Abstract: A space-borne imaging system with a paraboloid mirror fabricated in space is described. The mirror is formed by solidifying liquid precursor material after its surface assumes a paraboloid shape as a result of compound rotation of the satellite. The mirror is preferably formed from a photopolymer which creates a rigid paraboloid mirror surface upon exposure to a cross-linking radiation source. Optical coating(s) deposition system is described as well. Several deployable satellite structures, including mirror support are executed in shape memory materials and are deployed by application of heat. Mirror material support is executed as a pliable membrane compactly stowable for launch. Prior to mirror generation the support is optionally stiffened by crosslinking an impregnating it polymer or depositing a base layer of polymer ahead of the main polymer charge.

Abstract: A dual battery system, including: a primary battery which drives a starter motor; an auxiliary battery which drives one or more auxiliary loads; an alternator which supplies current to recharge the primary battery; and a power supply circuit which supplies current from the alternator to recharge the auxiliary battery when a surplus condition is detected, the surplus condition indicating that the alternator is generating more electrical power than is required for recharging the primary battery, wherein the power supply circuit ceases to supply current to recharge the auxiliary battery when absence of the surplus condition is detected so that the primary and auxiliary batteries become electrically isolated, thereby ensuring that recharging of the auxiliary battery does not have an adverse effect on the level of charge of the primary battery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a synchronous DC-DC power converter which may include a conversion cell including a number of switches and a single inductor, and a controller. The controller is configured to control a cycle of conversion of the conversion cell of the converter with multiple phases by controlling each of the switches.

Abstract: A satellite with a primary imaging mirror fabricated while in space is described. The primary mirror is formed by solidifying liquid precursor material which assumes a paraboloid shape upon certain rotational maneuvers of the satellite. The primary mirror is preferably formed from a molten metal which creates a rigid paraboloid primary mirror upon solidification. The mirror material can be pre-melted prior to launch and carried to orbit while liquid, or it can be stored as a solid and melted in space to create the mirror.

Abstract: Described are several embodiments of parabolic reflective antenna systems where a flexible primary reflector is supported by radial ribs of shape memory material deployed by application of heat. Several feeds made with shape memory materials working with the reflector are presented. Feed preforms include corrugated, telescopic and flattened ribbon types which extend or unfurl into final shapes upon application of heat. Several antenna and feed embodiments also contain supports for secondary reflectors and patch antennas.

Abstract: Described are several embodiments of parabolic reflective antenna systems where rigid parabolic dishes based on shape memory materials are deployed to full size and shape from compact pre-folded preforms by application of heat. Several shape memory feeds working with the dishes are presented. Feed preforms include corrugated, telescopic and flattened ribbon types which extend or unfurl into final shapes upon application of heat. Several dish and feed embodiments also contain supports for secondary reflectors and patch antennas.

Abstract: A satellite with a paraboloid mirror fabricated while in space is described. The mirror is formed by solidifying liquid precursor material after its surface assumes a paraboloid shape as a result of compound rotation of the satellite. The mirror is preferably formed from a photopolymer which creates a rigid paraboloid mirror surface upon exposure to a cross-linking radiation source. Optical coating(s) deposition system is described. Several deployable satellite structures, including mirror support are executed in shape memory materials and are deployed by application of heat.

Abstract: A dual battery system, including: a primary battery which drives a starter motor; an auxiliary battery which drives one or more auxiliary loads; an alternator which supplies current to recharge the primary battery; and a power supply circuit which supplies current from the alternator to recharge the auxiliary battery when a surplus condition is detected, the surplus condition indicating that the alternator is generating more electrical power than is required for recharging the primary battery, wherein the power supply circuit ceases to supply current to recharge the auxiliary battery when absence of the surplus condition is detected so that the primary and auxiliary batteries become electrically isolated, thereby ensuring that recharging of the auxiliary battery does not have an adverse effect on the level of charge of the primary battery.

Abstract: Described are several embodiments of parabolic reflective antenna systems where a flexible primary reflector is supported by radial ribs of shape memory material deployed by application of heat. Several feeds made with shape memory materials working with the reflector are presented. Feed preforms include corrugated, telescopic and flattened ribbon types which extend or unfurl into final shapes upon application of heat. Several antenna and feed embodiments also contain supports for secondary reflectors and patch antennas.

Abstract: Described are several embodiments of parabolic reflective antenna systems where rigid parabolic dishes based on shape memory materials are deployed to full size and shape from compact pre-folded preforms by application of heat. Several shape memory feeds working with the dishes are presented. Feed preforms include corrugated, telescopic and flattened ribbon types which extend or unfurl into final shapes upon application of heat. Several dish and feed embodiments also contain supports for secondary reflectors and patch antennas.

Abstract: A disposable degradable drinking straw made of chitin contains water-activated degrading enzymes. Initially in inactive lyophilized (dry) form, the enzymes upon exposure to ambient water in environment degrade chitin-based drinking straw to chitosan, a benign compound.

