Abstract: A headrest ventilation assembly is configured to secure to a headrest of a seat assembly, and includes an air conduit including one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets, and an air filter disposed within the air conduit between the one or more air inlets and the one or more air outlets. The air filter is configured to remove contaminants from the air that is drawn into the air conduit before being delivered out of the one or more air outlets. The assembly can also include a fan disposed on or within the air conduit. The fan is configured to draw the air into the one or more air inlets and provide airflow to deliver the air out of the one or more air outlets. The assembly can also include one or more ultraviolet (UV) light emitters disposed on or within the air conduit. The UV light emitter(s) are configured to emit UV light into the air to sanitize the air before the air is delivered out of the one or more air outlets.

Abstract: A system includes one or more distribution nozzles associated with a seat within an internal space, and a return air grill associated with the seat. Airflow is directed from the one or more distribution nozzles toward and into the return air grill. A method includes associating one or more distribution nozzles with a seat within an internal space, associating a return air grill with the seat, and directing airflow from the one or more distribution nozzles toward and into the return air grill.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for photonic crystals logic devices are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a disclosed method for an optical logic device comprises radiating, by at least one source, at least one signal. The method further comprises reflecting at least one signal off of at least one photonic crystal, when at least one photonic crystal senses a physical phenomena of a threshold strength. Also, the method comprises not reflecting at least one signal off of at least one photonic crystal, when at least one photonic crystal does not sense the physical phenomena of the threshold strength. Further, the method comprises detecting or not detecting, by at least one detector, at least one signal.

Abstract: A printed circuit board enclosure employs a box having an open base and opposing side plates. Securing tabs extend laterally from the side plates. The securing tabs have bottom surfaces that are coplanar extensions of a bottom surface of the box and are configured to be attached to the main circuit board. A cover is received on the box. The cover is configured to close the open top of the box. The cover has side flanges extending downwardly from a top plate with mating tabs extending laterally from the side flanges aligned with the securing tabs.

Abstract: A printed circuit board enclosure employs a box having an open base and opposing side plates. Securing tabs extend laterally from the side plates. The securing tabs have bottom surfaces that are coplanar extensions of a bottom surface of the box and are configured to be attached to the main circuit board. A cover is received on the box. The cover is configured to close the open top of the box. The cover has side flanges extending downwardly from a top plate with mating tabs extending laterally from the side flanges aligned with the securing tabs.

Abstract: A bundle gripping tool employs a support ring concentric to a bundle axis and having a first open sector accessing a central aperture. A closure ring mounted on the support ring is concentric with and rotatable about the bundle axis and has a second open sector wherein rotation of the closure ring to an open position at least partially aligns the first and second open sectors exposing the central aperture. Rotation to a closed position misaligns the second open sector from the first open sector, covering the first open sector gating the central aperture. A plurality of snare cables is engaged between a first set of attachment points on the support ring and a second set of attachment points on the closure ring. The first set of attachment points and second set of attachment points are relatively positioned whereby each of said plurality of snare cables partially encircles the bundle axis in the closed position and exposes the bundle axis in the open position.

Abstract: A bundle gripping tool has a support ring sector 12a extending from a handle 11 and a jaw 12b pivotally mounted to the handle opposing the support ring sector 12a. The jaw is rotatable from an open position to a closed position wherein the jaw 12b and support ring sector 12a form a circular support ring 12 concentric to a bundle axis 14. The jaw exposes a first open sector accessing a central aperture in the open position. A snare ring 22 is supported on the jaw 12b in the open position and rotatable on the support ring 12 in the closed position and has a second open sector 34 wherein in an unrotated position of the snare ring at least partially aligns the second open sector with the first open sector exposing the central aperture.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating a part includes sectionalizing a computer-generated representation of a part into strata having an order, forming layers corresponding to the strata from sheet material, stacking at least two of the layers in the order, and joining the layers together. The method and system are suitable for producing a phase-change material container for a thermal energy harvesting device, for example.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for photonic crystals logic devices are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a disclosed method for an optical logic device comprises radiating, by at least one source, at least one signal. The method further comprises reflecting at least one signal off of at least one photonic crystal, when at least one photonic crystal senses a physical phenomena of a threshold strength. Also, the method comprises not reflecting at least one signal off of at least one photonic crystal, when at least one photonic crystal does not sense the physical phenomena of the threshold strength. Further, the method comprises detecting or not detecting, by at least one detector, at least one signal.

