Abstract: A heterodyne receiver includes first and second laser sources such as laser diodes which generate optical receiver oscillator (RO) signals having respective RO frequencies. Temperature control circuitry controls a temperature difference between the operating temperatures of the sources such that the RO frequencies differ by a difference frequency corresponding to the temperature difference, the difference frequency being offset from a frequency of a modulated millimeter-wave signal by a predetermined intermediate frequency. An electro-optical nonlinear mixer such as a photodiode receives the optical RO signals and the modulated millimeter-wave signal and generates an electrical intermediate-frequency (IF) signal, which is provided to an electrical amplifier/detector to detect the output signal corresponding to the modulation of the modulated millimeter-wave signal.

Abstract: A turf care device having an implement for performing a turf care function. The turf care device has a module for determining its position relative to the turf. The turf care implement is controlled based upon the position of the turf care device.

Abstract: An auger bit includes a shaft having a central axis, a cutting insert mounted to said shaft, and a feed screw that is separate from the cutting insert and which is mounted to the shaft. The cutting insert and the feed screw are engaged with each other. A single locking member, such as a set screw, secures the feed screw member to the shaft, and thereby secures the cutting insert to the shaft. If the feed screw or the cutting insert become worn, feed screw or the cutting insert can be replaced.

Abstract: A yoke for a rotary wing aircraft rotor system has a plurality of arms, each arm having a root. Each root has a notched portion configured to allow passage of a portion of a blade-pitch control system through the notched portion.

Abstract: A transducer test system for testing accelerometers or velocity transducers includes a signal conditioner and a shaker that can be used in a field environment, for example by an avionics technician at an aircraft. A test transducer and a reference transducer, which is a known-good version of the test transducer, are mounted onto the shaker and electrically connected to the signal conditioner. The technician shakes the two transducers simultaneously by manually shaking the shaker. The signal conditioner receives and compares the signals output from the test and reference transducer in order to determine the operating condition of the test transducer.

Abstract: An aircraft has an armor releasably attached to the body of an aircraft, an actuator connecting the armor to the body of the aircraft, and a control that, upon operation, actuates the actuator to release the armor from the body.

Abstract: A constant-velocity drive system for an aircraft rotor has a gimbal mechanism and a differential torque-combining mechanism. The gimbal mechanism has gimbals driven in rotation by a rotor mast about a mast axis, the gimbals providing for gimballing relative to the mast about gimbal axes generally perpendicular to the mast axis. The differential torque-combining mechanism is connected to the gimbal mechanism and configured to be driven in rotation about the mast axis by the gimbal mechanism. The differential mechanism is capable of gimballing relative to the mast about the gimbal axes, the differential torque-combining mechanism having an output component attached to a yoke of the rotor for driving the yoke in rotation with the differential torque-combining mechanism.

Abstract: A spiral drill bit for forming holes of a variety of sizes has a main body which provides first and second helical grooves. First and second flutes extend along the length of the main body to provide first and second helical groove segments. Cutting segments are provided between the helical groove segments. The method for forming the spiral drill bit includes turning the helical groove segments onto a round stock. An axial clearance and an initial diametral clearance are provided upon turning the helical grooves. A grinding process is used to form a radial clearance and a final diametral clearance. The reduction to the amount of grinding required to form the spiral drill bit results in a reduction to the cost of production and a reduction in the time necessary to produce the spiral drill bit.

Abstract: An explosive device detection system includes sensors and base station that detect and report on suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) or landmine emplacement activity within a geographic area. When disposed within a geographic area, each sensor forms part of a wireless communications network which allows communication among neighboring sensors. As a sensor detects activity in its proximity, such as activity that indicates emplacement of an IED, the sensor transmits a reporting signal through the network to the base station. The neighboring sensors receive and transmit the reporting signal in a sequential manner toward the base station. Because the reporting signal takes multiple hops toward the base station, the sensors do not require large amounts of power to transmit the signal. Furthermore, the detection system allows detection of IED emplacement within the geographic area as the activity occurs.

Abstract: A torque coupling for a rotor head of a rotary-wing aircraft is configured for rotation with a mast and for causing rotation of an attached yoke. The coupling has trunnions that rotate with the mast and extend generally radially. Pad-bearing assemblies each have a central member coupled to one of the trunnions with a laminated spherical bearing and have laminated pad bearings affixed to opposing sides of the central member. The laminated bearings have alternating rigid and elastomeric layers. A bearing mount is affixed to each pad bearing and is connected to a yoke for rotating the yoke with the mast. The pad-bearing assemblies allow for relative motion between each central member and the associated trunnion and between each central member and the bearing mounts through elastic shear deformation, and this allows for gimballing of the attached yoke relative to the mast.

