Abstract: Maritime threat-sensing buoys include sensors—such as acoustic, radio frequency, visual, or other sensing devices—that track, identify, or classify hypersonic or underwater threats in real time. Some examples of suitable sensing devices include microphones, radio-frequency (“RF”) detectors (for example, RF antennas), infrared detectors, and machine-vision detectors. The maritime threat-sensing buoys may be deployed using aerial or maritime vessels, and may host payloads, such as threat-sensing mechanisms, batteries to power the threat-sensing mechanisms, solar panels configured to deliver electricity or other energy to the batteries or other devices, and other cargo or contents.

Abstract: A vehicle skin, such as a composite skin for a UAV wing or other vehicle component, is co-cured with an array of solar cells to form a thin, lightweight, integrated skin structure. In one embodiment, an upper surface of the solar-cell array may be substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the composite skin. A coating, such as a spray-on fluorinated polymer coating, is applied to the upper surface of the integrated skin structure to protect the solar cells from the environment or other potentially harmful elements.

Abstract: A system for detecting a living being using electric fields may include sensors configured to generate and receive an electric field. The system may include at least one amplifier connected to at least one electrode of a sensor, a controller to operate the sensors, and a processor connected to the controller. The processor may output a signal representative of the presence or absence of a living being present in the electric fields or representative of a distance between the sensor and the living being. The sensors may be attached to a rigid or flexible substrate forming part of a skin that can be attached to a robot, a vehicle, or another moving or autonomous device to sense the presence of a living being near the device. The device may be configured to stop moving or to move to avoid the living being in the electric field.

Abstract: A casing for a battery assembly may include a first casing portion having a first base portion and a pair of first leg portions extending generally perpendicularly to the first base portion. At least one of the first leg portions may have a flared end. The casing may further include a second casing portion with a second base portion and a pair of second leg portions extending generally perpendicularly to the second base portion. At least one of the second leg portions may have a flat end. The casing portions are attached at a joint including the flat end attached to the flared end. In some embodiments, a battery assembly may include at least one power cell and a casing including a first casing portion and a second casing portion attached together at a joint. The joint may be under tension. The casing applies pressure to the power cell.

Abstract: A vehicle skin, such as a composite skin for a UAV wing or other vehicle component, is co-cured with an array of solar cells to form a thin, lightweight, integrated skin structure. In one embodiment, an upper surface of the solar-cell array may be substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the composite skin. A coating, such as a spray-on fluorinated polymer coating, is applied to the upper surface of the integrated skin structure to protect the solar cells from the environment or other potentially harmful elements.

Abstract: A system for detecting a living being using electric fields may include sensors configured to generate and receive an electric field. The system may include at least one amplifier connected to at least one electrode of a sensor, a controller to operate the sensors, and a processor connected to the controller. The processor may output a signal representative of the presence or absence of a living being present in the electric fields or representative of a distance between the sensor and the living being. The sensors may be attached to a rigid or flexible substrate forming part of a skin that can be attached to a robot, a vehicle, or another moving or autonomous device to sense the presence of a living being near the device. The device may be configured to stop moving or to move to avoid the living being in the electric field.

Abstract: A system for measuring water quality parameters, such as pH, CO2, alkalinity, and so forth, includes sensors or other measuring components integrated onto a circuit board. The circuit board may be contained within a submersible, watertight housing. A spectrophotometer may be located on the circuit board to measure the wavelength and intensity of light transmitted through the water being tested. Sensors for measuring salinity, pressure, temperature, or other properties may also be included on or near the circuit board. A microcontroller for processing these measurements is located on the circuit board. System components used to direct and filter the water, such as certain pumps, filters, and so forth, may be included in the housing off of the circuit board. Integrating the sensors and other measuring components onto a circuit board allows for a compact, low-cost water-quality-measuring system that is capable of making very accurate and precise measurements.

Abstract: A tailgate for a vehicle includes a plurality of modules, which may be interchangeable. The modules may include a removable storage tray, a cutting board, a grill, a refrigeration unit, a television, or speakers. The grill may include a grill base with control elements, at least one flame element, at least one heat spreader positioned over the flame element, and a grill grate positioned over the heat spreader. The tailgate may include removable or rotatable lids to cover the modules. A layer of insulation may be positioned around the grill base. The tailgate may include a funnel and a removable tray to collect debris from the grill.

Abstract: A transportable ground station for a UAV includes a container in which the UAV may be transported and housed. The container includes a wireless or contact-based recharging station that recharges the UAV's batteries or other power sources after the UAV returns from a mission. The recharging station may be directly or indirectly connected to one or more solar panels that generate energy to power the recharging station. The ground station may be deployed virtually anywhere, from any vehicle (e.g., plane, train, boat, truck, etc.), and may operate over an extended period of time without human intervention.

