Abstract: A system for fine-scale, in-situ measurements of turbulence in the atmosphere is described. The system may be a balloon-borne instrument, performing measurements during slow descents from stratospheric altitudes, and may include at least some of onboard data compression, telemetry of data to a ground station, self-calibration, and data processing to extract turbulence parameters.

Abstract: A connection socket for a tubular connection includes a socket cup having a metal alloy composition and a sealing portion. A primary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The primary seal includes an elastomeric material having a service temperature. One or more spacer rings are positioned within the sealing portion. A secondary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The secondary seal includes a metal composition, wherein the secondary seal has a melting temperature at or above the service temperature of the primary seal. One or more locking rings are positioned within the sealing portion, wherein each of the one or more locking rings comprises a biting feature defined along an internal circumference of the locking ring.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for updating digital certificates on a computer and testing to confirm that the update was performed correctly. The testing may involve confirming that a server's common name (CN) and/or a server's subject alternative name (SAN) matches the domain name server (DNS) name utilized to access the server, confirming that, for all the certificates sent in chain, each certificate's expiration date is less than or equal to the expiration date of that certificate's parent certificate, confirming that the certificates' authority key identifier (AKI), subject key identifier (SKI), and/or authority information access (AIA) are in compliance, and comparing available cipher suites to a list of pre-approved cipher suites.

Abstract: A bone plate system is provided. The system includes two or more fastener locks stacked on top of each other and located between two holes in a plate adapted to receive bone fasteners. An actuator is provided between the locks. As the actuator is advanced, the locks are moved sequentially into position, firstly, to prevent one or more bone fasteners from backing out of the plate while permitting the fasteners to angulate and, secondly, to lock the angulation of the bone fasteners while still providing back out protection in situ. An expandable bone plate having a top plate interconnected to a bottom plate by a rack and pinion is provided. The rotation of the pinion with a driver lengthens or shortens the plate incrementally for custom length adjustment. The length is fixed in position with the simple removal of the driver and no further step is required to lock the plate length.

Abstract: A bone plate system is provided. The system includes two or more fastener locks stacked on top of each other and located between two holes in a plate adapted to receive bone fasteners. An actuator is provided between the locks. As the actuator is advanced, the locks are moved sequentially into position, firstly, to prevent one or more bone fasteners from backing out of the plate while permitting the fasteners to angulate and, secondly, to lock the angulation of the bone fasteners while still providing back out protection in situ. An expandable bone plate having a top plate interconnected to a bottom plate by a rack and pinion is provided. The rotation of the pinion with a driver lengthens or shortens the plate incrementally for custom length adjustment. The length is fixed in position with the simple removal of the driver and no further step is required to lock the plate length.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for updating digital certificates on a computer and testing to confirm that the update was performed correctly. The testing may involve confirming that a server's common name (CN) and/or a server's subject alternative name (SAN) matches the domain name server (DNS) name utilized to access the server, confirming that, for all the certificates sent in chain, each certificate's expiration date is less than or equal to the expiration date of that certificate's parent certificate, confirming that the certificates' authority key identifier (AKI), subject key identifier (SKI), and/or authority information access (AIA) are in compliance, and comparing available cipher suites to a list of pre-approved cipher suites.

Abstract: A bone plate system is provided. The system includes two or more fastener locks stacked on top of each other and located between two holes in a plate adapted to receive bone fasteners. An actuator is provided between the locks. As the actuator is advanced, the locks are moved sequentially into position, firstly, to prevent one or more bone fasteners from backing out of the plate while permitting the fasteners to angulate and, secondly, to lock the angulation of the bone fasteners while still providing back out protection in situ. An expandable bone plate having a top plate interconnected to a bottom plate by a rack and pinion is provided. The rotation of the pinion with a driver lengthens or shortens the plate incrementally for custom length adjustment. The length is fixed in position with the simple removal of the driver and no further step is required to lock the plate length.

