Abstract: A smart susceptor assembly, including a smart susceptor, and a cladding disposed on at least a portion of the smart susceptor, wherein the cladding includes an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for molding systems that have a low thermal mass. One embodiment is a first tool that includes a first frame. The first frame includes a first set of plates of magnetically permeable material, and a material disposed between plates of the first set. The first tool also includes a first set of induction coils that are disposed within the first frame and that generate a first electromagnetic field, and a first susceptor that extends from the first set of plates. The first susceptor generates heat in response to the first electromagnetic field. The first tool further includes a mold that extends from the first susceptor and receives heat via conductive heat transfer from the first susceptor. Each plate of the first set is thinner than a skin depth at which the first electromagnetic field would generate an electrical induction current.

Abstract: A system for generating an energy beam based laser includes an apparatus for receiving an energy beam and for generating an energy beam based laser. The apparatus is configurable or controllable for tuning an output wavelength of the laser generated by the apparatus using the energy beam. The apparatus includes a first component for producing a first magnetic field oriented in a first direction and a second component for producing a second magnetic field oriented in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction. A channel through the apparatus is defined by the first component and the second component through which the energy beam passes to generate the laser at an output of the apparatus. The apparatus is configurable or controllable for modifying at least one of the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field for tuning the output wavelength of the laser.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic field compression includes a toroid and a plurality of separate coils wound around the toroid. The coils are spaced about a circumference of the toroid and each coil generates a magnetic field in response to electric current flowing in the coil. The toroid and a group of the coils each include a size that respectively gradually decreases over a predetermined portion of the toroid. The magnetic field is compressed or has a highest magnetic flux density proximate a central region of the coils around the toroid.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic field compression includes a plurality of tubes of different dimensions. Each smaller tube extends within a larger tube and each tube includes an electrically conductive material for generating a magnetic field in response to electric current flowing in the conductive material. A longitudinal slot is formed in each tube. The longitudinal slot in each tube is aligned to form an aperture in which the magnetic field is compressed or has a highest magnetic flux in the aperture in response to the electric current flowing in the conductive material of each tube.

Abstract: A scramjet includes a converging inlet, a combustor configured to introduce a fuel stream into an air stream in a combustion chamber and to combust the fuel air mixture stream to create an exhaust stream, and a diverging exit nozzle configured to accelerate the exhaust stream. The combustor includes a fuel injection system including at least one arcjet. A method of creating thrust for an aircraft includes compressing a supersonic incoming air stream in a converging inlet, injecting a fuel stream into the air stream in a combustion chamber to create a fuel air mixture stream, igniting the fuel air mixture stream to create an exhaust stream, and exhausting the exhaust stream from a diverging exit nozzle. The injecting the fuel stream into the air stream includes injecting the fuel stream at a fuel speed sufficient to create shear between the fuel stream and the air stream.

Abstract: A system for nondestructive evaluation of a test object includes a platform, an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) to create acoustic vibrations that travel along the test object; an infrared detector positioned to record thermal images of a plurality of test areas on the test object to detect flaws in the test object as the platform and the test object move relative to each other; and a control connected to actuate the EMAT and the infrared detector, synchronize the creation of vibrations with the recording of thermal images, receive a signal from the infrared detector indicative of the thermal image of the surface of the test object, and record locations of the flaws appearing on the thermal images of the test areas, all as the platform and the test object move relative to each other.

Abstract: An energy storage device includes multiple bulk superconductor rings and at least one superconductor wire coil between the multiple bulk superconductor rings. The multiple bulk superconductor rings and the at least one superconductor wire coil are interconnected to define a closed geometric shape.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a chamber and a bulk superconductor disposed within the chamber. The apparatus also includes a heating element coupled to the bulk superconductor.

Abstract: A rotating machine is disclosed and includes a stator defining a circumference, a plurality of first magnet arrays, a rotor, and a first piston. The first magnet arrays are comprised of a plurality of discrete magnets arranged around the circumference of the stator in a first magnetic pattern. The rotor is rotatable about an axis of rotation and defines a main body. The main body defines a first passageway. The first piston includes a plurality of first magnetic elements and is actuated within the first passageway of the rotor. The plurality of discrete magnets are arranged in the first magnetic pattern and are positioned to interact with the magnetic elements of the first piston to create a first magnetic force as the rotor rotates about the axis of rotation. The first magnetic force represents a first amount of force required to actuate the first piston.

Abstract: A vehicle examination system includes an axle inspection system that is configured to inspect an axle of a vehicle. The axle inspection system includes an ultrasound scanning assembly, and an axle coupler that retains the ultrasound scanning assembly. The axle coupler is configured to moveably secure the ultrasound scanning assembly to the axle. An axle inspection control unit is in communication with the ultrasound scanning assembly. The axle inspection control unit is configured to control the ultrasound scanning assembly to ultrasonically scan the axle for anomalies as the vehicle moves.

