Abstract: An unmanned aircraft system includes a testing and calibration system that enables automated testing of movable parts of an unmanned aircraft. The testing and calibration system uses a camera-based technique to determine the position and angle of movable parts, in order to establish whether or not those parts are moving in a manner consistent with correct function.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle within an environment are provided. In one aspect, a system comprises one or more sensors carried by the unmanned aerial vehicle and configured to provide sensor data and one or more processors. The one or more processors can be individually or collectively configured to: determine, based on the sensor data, an environment type for the environment; select a flight mode from a plurality of different flight modes based on the environment type, wherein each of the plurality of different flight mode is associated with a different set of operating rules for the unmanned aerial vehicle; and cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to operate within the environment while conforming to the set of operating rules of the selected flight mode.

Abstract: A device that controls the flight altitude of an unmanned aerial vehicle having mounted thereon an imaging device that captures an image of the ground, the device being provided with: one or more memories; and circuitry which, in operation, recognizes, as a plurality of markers, a plurality of objects located on the ground from the image captured by the imaging device, calculates the area of a polygon formed by the plurality of markers, and controls the flight altitude of the unmanned aerial vehicle in such a way that the area of the polygon is maximized.

Abstract: A weapon interface system, and methods of operating the same. The weapon interface system is coupled to an electrical interconnection system of a delivery platform and a weapon system coupled to a rack system. The weapon interface system includes a translation interface configured to provide an interface between the electrical interconnection system and an inductive power and data circuit. The weapon interface system also includes a weapon coupler, coupled to the translation interface, configured to provide an inductive coupling to the weapon system to provide mission information thereto.

Abstract: Described herein are personal electronics device mounting assemblies including a passenger seat and a case assembly comprising a case configured to receive a personal electronic device and a male structure pivotally coupled to the case. The personal electronic device mounting assemblies may also include a mounting assembly comprising a female slot structure and a support bracket structure, the female slot structure may be configured to releasably receive the male structure and the support bracket structure may be configured to attach to the passenger seat. The mounting assembly may be configured to provide support to the case when the male structure is in an extended position and the female slot structure has received the male structure.

Abstract: A portable electronic device holder incorporated in a seatback of a passenger seat. The device holder includes a shelf and a release latch arranged to hold the respective bottom and top edges of a portable electronic device for hands-free use. The latch holds the shelf in a stowed position flush with the seatback and releases to allow the shelf to rotate away from the seatback for use. The shelf is positioned apart from a tray table, when present, so that the device holder and tray table can be deployed and used at the same time.

Abstract: An aircraft storage bin that includes an upper housing, and a bucket pivotally connected to the upper housing that cooperates with the upper housing to define a bin interior. The bucket includes a bottom, a front edge and first and second opposing side walls extending upwardly from the bottom and pivots about a pivot axis with respect to the upper housing between an open position and a closed position. When the storage bin is installed in an aircraft, a first horizontal distance is defined between a first vertical line that extends through the pivot axis and the front edge of the bucket when the bucket is in the closed position, and a second horizontal distance is defined between the first vertical line and the front edge of the bucket when the bucket is in the open position. The first horizontal distance is greater than the second horizontal distance.

Abstract: An improved monument structure combining an integrated construction system with carbon fiber reinforced composites to form an exoskeleton chassis that significantly reduces the build times, manufacturing skill level requirements, post processing activities, and overall weight of a given aircraft monument.

Abstract: A fixture for electronic devices includes a substantially planar receptacle, and a mounting framework arranged at least partially at the surrounding edges of the receptacle, the mounting framework having at least one framework component made from a shape memory material and/or an electro-active polymer, wherein the framework component exhibits a relaxed state and a triggered state in which the framework component is moved or flexed inwardly into the area of the receptacle.

Abstract: A method for providing purified air to an occupant of a seat in a mask lacking corporeal features that is generated by an apparatus. The apparatus includes a contaminant conditioning system that delivers purified air to a first and a second laminar flow generator. Each laminar flow generator produces a respective laminar flow that combines to form and fill a breathing space with purified air that envelopes an inhalation sphere of the occupant and inhibits air other than the purified air from entering the breathing space.

