Abstract: A cover for an exterior aircraft light includes a lens cover structure, attachable to an exterior aircraft light housing and configured to close the exterior aircraft light housing, wherein the lens cover structure has an inside and an outside and is at least partially made of transparent material; and a wear indicator, attached to the inside of the lens cover structure, the wear indicator having a contrasted pattern visible from the outside of the lens cover structure through the transparent material.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a sensing system for sensing a position of a gear shaft. In the present disclosure, a magnet apparatus is provided on the gear shaft, where the magnet apparatus includes, along a rectilinear motion direction, a first length region magnet and a second length region magnet, the second length region magnet including a first portion and a second portion, a magnetic field of the second portion of the second length region magnet corresponding to a reverse gear position being different from that of the first length region magnet and that of the first portion of the second length region magnet. An actually induced electrical signal generated by sensing the motion of the magnet apparatus is different from a reference inductive electrical signal of a corresponding position of a reference magnet.

Abstract: A parabolic trough reflector assembly consists of (1) a free-hanging, flexible rectangular sheet that is highly reflective of solar radiation and (2) support hardware which critically supports the reflecting sheet at two opposing edges. Methods are disclosed for providing linear dimensions and edge slopes for the reflecting sheet that are consistent with a parabolic trough having specific predetermined dimensions and a predetermined focal length. Methods are disclosed for providing uniform loading for a reflecting sheet when it is critically supported as a free-hanging element. The methods involve tapering the thickness of a sheet, applying variable-thickness coatings to a sheet of uniform thickness, or fabricating discreet thickness variations into a sheet of otherwise uniform thickness.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming a reflective coating by applying a precursor material onto the substrate; soft curing the precursor material at a first curing energy level; and thereafter, hard curing the precursor material at a second curing energy level having a higher amount of energy than the first curing energy level to form the reflective coating. Other methods are provided for forming a reflective coating a surface of a plastic substrate by heating the surface of the plastic substrate to a deposition temperature, applying a polymeric resin onto the heated surface, and crosslinking the polymeric resin to form the reflective coating. The polymeric resin can include a cross-linkable powder, a cross-linker, and a pigment, with the deposition temperature being about 10° C. or greater than the melting point of the cross-linkable binder. Lighting apparatus formed from such methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention features a combined mirror and safety signal system for boats or other vehicles. The system features a housing having a housing anterior surface and a housing posterior surface. A magnet is located on the housing anterior surface and a mounting bracket is located on the housing posterior surface. The system has a removable mirror unit having a mirror unit anterior surface and a mirror unit posterior surface. A mirror is inset into a mirror unit anterior surface. A magnet is inset into a mirror unit posterior surface. A lanyard is located on the mirror unit. The housing is mounted on a boat or other vehicle via the mounting bracket. The mirror unit posterior surface magnetically connects to the housing anterior surface to hold the mirror unit in place on the housing.

Abstract: Emitter controller including a controller, and a power amplifier, the controller being connected to a power source, the power amplifier being connected to the controller, the power source and to an emitter, the controller providing a pulse sequence to the power amplifier for operating the emitter, the controller determining the pulse sequence according to an available power voltage level.

Abstract: A signal mirror assembly has a laminated sandwich construction and includes a transparent center sighting disk. The disk interconnects a relatively thick plastic front sheet with a thin rear plastic sheet to provide enhanced structural integrity and to eliminate potential interference due to condensation. A retrodirective wire screen provides enhanced viewfinding capabilities and is centered within an opening in the adhesive sheet that bonds the plastic sheets together. Reinforcing rods along the horizontal sides of the mirror are rigidly anchored along a center portion and resiliently connected at opposite ends to limit warping over time while allowing for correction of focus by bending, if necessary. Optionally, the mirror may include foam pads for buoyancy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for producing a signaling device which uses sunlight or moonlight to signal a target by retroreflecting light through a window provided on the light reflective material of a mirror. A specular light reflective material with an opening coincident with the first opening is provided on the light reflective side of the mirror to aid in alignment of the mirror with the target.

Abstract: A distress sign which is adapted for placement on the upper edge of a vertically movable window of a vehicle. The sign includes a pair of elongate, substantially rigid display panels each having upper and lower marginal edges and end edges. The panels are connected together along their upper marginal edges by a substantially rigid spine panel. A hook entends downwardly from one end of the spine panel and is spaced from the end edges of the panels to provide a slot in which the upper edge of the window is received, and is configured to engage the adjacent end edges of the panels against the surface of the window when the upper edge of the window is received in the slot.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing the relative position between a fixed first machine component and an axially displaceable and pivotably mounted second machine component includes first and second bar-shaped magnets disposed at mutually right angles and rigidly connected to the second machine component, each of the magnets having a free pole; and a plurality of transducers rigidly connected to the first machine component and facing the free poles of the magnets for sensing the magnetic field of said magnets. At each long side of each of the first and second magnets an adjacent magnet disposed in parallel with the respective first or second magnet, each of these adjacent magnets having a free pole disposed in the vicinity of the free pole of the respective first or second magnet. The free poles of the first and the second magnets have a polarity reverse to that of the free poles of the adjacent magnets, and each magnet has opposite to its free pole a second pole directed away from the transducers.

Abstract: A geodetic compass having a mirrored cover that has the dual purpose of providing means for reading the compass needle orientation for geodetic purposes, while at the same time having cross hatch diffractional sighting means incorporated in said cover and mirror for utilizing said mirror for emergency signalling purposes.

Abstract: This invention is for a portable signaling device which provides the user with the ability to accurately position the device in a manner to be assured that the reflections from the mirror-like surface forming a part of the signaling device are directed at the target. The signaling device includes signaling means having a plate with a surface to reflect the rays of the sun and sighting means maintained in spaced relation to the signaling means. An aperture is provided on the signaling means and the sighting means through which the user can view the target to obtain proper alignment and in turn maximum reflection from the mirror-like surface to the target. In addition, the reflective surface of the signaling means includes a set of cross hairs which are adapted to be reflected onto the sighting means such that the reflective set of cross hairs can be maintained in alignment with the aperture on the sighting means to maintain a proper alignment therebetween for maximum transmission of the signal to the target.