Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for transplanting slips with an automated slip transplanter. The transplanter comprises a planter unit, a singulation unit, a conveyor belt, a node sensor, and a controller. The planter unit is configured to plant consistent rows of evenly spaced slips in a field. The singulation unit comprises automated grippers and slip cartridges, and is configured to continuously singulate harvested slips stored in the slip cartridges. The conveyor belt is configured to receive the singulated slips from the automated grippers with brushed holders, and transfer the received slips on a belt to the planter unit. The node sensor is configured to autonomously collect performance data of the singulated slips in real-time. The controller is communicatively coupled to the node sensor, and configured to implement operational modes and dynamically adjust a planting slip rate based on the operational modes and performance data collected by the node sensor.

Abstract: A LIDAR system comprising a pyramidal timing polygon is having a plurality of flat optically reflective facet surfaces. The pyramidal polygon comprises a plurality of spaced apart apertures disposed about the outer circumference thereof to define the plurality of radially disposed facets. The pyramidal polygon is rigidly attached and aligned with the rotating scanning polygon structures to define a pre-defined angular shift. The rotation of the three polygon assemblies is synchronized with a pulsed laser source whereby, for each laser pulse, the individual pyramid facets are disposed at a predetermined angle, such as a 45 degree angle, with respect to the incoming beam so as to direct it along the beam 1 reflective optical path.

Abstract: A LIDAR system comprising a pyramidal timing polygon is having a plurality of flat optically reflective facet surfaces. The pyramidal polygon comprises a plurality of spaced apart apertures disposed about the outer circumference thereof to define the plurality of radially disposed facets. The pyramidal polygon is rigidly attached and aligned with the rotating scanning polygon structures to define a pre-defined angular shift. The rotation of the three polygon assemblies is synchronized with a pulsed laser source whereby, for each laser pulse, the individual pyramid facets are disposed at a predetermined angle, such as a 45 degree angle, with respect to the incoming beam so as to direct it along the beam 1 reflective optical path.

Abstract: A LIDAR system comprising a multi-polygon scanner assembly, a first beam forming element comprising a plurality of optically-reflective beam switching surfaces and spaced-apart apertures, a second beam steering element and beam guide mirror assembly configured to provide complete beam scan utilization with no scanning dead period.

Abstract: The ACASS 3D LIDAR system operates in a fundamentally new manner combining features of flash LIDARS and scanning LIDARS simultaneously which enables mission and performance trades to be conducted by varying the sizes of illumination patches within the scenes being observed. Further the combination of these modes of operation into a single LIDAR system enables multiple modes of operation and multiple missions to be accomplished with single lasers obviating the need for multiple lasers and enabling significant simplification of beam control modes. Systems which result from the new, expanded size, weight, power, cost trade space enabled by the ACASS concept can provide new levels of performance at significantly reduced risks and costs The achievement of wide area, three dimensional imaging using a LIDAR sensor system is accomplished with one laser which operates using an eye safe fiber laser with very high puke 13 rates but very low energy per pulse.

Abstract: The ACASS 3D LIDAR system operates in a fundamentally new manner combining features of flash LIDARS and scanning LIDARS simultaneously which enables mission and performance trades to be conducted by varying the sizes of illumination patches within the scenes being observed. Further the combination of these modes of operation into a single LIDAR system enables multiple modes of operation and multiple missions to be accomplished with single lasers obviating the need for multiple lasers and enabling significant simplification of beam control modes. Systems which result from the new, expanded size, weight, power, cost trade space enabled by the ACASS concept can provide new levels of performance at significantly reduced risks and costs. The achievement of wide area, three dimensional imaging using a LIDAR sensor system is accomplished with one laser which operates using an eye safe fiber laser with very high pulse rates but very low energy per pulse.

Abstract: A mechanical scanning system for the illuminating laser beam and return light in LIDAR imaging systems. The scanning system includes a flat mirror having reciprocating rotary motion around a horizontal axis for vertical scan of the illuminating laser beam and return light. The reciprocating rotary motion of the mirror is driven by a continuously rotating motor, a cam mounted on the motor and a follower connected to the mirror and driven by the cam. An encoder is connected to the mirror's shaft and provides position indication to the imaging control electronics.

Abstract: An implantable device for harvesting in-vivo blood pressure fluctuations' energy to generate electrical power for powering medical implants while avoiding the need for external power sources.

Abstract: A mechanical scanning system for the illuminating laser beam and return light in LIDAR imaging systems. The scanning system includes a flat mirror having reciprocating rotary motion around a horizontal axis for vertical scan of the illuminating laser beam and return light. The reciprocating rotary motion of the mirror is driven by a continuously rotating motor, a cam mounted on the motor and a follower connected to the mirror and driven by the cam. An encoder is connected to the minor's shaft and provides position indication to the imaging control electronics.

