Abstract: An apparatus for measuring biopotential signals comprises a plurality of electrodes embedded or affixed to a wearable worn about the torso of a pregnant subject, enabling the non-invasive acquisition of electrocardiographic signals and the extraction of separate fetal and maternal electrocardiographic signals therefrom. The wearable is stretchable or adjustable to accommodate any maternal body habitus and can advantageously employ dry physiologic electrodes to eliminate the step of skin preparation and provide longer-term monitoring that is also both more convenient and more comfortable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a physiological recording electrode, a method, and apparatus for attaching the physiological electrode to a subject. The physiological electrode comprises a substrate having an upper and a lower surface, and at least one penetrator(s) protruding from the upper surface of the substrate. The penetrator(s) is capable of piercing through the stratum corneum or outer layer of the skin, and transmitting an electric potential from the lower layers of the epidermis through the penetrator(s) which can be measured, or detecting agents from the lower layers of the epidermis primarily the stratum germinativum layer. At least one epidermis stop may be provided resulting in the formation of detritus troughs interposed between adjacent penetrator(s) and epidermis stops. The physiological electrode is attached to a subject by means of the apparatus and method for attaching same. The present invention also includes a method of sensing biopotentials in the skin.

Abstract: A forebody flow control system and more particularly an aircraft or missile flow control system for enhanced maneuverability and stabilization utilizes various types of sensors and various types of activatable flow effectors to maneuver the aircraft or missile with the help of a control system. A method of operating the flow control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods involve using a guided munition (e.g., a mortar round or a grenade) that utilizes deployable flow effectors, activatable flow effectors and/or active flow control devices to extend the range and enhance the precision of traditional unguided munitions without increasing the charge needed for launch. Sensors such as accelerometers, magnetometers, IR sensors, rate gyros, and motor controller sensors feed signals into a controller which then actuates or deploys the flow effectors/flow control devices to achieve the enhanced characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode harness and more particularly to an electrode harness with various features, which enhance the use and performance of the electrode harness. The present invention further relates to a method of taking biopotential measurements. The electrode harness and methods of the present invention allow for use with most applications where biopotential measurements are taken. The electrode harness can be used in ECG (or EKG), EEG, EMG, and other such biopotential measurement applications. Because of the versatility of various embodiments of the present invention, preferably the electrode harness can be adjusted for different applications or for application to various sized and shaped subjects. The electrode harness is further preferably part of a system, which includes either wireless or tethered bridges between the electrode harness and a monitor, and preferably includes various forms of processors for analyzing the biopotential signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a missile or aircraft with a hierarchical, modular, closed-loop flow control system and more particularly to aircraft or missile with a flow control system for enhanced aerodynamic control, maneuverability and stabilization. The present invention further relates to a method of operating the flow control system. Various embodiments of the flow control system of the present invention involve different elements including flow sensors, active flow control device or activatable flow effectors and logic devices with closed loop control architecture. The sensors of these various embodiments are used to estimate or determine flow conditions on the various surfaces of a missile or aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a physiological recording device and, more particularly, to a physiological recording device that can be used without skin preparation or the use of electrolytic gels. The invention is further directed to an encouragement ring which stabilizes and helps situate the physiological recording device on a subject's skin to help provide a better electrical signal, increase surface area, and reduce and minimize noise and artifacts during the process of recording or monitoring a physiological signal. The invention is still further directed to surface features on a surface of the physiological recording device with a size and shape that will not substantially bend or break, which limits the depth of application of the recording device, and/or anchors the recording device during normal application. The invention is even further directed to a method for manufacturing a physiological recording device, and minimizing cost of manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining both pressures and temperatures in a high temperature environment. The present invention also relates to a method of determining temperatures about a pressure-sensing element using a bi-functional heater. In addition, the present invention preferably relates to a pressure sensor with the pressure-sensing element and a heating element both integrated into the sensor's packaging, preferably onto the diaphragm of the pressure sensor, and particularly to such a pressure sensor capable of operating at high or elevated temperatures, and even more particularly to such a pressure sensor wherein the heating element is capable of both heating, at least in part, the pressure-sensing element and monitoring the temperature of the application area. Preferably, the pressure-sensing element is formed from shape memory alloy (SMA) materials that can be used at high or elevated temperatures as a pressure sensor with high sensitivity.

Abstract: A guided munition (e.g., a mortar round or a grenade) utilizes deployable flow effectors, activatable flow effectors and/or active flow control devices to extend the range and enhance the precision of traditional unguided munitions without increasing the charge needed for launch. Sensors such as accelerometers, magnetometers, IR sensors, rate gyros, and motor controller sensors feed signals into a controller which then actuates or deploys the flow effectors/flow control devices to achieve the enhanced characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aircraft, missile, projectile or underwater vehicle with an improved control system, an improved control system and a method of maneuvering an aircraft, missile, projectile or underwater vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to an aircraft, missile, projectile or underwater vehicle with control surfaces that are movable along a track. The present invention further relates to a method of controlling a aircraft, missile, projectile or underwater vehicle using such a control system. One of the technical advantages of the control system on a track (or “tracked control surface”) over other aircraft, missile, projectile or underwater vehicle control systems is that the tracked control surface system enables the aircraft, missile, projectile or underwater vehicle to have an unlimited number of configurations, each configuration being tailored to the specific stability or maneuverability requirements during a specific portion of the flight.

