Abstract: Addition-cured polyimides that contain the reaction product of an aromatic triamine or trianhydride analogue thereof, a reactive end group such as 5-norbornene-2, 3-dicarboxylic acid, ester derivatives of 5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, anhydride derivatives of 5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, or 4-phenylethynylphthalic anhydride, an aromatic diamine, and a dialkyl ester of an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid. The resultant starlike polyimides exhibit lower melt flow viscosity than its linear counterparts, providing for improved processability of the polyimide. Also disclosed are methods for the synthesis of these polyimides as well as composite structures formed using these polyimides.

Abstract: A functionally and structurally modular, parallelogram-shaped spacecraft. The spacecraft includes a plurality of modules joined to one another along an axis of the spacecraft, wherein each module is devoted to a particular function of the spacecraft, and wherein all of the modules have the same cross-sectional size and geometry. The geometry is approximately a parallelogram in a plane normal to the axis of the spacecraft. The functions include power, processing, propulsion, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vapor corrosion cell for a real-time and quantitative measurement of corrosion of conductive materials in atmospheres containing chemically reactive gases and water vapor. Two prototypes are provided. Also provided are various applications of this apparatus in industry.

Abstract: A device for the directional transmission and the directional reception of modulated light waves between geostationary satellites, or respectively geostationary satellites still close to earth, which have been constructed in a particularly weight-saving manner.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for joining the ends of two cylindrical (i.e., pipe-shaped) sections together with a friction stir weld. The apparatus holds the two cylindrical sections together and provides back-side weld support as it makes a friction stir weld around the circumference of the joined ends.

Abstract: An antenna element for circular polarization comprising a ground plane with first to fourth radiation members in the form of helical wires symmetrically arranged around a symmetry axis. The antenna element further comprises a distribution network arranged below the ground plane. Outer lower ends of the radiation members are attached in a supporting manner, electrically conducting, to the ground plane. Upper ends of the radiation members face away from the ground plane and are electrically interconnected.

Abstract: A radio wave source information display apparatus including: a signal processing circuit having a means for performing the Fourier transform with respect to azimuth of an electric field signal outputted from an antenna receiving circuit, a means for performing the Fourier transform with respect to 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 with respect to azimuthal frequency, a means for extracting exponential function components of the output signal of the low-pass filter, and a means for obtaining radio wave source information from the extracted exponential function components; and a display section for displaying radio wave source information obtained at the signal processing circuit.

Abstract: The directional reception of extremely weak light signals without diverting a portion of the signal light into separate detectors for the purpose of obtaining an alignment signal is caused by the arrangement of several detector means (X, Y) which, when unmodulated light is superimposed on them, generate electrical output variables (x1, x2, y1, y2) which, after they have been added in a network (I), result in an information signal which, when it is linked by multiplication with several difference signals (x, y) formed in the network (I), converts them into narrow-band signals, which reproduce an alignment error.

Abstract: An arcade-style racing game is described. The game preferably includes a surface an actuator, a game piece, and a steering mechanism. A racing track may be depicted on the surface. An actuator is preferably adapted to rotate the surface about a central axis on command. The game piece is preferably positioned substantially adjacent to the surface. The steering mechanism is preferably connected to the game piece and it may be adapted to rotate or turn the game piece a predetermined range. With use of the steering mechanism, a game player may position the game piece substantially within the boundaries of the racing track as the surface rotates about the central axis.

Abstract: Microcapsules prepared by encapsulating an aqueous solution of a protein, drug or other bioactive substance inside a semi-permeable membrane by are disclosed. The microcapsules are formed by interfacial coacervation under conditions where the shear forces are limited to 0-100 dynes/cm2 at the interface. By placing the microcapsules in a high osmotic dewatering solution, the protein solution is gradually made saturated and then supersaturated, and the controlled nucleation and crystallization of the protein is achieved. The crystal-filled microcapsules prepared by this method can be conveniently harvested and stored while keeping the encapsulated crystals in essentially pristine condition due to the rugged, protective membrane. Because the membrane components themselves are x-ray transparent, large crystal-containing microcapsules can be individually selected, mounted in x-ray capillary tubes and subjected to high energy x-ray diffraction studies to determine the 3-D structure of the protein molecules.

Abstract: A solar powered vapor compression refrigeration system is made practicable with thermal storage and novel control techniques. In one embodiment, the refrigeration system includes a photovoltaic panel, a variable speed compressor, an insulated enclosure, and a thermal reservoir. The photo voltaic (PV) panel converts sunlight into DC (direct current) electrical power. The DC electrical power drives a compressor that circulates refrigerant through a vapor compression refrigeration loop to extract heat from the insulated enclosure. The thermal reservoir is situated inside the insulated enclosure and includes a phase change material. As heat is extracted from the insulated enclosure, the phase change material is frozen, and thereafter is able to act as a heat sink to maintain the temperature of the insulated enclosure in the absence of sunlight.

