Abstract: A dual-axis flexure gimbal device, such as for a fast-steering mirror assembly, can comprise a flexure spring mass body comprising first and second body sections, a flexure diaphragm that interconnects the first and second body sections, and a central aperture formed through the first and second body sections and the flexure diaphragm. A flexure unit can be situated in the central aperture, and can comprise a plurality of slots defining a plurality of flexures. The flexure diaphragm is operable to bend about first and second rotational degrees of freedom, and the plurality of flexures of the flexure unit are operable to flex about respective first and second rotational degrees of freedom. The flexure unit can comprise a plurality of slots, each having a first slot portion and a second slot portion extending in different directions to define a respective flexure. A method of making the dual-axis flexure gimbal device is provided.

Abstract: A monolithic gimbal includes a top body portion having a top surface configured to be mounted to a housing, a middle body portion coupled to the top body portion, and a bottom body portion coupled to the middle body portion. The bottom body portion has a bottom surface configured to be mounted to a device. The monolithic gimbal further includes first flexure blades integrally formed with the top body portion and the middle body portion. The first flexure blades enable rotation of the top body portion and the bottom body portion about a first axis. The monolithic gimbal further includes second flexure blades integrally formed with the middle body portion and the bottom body portion. The second flexure blades enable rotation of the top body portion and the bottom body portion about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: A radial positioning device is disclosed. The radial positioning device can include a body. The body can include a circumferential surface having a spring location and at least one interface portion operable to interface with a mating component. The body can also have a recess with a depth that varies relative to the circumferential surface about the body. The radial positioning device can also include a spring disposed in the recess. The spring can have a radial dimension greater than the depth of the recess at the spring location. The spring can be operable to contact the mating component at the spring location and compress in the radial dimension to provide a spring force that biases the at least one interface portion and the mating component against one another.

Abstract: A monolithic gimbal includes a top body portion having a top surface configured to be mounted to a housing, a middle body portion coupled to the top body portion, and a bottom body portion coupled to the middle body portion. The bottom body portion has a bottom surface configured to be mounted to a device. The monolithic gimbal further includes first flexure blades integrally formed with the top body portion and the middle body portion. The first flexure blades enable rotation of the top body portion and the bottom body portion about a first axis. The monolithic gimbal further includes second flexure blades integrally formed with the middle body portion and the bottom body portion. The second flexure blades enable rotation of the top body portion and the bottom body portion about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: A radial positioning device is disclosed. The radial positioning device can include a body. The body can include a circumferential surface having a spring location and at least one interface portion operable to interface with a mating component. The body can also have a recess with a depth that varies relative to the circumferential surface about the body. The radial positioning device can also include a spring disposed in the recess. The spring can have a radial dimension greater than the depth of the recess at the spring location. The spring can be operable to contact the mating component at the spring location and compress in the radial dimension to provide a spring force that biases the at least one interface portion and the mating component against one another.

Abstract: A dual-axis flexure gimbal device, such as for a fast-steering mirror assembly, can comprise a flexure spring mass body comprising first and second body sections, a flexure diaphragm that interconnects the first and second body sections, and a central aperture formed through the first and second body sections and the flexure diaphragm. A flexure unit can be situated in the central aperture, and can comprise a plurality of slots defining a plurality of flexures. The flexure diaphragm is operable to bend about first and second rotational degrees of freedom, and the plurality of flexures of the flexure unit are operable to flex about respective first and second rotational degrees of freedom. The flexure unit can comprise a plurality of slots, each having a first slot portion and a second slot portion extending in different directions to define a respective flexure. A method of making the dual-axis flexure gimbal device is provided.

Abstract: System and method for sensor alignment. In one example, a reimaging optical system includes reimaging foreoptics positioned to receive and reimage incident electromagnetic radiation to produce an intermediate image plane and output an optical beam of the received incident electromagnetic radiation, an imaging optical apparatus positioned to receive the optical beam and focus the electromagnetic radiation of the optical beam onto a first focal plane, a first imaging sensor positioned at the first focal plane and configured to produce a first image responsive to receiving the electromagnetic radiation of the optical beam, an alignment object selectively positioned at the intermediate image plane and configured to superimpose an alignment tool upon the first image, and a controller coupled to the first imaging sensor and configured to perform an alignment process for the first imaging sensor based on at least a position of the alignment tool in the first image.

Abstract: System and method for sensor alignment. In one example, a reimaging optical system includes reimaging foreoptics positioned to receive and reimage incident electromagnetic radiation to produce an intermediate image plane and output an optical beam of the received incident electromagnetic radiation, an imaging optical apparatus positioned to receive the optical beam and focus the electromagnetic radiation of the optical beam onto a first focal plane, a first imaging sensor positioned at the first focal plane and configured to produce a first image responsive to receiving the electromagnetic radiation of the optical beam, an alignment object selectively positioned at the intermediate image plane and configured to superimpose an alignment tool upon the first image, and a controller coupled to the first imaging sensor and configured to perform an alignment process for the first imaging sensor based on at least a position of the alignment tool in the first image.

Abstract: A recreational device is disclosed that includes a frame, a seat having a user supporting seat portion adapted to support a user to be displaced from the seat upon activation of a target mechanism, with the seat configured to return to a first position under the effect of gravity after the user is displaced from the seat. Embodiments of the device include a seat support configured to maintain the seat in the first position to release the seat allowing the seat to pivot upon activation of the target mechanism to displace the user from the seat The device also includes a target mechanism connected to the seat support by a force transition system configured to transfer a force applied to the target mechanism to the seat support causing the seat support to release the seat and displace a user from the seat.

Abstract: A recreational device is disclosed that includes a frame, a seat having a user supporting seat portion adapted to support a user to be displaced from the seat upon activation of a target mechanism, with the seat configured to return to a first position under the effect of gravity after the user is displaced from the seat. Embodiments of the device include a seat support configured to maintain the seat in the first position to release the seat allowing the seat to pivot upon activation of the target mechanism to displace the user from the seat The device also includes a target mechanism connected to the seat support by a force transition system configured to transfer a force applied to the target mechanism to the seat support causing the seat support to release the seat and displace a user from the seat.

Abstract: A molding process and apparatus suitable for use in molding processes, including rapid prototyping processes and short run production processes. The molding process and apparatus entail the use of a reconfigurable screen tool having a housing defining a manifold cavity and a plurality of substantially parallel pins, each having a head protruding from the housing and a shank protruding into the housing. The heads of the pins define a screen surface through which air is able to flow, for example, through gaps between adjacent heads or through internal passages within the pins. The process further includes axially moving the pins to configure the screen surface, preventing further axial movement of the pins relative to each other, and then drawing a vacuum within the manifold cavity and creating a vacuum at the screen surface.

Abstract: A molding process and apparatus suitable for use in molding processes, including rapid prototyping processes and short run production processes. The molding process and apparatus entail the use of a reconfigurable screen tool having a housing defining a manifold cavity and a plurality of substantially parallel pins, each having a head protruding from the housing and a shank protruding into the housing. The heads of the pins define a screen surface through which air is able to flow, for example, through gaps between adjacent heads or through internal passages within the pins. The process further includes axially moving the pins to configure the screen surface, preventing further axial movement of the pins relative to each other, and then drawing a vacuum within the manifold cavity and creating a vacuum at the screen surface.