Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling operation of a vehicle system are provided. This vehicle system can be at least partially powered by electric current conducted to a collector device of the vehicle system from a conductive pathway extending along a route traveled by the vehicle system. A voltage level of the conductive pathway may be monitored, and a conduction impaired location of the conductive pathway may be identified based at least in part on the voltage level of the conductive pathway that is monitored. The collector device or a removal device may be controlled to remove a contaminant from the conductive pathway at the conduction impaired location, the vehicle system may be controlled to compensate for the conduction impaired location, and/or an off-board facility and/or another vehicle system may be notified of the conduction impaired location responsive to identifying the conduction impaired location.

Abstract: A method including detecting that a vehicle that may be propelled by an electric drive system having one or more motors disconnects or begins disconnecting from an off-board source of power while the one or more motors are being powered by the off-board source of power. The method may include supplanting a decreasing amount of a first electric energy supplied by the off-board source of power to the electric drive system with an amount of a second electric energy supplied by an onboard source of power to the electric drive system responsive to the detection of the disconnect from the off-board source of power.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides fluidic systems having a plurality of reaction sites surrounded by optical barriers to reduce the amount of optical cross-talk between signals detected from various reaction sites. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing fluidic systems and methods of using the systems.

Abstract: An automated method for cognitive training of the brain of a human using contralateral movement is provided wherein the body of the human is defined, in part, by having contralateral sides and the human body has a plurality of motion tracking sensors attached to respective limbs of the human body.

Abstract: Various batch mixers and related components and methods for coating seeds to be used in planting and other applications where it is desired to enhance germination of the seed or growth of the resulting plant. Seed supply systems include an articulating gate on a seed scale fill hopper. A lateral discharge gate on a seed supply hopper is provided. Unique mixing bars or blades are arranged around an interior of a stirring batch mixer. A discharge chute may be provided to dissipate kinetic energy of coated seeds without damaging the seeds.

Abstract: A self-aligning structural attachment and a corresponding method are disclosed. The self-aligning structural attachment includes a main body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the main body is attached to (i) a CIP of a support system and (ii) a clevis on an airframe of an aircraft. Further, the self-aligning structural attachment includes a first attachment fitting disposed on the proximal end, wherein the first attachment fitting is a slide-and-swivel attachment fitting. Still further, the self-aligning structural attachment includes a second attachment fitting disposed on the distal end, wherein the second attachment fitting is a slide attachment fitting. Yet still further, the self-aligning structural attachment includes a pivoting hinge disposed between the first attachment fitting and the second attachment fitting.

Abstract: A storage system for temporary storage of a gas comprising a storage vessel configured to store a pressurized gas or liquid; at least one of a compressor configured to pressurize the gas and provide the pressurized fluid or a liquefaction apparatus operable to liquefy the gas to provide the liquid; and piping associated with one or more valves, wherein the piping and the associated one or more valves are configured to provide: (a) in a first configuration, inflow of the gas into the compressor or the liquefaction apparatus, wherein the compressor is configured to pressurize the inflowing gas to provide the pressurized fluid or wherein the liquefaction apparatus is configured to liquefy the inflowing gas to provide the liquid, and introduce the pressurized gas or the liquid into the temporary storage vessel; and (b) in a second configuration, outflow of the pressurized gas or liquid from the temporary storage vessel.

Abstract: A laser is pivotally attached to a line striping machine. The laser projects a planar line outwardly from the line striping machine. The laser freely rotates about a longitudinal axis, under the influence of gravity, relative to the line striping machine, independent of the orientation of the line striping machine, so as to project a vertically planar line regardless of the vertical orientation of the line striping machine. The subject technology compensates for changes in surface contour by providing a rotating laser that projects a vertically compensated projection plane that causes a vertically compensated reference line projected upon the surface.

Abstract: A dual-bracketed support system and a corresponding method are disclosed. The dual-bracketed support system includes (i) a first bracket connected to a support structure for a crown portion of an aircraft, (ii) a second bracket, and (iii) a support rod having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is connected to the first bracket and the distal end is connected to the second bracket. The second bracket is configured to allow the support rod to translate along a longitudinal axis defined by the support rod.

Abstract: A self-aligning structural attachment and a corresponding method are disclosed. The self-aligning structural attachment includes a main body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the main body is attached to (i) a CIP of a support system and (ii) a clevis on an airframe of an aircraft. Further, the self-aligning structural attachment includes a first attachment fitting disposed on the proximal end, wherein the first attachment fitting is a slide-and-swivel attachment fitting. Still further, the self-aligning structural attachment includes a second attachment fitting disposed on the distal end, wherein the second attachment fitting is a slide attachment fitting. Yet still further, the self-aligning structural attachment includes a pivoting hinge disposed between the first attachment fitting and the second attachment fitting.

