Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (200) for using Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (“MBMS”) transport bearers in a network. The methods comprise: performing first operations by a computing device (102) to setup an MBMS transport bearer over which media (e.g., voice) is able to be communicated to a plurality of clients (110-136) via multicast transmissions; and performing second operations by the computing device to inform the plurality of clients of the MBMS transport bearer's establishment. The second operations include, but are not limited to: determining an immediate need of each client of the plurality of clients based on weighted attributes (e.g., priority group affiliating, and/or group status); assembling a prioritization list of clients based on the determined immediate needs of each client; and delivering unicast messages to the clients in accordance with an order specified by the prioritization list.

Abstract: A laser imaging system may include a laser source, a laser receiver, a rotatable base defining a rotation axis, and an optical element (OE) carried by the rotatable base in an optical path between the laser source and laser receiver. An adjustable OE mounting fixture may mount the OE to be adjustably movable with respect to the rotatable base in a plane transverse to the rotation axis. A controller may be configured to adjust the adjustable OE mounting fixture to provide scan angle compensation.

Abstract: A communications device may include a local device, a remote device, and a multi-mode optical fiber coupled between the local device and the remote device. The local device may include a local spatial optical mux/demux coupled to the multi-mode optical fiber and having first and second local optical outputs and first and second local optical inputs, and a local electro-optic E/O modulator coupled to the second local optical input. The remote device may include a remote spatial optical mux/demux coupled to the multi-mode optical fiber, and a remote E/O modulator configured to generate a modulated signal onto a first remote optical output based upon modulating the first optical carrier signal from a first remote optical input responsive to a radio frequency (RF) electrical input signal.

Abstract: A control system for use in extracting hydrocarbons from an underground deposit is disclosed that comprises an electromagnetic heating system and a processor. The electromagnetic heating system is configured to heat the underground deposit to facilitate fluid flow of a resource for extraction from the underground deposit. The processor is configured to control the electromagnetic heating system in response to temperature data and pressure data for the underground deposit. The processor correlates the temperature data and pressure data with predetermined water phase characteristics to control the electromagnetic heating system so that substantially all water in the underground deposit is maintained in a liquid state. The control system may also generate voxel data corresponding to spatial characteristics of the underground deposit. The spatial characteristics may be presented as a map on a display.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir comprises pre-heating by exposure to electromagnetic radiation from a electromagnetic radiation source, injecting through at least one injection well a solvent into the reservoir to dilute the hydrocarbons contained in the pre-conditioned portion, and producing through at least one production well a mixture of hydrocarbons and solvent. An apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir comprises at least one radio frequency antenna configured to transmit radio frequency energy into a subterranean reservoir, a power source to provide power to the at least one radio frequency antenna, at least one injection well configured to inject a solvent from a solvent supply source into the subterranean reservoir to lower the viscosity of the hydrocarbons, and at least one production well configured to produce a mixture comprising hydrocarbons and solvent from the subterranean reservoir.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a discrete-dynode electron multiplier (DDEM) including the steps of mounting an insulator block to a conductor block, and forming a series of ion-optics geometrical structures in the conductor block, each ion-optics geometrical structure having a smallest dimension of less than 1 millimeter. The forming step may be performed by electrical discharge machining (EDM), laser cutting, and/or water jet cutting.

Abstract: Tethered unmanned aerial vehicle (TUAV) includes at least one wing fixed to a fuselage. The wing is comprised of an airfoil shaped body capable of producing lift in response to a flow of air across a major wing surface, and can include at least one flight control surface, such as an aileron. One or more buoyancy cell is disposed within the fuselage for containing a lighter than air gas to provide positive buoyancy for the TUAV when the TUAV is disposed in air. A tether attachment structure facilitates attachment of the TUAV to a tether which is secured to an attachment point for securing the TUAV to the ground when aloft. A wind-powered generator is integrated with the TUAV and configured to generate electric power in response to the flow of air across the least one wing when the TUAV is aloft.

Abstract: Robotic manipulator arm has an end portion to which one or more end effector appliances can be operably mounted for performing one or more manipulator arm operations. A control system has access to a plurality of different end effector appliance parameter sets which are respectively associated with the plurality of different end effector appliances. A user interface facilitates identification to the control system of one or more of the different end effector appliances which are installed on the manipulator arm. The control system is responsive to the identification to modify a control algorithm.

Abstract: A ground vehicle suspension system includes first and second rocker-bogie mechanisms which are respectively secured to a chassis on opposing sides of a central axis. Each rocker-bogie mechanism includes a main link on which a first and second bogie is respectively pivotally mounted. The first and second bogie each has opposing inner and outer bogie end portions. On each bogie, an inner wheel is disposed on an inner stub axle and an outer wheel is disposed on an outer stub axle. A continuous track is guided on the inner and outer wheels of the first bogie and second bogie. A resilient member extends between the first and second bogie and is attached at one end to the inner bogie end portion of the first bogie and at an opposing end to the inner bogie end portion of the second bogie.

Abstract: A communications system may include an optical source configured to generate an optical carrier signal, a first electro-optic (EO) modulator coupled to the optical source and configured to modulate the optical carrier signal based upon a radio frequency (RF) input, and photonic mixers associated with different respective frequencies across a frequency spectrum and coupled to the optical source and the first EO modulator. The system may further include at least one first opto-electronic (OE) detector coupled to the photonic mixers, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the at least one OE detector and configured to generate a digital output signal based upon receiving an RF signal via the RF input.

