Abstract: The specification discloses methods and associated equipment in a system of machine elements for industrial scale manufacture of graphene from graphite through use of a liquid medium comprising a non-toxic, water-soluble aliphatic solvent and water, together with graphite particulate dispersed therein. The medium promotes dispersion of the graphite particles and pre-conditions the graphitic material to delamination as ultra-high velocity flow streams of the dispersion are conducted through disintegration zones under powerfully turbulent flow conditions and associated vorticity with intense shear forces imposed on the particles over extended dwell times to effectively exfoliate and comminute the graphitic material, providing substantially complete conversion of the same to stably dispersed mono or few layer graphene particles in the resulting graphenic dispersion. Embodiments of the invention enable extraordinary yields of high quality graphene approaching 98 wt.

Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a rotating assembly having a turbine wheel disposed inside a turbine housing and a compressor wheel disposed inside a compressor cover. The turbine housing defines a turbine outlet cavity, a turbine housing inlet, and a turbine housing outlet. The turbine housing inlet is configured to channel engine post-combustion gases to the turbine wheel and the turbine housing outlet is configured to exhaust the gases aft of the turbine wheel. A diffuser arranged inside the turbine outlet cavity is configured to channel the post-combustion gases aft of the turbine wheel and out to the turbine housing outlet, without discharging into the turbine outlet cavity.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a turbine housing defining a turbine chamber and a compressor housing defining a compressor chamber. A turbine wheel is disposed in the turbine chamber and a turbine shaft is connected to the turbine wheel. A compressor wheel is disposed in the compressor chamber and connected to the turbine shaft. A compressor back plate is adjacent to the compressor wheel and a bearing cartridge is sandwiched directly between the compressor back plate and the turbine housing and rotatably supporting the turbine shaft.

Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a rotating assembly having a turbine wheel disposed inside a turbine housing and a compressor wheel disposed inside a compressor cover. The turbine housing defines a turbine outlet cavity, a turbine housing inlet, and a turbine housing outlet. The turbine housing inlet is configured to channel engine post-combustion gases to the turbine wheel and the turbine housing outlet is configured to exhaust the gases aft of the turbine wheel. A diffuser arranged inside the turbine outlet cavity is configured to channel the post-combustion gases aft of the turbine wheel and out to the turbine housing outlet, without discharging into the turbine outlet cavity.

Abstract: A turbocharger assembly includes a compressor assembly, a turbine wheel, a shaft, a bearing assembly, and a cooling gas conduit. The compressor assembly includes a compressor impeller. The compressor impeller includes an outermost impeller edge and has a maximum cross-sectional dimension at the outermost impeller edge. The shaft interconnects the compressor impeller and the turbine wheel. The bearing assembly surrounds at least a portion of the shaft. The cooling gas conduit is disposed in fluid communication with the compressor assembly and the bearing assembly. At least a portion of the cooling gas conduit is disposed adjacent the outermost impeller edge such that the cooling gas conduit is configured to receive a portion of intake gases flowing along the outermost impeller edge and guide the portion of the intake gases toward the bearing assembly to cool the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A light-weight, air-cooled transmit/receive unit is provided, including a first external cover member, an opposed second external cover member, and a central housing unit, including thermal management means, interposed between the first and second external cover members. A transmit/receive circuit board, including components and an integrated and common radiating element for at least one channel, is interposed between a first surface of the central housing unit and the first external cover member, and a controller circuit board and a power converter circuit board are interposed between an opposed second surface of the central housing unit and the second external cover member.

