Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive food. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to said hollow chamber. A lid is movable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position. The lid seals the opening to the hollow chamber when in the closed position. A portion of the lid is selectively positionable to form a pressure-tight heating volume between the hollow chamber and the portion of said lid. At least one heating element is associated with at least one of the housing and the lid. The at least one heating element is arranged within the pressure-tight heating volume.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for the storage and release of hydrogen gas using covalent organic frameworks (COFs). Advantageously, the compositions and methods described herein may be used for the facile and rapid release of hydrogen gas at near ambient temperatures. The described COFs allow for photoactivation, where the release of gas is initiated or the rate of release is increased with the COF is exposed to electromagnetic radiation, for example, UV light.

Abstract: Vascular closure assembly embodiments may be used to provide hemostasis at vascular puncture sites or the like. Such vascular puncture or access sites may be created during a variety of percutaneous or minimally invasive medical procedures.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to predicting outcome in a sporting environment are described. The methods and apparatus are used to relate trajectory performance of an object to body motions and body orientation associated with a generating the trajectory of the object. When equipment is utilized to generate the trajectory of an object, than the effects of equipment motions and equipment orientation can be also related to trajectory performance. The method and apparatus can be used to predict body motions and body orientations that increase the likelihood of achieving a desired outcome including specifying optimum motions and orientations for a particular individual. The method and apparatus may be used in training, coaching and broadcasting environments.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an aircraft includes a drive system, a main engine coupled to the drive system to provide first power, and a supplemental engine coupled to the drive system to provide second power additive to the first power. The aircraft also includes a control system to control the main engine and the supplemental engine to optimize usage of the supplemental engine. The control system is operable to maintain the supplemental engine in a reduced power state at least until a determination is made that supplemental power is needed to satisfy a total power demand of the drive system. The control system is also operable to determine that supplemental power is needed to satisfy the total power demand of the drive system. The control system is further operable to increase a power level of the supplemental engine in response to the determination that supplemental power is needed.

Abstract: A feed and water distribution device with a housing and a drip edge that hangs over protecting one or more feed ports or openings in the housing of the device. Each opening can be fitted with a plug that may also feature a shelf, wall and/or a drinking or watering valve. The housing of the device is shaped such that a portion of it covers the opening(s) in the housing through which feed and water can be obtained by animals. The housing can feature a drip edge. Optional plugs fit into the openings and can feature watering valves that can be manipulated by animals to dispense water. The interior cavity of the housing can be fitted with a funnel to direct the feed toward the center of the interior cavity. The floor of the housing can be cone shaped to help direct feed passing through the funnel towards each opening.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a rotary aircraft, including: a main drive rotor; an aircraft body mechanically coupled to the main drive rotor; and first and second flight assist wings passively rotatably coupled to the aircraft body.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system may include a build platform configured to receive a particulate, a particulate dispenser configured to deposit the particulate onto said build platform, a consolidation device configured to consolidate at least a portion of the particulate to form a component, a first actuator assembly configured to rotate said build platform about a rotation axis at a first speed, and a second actuator assembly configured to rotate said shaft about the rotation axis at a second speed different from the first speed.

Abstract: A method of forming a build in a powder bed includes providing a first diode laser fiber array and a second diode laser fiber array, emitting a plurality of laser beams from selected fibers of the second diode laser fiber array onto the powder bed, corresponding to a pattern of a layer of the build, simultaneously melting powder in the powder bed corresponding to the pattern of the layer of the build, scanning a first diode laser fiber array along an outer boundary of the powder bed and emitting a plurality of laser beams from selected fibers of the first diode laser fiber array and simultaneously melting powder in the powder bed corresponding to the outer boundary of the layer of the build to contour the layer of the build. An apparatus for forming a build in a powder bed including a first diode laser fiber array and a second diode laser fiber array is also disclosed. The first diode laser fiber array configured to contour the layer of the build.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a controller for an aircraft electrical system includes, a software safe module. In embodiments, the software safe module can be configured to determine whether there was a sudden power failure upon controller initialization, and cause operation of the controller in a software safe mode if there was a sudden power failure such that manual intervention is required to leave the software safe mode to prevent repetitive power failure of the controller.

Abstract: Methods for direct writing of single crystal super alloys and metals are provided. The method can include: heating a substrate positioned on a base plate to a predetermined temperature using a first heater; using a laser to form a melt pool on a surface of the substrate; introducing a superalloy powder to the melt pool; measuring the temperature of the melt pool; receiving the temperature measured at a controller; and using an auxiliary heat source in communication with the controller to adjust the temperature of the melt pool. The predetermined temperature is below the substrate's melting point. The laser and the base plate are movable relative to each other, with the laser being used for direct metal deposition. An apparatus is also generally provided for direct writing of single crystal super alloys and metals.