Abstract: The present invention is a sensor interface or network of interfaces that utilizes high-temperature electronics to operate at elevated temperatures for applications that include but are not limited to aircraft and automobile engines, vehicle frames, refineries, nuclear and chemical production plants, and in downhole drilling for petroleum and natural gas. The interface or network provide connectors for a variety of sensors with analog and digital outputs, and can in turn provide data to an automated electronic control system or a monitor. Because the sensor interface may be placed in so-called “hot zones” nearer to the sensors being monitored than other systems that use conventional electronics, the sensor interface can increase noise immunity, increase reliability, decrease cost, reduce weight, and increase space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure sensor comprising multiple flexible diaphragms to which are affixed, within which are embedded, or which themselves constitute part of transducer elements that are connected together electrically, providing greater sensitivity and allowing the diaphragms to be made smaller, thereby increasing burst pressure to operating pressure ratio. This multi-diaphragm pressure sensor can therefore be used to accurately measure small changes in dynamic pressure in a fluid of overall high static pressure, for example, in a flow inventory control system as may be used in a fire suppression system, or for control of nuclear reactor systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to pressure sensors capable of operating at high temperatures. The present invention further relates to a high temperature pressure sensor with an improved gage factor. The present invention still further provides a pressure sensor with a smaller sized diaphragm, which is capable of reading higher pressures. The present invention also provides a method and sensor for detecting strain using shape memory alloys.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining both pressures and temperatures in a high temperature environment. The present invention also relates to a method of determining temperatures about a pressure-sensing element using a bi-functional heater. In addition, the present invention preferably relates to a pressure sensor with the pressure-sensing element and a heating element both integrated into the sensor's packaging, preferably onto the diaphragm of the pressure sensor, and particularly to such a pressure sensor capable of operating at high or elevated temperatures, and even more particularly to such a pressure sensor wherein the heating element is capable of both heating, at least in part, the pressure-sensing element and monitoring the temperature of the application area. Preferably, the pressure-sensing element is formed from shape memory alloy (SMA) materials that can be used at high or elevated temperatures as a pressure sensor with high sensitivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a missile or munition with a hierarchical, modular, closed-loop flow control system, more particularly to aircraft or munition with flow control system for enhanced aerodynamic control, maneuverability and stabilization. The present invention further relates to a method of operating the flow control system. Various embodiments of the flow control system involve elements including flow sensors, active flow control devices or activatable flow effectors, and logic devices with closed loop control architecture. The sensors are used to estimate or determine flow conditions on the surfaces of a missile or munition. The active flow control device or activatable flow effectors create on-demand flow disturbances, preferably micro-disturbances, at different points along the various aerodynamic surfaces of the missile or aircraft to achieve a desired stabilization or maneuverability effect.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device, which can be attached to a subject's skin with an adhesive collar. The device can be a sensor, an actuator or a marker. Preferably, the device is a sensor, and more preferably in the form of a wet or dry electrode sensor, and most preferably, a dry electrode sensor. The invention is used to attach the device to a subject's prepared or unprepared skin so that the device can remain attached to the subject for an extended period of time with minimal skin irritation, breakdown, or re-application, and preferably with no skin irritation, breakdown, or re-application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle with an improved control system and a method for increasing the maneuverability or stability of an aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for increasing the maneuverability or stability of an aircraft, missile, underwater vehicle or projectile through the use of removable control surfaces. The technical advantage of the removable control surface system (or “removable control surface”) over other systems is that the removable control surface system enables the aircraft, missile, underwater vehicle or projectile to have two or more design configurations, each configuration being tailored to the aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle's specific stability or maneuverability requirements during a specific portion of the flight.

Abstract: A method of controlling an aircraft, missile, munition or ground vehicle with plasma actuators, and more particularly of controlling fluid flow across their surfaces or other surfaces which would benefit from such a method, includes the design of an aerodynamic plasma actuator for the purpose of controlling airflow separation over a control surface of a aircraft, missile, or a ground vehicle, and a method of determining a modulation frequency for the plasma actuator for the purpose of fluid flow control over these vehicles. Various embodiments provide steps to increase the efficiency of aircraft, missiles, munitions and ground vehicles. The method of flow control reduces the power requirements of the aircraft, missile, munition and or ground vehicle. These methods also provide alternative aerodynamic control using low-power hingeless plasma actuator devices.

Abstract: A helicopter uses multiple redundant harmonic drive motors on the rotor head to actuate the angle of attack of rotor blades at the rotor blade roots, providing collective control that, in combination with a system for providing cyclic control on the rotor blades, eliminates the need for a swashplate, thereby advantageously reducing the weight and maintenance cost of the helicopter, increasing its reliability, and reducing its vulnerability to ballistic attack.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a physiological recording device, or other types of sensors to detect a biopotential, and more particularly, a physiological recording electrode that can be used without skin preparation or the use of electrolytic gels. The invention is further directed to the configurations of structures on the physiological recording electrode's lower surface. The structures having a length, width, and height, which are capable, at least in part, of transmitting an electric potential from the skin which can be measured. The structures may or may not limit the depth of application, and/or anchor the electrode or other device during normal application, and/or allow for uniform application of the electrode or other device over unprepared skin.