Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for controlling motion in six degrees of freedom is described. The apparatus includes a support structure, a first pedal and a second pedal. A first set of three independent articulating mechanisms is operatively connected to the support structure and the first pedal. The first set of three independent articulating mechanisms, in combination, enable motion of the first pedal in three control axes corresponding to three discrete degrees of freedom. A second set of three independent articulating mechanisms, operatively connected to the second pedal, enable motion, in combination, in three control axes corresponding to a discrete second set of three degrees of freedom. The apparatus may also include first and second sensors configured to detect the motion of the first and second pedals.

Abstract: A waste handling system includes a urinal and first and second urine storage containers. A distribution system fluidly interconnects the urinal to the first and second urine storage containers. The distribution system includes a switching system that selectively fluidly connects the urinal outlet to at least one of the first and second urinal storage containers in response to an input.

Abstract: A power splitting (or combining) arrangement includes a waveguide having a plurality of output (or input) ports and an input (or output) port configured to receive (or transmit) electromagnetic waves having a frequency in a designated frequency band. Each output (or input) port is configured to electrically couple with an input (or output) terminal of a corresponding one of a plurality of active devices. Each output (or input) port has a respective output impedance associated with the frequency band. The power splitting (or combining) arrangement is configured such that the respective output (or input) impedance of each output (or input) port substantially matches an input (or output) impedance of the corresponding one of the plurality of active devices.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer-implemented method for collaborative management of a plurality of modeling tools is described. The method may include receiving, via a processor, a modeling tool request from a user for a modeling tool configured to operate in a spreadsheet application, determining, via an inventory manager, whether a tool record exists matching the modeling tool request, building, via a tool creation module, a new modeling tool configured to operate in the spreadsheet application responsive to determining that a tool record does not exist, and updating, via the inventory manager, a tool record in an inventory database if a tool record does not exist that matches the modeling tool request.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a double-reflector antenna (1) for use on board a satellite or space platform for data downlink or for telemetry, tracking and command. Said double-reflector antenna (1) comprises a main reflector (11) and a sub-reflector (12) arranged coaxially with, and in front of, one another. Additionally, the double-reflector antenna (1) further comprises a coaxial feeder, that is arranged coaxially with the main reflector (11) and the sub-reflector (12), and that includes inner (14) and outer (13) conductors arranged coaxially with, and spaced apart from, one another. The coaxial feeder is designed to be fed with downlink microwave signals to be transmitted by the double-reflector antenna (1), and to radiate said downlink microwave signals through a feed aperture (15), that is located centrally with respect to the main reflector (11) and that gives onto the sub-reflector (12).

Abstract: A device for consolidating a thermoplastic preform, in particular a carbon fiber thermoplastic preform includes a heating element, e.g., an LED array, for heating the preform and a consolidation element, e.g., a consolidation roller, for exposing the preform to pressure and for cooling the preform. In order to consolidate the preform, the heating element and consolidation element are arranged and movable relative to each other in such a way that the preform can be exposed to pressure and cooled by the consolidation element after heated by means of the heating element.

Abstract: A method for providing spacers on a construction component to be adhered involves applying a planar formation, including passages, on the construction component to be adhered, and inserting a setting liquid in the passages of the planar formation, so that the liquid forms spacer on the construction component to be adhered after setting and peeling off the planar formation. The spacer ensures a predetermined minimum bondline when adhering the construction component.

Abstract: An optocoupler having a transmitter unit and a receiver unit being electrically isolated from each other and optically coupled with each other and integrated into a shared housing. The receiver unit includes an energy source that has a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. The transmitter unit includes at least one first transmitter diode having a first optical wavelength and a second transmitter diode having a second optical wavelength. The first optical wavelength differing from the second optical wavelength by a difference wavelength, and the energy source of the receiving unit including two partial sources. The energy source being designed as a current source or as a voltage source, and the first partial source including a first semiconductor diode, and the second partial source including a second semiconductor diode. Each partial source having multiple semiconductor layers for each partial source being arranged in the shape of a stack.

Abstract: Solar cell stack comprising III-V semiconductor layers, which includes a first subcell having a first band gap and a first lattice constant and which includes a second subcell having a second band gap and a second lattice constant, and which includes an intermediate layer sequence disposed between the two solar cells. The intermediate layer sequence including a first barrier layer and a first tunnel diode and a second barrier layer, and the layers being arranged in the specified order. The tunnel diode includes a degenerate n+ layer having a third lattice constant and a degenerate p+ layer having a fourth lattice constant, the fourth lattice constant being smaller than the third lattice constant, and the first band gap being smaller than the second band gap, and the p+ layer having a different material composition than the n+ layer.

