Abstract: A system to detect obstacles includes a power beam transmission circuit, a power beam reception circuit arranged to receive a power beam from the power beam transmission circuit, an emitter module, and a detector module arranged to distinguish between a first characteristic and a second characteristic. The emitter module includes a first emitter arranged to emit a first signal having the first characteristic, the first signal emitted in proximity to the power beam, and a second emitter arranged to emit a second signal having the second characteristic, the second characteristic different from the first characteristic, the second signal emitted in proximity to the first signal. The detector module includes a first detector arranged to respond to the first signal emitted by the first emitter, wherein the detector module is arranged to determine when an obstacle is in or near a line-of-sight transmission path between the first emitter and the first detector.

Abstract: A generator of phases of a detector integrates at least one elementary machine for interpreting a microcode stored in a register. Each elementary machine includes at least one control input having a logic level change detector. Each elementary machine also includes at least one phase output having a controlled switch, enabling to define the logic level of the phase output, and a controlled inverter enabling to toggle the logic level of the phase output. Further, each elementary machine includes at least one clock signal associated with a counter, and a unit for loading the instructions and the arguments stored in the register, the instructions being coded over 3 bits.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process suitable for constructing a multiple stage air shock. The multiple stage air shock is unique among shocks in that the multiple stage design possesses qualities not available to other shock absorbers. The process includes a means for determining the compressed and extended lengths of the air shock based on the lengths of the parts for each stage. This means refers to one methodology and offers the air shock an extended length that is greater than twice its compressed length, an optimized extended length, and a construction capability based on adding stages. In particular, the extended length-compressed length relationship is a quality inherently unobtainable by current shock absorbers. The process also includes a means of determining the spring rate. This means refers to a second methodology and offers the capability to both set-up the air shock with a relatively linear spring rate and make the relatively linear spring rate more linear.

Abstract: Provided is a brake control apparatus mounted in a vehicle with a plurality of wheels, the brake control apparatus including: a actuator configured to apply a braking torque to the plurality of wheels; and a controller configured to control the actuator to apply a first braking torque to a first wheel of the plurality of wheels, based on a spin of the first wheel being greater than or equal to a target spin, and to control the actuator to apply a second braking torque to the plurality of wheels based on a displacement of a brake pedal of the vehicle while applying the first braking torque to the first wheel, wherein the controller stepwise or linearly increases a braking torque applied to a second wheel of the plurality of wheels up to the second braking torque.

Abstract: A reverse thrust braking system includes an inlet having propeller fan blades that accelerate air coming into the system. A plurality of chambers receive the air accelerated through the inlet by the propeller fan blades. An exit point receives air from at least one of the plurality of chambers and exhausts the air from the system. The exit point exhausts air at an angle to create a reverse thrust.

Abstract: Electro-optical conversion of an input analog signal and optical modulation of the optical signal to provide light of different intensity levels to 2n photodetection sites whose outputs can be encoded as an n-bit digital output value. The sample rate can exceed 10 GHz (rates above 100 GHz are possible) with much greater simplicity of electronic circuitry.

Abstract: An omni-wheel may include a shaft, a plurality of rollers, and a braking device. The plurality of rollers may be circumferentially arranged about the shaft and arranged radially outward from the shaft. The braking device may include a fluid-filled bladder and a plurality of braking pads. The fluid-filled bladder may be circumferentially arranged about the shaft. The plurality of braking pads may be arranged between the fluid-filled bladder and the plurality of rollers. The fluid-filled bladder may expand radially outward when pressurized, displacing the plurality of braking pads radially outward to contact the plurality of rollers, preventing rotation of the rollers.

Abstract: A wireless battery-powered daylight sensor for measuring a total light intensity in a space is operable to transmit wireless signals using a variable transmission rate that is dependent upon the total light intensity in the space. The sensor comprises a photosensitive circuit, a wireless transmitter for transmitting the wireless signals, a controller coupled to the photosensitive circuit and the wireless transmitter, and a battery for powering the photosensitive circuit, the wireless transmitter, and the controller. The photosensitive circuit is operable to generate a light intensity control signal in response to the total light intensity in the space. The controller transmits the wireless signals in response to the light intensity control signal using the variable transmission rate that is dependent upon the total light intensity in the space. The variable transmission rate may be dependent upon an amount of change of the total light intensity in the space.

Abstract: The present application discloses an apparatus configured to measure characteristics of high power beams of laser energy used in material processing. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing having a first compartment and a second compartment separated from each other to reduce the transfer of thermal energy between them. Optical modules having optical sensors configured to measure characteristics of the high power beam are mounted in the first compartment. An optical window operative to allow a significant portion of the beam to propagate therethrough is mounted in an intermediate housing member separating the first and second compartments. A removable and replaceable beam dump configured to absorb most of the high power beam is positioned in the second compartment. The removability/replaceability of the beam dump enables operation of the apparatus without active cooling of the beam dump assembly, simplifying the apparatus and protecting the optical sensors in the first compartment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a light gathering lens that instantaneously corrects for the effect of varying distance between an object and a sensor such as a range finding sensor or LiDAR. Methods of designing these lenses using both traditional lenses and exotic metamaterials and gradient index materials are disclosed, as well as methods of optimizing a design for a given detector type and application. Range-finding systems using these lenses in practice to optically correct for radiometric variation of returned signals received from an object of varying distances are further disclosed. Lenses and range-finding systems suitable for use in a variety of electromagnetic wavelength ranges are disclosed including but not limited to visible, infrared, and millimeter wave regimes.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system includes a first main cylinder with a first main cylinder connection and a first actuating device with a first actuating connection. The first main cylinder connection is in flow-connection to the first actuating connection, and the first actuating device is operable with the first main cylinder. A first brake circuit is provided between a pump and a first wheel cylinder, where the pump in the first brake circuit is operable to generate pressure and move a fluid within the first brake circuit. A first valve device is provided in the first brake circuit where the first valve device is movable between a first configuration in which a flow connection is produced between the pump and the first wheel cylinder, and a second configuration in which a flow connection between the pump and the first wheel cylinder is prevented.

