Abstract: A system and architecture for managing lighting through a seamless low-voltage bus network is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of control units that serve as nodes for integrating devices, such as light fixtures, control switches and sensors into the bus. Each of the control units preferably includes a printed circuit board and node interconnects for assembling the low-voltage bus and for integrating the devices. Alternatively, the system comprises a central hub with a master printed circuit control board and a plurality of interconnects for assembling the bus and for integrating the devices.

Abstract: The method of landing a flying wing type aircraft in a crosswind includes the steps of disengaging the nose landing wheel upon impact with the runway so that it is free to castor; and thereafter, engaging the nose wheel after a specific time period after the nose wheel impacts the runway such that the nose wheel is steerable. The system for landing a flying wing type aircraft in a crosswind on a runway includes a steering system for steering the nose wheel, the steering system having a first condition wherein it controls the angular position of nose wheel and a second condition wherein the wheel is free to castor. A control system for moving the steering system from the first condition to the second condition upon the wheel contacting the runway and to move the steering system back to the first condition after a specified time after the wheel contacts the runway.

Abstract: A modular lighting system for lighting a work area is disclosed. The system includes a power supply with power outlets for powering LED fixtures. The power supply preferably operates at or below a fixed power output level, such as to illuminate the work area using less than 0.2 Watts per square foot of energy. The lighting system also includes an occupancy sensor and/or a light level sensor for controlling lighting levels in the work area in response to detection of a person, ambient light levels and/or a combination thereof. The lighting system can also include computer unit with a micro-processor and a memory unit for running software or firmware the executes lighting programs, stores light usage histories and/or provides system reports to a remote computer by a wireless means and/or over a computer network.

Abstract: A modular lighting system for lighting a work area is disclosed. The system includes a power supply with power outlets for powering LED fixtures. The power supply preferably operates at or below a fixed power output level, such as to illuminate the work area using less than 0.2 Watts per square foot of energy. The lighting system also includes an occupancy sensor and/or a light level sensor for controlling lighting levels in the work area in response to detection of a person, ambient light levels and/or a combination thereof. The lighting system can also include computer unit with a micro-processor and a memory unit for running software or firmware the executes lighting programs, stores light usage histories and/or provides system reports to a remote computer by a wireless means and/or over a computer network.

Abstract: A system and architecture for managing lighting through a seamless low-voltage bus network is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of control units that serve as nodes for integrating devices, such as light fixtures, control switches and sensors into the bus. Each of the control units preferably includes a printed circuit board and node interconnects for assembling the low-voltage bus and for integrating the devices. Alternatively, the system comprises a central hub with a master printed circuit control board and a plurality of interconnects for assembling the bus and for integrating the devices.

Abstract: The invention is a process for landing a tailless or flying wing type aircraft having a nose and wings that produce lift. The process includes the step of allowing the nose of the aircraft to stay lower upon touchdown such that lift from the wings is reduced.

Abstract: A system and architecture for managing lighting through a seamless low-voltage bus network is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of control units that serve as nodes for integrating devices, such as light fixtures, control switches and sensors into the bus. Each of the control units preferably includes a printed circuit board and node interconnects for assembling the low-voltage bus and for integrating the devices. Alternatively, the system comprises a central hub with a master printed circuit control board and a plurality of interconnects for assembling the bus and for integrating the devices.

Abstract: The invention is a propeller support system for damping vibrations of a propeller shaft and propeller on an aircraft. In detail, the support system includes a bearing support for the propeller and a drive system to move the bearing support along the propeller shaft as a function of propeller RPM.

Abstract: A lighting system and device for providing indirect light using free-cavity, double-diffusing configurations are disclosed. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, a lighting fixture comprises a cover structure with a diffusion layer and a reflective plate that form the free-cavity. The free-cavity is preferably configured to provide an output of light from a light source positioned within the free-cavity with an efficiency rating of 70% or more and provide better than an 8:1 ceiling lighting contrast between the rows of fixtures with rows on 16 feet spacing. Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a device is configured to couple to a ceiling structure and provide the indirect lighting from a fluorescent light source.

Abstract: The invention is a system for controlling an aircraft, the aircraft having a longitudinal axis, vertical and horizontal axis and right and left wings and right and left ailerons mounted on the right and left wings. In detail, the system includes a right stabilizer mounted to the right wing, the right stabilizer canted from the right wing such that the outer end thereof is down and deflectable about an axis of rotation parallel to the span axis of the stabilizer. A left stabilizer is mounted to the left wing, the left stabilizer canted from the left wing such that the outer end thereof is down and deflectable about an axis of rotation parallel to the span axis of the stabilizer. A control system is provided to simultaneously deflect the right aileron and stabilizer downward and the left aileron and stabilizer upward to turn left and to deflect the right aileron and stabilizer upward and the left aileron and stabilizer downward to turn right.

Abstract: An aircraft comprises first and second wings positioned on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis with each of the first and second wings including an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein no control surfaces are attached to the lower surface of the wings. A first forward opening control surface is attached by a first hinge to an upper surface of the first wing and a second forward opening control surface being attached by a second hinge to an upper surface of the second wing. Each of the first and second hinges is canted with respect to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A method of yaw control performed by the aircraft is also included.

Abstract: A hammock stand is described that can be assembled from a plurality of tubular members. The tubular members are of similar dimensions and to some extent interchangeable. This allows the stand, in disassembled form to be contained in a relatively small box for shipping and storage.

Abstract: A T-bar clip assembly that securely couples to T-bar structures that are used to construct suspended ceiling is disclosed. The T-bar assembly is configured to support one or more electrical fixtures and provide power feeds to the one or more electrical fixtures. The T-bar clip assembly comprises support brackets that secure to the T-bar structures and one or more housing structures that attach to a portion of the support brackets to form one or more corresponding junction box enclosures. The junction box enclosures provide the power feeds to the one or more electrical fixtures at locations that are substantially flush with support flanges of the T-bar structure, an outer surface of the removable ceiling tiles or both.

Abstract: In an implementation, a selectable integrated circuit interface includes selectable integrated circuit interface configurations that can each interface an integrated circuit. A selection circuit generates a selection signal to select an individual selectable integrated circuit interface configuration, and logic couples a clock signal and data to a selected integrated circuit interface configuration.

Abstract: A structure is described for supporting a hammock. It includes an arc shaped stand formed of a bottom, mid section and two end sections. The stand is attached to foot supports which extend perpendicularly outward therefrom. Each foot support is attached by means of a saddling wedge, which stabilizes the joint. The joint is secured by means of a bolt which extends through aligned apertures in the joint.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for analyzing an image wherein elements defining a path within a two-dimensional image are received from a prescreener. A Sobel operator may be applied to the region around each of the elements of the chain to obtain a corresponding array of gradient directions. An angle correction may be applied to any of the gradient directions that goes beyond the highest value (in radian measure; the Pi ?Pi transition), to obtain an array of gradient directions free of any artificial jumps in value. The gradient direction array (Sobel chaincode) can have its bandwidth taken to determine a single number of straightness so as to identify extremely straight edges, (manmade objects) from less straight edges (natural objects). A similar process can be used to analyze contours for straight sections, which are also parallel. These two and other filters applied to the gradient array can be part of a feature suite, for feature space analysis.