Abstract: A turbocharger assembly includes a compressor assembly, a turbine wheel, a shaft, a bearing assembly, and a cooling gas conduit. The compressor assembly includes a compressor impeller. The compressor impeller includes an outermost impeller edge and has a maximum cross-sectional dimension at the outermost impeller edge. The shaft interconnects the compressor impeller and the turbine wheel. The bearing assembly surrounds at least a portion of the shaft. The cooling gas conduit is disposed in fluid communication with the compressor assembly and the bearing assembly. At least a portion of the cooling gas conduit is disposed adjacent the outermost impeller edge such that the cooling gas conduit is configured to receive a portion of intake gases flowing along the outermost impeller edge and guide the portion of the intake gases toward the bearing assembly to cool the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a bearing housing with a bearing bore and a semi-floating bearing disposed within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft is supported by the bearing for rotation about an axis within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a turbine wheel fixed to the shaft proximate to the first end and configured to be rotated about the axis by post-combustion gasses emitted by the engine. Additionally, the turbocharger includes a compressor wheel fixed to the shaft proximate to the second end and configured to pressurize an airflow being received from the ambient for delivery to the engine. Furthermore, the turbocharger includes a plate secured within the bearing housing and configured to prevent rotation of the bearing about the axis. An internal combustion engine employing such a turbocharger is also disclosed.

Abstract: An engine assembly comprising a cylinder head, turbocharger in fluid communication with the cylinder head and exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the turbocharger and method of making the assembly using a single human assembler includes: mounting the turbine to the cylinder head; using a first assembly aid to form a slidable joint between the exhaust conduit and head; using a second assembly aid to form a movable joint between the turbine and exhaust conduit and align the turbine outlet flange and exhaust conduit inlet flange; using a third assembly aid to pilotingly engage the flanges; disposing a clamp about the turbine outlet flange and the exhaust conduit inlet flange; tightening the second assembly aid sufficiently to form an immovable joint; tightening the clamp to form a sealed joint between the flanges; and tightening the first assembly aid to form a fixed joint.

Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a bearing housing with a bearing bore and a semi-floating bearing disposed within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft is supported by the bearing for rotation about an axis within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a turbine wheel fixed to the shaft proximate to the first end and configured to be rotated about the axis by post-combustion gasses emitted by the engine. Additionally, the turbocharger includes a compressor wheel fixed to the shaft proximate to the second end and configured to pressurize an airflow being received from the ambient for delivery to the engine. Furthermore, the turbocharger includes a plate secured within the bearing housing and configured to prevent rotation of the bearing about the axis. An internal combustion engine employing such a turbocharger is also disclosed.

Abstract: A light-weight, air-cooled transmit/receive unit is provided, including a first external cover member, an opposed second external cover member, and a central housing unit, including thermal management means, interposed between the first and second external cover members. A transmit/receive circuit board, including components and an integrated and common radiating element for at least one channel, is interposed between a first surface of the central housing unit and the first external cover member, and a controller circuit board and a power converter circuit board are interposed between an opposed second surface of the central housing unit and the second external cover member.

Abstract: There is provided a heat dissipation device comprising at least one inlet plenum, at least one outlet plenum and chambers, in which the chambers communicate directly with the inlet plenum and with the outlet plenum. Also provided is a heat dissipation device comprising at least two inlet plenums, at least two outlet plenums and at least two chambers, the first chamber communicating directly with a first inlet plenum and a first outlet plenum, the second chamber communicating directly with a second inlet plenum and a second outlet plenum. Also provided are methods of dissipating heat, comprising passing fluid across and/or through such devices. Also provided are radar antennas comprising radar electronic components mounted on such devices.

Abstract: An engine assembly comprising a cylinder head, turbocharger in fluid communication with the cylinder head and exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the turbocharger and method of making the assembly using a single human assembler includes: mounting the turbine to the cylinder head; using a first assembly aid to form a slidable joint between the exhaust conduit and head; using a second assembly aid to form a movable joint between the turbine and exhaust conduit and align the turbine outlet flange and exhaust conduit inlet flange; using a third assembly aid to pilotingly engage the flanges; disposing a clamp about the turbine outlet flange and the exhaust conduit inlet flange; tightening the second assembly aid sufficiently to form an immovable joint; tightening the clamp to form a sealed joint between the flanges; and tightening the first assembly aid to form a fixed joint.

