Abstract: A drum style magazine for a firearm is disclosed. The magazine has a tower and a magazine body. The magazine body contains a cartridge gear for holding and carrying cartridges of ammunition. The cartridge gear has two rows of teeth, separated by a channel. Cartridges can be held between the teeth of the rows. The gear has a unique shape that makes it relatively easy to manufacture.

Abstract: A cover for a firearm is disclosed. The firearm cover is shaped to complement the bottom of an upper portion of a two piece receiver. The firearm cover may be pinned to the bottom of an AR-15® upper receiver and may cover a bottom opening and/or a rear opening when in place. When secured in place, the firearm cover may capture a bolt carrier within an inner cavity of the upper receiver. Additionally, the firearm cover will protect the inner cavity, keeping dust, debris, and moisture out of the upper receiver.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a temperature-activated voltage generator includes a generator housing having a housing interior; a flexible, temperature-sensitive bimetallic element disposed in the housing interior; and a piezoelectric element carried by the generator housing. The bimetallic element is positional between a first position wherein the bimetallic element disengages the piezoelectric element and a second position wherein the bimetallic element engages the piezoelectric element. Electrical voltage output leads are electrically connected to the piezoelectric element. A voltage-generating method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber cable distortion detection system includes a broadband source, an optical source fiber disposed in optical communication with the broadband source, an optical fiber under test (FUT) disposed in optical communication with the optical source fiber and an optical spectrum analyzer disposed in optical communication with the optical source fiber. The system combines the refection of the distortion with the reflection from the source/FUT interface using a 1×2 fiber coupler, the location of the distortion is precisely determined with high resolution by the spectrum of the combined signal. The system is miniaturized to the size of a hand-held device suitable for use in airplane cable plant installation or in an environment where space is limited.

Abstract: A thermothickening composition includes a surfactant; and a thermothickening polymer that is the product of at least the following monomers: a non-ionic hydrosoluble unsaturated amide monomer; an ionic monomer; and an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid half ester having a heat sensitive functional group.

Abstract: A linkage clamping system that may be used both for moving a clamp laterally and for rotating the clamp. The device includes a linear actuator, a rotational linkage assembly, and a clamping member. The linear actuator may first rotate the clamp, then move the clamp laterally, or may be configured to move the clamp laterally first, then rotate it. Both the lateral and rotational movements are achieved in distinct motions with a single linear actuator. The clamp may be rotated about 180 degrees and the lateral movement may only be limited by the lateral movement provided by the linear actuator. The linkage clamping system may be used to secure equipment, such as a material handler for unloading an open top railroad car.

Abstract: A non-conductive composite doubler is fabricated for application to an electrically conductive surface of a structure by: forming the composite doubler; placing an array of capacitive gap thickness sensors between the doubler and the structure surface; measuring the gap thickness between the doubler and the structure surface in a plurality of areas over the surface of the structure; using the gap thickness measurements to shape a layer of adhesive to essentially match the contour of the structure surface; and, applying the layer of adhesive to the doubler.

Abstract: A portable projectile trap assembly includes a modular target assembly having a frame configured to retain a plurality of backstop panels. The plurality of backstop panels are removably mounted on a front side of the frame forming a planar backstop, and a front panel of resilient material is removably mounted to and covers the front side of the planar backstop opposite the frame. The front panel is spaced from the planar backstop to form an air gap between the backstop and the front panel. When a projectile is fired at the target assembly, the projectile passes through the front panel and impacts against and is stopped by the backstop. The target assembly is attached to a support mast at the rear side of the frame; the support mast is attached to a mobile base supporting the target assembly in a vertical orientation above the mobile base.

Abstract: A sand slurry valve that includes a mandrel within a housing and a seal assembly connected to the mandrel. A portion of the housing includes a seal bore. The mandrel is movable within the housing such that the seal assembly may be positioned within the seal bore. The mandrel includes a flow passage adapted to provide rotational fluid flow through the housing prior to the seal assembly being moved into the seal bore. The seal assembly may include a seal, a first backup ring, and a second backup ring with the second backup ring positioned between the seal and the first backup ring. The rotational flow through the housing may help to protect the seal from being damaged by particles carried within the flow. The first backup ring may have a harder durometer measurement than the second backup ring, which may have a harder durometer measurement than the sealing element.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to a system and method for noninvasive, non-destructive fluorescent measurement. More specifically, the disclosure provides a non-invasive metrology system and method to monitor levels of fluorescent chemicals in the blood. A major application for the invention is field-based non-invasive blood testing for micro-nutrient deficiency and diseases resulting from it, such as Iron deficient anemia. The invention may help reduce or eliminate the need for blood drawing, sending the sample to a blood lab and having to wait for a result.