Abstract: An aircraft including a fuselage defining an upper lobe and a lower lobe, the fuselage including a wall structure that includes an outboard boundary and an inboard boundary spaced from the outboard boundary, wherein the outboard boundary and the inboard boundary define a wall volume therebetween, and a barrier sheeting member extending into the wall volume.

Abstract: Air conditioning system for the pressurized cabin of an aircraft, said system (1) being characterized in that it comprises an air withdrawal module (3) configured for withdrawing ambient air from outside the aircraft, an air compression module (5) configured for compressing the withdrawn air flow (F1) and an air cooling module (10) comprising means (15) for storing at least one coolant configured for cooling the compressed air flow (F2, F3).

Abstract: The system comprises at least one evaporator device arranged around a tube inside which a hot fluid flows and, for each evaporator device, a respective conduit connected at its opposite ends to the evaporator device so as to form with the latter a closed circuit containing a two-phase fluid. Each evaporator device comprises a casing, having an inner wall in contact with the respective tube and an outer wall enclosing a cavity with the inner wall, and a separating member of porous material arranged inside the casing so as to divide radially the cavity into an inner cavity, extending between the inner wall and the separating member, and an outer cavity extending between the separating member and the outer wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for suspending a load is provided. A load is connected to a yoke by one or more mounting links. The mounting links are connected to the yoke by a yoke pins and to the load by load mounting pins. The mounting links are connected to the pins by spherical bearings that enable the mounting links to move relative to yoke and to the load to accommodate movement of the load, such as movement caused by thermal expansion of the load. A stop collar is arranged around the load mounting pins to limit free movement of the mounting links about a longitudinal axis so that the mounting links cannot contact the load.

Abstract: A pedestal assembly for receiving a pylon assembly of a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter mode and an airplane mode, the tiltrotor aircraft having an airframe including a fuselage and a wing. The pedestal assembly includes an inboard pedestal supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. The inboard pedestal includes an inboard bearing assembly disposed within an inboard pillow block housing. The pedestal assembly also includes an outboard pedestal supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. The outboard pedestal includes an outboard bearing assembly disposed within an outboard pillow block housing. The inboard and outboard bearing assemblies are operable to receive the pylon assembly therein such that the pylon assembly is rotatably mounted between the inboard and outboard pedestals to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between the helicopter mode and the airplane mode.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle may receive electrical power from power modules that may be installed into or removed from the aerial vehicle during flight operations. Such power modules may be inserted into a chamber from below the aerial vehicle and may come into contact with one or more terminals or leads for powering propulsion motors or other electrical loads. Such power modules may also be removed from above the aerial vehicle, thereby uncoupling the power modules from the electrical loads. Power modules may be installed into or removed from a chamber using tension members that are guided into the chamber from lateral slots extending between a perimeter of the aerial vehicle and the chamber. The tension members may be used to not only engage and remove a power module within the chamber but also to install a power module into the chamber.

Abstract: A computerized, on-board flight system for an aircraft has a landing-zone evaluation system for evaluating a landing zone for the aircraft based on sensory data from numerous sensing systems, including lidar, radar, and/or various cameras, to identify potential, suitable landing sites in the landing zone. Based on data from these sensory systems, the landing-zone evaluation system geometrically and semantically evaluates the landing zone's terrain, as well as identifies moving and stationary objects in the landing zone to identify the suitable landing sites for the aircraft.

Abstract: An interface fitting for supporting a component of a structure to be assembled on an assembly jig, includes a component-side part, adapted to be attached to the component, and a jig-side part, configured to bear in an orientable way on the assembly jig. The support block further includes, a spacer member interposed between the component-side part and the jig-side part, which can be operated to adjust the distance between the component-side part and the jig-side part.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calculating launch sites for a satellite constellation are provided. A carrier aircraft may be configured to launch a first satellite into the first orbit and a second satellite into the second orbit. In some embodiments, information about an accessible range of the aircraft may be received. Based on the received information, a geographical area that the aircraft can access without landing may be calculated. Using received information and the orbit parameters of the first orbit and the second orbit, a first launch site for launching the first satellite and a second launch site for launching the second satellite may be calculated. The first launch site may comprise a first geographical position and a first launch time, and the second launch site may comprise a second geographical position and a second launch time. Both launch sites may be within the calculated geographical area.

