Abstract: A vacuum-forming system for deforming a forming blank is disclosed. The system includes a tool and at least one regulator bag disposed adjacent to the tool. The regulator bag includes a sealed bag having an exterior and an interior and a first volume and a defined passage from the interior to the exterior of the regulator bag. The passage is configured such that the regulator bag has a rate of deflation wherein the sealed bag will deflate from the first volume to a second volume over a determined period of time while the exterior of the sealed bag is at a determined reduced pressure. The system also includes a vacuum membrane coupled to the tool, the membrane configured to form a vacuum space enclosing the forming blank and the at least one regulator bag.

Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus includes a transducer array and a controller that is operable to cause the transducer array to generate a signal having a frequency, and to direct the signal toward an object having a resonant frequency that is approximately equal to the frequency of the signal. For example, an embodiment of a mine-hunting-and-neutralizing apparatus may generate an acoustic wave with a transducer array, and may disable or destroy a mine by directing the wave toward the mine. The apparatus generates the acoustic wave having a frequency that is approximately equal to the natural frequency of a component of the mine such that the wave causes the component to resonate in a manner that is sufficient to disable the mine from detonating, or that is sufficient to cause the mine to detonate.

Abstract: An antenna cell for a wide-scan low-profile phased array system includes an antenna layer including one or more stacked conductive radiators configured to receive electromagnetic waves. The antenna cell also includes a feed layer that includes multiple rectangular slots and one or more feed structures. Each rectangular slot may excite an orthogonal polarization. The feed structures are positioned perpendicular to one another, and each of the feed structures includes a feed fork that includes a set of open-circuit stubs and is configured to tune antenna performance.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a facility wide sorting and/or sequencing system for improving product processing operations and, more particularly, to a facility wide system and related functionality for simultaneously sorting and sequencing mixed mail pieces such as, for example, flats and letter mail pieces. The flats and letter mail pieces are placed in frames so that all types of mail pieces can be sorted and/or sequenced simultaneously through merging and diverting a stream of filled trays into and out of different streams at a full or substantially full transport speed.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive equalization in a communication system. The system can include a modulator, a processor coupled to the modulator, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory can store software instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations that can include generating, for each of one or more scan frequencies of interest, an optimal bias setting of the modulator. Data indicating a selection of a range of frequencies to be processed by the communication system can be received at the processor. The operations can include determining, responsive to the receiving, the optimal bias setting corresponding to the selected range of frequencies. A bias of the modulator can be adjusted based on the determined optimal bias setting, the adjusting providing adaptive equalization of the flatness response of the communication system.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) frequency synthesizer includes a chassis housing that holds components of the RF frequency synthesizer. The chassis housing is installable into an instrument cabinet. A pair of mounting brackets are connected to opposing interior sides of the chassis housing and receive an A-Frame assembly which supports vibration sensitive RF circuitry and RF components. The A-Frame assembly is attached to the pair of mounting brackets in the chassis housing and provide a spatial separation between the kinematic inputs and the vibration sensitive RF circuitry and RF components. The A-Frame assembly includes a folded sheet, the folded sheet defining an angle between a first planar region and a second planar region, and may include a planar frame cross-member attached to the first planar region and the second planar region, the planar frame cross-member spanning the angle between the first and second planar regions.

Abstract: A water-propelled or water-powered unmanned aerial vehicle including a base configured to carry a payload, and at least one nozzle attached thereto. The at least one nozzle is configured to selectively receive pressurized fluid from a source located remotely from the vehicle. The vehicle includes a control system configured to alter or otherwise selectively dictate the flow of fluid through the at least one nozzle and/or the orientation of the at least one nozzle with respect to the base in response to a received control signal for providing controlled unmanned vehicle flight.

Abstract: A laser autocollimator assembly that provides an objective, unambiguous, and simple means to achieve precise (for example, arc second or sub arc-second) alignment between the laser autocollimator assembly and a reference surface. The laser autocollimator assembly relies on optical parasitic interference between a reflected beam from the reference surface and the laser beam in the laser cavity that, when alignment is achieved, results in a disruption of the action of the laser, resulting in a reduction in the output power level of the laser beam. By monitoring the power level of the laser beam, for example monitoring the power level of the reflected beam, it can be determined that alignment has been achieved when the power level of the laser beam has been reduced to a minimum level. The power level can be automatically monitored, thereby eliminating the need for user interpretation.

Abstract: An unmanned turret having a turret ring gear and first and second electrical force-producing devices with the unmanned turret being rotatably mounted to a vehicle chassis, the turret drive mechanism including at least one ring gear independent of the turret ring gear, at least one manually-operable input component rotatably coupled to the at least one ring gear, the at least one input component accessible within the vehicle chassis, and at least one output component mechanically coupled to at least one of the first and second electrical force-producing devices of the unmanned turret to cause rotation of the at least one of the first and second electrical force-producing device. Another turret drive mechanism and an unmanned turret are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes, for each field of view of a plurality of fields of view forming a field of regard, positioning a rotating disk in a first position corresponding to a first section of a plurality of sections. Each section of the plurality of sections may have a different focal length. The method further includes receiving a first image representing a first field of view, analyzing the first image, adjusting the plurality of mirrors based on the analysis, positioning the rotating disk in a second position corresponding to a second section, and receiving a second image representing the first field of view captured while the rotating disk was in the second position. The method further includes generating a range image of the field of view using at least the first image and the second image, and determining a range to a target using the range image.