Abstract: A solar energy particle receiver system and method of use for precise and controlled heating, sintering, and/or phase change of particles. In one embodiment, the solar energy particle receiver system directs sunlight from a primary concentrator into supplemental concentrating reflective optic where the emitted sunlight is used to heat and sinter, melt, or induce a phase change of the particles such as regolith at a controlled temperature, the supplemental concentrating reflective optics cooled to prevent overheating and a sweeping gas directed at the reflective surface to prevent optical fouling. In one aspect, the supplemental concentrating reflective optic is a compound reflective concentrator. In one application, the particles are a regolith, such as a lunar regolith.

Abstract: An aircraft includes an airframe with first and second wings having a fuselage extending therebetween. A propulsion assembly is coupled to the fuselage and includes a counter-rotating coaxial rotor system that is tiltable relative to the fuselage to generate a thrust vector. First and second yaw vanes extend aftwardly from the fuselage. A flight control system is configured to direct the thrust vector of the coaxial rotor system and control movements of the yaw vanes. In a VTOL orientation of the aircraft, differential operation of the yaw vanes and/or differential operations of first and second rotor assemblies of the coaxial rotor system provide yaw authority for the aircraft. In a biplane orientation of the aircraft, collective operation of the yaw vanes provides yaw authority for the aircraft.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a build platform, a particulate dispenser assembly configured to dispense or remove particulate to or from the build platform, and a plurality of print heads each having at least one binder jet. The binder jets are configured to dispense at least one binder in varying densities onto the particulate in multiple locations to consolidate the particulate to form the component with a variable binder density throughout. The system also includes a plurality of arms extending at least partially across the build platform and supporting the print heads and at least one actuator assembly configured to rotate the print heads and/or the build platform about a rotation axis and move at least one of the print heads and the build platform in a build direction perpendicular to the build platform as part of a helical build process for the component.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system comprising: determining a geographic limitation with a control unit based on the geographic limitation associated with a traveler information included in a traveler restriction information; generating a provisional route based on a path between a start point and a destination point; determining a provisional POI based on a POI of the provisional route; determining a POI restriction based on the POI restriction associated with the provisional POI included in a rule information; determining a navigation restriction based on matching the geographic limitation and the POI restriction for presenting on a device.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a controller for an aircraft electrical system includes, a software safe module. In embodiments, the software safe module can be configured to determine whether there was a sudden power failure upon controller initialization, and cause operation of the controller in a software safe mode if there was a sudden power failure such that manual intervention is required to leave the software safe mode to prevent repetitive power failure of the controller.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system is provided. The additive manufacturing system includes a build platform and at least one workstation. The build platform defines a continuous workflow path and is configured to rotate about a build platform axis. The workstation is spaced apart from the build platform along the third direction and at least one of the build platform and the workstation is configured to move along the third direction. The workstation includes at least one particle delivery device, at least one recoating device, and at least one consolidation device. The particle delivery device is configured to deposit particles on the build platform. The recoating device is configured to distribute the deposited particles to form a build layer on the build platform. The consolidation device is configured to consolidate at least a portion of the build layer.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a metallic component, and corresponding methods. The apparatus may include a build plate with a build surface and an aperture. The apparatus may also include an actuator operable to translate a metallic component such that an end portion of the metallic component is positioned within the aperture of the build plate and below the build surface. The apparatus may further include a seal coupled within the aperture of the build plate and configured to engage the end portion of the metallic component. The aperture of the build plate, the seal, and the end portion of the metallic component may cooperate to form a powder bed to hold metallic powder therein. The apparatus may also include an external heat control mechanism operable to form a predetermined temperature profile of the end portion of the component to prevent cracking of the component.

Abstract: In one aspect, an additive manufacturing system is provided. The additive manufacturing system includes a build platform, a first plurality of particles positioned on the build platform, and a particle containment system positioned on the build platform. The particle containment system includes a particle containment wall. The particle containment wall at least partially surrounds the first plurality of particles and includes a second plurality of particles consolidated together. The particle containment wall includes a top end spaced apart from the build platform, an inner face positioned against the first plurality of particles and extending between the build platform and the top end, and an outer face that faces a substantially particle-free region, the outer face positioned opposite the inner face and extending between the build platform and the top end.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system including a housing configured to contain a powder bed of material, and an array of laser emitters having a field of view. The array is configured to melt at least a portion of the powder bed within the field of view as the array translates relative to the powder bed. The system further includes a spatter collection device including a diffuser configured to discharge a stream of gas across the powder bed, and a collector configured to receive the stream of gas and contaminants entrained in the stream of gas. The collector is spaced from the diffuser such that a collection zone is defined therebetween, and the spatter collection device is configured to translate relative to the powder bed such that the collection zone overlaps with the field of view of the array.