Abstract: An asymmetrical capacitor module for generating thrust includes two conductive elements of similar but different geometries separated by a dielectric member. Improved embodiments provided in the construction of conductive elements of smaller axial extent include those where the element is formed by an annular wire or a dielectric supported ring. Other embodiments concern the dielectric member and involve changes in the extent and shape thereof.

Abstract: A shaped reflector antenna system for use on a communication satellite that comprises a plurality of shaped reflector antenna configurations. In an exemplary system, a first one of the antenna configurations is a diverged shaped reflector antenna and a second one of the antenna configurations is a converged shaped reflector antenna. Each of the shaped reflector antennas comprise a main reflector, a subreflector, and a feed horn. The feed horn illuminates the subreflector with RF energy in the shape of a feed cone that is reflected to the main reflector. The direction of RF energy propagation emitted by each of the shaped reflector antennas is in a direction that is different from a direction defined by a vector between a predetermined vertex and focal point associated with the respective shaped reflector antenna.

Abstract: A removable shelving unit for use with pop-up campers, flea market vendor tables and certain dormitory furniture. The shelving unit consists of two side arms, which use either a bottom edge or a slot as a stabilizing mechanism for the shelving unit. A plurality of shelves are attached, either directly to the side arms, or to a back attached to the side arms. One of a several securing apparatuses are used to secure the shelving unit to various fixed members in the pop-up camper, on the tables, or furniture. Certain securing apparatuses are for use with the flat surface of a table, a rod or a C-shaped track.

Abstract: A broad-band digital satellite communications system for providing broad-band data services. The system comprises a first spacecraft, generally a geo-stationary earth orbit communications device, and at least one controller having broadband communications capability with the first spacecraft. The system also includes at least one second spacecraft, generally a low earth orbit (LEO) communications device. The second spacecraft comprises ; communications capability with the at least one first spacecraft; low data rate communications capability with a land based system, generally a mobile communications service provider; and broadband communications capability with a mobile user subscriber to the mobile communications service provider.

Abstract: A system for matching nodes of different spatial data sources. The system matches or ties a node from one data source to another data source. The present invention uses a highly accurate exclusion technique for excluding potential corresponding nodes of a second data source. Potential corresponding nodes are selected using node degree comparison, adjacency, fourier descriptor analysis of shapes formed by connecting paths between a node under investigation and a secondary node associated with that node under investigation, an analysis of total length to secondary nodes, an angle analysis to eliminate reflections, a secondary node degree analysis, and a surrounding node correlation coefficient comparison. Using one or more of these techniques in various combinations can result in the selection of a potential corresponding node with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: An electrolytic plating process is provided for electrodepositing a nickel or nickel cobalt alloy which contains at least about 2% to 25% by atomic volume of phosphorous. The process solutions contains nickel and optionally cobalt sulfate, hypophosphorous acid or a salt thereof, boric acid or a salt thereof, a monodentate organic acid or a salt thereof, and a multidentate organic acid or a salt thereof. The pH of the plating bath is from about 3.0 to about 4.5. An electroplating process is also provided which includes electroplating from the bath a nickel or nickel cobalt phosphorous alloy. This process can achieve a deposit with high microyield of at least about 84 kg/mm2 (120 ksi) and a density lower than pure nickel of about 8.0 gm/cc. This process can be used to plate a deposit of essentially zero stress at plating temperatures from ambient to 70° C.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy suitable for high temperature applications, such as heavy duty pistons and other internal combustion applications, having the following composition, by weight percent (wt %): Silicon  11.0-14.0 Copper  5.6-8.0 Iron   0-0.8 Magnesium  0.5-1.5 Nickel 0.05-0.9 Manganese   0-1.0 Titanium 0.05-1.2 Zirconium 0.12-1.2 Vanadium 0.05-1.2 Zinc 0.05-0.9 Strontium 0.001-0.1  Aluminum balance. In this alloy the ratio of silicon:magnesium is 10-25, and the ratio of copper:magnesium is 4-15. After an article is cast from this alloy, the article is treated in a solutionizing step which dissolves unwanted precipitates and reduces any segregation present in the original alloy. After this solutionizing step, the article is quenched, and is then aged at an elevated temperature for maximum strength.

