Abstract: Embodiments of a system for recovery of a target aircraft by a host aircraft, the system including a towline having a proximal section configured to be coupled with the host aircraft and a distal section configured to be paid out from the host aircraft, a fitting coupled with the distal section of the towline, wherein the fitting comprises a housing, a global navigation satellite system receiver (e.g., without limitation, a GPS receiver), and a global navigation satellite system antenna. In some embodiments, when paid out from the host aircraft, the towline is configured to be in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: An antimicrobial skin composition comprised of an antimicrobial agent, an alcohol, one or more pH sensitive viscosity builders, a plasticizer and water. Preferably, the viscosity builders of the present invention are comprised of pH sensitive methacrylic polymers which are alcohol compatible and have pH controlled water solubility. The composition combines the advantages of an antimicrobial agent and an alcohol, and has a viscosity of from 100 cp to 1,000. This viscosity is sufficiently low for purposes of dispensing and applying the preparation, yet sufficiently high to cause the solution to remain in the area of the wound and not flow away or pool under the patient. The preparation further forms a water-resistant film that is difficult to remove during wound irrigation, but can be easily removed upon completion of the procedure. In addition, the preparation is fast drying so as to take advantage of the fast high initial kill properties of alcohol.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for drilling tapered holes in workpieces with laser pulses is presented which uses defocused laser pulses to machine the holes with specified taper and surface finish while maintaining specified exit diameters and improved system throughput. A system is described which can also drill holes with the desired taper and surface finish without requiring defocused laser pulses.

Abstract: Systems and methods cut trenches of multiple widths in a material using a single pass of a laser beam. A first series of laser pulses cut a work surface of the material at a first cutting speed using a first spot size. In a transition region from a first trench width to a second trench width, a second series of laser pulses sequentially change spot sizes while gradually changing from the first cutting speed to a second cutting speed. Then, a third series of laser pulses continue to cut the work surface at the second cutting speed using a second spot size. The method provides for increased depth control in the transition region. A system uses a selectively adjustable optical component in the laser beam path to rapidly change spot size by adjusting a position of a focal plane with respect to the work surface.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for drilling tapered holes in workpieces with laser pulses is presented which uses defocused laser pulses to machine the holes with specified taper and surface finish while maintaining specified exit diameters and improved system throughput. A system is described which can also drill holes with the desired taper and surface finish without requiring defocused laser pulses.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for drilling tapered holes in workpieces with laser pulses is presented which uses defocused laser pulses to machine the holes with specified taper and surface finish while maintaining specified exit diameters and improved system throughput. A system is described which can also drill holes with the desired taper and surface finish without requiring defocused laser pulses.

Abstract: Systems and methods cut trenches of multiple widths in a material using a single pass of a laser beam. A first series of laser pulses cut a work surface of the material at a first cutting speed using a first spot size. In a transition region from a first trench width to a second trench width, a second series of laser pulses sequentially change spot sizes while gradually changing from the first cutting speed to a second cutting speed. Then, a third series of laser pulses continue to cut the work surface at the second cutting speed using a second spot size. The method provides for increased depth control in the transition region. A system uses a selectively adjustable optical component in the laser beam path to rapidly change spot size by adjusting a position of a focal plane with respect to the work surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods cut trenches of multiple widths in a material using a single pass of a laser beam. A first series of laser pulses cut a work surface of the material at a first cutting speed using a first spot size. In a transition region from a first trench width to a second trench width, a second series of laser pulses sequentially change spot sizes while gradually changing from the first cutting speed to a second cutting speed. Then, a third series of laser pulses continue to cut the work surface at the second cutting speed using a second spot size. The method provides for increased depth control in the transition region. A system uses a selectively adjustable optical component in the laser beam path to rapidly change spot size by adjusting a position of a focal plane with respect to the work surface.

Abstract: A method for defining machine cutting path safety zones for use in laser machining devices. The method includes indentifying safety zone positional coordinates in a computer aided design model, using a machine vision system to image the modeled physical machining device, determining the positional difference between the design model safety zone points and the imaged points and converting the design model safety zone coordinates into machine specific coordinates for input into a machining cutting path program.

