Abstract: Devices and methods for reducing rate bias errors and scale factor errors in a MEMS gyroscope are disclosed. A MEMS actuator device in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention can include at least one substrate including one or more horizontal drive electrodes, and a movable electrode spaced vertically from and adjacent to the one or more horizontal drive electrodes. The horizontal drive electrodes and/or movable electrode can be configured to eliminate or reduce rate bias and scale factor errors resulting from the displacement of the movable electrode in the direction of a sense axis of the device.

Abstract: A heat exchanger with a core, a support structure and a mount. The core is variable in size and has a lower temperature fluid port and a higher temperature fluid port. The mount is positioned between the core and the support structure, adjacent to the higher temperature fluid port. The mount restrains the core relative to the support structure, such that when the core varies in size it does so either away from or towards the mount. The heat exchanger can also include a deformable connector, including a bellows, a flexible hose and a braided metal hose. The deformable connector is positioned in a manner which allows it and lower temperature fluid port to remain in fluid communication as the core varies in size.

Abstract: A system for detecting the eigen frequency of a sensing coil in a fiber optic gyro (FOG) that includes a fiber coupler connected to the light source, an integrated optics chip (IOC) capable of modulating light received from the light source via the fiber coupler, a sensing coil in communication with the IOC, a first modulation generator for imparting a first modulation signal to the light, and a photodetector for receiving light returning from the sensing coil that is representative of a rotation rate of the sensing coil. Along with the foregoing there is provided a second modulation generator for imparting a second, preferably sinusoidal, modulation signal to the light, a high-frequency demodulator in communication with a signal produced, at least indirectly, by the photodector, and a low-frequency demodulator in communication with the high-frequency demodulator.

Abstract: An auxiliary power unit (APU) includes a rotary fuel slinger, and a single-spool, two-stage turbine. The rotary fuel slinger receives a rotational drive force from the turbine, and a supply of fuel from a fuel source. The rotary fuel slinger injects the fuel into a combustor as a continuous “fuel sheet.” As a result, fuel mixing and atomization inside the combustor is improved, which reduces emissions and pattern factor, which in turn increases turbine life.

Abstract: Various conveyor designs suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction and various related link designs are disclosed. The conveyor may include a plurality of the connected links. Each link may have a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport, a conveying surface, and at least one gripping member moveable along at least a portion of length of the link from a first position to a second position. The gripping member when in the first position is disposed below the conveying surface of the link, and the gripping member when in the second position is disposed above the conveying surface of the link for contacting one of the objects to hold the object during transport. Various designs of gripping members and related elements are disclosed, including spring loaded, cam driven, rack and pinion, and overhead designs. Various elements of the disclosed designs may be combined in various ways to form numerous link and conveyor options.

Abstract: Laptop computer carrying case of a generally parallelepiped form for transporting laptop computers of small and oversized dimensions. The carrying/case includes a front panel, a rear panel spaced apart and opposed from the front panel and a pair of side panels attached to the front and rear panels along corresponding side edges of the front and rear panels. A base panel is attached to the front, rear and side panels. A cover flap is attached to the case and is adjustably latched to the case. One or more side straps protect oversized computers from damage.

Abstract: A positioning device without backlash includes a table and at least one gear operatively associated with the table. At least one worm gear is connected to the gear and the gear is driven in a desired direction with a primary motor and a synchronized slave motor. The synchronized slave motor is then reversible to remove the backlash in the positioning device thereby permitting an actual position to correspond with a dialed-in position.

Abstract: A dual fluid pump assembly driven by respective shafts of a dual balancing shaft assembly for an engine of an automotive vehicle. A shaft housing rotatably supports primary and secondary balancing shafts of the dual balancing shaft assembly. The shafts are coupled by a gear train for rotating the primary and secondary balance shafts in opposite directions. Each shaft includes a distal end for supporting and driving a fluid pump. A pump housing is fixedly secured to the shaft housing for enclosing the fluid pump and retaining fluid therebetween. The pumps are disposed adjacent the shaft housing and within a seal formed by the shaft housing and pump housing.

