Abstract: In some embodiments, a rotorcraft includes a fuselage, a tailboom, a drive system and a variable thrust cross-flow fan system. The cross-flow fan system includes a cross-flow fan assembly that is mechanically coupled to a drive shaft and operable to rotate with the drive shaft about a longitudinal axis. The cross-flow fan assembly includes first and second driver plates having a plurality of blades rotatably mounted therebetween. The blades are disposed radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis and have a generally circular path of travel when the cross-flow fan assembly rotates about the longitudinal axis. The blades are moveable between a plurality of pitch angle configurations. A control assembly is coupled to the blades. The control assembly is operable to change the pitch angle configuration of the blades to generate variable thrust at a substantially constant rotational speed of the cross-flow fan assembly.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a rotorcraft includes a fuselage, a tailboom, a drive system and a variable thrust cross-flow fan system. The cross-flow fan system includes a cross-flow fan assembly that is mechanically coupled to a drive shaft and operable to rotate with the drive shaft about a longitudinal axis. The cross-flow fan assembly includes first and second driver plates having a plurality of blades rotatably mounted therebetween. The blades are disposed radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis and have a generally circular path of travel when the cross-flow fan assembly rotates about the longitudinal axis. The blades are moveable between a plurality of pitch angle configurations. A control assembly is coupled to the blades. The control assembly is operable to change the pitch angle configuration of the blades to generate variable thrust at a substantially constant rotational speed of the cross-flow fan assembly.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein include utilities that facilitate the substantially flat and aligned mounting of optical tape segments on testing drums to increase testing accuracy of the tape segments. In this regard, a drum for testing optical tape media is disclosed having a substantially planar portion onto which first and second ends of an optical tape segment may be mounted to thereby secure the entire tape segment around an outer testing surface of the drum. Also disclosed is fixture that may be used to precisely mount and secure the tape segment over the outer mounting surface of a drum in a manner that reduces axial run-out and wrinkling of the optical tape.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein include utilities that facilitate the substantially flat and aligned mounting of optical tape segments on testing drums to increase testing accuracy of the tape segments. In this regard, a drum for testing optical tape media is disclosed having a substantially planar portion onto which first and second ends of an optical tape segment may be mounted to thereby secure the entire tape segment around an outer testing surface of the drum. Also disclosed is fixture that may be used to precisely mount and secure the tape segment over the outer mounting surface of a drum in a manner that reduces axial run-out and wrinkling of the optical tape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid, cleaning and/or cleansing composition comprising abrasive cleaning particles, wherein said abrasive cleaning particles comprise a divinyl benzene cross-linked styrene polymer, wherein said abrasive cleaning particles are non-spherical and have a mean particles size D(v,0.9) of at least about 10 ?m and wherein said liquid, cleaning and/or cleansing composition comprises from about 0% to about 30% by weight of the composition of an organic solvent.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for increasing interaction between seed particles in a seed cloud and target particles to be neutralized, detected or knocked down to the ground. This is achieved by applying a charge to the seed particles so that the seed cloud formed by release of the seed particles at altitude is highly charged, which in turn produces a strong electric field between the seed cloud and ground. The relatively strong electric field causes the seed particles to move downward (toward the ground) at a velocity sufficient to increase interaction (collisions) between the seed particles and the target particles.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for increasing interaction between seed particles in a seed cloud and target particles to be neutralized, detected or knocked down to the ground. This is achieved by applying a charge to the seed particles so that the seed cloud formed by release of the seed particles at altitude is highly charged, which in turn produces a strong electric field between the seed cloud and ground. The relatively strong electric field causes the seed particles to move downward (toward the ground) at a velocity sufficient to increase interaction (collisions) between the seed particles and the target particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid, cleaning and/or cleansing composition comprising abrasive cleaning particles, wherein said abrasive cleaning particles comprise a divinyl benzene cross-linked styrene polymer, wherein said abrasive cleaning particles are non-spherical and have a mean particles size D(v,0.9) of at least about 10 ?m and wherein said liquid, cleaning and/or cleansing composition comprises from about 0% to about 30% by weight of the composition of an organic solvent.

