Abstract:
Methods and apparatus of an improved cooling structure having cooling passages are provided. A method includes forming pilot holes with an electrical discharge machine (EDM) drill near a heated flow surface. The pilot holes are then shaped with a wire EDM into cooling passages having a desired shape.
Abstract:
A hybrid image gathering and data transmission system is provided. The system includes at least one parabolic reflector to gather, disseminate and direct electromagnetic radiation. A beam splitter using Fresnel Zone Plate Array (FZPA) is configured and arranged to receive and or transmit the electromagnetic radiation from or to the at least one parabolic reflector and separately focus microwave radiation and visual radiation. The beam splitter provides a gain in the microwave radiation and visual radiation. A Radio Frequency (RF) receiver/transmitter receives and transmits the microwave radiation from or to the beam splitter and a Focal Plane Array (FPA) receives the visible radiation from the beam splitter. A processor is in communication with the RF receiver and the FPA. The processor processes signals received by the RF receiver and the FPA and provide processed data to be transmitted to a remote location.
Abstract:
A portion of a work-hardened essentially tubular work piece such as a metallic firearm cartridge case is annealed by contact with solid or granular tooling material which has been heated to a temperature approximately that of the appropriate annealing temperature, thereby reducing the possibility of overheating the work piece, and also thereby permitting the annealing of only that portion of the work piece contacted or in close proximity to the point(s) of contact.
Abstract:
Mechanisms for deploying a solar array include an elongated deployment member routed along a first panel, along an extension, and at least partially along a second panel. The elongated deployment member is configured to, upon retraction of the elongated deployment member by the deployment motor, move the extension into an extended position and rotate the second panel about a hub located at a distal end of the extension. Solar array assemblies include such a mechanism. Methods of deploying a solar array include retracting an elongated deployment member to rotate an extension into an extended position and further retracting the elongated deployment member to rotate a panel coupled to the extension approximately 360° about a hub of the extension.
Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to reloading kits containing a packaged high-density metal-filled polymer composition that is moldable and used in producing lead-free or “green” bullets for individual firearms. Such kits and compositions may be used by individuals in their reloading process.
Abstract:
An electronics package comprising a plurality of mutually parallel, vertically spaced circuit boards of generally circular configuration and electrically connected by a flex circuit comprising a trunk extending circumferentially around the circuit boards and having a branch extending to each circuit board. An electronics package precursor structure and a method of configuring the electronics package from the precursor structure is also disclosed.
Abstract:
Propellant structures and stimulation tools incorporating propellant structures may comprise composite propellant structures including two or more regions of propellant having different compositions, different grain structures, or both. An axially extending initiation bore containing a initiation element may extend through a center of the propellant structure, or may be laterally offset from the center. An offset initiation bore may be employed with a composite grain structure. Methods of tailoring ballistic characteristics of propellant burn to result in desired operational pressure pulse characteristics are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Non-lethal payloads including at least one of boron and silicon, at least one fuel, and at least one oxidizer. The non-lethal payload may be a single-component or dual-component payload. Methods of producing the non-lethal payloads are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A shotgun cartridge having a weighted wad for controlling the separation point between the wad and the shot load. The wad having a tail portion and a nose portion with the nose portion shifting the center of gravity of the wad axially forward away from the center of pressure compared to where the center of gravity would be if the nose portion was not weighted thereby controlling the shot load separation and enhancing the shot pattern.