Abstract: A laser scanner apparatus with an electromagnetic radiation source configured to transmit a laser beam having a beam path. A cylindrical element is provided with an electromagnetically reflective surface. The laser source is configured so the beam is incident on the reflective surface at a predetermined incident angle. The cylindrical element is configured to be driven to rotate at a predetermined rotation rate about an offset longitudinal axis whereby the beam path of the incident beam is varied so as to scan a scene of interest.

Abstract: A thermally-managed electronic device, such as a heat-generating lamp or microelectronic assembly, takes advantage of the latent heat of phase-change within a heat pipe and functions in cooperation with a plurality of heat-radiating elements to enhance heat removal capacity from a heat source. The device, which may be provided in a natural convection or forced air convection embodiment, improves the heat removal on the cold side of the heat pipe by providing a much larger heat-radiating surface area in the form of a plurality of heat-radiating elements that are each thermally connected by means of one or more thermal connecting elements.

Abstract: A micro-combustion power system is disclosed. The invention is comprised of a housing that further comprises two flow path volumes, each having generally opposing flow path directions and each generally having opposing configurations. Each flow path volume comprises a pre-heating volume having at least one pre-heating heat exchange structure. Each flow path volume further comprises a combustion volume having a combustion means or structure such as a catalytic material disposed therein Further, each flow path volume comprise a post-combustion volume having at least one post-combustion heat exchange structure. One or more thermoelectric generator means is in thermal communication with at least one of the combustion volumes whereby thermal energy generated by an air/fuel catalytic reaction in the combustion volume is transferred to the thermoelectric generator to convert same to electrical energy for use by an external circuit.

Abstract: A chip scale structure fabricated from known MEMS processes is provided including a pump actuator, a pump volume, pump membrane, a valve membrane, a valve aperture, and a valve actuator. The pump actuator may include a piezoelectric or piezoceramic disk. The valve actuator may be a piezoelectric or piezoceramic disk. A manifold plate with a valve aperture is disposed between the pump membrane and the valve membrane. One or more vacuum chambers are provided along a vacuum flow path or conduit in communication with the one or more vacuum chambers. The flow path comprises an inlet port and an outlet port where the inlet port is in communication with the separately provided vacuum environment. The outlet port is in commemoration with an external environment (e.g. non or lower-vacuum environment) for exhausting gases that are pulled from the separately provided vacuum environment to a separate location.

Abstract: A wave energy generation system. A boom element having a float element on a terminal end is reciprocatably mounted on a rotatable turret element on a watercraft. The boom element is configured to drive a linkage element which in turn drives an energy generation element. The float element rises and falls due to marine swells, the boom element reciprocates upwardly and downwardly, driving the energy generation device or element. The energy element may be an electrical generator or air compressor. One or more energy storage elements may be provided such as a battery element or air pressure storage element. The energy generator element or energy storage means or both may be used to drive a propulsion element which may be in the form of an electric motor or air motor.

Abstract: An energy-harvesting buoy is provided comprising an air-pressure generator, such as a piezo-electric generator, or any other generator that can harvest energy from an air pressure. The energy harvesting buoy consists of a first float and a second float. An air pressure is created when relative vertical motion occurs between the first float and the second float which drives an air pressurization means such as a piston driven air pump using a linkage member pivotably mounted between the respective floats. The generator uses the air pressure from the air pressurization means to drive the generator to generate electrical power.

Abstract: A device for in-situ thermal imager calibration having a rotatable lens curtain with an aperture for the lens of a thermal imager to observe a scene. The lens curtain includes a balancing weight and blocking portion having a thermally uniform interior calibration surface that is rotatably disposed such that when the UAS is in level flight, the lens views the scene through the aperture. When the UAS is laterally rotated about its flight path, the lens curtain maintains its absolute position relative to the Earth by virtue of the balance weight and the lens rotates within the lens curtain for viewing a thermally uniform interior surface for calibration.

Abstract: A captive float nut comprising a nut body having a threaded aperture defined there-through for receiving a threaded shaft. An anchor element is moveably coupled to the nut body to provide a predetermined freedom of movement of the nut body in six degrees of freedom. The anchor element comprises one or more finger elements having outwardly depending terminal portions have a sharp tine element on the terminal portion. The tines are driven in the interior surface of a bore so as to grip and affix the anchor element therein and affix the captive float nut to a structure.

Abstract: A gravity-stabilized sensor mount is disclosed having a base member pivotably coupled to a multi-axis gimbal with damping means disposed between the base member and one or more gimbal elements. The gimbal assembly is coupled to a connecting member which may, in turn, be coupled to a moving platform such as a land vehicle, aircraft or marine vessel. The base member may have a payload such as a sensor system mounted on it and is provided with counter-balances so that the base member remains level in two horizontal axes with respect to the surface of the Earth regardless of the vertical orientation of the connecting member.

Abstract: Piezoelectric elements for power generation and/or actuation are described. An aspect is directed to generators utilizing piezoelectric elements for electrical power generation. Such a generator can use one or more arrays of piezoelectric cantilevers for electrical power generation in conjunction with modulated air pressure used for exciting the cantilevers. The pressure level/modulation and cantilever area can be controlled variables for maximizing the bending, and hence energy generation, of the cantilevers. A further aspect is directed to hydraulic fluid actuators utilizing a pumping mechanism that includes a piezoelectric element. The linear actuators can advantageously utilize the high force and high frequency characteristics of a piezoelectric membrane in conjunction with a large stroke and actuation direction conversion afforded by hydraulic transmission.

