Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument includes a patella trial and drill guide that may be used to both perform a surgical trial of the patellofemoral joint and guide the surgeon in drilling a number of anchor holes in the patella of the patient.

Abstract: An aerodynamic nose cone capable of imaging through the nose cone is accomplished by forming the nose cone as an Afocal Axicon lens. Under a condition of RI?cos(X)/cos(3X) where RI is an effective refractive index and X is a cone half angle of the solid right-circular cone. EMR incident on a front portion of the cone undergoes a total internal reflection (TIR) and exits a trailing surface of the cone with approximately the same parallelism with which it entered the cone. EMR incident behind the front portion of the cone that exits the trailing surface with different parallelism than it entered may be directed to a light dump or through a frustum of a cone to re-establish the correct parallelism. The entire optical system may be monolithically integrated into the nose cone to eliminate alignment issues and moving parts.

Abstract: An aerodynamic nose cone capable of imaging through the nose cone is accomplished by forming the nose cone as an Afocal Axicon lens. Under a condition of RI?cos(X)/cos(3X) where RI is an effective refractive index and X is a cone half angle of the solid right-circular cone. EMR incident on a front portion of the cone undergoes a total internal reflection (TIR) and exits a trailing surface of the cone with approximately the same parallelism with which it entered the cone. EMR incident behind the front portion of the cone that exits the trailing surface with different parallelism than it entered may be directed to a light dump or through a fustrum of a cone to re-establish the correct parallelism. The entire optical system may be monolithically integrated into the nose cone to eliminate alignment issues and moving parts.

Abstract: A releasable ball lock hinge is disclosed. The releasable ball lock hinge includes a first body operable with a hinge ball and a release ball. Each ball can be movable within respective openings of the first body. The releasable ball lock hinge also includes a second body configured to rotatably interface and removably couple with the first body. The hinge ball releasably engages the second body. The second body has a release recess operable with the release ball to disengage the hinge ball and alternately couple and release the first body and the second body based on a relative position between the first body and the second body.

Abstract: A releasable ball lock hinge is disclosed. The releasable ball lock hinge includes a first body operable with a hinge ball and a release ball. Each ball can be movable within respective openings of the first body. The releasable ball lock hinge also includes a second body configured to rotatably interface and removably couple with the first body. The hinge ball releasably engages the second body. The second body has a release recess operable with the release ball to disengage the hinge ball and alternately couple and release the first body and the second body based on a relative position between the first body and the second body.

Abstract: A hyper-velocity impact sensor including an optical fiber probe that transmits an optical pulse generated during impact with an object, a spectroscopic analyzer that receives the optical pulse and produces spectral information about the optical pulse, a connecting optical fiber configured to convey the optical pulse between the optical fiber probe and the spectroscopic analyzer, and at least one processor coupled to the spectroscopic analyzer and configured to receive and analyze the spectral information to determine at least one chemical element or compound contained in the object.

Abstract: A hyper-velocity impact sensor including an optical fiber probe that transmits an optical pulse generated during impact with an object, a spectroscopic analyzer that receives the optical pulse and produces spectral information about the optical pulse, a connecting optical fiber configured to convey the optical pulse between the optical fiber probe and the spectroscopic analyzer, and at least one processor coupled to the spectroscopic analyzer and configured to receive and analyze the spectral information to determine at least one chemical element or compound contained in the object.

Abstract: A hyper-velocity impact sensor is configured to probe a mass of material consumed upon impact with an object. The probe can extract density and thickness characteristics of the impacted object, which can be used to classify the object.

Abstract: A releasable ball lock hinge is disclosed. The releasable ball lock hinge includes a first body operable with a hinge ball and a release ball. Each ball can be movable within respective openings of the first body. The releasable ball lock hinge also includes a second body configured to rotatably interface and removably couple with the first body. The hinge ball releasably engages the second body. The second body has a release recess operable with the release ball to disengage the hinge ball and alternately couple and release the first body and the second body based on a relative position between the first body and the second body.

Abstract: Multiple LRSWs are launched to place at least one follower LRSW in a trailing position to at least one lead LRSW in a lead wave. Knowledge of the target space and particularly the primary target gained by the lead LRSWs is transmitted to the follower LRSWs (either directly or via another communication platform such as a satellite or UAV) and incorporated by the follower LRSWs to inform target selection. The follower LRSWs in the following wave trail the lead LRSWs in the lead wave with sufficient spacing in time and distance to inform target selection and with range remaining to maneuver to the selected target. This knowledge may be transmitted back to another follower LRSW (together with any data acquired the initial follower LRSW) and so forth in a “string” of LRSWs to inform target selection and maneuver the LRSWs to the primary target or an alternate target.

