Abstract: In an embodiment of methods and apparatus for a control surface restraint and release system comprises a restraint apparatus detachably coupled to the control surface, a guidance rail slidably engaging the restraint apparatus, and a stopping mechanism coupled to the guidance rail and configured to stop a movement of the restraint apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering a missile may operate in conjunction with a missile comprising an outer skin. The missile may be configured in a closed position and an open position. In the open position, an aperture is opened in the outer skin, for example to supply air to an air-breathing engine. In the closed position, the aperture is closed.

Abstract: A motorized drive system for a louvre assembly of the type containing a surround frame, a pair of spaced apart operating bars positioned within the surround frame and where movement of the operating bars causes rotation of the louvres, the drive system comprising a motor adapted to be positioned within the surround frame, the motor operationally driving a drive shaft which is substantially horizontal when the drive system is fitted within the surround frame, a mounting member which is attached for rotation with the drive shaft, at least two spaced apart attachment points on the mounting member, a first link arm, a second link arm and a third link arm, the first link arm being attached to one of the attachment points and to one said operating bar, the second link arm being attached to another of the attachment points, the third link arm being pivotally attached to the second link arm and to the other operating bar.

Abstract: A toner stirring section provided in a toner cartridge includes a first rotating body and a second rotating body. The first rotating body is rotated around an axis J13 to stir a toner. The second rotating body includes a conveying sheet for conveying the toner to a toner replenishing roller which is a conveying destination, to be rotatably provided around the axis J13, and to rotate by being pressed by the first rotating body being rotated. The first rotating body and the second rotating body are provided so that the first rotating body presses the second rotating body after the first rotating body is rotated by a predetermined degrees relative to the second rotating body.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an armor system comprises a plurality of metallic layers. The armor system further comprises a plurality of non-metallic layers located in between two or more metallic layers of the plurality of metallic layers, such that each non-metallic layer is located at a respective depth in the plurality of metallic layers.

Abstract: An electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) device which includes a plurality of array elements configured to manipulate one or more droplets of fluid on an array, each of the array elements including a corresponding array element driver circuit, wherein each array element driver circuit includes: a top substrate electrode and a first drive electrode between which the one or more droplets may be positioned, the top substrate electrode being formed on a top substrate, and the first drive electrode being formed on a lower substrate; and circuitry configured to selectively provide drive voltages to the first drive electrode to move the one or more droplets among the plurality of array elements, and wherein at least one of the plurality of array elements includes: a heater element also formed on the lower substrate and configured to heat the one or more droplets when positioned between the top substrate electrode and the first drive electrode of the at least one array element; and circuitry configured to control the h

Abstract: In a vehicle, having a fixed supporting structure and a load movable relative thereto, a jam tolerant actuating system, a method for controlling this system including: Locating a physical coupling/decoupling mechanism between the load and an actuator assembly as close a practicable to the load; constructing the coupling/uncoupling mechanism to be reversible, and hence testable; and controlling the connection/disconnection via decision making electronics which will detect any system failure by monitoring, at a minimum: actuator main motor load and speed, and actuator output load. Also set forth are specific embodiments of pivotable rotary geared actuators as well as linear ball screw type actuators embodying the coupling/uncoupling mechanisms of this invention.

Abstract: In a vehicle, having a fixed supporting structure and a load movable relative thereto, a jam tolerant actuating system, a method for controlling this system including: Locating a physical coupling/decoupling mechanism between the load and an actuator assembly as close a practicable to the load; constructing the coupling/uncoupling mechanism to be reversible, and hence testable; and controlling the connection/disconnection via decision making electronics which will detect any system failure by monitoring, at a minimum: actuator main motor load and speed, and actuator output load. Also set forth are specific embodiments of pivotable rotary geared actuators as well as linear ball screw type actuators embodying the coupling/uncoupling mechanisms of this invention.

Abstract: A packaging method includes the step of comparing a total package weight to a freight rate schedule and thereby determining a normal freight rate. The total package weight includes the weight of a container (22), an article (24) to be shipped and a normal amount of dunnage. If predetermined criteria are met, the method also includes the step of reducing the amount of dunnage dispensed below that of the normal amount of dunnage such that the total package weight falls within a freight rate that is less than the normal freight rate. The predetermined criteria include one or more of a predetermined percentage above a change in freight rate, a predetermined weight above a threshold weight for an increase in freight weight, and dunnage requirements including void-volume, degree of fill for the void-volume, type of article, weight of article and type of dunnage.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a regenerated silk fibroin solution comprises the steps of: treating silk or silk cocoons with an ionic reagent comprising an aqueous solution of monovalent cations and monovalent anions, the cations and anions having ionic radii of at least 1.05 Angstroms and a Jones-Dole B coefficient of between ?0.001 and ?0.05 at 25° C.; and subsequently degumming the treated silk or silk cocoons; or alternatively, degumming silk or silk cocoons; and subsequently treating the degummed silk or silk cocoons with an ionic reagent comprising an aqueous solution of monovalent cations and monovalent anions, the cations and anions having ionic radii of at least 1.05 Angstroms and a Jones-Dole B coefficient of between ?0.001 and ?0.05 at 25° C. The invention also extends to fibroin solution, a fibroin material and an implant useful for cartilage repair.

