Abstract: An antenna assembly including an antenna, an antenna cable, a bendable structure, a housing interface, a first protection section and a second protection section. The bendable structure is a malleable material that remains in a bent position when bent. The first protection section covers the antenna and provides a weatherproof cover over the antenna. The housing interface mounts to a housing and covers the antenna cable in an area of the antenna cable adapted to enter the housing and the housing interface prior to entrance providing a weatherproof cover over the area of the antenna cable adapted to enter the housing. The second protection section is overmolded over a portion of the housing interface, the antenna cable, the bendable structure and a portion of the first protection. The second protection section is a flexible material.

Abstract: A propeller system for an aircraft includes an assembly for modifying a sound field of the propeller system. The propeller system includes a rotor supported for rotation about a rotor axis. The rotor has a central hub and a plurality of blades each extending outwardly from the hub to a tip. The rotor and blades are operable to propel an aircraft to travel in a direction. The rotor blades define a rotor plane perpendicular to the rotor axis. The blade tips define a circumferential rotational path as the blades are rotated by the rotor. The propeller system includes an acoustic resonator or multiple resonators having openings disposed within a distance to the propeller blade tip that is small compared to the wavelength of the propeller's fundamental blade tone and proximate to the rotor plane. The resonators are excited by tip flow of the blade as it passes the opening.

Abstract: Flow sensor includes a housing having a chamber and a tube extending therefrom. Static and stagnation pressure ports are located along the tube and open in different directions about a periphery. A first conduit fluidly couples the static pressure port to the chamber, and a first pressure sensor senses the fluid pressure in the chamber. A differential pressure sensor has a first port and a second port in the chamber. The first port senses the fluid pressure in the chamber, and a second conduit fluidly couples the stagnation pressure port with the second port. The second port is more exposed to fluid flow through the pipe relative to the first port. Fluid flow rate through the pipe is determinable based on static fluid pressure sensed by the first pressure sensor, differential pressure measured by the differential pressure sensor, density of fluid in the pipe, and diameter of the pipe.

Abstract: A sensor may include a base, an accelerometer rigidly coupled with the base and centered over said base, a circuit arrangement electrically coupled with the accelerometer, and a battery rigidly held in contact with the circuit arrangement and centered over said accelerometer and said base. The base is configured to be secured to a host structure, and the circuit arrangement is configured to receive signals from the accelerometer.

Abstract: An energy harvesting device utilizing a monolithic, mesoscale, single-degree-of-freedom inertial based resonator in which the support structure, beam-spring, and proof mass are a single component without joints, bonds, or fasteners. Frequency tuning features include holes in the proof mass in which mass can be added to change the devices resonance frequency as well as levers which add curvature to the beam-spring system and adjust system stiffness. Robustness is increase by designing the resonator to exhibit nonlinear behavior such that its power density is maximized for low vibration amplitudes and minimized for high amplitudes. The device structural resonance modes are designed to be much higher than the resonators proof mass-spring resonance frequency. Electromechanical transducers are used to convert the resonators mechanical energy to electrical energy. Electrical circuitry is included to extract and condition the electrical charge.

Abstract: A propeller system for an aircraft includes an assembly for modifying a sound field of the propeller system. The propeller system includes a rotor supported for rotation about a rotor axis. The rotor has a central hub and a plurality of blades each extending outwardly from the hub to a tip. The rotor and blades are operable to propel an aircraft to travel in a direction. The rotor blades define a rotor plane perpendicular to the rotor axis. The blade tips define a circumferential rotational path as the blades are rotated by the rotor. The propeller system includes an acoustic resonator or multiple resonators having openings disposed within a distance to the propeller blade tip that is small compared to the wavelength of the propeller's fundamental blade tone and proximate to the rotor plane. The resonators are excited by tip flow of the blade as it passes the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of a prosthetic limb, wherein the prosthetic limb has motion in at least one degree of freedom, may include a hydraulic amplifier mechanically coupled with a generator. The hydraulic amplifier may include an input member configured to receive an input motion when a first motion in a degree of freedom of the prosthetic limb causes pressure and motion of hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic amplifier is configured to amplify the input motion of the input member to a greater output motion. The generator is configured to convert mechanical energy of the output motion into corresponding electrical energy delivered to one of an electrical load and an electrical storage reservoir.

