Abstract: A thermal disinfecting tool for disinfecting surfaces bounding or located within a fixed volume of air is disclosed and includes a housing and a heater. The housing defines one or more inlets and one or more outlets. Air is drawn from the fixed volume of air through the one or more inlets and exits the housing through the one or more outlets. The heater is disposed within the housing downstream of the one or more inlets and upstream of the one or more outlets. The thermal disinfecting tool also includes one or more processors in electronic communication with the heater and a memory coupled to the one or more processors, where the memory stores a time to inactivation plot for a specific pathogen that indicates a deactivation time for the specific pathogen over a range of temperatures.

Abstract: An insulation insert comprises a hollow cylinder formed of a closed cell foam, a first adhesive layer on a first face of the hollow cylinder, a flange of the closed cell foam extending from the hollow cylinder, and a second adhesive layer on a second face of the flange.

Abstract: An insulation insert comprises a hollow cylinder formed of a closed cell foam, a first adhesive layer on a first face of the hollow cylinder, a flange of the closed cell foam extending from the hollow cylinder, and a second adhesive layer on a second face of the flange.

Abstract: A seating assembly comprising: a frame having an opening; a support surface spanning the opening in the frame; a variable thermal resistance device that opposes the support surface when the variable thermal resistance device is in a closed state in which airflow is obstructed, the variable thermal resistance device being movable from the closed state to an open state in which airflow is not obstructed and from the open state to the closed state; and an actuator coupled to the variable thermal resistance device. The actuator is operable to actuate movement of the variable thermal resistance device between the open and closed states.

Abstract: A thermal energy harvester and power conversion system employs a bleed air duct containing the flow of high temperature air from an engine. A lower temperature air source is included with an energy conversion device having a hot interface operably engaged to the bleed air duct and a cold interface operably engaged to the lower temperature air source. The energy conversion device generates electrical power from a thermal gradient between the bleed air duct and the lower temperature air source and the electrical power is routed to a power feeder.

Abstract: An electrically controlled dimmable window for aircraft includes a controller and power that eliminates the need for wiring connections to on-board systems. The controller is integrated into the sidewall in which the window is mounted. Power for controlling the window is derived from an energy harvesting device that generates power by converting thermal gradients, motion/vibration or light energy present near the window. The integrated controller includes passenger controls for adjusting the opacity of the window, power conditioning circuitry, an electrical power storage device such as a battery, a processor and a radio receiver. The window can be remotely controlled by a cabin attendant from a central controller that transmits window control signals to the radio receiver.

Abstract: A seating assembly comprising: a frame having an opening; a support surface spanning the opening in the frame; a variable thermal resistance device that opposes the support surface when the variable thermal resistance device is in a closed state in which airflow is obstructed, the variable thermal resistance device being movable from the closed state to an open state in which airflow is not obstructed and from the open state to the closed state; and an actuator coupled to the variable thermal resistance device. The actuator is operable to actuate movement of the variable thermal resistance device between the open and closed states.

Abstract: A seating assembly comprising: a frame having an opening; a support surface spanning the opening in the frame; a variable thermal resistance device that opposes the support surface when the variable thermal resistance device is in a closed state in which airflow is obstructed, the variable thermal resistance device being movable from the closed state to an open state in which airflow is not obstructed and from the open state to the closed state; and an actuator coupled to the variable thermal resistance device. The actuator is operable to actuate movement of the variable thermal resistance device between the open and closed states.

Abstract: A thermal energy harvester and power conversion system employs a bleed air duct containing the flow of high temperature air from an engine. A lower temperature air source is included with an energy conversion device having a hot interface operably engaged to the bleed air duct and a cold interface operably engaged to the lower temperature air source. The energy conversion device generates electrical power from a thermal gradient between the bleed air duct and the lower temperature air source and the electrical power is routed to a power feeder.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removably securing payloads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling the payload to a body of a locking assembly, engaging an insertion portion of the body into the channel, translating the insertion portion of the body along the track from a first position to a second position, the body being substantially constrained from movement away from the track in the second position, and actuating at least one engagement member from an unsecured position to a secured position, a portion of the track being clampably engaged by the at least one engagement member and the insertion portion of the body when the at least one engagement member is positioned in the secured position such that the body is substantially constrained from movement along the track by the at least one engagement member.

