Abstract: A deformable mirror is provided that can include a mirror assembly having a reflective face sheet with a reflective surface on a front side of the reflective face sheet. The mirror assembly can also comprise one or more ferrous materials positioned within and making up or forming, in part, the mirror assembly. The deformable mirror can also include one or more electromagnets operable to generate a magnetic field that acts on the ferrous materials to deform the reflective face sheet.

Abstract: A tuned mass absorber assembly comprises a mass structure, and a flexure system comprising first and second flexure sections (e.g., cross bar flexures) supported by, and extending in opposing directions from, the mass structure. The flexure system can comprise flexure section mounts situated at distal ends of the first and second flexure sections, respectively, and that are operable to mount the tuned mass absorber assembly to a structure subject to induced vibrations therein. A mass of the mass structure and a stiffness of the flexure system can be tuned to attenuate vibrations at a specific input frequency generated in response to induced vibrations of the structure. A system can comprise a vibration isolator attached to a chassis (e.g., of an airplane), and supporting a payload (sensors(s)) and isolating the payload from vibrations. A tuned mass absorber assembly can be mounted to the vibration isolator for attenuating vibrations at a specific input frequency that may affect the payload.

Abstract: A deformable mirror is provided that can include a mirror assembly having a reflective face sheet with a reflective surface on a front side of the reflective face sheet. The mirror assembly can also comprise one or more ferrous materials positioned within and making up or forming, in part, the mirror assembly. The deformable mirror can also include one or more electromagnets operable to generate a magnetic field that acts on the ferrous materials to deform the reflective face sheet.

Abstract: A deformable mirror can include a reservoir containing a ferrofluid. The deformable mirror can also include a reflective face sheet covering a front side of the reservoir such that a back side of the reflective face sheet is exposed to the ferrofluid. The reflective face sheet can have a reflective surface on a front side of the reflective face sheet opposite the back side. The reflective face sheet can have a non-uniform thickness between the front and back sides of the reflective face sheet to provide stiffness for the reflective face sheet. In addition, the deformable mirror can include one or more electromagnets operable to generate a magnetic field that acts on the ferrofluid to deform the reflective face sheet. A deformable mirror system can further include a control system operably coupled to the one or more electromagnets to control the magnetic field and thereby a deformation of the reflective face sheet.

Abstract: A thermal insulating structure comprising a top, a bottom, first and second sides, a thermal insulating material, and a first transverse member is contemplated. The thermal insulating material is disposed between the first and second sides. The first transverse member comprises a plurality of apertures, which thereby provides less material of the transverse member for heat transfer compared to an identical transverse member with no apertures. Thus, the path for heat transfer through the first transverse member is restricted and the effect of an undesirable “hot spot” is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A tuned mass absorber assembly comprises a mass structure, and a flexure system comprising first and second flexure sections (e.g., cross bar flexures) supported by, and extending in opposing directions from, the mass structure. The flexure system can comprise flexure section mounts situated at distal ends of the first and second flexure sections, respectively, and that are operable to mount the tuned mass absorber assembly to a structure subject to induced vibrations therein. A mass of the mass structure and a stiffness of the flexure system can be tuned to attenuate vibrations at a specific input frequency generated in response to induced vibrations of the structure. A system can comprise a vibration isolator attached to a chassis (e.g., of an airplane), and supporting a payload (sensors(s)) and isolating the payload from vibrations. A tuned mass absorber assembly can be mounted to the vibration isolator for attenuating vibrations at a specific input frequency that may affect the payload.

Abstract: A tuned mass absorber assembly comprises a mass structure, and a flexure system comprising first and second flexure sections (e.g., cross bar flexures) supported by, and extending in opposing directions from, the mass structure. The flexure system can comprise flexure section mounts situated at distal ends of the first and second flexure sections, respectively, and that are operable to mount the tuned mass absorber assembly to a structure subject to induced vibrations therein. A mass of the mass structure and a stiffness of the flexure system can be tuned to attenuate vibrations at a specific input frequency generated in response to induced vibrations of the structure. A system can comprise a vibration isolator attached to a chassis (e.g., of an airplane), and supporting a payload (sensors(s)) and isolating the payload from vibrations. A tuned mass absorber assembly can be mounted to the vibration isolator for attenuating vibrations at a specific input frequency that may affect the payload.

Abstract: A deformable mirror can include a reservoir containing a ferrofluid. The deformable mirror can also include a reflective face sheet covering a front side of the reservoir such that a back side of the reflective face sheet is exposed to the ferrofluid. The reflective face sheet can have a reflective surface on a front side of the reflective face sheet opposite the back side. The reflective face sheet can have a non-uniform thickness between the front and back sides of the reflective face sheet to provide stiffness for the reflective face sheet. In addition, the deformable mirror can include one or more electromagnets operable to generate a magnetic field that acts on the ferrofluid to deform the reflective face sheet. A deformable mirror system can further include a control system operably coupled to the one or more electromagnets to control the magnetic field and thereby a deformation of the reflective face sheet.

Abstract: A light field panorama system in which a user holding a mobile device performs a gesture to capture images of a scene from different positions. Additional information, for example position and orientation information, may also be captured. The images and information may be processed to determine metadata including the relative positions of the images and depth information for the images. The images and metadata may be stored as a light field panorama. The light field panorama may be processed by a rendering engine to render different 3D views of the scene to allow a viewer to explore the scene from different positions and angles with six degrees of freedom. Using a rendering and viewing system such as a mobile device or head-mounted display, the viewer may see behind or over objects in the scene, zoom in or out on the scene, or view different parts of the scene.