Abstract: A multi-layer heat exchanger includes a fluid layer defined by a first sheet and a second sheet, the fluid layer configured to route a fluid in a predominant flow direction. Also included is a fluid inlet port disposed proximate an inlet end region of the fluid layer, wherein the fluid inlet port is oriented to introduce the fluid into the fluid layer in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predominant flow direction, wherein the inlet end region of the fluid layer comprises a non-linear geometry. Further included is at least one fin segment disposed between the first sheet and the second sheet, wherein the at least one fin segment includes a first plurality of apertures proximate the inlet end region.

Abstract: A solar cell unit having a semiconductor body formed as a solar cell and having a front side and a back side, a carrier with a top side enclosed by at least four edges, a bottom side, and a first contact surface, formed on the top side and connected to the first terminal contact, and a second contact surface, connected to the second terminal contact and spaced apart from the first contact surface, and a secondary optical element. A back side of the semiconductor body is non-positively connected to a part of the top side of the carrier. The secondary optical element guides light to the front side of the semiconductor body and at least parts of the bottom side of the secondary optical element are non-positively connected to the front side of the semiconductor body and/or to the top side of the carrier by a polymer adhesive layer.

Abstract: A product display tray is provided including one or more arms including engagement members. The product display tray can also include a base having one or more tracks receiving the one or more arms, wherein the base is slidable along the one or more arms from a first position to a second position. The product display tray can also include a handle. The product display tray can also include a latch, wherein the latch is operably connected to the handle, wherein the latch has an engaged position and a disengaged position, and wherein the latch is in the engaged position when the base is in the first position and the base is operable to enter the second position when the latch is in the disengaged position.

Abstract: A universal front-facing merchandiser is described having a front rail having a first mating structure and a plurality of integrated pusher and divider assemblies. Each divider assembly includes a second mating structure that corresponds to and mates with the first mating structure to couple the integrated pusher and divider assemblies to the front rail. The mating structures of each pusher and divider assembly and the front rail are movable between a first position where the integrated pusher and divider assembly is coupled to and laterally movable about the front rail and is not removable from the front rail without force being applied to the integrated pusher and divider assembly and a second position where the integrated pusher and divider assembly is secured to the front rail in a desired position in a manner that hinders lateral movement of the integrated pusher and divider assembly.

Abstract: A window covering can be configured as roll-up shade. The window covering can have a plurality of clips that are configured to be moveable from a first position in which the clips engage window covering material and a second position at which the clips do not engage the window covering material. When the clips are in the second position, the window covering material is manually adjustable from between a fully extended position to a retracted position. When the window covering material is moved to a retracted position, the lower portion of the window covering material may be rolled up upon height adjustment to form a roll of the window covering material. After the adjustment of the window covering material, the clips can be moved to their first position to engage the unrolled material to maintain a position of the rolled up material.

Abstract: A Gated CDS Integrator (GCI) may amplify low-level signals without introducing excessive offset and noise. The GCI may also amplify the low level signals with accurate and variable gain. The GCI may include a modulator preceding an amplifier such that offset or noise present in a signal path between the modulator and a demodulator input is translated to a higher out of band frequency, and thereafter reduced by a double sampled discrete time integrator which also reduces thermal noise. The thermal noise may also be reduced by averaging the output of the discrete time integrator.

Abstract: Disclosed is an artificial satellite including one face from the North face and the South face supporting at least one main radiator having an outer face turned towards space and an inner face opposite the outer face. The satellite includes a bearing structure carrying the North face, the South face, the East face and the West face. At least one part of the at least one main radiator protrudes from at least one face from the East face and the West face. The inner face of the at least one protruding part is covered with a high infrared emissivity material. The value of the dimension of the at least one protruding part is between 19% and 50% of the value of the distance between the East and West faces.

Abstract: A satellite network comprises networks nodes including multiple satellites, multiple gateways, additional servers and a mobile vehicle (e.g., an aircraft). All of (or a subset) of the network nodes include switches. The network implements a software defined network that includes a mobility manager as part of the management plane, a network controller as part of the control plane, and the switches on the network nodes as the data plane. In one embodiment, the switches communicate using an Open Flow communications protocol and make routing decisions based on flow tables. The mobility manager communicates with, and manages, the switches via the network controller. The mobility manager proactively generate updates to flow tables based on satellite ephemeris data for the multiple satellites and itinerary data for the aircraft, and pushes the updates to the switches in response to determining that the aircraft needs to be handed off between satellites.

Abstract: A testing arrangement serves for controlling the manufacturing of a fiber reinforced component. The testing arrangement includes an inspection device with a sensor system, with the inspection device being configured to move on and/or above one or more material layer(s) and/or a surface of the component and to examine the material layer(s) or the surface with the sensor system. A device serves for automated manufacturing of a fiber reinforced plastic laminate. The device includes a forming tool, a laying head for automated laying of material layers in the forming tool as well as a testing arrangement.