Abstract: Methods, protocols and systems for communicating in a multi-hop wireless mesh network may use cooperative diversity transmission techniques in combination with mesh routing. In one example, a cooperation layer may be integrated with MAC and/or PHY layers and generate a plurality of virtual interfaces for use by a mesh routing layer. The plurality of virtual interfaces may include a first interface type defining potential mesh nodes that can be reached without using cooperative diversity transmission techniques, a second interface type defining potential mesh nodes that can be reached by cooperatively transmitting with one neighbor node, and a third interface type defining potential mesh nodes that can be reached by cooperatively transmitting with combinations of two or more neighbor nodes. The mesh routing layer may select which interface to use in determining multi-hop routing based on a range and/or cost metric of a particular virtual interface.

Abstract: An aircraft fuselage intake duct seal dampens vibration in a compression seal member of an engine case inlet. The intake duct seal includes an inner leg that engages a stationary portion of the compression seal member and comprises a plurality of plenums for allowing inlet air to pass through the inner leg. The intake duct seal also includes an outer leg that engages a movable portion of the compression seal member and comprises a plurality of deflectors and a plurality of ligaments. The deflectors disengage the movable portion of the compression seal member at a threshold pressure such that inlet air bypasses entry into the engine case inlet. The ligaments remain in contact with and dampen vibration of the movable portion of the compression seal member at or above the threshold pressure.

Abstract: An automotive clamp accessory that can be used with existing prior art clamps to pull on a damaged vehicle's frame. The clamp accessory can be attached to a variety of types of damaged vehicle frames and locations without first being required to remove bolted-on vehicle parts-or attached glass in order for the pull clamp to properly access or grab the frame. Once the clamp accessory is attached, straightening is accomplished by pulling on the clamp accessory with an external force to return the frame back to its original shape. In the preferred embodiment, the clamp accessory includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a wall disposed between the first and second ends that forms a “stair-step” configuration. The first end portion having a pair of opposing pivot bores for mounting the prior art pull clamp thereto. The pivot bores allow the pulling clamp to be tightened in selected positions for various straightening applications.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an ad-hoc network comprises nodes. A sub-set of the nodes provides a backbone for communication between nodes in the ad-hoc network. At least some of the nodes in the backbone are selected to be a router based at least in part on a metric of the node.

Abstract: A greeting card comprises a relatively rigid substrate and a layer of resilient material having a first part secured to a surface of the substrate and a second part preformed to define a self-sustaining and elastically deformable three-dimensioned graphic figure. The layer second part is unsecured with respect to the substrate and is in movable relation thereto. The resilient layer first part defines continuous expanse in adhesively secured relation with the substrate surface and the layer second part is perimetrically continuous with the layer first part. The layer first part defines an interiorly open perimeter constituting the border outline of a face and the layer second part defines a face contiguous with the border outline. Also disclosed is method for making such greeting cards. Envelope structure is shown which permits breathing of the card and non-deformation of the graphic figure in transit.