Abstract: Energy harvesting devices, wherein one illustrative embodiment includes a crease beam, a thermoelectric element disposed in thermally-conductive contact with the crease beam and a heat exchanger disposed in thermally-conductive contact with the thermoelectric element. An energy harvesting system and a method of harvesting electrical power are also disclosed.

Abstract: Electrically dimmable windows for aircraft are powered by energy harvesting devices on-board the aircraft. The harvested energy is stored and used to control the opacity of the windows based on individual window opacity settings selected either by passengers or a cabin attendant. Each window has an associated control circuit that controls the electrical power applied to the window based on the selected opacity setting. The control circuit includes a low energy usage processor that remains in a sleep mode until a change in the opacity setting is detected. Each control circuit may include a radio transceiver that receives control signals from a transmitter operated by the cabin attendant in order to simultaneously remotely control the opacity settings of multiple windows.

Abstract: Turnkey maintenance of a customer's aircraft fleet is managed by a single management service provider (MSP) controlling integrated maintenance and materials services from a central operations site. The MSP converts data received directly from on-board aircraft systems into information it uses to manage maintenance service providers and parts suppliers. The MSP contracts with and manages maintenance, repair and overhaul organizations (MROs) who perform the maintenance on the customers' aircraft at line and base stations. The MSP either remotely manages part inventories at the customer's site, or manages suppliers who deliver the parts to the MROs. Maintenance planning, scheduling and execution information is exchanged between the MSP, MROs, part suppliers and the customers through a shared data communication network controlled by the MSP. The MSP charges the customer for the maintenance services based on a flat rate per unit of aircraft flying time.

Abstract: Non-volatile memory devices with two stacked layers of chalcogenide materials comprising the active memory device have been investigated for their potential as phase-change memories. The devices tested included GeTe/SnTe, Ge2Se3/SnTe, and Ge2Se3/SnSe stacks. All devices exhibited resistance switching behavior. The polarity of the applied voltage with respect to the SnTe or SnSe layer was critical to the memory switching properties, due to the electric field induced movement of either Sn or Te into the Ge-chalcogenide layer. One embodiment of the invention is a device comprising a stack of chalcogenide-containing layers which exhibit phase-change switching only after a reverse polarity voltage potential is applied across the stack causing ion movement into an adjacent layer and thus “activating” the device to act as a phase-change random access memory device or a reconfigurable electronics device when the applied voltage potential is returned to the normal polarity.

Abstract: A system verifies torquing of pressure fittings in an aircraft wheel well. A strain gauge and an ultra-wide band (UWB) pulse signal generator are placed on a wrench used to torque the fittings. The strain senses the torque applied by the wrench, and the pulse signal generator generates UWB pulse signals indicating the location of the fitting and the torque applied to the fitting. The pulse signals are received by UWB radios within the wheel well, which generate location measurements based on the received pulse signals. A processor automatically calculates the location of the fitting being torqued based on the location measurements, and a display produces a 3-dimensional image of the fittings and their torque status.

Abstract: An ultrasonic aperture scanning system includes a transducer insert having an insert plug, an ultrasonic transducer carried by the transducer insert and an indicator unit having at least one indicator interfacing with the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: A circuit with a capacitive device is disclosed. The circuit may comprise a capacitive device connected between a first conductor and a second conductor. The capacitive device may comprise a first electrode connected to the first conductor and a second electrode being connected to the second conductor. A chalcogenide layer may be connected to the first electrode and to a metal chalcogenide layer.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly (BHA), adapted to be positioned in a casing and to isolate a portion of a wellbore, which includes a packer assembly with a first sealing element extending between first and second portions of the packer assembly. A method of setting a BHA in a casing which includes increasing a BHA pressure to activate an anchor assembly, applying a mechanical force to mechanically deform a first sealing element to thereby establish an initial seal between the first sealing element and an interior surface of the casing, and increasing a pressure in a space between the BHA and the casing and in a cavity within the BHA to increase a differential pressure across the first sealing element and thereby establish a pressure-energized seal between the first sealing element and the interior surface of the casing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a concentrator, particularly a terrestrial solar concentrator to harness the sun's energy, and a tracking system. The concentrator includes a parabolic or other curved reflective surface and an absorber positioned at the focus of the curved reflective surface. Parabolic ribs give shape to the reflective surface. The tracking system includes a rotating, swiveling, or pivoting joint. One or more cables attach to the tracking system. Selectively applying tension to the cables causes the tracking system to rotate, swivel, or pivot at the joint to track an object.

Abstract: A device for vibrating tubing as it is inserted into a wellbore is disclosed. The device has a fluidic switch that has no moving parts. The fluidic switch is connected to a piston that oscillates back and forth in a cylinder. The piston is the only moving part. As the piston oscillates, it blocks and unblocks openings in the cylinder or other components. The movement of the piston controls the timing of the oscillation, and also generates an impulse or vibration. The vibration may reduce the friction between the tubing and the wellbore.