Abstract: A container is used to launch a small aircraft, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), from a host aircraft. The container protects the UAV from stresses during the initial ejection from a launcher that is part of the host aircraft. The initial stresses may be due to turbulence in the vicinity of the host aircraft, high airspeed, and/or tumbling that may result from the ejection from the host aircraft moving at a high airspeed. The container may deploy a drag device, such as a drogue chute, to slow the container down and reorient the container, prior to deployment of the UAV from the container. During the time between ejection from the host aircraft and deployment from the container, the UAV may be powered up and acquire data, such as global positioning system (GPS) data, to allow the UAV a “hot start” enabling immediate mission commencement.

Abstract: A support assembly for supporting a part of a machine, the support assembly comprising at least one support member for supporting a part of the machine on a base, the support member being slidably mounted on a mounting member on the base to be displaceable with respect to the mounting member between a retracted position and an extended position, a jacking leg extending from a lower end of the mounting member to be displaceable between a retracted position and an extended position, a ram acting between the jacking leg and the support member, said ram being operable to move the jacking leg between its retracted and extended positions and to move the support member between its retracted and extended positions to adjust the position of said part of the machine relative to the base.

Abstract: A folding mechanism comprising a first support; a second support pivotably coupled to the first support; an actuator operable to pivot said second support relative to said first support about a first pivot axis between a deployed position and a folded position; and an elongate support strut extending between said first and second supports, the support strut being adapted to permit movement of said second support about said first pivot axis when the support strut is in a first state, the support strut being adapted to retain said second support in said deployed position when the support strut in a second state; the support strut being coupled to the actuator such that the support strut is reconfigured between its first and second states as the actuator is operated to pivot the second support between its folded and deployed positions.

Abstract: A conveyor support structure for an aggregate processing apparatus, the support structure comprising a base section and a deployable boom structure. The boom structure includes a mid-section pivotably coupled to the base section, and a head section pivotably coupled to the mid-section. When the boom structure adopts a transport state, the mid-section extends at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the ground surface. A pair of crossed head section supports are pivotably coupled between the base section and the head section and serve to guide the movement of the boom structure.

Abstract: A container is used to launch a small aircraft, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), from a host aircraft. The container protects the UAV from stresses during the initial ejection from a launcher that is part of the host aircraft. The initial stresses may be due to turbulence in the vicinity of the host aircraft, high airspeed, and/or tumbling that may result from the ejection from the host aircraft moving at a high airspeed. The container may deploy a drag device, such as a drogue chute, to slow the container down and reorient the container, prior to deployment of the UAV from the container. During the time between ejection from the host aircraft and deployment from the container, the UAV may be powered up and acquire data, such as global positioning system (GPS) data, to allow the UAV a “hot start” enabling immediate mission commencement.

Abstract: A clamp for internally coupling and decoupling two components. The clamp can include a base fittable within an interior of at least one of two components to be coupled together. The clamp can also include an engagement member movably supported about the base. The engagement member can interface with and engage interior portions of the two components when in a coupled position separated from the interior portions of the two components when in a decoupled position. The clamp can further include a wedge movably supported about the base to facilitate movement of the engagement member between the coupled and the decoupled positions. In addition, the clamp can include a secure and release mechanism operable with the base and the wedge to alternately secure the wedge to maintain the engagement member in the coupled position and release the wedge to facilitate movement of the engagement member to the decoupled position.

Abstract: Methods and systems according to one or more embodiments are provided for frequency detection. In an embodiment, a frequency detector is provided that includes a capacitor that discharges or charges responsive to binary states of an input signal.

Abstract: A support assembly for supporting a part of a machine, the support assembly comprising at least one support member for supporting a part of the machine on a base, the support member being slidably mounted on a mounting member on the base to be displaceable with respect to the mounting member between a retracted position and an extended position, a jacking leg extending from a lower end of the mounting member to be displaceable between a retracted position and an extended position, a ram acting between the jacking leg and the support member, said ram being operable to move the jacking leg between its retracted and extended positions and to move the support member between its retracted and extended positions to adjust the position of said part of the machine relative to the base.

