Abstract: Embodiments provide high-throughput, hub-and-spoke satellite communications with geographically non-overlapping user beams and full frequency reuse. For example, a coverage area of a satellite is segmented into multiple candidate coverage zones, and an associated consumption demand is determined for each candidate coverage zone. Fixed spot beams are assigned to a subset of the candidate coverage zones according to highest associated consumption demands, such that each fixed spot beam corresponds to at least one candidate coverage zone to service an associated beam coverage area that is geographically non-overlapping with beam coverage areas of all other fixed spot beams, and each fixed spot beam is allocated full use of a same spectrum. One or more steerable beams selectively cover lower consumption demand zones.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a nozzle assembly having a nozzle case, and a concentric check assembly within the nozzle case. Transfer passages are formed in an outer check of the check assembly, and spray orifices are formed in the nozzle case. A fuel volume is formed between the outer check and an inner check, and the inner check is movable to fluidly connect the transfer passages to the fuel volume. The outer check is rotatable between a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation to fluidly connect separate sets of the transfer passages to separate sets of the spray orifices. Spray ducts are in spray path alignment with at least one of the sets of spray orifices.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a nozzle body, and spray ducts coupled to the nozzle body and in spray path alignment with spray orifices therein. A nozzle check is movable within the nozzle body to open and close the spray orifices. Each of the spray ducts defines a duct center axis, and includes a center body forming, together with a duct inner surface, a spray jet passage circumferential of the duct center axis and reduced in area in a direction of spray jet advancement from the nozzle body.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a nozzle body, and spray ducts coupled to the nozzle body and in spray path alignment with spray orifices therein. A nozzle check is movable within the nozzle body to open and close the spray orifices. Each of the spray ducts defines a duct center axis, and includes a center body forming, together with a duct inner surface, a spray jet passage circumferential of the duct center axis and reduced in area in a direction of spray jet advancement from the nozzle body.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector housing having a nozzle assembly with a nozzle piece, and a nested check assembly of an outer check and an inner check. Spray orifices are formed in the nozzle piece in a first orifice set equipped with a first spray duct set and a second orifice set equipped with a second spray duct set. The inner check can be opened to spray fuel from the first orifice set and the outer check can be opened to spray fuel from both the first orifice set and the second orifice set. The outer check is non-rotating while the inner check can be permitted to rotate during service. Spray ducts associated with the first orifice set may have a different duct length and duct inside diameter than spray ducts associated with the second orifice set. The first orifice set may include lower-flow spray orifices and the second orifice set may include higher-flow spray orifices. Related methodology is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector housing having a nozzle assembly with a nozzle piece, and a nested check assembly of an outer check and an inner check. Spray orifices are formed in the nozzle piece in a first orifice set equipped with a first spray duct set and a second orifice set equipped with a second spray duct set. The inner check can be opened to spray fuel from the first orifice set and the outer check can be opened to spray fuel from both the first orifice set and the second orifice set. The outer check is non-rotating while the inner check can be permitted to rotate during service. Spray ducts associated with the first orifice set may have a different duct length and duct inside diameter than spray ducts associated with the second orifice set. The first orifice set may include lower-flow spray orifices and the second orifice set may include higher-flow spray orifices. Related methodology is also disclosed.

Abstract: Exemplary aspects of the present invention are directed to an imaging sensor system for beams in the 1-200 nm spectral regions. The system may include a downconverter for converting the beam to visible light, optical filter elements, and relay optics for directing the visible light to the imaging detector. The relay optics convey the image and/or optical beam profile intensity to a 2-D imaging array such as CMOS, CCD (or other imaging detector device). The system can be used in a vacuum or in ambient non-vacuum conditions which may include a purged environment.

Abstract: Exemplary aspects of the present invention are directed to a sensor that uses the spectral sensitivity of detectors, the spectral properties of optical filters, and mathematical addition and or subtraction to isolate the desired spectral band. The sensor includes a downconverter member for converting the high energy beam to easily detectable visible or NIR light, and optical filter elements and relay optics for directing the visible light to the sensing members. The sensing members transmit an electronic signal proportional to the power of the light in the passband to amplifiers wherein multiple sensing members convey optical power of selected wavelength bands through an amplifier to a microprocessor with an algorithm to determine the power in the desired band of interest and then to a displaying member. The system may be used in a vacuum, in ambient non-vacuum conditions or a purged environment.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a nozzle assembly having a nozzle case, and a concentric check assembly within the nozzle case. Transfer passages are formed in an outer check of the check assembly, and spray orifices are formed in the nozzle case. A fuel volume is formed between the outer check and an inner check, and the inner check is movable to fluidly connect the transfer passages to the fuel volume. The outer check is rotatable between a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation to fluidly connect separate sets of the transfer passages to separate sets of the spray orifices. Spray ducts are in spray path alignment with at least one of the sets of spray orifices.