Abstract: A method has been described for making an electrical structure having an air dielectric and includes forming a first subunit including a sacrificial substrate, an electrically conductive layer including a first metal on the sacrificial substrate, and a sacrificial dielectric layer on the sacrificial substrate and the electrically conductive layer. The method further includes forming a second subunit including a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer thereon including the first metal, and coating a second metal onto the first metal of one or more of the first and second subunits. The method also includes aligning the first and second subunits together, heating and pressing the aligned first and second subunits to form an intermetallic compound of the first and second metals bonding adjacent metal portions together, and removing the sacrificial substrate and sacrificial dielectric layer to thereby form the electrical structure having the air dielectric.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an adapter for launching miniature sonobuoys from a standard sized sonobuoy launching container. The adapter includes a first cylindrical member, a second cylindrical member, and a diverter member, and is disposed within the container. The first member includes a central passage that retains a first miniature sonobuoy. The second member includes a central passage retains a second miniature sonobuoy. The second member further includes at least one channel that extends through the sidewall of the second member. The diverter member is in fluid communication with the at least one channel and the central passage of the second member. The diverter is configured to divert a first burst of air along the at least one channel to launch the first miniature sonobuoy and divert a second burst of air along the central passage of the second cylindrical member to launch the second miniature sonobuoy.

Abstract: A model includes model layers on which a wireframe representation of objects located at geographic coordinates is stored in a memory such that surface detail of the objects increases from a base model layer to an uppermost model layer. Digital data layers stored in the memory that encompass digital coordinates corresponding with the geographic coordinates. Digital content for augmenting scenes is stored on pre-selected digital data layers at pre-selected digital coordinates on those layers. One or more of the digital data layers are logically linked with one or more of the model layers. When the location and spatial orientation of a mobile device in which a scene is viewed is received, the digital content on the digital data layer logically linked to one of the model layers is transmitted over a wireless communication channel to the mobile device.

Abstract: A wireless engine monitoring system for an aircraft engine includes a housing and wireless transceiver that receives engine data, including engine data relating to environmental engine emissions. A processor processes the engine data and generates an alarm report when the environmental engine emissions exceed a threshold.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a discrete-dynode electron multiplier (DDEM) including the steps of mounting an insulator block to a conductor block, and forming a series of ion-optics geometrical structures in the conductor block, each ion-optics geometrical structure having a smallest dimension of less than 1 millimeter. The forming step may be performed by electrical discharge machining (EDM), laser cutting, and/or water jet cutting.

Abstract: A variable booster device of a pneumatic regenerative system of a motorized vehicle is in fluid communication with a pneumatic device of the system. The variable booster device includes a main body and a plate slidingly coupled to the main body. The main body includes an inlet, an outlet, and an interior cavity. The plate is reconfigurable between a first configuration, where the outlet is a first size, and a second configuration, where the outlet is a second size. The variable booster device pressurizes the air a first amount when the plate is in the first configuration and pressurizes the air a second amount when the plate is in the second configuration, where the second amount is greater than the first amount. Disposed within the interior cavity is a first helical screw rotor and a second helical screw rotor. The two helical screw rotors are intermeshed with one another.

Abstract: A method for predicting hydrocarbon recovery in a subterranean formation may include generating pre-heating data associated with fracturing in a sample from the subterranean formation, determining a first fractal pattern based upon the pre-heating data, and heating the sample with RF power to cause additional fracturing in the sample. The method may include generating post-heating data associated with additional fracturing in the sample after heating with RF power, determining a second fractal pattern based upon the post-heating data, detecting change between the first fractal pattern and the second fractal pattern, and predicting hydrocarbon recovery from the subterranean formation based upon the detected change.

Abstract: An unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) includes a mast attached to a UGV body at a base end. The mast extends a predetermined distance to a mast head which can include a mast-head device. A flipper assembly includes at least one flipper arm which is rotatably mounted to the UGV body to help facilitate UGV stability and/or mobility. A flipper actuator causes the flipper arm to rotate about a flipper rotation axis. Movement of the mast between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration is selectively controlled by operation of the flipper assembly.

Abstract: An underwater fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber, and a jacket surrounding the optical fiber. The jacket includes a polymer having a first density, and particles distributed throughout the polymer having a second density greater than the first density. The particles have a predetermined volume fraction to thereby provide the underwater cable with a predetermined buoyancy when underwater.

Abstract: The apparatus includes an RF antenna assembly to be positioned within a wellbore and coupled to an RF source. The RF antenna assembly includes a first tubular dipole element having opposing proximal and distal ends, an RF transmission line extending through the proximal end of the first tubular dipole element and including an inner conductor, an outer conductor, and a dielectric therebetween. The inner conductor extends outwardly beyond the distal end of the first tubular dipole element. The outer conductor is coupled to the distal end of the first tubular dipole element. The RF antenna assembly includes a second tubular dipole element having opposing proximal and distal ends, with the proximal end being adjacent the distal end of the first tubular dipole element and being coupled to the inner conductor, and a tubular balun.