Abstract: The present invention is directed toward systems for conducting laser range and enabling optical communication between a plurality of entities and to the application of such systems in a secure covert combat identification system. In one embodiment, the present invention uses a novel laser system that generates high pulse rates, as required for optical communications, while concurrently generating sufficiently high power levels, as required by laser range finding operations. One application of the present invention is in enabling secure covert communications between a plurality of parties. Another application of the present invention is in tracking and identifying the movement of objects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward systems for conducting laser range and enabling optical communication between a plurality of entities and to the application of such systems in a secure covert combat identification system. In one embodiment, the present invention uses a novel laser system that generates high pulse rates, as required for optical communications, while concurrently generating sufficiently high power levels, as required by laser range finding operations. One application of the present invention is in enabling secure covert communications between a plurality of parties. Another application of the present invention is in tracking and identifying the movement of objects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward systems for conducting laser range and enabling optical communication between a plurality of entities and to the application of such systems in a secure covert combat identification system. In one embodiment, the present invention uses a novel laser system that generates high pulse rates, as required for optical communications, while concurrently generating sufficiently high power levels, as required by laser range finding operations. One application of the present invention is in enabling secure covert communications between a plurality of parties. Another application of the present invention is in tracking and identifying the movement of objects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward systems for conducting laser range and enabling optical communication between a plurality of entities and to the application of such systems in a secure covert combat identification system. In one embodiment, the present invention uses a novel laser system that generates high pulse rates, as required for optical communications, while concurrently generating sufficiently high power levels, as required by laser range finding operations. One application of the present invention is in enabling secure covert communications between a plurality of parties. Another application of the present invention is in tracking and identifying the movement of objects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward systems for conducting laser range and enabling optical communication between a plurality of entities and to the application of such systems in a secure covert combat identification system. In one embodiment, the present invention uses a novel laser system that generates high pulse rates, as required for optical communications, while concurrently generating sufficiently high power levels, as required by laser range finding operations. One application of the present invention is in enabling secure covert communications between a plurality of parties. Another application of the present invention is in tracking and identifying the movement of objects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward systems for conducting laser range and enabling optical communication between a plurality of entities and to the application of such systems in a secure covert combat identification system. In one embodiment, the present invention uses a novel laser system that generates high pulse rates, as required for optical communications, while concurrently generating sufficiently high power levels, as required by laser range finding operations. One application of the present invention is in enabling secure covert communications between a plurality of parties. Another application of the present invention is in tracking and identifying the movement of objects.

Abstract: A method of forming a gear comprising gripping a blank to be spun formed in a spin forming machine, spin forming a gear having helical teeth disposed on an inner surface, and ejecting the gear by simultaneous extension and rotation of an ejector member and thereby rotation of the gear being ejected.

Abstract: A modulating corner-cube retroreflector for remote communications is disclosed. The modulating corner-cube retroreflector includes a solid retroreflector with a front surface and three mutually perpendicular surfaces: a first surface, a second surface and a third surface. A first thin membrane is disposed relative to at least one of the three mutually perpendicular surfaces and covers at least a portion of the surface. A modulator is included that is adapted to cause the thin membrane to vibrate. The corner-cube retroreflector is configured to receive an incident beam of light from a source along a first path and is configured to return a reflected beam of light back towards the source along a second path that is substantially parallel to the first path. The first thin membrane is configured to substantially frustrate total internal reflection of the incident beam of light when the first thin membrane is moved relative to at least one surface of the retroreflector.

Abstract: A pulsed fiber laser and associated electronics contained in a miniature package is disclosed. The Pulsed Fiber Laser Source (PFLS) can be a single-stage high gain master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) type fiber laser source. The PFLS can include a distributed feedback (DFB) laser, a narrowband optical filter, a broad area high-power pump diode, and Erbium/Ytterbium (Er/Yb) double cladding doped fiber. Input electrical pulses drive the DFB laser diode to emit optical pulses that are then amplified by the optical amplifier. Active and passive cooling elements may be incorporated for continuous operation without rest time. Passive cooling for intermittent pulsed applications allows the laser source to be miniaturized by eliminating active cooling elements and associated power supplies and controllers. Low duty cycle relaxes drive requirements and further reduces the size.

Abstract: A multifunction sight is disclosed. The multifunction sight includes an body, a receiving aperture, an emitting aperture, a parabolic reflector, and an optical detector. The receiving aperture passes radiation in a first band and a second band into the body where the first band is different from the second band. The emitting aperture that passes the radiation in the first band out of the body. The parabolic reflector displays a point source such that the point source is visible from the emitting aperture. The point source appears aligned with where the multifunction sight is aimed irrespective of a visual alignment with the emitting aperture. The optical detector is affixed to the body and coupled to the radiation in the second band, and receives coded radiation with the second band.

Abstract: The invention comprises a crankshaft damper having an integral pulse ring. The crankshaft damper comprises an inner hub and outer pulley with an elastomeric connecting member between each. The elastomeric ring dampens a crankshaft vibration. The integral pulse ring is manufactured as part of the inner hub by flow forming a sheet metal blank.

Abstract: The invention comprises a crankshaft damper having an integral pulse ring. The crankshaft damper comprises an inner hub and outer pulley with an elastomeric connecting member between each. The elastomeric ring dampens a crankshaft vibration. The integral pulse ring is manufactured as part of the inner hub by flow forming a sheet metal blank.

Abstract: A Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) capable of consistent performance over a wide temperature range. The PDLC includes electrodes connected to each of the resistive layers, such as ITO layers, of the PDLC. A FET switch couples each electrode to a corresponding capacitor. The capacitors are charged using a power source. The energy stored in the capacitors can be transferred to the resistive layers to heat the PDLC. A controller can pulse the FET switches to control the amount of energy transferred from the capacitors to the resistive layers.

Abstract: A pulsed fiber laser and associated electronics contained in a miniature package is disclosed. The Pulsed Fiber Laser Source (PFLS) can be a single-stage high gain master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) type fiber laser source. The PFLS can include a distributed feedback (DFB) laser, a narrowband optical filter, a broad area high-power pump diode, and Erbium/Ytterbium (Er/Yb) double cladding doped fiber. Input electrical pulses drive the DFB laser diode to emit optical pulses that are then amplified by the optical amplifier. Active and passive cooling elements may be incorporated for continuous operation without rest time. Passive cooling for intermittent pulsed applications allows the laser source to be miniaturized by eliminating active cooling elements and associated power supplies and controllers. Low duty cycle relaxes drive requirements and further reduces the size.

Abstract: The invention comprises a crankshaft damper having an integral pulse ring. The crankshaft damper comprises an inner hub and outer pulley with an elastomeric connecting member between each. The elastomeric ring dampens a crankshaft vibration. The integral pulse ring is manufactured as part of the inner hub by flow forming a sheet metal blank.