Abstract: A conveyor support structure for an aggregate processing apparatus, the support structure (20) comprising a base section (24) and a deployable boom structure (22). The boom structure includes a mid-section (28) pivotably coupled to the base section, and a head section (26) pivotably coupled to the mid-section. When the boom structure adopts a transport state, the mid-section extends at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the ground surface. A pair of crossed head section supports (38, 40) are pivotably coupled between the base section and the head section and serve to guide the movement of the boom structure (22).

Abstract: A folding mechanism comprising a first support; a second support pivotably coupled to the first support; an actuator operable to pivot said second support relative to said first support about a first pivot axis between a deployed position and a folded position; and an elongate support strut extending between said first and second supports, the support strut being adapted to permit movement of said second support about said first pivot axis when the support strut is in a first state, the support strut being adapted to retain said second support in said deployed position when the support strut in a second state; the support strut being coupled to the actuator such that the support strut is reconfigured between its first and second states as the actuator is operated to pivot the second support between its folded and deployed positions.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a phase-locked loop (PLL) while maintaining lock includes detecting that a control signal to an oscillator in a PLL has exceeded a threshold value while the PLL is locked to an input signal. In response, an operating current of the oscillator is adjusted to return the control signal below the threshold value while maintaining lock of the PLL to the input signal. Adjusting the operating current includes slowly varying an output current of a calibration circuit coupled to the PLL, enabling the PLL to maintain lock to the input signal during adjustment of the operating current.

Abstract: Embodiments of a multi-purpose mounting device for mounting an electrical device to a structure coupled to an airborne object are provided. In one embodiment, the multi-purpose mounting device includes an adapter member and a slide member coupled to the adapter member. The slide member is radially spaced apart from the adapter member to form an open slot, which is configured to receive a portion of the external structural therein to secure the multi-purpose mounting device to the airborne object. A first mounting surface is provided on one of the adapter member and the slide member and configured to support the electrical device.

Abstract: A receiver equalization circuit includes a first output transistor having a gate coupled to an input signal. The receiver equalization circuit may also include a second output transistor having a drain coupled to a drain of the first output transistor. The receiver equalization circuit may also include a resistor coupled between a gate and a drain of the second output transistor to provide a direct current (DC) bias to the gate of the second output transistor. The receiver equalization circuit may further include a feed-through capacitor coupled between the gate of the second output transistor and an input signal source. The feed-through capacitor feeds the input signal to the gate of the second output transistor when a frequency of the input signal is above a predetermined threshold. The feed-through capacitor and the resistor define a signal gain amplification point.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a phase-locked loop (PLL) while maintaining lock includes detecting that a control signal to an oscillator in a PLL has exceeded a threshold value while the PLL is locked to an input signal. In response, an operating current of the oscillator is adjusted to return the control signal below the threshold value while maintaining lock of the PLL to the input signal. Adjusting the operating current includes slowly varying an output current of a calibration circuit coupled to the PLL, enabling the PLL to maintain lock to the input signal during adjustment of the operating current.

Abstract: Embodiments of a multi-purpose mounting device for mounting an electrical device to a structure coupled to an airborne object are provided. In one embodiment, the multi-purpose mounting device includes an adapter member and a slide member coupled to the adapter member. The slide member is radially spaced apart from the adapter member to form an open slot, which is configured to receive a portion of the external structural therein to secure the multi-purpose mounting device to the airborne object. A first mounting surface is provided on one of the adapter member and the slide member and configured to support the electrical device.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for operating a dual-mode radio (DMR) in a wireless communication system. The present invention provides “coexistence” or cooperation of Bluetooth™ and 802.11 devices operating in close proximity to each other within a DMR. The present inventive method and apparatus reduces reception errors and prevents saturation of the Bluetooth™ devices caused by 802.11 transmissions. The present inventive antenna switching method provides a means for coupling multiple antennas to Bluetooth™ and 802.11 transmit and receive devices. Saturation of the Bluetooth™ receive devices is prevented by electrically isolating the Bluetooth™ receive devices from antennas used by the 802.11 device during 802.11 transmissions. The antenna switching apparatus includes a plurality of switches capable of selectively coupling and decoupling first and second antennas to an 802.11 and a Bluetooth™ device.