Abstract: A mechanical safe and arm device for rotating munitions reduces arming scatter so that the “no arm” and “all arm” distance are substantially the same. A first spring holds a flywheel, a pinion gear, and a drive gear against rotation until centrifugal forces cause the spring to release them. The drive gear then rotates, causing rotation of the pinion gear and the flywheel. A post depending from the flywheel strikes and unlocks a second spring that unlocks a pivotally-mounted rotor that carries a detonator. The rotor then pivots and brings the detonator into alignment with a firing pin.
Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the controlled synthesis of nanostructures on the edges of electrodes and an apparatus capable of optical and electrochemical sensing. In accordance with the present invention, a method of fabricating nanowires is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate, creating a dielectric thereon, depositing a metal catalyst on the dielectric, patterning the metal catalyst, selectively etching dielectric, creating an electric field originating in metal catalyst, and applying a heat treatment. In another embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate, depositing a dielectric thereon, printing a metal catalyst on the dielectric and plastic substrate, printing silicide along the edges of metal catalyst, creating an electric field originating in metal catalyst; and applying chemical vapor deposition.
Abstract: The proposed device is based on a carbon nanotube oscillator consisting of a finite length outer stationary nanotube and a finite length inner oscillating nanotube. Its main function is to measure changes in the characteristics of the motion of the carbon nanotube oscillating near a sample surface, and profile the roughness of this surface. The device operates in a non-contact mode, thus it can be virtually non-wear and non-fatigued system. It is an alternative to the existing atomic force microscope (AFM) tips used to scan surfaces to determine their roughness.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 26, 2009
Date of Patent:
November 15, 2011
Assignees:
University of South Florida, North Carolina Central University
Inventors:
Adrian Popescu, Lilia M. Woods, Igor V. Bondarev
Abstract: A drapery holder releasably engages a header jamb of a window. A vertical front wall and back wall are disposed in parallel relation to one another and are interconnected to one another by a horizontal bottom wall. Co-planar horizontal flanges are formed integrally with the front wall and the back wall and extend toward one another. Respective inboard ends of the horizontal flanges are spaced apart from one another to capture drapery carriers that are slideable along the extent of the horizontal flanges under the control of a drapery control apparatus. A channel is formed by the horizontal bottom wall and respective upper ends of the front and back walls and a plurality of magnets is positioned within the channel. Each magnet magnetically engages ferrous materials that form a part of the header jamb so that the drapery holder is releasably secured to the header jamb by a magnetic field.
Abstract: A method of providing emergency related information to and from a centralized location over a wireless network. The method utilizes cellular phones in emergency communications and entails two embodiments that employ location-aware technologies, in portable form, in security applications. One embodiment serves as a modern high-tech “neighborhood watch,” enabling law enforcement access to the many “eyes and ears” of the public simultaneously via available cell phones. Cell phones with embedded digital cameras allow the instant capture and remote submission of suspicious circumstances to law enforcement through pictures or video.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 21, 2006
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignee:
University of South Florida
Inventors:
Sean J. Barbeau, Philip L. Winters, Rafael Perez, Miguel Labrador, Nevine Georggi
Abstract: An escapement fuze self-destruct mechanism for a projectile includes a drive weight that maintains a biasing member in a compressed state by centrifugal force when a projectile's RPM speed is above a preselected threshold. When the RPM speed falls below the preselected threshold, the biasing member exerts sufficient counter-rotational force to overcome the centrifugal force exerted by the drive weight. The biasing member expands to an uncompressed state and displaces the drive weight into position for mechanically implementing self-destruction of the projectile if a rotor is fully armed or for rendering the projectile “safe” if the rotor is in any position other then fully armed.
Abstract: A location-aware method that dynamically adjusts software parameters in Location-Based Service (LBS) applications in real-time based on environmental conditions and application requirements. The invention saves power expended during position calculations while increasing application performance, optimizes settings for the application based on real-time conditions, and reduces bandwidth used. In an embodiment, the present method comprises a state machine or a plurality of state machines.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 3, 2008
Date of Patent:
October 11, 2011
Assignee:
University of South Floirda
Inventors:
Sean J. Barbeau, Philip L. Winters, Rafael Perez, Miguel Labrador, Nevine Georggi
Abstract: The present invention provides a smooth friendly TCP based transport layer protocol method and apparatus for data and streaming applications. In accordance with the invention, a low pass filter that uses history information modifies the multiplicative decrease portion of TCP's additive increase multiplicative decrease strategy, thereby creating an additive increase smooth decrease solution. The present invention smoothes the variation of the congestion window in case of drop events and provides smooth transfer rates for streaming applications.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 22, 2007
Date of Patent:
October 11, 2011
Assignee:
University of South Florida
Inventors:
Miguel A. Labrador, Sivakumar Bakthavachalu
Abstract: Disclosed are chemically active surfaces for the detection of nitroaromatic, nitramine, and nitrate ester compounds, the primary constituents of explosive devices. Transparent conductive composites (TCCs) combine with gold nanoparticles in a conducting polymer matrix to create a conductive, flexible, and electrochromic material. Hybrid, nanostructured surfaces constructed from TCCs are decorated with conjugated conductive oligomer wires. Selective binding of the target to the oligomer alters the electron charge mobility in the TCC, affecting the redox state. The binding event is identified by measuring the conductivity of the TCC and/or through color changes of the TCC. Conjugated oligomers that are functionalized with thiol groups at one end and nitro-derivative receptors at the other provide the bases for selectivity and sensing. The thiol group anchors the oligomer to the metal sites on the TCC surface and the receptor starts the charge transfer mechanism when targeted with the appropriate molecule.
