Abstract: A portable cushion tray includes a cushion coupled to a tray. The tray has a first maximum perimeter. The cushion has a second maximum perimeter. The first maximum perimeter is one of the same as the second maximum perimeter and disposed inside of the second maximum perimeter. The portable cushion tray is used as a furniture accessory and selectively provides each of a pillow and a working surface for use with furniture.

Abstract: A portable cushion tray includes a cushion coupled to a tray. The tray has a first maximum perimeter. The cushion has a second maximum perimeter. The first maximum perimeter is one of the same as the second maximum perimeter and disposed inside of the second maximum perimeter. The portable cushion tray is used as a furniture accessory and selectively provides each of a pillow and a working surface for use with furniture.

Abstract: A portable cushion tray includes a cushion coupled to a tray. The tray has a first maximum perimeter. The cushion has a second maximum perimeter. The first maximum perimeter is one of the same as the second maximum perimeter and disposed inside of the second maximum perimeter. The portable cushion tray is used as a furniture accessory and selectively provides each of a pillow and a working surface for use with furniture.

Abstract: A portable cushion tray includes a cushion coupled to a tray. The tray has a first maximum perimeter. The cushion has a second maximum perimeter. The first maximum perimeter is one of the same as the second maximum perimeter and disposed inside of the second maximum perimeter. The portable cushion tray is used as a furniture accessory and selectively provides each of a pillow and a working surface for use with furniture.

Abstract: A portable cushion tray includes a cushion coupled to a tray. The tray has a first maximum perimeter. The cushion has a second maximum perimeter. The first maximum perimeter is one of the same as the second maximum perimeter and disposed inside of the second maximum perimeter. The portable cushion tray is used as a furniture accessory and selectively provides each of a pillow and a working surface for use with furniture.

Abstract: A portable cushion tray includes a cushion coupled to a tray. The tray has a first maximum perimeter. The cushion has a second maximum perimeter. The first maximum perimeter is one of the same as the second maximum perimeter and disposed inside of the second maximum perimeter. The portable cushion tray is used as a furniture accessory and selectively provides each of a pillow and a working surface for use with furniture.

Abstract: An optical inter-satellite link (OISL) gimbal 10 that is particularly suited for directing an optical beam in an optical inter-satellite communications system is disclosed. The OISL gimbal 10 includes an azimuth drive housing 20, a generally cylindrical azimuth shaft 22 rotatably connected to the azimuth drive housing 20 and an optical payload 210 or beam-steering mirror 70 rotatably connected to the azimuth shaft 22. The azimuth shaft 22 has a clear aperture through which one or more optical beams may be directed to and from a stationary optical payload 30. A capacitive azimuth position sensor 40 detects the rotational position of the azimuth shaft 22 and a direct drive azimuth motor 50 drives rotation of the azimuth shaft 22. The OISL gimbal 10 preferably provides two-axis rotation of the optical payload 210 or beam-steering mirror 70 through approximately +/?180 degrees of inboard (azimuth) travel and +/?30 degrees of line-of-sight outboard (elevation) travel.

Abstract: An optical inter-satellite link (OISL) gimbal 10 that is particularly suited for directing an optical beam in an optical inter-satellite communications system is disclosed. The OISL gimbal 10 includes an azimuth drive housing 20, a generally cylindrical azimuth shaft 22 rotatably connected to the azimuth drive housing 20 and an optical payload 210 or beam-steering mirror 70 rotatably connected to the azimuth shaft 22. The azimuth shaft 22 has a clear aperture through which one or more optical beams may be directed to and from a stationary optical payload 30. A capacitive azimuth position sensor 40 detects the rotational position of the azimuth shaft 22 and a direct drive azimuth motor 50 drives rotation of the azimuth shaft 22. The OISL gimbal 10 preferably provides two-axis rotation of the optical payload 210 or beam-steering mirror 70 through approximately +/−180 degrees of inboard (azimuth) travel and +/−30 degrees of line-of-sight outboard (elevation) travel.

Abstract: An elongated electro-optical cable (100) is presented, which includes a plurality of elongated electrical conductors (104), a plurality of fiber optic elements (102), and an elongated insulating film casing enveloping the plurality of electrical conductors (104) and the plurality of fiber optic elements (102). The fiber optic elements (102), electrical conductors (104), and the elongated insulating film casing are arranged to form a generally flat cable (100). The cable may be arranged such that the electrical conductors (104) are shielded, for example, with a silver epoxy. An outer jacket (402) may be placed around the electrical conductors (104), fiber optic elements (102), and insulating film casing, which jacket (402) may be made from a tetrafluoroethylene polymer fiber. The electrical conductors (104) may be made from oxygen free copper and the insulating film casing may be made from a polyimide polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a capacitive resolver (100). The capacitive resolver (100) includes a charge plate (102), a sensing plate (106), and an interrupter plate (400) positioned between the charge plate (102) and the sensing plate (106). The front surface of the sensing plate (500) has a sinusoidal pattern (502). The back surface of the sensing plate (600) includes charge detectors (602), charge collectors (608), and rectifiers (618). The capacitive resolver (100) also includes a signal generator (110) which is electrically connected to the charge plate (102) and a signal analyzer which is electrically connected to the sensing plate (106). The capacitive resolver (100) may additionally include a non-conductive support (112).

Abstract: A gimbal drive module comprising an elbow (24) formed of composite material and having two legs. On one leg, elbow (24) includes an azimuth drive module (26). On the other leg, elbow (24) includes an elevation drive module (30). Azimuth drive module (26) and elevation drive module (30) include motors which when energized enable displacement of the respective legs in order to control the azimuth and elevation of elbow (24) to enable pointing of a structure, such as an antenna (18), as may be located on a second elbow outboard end (20).

Abstract: A beam waveguide type dual reflector (3, 4) type antenna, referred to as a Cassegrain antenna, is constructed with a beam waveguide (5, 6, 9, 11, 13, 15), having three axes of rotation (X1, Y1, & Z1), the first (X1) and second axes (Y1) of rotation being perpendicular to each other and the second (Y1) and third (Z1) axes of rotation being perpendicular to each other and with the spacing between the first (X1) and third (Z1) axes being constant to achieve a greater field of view, while retaining the capability of handling simultaneously cross polarized microwave signals. Actuator singularities, defining forbidden regions, singularity associated with rotation about the first and second axes are avoided by switching to rotation about the first and third axes as the singularity is approached by the antenna, permitting the antenna to move through that singularity region.