Abstract: A gas turbine engine airfoil (22) has a wall (42) provided with a cooling effusion hole (40) therein to facilitate film cooling of the external surface (52) of the wall (42). A member (46) attached to the internal surface (48) of the airfoil wall (42) is provided with an aperture (44) which at least partially overlaps the cooling effusion hole (40). The airfoil wall (42) and member (46) are formed from materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion and are mounted such that over a temperature range, the aperture (44) and cooling effusion hole (40) interact to a greater or lesser extent to modulate the flow of cooling air therethrough.

Abstract: A water heater includes a storage tank, a heat source for heating water stored in the storage tank, and a dip tube extending into the tank. The dip tube includes upper and lower ends, a restriction between the upper and lower ends so as to create back pressure in the dip tube above the restriction, the restriction positioned in an upper portion of the storage tank, a lower opening below the restriction for providing cold water to a lower portion of the storage tank, and an upper opening above the restriction for providing cold water to the upper portion of the storage tank due to the first restriction.

Abstract: A composite article includes a substrate and a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) disposed on the substrate. The PSA includes a polymer formed from at least one radical curable organic compound polymerized in the presence of an organoborane initiator. The polymer has a polydispersity index of less than or equal to 5.0 and a temperature of softening less than a temperature of use. The composite article is formed by a method including the steps of polymerizing the at least one radical curable organic compound to form the polymer and applying the PSA to the substrate to form the composite article. The polymer is formed by a method including the steps of combining the at least one radical curable organic compound and the organoborane initiator and polymerizing the at least one radical curable organic compound.

Abstract: A camera cover comprising a surrounding sidewall that has an interior sized and configured for receiving and housing a camera. The sidewall defines opposed first and second openings through which the camera may be operated. A camera mount is connected to the surrounding sidewall and is operative to secure the camera within the interior with the camera's lens directed to one of the first and second openings. The camera cover preferably includes a strap with opposed first and second end portions that are each removably fastened to the surrounding sidewall. The end portions of the strap may each include an extension strap securable to the camera. The camera cover includes a first closure associated with the first opening and a second closure associated with the second opening. The first closure comprises a first flap and a magnetic latch and the second closure comprises a second flap and a zipper.

Abstract: An audio entertainment system having a primary circuit board with a processor in communication with an antenna input, an audio output and a connector. The processor is configured to detect the presence of the digital audio circuit board and to output an audio signal to the audio output based on the wireless signal. The wireless signal may be an AM, FM or digital satellite signal.

Abstract: A silicone acrylate hybrid composition includes the reaction product of a silicon-containing pressure sensitive adhesive composition, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and an initiator. The silicon-containing pressure sensitive adhesive composition includes acrylate or methacrylate functionality. A method of making the hybrid composition includes polymerizing the ethylenically unsaturated monomer and the silicon-containing pressure sensitive adhesive composition in the presence of the initiator.

Abstract: A moldable heat shield with a needled nonwoven core layer and needled nonwoven shell layers. The core layer has a blend polyester staple fibers and low melt polyester staple fibers. The shell layers have a blend of staple fibers of partially oxidized polyacrylonitrile, and staple fibers of polyester, and staple fibers of a low melt polyester. The layers are needled together such that fibers from the core layer do not reach the outer surfaces of the shell layers. The shell layers are calendared such that an outer surface layer is formed thereon, which provides the moldable heat shield with a water and oil resistant surface.

Abstract: An audio entertainment system having a primary circuit board with a processor in communication with an antenna input, an audio output and a connector. The processor is configured to detect the presence of the digital audio circuit board and to output an audio signal to the audio output based on the wireless signal. The wireless signal may be an AM, FM or digital satellite signal.

Abstract: In some configurations, the present invention is an apparatus for monitoring events on board a transportation vehicle. The apparatus includes a communication system configured to stream data from the transportation vehicle to an external location at least one monitoring device configured to collect video data, audio data, or both, from events occurring on the transportation vehicle; a latching mechanism in a location inaccessible during travel and configured to activate the communication system to stream data from the monitoring device or devices to the external location; and a switch configured to activate the latching mechanism when the switch is activated.

Abstract: A system and method for providing communications within an airfield between an aircraft component located upon an aircraft and an airport data network. A control computer is used to select an optimal antenna substation from a plurality of antenna substations disposed about the airfield for the aircraft component to communicate with. The selection is based in part upon position information including the directional heading of the aircraft, determined using a suitable position detecting system, such as a Global Positioning System or a multi-lateration system, and in part upon the loading (i.e., RF traffic) being experienced by each antenna array.