Abstract: A lightweight active phased array antenna including modular active electronics assemblies and passive radiating element aperture panels that are integrated into a lightweight support structure of a minimum depth which provides a cooling system for the electronics assemblies. The electronics assemblies and aperture panels are fully accessible from one or both faces of the antenna and can be readily removed/replaced as required.

Abstract: A line-replaceable unit for a phased array antenna including a thermally conductive housing having a front face and an opposed rear face, at least one open-ended waveguide extending through the housing from the front face to the rear face, at least one first radiating element including the waveguide and adapted to emit energy in a first frequency band; and at least one second radiating element positioned on the front face of the housing and adapted to emit energy in a second frequency band distinct from the first frequency band. The waveguide is dimensioned to pass energy in the first frequency band and is exposed to the environment outside the housing at the front and rear faces to define a cooling duct passing through the housing.

Abstract: A photonically controlled antenna element made of a material such as silicon is disclosed wherein one or more of such antenna elements are mounted in an array on a light waveguide made of glass or sapphire. Light is injected into the light waveguide and reflects therein until it is absorbed by the antenna elements due to the higher refractive index of silicon which makes the reflection break down, and thus allows the laser beam to leak out of the waveguide into the silicon antenna elements. When the photonically controlled antenna elements are illuminated they are switched to a conductive state and can transmit and receive electromagnetic signals. When no light is injected into the light waveguide the photonically controlled antenna elements are not illuminated and are in a non-conductive state wherein they cannot receive or transmit electromagnetic signals. A number of these light waveguides with their antenna arrays thereon may be stacked together to form a single antenna system.

Abstract: A photonically controlled antenna array is made of a plurality of stacked light waveguides made of a material such as silicon whereon each of which one or more photonically controlled antenna elements are mounted. Light is injected into ones of the light waveguides and reflects therein until it is absorbed by the antenna elements mounted thereon due to the higher refractive index of silicon. When the photonically controlled antenna elements are illuminated they are switched to a conductive state and can transmit and receive electromagnetic signals. When no light is injected into the light waveguide the photonically controlled antenna elements are not illuminated and are in a non-conductive state wherein they cannot receive or transmit electromagnetic signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to the distribution of radio frequency signals using optical fibers between a centrally located radar transmitter/receiver and remotely located transmit/receive modules associated with the elements of an active phased array. The invention avoids the need for remotely located lasers, by using the optical carrier generated at the central location for both transmission, when it is modulated by the transmitter and supplied to each T/R module over an optical path; and for reception, when it is supplied to each T/R module unmodulated. An optical switch and an optical modulator in the T/R module permit the antenna return to be converted to an optical format for supply over a second optical path to the central receiver. The arrangement may be further simplified by selecting a simple optical device to perform both the optical switching and optical modulation function in each T/R module.

Abstract: A microstrip fed printed dipole with an integral balun is disclosed, fabricated upon a planar dielectric substrate by patterning metallizations disposed on the two surfaces of the substrate. In the arrangement, the ground plane of the unbalanced microstrip transmission line is bifurcated by a central slot to form a balanced transmission line coextensive with the slot which becomes a part of the arms of the dipole and which at the same time serves as the ground plane of a continuation of the microstrip feed. A continuation of the strip conductor of the unbalanced microstrip feed having a "J" shaped configuration continues over the bifurcated ground planes and crosses the slot in proximity to the dipole for effecting an efficient unbalanced feed to the balanced dipole. The arrangement has a double tuned characteristic with two available and independent adjustments facilitating reproducable, optimized broadband performance.

Abstract: An improved element for use in an electrically steered antenna array is disclosed comprising a dipole, an integral balun and a 180.degree. phase shift bit. The arrangement utilizes printed circuit techniques throughout using an unbalanced microstrip for connection to electrical circuitry, a balun for transitioning from unbalanced microstrip to a balanced dipole antenna and includes a low loss 180.degree. phase shift bit formed by the use of a branched feed network including two diodes whose conductive states determine the sense of antenna excitation, and produce the equivalent of a 180.degree. phase shift bit.