Abstract: A battery, a fixture for forming a battery plate, a kit, and a related method of manufacture are provided. The battery comprises a housing and a mechanically actuated valve. The housing defines a cell configured to receive battery plates. The mechanically actuated valve is in fluid communication with the cell and configured to control entry of electrolyte into the cell.

Abstract: A laser Doppler velocimeter uses self-mixing amplification of backreflections from scatterers below the surface of a flow. A time domain signal is divided into segments that are roughly equal to a transit time of particles through a focus of a laser beam. The segments are connected to a frequency domain through the use of an FFT algorithm to produce frequency domain data segments. Signal-to-noise ratio is enhanced through signal processing techniques using the segments to produce a final enhanced signal spectrum.

Abstract: A battery assembly for use in an aircraft. The battery assembly may include a battery and a circuit configured to monitor the battery in situ. The circuit may include at least one sensor positioned to sense at least one property of the battery and a processor in communication with the sensor. The battery assembly may also include a battery housing, wherein the battery and the circuit are positioned within the battery housing. A method for evaluating a battery in an electric device. The method may include collecting operational information from the battery. The operational information may be collected without removing the battery from the electric device. The method may also include comparing the operational information to a degradation routine describing a property of the battery and calculating a capacity of the battery.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a radar system is provided which accurately measures the surface profile in a wide sector beneath and forward of a helicopter, to aid low level transit and landing in poor visibility. This uses an electronic beam synthesis technique to form multiple beams directed at the area of interest, each measuring the distance to the first reflected signal received by each beam. These distances represent the profile of the ground and any objects on the ground. A processor then compares the measured profile with the ideal ground profile for safe landing. If the deviations from straight and level exceed the specified requirement for safe landing, or if sufficient rotor clearance is not detected, then a warning is given to the operator. A display will show the measured ground profile highlighting the unsafe regions, allowing the operator to seek a safe region to land.

Abstract: A laser Doppler velocimeter uses self-mixing amplification of backreflections from scatterers below the surface of a flow. A time domain signal is divided into segments that are roughly equal to a transit time of particles through a focus of a laser beam. The segments are connected to a frequency domain through the use of an FFT algorithm to produce frequency domain data segments. Signal-to-noise ratio is enhanced through signal processing techniques using the segments to produce a final enhanced signal spectrum.

Abstract: A chip scale fiber-optic device that includes a transducer that sends and receives information signals, a submount that holds the transducer in a substantially fixed position, and a multimode fiber lens that conveys the information signals between the transducer and an optical fiber.

Abstract: A laser Doppler velocimeter uses self-mixing amplification of backreflections from scatterers below the surface of a flow. A time domain signal is divided into segments that are roughly equal to a transit time of particles through a focus of a laser beam. The segments are connected to a frequency domain through the use of an FFT algorithm to produce frequency domain data segments. Signal-to-noise ratio is enhanced through signal processing techniques using the segments to produce a final enhanced signal spectrum.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a radar system is provided which accurately measures the surface profile in a wide sector beneath and forward of a helicopter, to aid low level transit and landing in poor visibility. This uses an electronic beam synthesis technique to form multiple beams directed at the area of interest, each measuring the distance to the first reflected signal received by each beam. These distances represent the profile of the ground and any objects on the ground. A processor then compares the measured profile with the ideal ground profile for safe landing. If the deviations from straight and level exceed the specified requirement for safe landing, or if sufficient rotor clearance is not detected, then a warning is given to the operator. A display will show the measured ground profile highlighting the unsafe regions, allowing the operator to seek a safe region to land.

Abstract: A passive power factor correction (PFC) circuit is disclosed. It converts an AC input voltage into at least one DC output voltage. A diode bridge and a diode pair rectify the AC input voltage and provide first and second rectified voltages, respectively. A resistor applies the second rectified voltage to a first capacitor that stores the first voltage. A diode applies the first voltage to an inductor. The inductor applies the first rectified voltage to an output capacitor that stores the DC output voltage. The passive PFC circuit is intended to expand commonly used full-wave bridge rectifier and following storage capacitor. It can replace an input circuit, including low pass filter, in many applications even if improved power factor is not required. The passive PFC specifically targets size of the inductor while avoiding any switching, and maintaining power factor that challenges active PFC circuits. Early prototypes reached power factor of 0.99 while driving a 100 W load.

Abstract: A light source is disclosed. The light source includes a primary excitation source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation at a first peak wavelength and a band of wavelengths around the first peak wavelength. A secondary emitter conversion element is optically coupled to the primary excitation source and is configured to absorb at least a portion the electromagnetic radiation at the first peak wavelength from the primary excitation source and emit electromagnetic radiation at a second peak wavelength and a band of wavelengths around the second peak wavelength. The second peak wavelength is longer than the first peak wavelength. A non-imaging optical coupler is optically coupled to the secondary emitter conversion element. An optical system includes the light source optically coupled to a transparent rod.

