Abstract: A system comprising a scanner to scan an ear and a processor to receive, from the scanner, a non-manifold three-dimensional (3D) digital surface model (DSM) scan data representative of a non-manifold 3D surface model of the auditory canal and the concha of the ear. The 3D surface model is an outer boundary surface for an earpiece appliance. The processor determines an extrema boundary located at a free edge of the 3D surface model; recognizes anatomical features including a cymba concha and auditory canal peak; modifies the 3D surface model relative to the anatomical features by creating a base boundary plane for the appliance, offset some distance from the extrema boundary; creates a closed volume within and between the outer boundary surface, the extrema boundary and the base boundary plane to form a solid 3D earpiece appliance; and causes a computer-aided manufacturing device to manufacture the solid 3D earpiece appliance.

Abstract: An antenna element includes a radiator element, a plurality of feed circuits and a multiplexing interface. The radiator element can transceive radio-frequency (RF) signals. The feed circuits, which include impedance and multiplexing features, are realized on multiple feed locations of the radiating element feed slot. The multiplexing interface is electrically coupled to the plurality of feed circuits and can multiplex a number of sub-band signals associated with the feed circuits. The multiplexing interface can provide a high isolation between the feed circuits.

Abstract: A swashplate assembly of a rotary wing aircraft includes a first component, a second component arranged concentrically with the first component, and a bearing disposed between the first component and the second component. The bearing includes a spherical bearing and at least one bearing roller element and is operable to transmit torque between the first component and the second component.

Abstract: A technique relates to interactive aircraft operation. An interactive electronic checklist is selected from a plurality of interactive electronic checklists, the interactive electronic checklists each comprising checklist tasks. It is perceived that one or more of the checklist tasks in the interactive electronic checklist is executable by an autonomous system. The one or more of the checklist tasks is performed using the autonomous system, an operator being designated to perform any other ones of the checklist tasks.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprising determining, by the processor, a set of objects of the plurality of objects having the shared coordinates (XS, YS) and at a location along the depth direction (ZS); and prioritizing, by the processor, an object from the set of objects based on at least two of metadata of the set of objects, screen areas of the set of objects, transparency of the set of objects, and opaqueness of at least one object of the set of objects currently displayed to improve the selection of at least one of mutually occluded objects and mutually partially occluded objects in the virtual environment. The method includes associating the prioritized object with the viewer input device for detecting interactions with the prioritized object displayed on the display device by the viewer input device. The prioritized object is updated on the screen of the display device based on the interactions.

Abstract: A gradient-index (GRIN) lens comprises an input surface defined by a body configured to receive electromagnetic (EM) waves from an aperture-constrained array; and an output surface defined by the body configured to output phase-aligned EM waves based on the received EM waves from the aperture-constrained array. The GRIN lens can be dimension-constrained in at least one dimension and can have a non-linear permittivity taper in at least a first dimension. The GRIN lens can provide gain for the received EM waves from the aperture-constrained array.

Abstract: A system and method that uses scheduling problems as proof of work in a blockchain system, and that evaluate schedules based on a physics model and a timeline. The system and method can maintain a secured chain of linked messages that include object states and schedule portions. Processing circuitry can receive a message related to an updated state of an object, determine whether the updated state of the object should be linked into the secured chain of linked messages, determine a portion of a schedule for addressing the object based on the updated state of the object as proof of work, create a new message that links the updated state of the object into the secured chain to form an updated chain of linked object state messages and that includes the determined portion of the schedule, and broadcast the new message as the secured chain of linked messages.

Abstract: An electrical interface can include one or more connector devices that facilitate communication between components while they are connected. The connector devices can provide a secure communication and/or power link that resists infiltration by foreign object debris (“FOD”) as well as redundant electrical pathways. The connector devices can further provide mechanisms that are lightweight, are operable in a broad range of temperatures (e.g., low temperatures), accommodate displacement without loss of electrical continuity, and are of low resistance and induction. The connector devices can further provide a kickoff force upon separation of the components.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells, such as those present within flow batteries, can include at least one electrode with one face being more hydrophilic than is the other. Such electrodes can lessen the incidence of parasitic reactions by directing convective electrolyte circulation toward a separator in the electrochemical cell. Flow batteries containing the electrochemical cells can include: a first half-cell containing a first electrode with a first face and a second face that are directionally opposite one another, a second half-cell containing a second electrode with a first face and a second face that are directionally opposite one another, and a separator disposed between the first half-cell and the second half-cell. The first face of both the first and second electrodes is disposed adjacent to the separator. The first face of at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is more hydrophilic than is the second face.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for an electrosurgical instrument, comprising a coupling unit, said coupling unit having a fluid line connection and a current line connection which are designed to carry fluid and current, via a fluid line of the device and at least one current line of the device, between a higher-level assembly and a distal end of the device and a filter, the filter being provided separately from the coupling unit in a fluid flow path of the fluid line, such that the fluid flowing through the fluid line flows through the filter.

