Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of preparing a bonding surface on a composite laminate and an associated composite laminate. The method involves forming a layup of multiple fiber-reinforced plies, including main body plies with a first combined thickness and peel plies with a second combined thickness. The method also includes selectively removing a portion of the main body plies along an edge to create an interim composite laminate with a lip defined by the peel plies. A force is applied to the lip to initiate a crack between the peel plies and the main body plies. The lip is then peeled away from the main body plies to remove the peel plies and expose a bonding surface on the composite laminate.

Abstract: A magnetically levitating sterilizing toothbrush holder with associated toothbrush includes a holder generating a magnetic field and a toothbrush including a magnetic or ferromagnetic element. The holder and toothbrush are so configured that, when the toothbrush is placed in the holder, the force of gravity acting on the toothbrush is balanced in opposition to the magnetic force resulting from the interaction of the toothbrush's magnetic element with the holder's magnetic field, resulting in magnetic levitation of the toothbrush within the holder, thereby suspending the brush from all potentially contaminating surfaces. The holder further includes a sterilizing ultraviolet light source, whereby the operational end of the toothbrush with its bristles is bathed in sterilizing radiation when the brush is suspended in the holder.

Abstract: A toilet splash guard collects errant urine from a male urinating in an upright position. The toilet splash guard attaches toward the rear of a toilet bowl between the toilet seat and the bowl. The toilet splash guard has a flat body with a back side, lateral sides, and a curved portion conforming to the curvature of a rear of a toilet bowl. The flat body includes a wall extending along a periphery of the flat body except for along the curved portion, defining a urine collecting portion therein. The urine collecting portion can be sloped to allow urine to flow to the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A toilet splash guard collects errant urine from a male urinating in an upright position. The toilet splash guard attaches toward the rear of a toilet bowl between the toilet seat and the bowl. The toilet splash guard has a flat body with a back side, lateral sides, and a curved portion conforming to the curvature of a rear of a toilet bowl. The flat body includes a wall extending along a periphery of the flat body except for along the curved portion, defining a urine collecting portion therein. The urine collecting portion can be sloped to allow urine to flow to the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A magnetically levitating sterilizing toothbrush holder with associated toothbrush comprises a holder generating a magnetic field and a toothbrush comprising a magnetic or ferromagnetic element. The holder and toothbrush are so configured that, when the toothbrush is placed in the holder, the force of gravity acting on the toothbrush is balanced in opposition to the magnetic force resulting from the interaction of the toothbrush's magnetic element with the holder's magnetic field, resulting in magnetic levitation of the toothbrush within the holder, thereby suspending the brush from all potentially contaminating surfaces. The holder further comprises a sterilizing ultraviolet light source, whereby the operational end of the toothbrush with its bristles is bathed in sterilizing radiation when the brush is suspended in the holder.

Abstract: A turbocharger is provided including a turbine housing having a gas inlet passage. A turbine wheel having a plurality of blades is arranged within the turbine housing. A nozzle ring is disposed around the turbine wheel and includes a plurality of vanes with flow channels being defined between the vanes that are in fluid communication the gas inlet passage and with the turbine wheel. A shroud is arranged in surrounding relation to at least a portion of the turbine wheel and in spaced relation from the turbine housing. The shroud is integrally formed with the nozzle ring such that the plurality of vanes extend away from the shroud.

Abstract: A turbocharger is provided including a turbine housing having a gas inlet passage. A turbine wheel having a plurality of blades is arranged within the turbine housing. A nozzle ring is disposed around the turbine wheel and includes a plurality of vanes with flow channels being defined between the vanes that are in fluid communication the gas inlet passage and with the turbine wheel. A shroud is arranged in surrounding relation to at least a portion of the turbine wheel and in spaced relation from the turbine housing. The shroud is integrally formed with the nozzle ring such that the plurality of vanes extend away from the shroud.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an atomic sensing system. The system includes an atomic sensing device configured to generate an output signal along an output axis in response to a plurality of control parameters. The system also includes a signal generator configured to apply a reference signal to a cross-axis that is approximately orthogonal to the output axis. The system also includes a phase measurement system configured to demodulate the output signal relative to the reference signal to measure a relative phase alignment between the output axis and a physical axis of the atomic sensing device based on the reference signal.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an atomic sensing system. The system includes an atomic sensing device configured to generate an output signal along an output axis in response to a plurality of control parameters. The system also includes a signal generator configured to apply a reference signal to a cross-axis that is approximately orthogonal to the output axis. The system also includes a phase measurement system configured to demodulate the output signal relative to the reference signal to measure a relative phase alignment between the output axis and a physical axis of the atomic sensing device based on the reference signal.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) gyroscope system. The system includes a gyro cell that is sealed to enclose an alkali metal vapor, a first gyromagnetic isotope, a second gyromagnetic isotope, and a third gyromagnetic isotope. The system also includes a magnetic field generator configured to generate a substantially uniform magnetic field that is provided through the gyro cell to cause the first, second, and third gyromagnetic isotopes to precess. The system further includes an angular rotation sensor configured to measure a rotation angle about a sensitive axis of the NMR gyroscope system based on measured precession angles of the first, second, and third gyromagnetic isotopes.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) gyroscope system. The system includes a gyro cell that is sealed to enclose an alkali metal vapor, a first gyromagnetic isotope, a second gyromagnetic isotope, and a third gyromagnetic isotope. The system also includes a magnetic field generator configured to generate a substantially uniform magnetic field that is provided through the gyro cell to cause the first, second, and third gyromagnetic isotopes to precess. The system further includes an angular rotation sensor configured to measure a rotation angle about a sensitive axis of the NMR gyroscope system based on measured precession angles of the first, second, and third gyromagnetic isotopes.