Abstract: A gimbal for airborne and moving platforms that uses a gyroscope as a rotational anchor for payload stabilization. Unlike current stabilized gimbals that sense rotations and correct by using motors, the proposed gimbal uses a passive approach that maintains the payload orientation instead of forcing it back after it rotated out of the desired orientation.

Abstract: An implantable device for harvesting in-vivo blood pressure fluctuations' energy to generate electrical power for powering medical implants while avoiding the need for external power sources.

Abstract: An autonomous remote anchor system for providing an anchor connector to a surface, such as a ground anchor for an unattended ground sensor is disclosed. An inflatable positioning structure is inflated and configured to orient an anchor assembly in a vertical orientation with respect to the ground or surface upon which it is disposed. Upon vertical orientation, an actuator in the anchor assembly, such as a voice coil, is energized and drives a hammer element that is slideably disposed in the housing, striking the upper surface of the anchor. The drive cycle is repeated, driving it into the surface until the depth of penetration is sensed by a load sensing element.

Abstract: Current rehabilitative treatment of balance disorder requires long and intensive processes. The development of a wearable device for use in clinic as well as at home and during daily routine activities would enable continuous treatment outside of specialized training settings and accelerated relieve of balance disorder. The patent describes a wearable device that utilizes inertial sensors and sensor fusion processing to measure body posture and provide real-time feedback to alert the wearer to remain in the region of stability, and that utilizes wireless communication to support therapy and training providers.

Abstract: An imaging device and method of providing an increased depth-of-field of an electronic image. The image sensor and the optical lens assembly are selectively repositionable along the optical axis of the lens using electronic actuator elements such as piezo-electric actuator elements, A plurality of images of a scene are captured while the image sensor, the optical lens assembly, or both are positioned at predetermined locations along the optical axis. Selected elements of each of the images captured using different focal planes are electronically combined to define a final image having an increased depth-of-field.

Abstract: A multi-imager camera having a focusing means attached to each imager in the form of a Z actuator and having an image-splitting optical assembly that splits the scene's energy to the individual imagers while maintaining the full scene coverage and while having all imagers placed in the same back-focal-distance that matches that of the camera's lens. The above camera focuses the individual imagers to different parts of the scene by individually controlling the Z actuator of each imager, and captures all images instantaneously for real-time on-board image processing or for post processing.

Abstract: A hovering surveillance device. An electronic imaging device is disposed on a housing having a primary lift element, at least one compressed lighter-than-air gas element, a pitch adjustment element, and, a steering element. The compressed lighter-than-air gas is channeled to the primary lift element and the pitch adjustment element to selectively vary the altitude and angle for the housing such that scene of interest may be imaged. The lighter-than-air gas may be selected from the group of helium, hydrogen, heated air, neon, ammonia, and methane.

Abstract: A device capable of measuring the vector sum of the centripetal acceleration of the rotation of the Earth (or that of any other planet in a planetary system) around its axis (a.sub.rot) and the centripetal acceleration of the planet's revolution in its orbit around the Sun (a.sub.rev) and a method for performing the same using the measured physical data to calculate the latitude and longitude of the device on a surface. Measurements are taken by stepping accelerometers through different axis to determine centripetal acceleration, reading the output of the accelerometers and reading the angular disposition of the accelerometers using encoders and calculating the latitude and longitude from the measured data.

Abstract: A drive apparatus and a beam-steering apparatus fabricated from a MEMS process. The apparatus has a first layer, a second layer and a plurality of fluid-filled volumes defined there between. A plurality of flexible structures such as bellows structures are defined on the first layer and are configured whereby a predetermined pressure in each of the volumes results in a predetermined displacement of the flexible structures. Pressurization means selectively changes the pressures in each of the volumes to define the predetermined displacement of the flexible structures. An electromagnetically reflective or mirror element and a plurality of drive beams are affixed to the reflective element and to one of the plurality of flexible structures whereby selected pressurization of the fluid in the volumes causes a predetermined displacement of the flexible structure to displace the reflective element about the plane of its surface.

Abstract: A device for releaseably retaining a wing of an aerial vehicle in a folded orientation in a bore of a tube is disclosed. A retaining element is bound around the folded wing elements of a foldable-winged UAV so that the maximum diameter of the folded and bound UAV is less than the diameter of the bore. A releasable retaining fastener is provided and configured whereby the fastener releases when the UAV is propelled through and exits the bore, releasing the retaining element after which the wings of the UAV unfold and return to a flight orientation. The retaining element may include a tether for the retention and reuse of the device after a launch.

Abstract: A device for launching a projectile from the bore of a tube. A launch frame having a longitudinal axis is configured for being received within the bore of the tube with a shuttle assembly configured for urging a projectile alone the tube's longitudinal axis. A shuttle assembly tensioning means is configured to urge the shuttle assembly along the longitudinal axis and a shuttle assembly retention means is configured for the selective retention and release of the shuttle assembly at a predetermined position along the longitudinal axis.