Abstract: An aircraft includes a main body having an empennage, a main rotor assembly mounted on the main body, and a movable control surface assembly supported on the empennage. The movable control surface assembly includes a tube extending from the empennage along a tube axis to a free end, the tube being supported for rotation about the tube axis with respect to the empennage, and a movable control surface mounted on the tube for rotation therewith. The movable control surface is supported on the tube by a connection element that couples the movable control surface to the free end of the tube to rotatably fix the movable control surface with respect to the tube.

Abstract: An outlet cover assembly with electrical connection to couple to a receptacle. The cover assembly may include a cover plate having an electrical load and at least one intermediate connector coupled to the electrical load, an intermediate plate having at least one receptacle connector extending from the intermediate plate and an electrical connection point coupled to the at least one receptacle connector. The receptacle connector may be placed in electrical contact with an electric supply of the receptacle and delivers current to the electrical connection point when coupled to the receptacle. The intermediate plate is coupled between the receptacle and the cover plate with the intermediate connector of the cover plate engaging the electrical connection point of the intermediate plate to supply power to the electrical load coupled to the cover plate.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is an apparatus for securely and adjustably associating a fluid meter a fluid meter test bench. The apparatus comprises two vertical support members each connected by a horizontal support element at one end with at least one latching device defined at its free ends and wherein at least one of the latching devices define a locking member configured to secure the vertical support elements to a fluid meter test bench. The horizontal support element defines an adjustment interface mechanically associated with an adjuster element configured for adjustably securing a flow path element of a fluid meter test bench.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is an apparatus for securely and adjustably associating a fluid meter a fluid meter test bench. The apparatus comprises two vertical support members each connected by a horizontal support element at one free end. The horizontal support element defines an adjustment interface mechanically associated with an adjuster element configured for adjustably securing a flow path element of a fluid meter test bench.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of islands each carrying multiple cantilevers. The apparatus also includes a fluidic network having a plurality of channels separating the islands. The channels are configured to provide fluid to the islands, and the fluid at least partially fills spaces between the cantilevers and the islands. Heat from the islands vaporizes the fluid filling the spaces between the cantilevers and the islands to transfer the heat away from the islands while driving the cantilevers into oscillation. The apparatus may also include a casing configured to surround the islands and the fluidic network to create a vapor chamber, where the vapor chamber is configured to retain the vaporized fluid. The islands and the fluidic network could be formed in a single substrate, or the islands could be separate and attached together by a binder located within the channels of the fluidic network.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are formed on projections on a substrate. A metal, such as nickel is deposited on the substrate with optional platforms, and heated to form the projections. Carbon nanotubes are formed from the projections by heating in an ethylene, methane or CO atmosphere. A heat sensor is also formed proximate the carbon nanotubes. When exposed to IR radiation, the heat sensor detects changes in temperature representative of the IR radiation. In a gas sensor, a thermally isolated area, such as a pixel is formed on a substrate with an integrated heater. A pair of conductors each have a portion adjacent a portion of the other conductor with projections formed on the adjacent portions of the conductors. Multiple carbon nanotubes are formed between the conductors from one projection to another. IV characteristics of the nanotubes are measured between the conductors in the presence of a gas to be detected.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring a chemical sample and modulating the chemical sample at a frequency greater than a drift frequency of a sensor. The method also includes determining at least one of a presence and a concentration of the analyte within the modulated chemical sample using the sensor. Modulating the chemical sample could include alternately absorbing at least some of the analyte into a sorbent material and releasing at least some of the analyte from the sorbent material. Modulating the chemical sample could also include heating the sorbent material, absorbing part of the analyte into the sorbent material, and passing a remaining portion of the analyte into the sensor. Modulating the chemical sample could further include stopping the heating of the sorbent material, releasing the part of the analyte from the sorbent material, and passing the sample with the released part of the analyte into the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of islands each carrying multiple cantilevers. The apparatus also includes a fluidic network having a plurality of channels separating the islands. The channels are configured to provide fluid to the islands, and the fluid at least partially fills spaces between the cantilevers and the islands. Heat from the islands vaporizes the fluid filling the spaces between the cantilevers and the islands to transfer the heat away from the islands while driving the cantilevers into oscillation. The apparatus may also include a casing configured to surround the islands and the fluidic network to create a vapor chamber, where the vapor chamber is configured to retain the vaporized fluid. The islands and the fluidic network could be formed in a single substrate, or the islands could be separate and attached together by a binder located within the channels of the fluidic network.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a first electrode and an array of ordered electron conductive nanostructure films electrically coupled to and supported by the first electrode. A plurality of quantum dot absorbers are attached to the electrically conductive nanostructure films. A hole conducting material is diffused between the electron conductive nanostructure films, and a second electrode is electrically coupled to the hole conducting material.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of islands each carrying multiple cantilevers. The apparatus also includes a fluidic network having a plurality of channels separating the islands. The channels are configured to provide fluid to the islands, and the fluid at least partially fills spaces between the cantilevers and the islands. Heat from the islands vaporizes the fluid filling the spaces between the cantilevers and the islands to transfer the heat away from the islands while driving the cantilevers into oscillation. The apparatus may also include a casing configured to surround the islands and the fluidic network to create a vapor chamber, where the vapor chamber is configured to retain the vaporized fluid. The islands and the fluidic network could be formed in a single substrate, or the islands could be separate and attached together by a binder located within the channels of the fluidic network.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring a chemical sample and modulating the chemical sample at a frequency greater than a drift frequency of a sensor. The method also includes determining at least one of a presence and a concentration of the analyte within the modulated chemical sample using the sensor. Modulating the chemical sample could include alternately absorbing at least some of the analyte into a sorbent material and releasing at least some of the analyte from the sorbent material. Modulating the chemical sample could also include heating the sorbent material, absorbing part of the analyte into the sorbent material, and passing a remaining portion of the analyte into the sensor. Modulating the chemical sample could further include stopping the heating of the sorbent material, releasing the part of the analyte from the sorbent material, and passing the sample with the released part of the analyte into the sensor.