Abstract: An electronic device includes at least one terminal formed on the electronic device. The electronic device also includes at least one of a semiconductor device, an integrated circuit chip, and a computer. A seamless conductive mesh is formed on at least one surface of the electronic device. The conductive mesh is in electrical contact with the terminal. The terminal facilitates electrical conduction between the conductive mesh and an electrical detection circuit. The electronic device also may include a pattern having traces formed on at least two surfaces where each of the traces includes a continuous loop of conductive material is formed on at least two surfaces. The electronic device also may include a first plurality of conductive loops formed on the electronic device that are continuous and surround the electronic device in a first direction and a second plurality of conductive loops formed on the electronic device that are continuous and surround the electronic device in a second direction.

Abstract: A lamp assembly including one or more light emitting diode (LED) arrays and a controller circuit to output a current to the one or more LED arrays. Each LED array includes at least one LED and defines a spatial radiation pattern having a first central axis. The lamp assembly also includes a lens array to redirect light received from the one or more LED arrays, a base and a light-transmissive cover. For each one of the one or more LED arrays, the lens array includes a total internal reflection (TIR) lens defining a second central axis aligned with the first central axis of the corresponding LED array. The TIR lens is configured to distribute light received from the LED array from an output face of the TIR lens such that the distributed light defines optical paths that are convergent, divergent or collimated with respect to the second central axis. The base includes a first surface to receive the one or more LED arrays, the controller circuit and the lens array.

Abstract: A laser Doppler velocimeter uses self-mixing amplification of backreflections from scatterers below the surface of a flow. A time domain signal is divided into segments that are roughly equal to a transit time of particles through a focus of a laser beam. The segments are connected to a frequency domain through the use of an FFT algorithm to produce frequency domain data segments. Signal-to-noise ratio is enhanced through signal processing techniques using the segments to produce a final enhanced signal spectrum.

Abstract: A light source is disclosed. The light source includes a primary excitation source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation at a first peak wavelength and a band of wavelengths around the first peak wavelength. A secondary emitter conversion element is optically coupled to the primary excitation source and is configured to absorb at least a portion the electromagnetic radiation at the first peak wavelength from the primary excitation source and emit electromagnetic radiation at a second peak wavelength and a band of wavelengths around the second peak wavelength. The second peak wavelength is longer than the first peak wavelength. A non-imaging optical coupler is optically coupled to the secondary emitter conversion element. An optical system includes the light source optically coupled to a transparent rod.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an electronic circuit including forming a first depression on a first surface of a first wafer and forming a second depression on the first surface of the first wafer. The second depression is adjacent the first depression and separated from the first depression by a wall. The method further includes locating an actuator on the wall and attaching a first surface of a second wafer to the first surface of the first wafer to cover the first and second depressions. A first portion of the second wafer and the first depression define a first reservoir to contain a first chemical, and a second portion of the second wafer and the second depression define a second reservoir to contain a second chemical.

Abstract: A method including positioning an electronic device proximate a second device, the electronic device including at least one of a semiconductor device, an integrated circuit chip, and an electronic substrate, and the second device activatable to form a conductive pattern on the electronic device. The method further includes activating the second device to form the conductive pattern and forming the conductive pattern on at least two surfaces of the electronic device. The conductive pattern includes one or more than one conductive trace. Each conductive trace includes a conductive material and is continuous between at least two surfaces of the electronic device. Each conductive trace is formed by controlling relative movement of the electronic device and the second device during activation of the second device.

Abstract: An aircraft light source includes a first substrate having an array of electromagnetic energy emitters connected in series and configured to radiate electromagnetic energy at one or more than one predetermined wavelength. The first substrate is configured to connect to a second substrate and is configured to electrically couple to the array of electromagnetic energy emitters to an aircraft electrical power system. The aircraft light source includes a housing having a cylindrical portion and a base portion. The cylindrical portion is configured to couple to a lens and to receive the array of electromagnetic energy emitters. The base portion is adapted and configured to electrically couple to an electric socket suitable for an incandescent filament lamp in an aircraft illumination system.

Abstract: A laser Doppler velocimeter uses self-mixing amplification of backreflections from scatterers below the surface of a flow. A time domain signal is divided into segments that are roughly equal to a transit time of particles through a focus of a laser beam. The segments are connected to a frequency domain through the use of an FFT algorithm to produce frequency domain data segments. Signal-to-noise ratio is enhanced through signal processing techniques using the segments to produce a final enhanced signal spectrum.

Abstract: A method of forming an anti-tamper mesh on an electronic device. The method includes forming at least one terminal on the electronic device and forming a conductive mesh on at least one surface of the electronic device, wherein the conductive mesh is in electrical contact with the terminal, and wherein the terminal facilitates electrical conduction between the conductive mesh and an electrical detection circuit.

Abstract: A method and system for acquiring aircraft parameters that includes sampling an aircraft parameter during a first sampling period, recording the full value of the aircraft parameter sampled during the first sampling period, then sampling the aircraft parameter during a fixed number of subsequent consecutive sampling periods, and recording the change between the value of the aircraft parameter sampled in the subsequent sampling periods and the value of the aircraft parameter sampled in the prior sampling period. A method and system for constructing a data stream that includes merging a voluntary data stream and the mandatory parameters and storing the merged data stream in a flight data recorder while maintaining the certification of the flight data recorder.