Abstract: A spacecraft 10 includes wings 11 or an airframe 12 which generates lift in an atmosphere 2, a thruster 14 which accelerates or decelerates rotating speed in an orbit, an attitude controller 16 which controls an attitude of the airframe 12, and an orbital plane controller 18 which controls the orbital plane change. The orbital plane controller causes the spacecraft 10 to enter the earth's atmosphere 2 within a pre-change orbital plane Fb (A?B?C), changes the orbital plane by using the lift of the wings 11 or airframe 12 in the earth's atmosphere 2 (C?D?E), and then lifts the spacecraft 10 up to the post-change orbital altitude (E?F).

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a structurally integrated thermal management system that uses the structure of an aerospace vehicle as part of the heat dissipation system. In this system, structural elements of the aerospace vehicle function as a thermal bus, and are thermally connected with heat-generating electrical components, so that heat from those components is directed away from the component by the structure of the vehicle itself, into lower temperature surfaces of the vehicle.

Abstract: A release apparatus includes a coiled restraining wire with at least one end attached to a fuse wire. Actuation current through the fuse wire causes it to break; breakage of the fuse wire allows the restraining wire to partially uncoil and allow the release apparatus to transition from a retained condition to a released condition, by allowing disengagement a sleeve from retention members and disengagement of retention members from a release member that can then move out of the release apparatus. The sleeve isolates the restraining wire and fuse wire from load forces on the release member. Rolling bearings within the sleeve against the retention members reduces resistance to disengagement of the sleeve. The release apparatus can be employed to attach a deployable component to a satellite or spacecraft, and can be readily repaired, refurbished or reset for repetitive ground testing.

Abstract: A system for transferring a particulate material from a first container to a second container including an upper portion, a lower portion and a sieve. The upper portion having a housing and a high frequency vibrator, the housing having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a gasket positioned adjacent the first end. The lower portion having a collector funnel, a low frequency vibrator and a collar securing the low frequency vibrator to the collector funnel. The sieve having a mesh size, a perimeter and a gasket positioned adjacent the perimeter. The upper portion is releasably secured to the first container and the sieve is releasably secured between the second end of the upper portion and the lower portion.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of splicing two sealing strips and a sealing strip formed by the method. The sealing strip is placed at longitudinal edges of a packaging material web, used for packaging containers for liquid foods. The sealing strips to be spliced are cut each forming an oblique edge of about 45°, as seen in plan view. The oblique edges are then placed one on top of the other forming an overlapping area. The overlapping area is in the form of an oblique band having a length of about 3 mm. The ends of the sealing strips are then fused together by heating both from one side at the overlapping area.

Abstract: A biomass stack covering system for applying a tarpaulin sheet on a stack of biomass bales includes a motorized vehicle having at least one steerable and driven axle and an articulated arm affixed to and movable with respect to the motorized vehicle. The articulated arm is operably configured to extend horizontally and vertically and to pivot at a proximal end thereof with respect to the motorized vehicle. A tarpaulin dispensing apparatus is operably connected to a distal end of the articulated arm and is articulable thereabout. The dispensing apparatus is configured to rotationally retain a tarpaulin roll thereon and dispense a tarpaulin sheet from the tarpaulin roll onto the Bale stack by unrolling the tarpaulin sheet from the tarpaulin roll.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically handling vest-type bags in the context of an automated packing process for packing items such as groceries are described. The apparatus includes at least two fingers that extend parallel to one another, and are arranged to move apart to increase the spacing between the fingers along a bag-opening direction. The fingers are inserted between the strips of the handle, and then moved apart in the bag-opening direction to part the strips of the handle in the bag-opening direction. A packing process involving automated bag handling operations is also inclosed.

