Abstract: An SMA actuator arrangement is assembled using a strut element shaped to comprise a sacrificial strut body and crimp tabs held apart by the sacrificial strut body. A SMA wire is laid across the crimp tabs which are folded and pressed to form crimps holding the SMA wire. The crimps are then attached to static and moving parts, after which the sacrificial strut body is removed. The method allows the crimping to be performed without hindrance from the static and moving parts, the sacrificial strut body holding the relative locations of the crimps prior to attachment.

Abstract: An SMA actuation apparatus (1) comprises a support structure (4) on which a movable element (2) is supported. Four SMA actuator wires (11-14) are connected at their ends to one of the support structure (4) and the movable element (2) and being hooked over a respective connector (7) connected to the other. Pairs of the SMA actuator wires (11-14), on contraction, to drive movement of the movable element (2) relative to the support structure (4), through the respective connectors (7), in opposite directions in said plane (XY), that are orthogonal as between the pairs. Each connector (7) is compliant laterally to the direction in which the respective SMA actuator wire (11-14) drives movement of the movable element (2) relative to support structure (4).

Abstract: A camera assembly comprises a lens assembly (20) supported on a support structure (4), wherein the lens assembly includes an autofocus actuator arrangement (24) and the camera assembly includes an optical image stabilization assembly (40) arranged to move the lens assembly in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. A flexible printed circuit tape (103) connected between the support structure (4) and the lens assembly (20) and providing an electrical connection to the auto-focus actuator arrangement (24) is bent around a corner, thereby allowing the flexible printed circuit tape (103) to accommodate the motion of the lens assembly perpendicular to the optical axis. A crimp plate (62) connected to the lens assembly which crimps shape memory alloy wires (80) has features (63) extending out of the plane of the crimp plate for reducing flexibility.

Abstract: A camera lens element is suspended on a support structure by balls that allow movement of the camera lens elementorthogonal to the optical axis and plural flexures connected between the support structure and the camera lens element to bias them against the balls while permitting said movement of the camera lens elementorthogonal to the optical axis. Lateral movement is driven by a lateral actuation arrangement comprising plural SMA actuator wires. The flexures provide a lateral biasing force that biases the camera lens element towards a central position. An electrical connection is made through the flexures from the support structure to the camera lens element. The flexures may be connected to laminated structures.

Abstract: An SMA actuation apparatus moves a movable element relative to a support structure in two orthogonal directions using a total of four SMA actuator wires each connected at its ends between the movable element and the support structure and extending perpendicular to the primary axis. None of the SMA actuator wires are collinear, but the SMA actuator wires have an arrangement in which they are capable of being selectively driven to move the movable element relative to the support structure to any position in said range of movement without applying any net torque to the movable element in the plane of the two orthogonal directions around the primary axis. Accordingly, it is possible to drive movement whilst balancing the forces to limit torque around the primary axis.

Abstract: A target practice system includes a target, a first optical sensing unit that views an image on the target, a second optical sensing unit that views a user of the target system, and a data processing unit that communicates with the first optical sensing unit and the second optical sensing unit. The image on the target is either a static or dynamic image that changes over a defined time period, and an algorithm may be implemented in the data processing unit to analyze the image to determine shots on the image. The algorithm may also analyze a user image of the user captured by the second optical sensing unit to identify characteristics of the user.

Abstract: An SMA actuation apparatus (1) comprises a support structure (4) on which a movable element (2) is supported. Four SMA actuator wires (11-14) are connected at their ends to one of the support structure (4) and the movable element (2) and being hooked over a respective connector (7) connected to the other. Pairs of the SMA actuator wires (11-14), on contraction, to drive movement of the movable element (2) relative to the support structure (4), through the respective connectors (7), in opposite directions in said plane (XY), that are orthogonal as between the pairs. Each connector (7) is compliant laterally to the direction in which the respective SMA actuator wire (11-14) drives movement of the movable element (2) relative to support structure (4).

Abstract: A system is provided for heating a comestible. The system includes a container and a flexible vented package containing a liquid, semi-solid or liquid/solid combination comestible. The package is positioned within the container in a manner that hinders the comestible from escaping through the package's vent(s). The container is penetrable to microwaves and is adapted to not experience heat-induced damage when subjected to a heating cycle in a combination microwave and convection oven. The container is adapted to protect the package from heat-induced damage when the container is subjected to a heating cycle in a combination microwave and convection oven.

Abstract: An SMA actuation apparatus moves a movable element, such as a camera lens element, relative to a support structure in any direction perpendicular to a notional primary axis using N pairs of SMA actuator wires extending perpendicular to said primary axis, where N is three or more. The SMA actuator wires of each pair extend parallel to each other and being connected at their ends in tension to the movable element and the support structure in opposition to apply a force to the movable element in opposite directions. The SMA actuator wires are arranged around the movable element such that they are capable of being selectively driven to move the movable element in any direction perpendicular to said primary axis. Accordingly, it is possible to drive movement with an apparatus that is compact along the primary axis.

Abstract: A camera lens element is suspended on a support structure by balls that allow movement of the camera lens elementorthogonal to the optical axis and plural flexures connected between the support structure and the camera lens element to bias them against the balls whilst permitting said movement of the camera lens elementorthogonal to the optical axis. Lateral movement is driven by a lateral actuation arrangement comprising plural SMA actuator wires. The flexures provide a lateral biasing force that biases the camera lens element towards a central position. An electrical connection is made through the flexures from the support structure to the camera lens element. The flexures may be connected to laminated structures.

