Abstract: A rotatable capsule for a fiber optic rotary joint and a method of using thereof is disclosed. The rotatable capsule may have a housing with one or more sections, where inside the housing there may exist multiple chambers. The rotatable capsule may be designed to be submerged under water and withstand high pressure loads during operation. A first chamber may be designed to support one or more shaft seals between a rotatable shaft and the housing of the capsule by equalizing the pressure of the outside environment with the usage of a high viscosity liquid fluid that is non-conductive and non-compressible. At least one other chamber may be designed to hold different portions of the fiber optic rotary joint and be sealed from the first chamber to provide a second level of sealing.

Abstract: A fluid rotary joint assembly capable of high rotational speed exceeding a maximum rotational speed of a single rotary joint is disclosed herein. For example, the fluid rotary joint may be capable of exceeding rotational speeds greater than 1500 RPM. The fluid rotary joint assembly may have several single-stage fluid rotary joints and multiple gear devices wherein a relative speed between the first and second rotary parts of each single stage fluid rotary joint does not exceed a maximum rotary speed (e.g., 500 rpm). The fluid rotary joint assembly incorporates speed reduction within each stage through the gear device. By controlling the relative speed between the first and second parts of each of the fluid rotary joints to be less than or equal to a maximum allowable rotational speed (e.g., less than or equal to 500 RPM), the fluid rotary joint assembly provides for reliable operation at high rotational speeds between the first stage and the last stage.

Abstract: The current invention is regarding an electrical slip ring system for high speed applications, which require slip rings to operate at speeds more than 60,000 RPM. It consists of multiple single stage slip rings and multiple gear devices, where all the stators, except the last one, are rotational. The speed limit on the slip ring market, by using the advanced fiber brush bundles, is about 10,000 RPM without cooling, or lubricating. The basic idea is that by designing gears, we can always can make sure the relative speed between the rotor and the stator in each stage is <=10000 rpm.

Abstract: The current disclosure is regarding an electrical slip ring assembly that transmit signals, data, and power across rotary platforms, especially for high frequency applications. The high frequency slip ring assembly with through bore may include a first stage slip ring, a second stage slip ring, a gear assembly, and an internal cable assembly. Rings may have an angled notch on a circumference to break said rings and have the same diameter. The first stage slip ring and second stage slip ring may be connected in series sequence, i.e., the stator in first stage slip ring is mechanically connected with the rotor in second stage slip ring. The internal cable assembly electrically connects the brush assembly in first stage slip ring with the ring assembly in said second stage slip ring in each channel respectively.

Abstract: The current disclosure shows a fiber optic slip ring with through bore, or an off-axis fiber optic rotary joint to provide transmission of optic data between mechanically rotational interface with a through bore. Said fiber optic slip ring with through bore may include a ring assembly and a brush block assembly within a rotor and a stator. Said ring assembly may include a ring, a ring holder and a fiber. Said brush block assembly may include a fiber brush, a brush block, an optic index matching fluid, and shaft seals. Said ring may be a donut-shaped waveguide with flat surface on one side. Said fiber brush may have an angled-surface, which is fully contacted with said flat surface on said ring at any time so that during the rotation of said rotor, the optic signal can be transmitted between said fiber and said fiber brush in either direction.

Abstract: A system of soft contacting rotational interfaces with long service life, maintenance free, and high reliability, comprises a RF rotary joint and a single channel fiber optic rotary coupler and more particularly, a system having a plurality of conductive fiber brush bundles, a fiber optical wire and a coaxial conductor for transferring RF and optical signal(s) concurrently between relatively rotatable objects.

Abstract: The current invention is to disclose a de-rotating mechanism for off-axis fiber optic rotary joints. Dove prism is a de-rotating mechanism and is widely used for on-axis fiber optic rotary joints. But optic de-rotating mechanism is not available when there is a through bore along the rotational axis and optical light paths would not be allowed to path through the central area along the rotational axis. The hollow de-rotating mechanism in the current invention mainly includes a plural of fiber optic collimator patch cords, which are elaborately arranged on the circumference of said de-rotating mechanism following a special rule. The current invention eliminates the photodiodes in most prior published patents and make it possible to build a true passive, bi-directional fiber optic rotary joint without the limitation to the through bore diameters.

Abstract: The current invention, by using a plurality of conductive fiber brush bundles and a coaxial line to transfer RF signal(s) between relatively rotatable objects, creates easy-maintenance, long duration a RF rotary joint with soft contacting rotational interfaces. It consists of a stationary shield conductor assembly, a stationary core conductor assembly, a rotational shield conductor assembly with a tapered round head, a rotational core conductor assembly with a tapered round head, and rotational and stationary insulating assemblies with a central bore. Both stationary and rotational shield conductor assemblies having a conductive fiber brush bundle, which further containing a plurality of hair-thin conductive filaments to form a symmetrical flexible tube.