Abstract: A honeycomb thermal insulation structure may comprise a first facesheet, a second facesheet, and a honeycomb core between the first facesheet and the second facesheet. The honeycomb core may include a plurality of honeycomb unit cells each composed of walls having a height and spaced by a distance. The walls of the honeycomb cells may have perforations. The honeycomb thermal insulation structure may further comprise a non-convective gas loaded in the honeycomb unit cells between the walls. A flow of the gas through the perforations may be substantially absent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for charging a superconductor, such as a high temperature superconductor (HTS), in-situ, including a superconductor that is magnetized by a magnet. A surface area of the magnet is smaller than a surface area of the superconductor and the magnet scans the surface area of the superconductor to magnetize the superconductor one portion at a time. An additional compression superconductor may be used to compress the magnetic flux from the magnet such that the magnetic flux exits the compression superconductor via an aperture on the surface of the compression superconductor and then impinges the surface of the superconductor being charged. The superconductor is assembled in a machine prior to being magnetized and may be cooled prior to magnetization.

Abstract: Provided is a cooling device, and methods of fabricating and operating such cooling devices, for electromagnetic induction (EMI) filters. Specifically, a cooling device is provided which comprises a housing enclosing the electromagnetic induction filter. The housing may comprise one or more of the following: one or more exterior chambers, one or more central flow channels, and peripheral flow channels. The one or more exterior chambers surround an exterior surface of the EMI filter. The one or more central flow channels extend the length of the center of the EMIR filter. The peripheral flow channels extend the length of the exterior of the electromagnetic induction filter. The peripheral flow channels may be disposed between one or more exterior chambers and open into the one or more exterior chambers. The one or more central flow channels, the peripheral flow channels, and the one or more exterior chambers are interconnected.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the active initiation of incident energy-dissipating material from a structure surface coating as a counter measure response for the protection of a structure surface. The active initiation is triggered at a predetermined area or areas on a targeted structure surface in response to incident directed energy sensed on a target surface.

Abstract: A method includes a first electrode exhibiting a first Seebeck coefficient, a second electrode exhibiting a second Seebeck coefficient greater than the first Seebeck coefficient, and particles between the first and second electrodes exhibiting a third Seebeck coefficient between the first and second Seebeck coefficients. Heat is generated due to the Peltier effect at a junction between the first electrode and the particles and at a junction between the second electrode and the particles. Heat is removed due to the Peltier effect at the junction between the first electrode and the particles and at the junction between the second electrode and the particles. The particles are densified due to heating and cooling phase transitions between a higher-temperature solid phase and a lower-temperature solid phase while compressing the particles. An apparatus includes the first and second electrodes and an alternating current power supply electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: Provided is a cooling device, and methods of fabricating and operating such cooling devices, for electromagnetic induction (EMI) filters. Specifically, a cooling device is provided which comprises a housing enclosing the electromagnetic induction filter. The housing may comprise one or more of the following: one or more exterior chambers, one or more central flow channels, and peripheral flow channels. The one or more exterior chambers surround an exterior surface of the EMI filter. The one or more central flow channels extend the length of the center of the EMI filter. The peripheral flow channels extend the length of the exterior of the electromagnetic induction filter. The peripheral flow channels may be disposed between one or more exterior chambers and open into the one or more exterior chambers. The one or more central flow channels, the peripheral flow channels, and the one or more exterior chambers are interconnected.

Abstract: A system for magnetic characterization of an induction heating wire including a conductor having a first end and a second end longitudinally opposed from the first end, wherein the induction heating wire extends along a portion of the conductor and is electrically isolated from the conductor, an alternating current power source electrically coupled with the conductor to pass an electric current between the first end and the second end, a current sensor positioned to sense the electric current, a sensing wire including a first lead and an opposed second lead, wherein the sensing wire defines a first loop having a first polarity and a second loop having a second, opposite polarity, the second loop being connected to the first loop at a crossover, and wherein the induction heating wire extends through the first loop, and a voltage sensor positioned to sense a voltage across the first lead and the second lead.

Abstract: Provided is a cooling device, and methods of fabricating and operating such cooling devices, for electromagnetic induction (EMI) filters. Specifically, a cooling device is provided which comprises a housing enclosing the electromagnetic induction filter. The housing may comprise one or more of the following: one or more exterior chambers, one or more central flow channels, and peripheral flow channels. The one or more exterior chambers surround an exterior surface of the EMI filter. The one or more central flow channels extend the length of the center of the EMI filter. The peripheral flow channels extend the length of the exterior of the electromagnetic induction filter. The peripheral flow channels may be disposed between one or more exterior chambers and open into the one or more exterior chambers. The one or more central flow channels, the peripheral flow channels, and the one or more exterior chambers are interconnected.

Abstract: Provided is a low-weight, high-efficiency inductor design for use with or in electrical power equipment, such as inverters. A toroidal power inductor includes a support structure comprising an outer shell, an inner shell, and one or more coolant channels formed therebetween, a plurality of conductors wrapped around and supported by an exterior surface of the outer shell, and an interior cavity substantially enclosed by the inner shell of the toroidal support structure. The plurality of conductors are configured to provide an inductance for the toroidal power inductor, and the one or more coolant channels are distributed beneath the exterior surface of the outer shell to cool the plurality of conductors. An air-core power inductor may implement the conductors using high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes cooled by cryogenic fluid flowing within the coolant channels.