Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an antenna assembly. The methods comprise: receiving, at the first polarized antenna, a first signal comprising a desired signal emitted from a first signal source located at a first altitude higher than a second altitude of the antenna assembly and an interfering signal emitted from a second signal source located at a third altitude lower than the second altitude; receiving the interfering signal at the second polarized antenna (where the first and second polarized antennas have opposite circular polarizations); generating a second signal by shifting a phase of the interfering signal which was received at the second polarized antenna by an amount to cause the second signal to be out-of-phase with the first signal; and providing an antenna pattern with a null at or below a horizon by destructively combining the second signal with the first signal.

Abstract: Herein are provided systems, devices, and methods for the treatment of oral and pharyngeal disorders via the stimulation of pharyngeal muscles. Contraction of the pharyngeal muscle cells (9) is induced by activation of at least one ion channel (1) formed in at least one of a muscle cell and a neural cell. The ion channel opens (4) when it is activated by a stimulus (3). This allows ions to flow into (5) and out of (6) the cell, causing muscle contraction. This muscle contraction can be targeted towards specific muscles depending upon the condition to be treated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a direction finder device. The methods comprise: mechanically steering an antenna system of a first platform at a first time such that a null of a first antenna pattern points in a first null direction towards an interference source; obtaining a first location of the first platform at the first time; mechanically steering the antenna system of the first platform at a second time such that the null of the first antenna pattern points in a second null direction towards the interference source (wherein the second direction is different than the first direction); obtaining a second location of the first platform at the second time, wherein the second location is different than the first location; and using the first location, the second location, the first null direction and the second null direction to determine a first estimated location of the interference source.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switchable clutch includes a dog clutch, a one-way clutch and a coil assembly. The dog clutch includes a dog clutch hub with a first outer spline and first pockets, a dog clutch disc with a second outer spline and a dog clutch sleeve with an inner spline, complementary to the first outer spline and the second outer spline. The inner spline is drivingly engaged with the first outer spline and axially displaceable to engage the second outer spline. The one-way clutch includes a cam ring and pawls. The cam ring includes second pockets. The pawls are disposed the first pockets or the second pockets and arranged to engage the other of the first pockets or the second pockets to rotationally lock the cam ring to the dog clutch hub in a single rotational direction. The coil assembly is arranged to axially displace the dog clutch sleeve.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomously operating an antenna assembly. The methods comprise: obtaining, by a processor of the antenna assembly, first information comprising at least one of a value for a variable altitude of the antenna assembly, a value for a variable height of the antenna assembly above ground, a value for a variable height of the antenna assembly above sea level, a value for a variable distance of the antenna assembly from a reference object, and a first value for a variable signal frequency of a communication device; using, by the processor, the information to obtain a desired length of an antenna of the antenna assembly; and controlling, by the processor, an actuator to adjust a length of the antenna until the length reaches the desired length.

Abstract: A locking differential may be an electric locking differential with an electromagnet which actuates a clutch plate. The electric locking differential may include a final drive gear. The electromagnet may not rotate with the final drive gear. The electric locking differential may also include an actuation side housing. The actuation side housing may be affixed to the final drive gear. The electromagnet may cause an electromagnetic field to couple from a ferrous housing of the electromagnet to the actuation side housing. The electromagnetic field may axially translate the electromagnet relative to the actuation side housing. The ferrous housing and the actuation side housing may include a chamfered edge through which the electromagnetic field couples.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomously operating an antenna assembly. The methods comprise: obtaining, by a processor of the antenna assembly, first information comprising at least one of a value for a variable altitude of the antenna assembly, a value for a variable height of the antenna assembly above ground, a value for a variable height of the antenna assembly above sea level, a value for a variable distance of the antenna assembly from a reference object, and a first value for a variable signal frequency of a communication device; using, by the processor, the information to obtain a desired length of an antenna of the antenna assembly; and controlling, by the processor, an actuator to adjust a length of the antenna until the length reaches the desired length.

Abstract: A detent solenoid includes an armature assembly with a groove, a coil arranged for displacing the armature assembly, and a detent arranged for seating in the groove. In an example embodiment, the groove includes a first axial side having a toroidal shape and a second axial side, opposite the first axial side, having a conical shape. In some example embodiments, the armature assembly includes an armature and a shaft fixed in the armature, and the groove is disposed in the shaft. In an example embodiment, the armature is made of a ferrous material.

Abstract: An antenna system, comprising: an omni-directional antenna element; and a directional adapter having an electromagnetic reflector. The directional adapter detachably coupled to the omni-directional antenna element. The electromagnetic reflector being offset from the omni-directional antenna element. The directional adapter may be configured to be coupled to the antenna to convert a radiation pattern from an omni-directional antenna radiation pattern to a directional antenna radiation pattern, and configured to be decoupled from the antenna to convert the radiation pattern back into the omni-directional antenna radiation pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods for locating UAV. The methods comprise: causing a physical joining of a payload with a fuselage of the UAV (where the payload comprises a communication relay); using a power source to supply power to the payload that is independent from a main power source of the UAV; and continuing to perform relay operations by the communication relay and location operations by a first locator, when power is no longer being supplied by the main power source.

