Abstract: A fluid storage and transport module includes complex plumbing features such as fluid reservoirs, filters, heat exchangers, three-dimensionally routed tubing, valves, mixing chambers, and exit apertures formed in and on a monolithic common bulk material using an additive rapid prototyping process of depositing multiple layers of rapid prototyping materials without welds, adhesives or compression fittings, being made by a method that minimizes leaks, maximizes packing density of the functional components, and increases the plumbing robustness to leaks.

Abstract: Method for reducing the time needed to perform geophysical inversion by using simultaneous encoded sources in the simulation steps of the inversion process. The geophysical survey data are prepared by encoding (3) a group of source gathers (1), using for each gather a different encoding signature selected from a set (2) of non-equivalent encoding signatures. Then, the encoded gathers are summed (4) by summing all traces corresponding to the same receiver from each gather, resulting in a simultaneous encoded gather. (Alternatively, the geophysical data are acquired from simultaneously encoded sources.) The simulation steps needed for inversion are then calculated using a particular assumed velocity (or other physical property) model (5) and simultaneously activated encoded sources using the same encoding scheme used on the measured data. The result is an updated physical properties model (6) that may be further updated (7) by additional iterations.

Abstract: Method for reducing the time needed to perform geophysical inversion by using simultaneous encoded sources in the simulation steps of the inversion process. The geophysical survey data are prepared by encoding (3) a group of source gathers (1), using for each gather a different encoding signature selected from a set (2) of non-equivalent encoding signatures. Then, the encoded gathers are summed (4) by summing all traces corresponding to the same receiver from each gather, resulting in a simultaneous encoded gather. (Alternatively, the geophysical data are acquired from simultaneously encoded sources.) The simulation steps needed for inversion are then calculated using a particular assumed velocity (or other physical property) model (5) and simultaneously activated encoded sources using the same encoding scheme used on the measured data. The result is an updated physical properties model (6) that may be further updated (7) by additional iterations.

Abstract: Method for reducing the time needed to perform geophysical inversion by using simultaneous encoded sources in the simulation steps of the inversion process. The geophysical survey data are prepared by encoding (3) a group of source gathers (1), using for each gather a different encoding signature selected from a set (2) of non-equivalent encoding signatures. Then, the encoded gathers are summed (4) by summing all traces corresponding to the same receiver from each gather, resulting in a simultaneous encoded gather. (Alternatively, the geophysical data are acquired from simultaneously encoded sources.) The simulation steps needed for inversion are then calculated using a particular assumed velocity (or other physical property) model (5) and simultaneously activated encoded sources using the same encoding scheme used on the measured data. The result is an updated physical properties model (6) that may be further updated (7) by additional iterations.

Abstract: A fluid storage and transport module includes complex plumbing features such as fluid reservoirs, filters, heat exchangers, three-dimensionally routed tubing, valves, mixing chambers, and exit apertures formed in and on a monolithic common bulk material using an additive rapid prototyping process of depositing multiple layers of rapid prototyping materials without welds, adhesives or compression fittings, being made by a method that minimizes leaks, maximizes packing density of the functional components, and increases the plumbing robustness to leaks.

Abstract: Method for reducing the time needed to perform geophysical inversion by using simultaneous encoded sources in the simulation steps of the inversion process. The geophysical survey data are prepared by encoding (3) a group of source gathers (1), using for each gather a different encoding signature selected from a set (2) of non-equivalent encoding signatures. Then, the encoded gathers are summed (4) by summing all traces corresponding to the same receiver from each gather, resulting in a simultaneous encoded gather (Alternatively, the geophysical data are acquired from simultaneously encoded sources.) The simulation steps needed for inversion are then calculated using a particular assumed velocity (or other physical property) model (5) and simultaneously activated encoded sources using the same encoding scheme used on the measured data. The result is an updated physical properties model (6) that may be further updated (7) by additional iterations.

Abstract: A conductive hinge is made of a superelastic shape memory alloy such as nitinol (NiTi) having a large elastic strain limit for enabling the hinge to bend to a small radius during stowage and flexible return to a trained rigid hinge position by training the shape memory alloy to assume a predetermined deployed configuration when released from a stowage configuration. The hinge is trained by forging at a temperature above a training temperature. The hinge is stowed and released in the superelastic state to deploy solar cell panels as the hinges unfold to the trained deployed configuration.