Abstract: A radial expansion system for a fastener is disclosed. The radial expansion system can include a plurality of wedge guides. Each wedge guide can have at least one guide surface. The plurality of wedge guides can be operable to be movably arranged along an axis with the guide surfaces of adjacent wedge guides opposing one another. The radial expansion system can also include a plurality of expansion wedges. Each expansion wedge can have wedge surfaces configured to slidingly interface with the at least one guide surface. Each expansion wedge can also have a clamp surface operable to interface with an interior portion of a first component. The plurality of expansion wedges can be operable to be disposed between adjacent wedge guides such that the wedge surfaces interface with the opposing guide surfaces.

Abstract: A tuned mass absorber assembly comprises a mass structure, and a flexure system comprising first and second flexure sections (e.g., cross bar flexures) supported by, and extending in opposing directions from, the mass structure. The flexure system can comprise flexure section mounts situated at distal ends of the first and second flexure sections, respectively, and that are operable to mount the tuned mass absorber assembly to a structure subject to induced vibrations therein. A mass of the mass structure and a stiffness of the flexure system can be tuned to attenuate vibrations at a specific input frequency generated in response to induced vibrations of the structure. A system can comprise a vibration isolator attached to a chassis (e.g., of an airplane), and supporting a payload (sensors(s)) and isolating the payload from vibrations. A tuned mass absorber assembly can be mounted to the vibration isolator for attenuating vibrations at a specific input frequency that may affect the payload.

Abstract: A light field panorama system in which a user holding a mobile device performs a gesture to capture images of a scene from different positions. Additional information, for example position and orientation information, may also be captured. The images and information may be processed to determine metadata including the relative positions of the images and depth information for the images. The images and metadata may be stored as a light field panorama. The light field panorama may be processed by a rendering engine to render different 3D views of the scene to allow a viewer to explore the scene from different positions and angles with six degrees of freedom. Using a rendering and viewing system such as a mobile device or head-mounted display, the viewer may see behind or over objects in the scene, zoom in or out on the scene, or view different parts of the scene.

Abstract: A shock-resisting device includes a snubber that may be selectively moved from a retracted position to an engaged position to selectively create a stiff attachment between a vibration-isolated gimbal of the device, and an outer shell of the device. The gimbal is movable relative to the outer shell. The snubber includes a retainer maintaining the snubber in the retracted position, wherein the snubber is configured to move from the retracted position to the engaged position in response to loss of power to the retainer.

Abstract: A radial expansion system for a fastener is disclosed. The radial expansion system can include a plurality of wedge guides. Each wedge guide can have at least one guide surface. The plurality of wedge guides can be operable to be movably arranged along an axis with the guide surfaces of adjacent wedge guides opposing one another. The radial expansion system can also include a plurality of expansion wedges. Each expansion wedge can have wedge surfaces configured to slidingly interface with the at least one guide surface. Each expansion wedge can also have a clamp surface operable to interface with an interior portion of a first component. The plurality of expansion wedges can be operable to be disposed between adjacent wedge guides such that the wedge surfaces interface with the opposing guide surfaces.

Abstract: A solar-charging storage container apparatus includes a container body having a top rim, a container lid having a bottom rim and being adapted to overlie the container body such that the container body and the container lid form a storage compartment, an arrangement of mechanisms positioned proximate the top rim of said container body and the bottom rim of the container lid and being adapted to removably fit the top and bottom rims together so as to form a water resistant seal therebetween, and a solar-charging module incorporated by the container lid and having a solar array on an outer portion of the module being exposed exteriorly of the container lid to receive solar rays and at least one electrical connector on an inner portion of the module being exposed interiorly of the container lid for electrical connection to an electronic device stored in the storage compartment.

Abstract: An improved secure electrical conductor providing a male and female connector forming a secure seal when the connectors and pins are joined having at least one radial rounded expansion secured within at least one radial rounded groove, the connectors forming a respective resilient shield body sharing a common bore wherein a distinctly color contrasting secure indicator pin is forcefully inserted providing a visual indication of the integrity of the connection between the connectors with the pin providing at least two expanded radial margins to prevent unintentional removal from the common bore, but removable by force during disconnection of the connectors.

Abstract: A shock-resisting device includes a snubber that may be selectively moved from a retracted position to an engaged position to selectively create a stiff attachment between a vibration-isolated gimbal of the device, and an outer shell of the device. The gimbal is movable relative to the outer shell. The snubber includes a retainer maintaining the snubber in the retracted position, wherein the snubber is configured to move from the retracted position to the engaged position in response to loss of power to the retainer.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for range image generation. An input image and a reference image are used to compute raw and optimized disparity-space correlation disparity results for each pixel in the reference image. A bilateral filter is applied to both the raw and optimized disparity space correlation disparity results within a neighborhood of a given pixel. For each pixel in the neighborhood, a mean of sub-pixel disparity estimates includes the raw disparity-space correlation disparity result, and another mean of sub-pixel disparity estimates is computed using optimized disparity-space correlation disparity results. The output of the bilateral filter is a weighted sum of the means, with the weights being proportional to the ratio of valid, non-optimized sub-pixel correlation disparity results to optimized sub-pixel correlation disparity results, thereby favoring non-optimized estimates.

Abstract: The subject discloser relates to building block platform structures comprising a studded surface for attachment of building block elements and further comprising an adhesive backing that provides for removably attaching the building block platform structures to surfaces. In one example embodiment, a building block platform structure is provided that comprises a plate comprising a plurality of studs formed on a first surface of the plate, wherein the plurality of studs are configured to couple with one or more building block elements. The building block platform structure further comprises an adhesive layer provided on a second surface of the plate, wherein the second surface is opposite the first surface, and wherein the adhesive layer comprises an adhesive material configured to removably attach to a surface.