Abstract: An inertial measurement unit (IMU) for a spinning aerial vehicle that spins about a spin axis having a substrate defining a plane, the substrate fixed to the vehicle with the plane essentially orthogonal to the spin axis so that the substrate spins about the spin axis as the vehicle does, at least one generally planar gyroscope coupled to the substrate, the gyroscope defining a gyro input axis that is essentially parallel to the plane and generating a gyro output signal, at least one generally planar accelerometer coupled to the substrate, the accelerometer defining an accelerometer input axis that is essentially parallel to the plane and generating an accelerometer output signal, and a system for demodulating the gyro output signal with a phase-sensitive demodulation referenced to the accelerometer output signal. Also featured is a method of providing guidance information for a spinning aerial vehicle that spins about a spin axis using the described system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endoscope with a watertight and air-tight endoscope handle that in preferred embodiments contains in its interior a solid-state light source and a gas permeable and liquid impermeable sealed compartment holding a battery and an electronic circuit, where the sealed compartment is preferably transverse to the long axis of the endoscope handle, and, in certain embodiments, at least partially surrounded by a movable structure.

Abstract: A system for monitoring air quality conditions, comprising, a multi-point air monitoring system comprising, a plurality of sensors for collecting air quality data from a plurality of at least partially enclosed areas; one or more data processing units for processing one or more air quality parameters based on the collected air quality data; and one or more communication devices for communicating the data from the sensor to the processing unit; and a signal processing controller that generates one or more blended air quality parameter signals via the multi-point air monitoring system based at least in part on one or more of the processed air quality parameters representative of data from a plurality of the sensors.

Abstract: An array for bringing two or more reagents in contact with one or more biological targets comprising, two or more reagents; and one or more barriers adapted to at least temporarily maintain said reagents in at least one arrangement of two or more reagent portions so that said portions do not commingle with each other, wherein each said portion is maintained at a predefined locale in said arrangement so that each of said portions is adapted to be brought into contact with one or more biological targets; and methods for making and using same.

Abstract: A planar MEMS accelerometer that detects acceleration along an input axis that is orthogonal to the plane. There are spaced bonding pads coupled to a substrate. A generally planar Servo Member (SM) is flexibly coupled to the bonding pads by servo member flexures such that the SM is capable of oscillatory motion about a servo axis that is orthogonal to the plane. A generally planar plate Torque Summing Member (TSM) is located within, coplanar with, and flexibly coupled to the SM such that the TSM is capable of rotational motion about an output axis that is in the plane and orthogonal to the servo axis. The TSM is mass-imbalanced relative to the output axis. A generally planar plate rotor is located within, coplanar with, and flexibly coupled to the TSM such that it is capable of rotary oscillatory motion relative to the TSM about a rotor axis that is in the plane. Rotor drives directly oscillate the rotor about the rotor axis at a rotor oscillation frequency and amplitude.

Abstract: This invention is a backrest for collapsible or foldable chairs that provides ample and comfortable back support for a seated person. The backrest consists of a Collapsible Back Support Curve that, when incorporated properly into a collapsible chair, is easy to set-up, collapse, store and transport, and it is visually appealing and durable. The invention is incorporated into collapsible chairs by shaping the chair back-rest support members in parallel gradual curves that force a membrane taught between them, evenly along their length, when in an open (non-collapsed) position. The invention, although a stationary part of a chair without complicated moveable parts, is designed to fit people of different heights and different back-arch preferences.

Abstract: An adsorbent composition for removing mercury from a flue gas stream, and a method of its use. The composition is a powdered activated carbon having at least one of a halogen-containing component and an alkaline component dispersed thereon. A flow agent can be composited with the material to maintain flowability in situ.

Abstract: A gyroscope that lies generally in a plane, for detecting rotation rate about a gyro input axis. The gyroscope has a substrate, and a generally planar outer member flexibly coupled to the substrate such that it is capable of oscillatory motion about a drive axis that is orthogonal to the input axis. There is also a generally planar inner member coplanar with and flexibly coupled to the outer member such that it is capable of rotary oscillatory motion relative to the outer member about an output axis that is orthogonal to the plane of the members. There are one or more drives for directly or indirectly oscillating the outer member about the drive axis, and one or more sensors that detect oscillation of the inner member about the output axis.

Abstract: Gyroscopes and pendulous gyroscopic accelerometers with adjustable scale factor are accomplished through control of the net angular momentum of a gyroscopic element such as a rotating or oscillating wheel or other mass. The sensitivity of a gravity gradiometer can be enhanced through use of such instruments, allowing the development of man-portable gravity gradiometers.

Abstract: A sleeve adapted to be placed over a cable tie, in which the cable tie has an elongated flexible strap, a locking head coupled to the strap, and structure carried by the strap that is adapted to be engaged with the head to lock the strap and head together. The sleeve has an elongated body that defines an open-ended longitudinal cavity that is sized and shaped to accept the strap, so that the sleeve can be removably engaged along the length of the strap, and a pair of spaced protrusions extending from the body so as to define a receiving recess located between the protrusions and the sleeve body.

Abstract: An array of transducers for a sodar system, and the operation of the array in a monostatic sodar system. The array is made up of a number of individual sound transducers. Each transducer emits sound into the atmosphere and senses emitted sound that has been reflected by the atmosphere. The transducers have a generally circular cross-sectional shape. The transducers are arranged in a generally planar, generally hexagonal grid packing arrangement.

Abstract: A housing for a phased array monostatic sodar system with a transducer array that emits and receives multiple generally conical main beams of sound along different primary axes. The housing includes one or more upwardly-directed sidewalls that define a volume between them that is open to the atmosphere at the top, to emit and receive the beams, and an upper lip at the top of at least one wall, defining a curved perimeter at the top of at least some of the volume that closely conforms to the shape of at least one main beam at the location of the lip. The sidewalls are lined with a non-woven fiber based sound-absorbing material.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the relative phase between current-carrying conductors. A reference unit samples and digitizes a voltage waveform at a reference location and transmits the digitized voltage waveform. A field sampling unit is placed on or directly adjacent a field conductor at a field location and transmits a signal representative of the voltage waveform of the field conductor. A field unit receives and digitizes the waveform received from the field sampling unit, receives the digitized voltage waveform from the reference unit, and compares the digitized field waveform and the digitized reference waveform. Also provided are methods for commissioning the phase identification system and calibrating the reference unit.

Abstract: An elongated, tubular bird feeder comprising one or more pairs of interlocking feeder ports, where the feeder ports are of identical constructions, such that each feeder port mates with an identical feeder port. Each port defines an external perch and an external shield that is curved to fit the contour of the tube, a neck which fits tightly into an opening in the tube, and a reduced diameter portion that defines an end face, from which projects two interlocking features: a horizontally-oriented blade member; and a vertically-oriented generally sector-shaped member. When two ports are pushed together into diametrically-opposed side openings in the tube, with end faces located proximate one another, the two sector members will be located adjacent one another to define an essentially semi-circular upper region, and the two blades will be located next to one another to define an essentially horizontal blade member.

Abstract: Intraoral orthodontic pacifier/nipple appliances having integrated orthodontic functionality. The appliance has an integrated orthodontic mechanism. The bulb expands or moves upward and expands outward as a child sucks on it, to counteract inward pressure of the cheeks and the lateral portion of the lips caused by suction or sucking action. The invention also provides products including the orthodontic appliance, as well as methods of using the appliance and products including the appliance in the inhibition and treatment of certain malocclusions in the primary dentition of young children.