Abstract: A system may include a laser source, an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) coupled to the laser source, an atom trap, and at least one optical medium coupled between the AOM and the atom trap. Furthermore, at least one piezoelectric transducer may be coupled to the at least one optical medium, and a beam polarization controller may be coupled to the at least one piezoelectric transducer.

Abstract: An anti-cant indicator assembly, components thereof, and associated methods. The anti-cant indicator assembly indicates the orientation of a weapon with respect to vertical. The anti-cant indicator assembly includes a mount configured to mount to the weapon, a level including a vial containing a bubble and a pivot connection connecting the level to the mount. The pivot connection is configured to permit movement of the level with respect to the mount about the pivot connection between an operational position in which the bubble can be referenced by the user for indicating orientation of the weapon with respect to vertical, and a stowed position different from the operational position. The pivot connection can include a retainer configured to releasably retain the level in at least one of the operational position or the stowed position. The level can be selectively movable with respect to the mount to calibrate the anti-cant indicator.

Abstract: A method for locating performance problems in a network comprising associating one or more metadata to a plurality of monitored objects, collecting performance data from the plurality monitored objects to create a correlation of the performance data across two or more monitored objects matching predetermined set of metadata. Displaying said correlation on a map representing a plurality of devices, wherein said correlation can be used to isolate one or more devices impacting said performance data.

Abstract: A method for locating performance problems in a network comprising associating one or more metadata to a plurality of monitored objects, collecting performance data from the plurality monitored objects to create a correlation of the performance data across two or more monitored objects matching predetermined set of metadata. Displaying said correlation on a map representing a plurality of devices, wherein said correlation can be used to isolate one or more devices impacting said performance data.

Abstract: A method for locating performance problems in a network comprising associating one or more metadata to a plurality of monitored objects, collecting performance data from the plurality monitored objects to create a correlation of the performance data across two or more monitored objects matching predetermined set of metadata. Displaying said correlation on a map representing a plurality of devices, wherein said correlation can be used to isolate one or more devices impacting said performance data.

Abstract: Inventive manufacture of CrB2—Al2O3 composites is based on pressureless sintering. According to typical inventive practice, CrB2 powder and Al2O3 powder are mixed together in selected volumetric proportions so that the volume of the CrB2 does not exceed 50% of the overall volume of the CrB2—Al2O3 mixture. The CrB2—Al2O3 mixture is shaped into a green body. The green body is pressureless sintered in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at a firing temperature in the approximate range between 1600° C. and 2050° C. The present invention succeeds in preparing, via pressureless sintering, a proportionality-associated range of compositions in the CrB2—Al2O3 system, which is a potentially “advanced” ceramic system. A typical inventively fabricated CrB2—Al2O3 composite is inventively configured in a complex shape, and has “advanced” material (e.g., mechanical) properties that are favorable for a contemplated application.

Abstract: A system makes payments from each payer of a community of payers to each vendor of a community of vendors, assesses a variable transaction fee to each vendor, and provides a variable rebate to the payer. The transaction fee is referred to as “variable” because: i) it may be varied amongst vendors (the same payer may use different rates for different vendors); and ii) the rate may be varied amongst payers (the same vendor may be subjected to different rates, based on the particular payer making the payment). The transaction fee may be charged to the vendor by deduction from the payment. Alternatively the transaction fee may be charged to the vendor by deduction from the vendor's account at the time payment is made. The variable rebate is based on the total transaction fee applicable to payments made by the payer over a predetermined period of time. The rebate may be the product of the total transaction fee multiplied by a rebate percentage.

Abstract: A system for making payments from each payer of a community of payers to each vendor of a community of vendors assesses a variable transaction fee to each vendor. The system comprises a database which associates, for each payer, identification a selected rate tier assigned to each vendor. A rate tier assignment application determines an initial rate tier to assign to a vendor by: i) determining an industry sensitivity score, the industry sensitivity score being representative of how sensitive a typical vendor in the same type of business as the vendor is to payment of transaction fees; ii) determining a payer centric spend score; iii) determining a payer centric frequency score; iv) determining a network spend score; and iv) determining a network frequency score. These scores are used to determine an initial rate tier to associate with the vendor.

Abstract: A composite armor including a ballistic armor layer and a directly attached polyurea layer. The polyurea layer is the cured reaction product of an isocyanate curing agent and a mixture of diamines having the general formula: H2N-Ph-(C?O)—O—(CH2—CH2—CH2—CH2—O)n—(C?O)-Ph-NH2, wherein in the mixture n in the ranges from 3 to 14 and the weight average value of n is about 9 to 10. Ph represents phenyl. In a preferred embodiment, the polyurea layer is the strike face. The composite armor is useful for light armor applications in which weight is a factor such as military vehicle armor and military boat armor.

Abstract: A system makes payments from a payer to a vendor and assesses a variable transaction fee to the vendor. The system comprises a database which associates, for each of a community of payers, identification a rate tier assigned to each vendor to which the payer makes payment. A tier assignment application determines a tier to assign to a vendor by determining: i) an industry sensitivity score based on the type of business the vendor operates; ii) a payer centric spend score; iii) a payer centric frequency score; iv) a network spend score; and iv) a network frequency score. The tier assigned to the vendor is a function of these scores. A payment application, when making payment from the payer to the vendor, determines a transaction fee to apply to the payment by multiplying the payment amount by a transaction rate associated with the tier assigned to the vendor.

Abstract: A speed sensor target includes a target body, the target body defining a central cavity disposed to receive a shaft of a motor, the target body includes a cylindrical outer surface having a plurality of asymmetrically spaced grooves arranged thereon, and the target body is formed of a magnetic material.

