Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining a first workpiece and a second workpiece. A layer of exothermic material is placed between the first workpiece and the second workpiece. A plurality of currents is applied to the layer of exothermic material in a plurality of locations and substantially at the same time such that an exothermic reaction occurs in the layer of exothermic material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining a first workpiece and a second workpiece. A layer of exothermic material is placed between the first workpiece and the second workpiece. A plurality of currents is applied to the layer of exothermic material in a plurality of locations and substantially at the same time such that an exothermic reaction occurs in the layer of exothermic material.

Abstract: A particular portable radio frequency identification (RFID) reader includes an active antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements to receive RFID signals from RFID devices. The antenna elements include control circuitry to control a beam pattern generated by the active antenna array. The portable RFID reader further includes sum circuitry and difference circuitry. The sum circuitry is operable to determine a sum signal by summing the RFID signals received by at least two of the plurality of antenna elements. The difference circuitry is operable to determine a difference signal between the RFID signals received by at least two of the plurality of antenna elements. The portable RFID reader also includes a controller to electronically steer the beam pattern and to determine a direction from the RFID reader to a particular RFID device.

Abstract: A particular portable radio frequency identification (RFID) reader includes an active antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements to receive RFID signals from RFID devices. The antenna elements include control circuitry to control a beam pattern generated by the active antenna array. The portable RFID reader further includes sum circuitry and difference circuitry. The sum circuitry is operable to determine a sum signal by summing the RFID signals received by at least two of the plurality of antenna elements. The difference circuitry is operable to determine a difference signal between the RFID signals received by at least two of the plurality of antenna elements. The portable RFID reader also includes a controller to electronically steer the beam pattern and to determine a direction from the RFID reader to a particular RFID device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for steering a beam from a phased array antenna mounted on a mobile platform. Rate sensors mounted on the phased array antenna are used to update lower bandwidth data from the mobile platform, resulting in improved pointing performance.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a kind of new structure of water pipe lamp. The said water pipe lamp is layout with hollowing-out and elastic net-grid sleeved tube which is directly sleeve-deposed a lamp string or sleeve-deposed over in an inner tube deposed with lamps. With this structure, the water pipe lamp can proceed the lamp exchange through the hollowing-out net grid. At the same time, through the action of enveloping of net-grids, the emitted light from lamps can form a radiative lightening effect.

Abstract: An optical detection apparatus includes a housing having a circumferential opening therein. A primary mirror reflects light rays to form a first set of light rays to a secondary mirror that has a generally concave shape coupled to the housing. A tertiary mirror having a generally concave shape coupled to the housing spaced apart from the secondary mirror directs light to detection optics that form an image using the third set of light rays. The detection optics include a micro-mirror array that redirect the image to a detector. A controller controls the micro-mirror array and determines an event characteristic based upon the image thereon.

Abstract: An antenna system may include a reconfigurable array antenna system including a plurality of elements each capable of radiating and receiving electromagnetic energy. The antenna system may also include an electronically reconfigurable power management and control system to selectively power each of the plurality of elements to generate a desired beam pattern.

Abstract: An antenna steering system is provided that includes a plurality of gyro sensors fixedly located in close proximity to an antenna, for example a phased array antenna. The gyro sensors measure angular rotation of the antenna about an X-axis of the antenna, about a Y-axis of the antenna and about a Z-axis of the antenna. The gyro sensors communicate the angular rotation measurement data to a beam steering phase controller (BSPhC). The BSPhC utilizes the angular rotation measurements to determine a predicted amount of movement, i.e. a change in geolocation and/or orientation, of the antenna within a specified time period. Based on the predicted amount of antenna movement, the BSPhC adjusts a beam pointing angle of the antenna, i.e. steers the antenna, to compensate for the predicted amount of movement.

Abstract: An optical detection apparatus includes a housing having a circumferential opening therein. A primary mirror reflects light rays to form a first set of light rays to a secondary mirror that has a generally concave shape coupled to the housing. A tertiary mirror having a generally concave shape coupled to the housing spaced apart from the secondary mirror directs light to detection optics that form an image using the third set of light rays. The detection optics include a micro-mirror array that redirect the image to a detector. A controller controls the micro-mirror array and determines an event characteristic based upon the image thereon.

Abstract: An antenna system may include a reconfigurable array antenna system including a plurality of elements each capable of radiating and receiving electromagnetic energy. The antenna system may also include an electronically reconfigurable power management and control system to selectively power each of the plurality of elements to generate a desired beam pattern.

Abstract: An optical detection apparatus includes a housing having a circumferential opening therein. A primary mirror reflects light rays to form a first set of light rays to a secondary mirror that has a generally concave shape coupled to the housing. A tertiary mirror having a generally concave shape coupled to the housing spaced apart from the secondary mirror directs light to detection optics that form an image using the third set of light rays. The detection optics include a micro-mirror array that redirect the image to a detector. A controller controls the micro-mirror array and determines an event characteristic based upon the image thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oscillated lighting bulb, which includes a shell, a jointer, and a connector. A controller is provided under the connector, which connects with a central conductive wire and two side tungsten filaments. The conductive wire and the tungsten filaments are parallelly connected and are controlled by the controller, which can lightens the two tungsten filaments alternately. Hence, the bulb obtains an oscillated lighting effect being similar to a real flame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotatable power supply apparatus, which includes a shell and a cap for receiving an inner power supply. The apparatus also includes a connector and a cover for connecting any ornament with light string. The apparatus can provide power for the lighting ornament and rotates the ornament at the same time easily that obtains a utilized beautiful rotating decoration.

Abstract: An optical detection apparatus includes a housing having a circumferential opening therein. A primary mirror reflects light rays to form a first set of light rays to a secondary mirror that has a generally concave shape coupled to the housing. A tertiary mirror having a generally concave shape coupled to the housing spaced apart from the secondary mirror directs light to detection optics that form an image using the third set of light rays. The detection optics include a micro-mirror array that redirect the image to a detector. A controller controls the micro-mirror array and determines an event characteristic based upon the image thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for steering a beam from a phased array antenna mounted on a mobile platform. Rate sensors mounted on the phased array antenna are used to update lower bandwidth data from the mobile platform, resulting in improved pointing performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotatable power supply apparatus, which includes a shell and a cap for receiving an inner power supply. The apparatus also includes a connector and a cover for connecting any ornament with light string. The apparatus can provide power for the lighting ornament and rotates the ornament at the same time easily that obtains a utilized beautiful rotating decoration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a decorative lamp holder with two lighting spots, wherein the holder can be transparent by light and can be designed with various configurations as desired. A bulb assembly is connected with the lamp holder, which includes a bulb having two light spots. One of the lighting spots is exposed to the air and the other is hidden in the lamp holder. A direct light of the bulb and a soft light from the holder are composite to become a special lighting decorative effect to obtain a predicted utilization.

Abstract: A redundant power distribution system (74) that has multiple distribution lines (168) and (174) includes multiple regulators (122). Multiple isolation transformers (124) are coupled to the regulators (122) and have isolation boundaries (261). A redundant regulator device circuit (152) is coupled to the isolation transformers (124) to regulate the multiple distribution lines where M (integer) out of N (integer) distribution lines are required so that the system continues to operate properly. The regulators (122) and the isolation transformers (124) have a non-feedback looped configuration (259) across the isolation boundaries (261).

Abstract: The invention relates to a positioning structure of a frame with a bulb assembly, which utilizes a positioning structure provided on the frame and the bulb holder of the bulb assembly for easily engaging both firmly. Hence, the light string with many bulb assemblies can be positioned with the patterned frame conveniently that obtains predicted purpose for decoration.