Abstract: A method of communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system is described. The method includes initiating a connection between a plurality of clients on a vehicle and a ground system, and communicating, in parallel, data between the plurality of clients and the ground system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing computer system configuration data are provided. The method includes staging the configuration data in a staging memory accessible to a first application, selecting a path for a transfer of the configuration data from the staging memory to a target memory, emulating a hardware data loader using a second software application adapted to control a transfer of the configuration data from the staging memory to the target memory, and transferring the configuration data from the staging memory to the target memory using the emulator. The method further effectively expands a memory capacity of a Flight Management Computer by providing swappable memory capacity such that a re-certification to Federal Aviation Administration standards of the Flight Management Computer is not triggered.

Abstract: A method for wirelessly communicating data between a plurality of avionics units on an aircraft and a data communication apparatus. The method includes wirelessly communicating download data for one avionics unit from the data communication apparatus to an aircraft data services link in the aircraft; automatically switching a communication path from the aircraft data services link to the avionics unit responsive to the download data; and electronically communicating the download data from the data communication apparatus to the avionics unit via the automatically switched communication path.

Abstract: A method for collecting, storing, interpreting and transmitting data from vehicles of all kinds allowing vehicle users and fleet managers to diagnose problems using the IntelaKey System, to transmit vehicle feature settings to on board vehicle computers, store and analyze vehicle operating data, recognize who the driver is at any particular time, transmit vehicle data to mechanical support personnel, record trip information and track vehicle maintenance. In addition, the IntelaKey System may be used for business in conjunction with accounting and dispatch software, and GPS systems to track hours for both billing and payroll purposes and travel routes for management of personnel efficiency. Daily work schedules, routes and work orders may be loaded on the IntelaKey for access via handheld or small personal computer by businesses or government field personnel. Governments may collect data from many IntelaKey Systems and users to analyze traffic patterns and vehicle emissions data.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method comprising (1) heating in the presence of a catalyst a mixture comprising (i) at least one organohydrogensilicon compound containing at least one silicon-bonded hydrogen atom per molecule or a reaction product obtained by mixing in the presence of a platinum group metal-containing catalyst at least one organohydrogensilicon compound containing at least one silicon-bonded hydrogen atom per molecule and at least one compound having at least one aliphatic unsaturation, (ii) at least one endblocker, and optionally (iii) at least one organosiloxane chosen from a hydrolyzate or a cyclosiloxane, so to cause polymerization of components (i), (ii), and optionally (iii) to form silicon-bonded hydrogen containing branched polymers.

Abstract: A storable cement system comprises a suspending agent, a cement spacer and water. The composition may further optional contain a surfactant and/or an organic solvent and/or a weighting material. The suspending agent is preferably a carrageenan or scleroglucan. The cement system may be stored for an extended period of time prior to being interposed between a cement slurry and a drilling fluid. As such, the aqueous cement system may be made off-site and used when desired for preventing contact between non-compatible hydrocarbonaceous and aqueous fluids.

Abstract: A composition comprising (A) at least one compound having at least one aliphatic unsaturation; (B) at least one organohydrogensilicon compound containing at least one silicon-bonded hydrogen atom per molecule and (C) a platinum group metal-containing catalyst.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling information from wireless nodes, including nodes for communication with aircraft, are disclosed. A system in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes a sensor configured to sense information corresponding to a characteristic of a wireless node. The wireless node can be one of a plurality of wireless nodes configured to transmit and receive wireless signals. The wireless nodes can also be linked to a non-wireless network portion. The system can further include a transmitter configured to transmit the information via the network, and a receiver operatively coupled to the transmitter to receive the information via the network. Accordingly, the system can be used to automatically identify and track diagnostic information corresponding to the state of one or more wireless nodes.

Abstract: A method comprising heating in the presence of a catalyst, a mixture comprising (i) a reaction product obtained by mixing in the presence of a platinum group metal-containing catalyst at least one organohydrogensilicon compound containing at least one silicon-bonded hydrogen atom per molecule and at least one compound having at least one aliphatic unsaturation; (ii) at least one endblocker, and optionally (iii) at least one organosiloxane chosen from a hydrolyzate or a cyclosiloxane, so to cause polymerization of components (i), (ii), and optionally (iii) to form branched polymers.

Abstract: Organohydrogensilicon compounds containing at least one silicon-bonded hydrogen atom per molecule and at least one cyclosiloxane.