Abstract: A method of optimising a design of a component by conducting at least one analysis employing a 3D computer model which incorporates empirically obtained data values stored as 2D data sets. Ambiguities between values from different data sets which relate to common nodes, where the nodes define polygonal elements common to both 2D data sets, are resolved by determining an apparent area of said common polygonal elements from each of the at least two 2D datasets. The data value from the 2D dataset associated with the common polygonal element having the greater apparent area is used. An optimum component design is selected on the basis of the results of the analysis.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a target is described that includes establishing a reference target position and a measuring location position and measuring a range to the target, an azimuth angle to the target, and an elevation angle to the target. The reference target position, the measuring location position, the measured range to the target, the azimuth angle to the target, and the elevation angle to the target are utilized to calculate a position of the target.

Abstract: A method for characterizing pressure sensors to improve accuracy in an air data system is described where the sensors include at least one static pressure sensor and at least one total pressure sensor. The method includes characterizing the static pressure sensor and the total pressure sensor to determine a static pressure sensor error, Pse, and a total pressure sensor error, Pte, and performing a second ratiometric characterization to reference the total pressure sensor error, Pte, to the static pressure sensor error, Pse.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle driveline having an automatic transmission driveably connected to a transfer case whose output is continually connected to a first output, a clutch, selectively engaged in response to a control signal, driveably connects a second output to the first output. A digital computer continually monitors the occurrence of a change of clutch slip, input torque and a torque rate change to control the torque transmitted by the clutch to the second output. The control causes the clutch to transmit torque to the second output having a constant fraction of the input clutch torque and another portion that is proportional to the clutch slip. This result simulates the torque slip characteristics produced by transfer case having both a center differential mechanism and a viscous clutch.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a first power path producing a first ratio of a speed of the input and a speed of a first power path output; a second power path producing a second ratio of a speed of the input and a speed of the second power path output, the second ratio being is less than the first ratio; a double planetary gear unit including first, second, third and fourth members, the second member being secured to the output; a first clutch being operable to connect the first member to the input through the first power path; a second clutch being operable to connect the fourth member to the input through the first power path; a third clutch being operable to connect the third member carrier to the input through the second power path; a fourth clutch being operable to connect the fourth member to the input through the second power path; a first brake being operable to hold the fourth member against rotation; and a second brake being operable to hold the third member against rotation.

Abstract: A security service for an electronic marketplace that permits members of the marketplace to use any signing service to attach electronic signatures to documents resident on the marketplace regardless of format differences between the member's internal computer system and the electronic marketplace.

Abstract: A system is described that is configured to determine a plurality of air data parameters for an air vehicle. The system includes a mass air flow sensor, a pressure sensor, and a controller. The mass air flow sensor is mounted to sense an air flow caused by movement of the air vehicle. The pressure sensor is mounted to sense a static pressure at the air vehicle. The controller is configured to receive signals from the mass air flow sensor and the pressure sensor and determine an air velocity and a static pressure using the received signals.

Abstract: A firefighting apparatus is adapted for use in a host aircraft comprising a fuselage defining an interior and an exterior. The firefighting apparatus includes a pressurizeable retardant tank disposed in the interior of the host aircraft, the retardant tank being capable of roll-on and roll-off installation, an ejection tube in fluid communication with the retardant tank, and a door plug for mounting within a fuselage orifice in the host aircraft. The door plug provides for fluid communication of retardant from the retardant tank through the ejection tube to the exterior of the host aircraft. At least one sensor is operably connected to the firefighting apparatus to effect user-discernable data for effecting retardant delivery.

Abstract: A method for controlling a detonation altitude of a radar equipped munition is described. The method includes calculating a velocity of the munition while the munition is at an altitude greater than the desired detonation altitude, determining when the munition is at a reference altitude, and calculating a time representing when the vehicle will reach the desired detonation altitude based on the calculated velocity and determined reference altitude. The method also includes generating a fusing signal to detonate the munition after the calculated time has passed.

Abstract: Repeater circuit with high performance repeater mode and normal repeater mode is provided and described. In one embodiment, switches are set to a first switch position to operate repeater circuit in the high performance repeater mode. In another embodiment, switches are set to a second switch position to operate the repeater circuit in the normal repeater mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling multiple application programs to control a system's physical resources by way of multiple resource proxies, while still enabling exclusive control of the physical resource by one application program. Control tokens are used to limit control to one proxy. The proxy having the control token is tracked in an access control list. Java API methods that can alter the state of a physical resource are marked with an access control attribute during grinding. A resource management module intercepts API methods attempting to obtain control of the physical resource. If a proxy controlled by the application program invoking the intercepted method has control the method is allowed to use the proxy to control the physical resource.