Abstract: A pitch beam movable by a pitch change shaft to adjust a pitch of at least one rotor blade of a rotor system via a pitch linkage includes a first surface having a generally planar configuration, a smooth second surface disposed opposite the first surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. A pitch linkage connection point is disposed at the sidewall to which the pitch linkage is attachable. An interior is defined between the first surface and the second surface and an opening extends through the first and second surface at a rotational axis of the rotor system to which the pitch change shaft is attached. Movement of the pitch change shaft moves the pitch beam and adjusts the pitch of the at least one rotor blade via the pitch linkage attached at the pitch linkage connection point.

Abstract: An airship includes a ballonet, a ballonet tracking system, and a vehicle management system. The ballonet is disposed within the airship and includes a ballonet surface. The ballonet tracking system includes one or more light emitters disposed within the ballonet at one or more fixed locations and one or more light detectors disposed within the ballonet at the one or more fixed locations. The ballonet tracking system measures a plurality of distances between one or more fixed locations and one or more locations on the ballonet surface. The ballonet tracking system also calculates differences between a predetermined set of expected distances and the plurality of measured distances. Based on the calculated differences, the ballonet tracking system calculates a volume of the ballonet. The vehicle management system is communicatively coupled to the ballonet tracking system and controls the operation of the airship using the calculated volume of the ballonet.

Abstract: A system for determining airborne light detection and ranging (lidar) installation angles includes an airborne platform, a light detection and ranging (lidar) apparatus, a navigation system and a processor. The airborne platform performs a calibration flight in an orbit. The lidar apparatus is installed on the airborne platform for wind-velocity measurement. The navigation system is on board the airborne platform and measures motion data associated with movements of the airborne platform and generates a navigation signal. The processor determines in real time one or more installation angles of the lidar apparatus on the airborne platform to improve accuracy of the wind-velocity measurement.

Abstract: An apparatus for precision shaving is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an endmill cutter, a base frame, and a motor adjacent to the base frame and having a shaft on one end. A coupler is positioned between the shaft and the endmill cutter. A positioning slide is housed within the base frame and a coupler frame and a first gear are fastened to the positioning slide. A second gear is adjacent to the first gear, the second gear having a set of first teeth and a set of second teeth positioned opposite the set of first teeth. The set of first teeth and the set of second teeth are separated by a gap.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) device including one or more insulating layers and one or more conducting layers arranged to form a layer stack; and one or more blind holes disposed along a side edge of the layer stack and parallel to a plane of the layer stack. Each of the one or more blind holes along the side edge of the layer stack is configured to receive a pin. Each pin can make an electrical connection with a corresponding blind hole.

Abstract: A technique relates to route planning. Points associated with a start location and a destination location are received. It is determined whether the points comprise one or more hard points, one or more soft points, or both. At least one obstruction to avoid is determined. A route is autonomously generated comprising the points and segments associated with the points, the segments comprising rhumb lines, great-circle arcs, or both. Responsive to the points comprising the one or more soft points, the at least one obstruction is avoided by permitting a distance associated with the one or more soft points to be reached and adding at least one free waypoint. Responsive to the points comprising the one or more hard points, the at least one obstruction is avoided by requiring the one or more hard points to be reached and adding the at least one free waypoint.

Abstract: A rover can include a spherical shall and an avionics hub. The spherical shell defines a spherical volume and having an inner surface and an outer surface. The avionics hub is disposed within the spherical volume. The avionics hub includes an avionics shell, a data acquisition unit, and a plurality of motortrain assemblies. The avionics shell is disposed with the spherical volume of the spherical shell. The data acquisition unit is disposed within the avionics shell. Each motortrain assembly includes a motorized wheel extending at least partially through the avionics shell and in contact with the inner surface of the spherical shell, the plurality of motortrain assemblies configured to rotate the spherical shell relative to the avionics shell to move the rover.

Abstract: A reflector antenna includes a reflector, a feed, and a beamforming network. The feed is spaced apart at a focal distance from the reflector. The feed includes an array of dual linear polarized elements. The beamforming network is operatively coupled to the feed. The beamforming network is configured to generate a Sigma pattern and a Delta pattern in a plane orthogonal to the reflector plane of symmetry.

Abstract: Provided herein are various improvements to communication systems and satellite-carried communications. In one example, a method provides communication coverage for at least an endpoint device within a cell. The method includes detecting access preamble communications transferred by the endpoint device during a random access slot of a base station by at least applying a selected quantity of successive sets of processing windows in accordance with a round-trip minimum communication delay expected between the base station and the cell, with each of the successive sets shifted in time by a selected duration.

Abstract: A diverting system is proposed for diverting boxes from normal production flow. One embodiment comprises a diverter with a diverter surface, a diverter cam in contact with the diverter, a diverter cam shaft connected to the top diverter cam such that rotation of the diverter cam shaft causes rotation of the diverter cam, and an electric motor connected to the diverter cam shaft and configured to rotate the diverter cam shaft. The diverter cam is configured to control position of the diverter as the diverter cam rotates such that rotation of the diverter cam causes the diverter surface to move from a position above normal production flow to a diverting position within the normal production flow.