Abstract: A VTOL aircraft includes at least one puller rotor and at least one pusher rotor. The VTOL aircraft, for example, may include three puller rotors and one pusher rotor. The combination of static puller and pusher rotors allows the rotors to remain in a fixed orientation (i.e., no moving mechanical axes are required) relative to the wings and fuselage of the VTOL aircraft, while being able to transition the aircraft from a substantially vertical flight path to a substantially horizontal flight path.

Abstract: A transportable ground station for a UAV includes a container in which the UAV may be transported and housed. The container includes a wireless or contact-based recharging station that recharges the UAV's batteries or other power sources after the UAV returns from a mission. The recharging station may be directly or indirectly connected to one or more solar panels that generate energy to power the recharging station. The ground station may be deployed virtually anywhere, from any vehicle (e.g., plane, train, boat, truck, etc.), and may operate over an extended period of time without human intervention.

Abstract: A VTOL aircraft includes at least one puller rotor and at least one pusher rotor. The VTOL aircraft, for example, may include three puller rotors and one pusher rotor. The combination of static puller and pusher rotors allows the rotors to remain in a fixed orientation (i.e., no moving mechanical axes are required) relative to the wings and fuselage of the VTOL aircraft, while being able to transition the aircraft from a substantially vertical flight path to a substantially horizontal flight path.

Abstract: A transportable ground station for a UAV includes a container in which the UAV may be transported and housed. The container includes a wireless or contact-based recharging station that recharges the UAV's batteries or other power sources after the UAV returns from a mission. The recharging station may be directly or indirectly connected to one or more solar panels that generate energy to power the recharging station. The ground station may be deployed virtually anywhere, from any vehicle (e.g., plane, train, boat, truck, etc.), and may operate over an extended period of time without human intervention.

Abstract: An eyeglass holding device constructed of a cord wherein both terminal ends of the cord are secured to a U-shaped clip. Wherein each U-shaped clip utilizes a canted coil spring attached to the inner portion of the U-shaped clip, which, when a U-shaped clip is secured to each arm of the eyeglasses creates a loop such that the eyeglasses can be secured around the head or neck of a wearer.

Abstract: A transportable ground station for a UAV includes a container in which the UAV may be transported and housed. The container includes a wireless or contact-based recharging station that recharges the UAV's batteries or other power sources after the UAV returns from a mission. The recharging station may be directly or indirectly connected to one or more solar panels that generate energy to power the recharging station. The ground station may be deployed virtually anywhere, from any vehicle (e.g., plane, train, boat, truck, etc.), and may operate over an extended period of time without human intervention.

Abstract: An eyeglass holding device constructed of a cord wherein both terminal ends of the cord are secured to a U-shaped clip. Wherein each U-shaped clip utilizes a canted coil spring attached to the inner portion of the U-shaped clip, which, when a U-shaped clip is secured to each arm of the eyeglasses creates a loop such that the eyeglasses can be secured around the head or neck of a wearer.

Abstract: A VTOL aircraft includes at least one puller rotor and at least one pusher rotor. The VTOL aircraft, for example, may include three puller rotors and one pusher rotor. The combination of static puller and pusher rotors allows the rotors to remain in a fixed orientation (i.e., no moving mechanical axes are required) relative to the wings and fuselage of the VTOL aircraft, while being able to transition the aircraft from a substantially vertical flight path to a substantially horizontal flight path.

Abstract: A method of constructing a solar cell panel is disclosed that includes providing a solar cell that has a front side and a back side, where the front side faces the sun during normal operation, heating a thermoplastic polyimide to at least its reflow temperature, flowing the thermoplastic polyimide onto the back side of the solar cell while heated to at least its reflow temperature, and cooling the thermoplastic polyimide to a temperature below its reflow temperature to bond the thermoplastic polyimide directly to the solar cell. The direct bonding of the thermoplastic polyimide to the solar cell is accomplished without an adhesive such as RTV adhesives. The method may also include bonding a substrate directly to the thermoplastic polyimide opposite the solar cell.

Abstract: A method of constructing a solar cell panel is disclosed that includes providing a solar cell that has a front side and a back side, where the front side faces the sun during normal operation, heating a thermoplastic polyimide to at least its reflow temperature, flowing the thermoplastic polyimide onto the back side of the solar cell while heated to at least its reflow temperature, and cooling the thermoplastic polyimide to a temperature below its reflow temperature to bond the thermoplastic polyimide directly to the solar cell. The direct bonding of the thermoplastic polyimide to the solar cell is accomplished without an adhesive such as RTV adhesives. The method may also include bonding a substrate directly to the thermoplastic polyimide opposite the solar cell.