Abstract: Dynamic resource management systems that improve communication over a satellite communication link. The system comprises one or more personal computers coupled by way of a network to a local area network edge device. The local area network edge device communicates by way of a non-processing satellite with a gateway that interfaces to an internet service provider or corporate network. The non-processing satellite implements a bent pipe communications link between the local area network edge device and the gateway. The non-processing (bent pipe) satellite provides a fixed connectivity to an aggregation point on the ground (the gateway). The networking protocol supported by the local area network edge device is an Internet protocol (IP), such as 802.3 Ethernet, universal system bus (USB), or 802.11 Ethernet protocols, for example. Signaling in the system is based on non-asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) protocols.

Abstract: A tool and related method uses an insert for lap splicing two end to end connected tubes to one another. The insert is formed from plurality of members which together are receivable into the internal size and shape of the internal tubular member. The insert can be pulled out of the tubular members once the lap joint is formed. The invention also resides in a tool which locates a flange onto the outside surface at the end of the tubular member to effect registration of it in a flush and perpendicular manner.

Abstract: A thermally activated joining apparatus is provided for reversibly joining piping components of a fluid management system. The joining apparatus includes a thermally activated sealant layers for securing the components together in a leakage free manner. A thermal conductor includes a ring shaped contact portion disposed between the layers for transferring heat from one or more heating elements to the sealant layers. After the seal in place, the components can later be disconnected by supplying heat from the heating element or elements through the thermal conductor to the sealant layers to cause breaking of the seal and thereby enable separation of components.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying permanent markings onto products using a Vacuum Arc Vapor Deposition (VAVD) marker by accelerating atoms or molecules from a vaporization source onto a substrate to form human and/or machine-readable part identification marking that can be detected optically or via a sensing device like x-ray, thermal imagining, ultrasound, magneto-optic, micro-power impulse radar, capacitance, or other similar sensing means. The apparatus includes a housing with a nozzle having a marking end. A chamber having an electrode, a vacuum port and a charge is located within the housing. The charge is activated by the electrode in a vacuum environment and deposited onto a substrate at the marking end of the nozzle. The apparatus may be a hand-held device or be disconnected from the handle and mounted to a robot or fixed station.

Abstract: Method for calibrating the deviation of a received beam in a terminal from its desired position. The received beam reaches a receiving sensor, and an acquisition beam an acquisition sensor of the terminal. The detection range of the acquisition sensor is greater than that of the receiving sensor. A portion of a transmitted beam emitted by the terminal to the partner terminal is guided as an incident beam on the reflecting surface, where it is reflected as an outgoing beam. A portion of the outgoing beam is respectively brought to the acquisition sensor and the receiving sensor. A respective measurement for the acquisition sensor and the receiving sensor is performed at least approximately isochronously; the measured results are compared for determining the deviation of the received beam from its desired position. Also a device for calibrating the deviation of a received beam in a terminal from its desired position.

Abstract: A structural assembly device and method for securing together a pair of surfaces of two fusible materials wherein an electrically conductive thermal element is located between the surfaces which will melt, without substantially degrading, when heated. When the thermal element is heated, it is elevated to a temperature sufficient to melt the first and second elements and then is allowed to cool such that the first and second elements are joined to the thermal element and may be joined to each other as well.

Abstract: A satellite communication system includes a plurality of spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit, where each spacecraft provides a plurality of beams on the surface of the earth, and a plurality of ground stations individual ones of which are located in one of the beams for transmitting uplink signals to one of the spacecraft. Each spacecraft has a plurality of receivers for receiving a plurality of the uplinked signals from ground stations, a frequency translator for translating the received uplink signals to a transmission frequency of a plurality of downlink signals, and a plurality of transmitters for transmitting the plurality of downlink signals within the same beams as the corresponding uplink signals. Each transmitter includes a combiner for combining together a plurality of frequency translated signals and a power amplifier, such as a TWTA, for amplifying the combined plurality of frequency translated signals.