Abstract: A bone plate system is provided. The system includes two or more fastener locks stacked on top of each other and located between two holes in a plate adapted to receive bone fasteners. An actuator is provided between the locks. As the actuator is advanced, the locks are moved sequentially into position, firstly, to prevent one or more bone fasteners from backing out of the plate while permitting the fasteners to angulate and, secondly, to lock the angulation of the bone fasteners while still providing back out protection in situ. An expandable bone plate having a top plate interconnected to a bottom plate by a rack and pinion is provided. The rotation of the pinion with a driver lengthens or shortens the plate incrementally for custom length adjustment. The length is fixed in position with the simple removal of the driver and no further step is required to lock the plate length.

Abstract: There is disclosed a MicroFlex Scope (MFS). The MFS is a dexterous endoscope providing access, direct visualization, tissue sampling, and treatment, of body lumens. In one embodiment, the distal end of the MFS is an ultra-flexible tip that comprises a plurality of thin, curved shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator elements attached to at least one structural skeleton, a coil spring skeleton or hinge structure. The SMA actuator elements in each structural skeleton segment are indirectly heated by a heater element and produce force in response to their temperature relative to specific thresholds. In configurations comprising a plurality of actuator elements, multiplexing/demultiplexing of heating currents and sensor voltages may be accomplished via a parallel bus and demultiplexing circuit. In this regard, a demultiplexing circuit using standard microelectronic fabrication techniques may be designed to achieve individual sensing and control over each actuator element.

Abstract: There is disclosed a MicroFlex Scope (MFS). The MFS is a dexterous endoscope providing access, direct visualization, tissue sampling, and treatment, of body lumens. In one embodiment, the distal end of the MFS is an ultra-flexible tip that comprises a plurality of thin, curved shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator elements attached to at least one structural skeleton, a coil spring skeleton or hinge structure. The SMA actuator elements in each structural skeleton segment are indirectly heated by a heater element and produce force in response to their temperature relative to specific thresholds. In configurations comprising a plurality of actuator elements, multiplexing/demultiplexing of heating currents and sensor voltages may be accomplished via a parallel bus and demulitplexing circuit. In this regard, a demultiplexing circuit using standard microelectronic fabrication techniques may be designed to achieve individual sensing and control over each actuator element.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in part, a dexterous endoscope apparatus, referred to herein as a MicroFlex Scope (MFS). The MFS is an novel, small diameter, e.g., less about 1 mm to about 4 mm, about 1 mm to about 3 mm, etc., dexterous endoscope that allows for access, direct visualization, tissue sampling, treatment, etc. of body lumens. In one embodiment, the distal end of the MFS of the invention is an ultra-flexible tip that comprises a plurality of thin, curved shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator elements attached to at least one structural skeleton, e.g., a coil spring skeleton or hinge structure. The SMA actuator elements in each structural skeleton segment are indirectly heated by a heater element and produce force in response to their temperature relative to specific thresholds. In certain embodiments, the heater element may include an integrated heater/sensor element adapted to heat the actuator element and to sense the temperature and bend state of the actuator element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an online method and system for estimating the manufacturing cost of a component. A preferred method embodiment of the present invention includes receiving a component model which includes quantitative driver(s) and cost algorithm(s) used to determine the estimated manufacturing cost, receiving values for each quantitative driver, determining the estimated manufacturing costs for the component based on the values for each quantitative driver and the cost algorithm(s), and transmitting the estimated manufacturing cost to a user. A preferred computer system of the present invention is configured to receive a component model which includes quantitative driver(s) and cost algorithm(s), receive values for each quantitative driver, determine the estimated manufacturing costs for the component based on the quantitative driver values and the cost algorithm(s), and transmit the estimated manufacturing cost to a user.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in part, a dexterous endoscope apparatus, referred to herein as a MicroFlex Scope (MFS). The MFS is an novel, small diameter, e.g., less about 1 mm to about 4 mm, about 1 mm to about 3 mm, etc., dexterous endoscope that allows for access, direct visualization, tissue sampling, treatment, etc. of body lumens. In one embodiment, the distal end of the MFS of the invention is an ultra-flexible tip that comprises a plurality of thin, curved shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator elements attached to at least one structural skeleton, e.g., a coil spring skeleton or hinge structure. The SMA actuator elements in each structural skeleton segment are indirectly heated by a heater element and produce force in response to their temperature relative to specific thresholds. In certain embodiments, the heater element may include an integrated heater/sensor element adapted to heat the actuator element and to sense the temperature and bend state of the actuator element.