Abstract: Degradable water- and oil-resistant article is made of chitin and contains water-activated chitin-degrading enzyme or enzymes. Initially supplied in an inactive lyophilized (dry) form, the enzyme or enzymes upon exposure to water present in ambient environment degrade chitin-based article to chitosan, a benign compound. Several article embodiments presented, some with water ingress retardant features.

Abstract: A satellite with a primary imaging mirror fabricated while in space is described. The primary mirror is formed by solidifying liquid precursor material which assumes a paraboloid shape upon certain rotational maneuvers of the satellite. The primary mirror is preferably formed from a molten metal which creates a rigid paraboloid primary mirror upon solidification. The mirror material can be pre-melted prior to launch and carried to orbit while liquid, or it can be stored as a solid and melted in space to create the mirror.

Abstract: Degradable water- and oil-resistant article is made of chitin and contains water-activated chitin-degrading enzyme or enzymes. Initially supplied in an inactive lyophilized (dry) form, the enzyme or enzymes upon exposure to water present in ambient environment degrade chitin-based article to chitosan, a benign compound. Several article embodiments presented, some with water ingress retardant features.

Abstract: A disposable degradable drinking straw made of chitin contains water-activated degrading enzymes. Initially in inactive lyophilized (dry) form, the enzymes upon exposure to ambient water in environment degrade chitin-based drinking straw to chitosan, a benign compound.

Abstract: An obturator ring (4) for a mortar round (2) is proposed where the geometry of the ring (4) is modified by its sliding and striking stationary anvil (18) when the round (2) is placed in the muzzle-loaded mortar's barrel (6) and reaches its bottom. The initial ring (4) geometry does not impede round's travel down the barrel (6) while its modified geometry provides a gas seal between the round (2) and the barrel (6) wall. Several embodiments featuring free-rotating (4), splined non-rotational (4a) and stationary separated (12a-14a) designs are presented. The ring works with both smoothbore and rifled mortar barrels and in several embodiments imparts rotation to the round (2) if used in a rifled barrel (6). An optimized muzzle-loaded mortar barrel (6) operating in cooperation with rounds equipped with the obturator ring of instant invention is also presented, containing rifled (6a) and smoothbore (6b) sections.

Abstract: An obturator ring (4) for a mortar round (2) is proposed where the geometry of the ring (4) is modified by its sliding and striking stationary anvil (18) when the round (2) is placed in the muzzle-loaded mortar's barrel (6) and reaches its bottom. The initial ring (4) geometry does not impede round's travel down the barrel (6) while its modified geometry provides a gas seal between the round (2) and the barrel (6) wall. Several embodiments featuring free-rotating (4), splined non-rotational (4a) and stationary separated (12a-14a) designs are presented. The ring works with both smoothbore and rifled mortar barrels and in several embodiments imparts rotation to the round (2) if used in a rifled barrel (6). An optimized muzzle-loaded mortar barrel (6) operating in cooperation with rounds equipped with the obturator ring of instant invention is also presented, containing rifled (6a) and smoothbore (6b) sections.

Abstract: Several embodiments of an automatic external defibrillation system (2) comprising external interconnected defibrillator modules (4a) and (4b) are described. The modules (4a) and (4b), upon detection of ventricular fibrillation (VF) by microcomputer (100) via sensing electrodes (26) automatically insert defibrillation electrodes (14) into patient's body (6) and commence delivering defibrillating pulse from the pulse generator (102) to the patient's heart. An integral defibrillation system (300) having articulating defibrillating elements (4c) and (4d) conforming to patient's body (6) is also described. Defibrillation electrodes (14) of embodiment (2) are automatically inserted into patient's body in a helical motion, while their counterparts (70) of embodiments (60a) and (60b) are automatically inserted in an essentially downward motion.

Abstract: Several embodiments of an automatic external defibrillation system (2) comprising external interconnected defibrillator modules (4a) and (4b) are described. The modules (4a) and (4b), upon detection of ventricular fibrillation (VF) by microcomputer (100) via sensing electrodes (26) automatically insert defibrillation electrodes (14) into patient's body (6) and commence delivering defibrillating pulse from the pulse generator (102) to the patient's heart. An integral defibrillation system (300) having articulating defibrillating elements (4c) and (4d) conforming to patient's body (6) is also described. Defibrillation electrodes (14) of embodiment (2) are automatically inserted into patient's body in a helical motion, while their counterparts (70) of embodiments (60a) and (60b) are automatically inserted in an essentially downward motion.

Abstract: A synchronous DC-DC converter (300) for converting an input voltage (Vin) into an output voltage (Vout), the converter having a continuous current operative mode (CCM) and a discontinuous current operative mode (DCM), the converter including: an active switch (302) receiving a first gate signal for turning on the active switch for a first time interval (Tq1), the first gate signal having a period (Tprd); a synchronous rectifier (304) receiving a second gate signal for turning on the synchronous rectifier for a second time interval (Tq2); and a controller (306) for determining an estimation (Tq1est) for the first time interval, and thereafter comparing the estimation (Tq1est) with the value of the first time interval (Tq1); wherein responsive to the comparison the controller (306) determines an operative mode of the converter (300) and controls the second time interval (Tq2) depending on the determined operative mode.