Abstract: An engine mount device includes a housing, a carrier within a cavity in the housing, and a flexure flexibly connecting the carrier to the housing, with a pin disposed in a hole in the carrier to support an engine. A method of providing isolation in the engine mount device includes transmitting a force from the pin into the carrier; mechanically isolating the carrier from the housing via the flexure; and providing, via the flexure, a higher stiffness in one or more radial directions of the hole compared to a stiffness provided in an axial direction of the hole.

Abstract: Described herein is a gas-liquid separating gas exchange device comprising a vent mechanism that services gas exchange between the interior and exterior of a housing, a shelter of the vent mechanism distal from the housing that provides shelter of a distal area around the vent mechanism, an area-encompassing abutment rising distally from the housing and encompassing both the vent mechanism and the shelter and creating a fluid-catchment junction between the shelter and the abutment, and at least one fluid-exchange passageway in the at least one shelter allowing fluid exchange between the distal sheltered area and the abutment into the fluid-catchment junction. The gas-liquid separating gas exchange device may separate gas and liquid by gravity, energy of vibration, air-pressure forces, or a combination thereof and facilitates expulsion of contaminating liquid and debris from the housing.

Abstract: Provided are a light intensity detection circuit, a light intensity detection method and an light intensity detection apparatus. The light intensity detection circuit includes a photoelectric conversion sub-circuit, a source follower sub-circuit, a reset sub-circuit, a read sub-circuit and a sense sub-circuit. The photoelectric conversion sub-circuit generates a corresponding electrical signal according to an incident light signal, and outputs it to a first node; the source follower sub-circuit generates a corresponding voltage signal or current signal according to the electrical signal of the first node and outputs it to a second node; the read sub-circuit reads the voltage signal or current signal of the second node to determine an incident light intensity; the reset sub-circuit provides a voltage at a offset voltage terminal to the first node.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus comprises: multiple distinct sets of photodiodes, wherein each set of photodiodes includes one or more photodiodes, one or more charge sensing units, and a controller. The controller is configured to: transfer charge generated by the one or more photodiodes in response to a different component of incident light to the one or more charge sensing units in order to convert the charge to voltages; perform one or more quantization processes of a plurality of quantization processes corresponding to a plurality of intensity ranges, wherein the one or more quantization processes quantizes the voltages from the one or more charge sensing units to digital values representing components of a pixel of different wavelength ranges; and generate a pixel value based on the at least some of the digital values.

Abstract: A vacuum fluctuation quantum random number generator chip includes a heat sink substrate, a laser fixed to a first end of the heat sink substrate, at least two photoelectric detectors fixed to a second end of the heat sink substrate, and a beam splitter fixed to the heat sink substrate and located between the laser and the at least two photoelectric detectors. Light of the laser propagates through the beam splitter. The at least two photoelectric detectors are respectively positioned at optical path outlets of the beam splitter.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for continuous monitoring and controlling of aircraft braking that can reduce brake wear and aircraft operating costs through the retention of carbon brake powder from the brakes or addition of carbon powder in a device mounted with respect to the brake disk stack. The use of carbon powder reduces brake wear by providing small particles between the brake disks, acting as a buffer between the brake disks when the brake stack is clamped together. Moreover, when carbon powder or small particles are used at application, such use reduces the roughness of the carbon surface and reduces the number of large particles from braking off the carbon surface, thereby reducing brake wear. Adaptive or selective braking may be used in conjunction with carbon powder to further reduce carbon brake wear.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for an electric working vehicle or hybrid working vehicle of the kind having an electric source of power and an alternative source of power, the hydraulic system comprising: one or more hydraulically actuated devices; and a hydraulic pump configured to supply hydraulic fluid to the one or more hydraulically actuated devices; wherein the hydraulic pump is configured to operate in a low output state when a flow of hydraulic fluid is not required by the one or more hydraulically actuated devices; and wherein the hydraulic system is configured to use hydraulic fluid supplied by the hydraulic pump in the low output state for one or more auxiliary functions of the hydraulic system.

Abstract: A linear vibration damper and/or absorber includes a centre shaft (12) having bearing regions (18) and friction contact regions (20), and a housing (2) including finger assemblies (22) which are mounted with a small radial clearance for accurate location on the bearing regions (18) for axial displacement with respect to the centre shaft (12) along a central axis (X), the finger assemblies (22) each including resilient fingers (38) which extend axially from respective body sections (26) and have contact faces (40) which resiliently engage, i.e. are pressed by the resilience of the fingers (40) into contact with, friction surfaces (20) of the contact regions of the centre shaft (12), whereby relative linear displacement between the centre shaft (12) and the housing (2) is opposed by frictional contact between the friction surfaces (20) and the contact faces (40).

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to extend brake life cycle are disclosed herein. An example vehicle disclosed herein includes a brake including a rotor and a brake pad and a brake controller to detect a request to determine a wear level of the brake pad, activate the brake to cause contact between the brake pad and the rotor, and determine, based on a latency between the activation of the brake and the contact between the brake pad and the rotor, the wear level.