Systems and methods are described for securely monitoring a shipping container for an environmental anomaly using elements of a wireless node network of sensor-based ID nodes disposed within the container and a command node associated with the container. The method has the command node identifying which of the ID nodes are confirmed as trusted sensors based upon a security credential specific to each of the ID nodes; monitoring only the confirmed ID nodes for sensor data broadcast those ID nodes; detecting the anomaly based upon the sensor data from at least one of the confirmed ID nodes; automatically generating an alert notification related to the detected environmental anomaly for the shipping container; and transmitting the alert notification to the external transceiver to initiate a mediation response related to the detected environmental anomaly.

An agitator for disposition within a cavity of a vessel body containing a particulate includes a weighted portion and a stirring portion. The agitator is positioned and disposed relative to the vessel body to move the stirring portion through the particulate in response to movement of the weighted portion in response to gravitational and/or inertial forces acting on the weighted portion due to movement of the vessel body. Particulate storage vessel arrangements and methods of particulate mixing are also described.

This specification describes a system and method for controlling the voltage produced by a fuel cell. The system involves providing a bypass line between an air exhaust from the fuel cell and an air inlet of the fuel cell. At least one controllable device is configured to allow the flow rate through the bypass line to be altered. A controller is provided to control the controllable device. The method involves varying the rate of recirculation of air exhaust to air inlet so as to provide a desired change in fuel cell voltage.

This specification describes a system and method for controlling the voltage produced by a fuel cell. The system involves providing a bypass line between an air exhaust from the fuel cell and an air inlet of the fuel cell. At least one controllable device is configured to allow the flow rate through the bypass line to be altered. A controller is provided to control the controllable device. The method involves varying the rate of recirculation of air exhaust to air inlet so as to provide a desired change in fuel cell voltage.

A method of fuel tank inerting includes separating process air into nitrogen-enriched air and oxygen-enriched air with an air separation membrane. A vacuum is applied to the air separation membrane to produce a pressure differential across the air separation membrane. The vacuum is manipulated to vary the pressure differential and vary purity of the nitrogen-enriched air.

A system for generating an inert fluid, the system being carried on board an aircraft, the generation system including a plurality of devices configured each, in succession, to execute a separation of components of a primary fluid initially collected in the form of compressed hot air, the system including at least one heat exchanger configured to execute a separation of components, by change of phase of a component of the primary fluid, executing a cooling of the primary fluid using liquid hydrogen, supplied with liquid hydrogen collected from a tank of the aircraft. It is thus possible to generate an inert gas without requiring membrane separation of the nitrogen and the oxygen, and while at the same time making it easier to warm the liquid hydrogen stored and used in the aircraft as a source of energy.

An aircraft includes an airframe defining a first enclosed space, an engine bay disposed within the first enclosed space, and a cooling system. The engine bay includes a firebox defining a second enclosed space and an engine disposed at least partially within the second enclosed space. The cooling system is configured to selectively fluidly couple the first enclosed space with the second enclosed space.

A hybrid electric powerplant can include an electric motor configured to convert electrical energy into kinetic energy to turn a propulsor, and a heat engine configured to convert a fuel into kinetic energy to turn the propulsor. The powerplant can include a firewall disposed around at least one of the electric motor or the heat engine to create an electric motor fire zone and a heat engine fire zone separate from the electric motor fire zone such that the electric motor is protected against a heat engine fire, and vice versa.

A hybrid electric powerplant can include an electric motor configured to convert electrical energy into kinetic energy to turn a propulsor, and a heat engine configured to convert a fuel into kinetic energy to turn the propulsor. The powerplant can include a firewall disposed around at least one of the electric motor or the heat engine to create an electric motor fire zone and a heat engine fire zone separate from the electric motor fire zone such that the electric motor is protected against a heat engine fire, and vice versa.

Systems, methods, and devices for fire control system power switching are described herein. One embodiment includes an alternating current (AC) power source, a battery, a notification component, and a control circuit, comprising an LLC circuit comprising an LLC controller component, a transformer component, a rectifier and feedback component, and an opto-coupler component. The LLC circuit can be configured to reduce an LLC output voltage from a first LLC voltage to a second LLC voltage while the notification component is using power supplied by the battery. The control circuit can include a battery-plane voltage transfer component configured to disconnect the battery from a plane voltage of the control circuit and an AC/DC-plane transfer component configured to connect the second LLC output voltage to the plane voltage to supply power from the AC power source.