Abstract: There is described a folding unit for producing folded packages of pourable food products from relative sealed packs. The folding unit comprises conveying means fed with a plurality of packs at an input station and advancing the packs along a forming path to an output station, and folding means cooperating, in use, with each pack to perform at least one folding operation on the pack; the conveying means comprise an endless transport element formed by a plurality of mutually hinged rigid modules and looped about at least one driving sprocket and at least one idler element; the idler element comprises cam means cooperating with respective cam followers of the modules and so shaped to compensate the periodical variation of the radius of the modules on the driving sprocket due to their rigidity.

Abstract: A bagging station for filling paper-type bags is disclosed. Described is a bagging station that includes a base and a center piece. The center piece has a cavity for storing a stack of paper or paper-type bags. The center piece rests on top of the base. The base is used to support one or more open paper bags while the paper bags are being filled. The base can include a carousel that rotates, where the center piece sets on the carousel. The center piece has a bag storage cavity for storing a stack of paper bags. The center piece also includes one or more paper bag upper edge holders, where each paper bag upper edge holder grasps the upper edge of an open paper bag in order to hold the bag open and in place while items are placed in the paper bag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure sensitive label for use in a cold transfer process that can be used for garment identification and labeling. The pressure sensitive label can be applied on textile surface or any other surfaces for which heat transfer is unfavorable or unavailable. The pressure sensitive label can remain on the substrate to which it is attached through repeated washing and drying cycles.

Abstract: Base includes an outer support wall, a support surface extending inwardly from the outer support wall and defining a reference plane, an inner support wall extending upwardly from the support surface, a first radiused portion extending radially inward from the inner support wall and concave relative to the reference plane, a second radiused portion extending radially inward from the first radiused portion and convex relative to the reference plane, an intermediate surface extending radially inward from the second radiused portion, a third radiused portion extending radially inward from the intermediate surface and convex relative to the reference plane, and a central portion disposed proximate the third radiused portion.

Abstract: A pallet base structure including a center deck defining a support surface extending between opposed sides and having at least two lugs extending from each of the opposed sides. A pair of base side members are positioned along respective sides of the center deck. Each base side member has first and second spaced apart base legs and a support member extending between the base legs with at least two corresponding lug receiving slots defined in the support member. The respective lugs are received in the respective lug receiving slots such that the center deck support surface is aligned with an upper surface of each support member to define a planar pallet surface. A packaging system incorporating the pallet base structure is also described.

Abstract: A pallet includes a top deck having a rectangular shape, a bottom deck having a rectangular shape, and spaced apart corner support blocks and spaced apart intermediate support blocks coupled between the top and bottom decks and forming a gap therebetween for receiving a lifting member. Centerline markings are carried by at least one of the top deck, the bottom deck, and the corner and intermediate support blocks so as to provide a visual aid to an operator of the lifting member.

Abstract: A transport aid device for at least two pallets, which each include a loading base that is oriented substantially horizontally in use, includes first and second supporting devices that each include at least one connecting element for mechanically connecting the supporting apparatus to at least the first pallet and two supporting bars which extend substantially in a vertical direction in use, each having a first end which forms an upper end of the supporting bar during transport. Two retaining elements are each arranged at a first end of one of the supporting bars. Each of the retaining elements is designed in a use position to retain or support the second of the two pallets in a vertically spaced position from the first pallet.

Abstract: A container with a scoop. The container is adapted to retain the scoop in an opening of the container so that the scoop remains readily accessible to a user. The opening has a slot or a channel defined in an interior sidewall that is adapted to receive a tab and a free end of a handle that extend from a cup portion of the scoop.

Abstract: A longitudinally segregated vessel segregates items into longitudinal compartments, and allows rotational manipulation of the items. A bottom wall and the continuous sidewall form a cavity to receive the items. A longitudinal divider is removably placeable in the cavity of the cylindrical container. The longitudinal divider includes a central axis having a top end and a bottom end. The top end includes a disc that serves as a grip to rotate or axially displace the longitudinal divider in the container. The longitudinal divider includes a plurality of partitions that extend radially outward of the central axis to segregate the items in the container into longitudinal compartments.