Abstract: An ultra-stable short pulse remote sensor having extended temporal coherence for long range sensing. The sensor provides unique target signatures from an ultrashort pulse after it has interacted with a target at range by measuring the spectral amplitude and phase of the pulse. Accordingly, coherent detection of targets at long ranges can be performed with reduced power.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a marker post includes the steps of preheating a tubular barrel adjacent to a lower end thereof to soften same and deforming the tubular barrel lower end to form a flange assembly. The pre-softened tubular barrel is received in a barrel holder. A mandrel assembly is reciprocated into and out of engagement with the barrel lower end. The mandrel assembly reshapes the barrel lower end to form the flange assembly.

Abstract: A marker post includes a tubular barrel with upper and lower ends and a bore extending therebetween. An annular flange assembly is formed at the barrel lower end and includes a concave extension portion extending radially outwardly from the barrel and a return portion extending upwardly and inwardly from the extension portion. The flange assembly resists pullout of the marker post when embedded in the ground. A method of manufacturing the marker post includes steps of preheating the tubular barrel adjacent to its lower end to soften same, and deforming the tubular barrel lower end to form the flange assembly thereof. An apparatus for manufacturing the marker post includes a warming tank for immersing the barrel lower ends in heated liquid for softening same. A barrel holder receives the pre-softened tubular barrels and includes a mandrel assembly reciprocated into and out of engagement with the barrel lower ends. The mandrel assembly reshapes the barrel lower ends into the flange assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymerized hydrogel adhesives, in particular those wherein the hydrogel is formed from monomers which include acrylamido-2-methane propanesulfonic acid or salts thereof (AMPS monomers) and those which contain glycerol as a humectant. In such adhesives, the levels of unpolymerized residual monomers, such as unpolymerized AMPS, acrylonitrile, acrylamide and t-butyl acrylamide; and the levels of other impurities such as acrolein, are kept very low.

Abstract: A portable heating tent (10) and method are disclosed for testing telecommunications equipment (16). The portable heating tent (100 includes a tent assembly (12) that provides a housing sized to contain telecommunications equipment (16) for testing. The housing has an inlet to receive return air and has an outlet to provide supply air. The portable heating tent (10) also includes a heater/blower assembly (14) that has an inlet (20) coupled to the outlet of the housing and an outlet coupled to the inlet of the housing. The heater/blower assembly (14) processes the supply air and provides the return air such that a temperature within the housing is established at a desired set point for heat testing the telecommunications equipment (16).

Abstract: A portable heating tent (10) and method are disclosed for testing telecommunications equipment (16). The portable heating tent (100 includes a tent assembly (12) that provides a housing sized to contain telecommunications equipment (16) for testing. The housing has an inlet to receive return air and has an outlet to provide supply air. The portable heating tent (10) also includes a heater/blower assembly (14) that has an inlet (20) coupled to the outlet of the housing and an outlet coupled to the inlet of the housing. The heater/blower assembly (14) processes the supply air and provides the return air such that a temperature within the housing is established at a desired set point for heat testing the telecommunications equipment (16).

Abstract: A portable heating tent (10) and method are disclosed for testing telecommunications equipment (16). The portable heating tent (100 includes a tent assembly (12) that provides a housing sized to contain telecommunications equipment (16) for testing. The housing has an inlet to receive return air and has an outlet to provide supply air. The portable heating tent (10) also includes a heater/blower assembly (14) that has an inlet (20) coupled to the outlet of the housing and an outlet coupled to the inlet of the housing. The heater/blower assembly (14) processes the supply air and provides the return air such that a temperature within the housing is established at a desired set point for heat testing the telecommunications equipment (16).