Abstract:
An apparatus for use in inspecting a wire segment is provided. The apparatus includes a guide tube sized to receive the wire segment, and an array of mirrors positioned about the guide tube. Each mirror in the array is oriented such that a reflection of the wire segment in the array of mirrors forms a circumferential view of at least a portion of the wire segment, and such that the reflection from each mirror is within a field of view from a single vantage point.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for mitigating constraints associated with wireless power transmission in applications where the position and orientation of the desired magnetic field changes over time, for example, because the position and orientation of the receiver being powered changes over time or because different receivers having different positions and orientations are being powered at different times. In accordance with some embodiments, the system employs a plurality of wireless power transmitters in a defined space, each transmitter consisting of individual coils oriented orthogonally relative to each other. Using field interference amongst these individual coils as well as amongst the transmitters they form, one can actively control the wireless power field intensity and orientation at any given point in the defined space. This allows for methods to steer the power transmission towards a specific target at a specific angle.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for operating an electric motor is presented. A transmit magnetic field is received at a group of receive coils having a group of axes oriented substantially parallel to magnetic field lines from a transmit coil and having a group of resonant frequencies. A resonant frequency in the group of resonant frequencies is different from other receive coils in the group of receive coils. A receive magnetic field is generated at a receive coil in the group of receive coils having the resonant frequency when the transmit magnetic field has a selected frequency matching the resonant frequency. The receive magnetic field attracts a rotor in the electric motor.
Abstract:
A method of controlling the shape and direction of an explosion may include embedding a plurality of detonators in an explosive, and arranging the detonators in the explosive to produce a shaped explosion of the explosive in a pre-set direction and having a pre-set intensity when triggered in a selected sequence; sensing a direction of an incoming threat relative to a protected region, calculating an intercept vector for the incoming threat, and sending a signal in response thereto by a sensor; receiving information from the sensor pertaining to the intercept vector and determining a sequential firing pattern for the detonators in response to the information from the sensor by a firing sequence calculator connected to trigger the detonators; and activating the firing sequence calculator to trigger the detonators in the sequential firing pattern to generate a counteracting force substantially along the intercept vector.
Abstract:
A method of controlling the shape and direction of an explosion may include embedding a plurality of detonators in an explosive, and arranging the detonators in the explosive to produce a shaped explosion of the explosive in a pre-set direction and having a pre-set intensity when triggered in a selected sequence; sensing a direction of an incoming threat relative to a protected region, calculating an intercept vector for the incoming threat, and sending a signal in response thereto by a sensor; receiving information from the sensor pertaining to the intercept vector and determining a sequential firing pattern for the detonators in response to the information from the sensor by a firing sequence calculator connected to trigger the detonators; and activating the firing sequence calculator to trigger the detonators in the sequential firing pattern to generate a counteracting force substantially along the intercept vector.
Abstract:
Ground support equipment that makes it easier to monitor the electrochemical health of a battery. This ground support equipment is configured to implement methods for estimating the total volume and the free volume of liquid electrolyte in an electrochemical cell or in a battery containing several electrochemical cells. The methods involve measuring a center of gravity and/or a moment of inertia. The systems include ground-support equipment suitable for use in aircraft maintenance.
Abstract:
Systems capable of acquiring polarimetry data using a single camera with or without a polarizing filter. When a polarizing filter is used, the data acquisition method comprises: (1) maneuvering the aircraft (or other vehicle) to orient the polarizing filter (and camera) in various directions when images are captured, (2) registering the various images to each other, and (3) computing polarimetry values (such as the Stokes parameters) for points of interest in the images. When a polarizing filter is not used, the data acquisition method comprises maneuvering the aircraft (or other vehicle) to orient the camera in various directions when images are captured and then performing the same operations (2) and (3). These methods measure the amount of polarization in a given scene by taking multiple camera images at different angles.
Abstract:
Data is remotely collected from a plurality of fasteners in response to a query signal wirelessly transmitted by a reader. Each of the fasteners includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to the stress on the fastener. A device adapted to be attached to each of the fasteners receives the query signal, activates the sensor to measure the parameter and wirelessly transmits the data including the parameter to the reader.