Abstract: Example DC-to-DC converters are described herein. An example DC-to-DC converter includes an input connected in series with an output. The input is to be connected to a voltage source and the output is to be connected to a load. The DC-to-DC converter also includes a first switch connected in series with the input and the output, a second switch connected in parallel with the output, a first current sense transformer connected in series the first switch, a second current sense transformer connected in series with the second switch, and a switching controller to determine an estimated output current at the output based on the measurements from the first and second current sense transformers.

Abstract: A method of forming an object from a material includes directing a first beam of light toward a first target location of the material to define a first portion of the object. The method also includes, after directing the first beam of light toward the first target location, determining an optical correction to be applied by an optical system. The optical correction is based on an atmospheric change in an atmospheric distortion region proximate the first target location due, at least in part, to interaction of the first beam of light and the material. The method further includes directing a second beam of light toward a second target location of the material to define a second portion of the object. The second beam of light is directed through at least a portion of the atmospheric distortion region while the optical correction is applied.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first switch and a second switch. The first switch includes a source, a gate, a drain, and a first diode. The source of the first switch is connected to an anode of the first diode. The gate of the first switch is connected to a positive terminal of a first battery. The drain of the first switch is connected to a cathode of the first diode and to the positive terminal of the first battery. The second switch has an opposite polarity to the first switch. The second switch includes a source, a gate, a drain, and a second diode. The source of the second switch is connected to an anode of the second diode and to the source of the first switch. The gate of the second switch is connected to the gate of the first switch.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a battery includes a switch having a source, a gate, a drain, and a first diode. The source is connected to an anode of the first diode. The drain is connected to a cathode of the first diode. The drain is configured to be connected to a positive terminal of the battery. The circuit also includes a second diode. An anode of the second diode is configured to be connected to a negative terminal of the battery. A cathode of the second diode is connected to the source of the switch. The circuit is configured to switch the battery on and off.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a basic structure; and coupled to the basic structure, power sources, a propulsion system and power distribution circuitry. The propulsion system includes a plurality of electric motors configured to power propulsors to generate propulsive forces that cause the vehicle to move. The power distribution circuitry is configured to deliver DC electric power from the power sources to the electric motors, the power distribution circuitry including a plurality of DC-to-DC converter assemblies configured to input the DC electric power from the power sources and deliver voltage-regulated outputs to the electric motors, a DC-to-DC converter assembly operatively coupled to multiple ones of the power sources and multiple ones of the electric motors, and the DC-to-DC converter assembly including a multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) transformer with a single transformer core.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe mitigating flexible modes in an airframe of an aircraft by operating a battery for the aircraft as a tuned mass damper. One embodiment comprises an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The UAV includes a flexible airframe, a plurality of propulsors coupled to the flexible airframe that generate thrust for the UAV, a battery that provides electrical power for the plurality of propulsors, and a suspension system that suspends the battery from the flexible airframe and operates the mass of the battery as a tuned mass damper to dampen flexible modes generated in the flexible airframe during flight.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission is disclosed, with a transmission apparatus which includes a planetary gear set having a ring gear and a sun gear. The variable speed transmission further includes a primary engine for powering the sun gear, a braking device engaging the ring gear, and a controller configured to alter the rotational speed of the ring gear by adjusting the braking device.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a battery includes a switch having a source, a gate, a drain, and a first diode. The source is connected to an anode of the first diode. The drain is connected to a cathode of the first diode. The drain is configured to be connected to a positive terminal of the battery. The circuit also includes a second diode. An anode of the second diode is configured to be connected to a negative terminal of the battery. A cathode of the second diode is connected to the source of the switch. The circuit is configured to switch the battery on and off.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a basic structure; and coupled to the basic structure, power sources, a propulsion system and power distribution circuitry. The propulsion system includes a plurality of electric motors configured to power propulsors to generate propulsive forces that cause the vehicle to move. The power distribution circuitry is configured to deliver DC electric power from the power sources to the electric motors, the power distribution circuitry including a plurality of DC-to-DC converter assemblies configured to input the DC electric power from the power sources and deliver voltage-regulated outputs to the electric motors, a DC-to-DC converter assembly operatively coupled to multiple ones of the power sources and multiple ones of the electric motors, and the DC-to-DC converter assembly including a multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) transformer with a single transformer core.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a battery includes a switch. The switch includes a source, a gate, and a drain. The drain of the switch is configured to be connected to a positive terminal of the battery. The circuit also includes a first diode. The first diode includes an anode and a cathode. The anode of the first diode is connected to the source of the switch. The cathode of the first diode is connected to the drain of the switch and is configured to be connected to the positive terminal of the battery. The circuit also includes a second diode. The second diode includes an anode and a cathode. The anode of the second diode is configured to be connected to a negative terminal of the battery. The cathode of the second diode is connected to the source of the switch and to the anode of the first diode.

