Abstract: A transparent flow channel fluidly communicates a fluid source and a collection reservoir. A light beam passes through a first polarizer having a first plane of polarization. The flow channel is orthogonal to the light beam. The light beam passes through a fluid sample as it flows through the flow channel. The light beam is then filtered through a second polarizer having a second plane of polarization rotated 90° from the first plane of polarization. The birefringence of certain crystalline materials present in the fluid sample rotates the plane of polarization of the light beam. The presence of these microcrystals thus causes a component of the beam to pass through the second polarizer and impinge an electronic photo-detector located in the path of the beam. The photo-detector signals the presence of the microcrystals by generating voltage pulses. A display device visually presents the quantitative results of the assay.

Abstract: Hybrid matrix fiber composites having enhanced compressive performance as well as enhanced stiffness, toughness and durability suitable for compression-critical applications. The methods for producing the fiber composites using matrix hybridization. The hybrid matrix fiber composites include two chemically or physically bonded matrix materials, whereas the first matrix materials are used to impregnate multi-filament fibers formed into ribbons and the second matrix material is placed around and between the fiber ribbons that are impregnated with the first matrix material and both matrix materials are cured and solidified.

Abstract: A system and method of efficiently obtaining distance measurements of a target. A modulated optical beam may be used to determine the distance to the target. A first beam splitter may be used to split the optical beam and a second beam splitter may be used to recombine a reference beam with a return ranging beam. An optical mixing detector may be used in a receiver to efficiently detect distance measurement information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is utilized to measure relative rigid body motion between two bodies by measuring linear motion in the principal axis and linear motion in an orthogonal axis. From such measurements it is possible to obtain displacement, departure from straightness, and angular displacement from the principal axis of a rigid body.

Abstract: A heat switch includes two symmetric jaws. Each jaw is comprised of a link connected at a translatable joint to a flexible arm. Each arm rotates about a fixed pivot, and has an articulated end including a thermal contact pad connected to a heat sink. The links are joined together at a translatable main joint. To close the heat switch, a closing solenoid is actuated and forces the main joint to an over-center position. This movement rotates the arms about their pivots, respectively, forces each of them into a stressed configuration, and forces the thermal contact pads towards each other and into compressive contact with a cold finger. The closing solenoid is then deactivated. The heat switch remains closed due to a restoring force generated by the stressed configuration of each arm, until actuation of an opening solenoid returns the main joint to its starting open-switch position.

Abstract: A three-dimensional coil inductor is disclosed. The inductor includes a substrate; a set of lower electrically conductive traces positioned on the substrate; a core placed over the lower traces; a set of side electrically conductive traces laid on the core and the lower traces; and a set of upper electrically conductive traces attached to the side traces so as to form the inductor. Fabrication of the inductor includes the steps of forming a set of lower traces on a substrate; positioning a core over the lower traces; forming a set of side traces on the core; connecting the side traces to the lower traces; forming a set of upper traces on the core; and connecting the upper traces to the side traces so as to form a coil structure.

Abstract: An optical monitoring instrument monitors etch depth and etch rate for controlling a wet-etching process. The instrument provides means for viewing through the back side of a thick optic onto a nearly index-matched interface. Optical baffling and the application of a photoresist mask minimize spurious reflections to allow for monitoring with extremely weak signals. A Wollaston prism enables linear translation for phase stepping.

Abstract: A glow-in-the-dark rescue line throw-bag having a phosphorescent rope line loosely stored in a receptacle having a transparent sidewall. A first end of the phosphorescent rope line is secured to the receptacle, with the central portion of the phosphorescent rope line stored in the rope storage volume. A second end of the phosphorescent rope line may be grasped by a user at an open end of the receptacle. When the throw-bag is deployed, and upon the phosphorescent rope being substantially charged, a rescuee who has fallen into the water may easily view the glowing rope line through the transparent wall of the receptacle as it is being thrown in the air. In this manner, a rescuee may better sight where the throw-bag has landed in the water.

Abstract: A bow limb mounting system for adjustably mounting a limb inner end of a bow limb to a riser mounting surface of a bow riser of an archery bow, with the limb inner end pivoting relative to the bow riser about a limb pivot axis. The pivot movement is produced by an adjustable strut assembly which varies an attachment angle between the limb inner end and the riser mounting surface, while restraining lateral movement between the two. The adjustable strut assembly has upper head and neck portions which connect to the limb inner end in a close toleranced manner, and an alignment block portion below the neck portion which is slidably and matingly seated in a cavity located below the mounting surface also in a close toleranced manner. A bolt extends through a central hole formed by the head, neck and alignment block portions and connects to a pivot pin, such that adjusting the bolt changes the distance between the limb inner end and the pivot pin to thereby change the attachment angle.

Abstract: A double-draft continuous wire drawing and collection machine having first and second reduction dies for drawing wire in succession. A rotary advancing block driven by a variable-speed first motor draws wire rod through the first reduction die, and a rotary flyer mechanism driven by a second motor draws wire through the second reduction die as it coils wire on a stationary block. A tension control arm and rheostat regulate the speed of the first motor based on wire tension differentials detected between the rotary advancing block and the second reduction die, in order to maintain constant wire tension in that wire segment.

Abstract: A dry fire prevention safety mechanism for crossbows having a trigger mechanism which releases a bowstring to discharge an arrow. A spring-loaded catch arm is pivotally connected to the crossbow and has a hook at one end and a ramp portion at the opposite end which extends into an arrow seating well. When an arrow is positioned to be discharged, the ramp portion is abutted by the arrow which disengages the hook from the trigger and enables operation of the crossbow.