Abstract: Multi-layer sheets of graphene-based material having a plurality of pores extending therethrough are described herein. Methods for making the sheets include exposing a graphene-based material comprising multilayer graphene having from 5 to 20 layers of graphene to a particle beam having an ion energy of at least about 1500 eV to create damage tracks in the graphene sheets. The damage tracks in the graphene sheets are then exposed to a chemical etchant, such as an oxidant to define pores through the stacked graphene sheets. Production of the damage tracks and etching of the damage tracks can take place while the graphene is disposed on a substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a filter with uniform pore sizes includes synthesizing a moiety so as to form a plurality of like platelets having a precisely sized pore extending therethrough, distributing the plurality of like platelets about a membrane having apertures therethrough, and bonding the plurality of platelets around the apertures to form precisely sized pores through the membrane. A filtration membrane is also disclosed which provides a porous membrane having a plurality of apertures therethrough, and a plurality of platelets, wherein each platelet has a pore therethrough. The platelets are positioned over or in the apertures.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes an inlet grid configured to reduce distortion of an incoming airflow. The system may also include a vibration device coupled to the inlet grid and a controller communicatively coupled to the vibration device. The controller may transmit a vibration signal to the vibration device causing the vibration device to vibrate the inlet grid such that the inlet grid resonates at a natural frequency inducing a mode shape in the inlet grid. The mode shape may break up and prevent ice on the inlet grid.

Abstract: A system for interference suppression onboard a satellite includes a beamforming module that processes radio-frequency (RF) signals originated from a plurality of antenna elements of an array antenna to generate multiple analog signals. At least one of the analog signals is an anti-interference signal. Analog-to-digital converters convert the analog signals to a number of digital signals. A processing module processes the digital signals to generate a phase and amplitude control signal. A summation module generates one or more composite signals with reduced interference.

Abstract: A flight management system (FMS) including a plurality of FMS components that can include a civil FMS component and a tactical FMS component. Each FMS component can have a processor programmed to execute an FMS software product. The FMS can also include a multi core FMS manager configured to control a plurality of flight management systems and coupled to the plurality of FMS components. The multi core FMS manager can include a plurality of FMS managers, each coupled to one of the FMS components, and a platform interface manager coupled to an avionics system. Each FMS manager can be adapted to transmit flight management data to, and to receive flight management data from, the FMS component to which it is coupled. The platform interface manager can be adapted to provide each FMS component access to the avionics system, such that an aircraft operator can control each FMS component via the FMS.

Abstract: A system for testing the covariance fidelity of an optimal reduced state estimator comprises data storage devices for storing testing data, computer processors in communication with the data storage devices, and a memory storing program instructions for execution by the computer processors. Execution of the program instructions may cause the computer processors to provide an optimal reduced state estimator having state variables and unknown, multidimensional, arbitrarily time-varying parameters, subject to known bounded values. A random component and a bias component of the optimal reduced state estimator may be identified, and then separate evaluations of the components may be performed to determine a fidelity of the optimal reduced state estimator. The random component may be evaluated at a selected epoch and a Mahalanobis Distance Value determined for the random component. The bias component may be evaluated at the selected epoch and a probability of containment determined at a selected MDV.

Abstract: Mechanisms for generating an analysis result about a machine are provided. A device generates a first health management (HM) analysis result regarding a machine based on real-time first sensor information received during a first period of time and on a first version HM analytic model. The device provides, to an off-board device, a plurality of sensor information comprising the real-time first sensor information and that is generated during the first period of time. The device receives a second version HM analytic model that is based at least in part on the plurality of sensor information and fault information that identifies actual faults that have occurred on the machine. The device generates a second HM analysis result regarding the machine based on real-time second sensor information received during a second period of time and on the second version HM analytic model.

Abstract: Presented herein is a restraint system comprising an attachment point configured to attach to a hatch opening of a vehicle, a harness having a seat and a strap attached to the attachment point and to the seat. The harness is configured to accept an occupant and support a portion of the occupant at a position below the hatch opening. The restraint system further comprises an energy absorption mechanism configured to dampen rapid acceleration or deceleration of the occupant. The strap is attached to the attachment point by a quick release mechanism. The energy absorption mechanism may comprise a retraction mechanism having a damper mechanism that is a spring, a coil spring, a viscous fluid, a fluid having a dynamically changeable viscosity or a magnetorheological fluid. The energy absorption mechanism may comprise tear-away sections configured to dampen vehicle motion energy.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) integrated circuit includes a first layer of semiconductor material in which a high electron mobility transfer (HEMT) device is formed. A semiconductor heat spreader substrate supports the first layer of semiconductor material. A pair of matching circuits are electrically connected to the HEMT device, wherein the pair of matching circuits are supported on a semiconductor substrate of a semiconductor material different than the semiconductor material of the first semiconductor heat spreader substrate. The first layer of semiconductor material and the first semiconductor heat spreader substrate have a thickness that is less than a second thickness of the semiconductor substrate supporting the pair of matching circuits.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed subject matter involve an airborne-based network for implementing a laser-based visual disruption countermeasure scan pattern system, method, and computer program product. The scan pattern can be comprised of a plurality of lasers each with their own scan pattern and may be used to disrupt an optical system of a weapon or an individual. One vehicle in the network can transmit target information and/or scan information to one or more other vehicles or to a non-vehicle remote location in the network.