Abstract: A multiplexed set of light sources having outputs of light with various wavelengths which are combined into one beam. The beam may impinge a particle in a flow channel of a cytometer. The light leaving the flow channel may be sensed by a detector and the light distinguished according to wavelength.

Abstract: An optical system having a closed loop light path with a source for providing light in a direction parallel to the normal of an input to the light path. The light may be provided via a refracting mechanism to the input. The system may be a cavity ring-down sensor or some other optical device. The light path may be formed in a laser gyroscope type cavity. A light source may have a beam aligned to a spot, indicator or indicator or mark may be determined in accordance with parameters of the refracting mechanism and/or cavity. A fixture for holding the light source may be secured so that placement of the source in the fixture will automatically result in an aligned light source. Then the refracting mechanism may be inserted to further complete fabrication of the optical system.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of islands each carrying multiple cantilevers. The apparatus also includes a fluidic network having a plurality of channels separating the islands. The channels are configured to provide fluid to the islands, and the fluid at least partially fills spaces between the cantilevers and the islands. Heat from the islands vaporizes the fluid filling the spaces between the cantilevers and the islands to transfer the heat away from the islands while driving the cantilevers into oscillation. The apparatus may also include a casing configured to surround the islands and the fluidic network to create a vapor chamber, where the vapor chamber is configured to retain the vaporized fluid. The islands and the fluidic network could be formed in a single substrate, or the islands could be separate and attached together by a binder located within the channels of the fluidic network.

Abstract: An optical system having a closed loop light path with a source for providing light in a direction parallel to the normal of an input to the light path. The light may be provided via a diffracting mechanism to the input. The system may be a cavity ring-down sensor or some other optical device. The light path may be formed in a laser gyroscope type cavity. A light source may have a beam aligned to a spot, indicator or mark near the input of the cavity. The location of the spot, indicator or mark may be determined in accordance with parameters of the diffracting mechanism and/or cavity. A fixture for holding the light source may be secured so that placement of the source in the fixture will automatically result in an aligned light source. Then the diffracting mechanism may be inserted to further complete fabrication of the optical system.

Abstract: A sampling system for detecting an analyte, comprising a diaphragm pump, a buffer chamber, a sensor head and intake port. The pump includes a chamber for receiving fluids via first and second ports. A buffer chamber is located at the second port for holding a quantity of air, and a sensor head is adapted to identify the presence of a desired analyte and produce a signal in response to the quantity identified. Preferably the diaphragm pump has a volume of gas per stroke capacity slightly larger than the volume of the sensor head such that the pump chamber has a greater volume than the buffer chamber and the buffer chamber has about the same volume as the sensor head. A sensor intake port intakes a sample potentially containing the analyte for contact with the sensor head upon operation of the diaphragm pump and out of the sensor head by jet-action caused by rapid movement of the diaphragm pump. A filter may be used for filtering air drawn through the pump chamber.

Abstract: A control system coupled to a pressure sensor calibrates the pressure sensor. The control system may measure a plurality of capacitance values at a plurality of corresponding applied voltages to compare the values with a first calibration mechanism generated by sample pressure sensors in a comparison. A final calibration mechanism may be generated by adjusting the first calibration mechanism in response to the comparison. The unknown differential pressure may be applied to a diaphragm of the pressure sensor. A capacitance value at the unknown differential pressure may then be measured. Using the final calibration mechanism, the differential pressure at the measured capacitance value may be retrieved.

Abstract: A frequency standard has a cell formed in a cavity of a substrate. The cell contains a metal alkali vapor. The substrate has an optical path that intersects the cell. A light source is supported by the substrate and supplies light through the first optical path to the cell, and a light detector is supported by the substrate and receives light through the second optical path from the cell. The sealed vapor-filled cell is surrounded by a vacuum cavity enclosure. Bridges between the cell and the substrate may be used to thermally isolate the cell in the cavity and allow closed loop temperature control of the cell.

Abstract: An apparatus having scattering and multi-color fluorescence detecting, analyzing and identification capabilities of blood or other fluids of interest. The sample to be tested may be entered in a disposable microfluidic cartridge which in turn is insertable in a hand-holdable or implantable miniaturized and portable cytometer instrument. This cytometer has significant application in biological warfare agent detection, hematology and other clinical and research fields.

Abstract: A sensor device for detecting vibration, including a laser light, a first optical fiber for transmitting the laser light, an oscillator to receive the transmitted laser light and reflect the light as a frequency modulated light; a second optical fiber to transmit the frequency modulated light; and a frequency modulated discriminator for receiving the frequency modulated light from the second optical fiber and producing a signal responsive of vibration of the oscillator. In a preferred embodiment, the frequency modulated discriminator further includes a frequency meter for determining the average number of cycles per unit time to provide a second signal responsive of the temperature of the oscillator. The optical fibers may be a pair of different fibers positioned for transmitting the laser light and the frequency modulated light respectively, or the same fiber positioned for transmitting both the laser light and the frequency modulated light.