Abstract: A system for adjusting a height of a ceiling panel in an aircraft and a corresponding method is disclosed. The system includes an arm and at least one ceiling support latch, wherein each of the at least one ceiling support latches is attached to the arm. The system further includes an adjustable fitting attached to the arm, wherein the adjustable fitting includes (i) a first sliding block attached to the arm, (ii) a second sliding block attached to a support structure, and (iii) an adjustment screw. Adjustment of the adjustment screw forces the first and second sliding blocks to move relative to one another.

Abstract: A self-aligning structural attachment and a corresponding method are disclosed. The self-aligning structural attachment includes a main body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the main body is attached to (i) a CIP of a support system and (ii) a clevis on an airframe of an aircraft. Further, the self-aligning structural attachment includes a first attachment fitting disposed on the proximal end, wherein the first attachment fitting is a slide-and-swivel attachment fitting. Still further, the self-aligning structural attachment includes a second attachment fitting disposed on the distal end, wherein the second attachment fitting is a slide attachment fitting. Yet still further, the self-aligning structural attachment includes a pivoting hinge disposed between the first attachment fitting and the second attachment fitting.

Abstract: A support system for a crown area of an aircraft and a corresponding method is disclosed. The support system includes a crown integration panel (CIP). The CIP is configured to provide a mounting surface for a plurality of aircraft equipment and to provide an electrical ground for at least one of the aircraft equipment of the plurality of aircraft equipment. The system further includes a first attachment and a second attachment attached to the CIP. The first attachment and the second attachment are configured to attach to an airframe of the aircraft. The system further includes a crown raceway support (CRS) having a first end and a second end, where the first end is attached to a first end of the CIP and the second end is configured to attach to an outboard rail of the aircraft.

Abstract: A support system for a crown area of an aircraft and a corresponding method is disclosed. The support system includes a crown integration panel (CIP). The CIP is configured to provide a mounting surface for a plurality of aircraft equipment and to provide an electrical ground for at least one of the aircraft equipment of the plurality of aircraft equipment. The system further includes a first attachment and a second attachment attached to the CIP. The first attachment and the second attachment are configured to attach to an airframe of the aircraft. The system further includes a crown raceway support (CRS) having a first end and a second end, where the first end is attached to a first end of the CIP and the second end is configured to attach to an outboard rail of the aircraft.

Abstract: A system for adjusting a height of a ceiling panel in an aircraft and a corresponding method is disclosed. The system includes an arm and at least one ceiling support latch, wherein each of the at least one ceiling support latches is attached to the arm. The system further includes an adjustable fitting attached to the arm, wherein the adjustable fitting includes (i) a first sliding block attached to the arm, (ii) a second sliding block attached to a support structure, and (iii) an adjustment screw. Adjustment of the adjustment screw forces the first and second sliding blocks to move relative to one another.

Abstract: A self-aligning structural attachment and a corresponding method are disclosed. The self-aligning structural attachment includes a main body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the main body is attached to (i) a CIP of a support system and (ii) a clevis on an airframe of an aircraft. Further, the self-aligning structural attachment includes a first attachment fitting disposed on the proximal end, wherein the first attachment fitting is a slide-and-swivel attachment fitting. Still further, the self-aligning structural attachment includes a second attachment fitting disposed on the distal end, wherein the second attachment fitting is a slide attachment fitting. Yet still further, the self-aligning structural attachment includes a pivoting hinge disposed between the first attachment fitting and the second attachment fitting.

Abstract: A dual-bracketed support system and a corresponding method are disclosed. The dual-bracketed support system includes (i) a first bracket connected to a support structure for a crown portion of an aircraft, (ii) a second bracket, and (iii) a support rod having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is connected to the first bracket and the distal end is connected to the second bracket. The second bracket is configured to allow the support rod to translate along a longitudinal axis defined by the support rod.

Abstract: A line replaceable unit (LRU) for an integrated modular avionics (IMA) architecture, the LRU comprising at least one input/output interface and a plurality of connectors, wherein each connector includes at least one pin and each connector is adapted for connection to a single segregated wire route bundle, and wherein hardware of one interface is electrically connected within the LRU to one or more pins of each of at least two of the connectors. Also, an IMA architecture including the LRU, and an aircraft including the LRU or the IMA architecture.

Abstract: An aircraft power distribution network comprising first and second galvanically isolated power bus bars, and first and second remote data concentrators (RDCs), each RDC having an input/output interface (I/O) and a power supply, the first RDC power supply being connected to the first power bus bar, the second RDC power supply being connected to the second power bus bar, an input/output device being connected to the I/O of the first RDC and to the I/O of the second RDC, each RDC being adapted to supply electrical power to the input/output device through its respective I/O, wherein each RDC includes a switch for isolating the input/output device, and the switches being operatively coupled such that electrical power cannot be supplied to the input/output device by both RDCs simultaneously. Also, a method of operating the network.

Abstract: An illumination system for an aircraft interior has an illumination source. An optical module is coupled to the illumination source. The optical module collects the light emissions from the light source and distributes the collected light over a desired area with a specified intensity profile.