Abstract: Various examples are provided for flat lens antennas and their operation. In one example, among others, an antenna includes electrically thin (W<<?high), highly conducting, TEM mode antenna arms fed at a first end by a balun. The TEM mode antenna arms can be embedded in a spatially varied anisotropic dielectric material. A separation between the TEM mode antenna arms can increase from the first end to a second end where the TEM mode antenna arms transition to resistive card (Rcard) terminations when the TEM mode antenna arms are separated by a distance Hr, where a ratio of Hr to a height (H) of the antenna is in a range from about 0.2 to about 0.8.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument. The mode-locked laser can produce sub-50-ps optical pulses at a repetition rates between 200 MHz and 50 MHz, rates suitable for massively parallel data-acquisition. The optical pulses can be used to generate a reference clock signal for synchronizing data-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the portable instrument.

Abstract: Transformable seat assembly includes a seat support structure and a seat connected to the seat support structure with a first hinge having a first axis of rotation. A back support structure is connected to the seat support structure with the back support structure positioned on a back side portion of the seat support structure and the first hinge is positioned on an opposing front side portion of the seat support structure. A wall member having a first end portion connected to the back support structure with a second hinge having a second axis of rotation, wherein the seat is rotatable about the first axis of rotation from an occupant support position to a deployed position and the wall member is rotatable about the second axis of rotation from an overlying position with respect to the back support structure to the wall member extending away from the back support structure.

Abstract: Transformable seat assembly includes a seat support structure and back support structure connected with an axis of rotation. Actuator assembly includes a cylinder and a piston positioned within the cylinder. The cylinder is secured to one of the back support structure or the seat support structure and the piston is secured to other of the one of the back support structure or the seat support structure. With blocking member in a first position, the piston is permitted to travel between the blocking member and an end of the cylinder spaced apart from the blocking member, such that with the piston traveling to the end of the cylinder, rotation of back support structure is limited from rotating beyond a first reclined position and with blocking member in a second position, back support structure is permitted to rotate into an overlying position relative to the seat support structure.

Abstract: A transformable seat assembly which includes a seat support structure and a seat connected to the seat support structure with a hinge. The hinge defines an axis of rotation. A back support structure connected to the seat support structure, which extends in an upward direction relative to the seat support structure. A back cushion is secured to the back support structure and a lumbar cushion extends along the back support structure positioned between the back cushion and the seat, wherein the lumbar cushion is releasably secured to one of the back cushion or the back support structure and an end portion of the seat positioned closer to the back support structure with the seat positioned in an occupant support position than the hinge, can rotate in a direction of rotation about the axis of rotation, which includes the upward direction and a direction away from the back support structure.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media storing instructions for utilizing space associated with unoccupied seats in organized seating arrangements are disclosed herein. The disclosed techniques identify unoccupied seats within an organized seating arrangement, such as seats on an aircraft. Upgradable seats within the organized seating arrangement are determined based upon the unoccupied seats and the transformation capabilities of the seats. Upgradable seats are directly in front of or behind unoccupied seats, such that either the upgradable seat or the associated unoccupied seat is transformable to enable an upgrade. An occupant of a seat is selected for an upgrade associated with an upgradable seat and assigned the upgrade to enable the occupant to utilize a portion of the space associated with the unoccupied seat while sitting in the upgradable seat.

Abstract: A transformable seat assembly includes a seat support structure and a back support structure connected to the seat support structure with a hinge defining an axis of rotation. An actuator assembly includes a cylinder and a piston positioned within the cylinder, wherein the cylinder is secured to one of the back support structure or the seat support structure and the piston is secured to other of the one of the back support structure or the seat support structure. Additionally a blocking member is positioned within and adjustable along the cylinder. With blocking member in a first position, piston is limited to travel to a first limit position and the back support structure to a first reclined position. With the blocking member in a second position, piston is limited to travel to a second limit position and back support structure is permitted to rotate to second reclined position.