Abstract: The multiple channel fiber optic rotary joint of this invention can transmit an increased number of optical signals simultaneously through the de-rotating mechanism without increasing the size of the de-rotating mechanism. It also allows for the recapturing of the signals with relative ease. This is accomplished through the use of an optical condenser and/or an optical expander that reduces or expands the overall all beam structure without significantly altering the relative structure. The expanders and condensers are inverse structures in that if an optical signal is condensed when passing from right to light through the condenser it is expanded when passing left to right through the same condenser.

Abstract: The current invention is regarding a slip ring for transmitting high speed electrical signal across a rotating interface, especially for transmitting Ethernet data. It consists of sandwich assembly with multiple conducting plates individually sandwiched by multiple insulating spacers and a brush block assembly with multiple conducting brushes. The input Ethernet cable is attached on said sandwich assembly and the wires from input cable can be individually soldered into the central hole of each conducting plate (The wires are always off-centered in prior art). The output Ethernet cable is soldered on said brush block. Said brush block assembly and said sandwich assembly are rotatable relative to each other through bearings to form a rotational interface. As a result, high speed electrical signal can be transmitted across the rotating interface without suffering from phase shift and data distortion as in prior arts due to unequal path lengths.

Abstract: The multiple channel fiber optic rotary joint of this invention can transmit an increased number of optical signals simultaneously through the de-rotating mechanism without increasing the size of the de-rotating mechanism. It also allows for the recapturing of the signals with relative ease. This is accomplished through the use of an optical condenser and/or an optical expander that reduces or expands the overall all beam structure without significantly altering the relative structure. The expanders and condensers are inverse structures in that if an optical signal is condensed when passing from right to light through the condenser it is expanded when passing left to right through the same condenser.

Abstract: The invention aims to transfer a substantial volume of high-quality, high-volume real-time data, which currently cannot be achieved by wireless techniques, between a mobile airborne observation platform and the ground station via a tethered fiber connection between said platform and said ground station.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lighter-than-air vehicle and a method to replenish hydrogen into the vehicle while the vehicle is in the sky. The lighter-than-air vehicle can use helium or other gases that doesn't react with hydrogen as lifting gas. Hydrogen will be replenished into the lighter-than-air vehicle while it is still in mid-air. The lighter-than-air vehicles can comprise an aerostat, a hydrogen generator; a water tank and a duct. The present invention can also comprise an aerostat, a compartment, hydrogen generator, a water tank; and a duct. The present invention can also comprise an aerostat, a compartment, and a hydrogen storage alloy device. The present invention can also comprise an aerostat and a hydrogen storage alloy device.

Abstract: A low insertion loss, low back reflection fiber optic rotary joint with increased data throughput capabilities has been invented. This is accomplished by using a dispersion free prism with optical coatings to minimize the amount of back reflection caused by the optical beam passing through the prism-air interface.

Abstract: A low insertion loss, low back reflection fiber optic rotary joint with increased data throughput capabilities has been invented. This is accomplished by using a dispersion free prism with optical coatings to minimize the amount of back reflection caused by the optical beam passing through the prism-air interface.

Abstract: A method for enabling the transmission of power between two mutually rotating members without the use of wires or heavy inductive bundles has been invented in which the electrical signal is first converted an electro-magnetic wave, such as an optical or infrared beam, then transmit across the rotational interface using a fiber optic rotation joint, or similar device, and then finally converting that beam back into electrical power.

Abstract: A multi-pin connector with a small envelop and low insertion loss capable of operating while submerged is described within. This configuration avoids the tolerance stack up troubles that has plagued other similar designs thereby allowing it to achieve a low insertion loss without the typical cost drivers of tighter tolerances. In addition this invention incorporates as relatively simple method of tuning each pair of connectors thereby further reducing the insertion loss for each matched pair.

Abstract: A pressure module and two polishing fixture modules are herein disclosed for fiber optic polisher, or polishing machine. Said pressure module further includes an adjustable spring between a top turntable and a bottom turntable, which are kinematically connected and driven by at least three pair of drive-pins and drive-bushes. Said pressure module is able to apply an adjustable pressure from bottom of the polishing fixture module. So the Fixture Module could not be floating in the pressure direction and maintain stationary when polishing machine is working. Two different quick-release mechanisms for a flexure polishing fixture module were invented for holding and releasing fiber ferrules or connectors during the polishing process controlled by sets of magnets. It's easy to work, and to protect the fixture flexure from the un-proper torque applied by different operators. The current invention is an improvement over our previous invention.

Abstract: The present invention is a limited rotation Fiber Optic Rotary Joint (FORJ) of one or more optical channels. This will enable one or more optical signals to pass across a rotational interface for a fixed number of rotations. For many applications, such as a winch or certain robotic joints, an unlimited number of rotations in either direction is unnecessary. For these types of applications a limited rotation FORJ is an attractive option because they typically have lower loss, are less complex, and have higher reliability.

Abstract: The present invention is a limited rotation through-bore optical slip ring. This will enable one or more optical signals to pass across a rotational interface while leaving a center bore free. The present invention is passive, unlike many off axis or through bore optical slip rings and is low loss by nature.