Abstract: A multiple speed transmission for a motor vehicle includes a speed reduction gear set driveably connected to an input shaft, a planetary gear set having elements selectively driveably connected to the speed reduction gear set and input shaft, a first clutch and a second clutch, each clutch connected through the speed reduction gear set to the input shaft, a source of hydraulic fluid, and a first servo having a first fluid path connecting the fluid source and the first clutch, and a second fluid path connecting the fluid source and the second clutch, and a third fluid path connecting the lubrication fluid source and the lubrication circuit.

Abstract: A security system is described which includes a base station, at least one calibration unit and at least one sensor module having at least one sensor therein. The calibration unit is configured to provide signals to the at least one sensor module. The signals contain data configured to at least partially enable each sensor module to determine its location within a coordinate system. Each sensor module is further configured to transmit module location data, module orientation data, and sensor status from each sensor to the base station.

Abstract: A system for determining airspeed of an air vehicle is described which includes and airflow sensor and a processor. The airflow sensor is located within an airflow path extending substantially through the air vehicle, and the processor is configured to receive a signal relating to an airflow rate from the airflow sensor and output an airspeed based on the received signal.

Abstract: A sensing device is described that is configured to be launched from an air vehicle for deployment on the ground. The sensing device includes at least one sensor, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), at least one flight control surface, a flight control unit configured to control a position of the flight control surfaces, and a processing unit. The processing unit is coupled to the IMU and is configured to receive a desired trajectory from an external source and, upon launch of the sensing device, is further configured to determine an error between the desired trajectory and a current position as determined by the IMU. The processing unit is also configured to cause the flight control unit to adjust a position of the flight control surfaces to minimize the error.

Abstract: A cubical computer housing assembly comprises first and second ends and four sides, which define an interior compartment for housing the various computer components. The first and second ends are rigidly connected to one another and are slidingly detachable from four sides of the assembly. The interior compartment comprises three parallelepiped portions, one for accommodating a plurality of circuit boards, one for accommodating a heat sink and hard disk drive, and one for accommodating other memory device such as a CD ROM or DVD player. A hard disk drive is slidingly mounted in a frame which is rigidly mounted relative to the first and second ends. A hinged door on which is mounted a printed circuit board can be moved to an open position to provide access to the disk drive for removal and replacement of same.

Abstract: A method of and system for optimizing a tree to meet timing constraints inserts buffers at selected ones of the internal nodes of a tree to form a plurality of subtrees. The method sizes the wires of the subtrees according to a wire code for each subtree, wherein each wire of a subtree has the same wire code. The buffers are inserted and the wires are sized such that slack along the path from a single source node to each sink node of the tree is equal to or greater than zero.

Abstract: A mixture of natural gas and air is converted to a C5–C19 diesel fuel-grade liquid hydrocarbon. The natural gas and air mixture is supplied to the input of a catalytic partial oxidation reactor. The carbon-containing gas output of the catalytic partial oxidation reactor is connected as an input to a first Fischer-Tropsch reactor, to thereby form a first diesel fuel grade C5–C19 liquid hydrocarbon output. A carbon-containing gas output of the first Fischer-Tropsch reactor is connected to the input of a second Fischer-Tropsch reactor, to thereby form a second diesel fuel grade C5–C19 liquid hydrocarbon output. The catalytic partial oxidation reactor contains a platinum group catalyst, a promoted platinum group catalyst, a rhodium catalyst, or a platinum promoted rhodium catalyst. Each of the Fischer-Tropsch reactors contain a catalyst that is made up of from about 3 to about 60 parts-by-weight cobalt and from about 0.

Abstract: An air data system and method for a rotary aircraft is described. The air data system includes a plurality of flush ports connected via tubing to a plurality of air flow sensors that can measure air flow speeds as low as approximately 0.02 knots. The flush ports are arranged around a main rotor shaft and below a rotor hub of the rotary aircraft to help reduce the impact of rotor downwash. The flush ports and tubing permit air to flow into the air flow sensors, which allows the plurality of air flow sensors to measure speed and direction of cross-wind components of air flow surrounding the rotary aircraft.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle driveline having an automatic transmission driveably connected to a transfer case, a park gear, continually driveably connected through a planetary gear set to the drive wheels of the vehicle, is alternately fixed against rotation on the transfer case or released to rotate freely in response to movement of a gear selector having a park position. When the gear selector is moved to the park position, a pawl holds the drive wheels against rotation. When the gear selector is moved from the park position, the drive wheels are free to rotate without restraint of the park mechanism.