Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods of manufacturing a release mechanism, comprising: carburizing a plurality of locking shoes configured to be positioned within a release mechanism intended for use in temperatures that are below 5° C. and cooperatively implemented to withstand forces of at least several hundred thousand pounds, wherein the carburizing comprises exposing the plurality of locking shoes to a carbon-bearing atmosphere and heat treating the plurality of locking shoes while exposed to the carbon-bearing atmosphere; austenitizing the plurality of locking shoes at a temperature of greater than 1400° F. following the carburizing; performing a first tempering the plurality of locking shoes at a first tempering temperature; performing a second tempering of the plurality of locking shoes at a second tempering temperature that is different than the first tempering temperature; and flame hardening one or more surfaces of each of the plurality of locking shoes.

Abstract: A structured media enclosure door assembly includes a base, a door and a support plate. The base includes a frame that is configured to mount directly to a wall. The door includes a frame and a front panel held by the door frame. The door frame is coupled to the base frame. The support plate has first and second opposite surfaces. The support plate is configured to be selectively coupled to the door frame in: (i) a first position with the support plate first surface facing the front panel and the support plate spaced apart from the front panel a first distance; and (ii) a second position with the support plate second surface facing the front panel and the support plate spaced apart from the front panel a second distance that is less than the first distance.

Abstract: An autonomous flapping wing aerial vehicle can have a vehicle body, a pair of flapping wings, tunable wing hinges, and elastic drive mechanisms. The tunable wing hinges can be coupled to the flapping wings. Each wing hinge can be constructed to deliver a force to a respective one of the flapping wings to alter end points of a stroke thereof. The elastic drive mechanisms can rotate the flapping wings about pivot points to produce the strokes of the flapping wings. The elastic drive mechanism can be driven at or near a resonance thereof. Alterations to the strokes of the flapping wings produced by the combined effect of the tunable wing hinges and the elastic drive mechanisms, operating in parallel, can provide steering control of the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: An approach for increasing transmission throughput of a non-linear wireless channel, and efficient decoding of the transmitted signal via a simplified receiver, is provided. A signal reflects a source signal, and includes linear inter-symbol interference based on a faster-than-Nyquist signaling rate and a tight frequency roll-off, and non-linear interference based on high-power amplification for transmission over the wireless channel. The signal is received over a non-linear wireless channel, and is processed via a plurality of decoding iterations. A set of soft information of a current decoding iteration is generated based on a current estimate of the source signal and a final set of soft information from a previous decoding iteration. The current estimate of the source signal is based on an estimate of the linear ISI and the non-linear interference, which is based on the final set of soft information from the previous decoding iteration.

Abstract: A device for transporting freight articles in a ground or rail haul operations comprises a hollow housing including four corner sections, side walls, two center sections defining four openings each disposed between one edge of a center section and an edge of a respective corner section, a bottom portion and a top portion, wherein the two center portions are manufactured from see through or clear material. A door is mounted to selectively open and close a respective opening and swinging outwardly and towards a respective corner portion to selectively open the respective opening. Two channels are provided in the bottom portion, each in open communication with opposite sides of the bottom portion. Four feet or wheels are mounted on the bottom portion. Four receptacles are provided in the top portion, each sized and shaped to receive a foot therewithin.

Abstract: A receive planar phased array antenna on a communications platform is used to estimate a pointing error of the antenna and to orient the antenna boresight towards the transmitter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ACM trajectory include receiving data at a communications receiver; decoding the received data based on a selected MODCOD; monitoring a number of iterations used to decode the data using the selected MODCOD; comparing the number of iterations used to decode the data using the first selected MODCOD to a reference number of iterations; and adjusting a SNR threshold value for the selected MODCOD where the number of iterations used to decode the data using the first selected MODCOD is greater than the reference number of iterations.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide techniques for reducing quantization errors and side lobe levels in phased array antennas. The states of a quantized phase shifter of a phased array antenna may be dithered to achieve a time-averaged value that reduces quantization errors. By rapidly switching between the different states of the quantized phase shifter, a time-average value close to a desired phase state may be achieved with a low resolution phase shifter.