Abstract: A turbojet engine is made from a drum-like portion having a circular blade section extending inwardly therefrom, a support member, and a bearing arranged around a circle having a diameter substantially equal to or greater than the diameter of the blade section. The drum-like portion is rotatably mounted within the support member on the bearing. Instead of a turbine spinning on a shaft, a turbine spinning within a drum is employed.

Abstract: Array fed multiple beam antenna systems and methods for use on an orbiting spacecraft carrying a communication system. The antenna systems include a reflector and a relatively small array feed compared to the reflector. The array feed has feeds (radiators) that illuminate the reflector and that are disposed in a focal plane of the reflector. A power division network excites the radiators of the feeds. The antenna system is capable of very wide scan angle operation and may be used to provide multiple spot beam coverage over the surface of the Earth viewed from a synchronous orbit spacecraft. Phase aberration normally associated with scanning is corrected by adjusting excitation coefficients of each array feed. The spot beams are scanned across a field of regard by controlling the position of each feed in the focal plane and using the appropriate amplitude and phase distribution associated with a particular spot beam (array feed). The amplitude and phase distributions may be fixed or varied during operation.

Abstract: Provided herein is a radio wave receiving apparatus including a signal processing circuit comprising: a means for the Fourier transform in respect of azimuth of an electric field signal outputted from an antenna receiving circuit; a means for the Fourier transform in respect of azimuth of the antenna pattern of an antenna; a means for dividing the Fourier transform signal derived from the electric field signal by the antenna pattern Fourier transform signal; a low-pass filter for subjecting the divided signal to low-pass filtering; a means for extracting exponential function components of the output signal of the low-pass filter; a means for extending the band of the output signal of the low-pass filter beyond the cut-off frequency of the low-pass filter by using the exponential function components; and a means for subjecting the band-extended signal to Fourier inverse transform in respect of azimuth, the signal after the Fourier inverse transform being outputted as a final antenna output.

Abstract: A method of and computer software for minimizing aircraft deviations needed to comply with an en route miles-in-trail spacing requirement imposed during air traffic control operations via establishing a spacing reference geometry, predicting spatial locations of a plurality of aircraft at a predicted time of intersection of a path of a first of said plurality of aircraft with the spacing reference geometry, and determining spacing of each of the plurality of aircraft based on the predicted spatial locations.

Abstract: A method of charging a nickel-hydrogen battery which includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte, after the battery has been subject to discharge is disclosed the method comprising the steps of: (a) subjecting the battery to a high charge rate for a period until the battery temperature increases at least &Dgr;T1 over the local minimum battery temperature; (b) switching the battery charge level to a lower rate of charge than in step (a) for a period until the battery temperature increases at least &Dgr;T2 over the local minimum battery temperature; (c) switching the battery charge level to a much lower rate of charge than step (b) for a period up to about 30 to 60 minutes before the next scheduled eclipse; and thereafter (d) switching the battery to a pulse charge equivalent to the high charge rate of step (a).

Abstract: A process and product providing a High Efficiency Microwave Power Amplifier (HEMPA) which propagates S-Band microwave frequency square waves; utilizing a program simulating FETs at high DC-to-RF efficiencies, which analyses linear elements of selected FETs in a frequency domain, and non-linear elements of the FETs in a time domain, and converts the time domain values into the frequency domain, and performs DC and S-parameter simulated measurements based on predefined data for each FET. Individual FET parameters are extracted and isolated by converting the S-parameters to admittance or impedance parameters to derive FET models for each FET, which the program uses to provide a final output of a HEMPA circuit based on iterative simulations of an amplification circuit utilizing microwave topology and frequencies. Iterative simulations of the amplification circuit analyze output values of a plurality of cascaded stages of the FETs, which are arranged in a push-pull configuration.