Abstract: This invention performs the gas pressurization task of a centrifugal compressor gas turbine engine in a new way. In this invention gas compression takes place by using pinwheel-like thrusters to induce a very high velocity full forced vortex in the gas being compressed. Much higher “tip” velocities can be achieved because no strength-limited solid centrifugal impeller is required to spin up the gas. Due to the consequent very high vortex velocity a single stage pressure ratio of twenty five to one, or more, may be possible. Because there is no high pressure turbine, the gas pressure delivered to some downstream useful work device is much higher than is the case with conventional gas turbine engines. The invention's compressor requires no major moving parts except for the gas flow. The consequence is that the invention is predicted to have substantially better performance and general characteristics than conventional gas turbine engines.

Abstract: This invention performs the gas pressurization task of a centrifugal compressor gas turbine engine in a new way. In this invention gas compression takes place by using pinwheel-like thrusters 308, 408, 508 and 608 to induce a very high velocity full forced vortex in the gas being compressed. Much higher “tip” velocities can be achieved because no strength-limited solid centrifugal impeller is required to spin up the gas. Due to the consequent very high vortex velocity a single stage pressure ratio of twenty five to one, or more, may be possible. Because there is no high pressure turbine, the gas pressure delivered to some downstream useful work device is much higher than is the case with conventional gas turbine engines. The invention's compressor requires no major moving parts except for the gas flow. The consequence is that the invention is predicted to have substantially better performance and general characteristics than conventional gas turbine engines.

Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for radar data processing. In some examples, the system includes a communication module, a surface discovery module, a linear condensation identification module, and a structure generation module. The communication module is configured to receive 3-dimensional image data from an imaging device. The surface discovery module is configured to rotate the 3-dimensional image data around an axis in 3-dimensional space of the 3-dimensional image data. The linear condensation identification module is configured to identify linear condensations in the rotated 3-dimensional image data. The structure generation module is configured to generate a structure based on the linear condensations and the rotated 3-dimensional image data.

Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for radar data processing. In some examples, the system includes a communication module, a surface discovery module, a linear condensation identification module, and a structure generation module. The communication module is configured to receive 3-dimensional image data from an imaging device. The surface discovery module is configured to rotate the 3-dimensional image data around an axis in 3-dimensional space of the 3-dimensional image data. The linear condensation identification module is configured to identify linear condensations in the rotated 3-dimensional image data. The structure generation module is configured to generate a structure based on the linear condensations and the rotated 3-dimensional image data.

Abstract: An insulation material includes a first sheet having a thickness of from about 0.002 inch to about 0.010 inch. The first sheet includes a polymer layer made of a polymer material, and a metallization layer made of a metallic material overlying and contacting the polymer layer. A large number of dimples are formed in the first sheet and extend above the first sheet. Two or more of the sheets are stacked in facing relationship, spaced apart by the dimples. Joints may be made by overlapping adjacent sheets. Complex, nonplanar objects may be insulated by providing nonplanar transition sheets between adjacent sheets, and overlapping the transition sheets and the insulation sheets.

Abstract: A bistatic radar system and method. In the illustrative embodiment, a receiver is positioned in a horizontal plane. A transmitter is then positioned in Middle Earth Orbit at a position that is nearly vertical to the plane of the receiver. This configuration provides significant flexibility for the radar system. As such, the radar system may engage in flight patterns, in which the transmitter and receiver have velocity vectors in opposite directions (GMTI mode), the same direction (SAR mode) and variations in between (mixed mode). Lastly, a broad beam is generated from the transmitter and illuminates an area enabling several receivers to simultaneously observe the illuminated area.

Abstract: A rotary fluid coupler includes a first fluid conduit, a second fluid conduit in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit and rotatable relative to the first fluid conduit, and a first fluid conduit/second fluid conduit seal at a joint between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit. A return fluid conduit has an inlet end that receives fluid leaked through the first fluid conduit/second fluid conduit seal, and a return/joint seal that seals against leakage from the return fluid conduit to an external environment. A fluid-pressure biasing source is in communication with the return fluid conduit to move fluid away from the inlet end through the return fluid conduit, and back to a fluid source.

Abstract: A vacuum printing frame includes a backing plate; a pressurizable bladder assembly positioned on the backing plate, the bladder assembly including a lower wall positioned on the backing plate, a plurality of partitions sealed around lower edges thereof to the lower wall and defining a series of interconnected, nested chambers arranged in alignment from and pressurizable from a head end to a foot end of the vacuum printing frame, and a plurality of holes in each partition at positions close to the securement of the respective partition to the lower wall to provide fluid communication between adjacent bladder chambers; a flexible, fluid impervious membrane positioned above the bladder assembly for supporting a mask and photosensitive sheet; a transparent plate movable between an open position for permitting the mask and photosensitive sheet to be positioned on the membrane, and a closed position for sandwiching the mask and photosensitive sheet between the membrane and the transparent plate in an evacuation reg

Abstract: An improved pin board system for use within a vacuum contact frame includes a two piece pin board arrangement with an elastomeric gasket sheet. The primary pin board is relatively thin, but stiff, so that it can flex slightly in response to the force of the vacuum frame's pressure blanket. Alignment pins "float" slightly within oversized holes and are spring loaded against the pin board by means of the elastomeric backing. A vacuum port and manifold board, similar in material and thickness to the primary pin board provides a vacuum connection with the top surface of the pin board. An elastomeric gasket sheet, upon which the two boards of the assembly rest, provides a vacuum seal when the combination is pressed against a covering glass of a vacuum frame.

Abstract: An improved contact photo vacuum frame includes a specially constructed inflatable bladder which backs up the pressure blanket. The bladder is divided into a plurality of interconnected compartments by means of partitions, arranged in such a way that the compartments inflate sequentially, progressively forcing the air from between the contacting photo films in a predetermined pattern, insuring more intimate contact between the films. Alternative embodiments provide specific inflation patterns. A vacuum source can operate simultaneously to evacuate the volume between the film layers.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for imposing selectable, sequential, spatial modulations upon a reference beam for the storage in a suitable medium of a hologram. Changing the spatial modulations enables the storage of several, different holograms in the same medium. Each hologram can be individually reconstructed by imposing upon the reconstructing illumination beam the same spatial modulations.

Abstract: An incoming longwave infrared beam sharing the same aperture with an outgoing high power laser beam is separated from the laser beam path by a combination of a dichroic mirror and a diffraction grating.