Abstract: A multi-pin connector with a small envelop and low insertion loss capable of operating while submerged is described within. This configuration avoids the tolerance stack up troubles that has plagued other similar designs thereby allowing it to achieve a low insertion loss without the typical cost drivers of tighter tolerances. In addition this invention incorporates as relatively simple method of tuning each pair of connectors thereby further reducing the insertion loss for each matched pair.

Abstract: The invention aims to transfer a substantial volume of high-quality, high-volume real-time data, which currently cannot be achieved by wireless techniques, between a mobile airborne observation platform and the ground station via a tethered fiber connection between said platform and said ground station.

Abstract: A pressure module and two polishing fixture modules are herein disclosed for fiber optic polisher, or polishing machine. Said pressure module further includes an adjustable spring between a top turntable and a bottom turntable, which are kinematically connected and driven by at least three pair of drive-pins and drive-bushes. Said pressure module is able to apply an adjustable pressure from bottom of the polishing fixture module. So the Fixture Module could not be floating in the pressure direction and maintain stationary when polishing machine is working. Two different quick-release mechanisms for a flexure polishing fixture module were invented for holding and releasing fiber ferrules or connectors during the polishing process controlled by sets of magnets. It's easy to work, and to protect the fixture flexure from the un-proper torque applied by different operators. The current invention is an improvement over our previous invention.

Abstract: The present invention is a limited rotation Fiber Optic Rotary Joint (FORJ) of one or more optical channels. This will enable one or more optical signals to pass across a rotational interface for a fixed number of rotations. For many applications, such as a winch or certain robotic joints, an unlimited number of rotations in either direction is unnecessary. For these types of applications a limited rotation FORJ is an attractive option because they typically have lower loss, are less complex, and have higher reliability.

Abstract: The present invention is a limited rotation through-bore optical slip ring. This will enable one or more optical signals to pass across a rotational interface while leaving a center bore free. The present invention is passive, unlike many off axis or through bore optical slip rings and is low loss by nature.

Abstract: The present invention is a limited rotation Fiber Optic Rotary Joint (FORJ) of one or more optical channels. This will enable one or more optical signals to pass across a rotational interface for a fixed number of rotations. For many applications, such as a winch or certain robotic joints, an unlimited number of rotations in either direction is unnecessary. For these types of applications a limited rotation FORJ is an attractive option because they typically have lower loss, are less complex, and have higher reliability.

Abstract: A multi-channel electro-magnetic rotary joint has been invented in which one or more electro-magnetic signals can be transmitted simultaneously from a rotating collimator array and a stationary collimator array in air and in other fluids. A metamaterial de-rotating mechanism is positioned in the path between said rotating collimator array and said stationary collimator array, and arranged tier rotation relative to each collimator arrays at a rotary speed equal to one-hall the relative rotational rate between said rotating and stationary collimator arrays.

Abstract: An integrated electro-optical fluid rotary joint has been invented in which optical signals, electrical power, and/or signal(s), as well as fluids can be simultaneously transmitted across a common rotary-stationary interface between two relatively rotatable members for such applications, as a tethered aerostats, and tethered ROV. It consists of a main stator, a main rotor rotatable relative to said main stator. An electrical rotary joint, or slip ring, a fiber optical rotary joint, and a fluid rotary joint are integrated together on the main stator and main rotor. As a result, when the main rotor rotates relative to the main stator, optical signals, electrical power, and/or signal(s), as well as fluids from the main rotor can be transmitted to the main stator, and vise versa.

Abstract: An integrated electro-optical fluid rotary joint has been invented in which optical signals, electrical power, and/or signal(s), as well as fluids can be simultaneously transmitted across a common rotary-stationary interface between two relatively rotatable members for such applications, as a tethered aerostats, and tethered ROV. It consists of a main stator, a main rotor rotatable relative to said main stator. An electrical rotary joint, or slip ring, a fiber optical rotary joint, and a fluid rotary joint are integrated together on the main stator and main rotor. As a result, when the main rotor rotates relative to the main stator, optical signals, electrical power, and/or signal(s), as well as fluids from the main rotor can be transmitted to the main stator, and vise versa.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lighter-than-air vehicle and a method to replenish hydrogen into the vehicle while the vehicle is in the sky. The lighter-than-air vehicle can use helium or other gases that doesn't react with hydrogen as lifting gas. Hydrogen will be replenished into the lighter-than-air vehicle while it is still in mid-air. The lighter-than-air vehicles can comprise an aerostat, a hydrogen generator; a water tank and a duct. The present invention can also comprise an aerostat, a compartment, hydrogen generator, a water tank; and a duct. The present invention can also comprise an aerostat, a compartment, and a hydrogen storage alloy device. The present invention can also comprise an aerostat and a hydrogen storage alloy device.