Abstract: A mold assembly includes a support table mounted for rotation within a vacuum chamber. A plurality of hollow part molds is radially disposed about an axis of rotation of the support table. Each part mold has fiber architecture disposed between an inflatable bladder and internal walls of the part mold. A first motor rotates the support table and resin is urged by centrifugal force to flow along the length of each part mold until the fiber architecture is thoroughly impregnated with resin. A second motor spins each part mold about an axis of rotation of the part mold to ensure that the resin migrates radially outwardly relative to the interior wall surface of each part mold. The resulting product is a monolithic, seamless part having no voids.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 17, 2009
Date of Patent:
October 4, 2011
Inventors:
Marc A. Quenneville, Stephen M. Quenneville
Abstract: A screen reader feature is described that enables end users to assign their own descriptions to forms and navigational elements in electronic documents such as web pages, word processing documents and portable document formats. The form or navigational element is identified by the end user. A dialog box provides a text entry box for accepting a user-defined description. The description is saved in association with the document and its particular form or navigational element.
Abstract: In accordance with the present invention is provided a method of treating a subject having a cancerous tumor. The treatment protocol methodology includes injecting the cancerous tumor with an effective dose of plasmid coding for a therapeutic protein followed by administering electroporation therapy to the tumor, the electroporation therapy includes the administration of at least one high voltage, short duration pulse to the tumor.
Abstract: The present invention provides a novel technique for the fabrication of MEMS igniters and detonators. According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the device is built based on two-plates. Plate one contains the resistive heating element and plate two contains the explosive cavity. With the present invention, micro igniters and detonators are batch fabricated utilizing a glue-less assembly technique and self-aligning capability.
Abstract: A system for joining a lug with a conductor includes a lug, compression nut, and conductor. The lug has material removed to allow for compression, an internal hole sized slightly larger than the conductor, and a tapered end. The compression nut has an internal thread and tapered end to match the lug. When assembled, the conductor is compressed against the lug creating a strong mechanical and electrical contact. The tighter the lug is screwed, the greater the compression between the lug and conductor.
Abstract: The present invention provides for a system and method whereby aspirin and acetic acid help to permeabilize cell membranes to allow exogenous molecules to gain access to the cell interior. As such, the present invention provides a low cost drug and gene delivery tool that can be applied in combination with other molecular delivery methods.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 20, 2006
Date of Patent:
September 13, 2011
Assignee:
University of South Florida
Inventors:
Mark J. Jaroszeski, Jennifer Langham, Richard Heller, Richard Gilbert
Abstract: A method to produce high density microalgae having high lipid concentration in mass culture including the steps of inoculating a vessel with microalgae at mid-log phase to a depth greater than 25 cm. Then culturing the microalgae to a preselected target density threshold, bringing the microalgae to stationary phase, manipulating growth parameters to maximize lipid concentration and harvesting the vessel.
Abstract: Provided is a sensor which integrates a pair of substantially unidirectional surface acoustic wave (SAW) interdigital transducers (IDTs) and a thickness shear mode (TSM) electrode. The sensor provides simultaneous sensing and removal of material from the sensor's surface. The sensing aspect is accomplished through the use of the TSM electrode that is designed to operate between 2 and 100 MHz. The removal of material is accomplished using substantially unidirectional IDTs aligned on the substrate to produce acoustic waves, such as Rayleigh waves, across the entire TSM sensor active area. When liquid is added over the acoustic waves, acoustic streaming occurs, which dislodges material from the sensor's surface. The acoustic waves are designed to operate at a significantly different frequency than the sensor to prevent interference between the two.
Abstract: The present invention provides a dual-probe thermally compensated fluorescence decay rate temperature sensor capable of measuring the true temperature of a sample surface and its associated method of use.
Abstract: The present invention makes a grid array, for use in the transplantation of materials into the brain, in the shape of a predetermined structure, such as the putamen, based on anatomic analysis the structure. Alternatively, a smaller grid array is used which only includes the putamen target and not the caudate target, and also has two windows within the grid array. Because of the smaller size of this grid array as well as the two cutouts in the middle, it is possible for the first time to observe the brain as the needle enters the brain through the grid array. The previous solid and larger grid array made the passage of the needle into the brain a blind maneuver. Therefore if there was cortical bleeding at the time of needle insertion, it would not be known until after the transplant was done.