Abstract: A method for determining a length of a span of electrically conductive material, comprising a first voltage measurement across the entire span, and a second voltage measurement across a constant-length segment of the span. The dual measurements allow the calculation of the span length in a manner that is robust to many disturbances including ambient temperature, material temperature, and material stress and fatigue.

Abstract: A braided, open structure composite made with large prepreg tow can be cured without bonding at the yarn crossovers and after removal from the mandrel, it can be used directly as a spring in which the spring constant in bending, torsion, tension or compression can be controlled by the geometry of the braided structure as well as the size of the structural elements. Alternatively the spring may be curved in multiple directions to form complex shapes and then crossovers can be re-bonded to make more rigid open structure composites that would be difficult or impractical to manufacture by conventional techniques.

Abstract: Preforms for open structured (lattice) composite tubular members manufactured from large (i.e. high filament count) prepreg yarns on a conventional maypole braiding machine, and subsequently cured to produce fiber reinforced composites of high strength and light weight.

Abstract: A method for determining a length of a span of electrically conductive material, comprising a first voltage measurement across the entire span, and a second voltage measurement across a constant-length segment of the span. The dual measurements allow the calculation of the span length in a manner that is robust to many disturbances including ambient temperature, material temperature, and material stress and fatigue.

Abstract: A composite prepreg yarn designed and constructed is a very large, strong yarn with resin infused throughout, which can be used to prepare composite preforms via conventional Maypole braiding or other textile processes. The invention increases the loads that can be transmitted by the cured yarn in a composite structure, decreases the stickiness that can prevent their use in braiding and other textile processes, provides protection to the high-strength fibers from abrasion that is encountered during and after composite preform manufacturing via braiding.

Abstract: A braided, open structure composite made with large prepreg tow can be cured without bonding at the yarn crossovers and after removal from the mandrel, it can be used directly as a spring in which the spring constant in bending, torsion, tension or compression can be controlled by the geometry of the braided structure as well as the size of the structural elements. Alternatively the spring may be curved in multiple directions to form complex shapes and then crossovers can be re-bonded to make more rigid open structure composites that would be difficult or impractical to manufacture by conventional techniques.

Abstract: An electro-optical-mechanical tether to transmit both optical signals and electricity to and from airborne and other movable devices from a base structure, in which the tether includes a mechanical strengthening core covered by a first intermediate compressive layer which is helically wrapped by a plurality of electrical and fiber optic conductors, which constitute an second intermediate layer of the tether, and a outer protective layer.

Abstract: Preforms for open structured (lattice) composite tubular members manufactured from large (i.e. high filament count) prepreg yarns on a conventional maypole braiding machine, and subsequently cured to produce fiber reinforced composites of high strength and light weight.

Abstract: Preforms for open structured (lattice) composite tubular members manufactured from large (i.e. high filament count) prepreg yarns on a conventional maypole braiding machine, and subsequently cured to produce fiber reinforced composites of high strength and light weight.

Abstract: An electro-optical-mechanical tether is presented. The tether is designed to be strong and lightweight, and to transmit both optical signals and electricity. The proposed use relates to airborne devices, in which the tether may transmit electrical power to or from the device as well as enabling communications between the device and the ground. This tether may also be ideal for other aerospace applications and for connections between ships.

Abstract: A composite prepreg yarn designed and constructed is a very large, strong yarn with resin infused throughout, which can be used to prepare composite preforms via conventional Maypole braiding or other textile processes. The invention increases the loads that can be transmitted by the cured yarn in a composite structure, decreases the stickiness that can prevent their use in braiding and other textile processes, provides protection to the high-strength fibers from abrasion that is encountered during and after composite preform manufacturing via braiding.

Abstract: A braiding machine which operates to deliver a first set of yarns about a vertical axis along a first plane to a braiding point and a second set of yarns about the vertical axis along a second plane located above the first plane to the braiding point and a third set of yarns stationarily arranged about the vertical axis for delivery along a third plane intermediate of the first and second planes to the braiding point. The machine includes an interlacing mechanism which is associated with each yarn of the third set of yarns and including a rotating interlacing member.

Abstract: An axially stable tubular braided fabric comprising a longitudinal set of yarns extending longitudinally of the fabric, a first set of yarns arranged substantially along a first cylindrical plane and at an angle relative to the longitudinal yarns and a second set of yarns arranged substantially along a second cylindrical plane and transversely of the first set of yarns. The yarns of the longitudinal set are passed consecutively over one and under the other of the yarns of the first and second sets interlocking these yarns together in an axially stable position with the yarns of the first set predominating the outer surface and the yarns of the second set predominating the inner surface.

Abstract: A fabric forming device including a stationary yarn supply and a rotating yarn supply, each delivering yarn to a common point along a vertical axis where they are interlaced. The stationary yarn supply includes a plurality of yarn carrying cones which are arranged along a common horizontal plane about the vertical axis. The rotating yarn supply includes a plurality of yarn spools mounted with a rotating plate about the vertical axis. A plurality of vertically moveable guide members which are adapted to engage with the yarns of the rotating yarn supply act to selectively alter the horizontal path along which the yarns travel. The guide members act to control the yarns of the rotating yarn supply to be selectively positioned to pass above or below the cones carrying the stationary yarns so that the yarns interlace in a desired manner.

Abstract: Audio amplifier comprising symmetrical, dual polarity power supply and class AB audio amplifier circuit, said supply comprising first positive (86) and negative (85) and second positive (83) and negative (84) unregulated DC inputs; positive and negative regulated outputs and common output (87); first regulator circuit including transistor (62) having its emitter connected to said first negative unregulated DC input; a second regulator circuit including transistor (61) having its emitter connected to said positive unregulated DC input and both collectors connected to said common output, each transistor having a pass resistor, said first circuit deriving a reference from said negative regulated output and said second circuit deriving a reference from said positive regulated output said first and second regulator circuit deriving power from said positive regulated output and common and said negative regulated output and common respectively; said amplifier circuit comprising primary operational amplifier (12) dri

Abstract: A pressure or force transducer capable of miniaturization. Preferably, the transducer takes the form of a "contact lens" and is applied to the eyeball to permit intra-ocular pressure to be measured.