Abstract: A seating assembly comprising: a frame having an opening; a support surface spanning the opening in the frame; a variable thermal resistance device that opposes the support surface when the variable thermal resistance device is in a closed state in which airflow is obstructed, the variable thermal resistance device being movable from the closed state to an open state in which airflow is not obstructed and from the open state to the closed state; and an actuator coupled to the variable thermal resistance device. The actuator is operable to actuate movement of the variable thermal resistance device between the open and closed states.

Abstract: An electrically controlled dimmable window for aircraft includes a controller and power that eliminates the need for wiring connections to on-board systems. The controller is integrated into the sidewall in which the window is mounted. Power for controlling the window is derived from an energy harvesting device that generates power by converting thermal gradients, motion/vibration or light energy present near the window. The integrated controller includes passenger controls for adjusting the opacity of the window, power conditioning circuitry, an electrical power storage device such as a battery, a processor and a radio receiver. The window can be remotely controlled by a cabin attendant from a central controller that transmits window control signals to the radio receiver.

Abstract: An electrically controlled dimmable window for aircraft includes a controller and power that eliminates the need for wiring connections to on-board systems. The controller is integrated into the sidewall in which the window is mounted. Power for controlling the window is derived from an energy harvesting device that generates power by converting thermal gradients, motion/vibration or light energy present near the window. The integrated controller includes passenger controls for adjusting the opacity of the window, power conditioning circuitry, an electrical power storage device such as a battery, a processor and a radio receiver. The window can be remotely controlled by a cabin attendant from a central controller that transmits window control signals to the radio receiver.

Abstract: A cabin services system for an aircraft is disclosed. The cabin services system comprises at least one wireless network, the at least one wireless network providing at least one cabin service. The cabin services system further includes a cabin attendant panel for communicating with the at least one wireless networks and configured to control the at least one cabin service.

Abstract: An insulative material and a method of forming the insulative material are provided. The insulative material is configured to change shape in response to temperature and thus, for example, the insulative material may become more insulative as the temperature decreases. For example, the insulative material may include a plurality of fibers that change shape, such as by curling, in response to decreases in temperature, thereby correspondingly changing the insulative properties.

Abstract: Energy harvesting devices, wherein one illustrative embodiment includes a crease beam, a thermoelectric element disposed in thermally-conductive contact with the crease beam and a heat exchanger disposed in thermally-conductive contact with the thermoelectric element. An energy harvesting system and a method of harvesting electrical power are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cabin services system for an aircraft is disclosed. The cabin services system comprises at least one wireless network, the at least one wireless network providing at least one cabin service. The cabin services system further includes a cabin attendant panel for communicating with the at least one wireless networks and configured to control the at least one cabin service.

Abstract: A cabin services system for an aircraft is disclosed. The cabin services system comprises at least one wireless network, the at least one wireless network providing at least one cabin service. The cabin services system further includes a cabin attendant panel for communicating with the at least one wireless networks and configured to control the at least one cabin service.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for energy control and vehicle energy control. A vehicle energy control system includes an intelligent device that is configured to determine an energy demand of the intelligent device during an operation of a vehicle. The vehicle energy control system also includes an energy management system. The energy management system is configured to communicate with the intelligent device regarding the energy demand to coordinate scheduling of energy distribution during the operation. The energy management system is further configured to generate an energy distribution schedule to account for the energy demand and at least a second energy demand of another device.

Abstract: A system for communicating electrical signals between two spaced apart seat assemblies on a mobile platform, for example an aircraft. The seat assemblies are secured to seat tracks mounted on a floor of the aircraft cabin. The seat tracks have a plurality of spaced apart holes that enable seat assembly mounting. A seat track cover is snap-fit onto one or more seat track mount devices. Each of the seat track mount devices includes one or more cleats or knobs that can be snap fit into the openings in the seat track to quickly and easily secure the seat track cover to the seat track. The seat track cover and mount devices enable a simple, planar seat track having spaced apart holes to be employed, rather than a C-shaped seat mounting track.