Abstract: A optical target assembly is disclosed herein. The optical target assembly is movable about orthogonal pitch, yaw and roll axes and includes a reflector, a pitch and yaw angular sensor assembly, and a roll sensor assembly. The reflector is configured to engage a source of laser light. The pitch and yaw angular sensor includes a laser light sensor and an angle detection sensor. The pitch and yaw angular sensor assembly is configured to measure 360 degrees of motion about the pitch and the yaw axes. The roll sensor assembly is configured to measure 360 degrees of motion about the roll axis. The reflector can include an aperture configured to permit a portion of laser light incident on the reflector to pass through the reflector and onto the laser light sensor. The roll sensor assembly can include a roll angle sensor and a roll level sensor coupled to a two-dimensional pendulum.

Abstract: Firearm pin retainer plates and pins have a frame defining an internal space, a moving action part defining a bore and connected to the frame within the space, a pivot pin connected to the frame and to the action part such that the action part pivots with respect to the frame, the pivot pin having a cylindrical body portion closely received in the bore and defining a pin axis, the pivot pin having a first flat surface portion, a retention element connected to the frame within the space and having a first retention facility adapted to engage the first flat surface portion to prevent rotation of the pin with respect to the frame. The pin may have a second flat surface portion opposed to the first flat surface portion. The first retention facility may define a slot having opposed edges operable to engage the first and second flat surface portions.

Abstract: A firearm stock with barrel-centering feature has an elongated body defining an elongated receiver channel and an elongated barrel channel, the receiver channel defined in part by a flat floor surface facing in upward direction, the receiver channel defined in part by opposed sidewalls extending above the floor surface, a fastener facility at the rear of the receiver channel operable to connect to the tang of the receiver, and a lateral adjustment facility forward of the fastener facility and operable to secure the receiver in a selected lateral angle of pivot about the fastener facility, such that the barrel is centerable within the barrel channel to avoid the barrel touching the stock. The lateral adjustment facility may include a set screw having an axis parallel to the floor surface of the stock. A pair of set screws opposing each other may secure the action in a selected lateral position.

Abstract: Drum motors for driving a conveyor belt are disclosed. In some embodiments, the drum motors include a shell having a polymer body such as wax-filled cast nylon.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional measuring system is disclosed wherein a laser-based tracking unit communicates with an optical target on a measurement instrument to obtain position and orientation information about the instrument. The optical target incorporates a plurality of encoders configured to provide a full 360° working range in pitch, yaw and roll. Full working range in pitch and yaw is achieved through the use of a pitch/yaw angular encoder. Full 360° working range in roll is achieved with a combination of a level sensor and a 360° angular encoder, which are fixed to a pendulum so that the level sensor is always aligned to gravity. Use of a slip-ring mechanism ensures the unlimited full working range in roll. The measurement instrument includes a scanner integrated with a probe receptacle adapted to accept a probe assembly to provide the instrument with both a scanning measurement and a probe measurement capabilities.

Abstract: A nitride semiconductor structure including a substrate, a cap layer, a nucleation layer, a transition layer and a composite buffer structure is provided. The cap layer is located on the substrate. The nucleation layer is located between the substrate and the cap layer. The transition layer is located between the nucleation layer and the cap layer, wherein the transition layer is an AlxGaN layer. The composite buffer structure is located between the transition layer and the cap layer. The composite buffer structure includes a first composite buffer layer, wherein the first composite buffer layer includes a plurality of first AlyGaN layers and a plurality of first GaN layers alternately stacking with each other, and the x is equal to the y.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are interferometric measurement systems and methods. In one exemplary embodiment an interferometric measuring system for measuring the distance to or displacement of an object includes: a light source; an interferometer with a measuring arm and a reference arm; a dispersive medium; and a detector. The interferometer is disposed between the light source and the object. The dispersive medium is arranged to unbalance the dispersion between the measurement arm and the reference arm. The detector is arranged to detect spectrum interference from the interferometer. In one example, the dispersive medium is a chirped fiber Bragg grating. In another example, the dispersive medium is a highly dispersive optical fiber. In one example, the light source is a broadband light source, and the detector includes a spectrometer. In another example, the light source is a wavelength swept laser, and the detector includes a photodetector or a balanced photodetector.

Abstract: Belt conveyor idler systems for increasing the trough angle of a conveyor belt are disclosed. In some embodiments, wing roll brackets that support the wing rolls increase in length from the front end to the back end of the idler system.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for controlling a catheter with a catheter positioning device by using a remote controller and a guidewire control mechanism that may be used to draw a guidewire through a catheter coupled with the catheter positioning system. As the catheter is advanced over the guidewire by the catheter positioning device, the guidewire control mechanism may draw the guidewire away, such as collecting any slack on the guidewire. In further embodiments, the guidewire control mechanism may match the speed at which the guidewire is drawn to the speed at which the catheter advances and thereby maintain the position of the guidewire relative to the patient.

Abstract: Belt conveyor idler systems for increasing the trough angle of a conveyor belt are disclosed. In some embodiments, wing roll brackets that support the wing rolls increase in length from the front end to the back end of the idler system.

Abstract: Drum motors for driving a conveyor belt are disclosed. In some embodiments, the drum motors include a shell having a polymer body such as wax-filled cast nylon.

Abstract: An interactive target assembly is disclosed and claimed herein wherein the target assembly is meant to provide real-time feedback to a shooter or other remote onlooker. The shooter or other party can visually detect a strike to the target by way of a high powered LED light that is in wired communication with a target control module. The target control module is thereby in wireless communication via a multi-channel receiver with a remote control and an impact detection module. The impact detection module detects an impact to the target, sending a signal to the target control module, which illuminates a light to indicate a strike.

Abstract: A nitride semiconductor structure is provided. The nitride semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a SiC nucleation layer, a composite buffer layer and a nitride semiconductor layer. The SiC nucleation layer is located on the substrate. The composite buffer layer is located on the SiC nucleation layer. The nitride semiconductor layer is located on the composite buffer layer. Besides, the nitride semiconductor structure is an AlN free semiconductor structure.

Abstract: A method for winding can include dereeling a wire from a dereeler onto an object. The method can include rotating the object to wind the wire on the object at an angle offset from perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the object. The method can include an axis of rotation of the rotating object that is non-collinear with the longitudinal axis of the object. The method can include a winding point on the object that remains orthogonally stationary with respect to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A two way roundness device can be configured as a device in which a tool, such as an indicator rotates or as a device in which the part to be measured or cut rotates. This ability to alternate between these two configurations is enabled by a combination of a rotating spindle assembly and a two-axis stage that can be oriented, in use, with the two-axis stage under the spindle assembly or with the two-axis stage on top of the spindle assembly.

Abstract: Wing pulleys that engage a conveyor belt during conveying operations are described. The wing pulley includes a central reinforcing disk that strengthens and stabilizes the pulley.

Abstract: Apparatus for aligning a conveyor belt by engaging the conveyor belt upon misalignment of the conveyor belt during conveying operations.