Abstract: A multi-channel fiber optic rotary joint mechanism has been invented in which optic signals can be transmitted simultaneously from a rotating fiber optic collimator bundle and a stationary fiber optic collimator bundle through an opto-mechanical de-rotating mechanism, which includes an optic de-rotating element, an internal gear and an flexure anti-backlash mechanism. The optic de-rotating element, is positioned in the path between said rotating fiber optic collimator bundle and said stationary fiber optic collimator bundle. The internal gear mechanism provides 2:1 speed ratio for the rotating fiber optic collimator bundle and the optic de-rotating element.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is that of a slip ring which utilizes one or more pistons to transfer the external pressure applied by the environment to an incompressible fluid in the inner cavity of the slip ring, thereby balancing the external and internal pressures resulting in a nominal, if any, pressure differential. This will enable the device to operated in environments with significantly higher ambient pressures then have been traditionally possible.

Abstract: A multi-channel electro-magnetic rotary joint has been invented in which one or more electro-magnetic signals can be transmitted simultaneously from a rotating collimator array to a stationary collimator array, and vice-versa, in air and in other fluids. A photonic crystal based de-rotating mechanism is positioned in the path between said rotating collimator array and said stationary collimator array, and arranged for rotation relative to each collimator arrays at a rotary speed equal to one-half the relative rotational rate between said rotating and stationary collimator arrays. This invention has several different potential applications such radar, winches, and robotics to name a few.

Abstract: A Passive Bi-Directional Off-Axis Fiber Optic Rotary Joint (FORJ) with a center bore has been invented in which an optical signal can be transmitted across a rotating boundary without using the centerline or axis of rotation of the FORJ. Rather a fiber bundle is used to transmit the optical signal across a single mechanical rotational interface.

Abstract: An active off-axis optic slip ring system is disclosed. The invention eliminates the huge number of fiber bundles and photodiodes in most published patents. A couple of conventional optical components such as mirrors and prisms are used to transmit optical signals with high, quality and low optic losses. The optical signal pick-up is realized through a pair of prisms mounted on the rotor of motors. It is an active, hi-directional rotational optical transmission device which could be used for multi-mode, or single mode fibers without the limitation to the through bore diameters.

Abstract: A multi-channel electro-magnetic rotary joint has been invented in which one or more electro-magnetic signals can be transmitted simultaneously from a rotating collimator array and a stationary collimator array in air and in other fluids. A metamaterial de-rotating mechanism is positioned in the path between said rotating collimator array and said stationary collimator array, and arranged tier rotation relative to each collimator arrays at a rotary speed equal to one-hall the relative rotational rate between said rotating and stationary collimator arrays.

Abstract: The multiple channel fiber optic rotary joint of this invention can transmit an increased number of optical signals simultaneously through the de-rotating mechanism without increasing the size of the de-rotating mechanism. It also allows for the recapturing of the signals with relative ease. This is accomplished through the use of an optical condenser and/or an optical expander that reduces or expands the overall all beam structure without significantly altering the relative structure. The expanders and condensers are inverse structures in that if an optical signal is condensed when passing from right to light through the condenser it is expanded when passing left to right through the same condenser.

Abstract: A multi-channel fiber optic rotary joint mechanism has been invented in which optic signals can be transmitted simultaneously from a rotating fiber optic collimator bundle and a stationary fiber optic collimator bundle through an opto-mechanical de-rotating mechanism, which includes an optic de-rotating element, an internal gear and an flexure anti-backlash mechanism. The optic de-rotating element, is positioned in the path between said rotating fiber optic collimator bundle and said stationary fiber optic collimator bundle. The internal gear mechanism provides 2:1 speed ratio for the rotating fiber optic collimator bundle and the optic de-rotating element.

Abstract: A simple planetary or epicyclic gear mechanism consists of a sun gear in the center, an internal or ring gear with a common axis with sun gear, and at least one planet gear. The planet gear is located between the sun gear and ring gear, and meshes with both the sun gear and the ring gear. If the ring gear is stationary, when sun gear rotates, the planet gear not only rotates about its axis, its axis also rotate around the axis of sun gear. In stead of employing the sliding motion between the ring and the brush in electrical slip ring, the current invention makes use of a plurality of conductive gears, particularly a planetary gear mechanism, to transfer electrical power, and/or signal(s) between relatively rotatable objects.

Abstract: The present invention is a limited rotation through-bore optical slip ring. This will enable one or more optical signals to pass across a rotational interface while leaving a center bore free. The present invention is passive, unlike many off axis or through bore optical slip rings and is low loss by nature.