Abstract: A laser crafting apparatus for directing electromagnetic radiation toward a workpiece may include various features. For example, the laser crafting apparatus may include a material support tray that is removably supported within an internal volume of the laser crafting apparatus. Further, the apparatus may include pre-filter disposed in a ventilation pathway between a workspace region of the internal volume and an extractor fan. The laser crafting apparatus may include a laser carriage assembly that houses a laser module and the assembly may include a lens tray detachably coupled to the support structure of the laser carriage assembly. In various embodiments, the laser crafting apparatus includes a lid having a radiation attenuation layer and a fire suppression layer.

Abstract: An axial flow turbine for generating electricity in low-head environments comprises a runner supported by guide vanes that are curved or contoured to direct flowing water onto fixed turbine blades. The axial flow turbine has a housing that provides an outer draft tube. A second inner draft tube is supported within the outer draft. The axial flow turbine may have a bulb or pit-type housing at the intake chamber for housing a direct-drive variable-speed permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) and power converter system. The axial flow turbine may be installed as a single modular unit in low head environments.

Abstract: A method for depicting a batter count box on a display is provided. The method includes the steps of employing a plurality of pixelated sections, with the plurality of pixelated sections including a pixelated balls section and a pixelated strikes section within the batter count box.

Abstract: An axial flow turbine for generating electricity in low-head environments comprises a runner supported by guide vanes that are curved or contoured to direct flowing water onto fixed turbine blades. The axial flow turbine has a housing that provides an outer draft tube. A second inner draft tube is supported within the outer draft. The axial flow turbine may have a bulb or pit-type housing at the intake chamber for housing a direct-drive variable-speed permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) and power converter system The axial flow turbine may be installed as a single modular unit in low head environments.

Abstract: A method for depicting a batter count box on a display is provided. The method includes the steps of employing a plurality of pixelated sections, with the plurality of pixelated sections including a pixelated balls section and a pixelated strikes section within the batter count box.

Abstract: A brake stroke indicator, comprising a L shaped indicator member disposed on the push rod clevis pin, and a concealing means. The indicator member comprises a first section with holes to connect with the push rod clevis pin and slack adjuster, and a second section of highly reflective color surface angularly disposed to the first section. The indicator member moves with the clevis pin, and oscillates as the push rod is reciprocating. The indicator member hides behind the concealing member while the push rod reciprocates within safe limits. The second section of indicator show up out of the concealing means when the push rod goes beyond its safe operational limits.

Abstract: Undercarriage lights are positioned under a truck adjacent to parts of the truck requiring regular visual safety inspections to light up the parts. A control module operates the lights in coordination with an ignition switch, a manual switch outside the truck, a timer, a low light sensor, and an indicator light.

Abstract: A brake stroke indicator, comprising a L shaped indicator member disposed on the push rod clevis pin, and a concealing means. The indicator member comprises a first section with holes to connect with the push rod clevis pin and slack adjuster, and a second section of highly reflective color surface angularly disposed to the first section. The indicator member moves with the clevis pin, and oscillates as the push rod is reciprocating. The indicator member hides behind the concealing member while the push rod reciprocates within safe limits. The second section of indicator show up out of the concealing means when the push rod goes beyond its safe operational limits.

Abstract: Undercarriage lights are positioned under a truck adjacent to parts of the truck requiring regular visual safety inspections to light up the parts. A control module operates the lights in coordination with an ignition switch, a manual switch outside the truck, a timer, a low light sensor, and an indicator light.

Abstract: A multicolored indicator part and cover part are attached to a truck brake slack adjuster and S cam shaft. Relative motion of the brake slack adjuster and the S cam shaft causes relative motion of the two parts to reveal the colors on the indicator part. Good, warning, and danger colors are provided in highly reflective surfaces seen in a walk around inspection of a truck.

Abstract: An aircraft window having a generally rectangular frame with an inner lens. A first shade is movable with respect to the frame and capable of covering a portion of the inner lens. A second shade is also movable with respect to the frame and also capable of covering a portion of the inner lens. An intermediate lens or separation member lies between the first and second shades. Movement of the shades allows for independent and variable control over the light transmitted through the window.