Abstract: Wireless communication device (WCD) for use in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a multi-purpose WCD accessory. The accessory is comprised of a first plate having opposed first and second major faces. The first major face includes a heat transfer surface configured to contact a body of the WCD interior of the UAV when the WCD is secured to the first major face. A second plate is attached to the second major face in a cantilever configuration and extends exterior of the fuselage in a direction away from the second major surface. The second plate comprises at least a portion of a ground plane for an antenna system utilized by the WCD, and together with the first plate forms a heat sink for the WCD.

Abstract: A vehicle ride-height adjustment device with a locking mechanism that has a simple control path and avoids the need for a separate actuator to control locking. The locking mechanism includes a locking gear coupled for rotation with a driven gear of a ride-height actuator, a locking pawl supported adjacent the driven gear for pivoting movement between a locked position engaged with a surface of the locking gear and restricting rotation thereof in at least one direction and a disengaged position spaced apart from the locking gear and permitting rotation of the driven gear. A shifting fork is coupled for rotation with the drive gear configured to move the locking pawl between engaged and disengaged positions. A torque limiter allows the shifting fork to rotate independent from the drive gear when a torque threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: Systems and methods for locating UAV. The methods comprise: causing a physical joining of a payload with a fuselage of the UAV (where the payload comprises a communication relay); using a power source to supply power to the payload that is independent from a main power source of the UAV; and continuing to perform relay operations by the communication relay and location operations by a first locator, when power is no longer being supplied by the main power source.

Abstract: A vehicle ride-height adjustment device with a locking mechanism that has a simple control path and avoids the need for a separate actuator to control locking. The locking mechanism includes a locking gear coupled for rotation with a driven gear of a ride-height actuator, a locking pawl supported adjacent the driven gear for pivoting movement between a locked position engaged with a surface of the locking gear and restricting rotation thereof in at least one direction and a disengaged position spaced apart from the locking gear and permitting rotation of the driven gear. A shifting fork is coupled for rotation with the drive gear configured to move the locking pawl between engaged and disengaged positions. A torque limiter allows the shifting fork to rotate independent from the drive gear when a torque threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: Wireless communication device (WCD) for use in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a multi-purpose WCD accessory. The accessory is comprised of a first plate having opposed first and second major faces. The first major face includes a heat transfer surface configured to contact a body of the WCD interior of the UAV when the WCD is secured to the first major face. A second plate is attached to the second major face in a cantilever configuration and extends exterior of the fuselage in a direction away from the second major surface. The second plate comprises at least a portion of a ground plane for an antenna system utilized by the WCD, and together with the first plate forms a heat sink for the WCD.

Abstract: A vehicle may comprise a frame, a propulsion arrangement configured to orient the frame, and an antenna carried by the frame. The antenna may include a housing, a base carried by the housing, a pair of spaced apart antenna elements carried by the base, and a phase sifter coupled to the pair of antenna elements to define an antenna pattern having a pair of opposing nulls. An RF receiver is coupled to the antenna. A controller may control the propulsion arrangement to orient the frame to steer the antenna pattern based upon the RF receiver.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) device for a vehicle may include an antenna, an RF receiver and a controller. The antenna may include a housing, a rotatable base carried by the housing, an actuator to selectively rotate the base, a pair of spaced apart antenna elements carried by the rotatable base, and a phase sifter coupled to the pair of antenna elements to define an antenna pattern having a pair of opposing nulls. The RF receiver is coupled to the antenna, and the controller may drive the actuator to steer the antenna pattern based upon the RF receiver.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switchable clutch includes a dog clutch, a one-way clutch and a coil assembly. The dog clutch includes a dog clutch hub with a first outer spline and first pockets, a dog clutch disc with a second outer spline and a dog clutch sleeve with an inner spline, complementary to the first outer spline and the second outer spline. The inner spline is drivingly engaged with the first outer spline and axially displaceable to engage the second outer spline. The one-way clutch includes a cam ring and pawls. The cam ring includes second pockets. The pawls are disposed the first pockets or the second pockets and arranged to engage the other of the first pockets or the second pockets to rotationally lock the cam ring to the dog clutch hub in a single rotational direction. The coil assembly is arranged to axially displace the dog clutch sleeve.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an antenna assembly. The methods comprise: receiving, at the first polarized antenna, a first signal comprising a desired signal emitted from a first signal source located at a first altitude higher than a second altitude of the antenna assembly and an interfering signal emitted from a second signal source located at a third altitude lower than the second altitude; receiving the interfering signal at the second polarized antenna (where the first and second polarized antennas have opposite circular polarizations); generating a second signal by shifting a phase of the interfering signal which was received at the second polarized antenna by an amount to cause the second signal to be out-of-phase with the first signal; and providing an antenna pattern with a null at or below a horizon by destructively combining the second signal with the first signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an antenna assembly. The methods comprise: receiving, at the first circularly polarized antenna, a first signal comprising a desired signal emitted from a first signal source located at a first altitude higher than a second altitude of the antenna assembly and an interfering signal emitted from a second signal source located at a third altitude lower than the second altitude; receiving the interfering signal at the second circularly polarized antenna (where the first and second circularly polarized antennas are disposed on opposite sides of an antenna reflector and having opposite circular polarizations); generating a second signal by shifting a phase of the interfering signal which was received at the second circularly polarized antenna by an amount to cause the second signal to be out-of-phase with the first signal; and providing an antenna pattern with a null at or below a horizon by destructively combining the second signal with the first signal.