Abstract: A plastic container used for holding fluid material with an attachable handle is provided. The container includes a body, a plurality of walls, a spout, an attachable handle and a sliding structure. The spout is a hollow, cylindrical portion that extends from an opening in one of the walls. The cylindrical portion is configured to insert or remove the fluid material from the container. The attachable handle includes a rail structure that further includes a pair of non-parallel offset rails and a latch. The latch has a latching surface that is located at the ends of the offset rails farthest from each other. The slide structure includes a generally rectangular projection. The projection further includes a pair of non-parallel offset grooves and a latching surface. The latching surface is located where the grooves are farthest from each other. The offset grooves are adapted to mate with the offset rails and are fully engaged by the offset rails when the latch is engaged with the latching surface.

Abstract: A crate includes a base, a pair of opposed end walls extending upward from the base, and a pair of opposed side walls extending upward from the base between the end walls. Each side wall includes a plurality of side columns extending upward from the base to a side band. The side wall and the end wall include an upper band connected to the base by a plurality of columns. The upper band includes at least one upper window formed therethrough. The side wall includes an upper edge having a curved center peak, troughs on either side of the center peak and end peaks proximate either end wall.

Abstract: A material for use in vacuum bagging a component. The material includes a compound sensitive to moisture, such that an exposure of the compound to moisture or wetting causes a physical and/or chemical change in the compound that is visually detectable in the cover material. A method of leak detection during vacuum bagging involves the steps of: arranging a component in a vacuum bagging assembly, such as to form a fiber-reinforced plastic component; arranging a material according to the invention in the vacuum bagging assembly such that the compound sensitive to wetting or moisture is under, or on an inner side of, a sealing film or vacuum bag of the assembly; applying a vacuum to the vacuum bagging assembly to evacuate a space containing the component and sealed by the sealing film or vacuum bag; and wetting an outer surface of the sealing film or vacuum bag.

Abstract: A reclosable zipper pouch includes a flange in covering relation to a portion of a first wall panel extending between a first zipper profile member and a mouth, when viewed from the open mouth, to provide difficulty to a child to open the pouch, and remain easy for an adult or senior citizen to open the pouch.

Abstract: A stopper for a tank having an opening includes a body which is provided to be fixed in the opening and which has a hole, a membrane which is fixed to the body and of which a portion completely blocks the hole, a core which is fixed to the portion of the membrane which blocks the hole, and stop means which are provided to permit a movement of the core between a blocking position which corresponds to the non-broken membrane which blocks the hole, and an open position which corresponds to the broken membrane which is spaced apart from the hole, and to keep the core fixedly joined to the body in an open position. The knowledge of the characteristics of the membrane enables the force from which the stopper opens to be known.

Abstract: A beverage container lid assembly and insert enable a user to selectively control contained beverage movements when outfitted upon a beverage container. The lid assemblies include a primary lid form having a primary beverage outlet and a circular transverse cross-section and a secondary lid attachment cooperably engaged with the primary lid form for providing certain beverage flow diversion structure. The secondary lid attachment is rotatable relative to the primary lid form about a lid axis of rotation. The lid assembly may be attached to a beverage container such that the user may manually rotate the secondary lid attachment relative to the primary lid form for manually and selectively positioning the beverage flow diversion structure relative to the primary beverage outlet. The container insert includes a container-engaging first portion and a beverage-damping second portion. The second portion extends inwardly relative to the first portion for deflecting upwardly directed beverage.

Abstract: A preload mechanism for a memory alloy wire actuator is disclosed that includes a rotating element configured to rotate about a pivot. The rotating element has a first contact point that is configured to couple to the memory alloy wire actuator such that contraction of the memory alloy wire actuator displaces the first contact point such that the rotating element rotates from a first position to a second position. The preload mechanism also includes a bias element with a first end that is coupled to a second contact point of the rotating element and a second end configured to be pinned relative to the pivot. The bias element has a line of action extending from the second end through the first end. The line of action has an offset distance that is the minimum distance between the line of action and the pivot.