Abstract: Piezoelectric elements for power generation and/or actuation are described. An aspect is directed to generators utilizing piezoelectric elements for electrical power generation. Such a generator can use one or more arrays of piezoelectric cantilevers for electrical power generation in conjunction with modulated air pressure used for exciting the cantilevers. The pressure level/modulation and cantilever area can be controlled variables for maximizing the bending, and hence energy generation, of the cantilevers. A further aspect is directed to hydraulic fluid actuators utilizing a pumping mechanism that includes a piezoelectric element. The linear actuators can advantageously utilize the high force and high frequency characteristics of a piezoelectric membrane in conjunction with a large stroke and actuation direction conversion afforded by hydraulic transmission.

Abstract: The invention comprises a clamping mechanism comprising a first and second hinged retaining members for the receiving of a terminal member of a connecting rod. The terminal member is affixed within a retaining volume defined by the first and second hinged retaining members while in a closed first position when the clamping mechanism is disposed within a retaining structure. During a launch operation, a drive shaft urges the clamping mechanism forward of the retaining structure, permitting the retaining members to separate and releasing the retaining member. The connecting rod may be connected to and used to propel a micro-UAV or any other device, such as during a launch operation.

Abstract: An energy-harvesting buoy is provided comprising an air-pressure generator, such as a piezo-electric generator, or any other generator that can harvest energy from an air pressure. The energy harvesting buoy consists of a first float and a second float. An air pressure is created when relative vertical motion occurs between the first float and the second float which drives an air pressurization means such as a piston driven air pump using a linkage member pivotably mounted between the respective floats. The generator uses the air pressure from the air pressurization means to drive the generator to generate electrical power.

Abstract: A device for in-situ calibration of a thermal imager on a UAS is disclosed. A rotatable lens curtain is provided with an aperture for the lens of a thermal imager to observe a field of view. The lens curtain comprises a balancing weight and blocking portion having a thermally uniform interior surface that functions as a calibration surface. The lens curtain is disposed with respect to the lens such that when the UAS is in a substantially level flight path, the lens is exposed to the field of view through the aperture. The lens curtain is provided such that when the UAS is rotated about an axis, the lens curtain maintains its absolute position relative to the Earth by virtue of the balance weight and the lens rotates within the lens curtain such that the blocking position obscures the lens from the field of view and the lens is exposed to the thermally uniform interior surface such that a calibration operation can be performed by the thermal imager.

Abstract: A micro-combustion power system is disclosed. In a first embodiment, the invention is comprised of a housing that further comprises two flow path volumes, each having generally opposing flow path directions and each generally having opposing configurations. Each flow path volume comprises a pre-heating volume having at least one pre-heating heat exchange structure. Each flow path volume further comprises a combustion volume having a combustion means or structure such as a catalytic material disposed therein Further, each flow path volume comprise a post-combustion volume having at least one post-combustion heat exchange structure. One or more thermoelectric generator means is in thermal communication with at least one of the combustion volumes whereby thermal energy generated by an air/fuel catalytic reaction in the combustion volume is transferred to the thermoelectric generator to convert same to electrical energy for use by an external circuit.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the MEMS cooling device of the invention comprises one or more MEMS micro-channel volumes in communication with one or more MEMS micro-pump assemblies wherein each micro-pump assembly comprises a flexure valve, such as a leaf valve and means to drive a coolant through the channel volumes such as an electrostatic interleaved comb drive structure. A preferred embodiment comprises an inlet micro-pump assembly and an outlet micro-pump assembly but the device may also be fabricated with a single pump mechanism per channel volume.

Abstract: The invention is of an online printing service that following the completion of registration and initial setup, installs a printer on the user's computer. The printer is a print manager and user interface program that receives the print command, manages the upload of files to the online service provider's servers and manages the order of prints. The main idea of this invention is the accessibility of this printer from every application and from every “Print” menu item while working on the computer. This includes selecting the “Print” menu item after right-clicking on a file name, selecting the “Print” menu item from the “File” menu in Windows Explorer and clicking the “Print” button or selecting the “Print” menu item within applications. The printer thus behaves like a local printer with the ease of use and accessibility of local printing but with the quality and convenience advantages of online printing.

Abstract: Piezoelectric elements for power generation and/or actuation are described. An aspect is directed to generators utilizing piezoelectric elements for electrical power generation. Such a generator can use one or more arrays of piezoelectric cantilevers for electrical power generation in conjunction with modulated air pressure used for exciting the cantilevers. The pressure level/modulation and cantilever area can be controlled variables for maximizing the bending, and hence energy generation, of the cantilevers. A further aspect is directed to hydraulic fluid actuators utilizing a pumping mechanism that includes a piezoelectric element. The linear actuators can advantageously utilize the high force and high frequency characteristics of a piezoelectric membrane in conjunction with a large stroke and actuation direction conversion afforded by hydraulic transmission.

Abstract: An absolute pressure sensor is provided comprising a vibration sensing element such as a piezoelectric element disposed on a vibratable seal. The seal is disposed between two gas spring chambers which are maintained at substantially ambient pressure. The resonant vibration frequency of the seal changes and is proportional with the pressure in the gas spring chambers such that the electrical output of the piezoelectric element will be proportional to the vibration frequency. The frequency of the output of the piezoelectric element is read using suitable electronic circuitry and compared to a set of predetermined pressure/frequency data for calculation of a pressure value.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the MEMS cooling device of the invention comprises one or more MEMS micro-channel volumes in communication with one or more MEMS micro-pump assemblies wherein each micro-pump assembly is comprised of a flexure valve, such as a leaf valve and means to drive a coolant through the channel volumes such as an electrostatic interleaved comb drive structure. A preferred embodiment comprises an inlet micro-pump assembly and an outlet micro-pump assembly but the device may also be fabricated with a single pump mechanism per channel volume.