Abstract: A method is disclosed for packaging sub-munitions within stacks of same, in a cylindrical payload space, such that the sub-munitions emerge into a circular delta grid pattern when deployed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a voltage summer including a transformer having a primary side and a secondary side, wherein a first voltage to be summed is connected to the primary side and a second voltage to be summed is connected to the secondary side. There is further disclosed a transformer comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding and having a turns ratio of primary winding to secondary winding of x:y, providing x turns in series in the primary winding and providing y turns in series in the secondary winding; providing an equal number of turns in the primary and secondary windings; and closely coupling each primary winding turn with a secondary winding turn.

Abstract: A technique for launching a missile that avoids some of the costs and disadvantages for doing so in the prior art. In particular, the illustrative embodiment of the present invention uses an electromagnetic catapult to throw the missile clear of the launch platform—with sufficient velocity to attain aerodynamic flight—before the missile's engine is ignited.

Abstract: A transmission system comprising two degrees-of-freedom compound planetary gear train with two conjoined planetary gear trains and four torque-transfer devices. The different combinations of states of various torque-transfer devices yield multiple modes of operation. The planetary gear train allows the addition of power of two prime-movers to drive the load. Additionally, the transmission system can split the power from one prime-mover into requirements of the energy storage system while catering to the output needs. This limits the re-circulating power to a fraction of the input power. Other advantage of the transmission is that it provides a high overdrive ratio, which permits regeneration even at moderate speeds. The transmission obviates the need for a torque converter. The transmission can operate as multi-speed, fully automatic.

Abstract: A technique for estimating the location of a wireless terminal at an unknown location in a geographic region is disclosed. The technique is based on the recognition that there are traits of electromagnetic signals that are dependent on topography, the receiver, the location of the transmitter, and other factors. For example, if a particular radio station is known to be received strongly at a first location and weakly at a second location, and a given wireless terminal at an unknown location is receiving the radio station weakly, it is more likely that the wireless terminal is at the second location than at the first location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that enable a call-processing server to extend a received call out to a telecommunications terminal endpoint, wherein the terminal, such as a hotel room phone, is local to and accessible only through an intermediate point, such as a hotel switchboard. Also disclosed are a method and apparatus that enable a data-processing system, such as a server, to determine whether or not to grant a telecommunications terminal endpoint one or more privileges, without some of the disadvantages of the prior art. The methods and apparatus that are taught in this disclosure can be used for extending the incoming call to the endpoint independently of or in the absence of determining whether or not to grant privileges to the endpoint.

Abstract: A vibration-control platform that, in some embodiments, includes a bottom plate having three or more wells. The wells receive a plurality of vibration-control elements, which are used to isolate a supported object from vibrations. In some embodiments, the vibration-control elements are rubber balls. The presence of the wells facilitates placement of the vibration-control elements under a top platform or directly under an object, especially when the object is located in a tight space, such as in a component rack, or when the object has a non-uniform weight distribution.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that enables the use of an incomplete SONAR array matrix in a correlation SONAR system. An improvement is achieved through the generation of a correlation-array model matrix of hydrophone correlations, based on an independent estimate of the ship's velocity, such as from an inertial navigator. Meanwhile, estimates of the missing values are generated based on one or more values from the model matrix, an interpolation of values from the SONAR array matrix itself, or some combination thereof. Regardless of how the missing values are generated, the model matrix provides a basis for comparison with the SONAR array matrix, which is populated with the estimated values, wherein subsequent comparisons are made between successive iterations of the model matrix and the SONAR array matrix. By applying the disclosed technique, a correlation SONAR system with incomplete data is able to continue working, and in the presence of a greater number of hydrophone failures than before.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides an improvement in detecting a faulty hydrophone channel in a hydrophone array. The disclosed technique operates on pairs of hydrophones or, to generalize, on groups of two or more hydrophones; this is in contrast with operating on only one hydrophone at a time. As a result, the technique is able to use correlation data from the multiple hydrophones, in order to detect a fault. The technique also operates on received echo signal information that is associated with ongoing SONAR solution processing. The use of the relatively deterministic, echo signal information further enhances the performance. By using correlation products made up of the received echo signal information, the disclosed technique is able to leverage the SONAR solution processing that already relies upon the hydrophone array, such as spatial or temporal correlation SONAR, thereby reducing the additional processing incurred.