Abstract: A dynamic micro-structured reflector includes a substrate having a generally planar major surface and a plurality of cavities on the planar major surface. Each cavity having at least a first and second sidewalls set at an angle offset from the planar major surface. The first sidewall being a stationary optical face and the second sidewall being a dynamic optical face. The dynamic optical face is deflectable between a first position and a second position. The dynamic optical face in the first position redirects more light back to a light source than the dynamic optical face in the second position. Methods of making a dynamic micro-structured reflector are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand-held laser welding wand includes one or more filler media delivery flow passages. The wand is dimensioned to be grasped with a single hand, thus filler media of various types and forms may be supplied to the weld area on a workpiece using various types of delivery systems and methods, including fully automated, semi-automated, or manually. The filler media may be delivered via the filler media delivery passages or separate from the passages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing submicron sized particles of an organic compound, the solubility of which is greater in a water-miscible first solvent than in a second solvent which is aqueous, the process including the steps of: (i) dissolving the organic compound in the water-miscible first solvent to form a solution, (ii) mixing the solution with the second solvent to define a pre-suspension; and (iii) adding energy to the pre-suspension to form particles having an average effective particle size of 400 nm to 2 microns.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and particulary lsoleucyl-, lysyl-, phenylalanyl- and prolyl-tRNA synthetases from Zea mays, Oryza sativa, Glycine max and Tritium aestivum. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: A system and method for an arc fault detection system for aircraft wiring system is disclosed. Upon detection of arc fault events, the system transmits a signal that may be sent to an existing circuitry of the aircraft electrical system, which disconnects the power to the circuits, thereby extinguishing the arc. The system can be either utilized as a stand-alone system or incorporated into existing products or systems. When an arc event occurs on a power cable, a broadband noise event is similarly induced upon the affected cable. The system first uses a pick-up coil (15) to sense and pick up this broadband signal from the power cable (5) of the wiring system, and then amplifies (17) the signal. The amplified signal is applied to a high-pass filter (20) to only pass frequency components above a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: A measurement system is provided that facilitates the measuring of a shape of a flexible electromagnetic radiation structure. The measurement system includes a plurality of local sensors, a central sensor and a measurement processor. Each of the plurality of local sensors is configured to sense the position of a portion of the flexible electromagnetic radiation structure. The central sensor is configured to determine an overall shape of the flexible electromagnetic radiation structure. The measurement processor provides the ability to combine sensor data from the local sensors and sensor data from the central sensor to provide an accurate measurement of the shape of the flexible electromagnetic radiation structure.

Abstract: Methods for modulating levels of at least one organic sulfur compound in plants are provided. Also provided are plants and seeds produced by the methods. The methods comprise stably transforming a plant with a DNA construct encoding a cystathionine gamma synthase enzyme, a serine acetyl transferase enzyme and/or other sulfur assimilating enzymes capable of altering the level of at least one organic sulfur compound.

Abstract: An insert for a rock bit that includes tungsten carbide particles, and a cobalt binder disposed around the particles, wherein a grain size of the tungsten carbide particles and a content of the cobalt binder are selected to provide a fracture toughness of at least about 18 ksi (in)0.5, a wear number of at least about 2, and a hardness of 85 to 87 Ra is disclosed.

Abstract: Power is provided from one portion of a printer, such as a printer electronics module, to another portion of the printer, such as a printhead. Logic signals produced in a first electronic module of the printer are transmitted to a second electronics module of the printer. A power signal is derived from the logic signals without interfering with the magnitude or duration of logic signals, and the logic power signal is applied to power the second electronic module without having a separate dedicated power line.

Abstract: This invention concerns an epoxy coating for use as a non-skid surface for applications such as the deck of an aircraft carrier. The epoxy coating can be formulated from (a) an amine curing agent, (b) an epoxide-containing toughening agent such as a polysulfide and/or a polythioether, (c) an epoxy resin, (d) a rubber toughening agent, and (e) an optional fire retardant, a glass fiber thixotrope and impact toughening agent, an optional pigment, an optional corrosion inhibitor, an optional moisture penetration inhibitor, an optional ultraviolet light stabilizer, an optional abrasive aggregate, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention move objects throughout two-dimensional space by using a support line that is coupled with both opposing sides of the platform. This line controls the Y-axis motion and Z-axis motion of the platform and is designated the YZ movement line. Displacing a portion of the YZ movement line allows vertical displacement of the platform to be traversed. There is no need for a complex computer control system since the Z-axis displacement is substantially independent of horizontal movement over a coverage area serviced by the platform. A mounting beam for positioning and supporting the Z-axis and Y-axis motors and visual display element(s) and other optional multimedia devices may also be positioned independently of the platform. In addition, since the line is commanded from one point, distantly located motors and electrical cables are not required.