Abstract: A radio frequency waveguide is disclosed. The radio frequency waveguide includes: a dielectric including an exterior input surface, an exterior output surface and other exterior surfaces; and a metal disposed on the other exterior surfaces of the dielectric, wherein the dielectric is voidless and adapted to propagate radio frequency radiation from the exterior input surface to the exterior output surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a removable module (such as a memory card) in engagement with an interface structure of a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB is coupled to a tray, wherein the module is positioned between the PCB and the tray. The tray includes one or more forms configured to receive the module, and prevent the module from moving out of engagement with the interface structure of the PCB. A first form includes a depressed region formed in the tray, wherein the module is fitted within the depressed region. A slot, which extends through the tray, may be located adjacent to the depressed region, wherein an edge of the slot restricts movement of the module. A second form may include a raised lip, which is located adjacent to the module, and restricts movement of the module.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch includes a multicast management module, a storage module, and a recovery module. During operation, the multicast management module represents multicast information from one or more entries of a multicast data structure in a way that the switch can derive its multicast states from the multicast information. The storage module stores the multicast information in a recovery file in a local persistent storage device. If the switch reboots, the recovery module restores the multicast states of the switch from the multicast information in the recovery file.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating skin, such as stretch marks through deep tissue tightening with ultrasound are provided. An exemplary method and system comprise a therapeutic ultrasound system configured for providing ultrasound treatment to a shallow tissue region, such as a region comprising an epidermis, a dermis or a deep dermis. In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, a therapeutic ultrasound system can be configured to achieve depth with a conformal selective deposition of ultrasound energy without damaging an intervening tissue. In addition, a therapeutic ultrasound can also be configured in combination with ultrasound imaging or imaging/monitoring capabilities, either separately configured with imaging, therapy and monitoring systems or any level of integration thereof.

Abstract: A method and system for providing ultrasound treatment to a tissue that contains a lower part of dermis and proximal protrusions of fat lobuli into the dermis. An embodiment delivers ultrasound energy to the region creating a thermal injury and coagulating the proximal protrusions of fat lobuli, thereby eliminating the fat protrusions into the dermis. An embodiment can also include ultrasound imaging configurations using the same or a separate probe before, after or during the treatment. In addition various therapeutic levels of ultrasound can be used to increase the speed at which fat metabolizes. Additionally the mechanical action of ultrasound physically breaks fat cell clusters and stretches the fibrous bonds. Mechanical action will also enhance lymphatic drainage, stimulating the evacuation of fat decay products.

Abstract: A system and method for filtering code blocks to maintain high throughput thru a Forward Error Correcting (FEC) decoder is disclosed. The method includes: monitoring a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) for an incoming link; selecting a rank table including a rank, Modulation and Coding Rate (MODCOD), and a minimum SNR; determining a threshold MODCOD range from the rank table based on the SNR; demodulating an incoming frame; identifying, in the incoming frame, the code blocks and an associated MODCOD for each of the code blocks; selecting a code block from the code blocks when the respective MODCOD for the code block is in the rank table and within the threshold MODCOD range; and decoding the selected code block with the associated MODCOD.

Abstract: A fuel deck for on-board storage and delivery of gaseous fuel for a locomotive. The fuel deck is formed between the engine deck and the trucks of the locomotive. The fuel deck includes a base for riding on the trucks, a ceiling configured to separate the fuel deck from the engine deck, and one or more support structures extending between the base and the ceiling. The support structures are configured to support the load from the engine deck, and separate the base from the ceiling to form a fuel storage compartment that is adapted to store one or more fuel tanks that contain the gaseous fuel. A fuel system including one or more fuel tanks is also provided, where each fuel tank may have more than one inlet/outlet port for enabling faster refilling or distribution of the gaseous fuel, among other considerations.