Abstract: A faceted dome assembly for airborne optical sensors to enhance EMI shielding and lightning protection is disclosed. In one embodiment, the faceted dome assembly includes a faceted dome. An optical sensor and a gimbal are housed in the faceted dome. Further, a conductor is disposed substantially in the facets of the faceted dome to provide the enhanced electromagnetic shielding and lightning protection.

Abstract: A piston-cylinder actuator includes a unique mount for an absolute-position sensor. The mount is made from a bearing material provides a flexible connection between the sensor mount and the cylinder housing. This flexible connection allows the piston rod to deflect naturally, under its own weight or under other laterally-directed forces, while maintaining the distance and perpendicularity between the sensor and the rod surface, within acceptable limits. The sensor mount is made from a bearing material that will allow it to float directly on the rod surface without scuffing or otherwise damaging the rod surface, particularly the markings or other indicia on that surface. Due to the flexible connection between the sensor mount and the cylinder housing, the proper distance between the sensor and the rod surface can be maintained at all times.

Abstract: A piston-cylinder actuator (20) includes a unique mount (36) for an absolute-position sensor (30). The mount (36) is made from a bearing material provides a flexible connection between the sensor mount (36) and the cylinder housing (40). This flexible connection allows the piston rod (32) to deflect naturally, under its own weight or under other laterally-directed forces, while maintaining the distance and perpendicularity between the sensor (30) and the rod surface (34), within acceptable limits. The sensor mount (36) is made from a bearing material that will allow it to float directly on the rod surface (34) without scuffing or otherwise damaging the rod surface (34), particularly the markings or other indicia on that surface (34). Due to the flexible connection between the sensor mount (36) and the cylinder housing (40), the proper distance between the sensor (30) and the rod surface (34) can be maintained at all times.

Abstract: A sensor includes an enclosure having a housing and a lower cassette that cooperate to provide a sealed volume in which an optical sensor assembly is enclosed and protected. The optical sensor assembly includes a circuit board with a light source and a light detector. The sensor assembly further includes a light pipe that guides light from the sensor onto a target and a lens guides reflected light from the target onto the light detector. Lower ends of the light pipe and the lens are supported by a recess in the lower cassette. Upper ends of the light pipe and the lens are supported by an upper cassette. The upper cassette is positively located and mounted to the circuit board and received in an internal receptacle in the lower cassette. Mounting the lower cassette to the housing encloses the optical sensor assembly in the proper alignment.

Abstract: A probe for determining an absolute position of a rod relative to a cylinder with the rod having an associated pattern for indicating position includes a light source for emitting light. The probe further includes a light pipe for directing light emitted by the light source onto the pattern of the rod. A detector of the probe detects light and provides a signal indicative of the detected light. A lens produces an image of a portion of the pattern illuminated by the light on the detector and a controller is responsive to the signal from the detector for determining an absolute position of the rod relative to the cylinder.

Abstract: A sensor includes an enclosure having a housing and a lower cassette that cooperate to provide a sealed volume in which an optical sensor assembly is enclosed and protected. The optical sensor assembly includes a circuit board with a light source and a light detector. The sensor assembly further includes a light pipe that guides light from the sensor onto a target and a lens guides reflected light from the target onto the light detector. Lower ends of the light pipe and the lens are supported by a recess in the lower cassette. Upper ends of the light pipe and the lens are supported by an upper cassette. The upper cassette is positively located and mounted to the circuit board and received in an internal receptacle in the lower cassette. Mounting the lower cassette to the housing encloses the optical sensor assembly in the proper alignment.

Abstract: A piston-cylinder actuator includes a unique mount for an absolute-position sensor. The mount is made from a bearing material provides a flexible connection between the sensor mount and the cylinder housing. This flexible connection allows the piston rod to deflect naturally, under its own weight or under other laterally-directed forces, while maintaining the distance and perpendicularity between the sensor and the rod surface, within acceptable limits. The sensor mount is made from a bearing material that will allow it to float directly on the rod surface without scuffing or otherwise damaging the rod surface, particularly the markings or other indicia on that surface. Due to the flexible connection between the sensor mount and the cylinder housing, the proper distance between the sensor and the rod surface can be maintained at all times.

Abstract: An enclosure for a position sensor includes a housing and a lower Cassette that cooperate to provide a sealed volume in which a sensor assembly is enclosed and protected. The sensor assembly includes a light source and a light detector. The sensor assembly further includes a light pipe that guides light from the light source onto a target and a lens that guides reflected light from the target onto the light detector. The lower cassette is transparent to the light produced by the light source and includes an integral window through which the light enters and exits the lower cassette. An upper cassette supports an upper portion of the light pipe and the lens. A recess adjacent the window supports a lower portion of the light pipe and the lens in the lower cassette, and the upper cassette is received in a receptacle formed inside the lower cassette.

Abstract: A probe for determining an absolute position of a rod relative to a cylinder with the rod having an associated pattern for indicating position includes a light source for emitting light. The probe further includes a light pipe for directing light emitted by the light source onto the pattern of the rod. A detector of the probe detects light and provides a signal indicative of the detected light. A lens produces an image of a portion of the pattern illuminated by the light on the detector and a controller is responsive to the signal from the detector for determining an absolute position of the rod relative to the cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a guide nose on a bullet to enable the user to fire wad cutter type ammunition. The guide nose allows the bullet to be used in new automatic weapons and can be easily chambered into the barrel. When the bullet is fired, the plastic nose which is constructed in two pieces separates due to the spinning force of the bullet without effecting the direction of the flat bullet, which continues towards its target. The plastic guide nose will be secured to the bullet nose flat surface. In a preferred embodiment, the two halves snap into each other with a plastic snap joint to further keep the pieces together until the bullet is fired.