Abstract: A method of automatically determining a measure of atmospheric aerosol optical properties using a multi- or hyper-spectral, multi-pixel image. A plurality of spectrally-diverse pixels are resolved from the image. A statistical spectral deviation of the spectrally-diverse pixels is determined, and then corrected for non-aerosol transmittance losses. One or more wavelength-dependent aerosol optical depths are derived from the statistical spectral deviation. Wavelength-dependent gaseous optical depths can be derived from the statistical spectral deviation.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a mechanically-releasable balanced compressive load to a compliant anisotropic conductive elastomer (ACE) electrical connector that electrically connects an electrical device to a first side of a two-sided substrate. The apparatus includes a backup plate against the second side of the substrate, a rocker plate against the backup plate, the rocker plate touching the backup plate only at the center of the backup plate, and a rigid member on the electrical device. A plurality of pins are mechanically coupled to the rocker plate and the rigid member, and there is at least one spring member mechanically coupled to at least one pin. The spring applies a variable force coupled through the at least one pin to the rocker plate, to urge the backup plate and rigid member together and thereby compress the ACE between the electrical device and the substrate.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to create a method to allow a real person or movable physical object to occlude virtual objects in a augmented reality application using a single tracking data sensor for objects or only head tracking data for a real person. The method involves occluding virtual objects with a real world human in augmented reality. The method comprises creating an orthogonal plane billboard with soft texture edges representing a user's head; creating an orthogonal plane billboard with soft texture edges representing a user's torso; positioning and orienting the head billboard using motion tracker data; positioning and orienting the torso billboard relative to the head billboard; displaying the head and torso billboards in real-time 3-D to correspond to the location of a real person; and mixing the resulting image with a live image of a real person.

Abstract: A circuit breaker test device for testing a circuit breaker, and also for testing the branch circuit of which the circuit breaker is a part. The circuit breaker test device includes a switch that controllably short-circuits the branch circuit. A controller causes the switch to short circuit the branch circuit. A timer, responsive to operation of the controller, causes the switch to cease short-circuiting the branch circuit after a particular test time. An impedance value of the branch circuit is determined. The controller is enabled only if the impedance value is within predetermined limits. The timer is capable of establishing a variable test time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are presented for an augmented reality-based firefighter training system. The system includes hardware for motion tracking, display, and vari-nozzle instrumentation. System software includes a real-time fire model, a layered smoke obscuration model, simulation of an extinguishing agent, and an interface to a zone fire model. Physical modeling and graphical elements in the software combine to create realistic-looking fire, smoke, and extinguishing graphics. The hardware and software components together contribute to a realistic, interactive training experience for firefighters.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are presented for an augmented reality-based firefighter training system. The system includes hardware for motion tracking, display, and vari-nozzle instrumentation. System software includes a real-time fire model, a layered smoke obscuration model, simulation of an extinguishing agent, and an interface to a zone fire model. Physical modeling and graphical elements in the software combine to create realistic-looking fire, smoke, and extinguishing graphics. The hardware and software components together contribute to a realistic, interactive training experience for firefighters.

Abstract: A current-modulation method of transmitting high voltage direct current (HVDC) power over a transmission system comprising at least three conductors, wherein each conductor has a nominal thermal limit to its current-carrying capacity. The method involves transmitting DC current over at least one conductor at a level which can exceed each such conductor's nominal thermally-limited current-carrying capacity, returning the transmitted current over a quantity of conductors greater than the quantity used to transmit at the higher level, so that each return current is less than the transmitted current, and periodically switching the current level in the conductors so as to rotate the higher level current among at least two of the conductors, such that, over time, the resistance heating of the conductors does not exceed any conductors' thermal limit.

Abstract: A pin-array, separable, compliant electrical contact member for separably, electrically interconnecting a first electrical device having electrical contacts to a second electrical device having electrical contacts. The inventive device includes a probe housing having a thickness, and defining a plurality of openings through the thickness, one or more pin probes, each pin probe located in and protruding from an opening in the probe housing, and each defining an enlargement larger than the opening in which the pin is located, to inhibit lateral pin motion, and also prevent the pins from being removed from their openings vertically in at least one direction, and a layer of Anisotropic Conductive Elastomer (ACE) adjacent to the probe housing and comprising a plurality of conductive chains of particles through the layer thickness and aligned generally perpendicularly to the layer's major surfaces.

Abstract: A flowmeter which clamps around and seals to a pipe with probes projecting into the pipe through holes in the pipe, the useful separation of the probes being achieved by their entering the pipe through separate holes.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering electromagnetic waves and sensing deposition of chemical species, the apparatus having a substrate having a surface relief structure containing at least one dielectric body with physical dimensions smaller than the wavelength of the filtered electromagnetic waves, such structures repeated in a two dimensional array covering at least a portion of the surface of the first substrate. The apparatus may include one, two, or more such arrays, spaced from one another to create one or more cavities between the arrays.

Abstract: A flexible tactile sensor, comprising a flexible distributed array of force sensors that generate electric signals in response to an applied load, a flexible, electrically-insulating matrix having outer faces, one face against the array of force sensors, and a plurality of spaced electrically conductive pathways through the matrix between its faces, with insulating matrix material between the pathways, to carry the electric signals generated by the force sensors to the other face of the matrix.

Abstract: A pigtail lighted ornament with a blown glass ornament body, a pigtail electrical cord, a light electrically coupled to one end of the cord, a pigtail electrical connector at the other end of the cord, for connection to a receiving socket, for supplying power to the light, a first opening in the ornament body through which the cord passes, a second opening defined in the ornament body, and a soft grommet seated in the second opening and defining a seat in which the light is held so that the light is held securely, but removably coupled to the outside of the ornament body, and to allow the pigtail electrical connector to be plugged into a pigtail-style light strand.

Abstract: A circular cut-off saw blade with a circular body having a peripheral edge, a plurality of curved slots spaced along the peripheral edge, each slot having an open outer end connecting with the peripheral edge, and defined by essentially parallel, continuously-curved sidewalls leading away from the peripheral edge, and cutting segments fixed to the peripheral edge between each pair of adjacent slots.

Abstract: An improved handle for a lacrosse stick generally comprising a rigid elongated member, having a length and a longitudinal axis, comprising a plurality of ridges and trenches which extend along substantially the entire length of the elongated member and which are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A millable, vulcanizable elastomeric composition comprising two fluoroelastomer phases, phase 1 and phase 2, wherein fluoroelastomer phase 1 is present as crosslinked fluoroelastomer particles, and where fluoroelastomer phase 2 remains flowable until a final stage vulcanization occurs, and where fluoroelastomer phase 1 is present at between 5-85% by weight of the final composition.

Abstract: MEMS-Integrated IMUs are possible based on a common substrate that provides a common oscillatory drive for the operation of the gyroscopes and accelerometers. The common substrate becomes the stable member utilized in conventional IMUs. The advantages of the embodiments are smallest size, flexibility in how IMUs are configured, reduced electronics and a single package. MEMS integration also reduces uncertainties due to separately developed instruments based on different fabrication processes, materials, assembly and alignment.