The Boeing Company

Mechanical Answers LLC

Other

Scott Douglas Maxwell

Raymond Q Draggie

Charles A Lemaire

Marian D Maxwell

Charles Perry Briscoe

Dale H Smith

John J Gowan

Tu-Luc H Nguyen

Beth L Sundquist

Emery B Krzeszowski

William R Whisler

Marcus A Topp

James I Murphy

A window heating system for providing current to a heating element includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a sensor selection module configured to determine a state of the first and the second sensors. The sensor selection module includes a first comparator associated with the first sensor and configured to determine whether a condition of the first sensor is satisfied. The window heating system also includes a controller configured to control current to the heating element based on the second sensor when the first comparator determines the condition of the first sensor is not satisfied.

Window heating control system and methods of operating the same

The presently disclosed subject matter is broadly directed to a hydroponic growing system. The disclosed system is a soil-free plant growth system comprising a water solution that includes dissolved nutrients and oxygen. The roots of the plants are submerged into the nutrient-laden aqueous solution, thereby providing nutrition to the plant. In this way, the exact amount of water, nutrients, and oxygen can be provided. The disclosed system further comprises an irrigation subsystem, environmental subsystem, and control subsystem that allows the system to be customized and motorized depending on the plant grown and the grow desired grow conditions.

Hydroponic growing system and methods of making and using the same

A method and apparatus for operating a battery system. The apparatus comprises a housing, a plurality of battery cells, and a bypass circuit. The plurality of battery cells is connected in a series circuit within the housing. The plurality of battery cells is configured to supply a total voltage output. The bypass circuit is configured to determine whether a voltage output from a battery cell in the plurality of battery cells has fallen below a selected threshold. The bypass circuit is further configured to bypass the battery cell in the series circuit in response to a determination that the voltage output from the battery cell has fallen below the selected threshold.

Control system for a battery

A method, apparatus and means to address the problem of utilizing two large power plugs with transformers, converters and/or 90 degree plugs simultaneously with one duplex power receptacle. The duplex power receptacle has a ground-up and ground-down configuration, such that two conventional large three prong power plugs with transformers, converters and/or 90 degree plugs can be used simultaneously. This configuration can be utilized while still maintaining many characteristics of conventional duplex power receptacles such as left and right orientation of neutral and hot conducting busses. By maintaining characteristics of the conventional duplex power receptacle one knowledgeable in the art can install this invention without having to be retrained in a method of installation and a conventional wall outlet box and cover plate will accommodate this invention. Additionally, by maintaining these characteristics users of this invention will not have to learn any new method of using the device.

Method for electrical outlet having grounds-out receptacles

Electrical outlet having grounds-out receptacles and method

The present invention provides a method, apparatus and means to address the problem of attempting to utilize two large power plugs with transformers, converters and/or 90 degree plugs simultaneously with one duplex power receptacle. This invention discloses a duplex power receptacle in a ground-up and ground-down configuration, such that two conventional large three prong power plugs with transformers, converters and/or 90 degree plugs can be used simultaneously. This configuration can be utilized while still maintaining many of characteristics of the conventional duplex power receptacles such as the left and right orientation of the neutral and hot conducting busses. By maintaining the characteristics of the conventional duplex power receptacle one knowledgeable in the art can install this invention without having to be retrained in a method of installation and a conventional wall outlet box and cover plate will accommodate this invention. Additionally, by maintaining these characteristics users of this invention will not have to learn any new method of having to use the device.

The present invention provides a barrel clamp apparatus integrated with an electrical contact, which, with the application of a mating compression nut provides a method of clamping the contact to an electrical cable. In some embodiments the electrical contact is configured to mate with a tapered battery post and in others the electrical contact is a pin or socket arrangement whose wire receiving end has been configured with a barrel clamp configuration. In one embodiment the barrel clamp has been integrated into a band clamp battery connector assembly. In all embodiments this device provides a positive means of securing an electrical cable to an electrical contact, maximizing the conductive potential and clamping force to ensure the best electrical and physical connection is made.

Compressive collet electrical clamp and contact and method

An electromechanical connector for use between a power source such as a battery and a device requiring the power such as an automotive electrical system. In some embodiments, the connector includes a radius electrical contact constituting a primary electrical current path, and a band clamp with a slotted band constituting a secondary current path, and a worm drive adjustment assembly for symmetrically tighten the connector to the battery post. A kit is described having an electrical-contact conductor with a concave surface conforming to a battery post, and a band clamp to symmetrically compress the conductor against the post. Some embodiments provide a conductor that conforms to an outer portion of the post, and includes a band clamp mechanism with a band fixed at a non-moving end to the conductor, and at an opposite slotted end interfacing to a worm screw held against the conductor.

Battery clamp and associated method

In some embodiments, the present invention provides an independently tightening collet surrounding each socket for each of a plurality of corresponding high-electrical-power prongs, wherein the collet is loosened for normal (low-insertion-force) insertion and withdrawal of the plug from the outlet. Once the plug is inserted, the collet is tightened, providing a high-contact force to lower the contact resistance and to help keep the plug from coming unplugged. In some embodiments, the plug is not 'locked', in that a tension force pulling on the plug will overcome the contact force at a point before the plug or outlet is damaged, and the plug is allowed to come unplugged. In some embodiments, engaging the collet will also provide a wiping or sliding motion between the prong and socket for each connection, thus wiping at least some dirt or corrosion away and providing a lower-resistance better electrical contact.

Method and apparatus for power outlet and plug having low-insertion-force connector

A borescopic device and an associated method are provided that permit the controlled movement of the object under test both angularly and along several different axes, such that the object including its internal surfaces, can be thoroughly inspected in a controlled fashion. The borescopic device includes an adjustable holder assembly for holding an object, a borescopic imaging system including one or more probes for capturing an image of at least one surface of the object, and a monitoring system for determining the position of an image captured by the borescopic imaging system relative to the object. The adjustable holder assembly also includes one or more position indicators for providing the monitoring system with indications of the position of the object, both angularly and in at least two linear directions.

Rotary borescopic optical dimensional mapping tool

Mechanically advantaged band clamp and associated method

Method and apparatus for A.C. outlet having grounds-out receptacles

A temperature controlled hydraulic fluid supply circuit () includes a first hydraulic fluid reservoir (), that has an initial hydraulic fluid (), and a temperature controlled housing (). A second hydraulic fluid reservoir () is fluidically coupled to the first hydraulic fluid reservoir (), resides within the temperature controlled housing (), and has a controlled hydraulic fluid () that is supplied to a test device (). A circulation device () circulates a temperature altering fluid () through the temperature controlled housing () and adjusts the temperature of the controlled hydraulic fluid ().

System for temperature-controlled testing of hydraulically actuated devices

Symmetrically adjustable corrosion-resistant battery cable connector

An apparatus is provided for removing a fastener from a corresponding aperture defined by a workpiece that reduces or eliminates damage to the fastener and/or the workpiece. The apparatus includes a pulling plug for engaging the head of the fastener, and a drive shaft operably connected to the pulling plug. The apparatus further includes a lever member that is urged into operable contact with the workpiece. In operation, the head end of a fastener is engaged by the pulling plug. Thereafter, the lever member is moved into contact with the workpiece. The drive shaft is then retracted while the lever member continues to be urged into operable contact with and to push against the workpiece without positively engaging the workpiece. As such, the pulling plug is also moved away from the surface of the workpiece to remove the fastener from the workpiece.

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Renton, WA, United States of America

Scott Douglas Maxwell