Abstract: A method of synthesizing silica nanoparticles. The method includes hydrolyzing a silica precursor to form a plurality of monomers, each monomer of the plurality comprising a microwave reactive silicon species. The plurality of monomers is irradiated by an energy source configured to generate microwave frequency energy. Irradiation cases the plurality of monomers polymerize into a silica nanoparticle.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided having a variety of forms and features. The gas turbine engine can include a compressor having movable vanes. In one form of operation the compressor can close down the vanes to a relatively low flow capacity position and the compressor can be operated at a higher speed, whereupon the vanes can be repositioned and the gas turbine engine operated at a different condition. The gas turbine engine can include a turbine having movable vanes. In one form of operation the turbine can change the vane positions to a relatively low torque position and the engine operated at a higher fuel flow condition, whereupon the vanes can be repositioned and the gas turbine engine operated at a different condition. The gas turbine engine can have a heater that adds heat to a flow stream, a motor that provides energy to a shaft, and an external load.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided having a variety of forms and features. The gas turbine engine can include a compressor having movable vanes. In one form of operation the compressor can close down the vanes to a relatively low flow capacity position and the compressor can be operated at a higher speed, whereupon the vanes can be repositioned and the gas turbine engine operated at a different condition. The gas turbine engine can include a turbine having movable vanes. In one form of operation the turbine can change the vane positions to a relatively low torque position and the engine operated at a higher fuel flow condition, whereupon the vanes can be repositioned and the gas turbine engine operated at a different condition. The gas turbine engine can have a heater that adds heat to a flow stream, a motor that provides energy to a shaft, and an external load.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided having a variety of forms and features. The gas turbine engine can include a compressor having movable vanes. In one form of operation the compressor can close down the vanes to a relatively low flow capacity position and the compressor can be operated at a higher speed, whereupon the vanes can be repositioned and the gas turbine engine operated at a different condition. The gas turbine engine can include a turbine having movable vanes. In one form of operation the turbine can change the vane positions to a relatively low torque position and the engine operated at a higher fuel flow condition, whereupon the vanes can be repositioned and the gas turbine engine operated at a different condition. The gas turbine engine can have a heater that adds heat to a flow stream, a motor that provides energy to a shaft, and an external load.

Abstract: An adaptive antenna array (14) includes a muliplicity of antenna elements (12a–12k, 48a–48k) responsive to uplink communications (16a–16k) and arranged to support directional-orientated downlink communication to subscriber units (18). The adaptive antenna array (14) is operationally responsive to a signal processor (28) that co-operates with direction of arrival estimation logic (36) to assess an angle of arrival of uplink communications incident to the array. To avoid inter-cell interference, especially during early stages of a call, the signal processor operates to ensure that a wide area downlink beam (108) is provided for a downlink path to an addressed subscriber unit. With time and/or with reported (68,84) downlink quality of service (QoS) metrics, the signal processor (28) regulates (74, 92, 96) a width of the downlink beam by altering the number of antenna elements used to support the downlink beam, thereby altering the downlink beam aperture.

Abstract: A method of enhancing a communication capability of a communication unit (112), operating in a communication system (100) that facilitates communication to and/or from a plurality of communication units. The method includes the step of operably coupling a first communication unit (112) to one or more neighboring communication units (114, 116) such that said communication unit is able to utilize at least one operational capability of one or more of its neighboring communication units to enhance communication to and/or from said first communication unit.

Abstract: A method of enhancing a communication capability of a communication unit (112), operating in a communication system (100) that facilitates communication to and/or from a plurality of communication units. The method includes the step of operably coupling a first communication unit (112) to one or more neighboring communication units (114, 116) such that said communication unit is able to utilize at least one operational capability of one or more of its neighboring communication units to enhance communication to and/or from said first communication unit.

Abstract: An adaptive antenna array (14) includes a muliplicity of antenna elements (12a-12k, 48a-48k) responsive to uplink communications (16a-16k) and arranged to support directional-orientated downlink communication to subscriber units (18). The adaptive antenna array (14) is operationally responsive to a signal processor (28) that co-operates with direction of arrival estimation logic (36) to assess an angle of arrival of uplink communications incident to the array. To avoid inter-cell interference, especially during early stages of a call, the signal processor operates to ensure that a wide area downlink beam (108) is provided for a downlink path to an addressed subscriber unit. With time and/or with reported (68,84) downlink quality of service (QoS) metrics, the signal processor (28) regulates (74, 92, 96) a width of the downlink beam by altering the number of antenna elements used to support the downlink beam, thereby altering the downlink beam aperture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for curling feathers on a bird. The device comprises a base member having a convex surface and a mating member having a concave surface. The base member and the mating member define a space between the convex surface and the concave surface into which a feather to be curled may be placed. The base member and the mating member are configured so as to be squeezable so that the concave surface and the convex surface may be placed into contact with the feather to effect curling thereof. A method for using the curling device is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for curling feathers on a bird. The device comprises a base member having a convex surface and a mating member having a concave surface. The base member and the mating member define a space between the convex surface and the concave surface into which a feather to be curled may be placed. The base member and the mating member are configured so as to be squeezable so that the concave surface and the convex surface may be placed into contact with the feather to effect curling thereof. A method for using the curling device is also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to an antenna array system. A problem with antenna array systems is that they provide rather inefficient use of hardware and have inflexible resource allocation. The invention provides a flexible antenna array system architecture, which has very flexible allocation of transceiver elements to beams. The invention comprise switching means (407) which associate transceiver elements (405) to beam ports of a beam former (403) connected to a antenna array (401). The association of transceiver elements (405) to beam ports are rearranged regularly, typically for each time slot, and the association is optimized for overall performance for all subscriber units. The invention is applicable for example to cellular communication systems such as GSM.

Abstract: A secure, portable position locating radio has a geolocation receiver providing local position and timing information from geolocation means (e.g. GPS satellites) and a local transceiver for sending local position information to a communication system (e.g., an airborne or orbiting transceiver). A crypto unit is provided between the receiver and local transceiver for encrypting the local position information prior to transmission. A data processor coupled to the local transceiver, receiver and crypto unit controls operation of the device, including storing local position information and separating signals broadcast by the communication system into those intended or not intended for the device. An external interface and display and a real-time clock (e.g., slaved to the GPS receiver) are also coupled to the data processor. Encryption keys and message abbreviation codes are conveniently loaded into the device from a demountable accessory unit at the interface, and stored therein.

Abstract: A "short turn" vehicle having front and rear, centerline mounted, power driven, steerable wheels, and a pair of outrigger stabilizing wheels that are mounted on a rigid frame which is restrained against all but vertical movement relative to the frame. The vehicle is capable of zero radius turns under full load. The vehicle is ideally suited as a conveyance of rotary mowers since the vehicle's wheels "guard" the rotary mowing unit and three preferred arrangements thereof are shown and described.