Abstract: A wrap around contact is disposed on the edge of a solar cell panel for providing electrical connections between a thin film solar cell contact and electrical conductors in a flex circuit for routing electrical energy produced by the solar cells to a power bus. The wrap around contact wraps around an edge of a solar cell on top of which is the solar cell contact. Under the solar cell, power bus conductor traces are laser welded to the wrap around contract so as to connect the flex circuit power bus to the silver contact of the thin film solar cell.

Abstract: A conductive hinge is made of a superelastic shape memory alloy such as nitinol (NiTi) having a large elastic strain limit for enabling the hinge to bend around a small radius during stowage and flexible return to a trained rigid hinge position. The hinge is conductive enabling use of the hinge as a conductor for routing power through multiple solar cell panels interconnected by the hinges forming a hinged solar cell array that is deployed when the hinges are released from the bent stowed configuration to the rigid deployed configuration when the hinges further function as latches to lock the panels in place.

Abstract: A conductive hinge is made of a superelastic shape memory alloy such as nitinol (NiTi) having a large elastic strain limit for enabling the hinge to bend around a small radius during stowage and flexible return to a trained rigid hinge position. The hinge is conductive enabling use of the hinge as a conductor for routing power through multiple solar cell panels interconnected by the hinges forming a hinged solar cell array that is deployed when the hinges are released from the bent stowed configuration to the rigid deployed configuration when the hinges further function as latches to lock the panels in place.

Abstract: A conductive hinge is made of a superelastic shape memory alloy such as nitinol (NiTi) having a large elastic strain limit for enabling the hinge to bend around a small radius during stowage and flexible return to a trained rigid hinge position. The hinge is conductive enabling use of the hinge as a conductor for routing power through multiple solar cell panels interconnected by the hinges forming a hinged solar cell array that is deployed when the hinges are released from the bent stowed configuration to the rigid deployed configuration when the hinges further function as latches to lock the panels in place.

Abstract: A conductive hinge is made of a superelastic shape memory alloy such as nitinol (NiTi) having a large elastic strain limit for enabling the hinge to bend to a small radius during stowage for flexible return to a trained rigid hinge position by training the shape memory alloy to assume a predetermined deployed configuration when released from a stowage configuration. The hinge is trained by forging at a temperature above a training temperature. The hinge is released to deploy solar cell panels as the hinges unfold to the forged trained deployed configuration.

Abstract: A power sphere preferably used as part of a nanosatellite is formed using a plurality of flat panels solar arrays interconnected together by rotating hinges to approximate a spherical shape for use as an enclosure of a payload. The solar array panels are supported by an extending internal strut. The spherical shape provides attitude insensitive solar energy collection and heat radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for constructing an optimal pilot trace from a gather of seismic traces, which pilot trace can be used to obtain statics estimates for time correction of the gathered traces prior to common depth point stacking. During construction of the optimal pilot trace, the statics estimates are inherently obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating and correcting source and receiver statics contained in recorded and gathered seismic traces. Measurements based on the time of arrival of reflection and refraction signal components in the recorded and gathered traces are used to produce source-receiver statics estimates, which are in turn used to correctly time shift the individual traces of the gather for subsequent common depth point (CDP) gathering and stacking.

Abstract: A portable laser system for remote detection of methane gas leaks and concentrations is disclosed. The system transmitter includes first and second lasers, tuned respectively to a wavelength coincident with a strong absorption line of methane and a reference wavelength which is weakly absorbed by methane gas. The lasers are aimed at a topographical target along a system axis and the beams successively interrupted by a chopper wheel.The system receiver includes a spherical mirror for collecting the reflected laser radiation and focusing the collected radiation through a narrowband optical filter onto an optial detector. The filter is tuned to the wavelength of the two lasers, and rejects background noise to substantially improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the detector. The output of the optical detector is processed by a lock-in detector synchronized to the chopper, and which measures the difference between the first wavelength signal and the reference wavelength signal.