Abstract: Disclosed are propellants such as may be used in solid rocket motors. In one preferred embodiment, the propellant comprises one high energy propellant composition comprising a homogeneous mixture of fuel and oxidizer having a predetermined fuel/oxidizer ratio, wherein individual fuel particles are generally uniformly distributed throughout a matrix of oxidizer, and a low energy propellant composition comprising a fuel and oxidizer. The amounts of the two propellants are present in amounts which achieve a preselected burn rate.

Abstract: A hollow handle is fitted at the end with an offset ratchet wrench housing. A punch rod slidably positioned within the handle with an end protruding may be struck with a hammer or other implement to turn the ratchet. An impact cap over the end of the handle provides a larger target for the hammer. A spring-loaded striking pin pivotally attached to the working end of the punch rod engages and turns the teeth of the ratchet and also can act as the ratchet retainer pin.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising mixtures of metallic particles and solid oxidizer, and a method for preparing such compositions. The compositions comprise a homogeneous mixture of metallic particles and solid oxidizer wherein individual metallic particles are generally uniformly distributed throughout a matrix of solid oxidizer which is suitable for use in a solid rocket motor.

Abstract: An input driver for use with a differential folder in a flash A/D converter having a static ladder that provides an array of reference voltages and a method of operation thereof. The input driver includes a differential signal driver, coupled to an AC input signal, that generates first and second complementary drive signals for a differential folder stage. A tracking circuit, coupled to the differential signal driver, is utilized to maintain a voltage at the center of the static ladder to improve common mode rejection of the input driver without reducing bandwidth. In a related embodiment, the voltage at the center of the static ladder is an average DC voltage of the first and second drive signals.

Abstract: A solid rocket motor for accelerating a payload comprises a motor casing and a solid propellant matrix, utilizing a high burn-rate fuel. The use of a high burn rate fuel allows the rocket motor to operate in an end-burning fashion without the use of a constricting aperture to increase the back-pressure upon the burn-front of the fuel matrix. The exhaust gas produced from combustion of the propellant matrix exits directly to the ambient environment through a simple aperture without the use of an expansion nozzle. By eliminating the mass of the nozzle and allowing the use of lighter, less structurally robust motor casings, the needed acceleration of the vehicle can be achieved while using less propellant and a lighter launch vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed are propellants such as may be used in solid rocket motors. In one preferred embodiment, the propellant comprises one high energy propellant composition comprising a homogeneous mixture of fuel and oxidizer having a predetermined fuel/oxidizer ratio, wherein individual fuel particles are generally uniformly distributed throughout a matrix of oxidizer, and a low energy propellant comprising a fuel and oxidizer. The amounts of the two propellants are present in amounts which achieve a preselected burn rate.

Abstract: A combined read and write VCO for data channels is disclosed. The combined read and write VCO for data channels shares a common loop capacitor while providing optimal read and write VCO loop responses, and allows the VCO to relock to the write timebase after a read very quickly while maintaining an accurate timebase. The combined read and write VCO includes an oscillator providing an output signal having a frequency that varies proportionately to an oscillator input signal and an adjustable voltage source, the adjustable voltage source having a first configuration for a write mode and a second configuration for a read mode, and the adjustable voltage source providing the oscillator input signal to the oscillator in response to receiving an input current signal. The adjustable voltage source includes a first and second capacitor coupled in series and a switch coupled across the second capacitor, the switch being open to provide the first configuration and closed to provide the second configuration.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit (100) includes a power amplifier (124) that has a modulated power supply input (125). The modulated power supply input (125) is modulated with a signal related to the amplitude of the signal being amplified by the power amplifier (124). The power amplifier (124) is maintained at a substantially constant operating point. The amplifier circuit (100) also includes a feedback path that generates an error signal as a function of the input signal envelope and the output signal envelope. The error signal is integrated and the resulting integrated error signal drives the gain control of a variable gain element (120) in the amplifier chain prior to the power amplifier (124).

Abstract: A Class IV Partial Response Maximum Likelihood data channel for analog signal processing of a disk drive signal in tracking mode includes a signal error generating circuit for "folding" the analog disk drive signal around the three PR-IV target values of +1, -1 and 0. Using the smaller error signal rather than the larger analog disk drive signal by which the disk drive signal deviates from the target values results in significant power saving with no reduction in electronic signal to noise ratio. An integrated error generating circuit generates both a gain error signal and a timing error signal from the folded error signal for feedback control of the data channel variable gain amplifier and variable clock oscillator. Shared processing of the timing and gain error signals results in power savings and simpler circuitry.