Abstract: An optical fiber strain sensor array comprises several sensor support panels spaced in its longitudinal direction and at least one connecting member extending in the longitudinal direction, which mechanically interconnects the sensor support panels. An optical fiber is supported by the sensor support panels and the connecting member. The optical fiber extends with the connecting member between the sensor support panels and forms a curve on the sensor support panel, the curve including at least one portion of the optical fiber that extends in the transverse direction. The width of the connecting member is substantially less than the width of the sensor support panels, such that the connecting member is capable of flexure in the transverse direction. This has the advantage that the connecting member can be flexed to take up any slack during installation of the optical fiber strain sensor array in a wind turbine blade and can be fitted to the turbine blade even if the blade has a conical shape.

Abstract: Apparatus for interrogating an optical fiber comprising a plurality of fiber Bragg gratings each having a resonant wavelength in a different discrete wavelength band. The apparatus comprises a delay arrangement interposed in use in an optical path for light supplied to and/or reflected from the fiber Bragg gratings. The delay arrangement is configured to apply a different time delay to light in each of the discrete wavelength bands, whereby the light reflected from each of the fiber Bragg gratings is received at an interrogator port of the apparatus in a different discrete time interval.

Abstract: A gasket for sealing internal surfaces of a fuel cell and formed of compressible material, the gasket comprising a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface for providing a fluid seal against opposing faces of a first fluid flow field plate and a second fluid flow field plate respectively, the gasket further comprising a third sealing surface for sealing against an outer perimeter region of a first surface of a membrane electrode assembly, the third sealing surface being entirely enclosed within a boundary defined by an inner perimeter of the second sealing surface.

Abstract: A write-once read-many information recording medium is provided, which is capable of easily searching for a latest DDS and a latest defect list. At least one disc management working area is sequentially allocated in a predetermined direction on the write-once read-many information recording medium of the present invention. The latest defect list and the latest DDS are provided in a recorded disc management working area neighboring a border between the recorded disc management working area and an unrecorded disc management working area, where the latest defect list precedes the latest DDS in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An image encoding device includes: an image division section for dividing one frame of image into a plurality of image fragments, grouping the plurality of image fragments into N sets (N: an integer of 2 or more), and outputting the N sets of image fragments as N partial images; an image swapping section for swapping at least one image fragment with another between the N partial images to thereby output N partial images each having shuffled image fragments; and an encoding section for encoding the N partial images output from the image swapping section.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises depositing a semiconductor layer over a semiconductor surface having at least one first region with a first (average surface lattice) parameter value and at least one second region having a second parameter value different from the first. The semiconductor layer is deposited to a thickness so self-organized islands form over both the first and second regions. The difference in the parameter value means the islands over the first region have a first average parameter value and the islands over the second region have a second average parameter value different from the first. A capping layer is deposited over islands and has a greater forbidden bandgap than the islands whereby the islands form quantum dots, which have different properties over the first and second regions due to difference(s) between the first and second region islands.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first and a second image forming sections, a paper feeding section, and a paper output section. The image forming sections form an image on paper independently. The apparatus is laterally dividable into a first and a second portions where the first and second image forming sections are respectively positioned. The feeding section is arranged below the first image forming section in the first portion. The output section is arranged above the second image forming section in the second portion. The apparatus has two simple transport paths that run vertically through the image forming sections, respectively, without intersecting each other and detouring around the second or first image forming section.

Abstract: A method for inspecting an optical information storage medium includes the steps of: irradiating the storage medium with a laser beam and rotating the medium by a constant linear velocity control technique by reference to the radial location at which the laser beam forms a spot on the medium; changing the rotational velocities according to the radial location on the medium between at least two linear velocities that include a first linear velocity Lv1 and a second linear velocity Lv2 higher than the first linear velocity Lv1; generating a focus error signal and/or a tracking error signal based on the light reflected from the medium; performing a focus control and/or a tracking control on the laser beam that irradiates the medium based on the focus and/or tracking error signal(s); and passing the branched outputs of control loops for the focus and/or tracking error signal(s) through predetermined types of frequency band-elimination filters for the focus and/or tracking error signal(s) to obtain residual errors

Abstract: A headset is proposed for use with a communication and/or multimedia device, said headset comprising an interface for receiving input data, a processing unit for processing said input data to generate audio output signals, a speaker for outputting said audio output signals in a mono mode and connecting means for connecting the headset to a power supply in order to charge a battery or an accumulator being provided within said headset. Said connecting means are also connectable to an additional speaker device forming alone or together with said speaker of said headset a stereo headphone wherein said processing unit processes the input data to generate stereo output signals when said speaker device is connected to said headset.