Abstract: A hyper-velocity impact sensor is configured to probe a mass of material consumed upon impact with an object. The probe can extract density and thickness characteristics of the impacted object, which can be used to classify the object.

Abstract: A KV-based missile defense system and method of strategic engagement provides performance improvement for both singleton and raid scenarios by launching multiple interceptors that place a follower KV in a trailing position with respect to a lead KV. Knowledge of the target cloud gained by the lead KV is transmitted to the follower KV and incorporated to inform the target selection of the follower KV. The follower KV trails the lead KV with sufficient spacing in time and distance to select a target and maneuver to engage the target pre-acquisition. This also allows the follower KV to receive and incorporate knowledge of target impact by the lead KV. This knowledge may be transmitted back to another follower KV and so forth in a “string” of KVs to inform target selection and down to the ground to inform strategic engagement. Updated non-KV observational data can be uplinked and transmitted forward along the string to the lead KV.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire which has a cut-out zone in a carcass portion, wherein the cut-out zone is oriented radially inwardly from at least one belt and laterally inwardly of the belt edges, and wherein the cut-out zone is void of any reinforcement materials.

Abstract: A multiple field-of-view telescope and optical sensor system and imaging methods using the system. In one example, an optical sensor system includes a primary imaging detector having a first field of view, a telescope configured to receive and focus electromagnetic radiation onto the primary imaging detector along a primary optical axis, a secondary detector having a second field of view different from the first field of view, and relay optics configured to direct and focus a portion of the electromagnetic radiation onto the secondary detector. In certain examples, the system further includes a fold mirror positioned to reflect the portion of the electromagnetic radiation to the relay optics.

Abstract: An optical imaging system and method in which a second channel is used to provide alignment data for achieving image frame stacking of image data in a first channel. In one example, image stacking of infrared images is achieved by obtaining and analyzing corresponding visible images to provide alignment data that is then used to align and stack the infrared images.

Abstract: A variable length light shield is disclosed for an electro-optical sensor within a nose cone. The light shield includes a base, a telescopic shade supported by the base, and a ring rotatably supported about the base. The light shield also includes a guide tube disposed proximate the ring with an end extending away from the ring about a side of the telescopic shade. The light shield further includes an extension spring supported by the guide tube with an end coupled to the telescopic shade. Additionally, the light shield includes a cable extending through the guide tube and the extension spring, with one end of the cable coupled to the ring and another end of the cable coupled to the telescopic shade. The extension spring is configured to exert a force on the telescopic shade to extend the telescopic shade. Rotation of the ring causes retraction of the telescopic shade.

Abstract: A multiple field-of-view telescope and optical sensor system and imaging methods using the system. In one example, an optical sensor system includes a primary imaging detector having a first field of view, a telescope configured to receive and focus electromagnetic radiation onto the primary imaging detector along a primary optical axis, a secondary detector having a second field of view different from the first field of view, and relay optics configured to direct and focus a portion of the electromagnetic radiation onto the secondary detector. In certain examples, the system further includes a fold mirror positioned to reflect the portion of the electromagnetic radiation to the relay optics.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a tire having a split body ply construction are disclosed.

Abstract: A variable length light shield is disclosed for an electro-optical sensor within a nose cone. The light shield includes a base, a telescopic shade supported by the base, and a ring rotatably supported about the base. The light shield also includes a guide tube disposed proximate the ring with an end extending away from the ring about a side of the telescopic shade. The light shield further includes an extension spring supported by the guide tube with an end coupled to the telescopic shade. Additionally, the light shield includes a cable extending through the guide tube and the extension spring, with one end of the cable coupled to the ring and another end of the cable coupled to the telescopic shade. The extension spring is configured to exert a force on the telescopic shade to extend the telescopic shade. Rotation of the ring causes retraction of the telescopic shade.

Abstract: A releasable ball lock hinge is disclosed. The releasable ball lock hinge includes a first body operable with a hinge ball and a release ball. Each ball can be movable within respective openings of the first body. The releasable ball lock hinge also includes a second body configured to rotatably interface and removably couple with the first body. The hinge ball releasably engages the second body. The second body has a release recess operable with the release ball to disengage the hinge ball and alternately couple and release the first body and the second body based on a relative position between the first body and the second body.