Abstract: A improved method of monitoring a structure by mounting a sensor within a cavity of the structure to measure at least one of strain experienced by the structure and vibration experience by the structure. Mounting a wireless communication unit mounted within the structure and connecting the wireless communication unit to the sensor to receive data from the sensor and transmit the data to a receiver outside the structure. Mounting a power supply within the structure and connecting the power supply to the sensor and the wireless communication unit to supply necessary electrical power to the sensor and the communication unit.

Abstract: A sensor may include a base, a resonator centered over the base, and an accelerometer disposed in a base of the resonator. The resonator may be configured to harvest energy from vibratory motion of a host device and includes a slot disposed on a center rectangular plane of the sensor. The sensor may include a circuit arrangement disposed on the accelerometer and in the slot on the center rectangular plane of the sensor. A piezoelectric element may be mounted on the resonator and electrically coupled with the circuit arrangement. The piezoelectric element may be configured to convert vibratory energy of the resonator to electrical energy. An optional antenna may be coupled with the circuit arrangement and configured to wirelessly transmit data from the sensor to a receiving station.

Abstract: An energy harvesting device utilizing a monolithic, mesoscale, single-degree-of-freedom inertial based resonator in which the support structure, beam-spring, and proof mass are a single component without joints, bonds, or fasteners. Frequency tuning features include holes in the proof mass in which mass can be added to change the devices resonance frequency as well as levers which add curvature to the beam-spring system and adjust system stiffness. Robustness is increase by designing the resonator to exhibit nonlinear behavior such that its power density is maximized for low vibration amplitudes and minimized for high amplitudes. The device structural resonance modes are designed to be much higher than the resonators proof mass-spring resonance frequency. Electromechanical transducers are used to convert the resonators mechanical energy to electrical energy. Electrical circuitry is included to extract and condition the electrical charge.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of a prosthetic limb, wherein the prosthetic limb has motion in at least one degree of freedom, may include a piston configured to receive an input motion and provide an output motion when a first motion in a degree of freedom of the prosthetic limb causes pressure and motion of hydraulic fluid. The apparatus may include an electromagnetic motor for converting mechanical energy of the output motion into corresponding electrical energy delivered to an electrical load and a variable-impedance energy harvesting circuit across terminals of the motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of a prosthetic limb, wherein the prosthetic limb has motion in at least one degree of freedom, may include a hydraulic amplifier mechanically coupled with a generator. The hydraulic amplifier may include an input member configured to receive an input motion when a first motion in a degree of freedom of the prosthetic limb causes pressure and motion of hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic amplifier is configured to amplify the input motion of the input member to a greater output motion. The generator is configured to convert mechanical energy of the output motion into corresponding electrical energy delivered to one of an electrical load and an electrical storage reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of a prosthetic limb, wherein the prosthetic limb has motion in at least one degree of freedom, may include a piston configured to receive an input motion and provide an output motion when a first motion in a degree of freedom of the prosthetic limb causes pressure and motion of hydraulic fluid. The apparatus may include an electromagnetic motor for converting mechanical energy of the output motion into corresponding electrical energy delivered to an electrical load and a variable-impedance energy harvesting circuit across terminals of the motor.

Abstract: A position sensing system including a flexible tether and at least one sensor at least partially embedded within a portion of the flexible tether is disclosed. The sensor may be adapted to detect a sensor position factor. The system also includes a communication device adapted to transmit the sensor position factor from the sensor, and a signal processor adapted to receive the sensor position factor. The signal processor is also adapted to calculate at least one of the shape or orientation of the flexible tether from the sensor position factor. The sensor position factor may be relative orientation, relative depth, relative pressure, presence of a magnetic field, presence of an electric field, acceleration, or relative rate of rotation. The system may also include a probe connected to the flexible tether, and the signal processor may calculate the orientation of the probe from the sensor position factor.

Abstract: A position sensing system including a flexible tether and at least one sensor at least partially embedded within a portion of the flexible tether is disclosed. The sensor may be adapted to detect a sensor position factor. The system also includes a communication device adapted to transmit the sensor position factor from the sensor, and a signal processor adapted to receive the sensor position factor. The signal processor is also adapted to calculate at least one of the shape or orientation of the flexible tether from the sensor position factor. The sensor position factor may be relative orientation, relative depth, relative pressure, presence of a magnetic field, presence of an electric field, acceleration, or relative rate of rotation. The system may also include a probe connected to the flexible tether, and the signal processor may calculate the orientation of the probe from the sensor position factor.