Abstract: A welding apparatus includes a workpiece housing having a window therethrough and having a welding access therethrough for a welder to an interior of the workpiece housing. The workpiece housing is metallic with a heat insulation on an internal surface thereof. A lamp heat source is directed through the window and at the workpiece in the interior of the workpiece housing. A gas source delivers a controllable flow of a shielding gas to the interior of the workpiece housing. A temperature sensor senses a temperature of the workpiece within the interior of the workpiece housing. A feedback controller controls the power to the lamp heat source responsive to the temperature of the workpiece. To perform welding, the workpiece is placed into the interior of the workpiece housing so as to have its temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, and the gas source is operated to envelope the workpiece in the shielding gas.

Abstract: A method of producing a smoother torque from a multi-pole motor is described. The method includes determining an angular position of a rotor of the multi-pole motor, and producing a current to drive the multi-pole motor. The current is controlled based on the angular position of the rotor so as to produce a smoother torque, without the substantially sinusoidal characteristics of torque produced by a steady current. An apparatus is described which can employ methods of the invention to provide smoother torque from a multi-pole motor.

Abstract: A welding apparatus includes a workpiece housing having a window therethrough and having a welding access therethrough for a welder to an interior of the workpiece housing. The workpiece housing is metallic with a heat insulation on an internal surface thereof. A lamp heat source is directed through the window and at the workpiece in the interior of the workpiece housing. A gas source delivers a controllable flow of a shielding gas to the interior of the workpiece housing. A temperature sensor senses a temperature of the workpiece within the interior of the workpiece housing. A feedback controller controls the power to the lamp heat source responsive to the temperature of the workpiece. To perform welding, the workpiece is placed into the interior of the workpiece housing so as to have its temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, and the gas source is operated to envelope the workpiece in the shielding gas.

Abstract: A multifunctional weld fixture is provided having a base receiving a component and a plurality of locator tabs disposed around its outer edge. A circumferential array of expansion feet are movably attached to the top surface of the base. A disk-shaped wedge is disposed in sliding engagement with the expansion feet. A cover supports a portion of the component and seals against the component to create an enclosed plenum. The same fixture may be used to expand the component to compensate for shrinkage after the weld is compete.

Abstract: A multifunctional weld fixture is provided having a base receiving a component and a plurality of locator tabs disposed around its outer edge. A circumferential array of expansion feet are movably attached to the top surface of the base. A disk-shaped wedge is disposed in sliding engagement with the expansion feet. A cover supports a portion of the component and seals against the component to create an enclosed plenum. The same fixture may be used to expand the component to compensate for shrinkage after the weld is compete.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an online method and system for estimating the manufacturing cost of a component. A preferred method embodiment of the present invention includes receiving a component model which includes quantitative driver(s) and cost algorithm(s) used to determine the estimated manufacturing cost, receiving values for each quantitative driver, determining the estimated manufacturing costs for the component based on the values for each quantitative driver and the cost algorithm(s), and transmitting the estimated manufacturing cost to a user. A preferred computer system of the present invention is configured to receive a component model which includes quantitative driver(s) and cost algorithm(s), receive values for each quantitative driver, determine the estimated manufacturing costs for the component based on the quantitative driver values and the cost algorithm(s), and transmit the estimated manufacturing cost to a user.

Abstract: A system is provided for measuring the color visual fields of a patient's eyes, and includes a viewing area for the patient to direct one of their eyes toward. The viewing area also has a viewing area perimeter, and the viewing area is divided into four substantially equal quadrants. The system further includes a fixation structure, which is located substantially at a central portion of the viewing area. Generally, the purpose of the fixation structure is to hold the attention of the patient. There are also a plurality of predetermined and substantially linear paths included in the system. The paths extend in directions radially outward from the fixation structure toward the viewing area perimeter. The plurality of predetermined paths are spaced apart by substantially equal angles of separation. Also, each quadrant of the viewing area includes at least two predetermined paths therein. A stimuli target is also provided to continuously and automatically move along the predetermined paths.