Abstract: A synchronized target subsystem for use in an automated docking system for docking a chase vehicle with a target vehicle wherein the chase vehicle is provided with a video camera for feeding digitized frames to an image processing unit which feeds signals to a control circuit. The control circuit turns on the video camera to digitize a background frame which will include the target vehicle. After the camera grabs the background frame the control circuit turns on a light, which is carried by carried on the chase vehicle and aimed at the target vehicle, and signals the video camera to digitize a foreground frame. A light sensing circuit on the target vehicle receives the light from the chase vehicle and connects a power supply to lights on the target vehicle such that when the foreground frame is digitized the Lights on the target vehicle will show in the foreground frame. The image processing unit subtracts the background frame from the foreground frame and provides a docking signal.

Abstract: Methods for a blood pump bearing system within a pump housing to support long-term high-speed rotation of a rotor with an impeller blade having a plurality of individual magnets disposed thereon to provide a small radial air gap between the magnets and a stator of less than 0.025 inches. The bearing system may be mounted within a flow straightener, diffuser, or other pump element to support the shaft of a pump rotor. The bearing system includes a zirconia shaft having a radiused end. The radiused end has a first radius selected to be about three times greater than the radius of the zirconia shaft. The radiused end of the zirconia shaft engages a flat sapphire endstone. Due to the relative hardness of these materials a flat is quickly produced during break-in on the zirconia radiused end of precisely the size necessary to support thrust loads whereupon wear substantially ceases.

Abstract: A block adaptive quantization device processes blocks of input data samples to determine an aggregate or average value which is applied to each of a number of exponent look-up tables to derive an exponent value dependent on the extent of compression required. The exponent value is split by an exponent splitter into a remainder value and a shift value. The remainder value is used to select one of a number of divide look-up tables to which the unsigned data sample is applied, and the shift value is used to apply a variable bit shift to the data sample. Each divide look-up table comprises the same group of divide look-up tables. The combination of the four look-up tables in the group, together with the variable bit shift defines a series of code tables made up of a group of divide look-up tables repeated at six dB intervals. The remainder value selects one of the code tables within the group, and the bit shift operation determines the selected one of the repeated groups.

Abstract: Lightwaves (1), which carry data signals and beacon light, are used for establishing a connection between a receiver and a transmitter located remote from the former. An acquisition sensor (171) is provided for acquiring the lightwaves (1) in the receiver, which generates acquisition sensor signals (Sc) from the receives lightwaves. The lightwaves (1), which are conducted over a telescope (2) and a beam splitter (R4), are fed to the acquisition sensor (171) as well as to a scanning device (5). Besides useful signals (Sa, Sb), an additional signal (Sw, Sm′, Sm) is obtained with the aid of the scanning device (5), which is used for making the acquisition easier.

Abstract: An airdata estimation and evaluation system and method, including a stable algorithm for estimating airdata from nonintrusive surface pressure measurements. The airdata estimation and evaluation system is preferably implemented in a flush airdata sensing (FADS) system. The system and method of the present invention take a flow model equation and transform it into a triples formulation equation. The triples formulation equation eliminates the pressure related states from the flow model equation by strategically taking the differences of three surface pressures, known as triples. This triples formulation equation is then used to accurately estimate and compute vital airdata from nonintrusive surface pressure measurements.

Abstract: Satellite control data in the form of state vectors and state vector products are generated representing the position and geometric relationships of the space craft to the Earth, sun, moon, and specific locations on the Earth. These data is used to control attitude, SADA steering, antenna pointing, momentum upload, and Earth sensor intrusion. An onboard orbit propagator predicts the data and integrates the data into the various control systems for the respective function.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling two objects relatively moveable with respect to each other. A plurality of receivers are provided for detecting a distinctive microwave signal from each of the objects and measuring the phase thereof with respect to a reference signal. The measured phase signal is used to determine a distance between each of the objects and each of the plurality of receivers. Control signals produced in response to the relative distances are used to control the position of the two objects.

Abstract: In a first variation, the novel optical unit (10) comprises several optical elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5), and an integrally produced support structure (12) with element supports (16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5) for each of the optical elements (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5). At least one of the element supports (16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5) is formed by a simply connected body, i.e. a linear support (16.4) or a plate (16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.5), or shell. The dimensions of this element support are matched to the optical element (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5), wherein at least a portion of the element supports (16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5) is partially free along their rim. In a second variation the optical unit (10) comprises at least one optical element (14) and an integrally produced element support (16) made of the same material, preferably Zerodur®. The optical element (14) is preferably fastened directly on the element support (16) by gluing.

Abstract: A miniature, multi-channel, electronically scanned pressure measuring device uses electrostatically bonded silicon dies in a multi-element array. These dies are bonded at specific sites on a glass, pre-patterned substrate. Thermal data is multiplexed and recorded on each individual pressure measuring diaphragm. The device functions in a cryogenic environment without the need of heaters to keep the sensor at constant temperatures.