Abstract:
There is described a focusing apparatus having a deformable membrane that at least partially defines a cavity and an optical fluid disposed in the cavity. An actuator assembly can be provided for imparting a force to the deformable membrane. In one embodiment, the actuator assembly can include a piezoelectric actuator.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for forming a composite workpiece are provided. An electromagnetic field generator induces a current in a susceptor, thereby heating the workpiece in a die cavity. An elastomeric bladder in the cavity is inflated and urges the workpiece against a contour surface corresponding to a desired configuration of the workpiece. Coolant fluid can also be circulated through the die cavity to cool the workpiece. Thus, the workpiece can be heated, formed, and cooled quickly and without substantial heating of other components, thereby reducing the time and energy relative to conventional forming methods.
Abstract:
A weapons system is disclosed that provides hot-start navigational information to the Global-Positioning-System receivers on missiles prior to flight. The system comprises a Global-Positioning-System receiver that uses a classified red cryptographic key to decode the P(Y) signal from one or more of the Global-Positioning-System constellation of satellites. Once the P(Y) signal is decoded, one or more characteristics (e.g., the PRN code synchronization, the Doppler shift, the modulation bit sequence, etc.) of the signal is derived. These characteristics of the signal—and some other information including a black cryptographic key that comprises the red cryptographic key—are then provided to the Global-Positioning-System receivers on missiles prior to flight. By giving the missiles this information, the missiles are able to acquire the P(Y) signals themselves more quickly than they otherwise could, which enables them to determine their position more quickly than they otherwise could.
Abstract:
A circular saw blade in which tooth assemblies are pivotally mounted along the periphery of the disc spaced apart at equal angular distances. Each tooth assembly has a U-shaped tooth wedging member pivotally mounted on the disc. The tooth is secured between the disc and the wedging member. Pivotal movement of the tooth wedging member in one direction wedges the tooth between the disc and the tooth wedging member. Pivotal movement of the tooth wedging member in an opposite direction releases the tooth from the wedging action between the disc and the wedging member. A cam locking member is rotatably mounted on the disc adjacent the wedging member. Rotation of the cam locking member in one direction locks the tooth wedging member in the tooth wedging mode. Rotation of the cam locking member in an opposite direction unlocks the tooth wedging member to enable the tooth to be released from the wedging action between the disc and the tooth wedging member.