Abstract: A technique for estimating the location of a wireless terminal at an unknown location in a geographic region is disclosed. The technique is based on the recognition that there are traits of electromagnetic signals that are dependent on topography, the receiver, the location of the transmitter, and other factors. For example, if a particular radio station is known to be received strongly at a first location and weakly at a second location, and a given wireless terminal at an unknown location is receiving the radio station weakly, it is more likely that the wireless terminal is at the second location than at the first location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flat implant of textile thread material, in particular a hernia mesh implant, in the form of single-layered mesh fabric (1) of a basis weight of 5 to 40 g/m2.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment is a simulation system for practicing vascular-access procedures without using human subjects. The simulator comprises a data-processing system and a haptics device. The haptics device provides the physical interface at which an end effector, which is representative of a medical instrument (e.g., a needle, catheter, etc.), is manipulated with respect to a haptics-device base to simulate instrument insertion. The data-processing system, by exchanging signals with the haptics device, provides a three-dimensional simulation that includes the resistive forces that a medical practitioner would experience if the simulated procedure were an actual procedure that was being performed on a real anatomy (e.g., human arm, etc.). The simulator displays the ongoing simulation and assesses the performance of its user.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for improving the flow of data traffic between clients and servers by determining, in an enhanced hybrid peer-to-peer network, when a client telecommunications terminal should share its data with one or more peers, instead of transmitting that data to the servers. A “super-peer” client terminal in the hybrid peer-to-peer network is responsible for determining when to share data with peers and when to transmit data to the servers. The telecommunications terminal (i) shares data with other terminals when a particular user's presence has changed and (ii) transmits data to the enterprise servers when the overall group's presence that corresponds to the terminal's peer group has changed. The system of the illustrative embodiment aggregates presence and routes communications via peer-to-peer networking, instead of via client-to server-to peer networking, thereby reducing the load on the enterprise servers and lessening the occurrences of single points-of-failure.

Abstract: A Method of Determining the Helix Angle of a Helical Formation for a Conduit. A method of determining the helix angle of a helical formation (4) within a conduit (1). The method includes specifying the internal dimensions of the conduit (1) and an intended fluid mass flow through the conduit (1). The helix angle is determined from the pressure drop and the turbulent kinetic energy for a conduit (1) having the specified internal dimensions and intended fluid mass flow.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of a mobile unit (MU) in a wireless communication system and presenting it to a remote party. The location of a remote MU is determined by comparing a snapshot of a predefined portion of the radio-frequency (RF) spectrum taken by the MU to a reference database containing multiple snapshots taken at various locations. The result of the comparison is used to determine if the MU is at a specific location. The comparison may be made in the MU, or at some other location situated remotely from the MU. In the latter case, sufficient information regarding the captured fingerprint is transmitted from the MU to the remote location. The database may be pre-compiled or generated on-line.

Abstract: A method for estimating the network-layer topology of a telecommunications network is described. In particular, the illustrative embodiment of the present invention estimates the existence and connectivity of nodes in the topology based on the detection of network-wide end-to-end path intersections. This is based on the assumption that pairs of streams of packets that share a common node will interfere and that the interference can be detected in the received streams. In general, this interference is manifested as jitter. By transmitting streams on each pair of end-to-end paths in the network, and detecting interference (or a lack of interference) a matrix of path intersections for the network can be created. Using logic and supposition, the topology of the network can be estimated using the matrix of path intersections. Once the estimate of the topology is complete, the maintenance and operation of the network can proceed based on the topology.

Abstract: An input circuit for an input component is disclosed for enabling the safe reading of input signals applied to the input component. The disclosed input circuit for an input component, particularly a bus input component, enables the safe reading of input signals applied to the input component, particularly according to the standards Category 4 DIN EN 954 and SIL 3 IEC 61508, which is characterized by at least one signal input circuit with a one-channel periphery connection for the connection of at least one signal generator, an evaluation circuit, which can be connected electrically to the signal input circuit via a first coupling element, and a comparison circuit, which is connected electrically to the signal input circuit, for setting a reference voltage for the activation and deactivation of the coupling element.

Abstract: A single-photon avalanche detector is disclosed that is operable at wavelengths greater than 1000 nm and at operating speeds greater than 10 MHz. The single-photon avalanche detector comprises a thin-film resistor and avalanche photodiode that are monolithically integrated such that little or no additional capacitance is associated with the addition of the resistor.

Abstract: A method for estimating the network-layer topology of a telecommunications network is described. In particular, the illustrative embodiment of the present invention estimates the existence and connectivity of nodes in the topology based on the detection of network-wide end-to-end path intersections. This is based on the assumption that pairs of streams of packets that share a common node will interfere and that the interference can be detected in the received streams. In general, this interference is manifested as jitter. By transmitting streams on each pair of end-to-end paths in the network, and detecting interference (or a lack of interference) a matrix of path intersections for the network can be created. Using logic and supposition, the topology of the network can be estimated using the matrix of path intersections. Once the estimate of the topology is complete, the maintenance and operation of the network can proceed based on the topology.