Abstract: A delineator post adapted to spring back to its original upright position after an impact comprises an inground socket permanently installed in a paved surface. A resilient plug having a lower end portion is inserted in the inground socket. The resilient plug has an upper end portion projecting upwardly from the inground socket. An anchor is provided for releasably anchoring the resilient plug to the inground socket. A post segment is fastened over the upper end portion of the resilient plug. The tension in the resilient plug when subject to a deformation as a result of an impact on the post segment returns the post segment back to its original upright position.

Abstract: System and method for mitigating errors in electrostatic force balanced instrument is provided. The system and method mitigate errors in measurement readings caused by charge buildup in force balanced instruments that employ charge pulses to generate an electrostatic force to null an inertial proof mass disposed between opposing electrodes. The system and method mitigate charge buildup by applying charge pulses to each opposing electrode of a sensing element for a given charge cycle time period in a normal polarity configuration followed by charge pulses to each opposing electrode of the sensing element for a second given charge cycle time period in a reverse polarity configuration.

Abstract: System and method for mitigating errors in electrostatic force balanced instrument is provided. The system and method mitigate errors in measurement readings caused by charge buildup in force balanced instruments that employ charge pulses to generate an electrostatic force to null an inertial proof mass disposed between opposing electrodes. The system and method mitigate charge buildup by applying charge pulses to each opposing electrode of a sensing element for a given charge cycle time period in a normal polarity configuration followed by charge pulses to each opposing electrode of the sensing element for a second given charge cycle time period in a reverse polarity conjuration.

Abstract: A force balanced instrument system and method for mitigating errors is provided. The system and method mitigate errors in measurement readings caused by charge buildup in force balanced instruments that employ charge pulses to generate an electrostatic force to null an inertial proof mass disposed between opposing electrodes. The system and method mitigate charge buildup by applying positive charge pulses alternately to each opposing electrode for a given charge cycle time period followed by negative charge pulses alternately to each opposing electrode for a second given charge cycle time period. The negative charge pulses remove any residual charge on the electrodes caused by the positive charge pulses. As a result the net residual charge left on the electrodes is reduced on the average.

Abstract: A compressor for a power system is disclosed. The compressor has a compressor wheel rotatable to compress a fluid, and a compressor housing at least partially enclosing the compressor wheel. The compressor housing has a first volute and a second volute. The first volute is configured to direct an exhaust gas radially inward to the compressor wheel. The second volute is configured to direct a mixture of the exhaust gas and air radially outward from the compressor wheel.

Abstract: A post footing for holding a post segment above a ground surface comprises an outer sleeve adapted to be forcibly driven into the ground. A socket member is pressure fitted within the outer sleeve with the leading end of the sleeve extending beyond the socket member to prevent the latter from being damaged in the event that an obstacle be encountered while the footing is being driven into the ground. The socket member defines a socket adapted to receive and hold an above-ground post segment once the footing has been installed in the ground.

Abstract: A force balanced instrument system and method for mitigating errors is provided. The system and method mitigate errors in measurement readings caused by charge buildup in force balanced instruments that employ charge pulses to generate an electrostatic force to null an inertial proof mass disposed between opposing electrodes. The system and method mitigate charge buildup by applying positive charge pulses alternately to each opposing electrode for a given charge cycle time period followed by negative charge pulses alternately to each opposing electrode for a second given charge cycle time period. The negative charge pulses remove any residual charge on the electrodes caused by the positive charge pulses. As a result the net residual charge left on the electrodes is reduced on the average.

Abstract: A system for mounting a sign to a post comprises an elongated channel member adapted to be mounted on a backside of a sign and a bracket adapted to be mounted to a post to which the sign is to be mounted. The bracket has a channel engaging portion adapted to be slidably engaged into the channel member on the backside of the sign. The bracket comprises an endless collar extending along a continuous closed line and adapted to be fitted over the post. The collar defines at least one transversally oriented hole in which a threaded fastener is threadably engaged with a leading end thereof projecting inwardly of the continuous endless collar for exerting a pushing action on the post in order to secure the collar on the post while at the same time drawing the channel member against the post so as to prevent relative movement between the sign and the bracket.

Abstract: A system for mounting a sign to a post comprises an elongated channel member adapted to be mounted on a backside of a sign and a bracket adapted to be mounted to a post to which the sign is to be mounted. The bracket has a channel engaging portion adapted to be slidably engaged into the channel member on the backside of the sign. The bracket comprises an endless collar extending along a continuous closed line and adapted to be fitted over the post. The collar defines at least one transversally oriented hole in which a threaded fastener is threadably engaged with a leading end thereof projecting inwardly of the continuous endless collar for exerting a pushing action on the post in order to secure the collar on the post while at the same time drawing the channel member against the post so as to prevent relative movement between the sign and the bracket.