Abstract: A drinking straw is marked to describe a particular type of drink in order to aid users to quickly and accurately identify drink contents. For example, the drinking straw may include text indicating soda, tea, coffee, or other designation of a drink. The drinking straws described herein provide servers, bartenders, and consumers with an easy-to-use tool for projecting what type of drink is in any cup, without having to rely on the drink's look or taste.

Abstract: A product programming system includes a product subject to maintenance, part refurbishment and/or part replacement that has a security device communicatively coupled to a computing device programmed to re-authorize normal operation of the product when a predetermined number of uses has been reached or a predetermined period of time has lapsed.

Abstract: A fuel injector assembly for an engine. The engine includes a cylinder head defining a through-hole. The fuel injector assembly includes an insert, having a first end and a second end, configured to be received within the through-hole and coupled to the cylinder head. The insert defines a bore extending from the first end to the second end. The fuel injector assembly further includes a fuel injector including a plurality of orifices, received within the bore of the insert; and a duct structure including a plurality of ducts, coupled to the insert such that the plurality of ducts align with the plurality of orifices to at least partially receive one or more fuel jets from the plurality of orifices of the fuel injector.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a nozzle having at least one first orifice provided therein. The at least one first orifice is adapted to selectively inject one of a fuel and an oxidant. An outer check is disposed movably within the nozzle. The outer check includes at least one second orifice provided therein. The at least one second orifice is adapted to selectively inject an other of the oxidant and the fuel. An inner check is disposed movably and concentrically within the outer chock. The at least one second orifice is adapted to align with respect to the at least one first orifice to selectively inject the fuel and the oxidant together through the at least one first orifice based on a position of each of the outer check and the inner check.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a nozzle including at least one outer orifice. The at least one outer orifice selectively injects a first fuel. An outer check is disposed movably within the nozzle. The outer check includes at least one first orifice and at least one second orifice. The at least one first orifice and the at least one second orifice are disposed circumferentially spaced apart with respect to one another. Each of the at least one first orifice and the at least one second orifice selectively injects a second fuel. An inner check is disposed movably and concentrically within the outer check. The at least one outer orifice is adapted to selectively injects at least one of the first fuel and the second fuel therethrough based on a position of each of the outer check and the inner check.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a nozzle having at least one first orifice. The at least one first orifice selectively injects a first fuel. An outer check is located movably within the nozzle. The outer check includes at least one second orifice. The at least one second orifice selectively injects a second fuel. An inner check is located movably and concentrically within the outer check. The at least one first orifice is adapted to selectively inject at least one of the first fuel and the second fuel therethrough based on a position of each of the outer check and the inner check.

Abstract: An injector tip for a fuel injector includes an exterior surface, and an interior surface defining a sac region therein. The injector tip is also configured to define at least one orifice radially extending from the interior surface to the exterior surface. The orifice is disposed in communication with the sac region located adjacent to the interior surface. Further, the injector tip also includes a mound that is defined on the interior surface such that the mound is integrally formed with the interior surface adjacent to the sac region. The mound is configured to extend along an axis of the sac region and terminate prior to a perimeter of the at least one orifice.

Abstract: A fishing rod holder consists of a first panel, a second panel, a plurality of connecting members, a first strap portion, and a second strap portion. The plurality of connecting members is positioned in between the first panel and the second panel. The spacing between each of the plurality of connecting members allows a user to position a fishing rod handle in between an arbitrary connecting member and an adjacent connecting member selected from the plurality of connecting members. Since the plurality of connecting members is radially positioned, the fishing rod can be mounted at a preferred angle. The first strap portion and the second strap portion are used for attaching purposes. When the apparatus is being used with an external weighted object, the first strap portion and the second strap portion are wrapped around the external weighted object.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a nozzle including at least one outer orifice. The at least one outer orifice selectively injects a first fuel. An outer check is disposed movably within the nozzle. The outer check includes at least one first orifice and at least one second orifice. The at least one first orifice and the at least one second orifice are disposed circumferentially spaced apart with respect to one another. Each of the at least one first orifice and the at least one second orifice selectively injects a second fuel. An inner check is disposed movably and concentrically within the outer check. The at least one outer orifice is adapted to selectively injects at least one of the first fuel and the second fuel therethrough based on a position of each of the outer check and the inner check.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a nozzle having at least one first orifice. The at least one first orifice selectively injects a first fuel. An outer check is located movably within the nozzle. The outer check includes at least one second orifice. The at least one second orifice selectively injects a second fuel. An inner check is located movably and concentrically within the outer check. The at least one first orifice is adapted to selectively inject at least one of the first fuel and the second fuel therethrough based on a position of each of the outer check and the inner check.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a nozzle having at least one first orifice provided therein. The at least one first orifice is adapted to selectively inject one of a fuel and an oxidant. An outer check is disposed movably within the nozzle. The outer check includes at least one second orifice provided therein. The at least one second orifice is adapted to selectively inject an other of the oxidant and the fuel. An inner check is disposed movably and concentrically within the outer chock. The at least one second orifice is adapted to align with respect to the at least one first orifice to selectively inject the fuel and the oxidant together through the at least one first orifice based on a position of each of the outer check and the inner check.