against the frame in a closed position.

Abstract: A decompression panel assembly for use in an aircraft includes a frame including a first surface and an opposing second surface, wherein the frame defines a grille opening and at least partially defines a flow path opening that are each defined between the first and second surfaces. The decompression panel assembly also includes a first panel and a second panel pivotally coupled together at a central hinge. A retention plate is releasably coupled to the first and second panels and is configured to move between a closed position and an open position. The first and second panels at least partially cover the grille opening in a planar position when the retention plate is in the closed position, and the first and second panels move away from the grille opening to a folded position when the retention plate is in the open position.

Abstract: A decompression panel assembly for use in an aircraft includes a body portion comprising a plurality of frame members defining a plurality of openings in the body portion. The decompression panel assembly also includes a baffle member integrally formed with the plurality of frame members such that the baffle member removably obstructs at least one opening of the plurality of openings. The baffle member is configured for at least partial displacement from the at least one opening during a decompression event.

Abstract: A carrier for transporting flying disc game equipment includes a container and a lid removably attached to a top surface of the container. The container has an interior volume capable of accommodating game equipment and personal belongings comprising at least one of a flying disc, key lanyard, cellular phone, playing field boundary markers, athletic footwear, team apparel, and at least one beverage container. The container interior volume contains mechanisms for securing the game equipment. The lid when removed provides access to the game equipment held in the container interior. The lid has an integral seat portion for accommodating a game player's posterior.

Abstract: A cut optimization system controls chatter in a machine tool during a cutting operation. A microphone is configured to capture acoustic noise emitted by the machine tool during the cutting operation and to generate an AC signal corresponding to the captured acoustic noise. A filter is configured to attenuate frequencies of the AC signal outside of a frequency band and a rectifier is configured to rectify the filtered AC signal into a DC component. A controller is configured to compare the DC component with a threshold value and, if the DC component is greater than the threshold, cyclically vary the rotational speed of a spindle in the machine tool from a commanded speed.

Abstract: A cut optimization system controls chatter in a machine tool during a cutting operation. A microphone is configured to capture acoustic noise emitted by the machine tool during the cutting operation and to generate an AC signal corresponding to the captured acoustic noise. A filter is configured to attenuate frequencies of the AC signal outside of a frequency band and a rectifier is configured to rectify the filtered AC signal into a DC component. A controller is configured to compare the DC component with a threshold value and, if the DC component is greater than the threshold, cyclically vary the rotational speed of a spindle in the machine tool from a commanded speed.

Abstract: A method of inputting one or more items of information to a data destination (21). The method comprises generating the item(s) of information at one or more data sources (25-28); and for each item of information transmitting the item of information to the data destination in a data packet; calculating a time stamp value in accordance with the time delay between generating the item of information and transmitting the data packet; encoding the time stamp value in the data packet; decoding the data packet at the data destination to retrieve the time stamp value; and calculating the time delay associated with the data packet in accordance with the retrieved time stamp value.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data relating to a number of different categories, from a central location (A) to at least one remote receiver (C). The method comprises allocating a priority to the data to be transmitted in accordance with its category, the priorities defining a relationship between the different categories of the data; transmitting the data in a manner determined by the allocated priorities; monitoring the data to be transmitted to determine whether the data will be transmitted in a satisfactory manner; and, if necessary, changing the priority of any data which has not yet been transmitted so that it will be transmitted satisfactorily.