Abstract: An optical sensor and method of manufacture are provided herein. The optical sensor includes an optical fiber comprising a terminating end surface, and a photonic crystal coupled to the terminating end surface of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a view generator. The view generator is configured to identify a position of a mobile display device relative to an exterior of a vehicle. The view generator is further configured to identify image data from a sensor system for the vehicle that corresponds to a field of view of the mobile display device from the position of the mobile display device relative to the vehicle. The view generator is further configured to display an external view for the vehicle on the mobile display device using the image data.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to an apparatus including an extrusion nozzle. The nozzle includes an inlet end, an outlet end opposite the inlet end and an axis extending between the inlet end and the outlet end. The extrusion nozzle is configured to rotate about the axis. The extrusion nozzle also includes a rotary drive engagement portion between the inlet end and the outlet end. The extrusion nozzle further includes a cavity including an inlet opening at the inlet end and an outlet opening at the outlet end. The inlet opening has a different configuration than the outlet opening.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to an apparatus including an extrusion nozzle. The nozzle includes an inlet end, an outlet end opposite the inlet end and an axis extending between the inlet end and the outlet end. The extrusion nozzle is configured to rotate about the axis. The extrusion nozzle also includes a rotary drive engagement portion between the inlet end and the outlet end. The extrusion nozzle further includes a cavity including an inlet opening at the inlet end and an outlet opening at the outlet end. The inlet opening has a different configuration than the outlet opening.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating a part includes sectionalizing a computer-generated representation of a part into strata having an order, forming layers corresponding to the strata from sheet material, stacking at least two of the layers in the order, and joining the layers together. The method and system are suitable for producing a phase-change material container for a thermal energy harvesting device, for example.

Abstract: A modular truss assembly configured to be placed in small or narrow spaces such as within the floor, sidewall, or crown of a vehicle for mechanically and electrically mounting system components of a modular equipment center (MEC). A plurality of MECs is spatially distributed throughout the vehicle to service equipment loads. The modular truss assembly provides different voltage levels for powering the system components of the MEC and for powering the equipment loads. In one or more configurations, all or part of the modular truss assembly can be removed from the vehicle for repair or replacement.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to an apparatus including an extrusion nozzle. The nozzle includes an inlet end, an outlet end opposite the inlet end and an axis extending between the inlet end and the outlet end. The extrusion nozzle is configured to rotate about the axis. The extrusion nozzle also includes a rotary drive engagement portion between the inlet end and the outlet end. The extrusion nozzle further includes a cavity including an inlet opening at the inlet end and an outlet opening at the outlet end. The inlet opening has a different configuration than the outlet opening.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a part includes sectionalizing a computer-generated representation of a part into strata having an order, forming layers corresponding to the strata from sheet material, stacking at least two of the layers in the order, and joining the layers together. The method is suitable for producing a phase-change material container for a thermal energy harvesting device, for example.

Abstract: Safety systems and methods for production environments are disclosed. Safety systems include at least one sensing device configured to detect presence of an unauthorized human and/or an authorized human at least partially within a defined safety zone, and a controller configured to automatically alter at least one aspect of the production environment responsive to the presence of the unauthorized human and/or the authorized human. Safety methods include detecting presence of an unauthorized human and/or an authorized human at least partially within a defined safety zone, and automatically altering at least one aspect of the production environment responsive to the detecting.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for monitoring various conditions of a vehicle structure including an optical sensor comprising an optical fiber bearing a photonic crystal mounted to one end, an interrogation system including an optical signal generator interfacing with one or more of the optical sensors located remotely from the interrogation module, and a method of monitoring the vehicle structural health using the interrogation system.

Abstract: Methods and an optical interrogation system for monitoring structural health of a structure are provided. The method includes generating an optical signal using an optical signal generator, and directing the optical signal towards at least one optical sensor located remotely from the optical signal generator. The optical sensor includes a photonic crystal wafer optically interacting with the optical signal and an environmental condition. The method also includes capturing, by an optical signal receiving apparatus, a reflected optical signal reflected from the at least one optical sensor, and analyzing the reflected optical signal to determine a change in the environmental condition.