Abstract: A rotor system for a rotorcraft includes a rotor having a plurality of pitch control links and a pair of rotor blades mechanically coupled with each of the plurality of pitch control links. A rotorcraft includes a power train, a mast extending from the power train, a rotor having a plurality of pitch control links, the rotor mechanically coupled with the mast, and a pair of rotor blades mechanically coupled with each of the plurality of pitch control links.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a main rotor helicopter blade for generating higher lift with less drag and delaying stall at high Mach numbers. A cross-section of this blade includes aft camber. The difference between a chord line of the cross-section and a camber line of the cross-section increases from a leading edge of the cross-section to a maximum between a trailing edge of the cross-section and a midpoint of the chord line and decreases to the trailing edge producing the aft camber of the blade. The aft camber generates higher lift with less drag and delays stall at high Mach numbers.

Abstract: A garment and system includes a monitoring fabric comprising a first plurality of reflective yarns knitted or woven with a second plurality of stretchable yarns. The fabric exhibits both a light transmission property and a light reflection property. The amount of light transmitted through the fabric relative to the amount of light reflected by the fabric changes when the fabric stretches in response to motion, such as the motion induced by physiological activity (e.g., heart rate). The system includes at least one source of radiation having wavelength(s) in the range of 400 to 2200 nanometers and at least one detector responsive to such incident radiation. The source and detector are associated with the fabric such that the reception of incident radiation by the detector is directly affected by a change in the amount of light transmitted through the fabric relative to the amount of light reflected by the fabric when the fabric stretches.

Abstract: The invention refers to a headlamp cleaning device comprising at least one nozzle carrier (7) for mounting on a cleaning liquid supply tube (4a, 4b), the nozzle carrier (7) defining at least one cleaning liquid supply conduit (8) for a pressurized cleaning fluid and being provided with at least one cleaning fluid distribution chamber (13), said chamber communicating with said cleaning liquid supply conduit (8) and with at least one spray nozzle (9) mounted on said nozzle carrier (7), wherein said distribution chamber (13) is provided with at least one inlet port (20) which in a non-pressurized state is closed by a fluid valve and wherein said fluid valve is designed as a springless valve (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A system for controlling flight of an aircraft has sensors (37, 43), a receiver (45), and a digital control system (57), all of which are carried aboard the aircraft. The sensors (37, 43) determine the position of the aircraft relative to the earth and the inertial movement of the aircraft. The receiver (45) receives transmitted data (51, 55) communicating the position and movement of a reference vehicle relative to the earth. The control system (57) calculates the position and velocity of the aircraft relative to the reference vehicle using the data from the sensors (37, 43) and the receiver (45) and then commands flight control devices (33) on the aircraft for maneuvering the aircraft in a manner that maintains a selected position and/or velocity relative to the reference vehicle. The system allows use of a graphical or tactile user interfaces.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material. In the process according to the invention preforms in web or band form of plasticized material are shaped in a multi-part tool forming a mold cavity comprising two outer molds and at least one central mold which perform an opening and closing movement relative to each other. The central mold is provided with at least one component holder which can be moved of and into the tool plane defined by the central mold. In a first step the component holder is fitted with at least one insert portion, then the insert portion is placed by means of the component holder against the inside wall of an outer mold.

Abstract: A flight control system is configured for controlling the flight of an aircraft through windshear conditions. The system has means for measuring values of selected flight performance states of the aircraft and a control system for operating flight control devices on the aircraft. A windshear detection system located on the aircraft uses at least some of the measured values of the selected flight performance states to calculate a gust average during flight for comparison to pre-determined values in a table for determining whether windshear conditions exist. The control system then operates at least some of the flight control devices in response to an output of the windshear detection system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for Z-direction reinforcement of composite laminates is disclosed. Discrete fibers (25) are pulled through a fiber composite preform (11) in the Z-direction by needles (27) having bars (29) thereon to insert the Z-direction reinforcement (31) into the composite preform (11) from a discrete fiber mat (23) having discrete fibers (25) therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing hollow bodies from thermoplastic material in which web- or strip-type preforms of plasticised plastics material are shaped in a multi-part tool which forms a mould nest, with two outer moulds and a central mould which perform opening and closing movements with respect to one another. The central mould is provided with at least one device for receiving and manipulating components to be fastened in the interior of the hollow body by means of a material and/or form-fitting joint. Prior to the fastening of the components to the inner wall of the hollow body to be produced, the components are heated by means of a radiant heating device. The radiant heating device is advantageously integrated in the central mould of the tool.