Abstract: A method of forming an object from a material includes directing a first beam of light toward a first target location of the material to define a first portion of the object. The method also includes, after directing the first beam of light toward the first target location, determining an optical correction to be applied by an optical system. The optical correction is based on an atmospheric change in an atmospheric distortion region proximate the first target location due, at least in part, to interaction of the first beam of light and the material. The method further includes directing a second beam of light toward a second target location of the material to define a second portion of the object. The second beam of light is directed through at least a portion of the atmospheric distortion region while the optical correction is applied.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a battery includes a switch. The switch includes a source, a gate, and a drain. The drain of the switch is configured to be connected to a positive terminal of the battery. The circuit also includes a first diode. The first diode includes an anode and a cathode. The anode of the first diode is connected to the source of the switch. The cathode of the first diode is connected to the drain of the switch and is configured to be connected to the positive terminal of the battery. The circuit also includes a second diode. The second diode includes an anode and a cathode. The anode of the second diode is configured to be connected to a negative terminal of the battery. The cathode of the second diode is connected to the source of the switch and to the anode of the first diode.

Abstract: An electrically controlled interfacial force generation device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a cell disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The cell includes a material that produces a mass in response to a bias voltage being applied across the first electrode and the second electrode. The device also includes a first wall at one end of the cell and extending between the first electrode and the second electrode. The device further includes an electrical power supply configured to provide a variable gradient voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode. A variable electric field gradient is produced and altered within the cell in response to the variable gradient voltage being altered. Altering the variable electric field gradient causes the mass to propagate across the cell and to impact the first wall transferring a force to the first wall.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission is disclosed, with a transmission apparatus which includes a planetary gear set having a ring gear and a sun gear. The variable speed transmission further includes a primary engine for powering the sun gear, a braking device engaging the ring gear, and a controller configured to alter the rotational speed of the ring gear by adjusting the braking device.

Abstract: An optimized harmonic drive (“OHD”) includes a wave generator, a flex spline, and a circular rigid spline. The wave generator includes a wave generator contour that minimizes a velocity profile of the wave generator during a high load condition. The flex spline is attached to the wave generator and the circular rigid spline is mechanically engaged to the flex spline. The flex spline includes a plurality of flex spline teeth and the circular rigid spline includes a plurality of rigid spline teeth. The plurality of rigid spline teeth is greater than the plurality of flex spline teeth and the high load condition exists when the rigid spline teeth of the plurality of rigid spline teeth are fully engaged with flex spline teeth of the plurality of flex spline teeth.

Abstract: A brake system is disclosed, including a rotor rigidly connected to a shaft configured to rotate about a central axis. The rotor has a first side opposite from a second side, and the brake system includes a first stator structure on the first side of the rotor and a second stator structure on the second side of the rotor. The brake system further includes a first wobble plate between the first side of the rotor and the first stator structure and a second wobble plate between the second side of the rotor and the second stator structure. Each of the first and second wobble plates is configured to nutate when the first and second stator structures decrease rotation rate compared to the rotation rate of the rotor.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe mitigating flexible modes in an airframe of an aircraft by operating a battery for the aircraft as a tuned mass damper. One embodiment comprises an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The UAV includes a flexible airframe, a plurality of propulsors coupled to the flexible airframe that generate thrust for the UAV, a battery that provides electrical power for the plurality of propulsors, and a suspension system that suspends the battery from the flexible airframe and operates the mass of the battery as a tuned mass damper to dampen flexible modes generated in the flexible airframe during flight.

Abstract: A brake system is disclosed, including a rotor rigidly connected to a shaft configured to rotate about a central axis. The rotor has a first side opposite from a second side, and the brake system includes a first stator structure on the first side of the rotor and a second stator structure on the second side of the rotor. The brake system further includes a first wobble plate between the first side of the rotor and the first stator structure and a second wobble plate between the second side of the rotor and the second stator structure. Each of the first and second wobble plates is configured to nutate when the first and second stator structures decrease rotation rate compared to the rotation rate of the rotor.

Abstract: Methods and systems and components made according to the methods and systems, are disclosed relating to the generation of a holographic image, including a color-containing holographic image, generated exclusively optically addressing information to a projection system.

Abstract: A self-aligning wobble plate drive, including a stator gear, a wobble plate, and an output plate. The stator gear has a central stator axis and a plurality of stator teeth. The wobble plate has a wobble axis, a plurality of face teeth, and a plurality of wobble teeth, and is disposed such that the wobble axis is at a non-zero wobble angle relative to the stator axis. The output plate includes a plurality of output teeth and is substantially aligned with the stator axis. At least two of the pluralities of teeth are configured to engage with each other in a self-aligning manner such that as the wobble plate nutates around the stator gear, the wobble angle remains constant.