Abstract: A tanker vehicle for distributing liquid on a surface includes a chassis that supports a tank for holding the liquid. A fluid pump discharges the liquid from the tank and is driven by a hydraulic motor. A hydraulic system delivers hydraulic fluid to the motor through a supply line and returns the fluid to a tank through a return line. A bypass circuit is disposed between the supply line and the return line, bypassing the motor. The bypass circuit includes a system for providing a combination soft start and soft stop of the hydraulic motor that is configured to enable hydraulic fluid to flow from the supply line through the bypass circuit to the return line at a start of the hydraulic system and to flow from the return line through the bypass circuit to the supply line at a shutdown of the hydraulic system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multipurpose water bottle, which comprises: a water bottle main body having a reception space for receiving a liquid therein; and a cap coupled to an upper part of the water bottle main body to discharge the liquid to the outside, wherein the cap comprises: a main body coupling tube coupled to a cap coupling tube disposed at the upper part of the water bottle main body; a liquid discharge tube disposed at an upper part of the main body coupling tube to discharge the liquid to the outside; and an inner coupling tube disposed inside the main body coupling tube and coupled to a first discharge port of a first kind of water bottle, which is received in the reception space of the water bottle main body, to guide, to the liquid discharge tube, a first auxiliary liquid which has been received in the first kind of water bottle.

Abstract: A container sealing device includes a plug-opening mechanism part belonging to the inner plug 10 and the upper lid 20; and the plug-opening mechanism part has an upper-moving plug-opening mechanism A that opens the plug by rotating the upper lid 20 in a direction of loosening the upper lid with respect to the container 1 to thereby separate the separation part 12 from the body part 11 while holding the separation part 12 by a support part provided on an inner side of the upper lid 20; and a lower-moving plug-opening mechanism B that opens the plug by rotating the upper lid 20 in a direction of tightening the upper lid 20 with respect to the container 1 to thereby separate the separation part 12 from the body part 11 while holding the separation part 12 by the support part.

Abstract: A quickly-sealing cover having a cover body matched with a cup body or bottle body, in which the lower end of cover body is partially embedded. The outer wall at the lower end is equipped with an inward-retracted bevel edge, forming a wedge-shaped opening surrounding the lower end. Below the cover body a push pedal is flexibly installed on which a sealing ring is equipped. The upper edge of the sealing ring is opposite the wedge-shaped opening. The upper edge of the sealing ring is embedded into the wedge-shaped opening when the push pedal moves upward. This achieves a perfect sealing effect between cover body and cup body or bottle body. The cover is firmly attached to the mouth edge of cup body or bottle body due to static friction force increased, without screw connection, thus the mouth edge may be in any form in addition to circle.

Abstract: Cable ties employing a composite of nylon and carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A cable mounting device for securing a cable. The cable mounting device includes a spacer having an elongated body with a base end and a top end distal from the base end. The cable mounting device further includes a cable fastener integrally formed with the spacer on a side of the elongated body approximate to the top end. The cable fastener includes a locking head and a strap that engage to form a closed loop that is non-overlapping with an area directly above the top end of the spacer.

Abstract: Covers for sealing and/or bonding with an exposed surface of an animal feed within a container include a flexible film that conforms to the animal feed and a rigid or semi-rigid layer that allows the cover to be handled by an operator during placement of the cover over the animal feed composition while the composition is at elevated temperatures. The polymer film may include a heat-activated coating that establishes a bond with the animal feed when the feed is at elevated temperatures or when an external heat source is applied to the cover. The heat-activated coating may be flowable at a temperature of at least about 125° F. Upon placement of the cover over the animal feed, the film conforms to the exposed surface of the feed and the cover forms a seal with the animal feed as flowable coating reaches a flowable temperature.

Abstract: A carton for containing at least one article. The carton includes a plurality of panels at least partially forming an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels includes a top panel. The carton includes an article protection flap foldably connected to at least one panel of the plurality of panels. The article protection flap is moveable between a first position that is substantially parallel to the top panel and a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the top panel. The at least one access feature in the top panel is for positioning the article protection flap from the first position to the second position.