Abstract: A rotor for an induction motor includes a rotor body, the rotor body defining a central cavity configured to receive a motor shaft and having a plurality of radial slots formed therethrough, each radial slot of the plurality of radial slots extends outward radially from the central cavity to an outer surface of the rotor body, a plurality of conductive bars arranged within the plurality of radial slots of the rotor body, wherein each conductive bar of the plurality of conductive bars extend outward radially within each radial slot from the central cavity to the outer surface of the rotor body, a first end ring arranged on the rotor body in electrical communication with each conductive bar of the plurality of conductive bars, and a second end ring arranged on the rotor body in electrical communication with each conductive bar of the plurality of conductive bars.

Abstract: The present invention's stratified composite material system of armor, as typically embodied, comprises a strike stratum and a backing stratum. The strike stratum includes elastomeric matrix material and inventive ceramic-inclusive elements embedded therein and arranged (e.g., in one or more rows and one or more columns) along a geometric plane corresponding to the front (initial strike) surface of the strike stratum. More rigid than the strike stratum, the backing stratum is constituted by, e.g., metallic (metal or metal alloy) material or fiber-reinforced polymeric matrix material. Some inventive embodiments also comprise a spall-containment stratum fronting the strike stratum. The inventive ceramic-inclusive elements geometrically describe any of various inventive modes, including: first mode, having a flat front face and a textured back face; second mode, having a pyramidal front section and a prismatoidal (especially, prismoidal, e.g.

Abstract: A battery system monitors the status of a battery and ensures safe conditions under a range of events adversely affecting the safety of the battery cells, the battery pack or enclosure, or a vehicle housing the battery. In response to the safety event, the battery system provides one or more responses to secure the battery, disconnect the battery, extinguish a fire, or maintain a safe temperature. Upon detecting the safety event, the a controller activates the safety device accordingly to ensure safe conditions.

Abstract: A payment system making payments from each payer of a community of payers to each vendor of a community of vendors. The payers are grouped into mutually exclusive sub groups, each being associated with one of a group of participating banks. Upon receipt of a payment instruction file from a bank, including instructions for executing payments from payers in the subgroup associated with the bank to various vendors, the system: i) obtains authorization of a funding amount for each payer; ii) provides a transaction to transfer the funding amount from the payer's account to a pooling account held by the originating bank; and iii) after receipt of the funding amount in the pooling account, provides an EFT file for payment of the vendors. Multiple banks are supported. The vendors are not associated with any particular bank.

Abstract: A system for making payments from each payer of a community of payers to each vendor of a community of vendors assesses a variable transaction fee to each vendor. The system comprises a database which associates, for each payer, identification a selected rate tier assigned to each vendor. A rate tier assignment application determines an initial rate tier to assign to a vendor by: i) determining an industry sensitivity score, the industry sensitivity score being representative of how sensitive a typical vendor in the same type of business as the vendor is to payment of transaction fees; ii) determining a payer centric spend score; iii) determining a payer centric frequency score; iv) determining a network spend score; and iv) determining a network frequency score. These scores are used to determine an initial rate tier to associate with the vendor.

Abstract: A system for facilitating on-boarding of target vendors to an electronic payment system comprises a vendor community database with a group of target vendor records, each associated with identification of one or more payers. In association with each payer is identification of a payer aggregate spend value and a target transaction fee rate. The target transaction fee rate may be a fractional value which, when multiplied by the payer spend value, yields an aggregate transaction fee. Machine readable instructions determine, for each target vendor, a target vendor priority value as a function of the aggregate spend value for all payers and the transaction fee rate of each customer payer. The machine readable instructions further comprise generating a target vendor report which includes identification of each target vendor and, in association with the identification of the target vendor, the target vendor priority value.

Abstract: A system for making payments from each payer of a community of payers to each supplier of a community of suppliers assesses a variable transaction fee to each supplier. The system comprises a database which associates, for each payer, identification of a group of transaction rates to apply to payments made by the payer. Associated with each transaction rate is a subgroup of suppliers to which the transaction rate applies on payments made by the payer. In response to receiving a payment instruction, a payment application generates a credit transaction to the account of the supplier in the amount of the payment less a transaction fee. The transaction fee is the amount of the first payment multiplied by the transaction rate, of the group of transaction rates associated with the payer, that associates with the subgroup of suppliers to which the first supplier is associated.

Abstract: A system makes payments from each payer of a community of payers to each vendor of a community of vendors, assesses a variable transaction fee to each vendor, and provides a variable rebate to each payer. The transaction fee is “variable” because it may be varied: i) amongst vendors (the same payer may use different fee rates for different vendors); and ii) amongst payers (the same vendor may be subjected to different rates, based on the payer making the payment). The variable rebate is based on the total transaction fee applicable to payments made by the payer during a period of time. The rebate may be the sum of: i) the product of the total transaction fee multiplied by a base rebate percentage; and ii) the product of that portion of the total transaction fee in excess of an accelerator threshold multiplied by an accelerated rebate percentage.

Abstract: A system for marketing, to a prospective payer, a system which automates payments to enrolled vendors. The system comprises a vendor history file received from the prospective payer which associates identifying attributes and annual spend value with each target vendor to which the payer makes payments. Marketing instructions include, for each target vendor, determining a rebate potential by: i) using the identifying attributes to determine a industry code to associate with the target vendor; ii) using the industry code to look up a sensitivity rating; iii) calculating a transaction fee rate as a function of the sensitivity rating; and iv) calculating rebate potential as the product of the spend value multiplied by the transaction fee rate. An onboard report includes identification of the prospective payer and in association with the identification of the prospective payer, the rebate potential.