Abstract: An SMA actuation apparatus moves a movable element relative to a support structure in two orthogonal directions using a total of four SMA actuator wires each connected at its ends between the movable element and the support structure and extending perpendicular to the primary axis. None of the SMA actuator wires are collinear, but the SMA actuator wires have an arrangement in which they are capable of being selectively driven to move the movable element relative to the support structure to any position in said range of movement without applying any net torque to the movable element in the plane of the two orthogonal directions around the primary axis. Accordingly, it is possible to drive movement whilst balancing the forces to limit torque around the primary axis.

Abstract: An SMA actuation apparatus moves a movable element, such as a camera lens element, relative to a support structure in any direction perpendicular to a notional primary axis using N pairs of SMA actuator wires extending perpendicular to said primary axis, where N is three or more. The SMA actuator wires of each pair extend parallel to each other and being connected at their ends in tension to the movable element and the support structure in opposition to apply a force to the movable element in opposite directions. The SMA actuator wires are arranged around the movable element such that they are capable of being selectively driven to move the movable element in any direction perpendicular to said primary axis. Accordingly, it is possible to drive movement with an apparatus that is compact along the primary axis.

Abstract: A system is provided for heating a comestible. The system includes a container and a flexible vented package containing a liquid, semi-solid or liquid/solid combination comestible. The package is positioned within the container in a manner that hinders the comestible from escaping through the package's vent(s). The container is penetrable to microwaves and is adapted to not experience heat-induced damage when subjected to a heating cycle in a combination microwave and convection oven. The container is adapted to protect the package from heat-induced damage when the container is subjected to a heating cycle in a combination microwave and convection oven.

Abstract: A system is provided for heating a comestible. The system includes a container and a flexible vented package containing a liquid, semi-solid or liquid/solid combination comestible. The package is positioned within the container in a manner that hinders the comestible from escaping through the package's vent(s). The container is penetrable to microwaves and is adapted to not experience heat-induced damage when subjected to a heating cycle in a combination microwave and convection oven. The container is adapted to protect the package from heat-induced damage when the container is subjected to a heating cycle in a combination microwave and convection oven.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention contemplate the formation of a solar cell device that has improved efficiency and device electrical properties. In one embodiment, the solar cell device described herein includes an Emitter Wrap Through (EWT) solar cell that has plurality of laser drilled vias disposed in a spaced apart relationship to metal gridlines formed on a surface of the substrate. Solar cell structures that may benefit from the invention disclosed herein include back-contact solar cells, such as those in which both positive and negative contacts are formed only on the rear surface of the device.

Abstract: An imaging head for an imaging system and a method of obtaining a three-dimensional image with the head and system. The imaging head consists of a digital camera and laser rangefinder fixedly aligned on a common boresight. A rotation stage rotates the camera and rangefinder together as they acquire range and image data of a selected scene. The data is combined to produce the three-dimensional image without the need for a separate calibration process. The method alows a low resolution scan to be made of a scene and an area to be selected for a high resolution scan. The method also allows a number of scans from different positions to be knitted into a single image to overcome line-of-sight limitations.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a passive electrical component, such as a resistor, a capacitor, or an inductor, is provided. The process includes the step of ink-jet printing at least one electronic ink onto a substrate in a predetermined pattern. The step of ink-jet printing may include the steps of: a) selecting at least one electronic ink having at least one electrical characteristic when cured; b) determining a positional layout for a plurality of droplets of the at least one electronic ink such that, when the at least one electronic ink has been cured, the positional layout provides a desired response for the electrical component; c) printing each of the plurality of droplets of the at least one electronic ink onto the substrate according to the positional layout using an ink-jet printing process; and d) curing the at least one electronic ink.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an electrical component using an ink-jet printing process is provided. The process includes the steps of selecting at least one electronic ink having at least a first functionality when cured; determining a positional layout for a plurality of droplets of the electronic ink(s) such that, based at least on the first functionality, the positional layout provides a desired response for the electrical component; providing at least a first characteristic that relates to the electrical component; comparing the determined positional layout to at least one corresponding entry in a lookup table of empirical data relating to the first characteristic and to the determined positional layout; adjusting the determined positional layout accordingly; and printing each of the droplets of the electronic ink(s) onto a substrate according to the adjusted positional layout. The step of determining a positional layout may include determining a volume of ink to be deposited.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an electrical component having at least one anisotropic electrical quality is provided. The process includes the step of ink-jet printing a plurality of dots of each of at least two electronic inks in a predetermined pattern such that the anisotropic electrical quality is manifested. The ink-jet printing step may further include the steps of: selecting a first electronic ink having a known first electrical characteristic; selecting a second electronic ink having a known second electrical characteristic; determining a positional layout for each of a plurality of dots for each of the first and second electronic inks such that the determined positional layout provides a response of the electrical component in accordance with the anisotropic electrical quality; and printing each of the plurality of dots of each of the first and second electronic inks onto a substrate according to the determined positional layout.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a printed circuit board comprising a substrate and an electrical circuit is provided. The circuit is formed by deposition of a plurality of electronic inks onto the substrate and curing of each of the electronic inks. The deposition may be performed using an ink-jet printing process. The inkjet printing process may include the step of printing a plurality of layers, wherein a first layer includes at least one electronic ink deposited directly onto the substrate, and wherein each subsequent layer includes at least one electronic ink deposited on top of at least a portion of a previous layer when the previous layer has been cured. One or more of the layers may include at least two of the electronic inks.