Abstract: An improved method for laser machining features in brittle materials 8 such as glass is presented, wherein a tool path 10 related to a feature is analyzed to determine how many passes are required to laser machine the feature using non-adjacent laser pulses 12. Laser pulses 12 applied during subsequent passes are located so as to overlap previous laser spot locations by a predetermined overlap amount. In this way no single spot receives excessive laser radiation caused by immediately subsequent laser pulses 12 being applied adjacent to a previous pulse location.

Abstract: A method for defining machine cutting path safety zones for use in laser machining devices. The method includes indentifying safety zone positional coordinates in a computer aided design model, using a machine vision system to image the modeled physical machining device, determining the positional difference between the design model safety zone points and the imaged points and converting the design model safety zone coordinates into machine specific coordinates for input into a machining cutting path program.

Abstract: Systems and methods cut trenches of multiple widths in a material using a single pass of a laser beam. A first series of laser pulses cut a work surface of the material at a first cutting speed using a first spot size. In a transition region from a first trench width to a second trench width, a second series of laser pulses sequentially change spot sizes while gradually changing from the first cutting speed to a second cutting speed. Then, a third series of laser pulses continue to cut the work surface at the second cutting speed using a second spot size. The method provides for increased depth control in the transition region. A system uses a selectively adjustable optical component in the laser beam path to rapidly change spot size by adjusting a position of a focal plane with respect to the work surface.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for drilling tapered holes in workpieces with laser pulses is presented which uses defocused laser pulses to machine the holes with specified taper and surface finish while maintaining specified exit diameters and improved system throughput. A system is described which can also drill holes with the desired taper and surface finish without requiring defocused laser pulses.

Abstract: An antimicrobial skin composition comprised of an antimicrobial agent, an alcohol, one or more pH sensitive viscosity builders, a plasticizer and water. Preferably, the viscosity builders of the present invention are comprised of pH sensitive methacrylic polymers which are alcohol compatible and have pH controlled water solubility. The composition combines the advantages of an antimicrobial agent and an alcohol, and has a viscosity of from 100 cp to 1,000. This viscosity is sufficiently low for purposes of dispensing and applying the preparation, yet sufficiently high to cause the solution to remain in the area of the wound and not flow away or pool under the patient. The preparation further forms a water-resistant film that is difficult to remove during wound irrigation, but can be easily removed upon completion of the procedure. In addition, the preparation is fast drying so as to take advantage of the fast high initial kill properties of alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention provides antimicrobial skin-preparation delivery systems useable to disinfect a surgical site for surgery. The delivery systems include an antimicrobial alcohol gel formulation contained within a sealed, flexible container and a gel formulation dispenser connected to the container. The gel formulation dispenser includes a container connector connected to the flexible container and a gel applicator having a sealed piercing member which is slidably engaged with the container connector. An applicator pad is porous and also has enlarged holes for passage of the gel formulation. The gel formulation dispenser pierces a seal in the container and delivers the antimicrobial alcohol gel formulation from the container to the surgical site. Flow rate of the gel formulation is largely controlled by the amount of external pressure of squeezing a user applied to the flexible container. The antimicrobial skin-preparation formula includes iodine, alcohol and gel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antimicrobial composition for disinfection of a skin surface in preparation for surgery. The antimicrobial composition comprises parachlorometaxylenol (PCMX) and an anionic surfactant composition which exhibits both a high degree of antimicrobial efficacy and low skin irritability properties. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises an anionic surfactant composition comprising a surfactant having a hydrophobic portion consisting of a linear alkyl and a hydrophilic portion having ethoxylation termination with a sulfonate anionic group, and a sarcosine surfactant. A preferred surfactant composition further comprises a foaming anionic surfactant, such as sodium lauryl sulfate. The antimicrobial composition can be used in skin disinfecting formulations, such as scrub formulations and pre-operative skin disinfecting formulations. In one embodiment, the composition comprises about 3.3% parachlorometaxylenol.