Abstract: A transformable seat assembly which includes a seat support structure and a seat connected to the seat support structure with a hinge. The hinge defines an axis of rotation. A back support structure connected to the seat support structure, which extends in an upward direction relative to the seat support structure. A back cushion is secured to the back support structure and a lumbar cushion extends along the back support structure positioned between the back cushion and the seat, wherein the lumbar cushion is releasably secured to one of the back cushion or the back support structure and an end portion of the seat positioned closer to the back support structure with the seat positioned in an occupant support position than the hinge, can rotate in a direction of rotation about the axis of rotation, which includes the upward direction and a direction away from the back support structure.

Abstract: A transformable seat assembly includes a seat support structure and a back support structure connected to the seat support structure with a hinge defining an axis of rotation. An actuator assembly includes a cylinder and a piston positioned within the cylinder, wherein the cylinder is secured to one of the back support structure or the seat support structure and the piston is secured to other of the one of the back support structure or the seat support structure. Additionally a blocking member is positioned within and adjustable along the cylinder. With blocking member in a first position, piston is limited to travel to a first limit position and the back support structure to a first reclined position. With the blocking member in a second position, piston is limited to travel to a second limit position and back support structure is permitted to rotate to second reclined position.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media storing instructions for utilizing space associated with unoccupied seats in organized seating arrangements are disclosed herein. The disclosed techniques identify unoccupied seats within an organized seating arrangement, such as seats on an aircraft. Upgradable seats within the organized seating arrangement are determined based upon the unoccupied seats and the transformation capabilities of the seats. Upgradable seats are directly in front of or behind unoccupied seats, such that either the upgradable seat or the associated unoccupied seat is transformable to enable an upgrade. An occupant of a seat is selected for an upgrade associated with an upgradable seat and assigned the upgrade to enable the occupant to utilize a portion of the space associated with the unoccupied seat while sitting in the upgradable seat.

Abstract: Transformable seat assembly includes a seat support structure and a seat connected to the seat support structure with a first hinge having a first axis of rotation. A back support structure is connected to the seat support structure with the back support structure positioned on a back side portion of the seat support structure and the first hinge is positioned on an opposing front side portion of the seat support structure. A wall member having a first end portion connected to the back support structure with a second hinge having a second axis of rotation, wherein the seat is rotatable about the first axis of rotation from an occupant support position to a deployed position and the wall member is rotatable about the second axis of rotation from an overlying position with respect to the back support structure to the wall member extending away from the back support structure.

Abstract: Transformable seat assembly includes a seat support structure and back support structure connected with an axis of rotation. Actuator assembly includes a cylinder and a piston positioned within the cylinder. The cylinder is secured to one of the back support structure or the seat support structure and the piston is secured to other of the one of the back support structure or the seat support structure. With blocking member in a first position, the piston is permitted to travel between the blocking member and an end of the cylinder spaced apart from the blocking member, such that with the piston traveling to the end of the cylinder, rotation of back support structure is limited from rotating beyond a first reclined position and with blocking member in a second position, back support structure is permitted to rotate into an overlying position relative to the seat support structure.

Abstract: A high visibility detachable safety strap is disclosed. The re detachable tractable safety strap is coupled to a coupling assembly, for instance a tongue, between the trailer and the towing vehicle. The high visibility nature of the strap increases safety for other motorists by making the presence of the coupling between the trailer and towing vehicle more perceivable. A preferably flexible structural support system carries the straps.

Abstract: A high visibility detachable safety strap is disclosed. The re detachable tractable safety strap is coupled to a coupling assembly, for instance a tongue, between the trailer and the towing vehicle. The high visibility nature of the strap increases safety for other motorists by making the presence of the coupling between the trailer and towing vehicle more perceivable. A preferably flexible structural support, system carries the straps.

Abstract: A high visibility retractable safety strap and a method for securing a trailer to a towing vehicle is disclosed. The retractable safety strap is coupled to either the trailer or the towing vehicle. The high visibility nature of the strap increases safety for other motorists by making the presence of the coupling between the trailer and towing vehicle more perceivable. The safety straps also provide redundancy should the main coupling between the trailer and towing vehicle become detached.

Abstract: A high visibility retractable safety strap and a method for securing a trailer to a towing vehicle is disclosed. The retractable safety strap is coupled to either the trailer or the towing vehicle. The high visibility nature of the strap increases safety for other motorists by making the presence of the coupling between the trailer and towing vehicle more perceivable. The safety straps also provide redundancy should the main coupling between the trailer and towing vehicle become detached.