Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods to generate backup and remote electrical power, including operating an internal combustion engine to rotate a standard electrical generator. This approach can be based on a variety of engine types such as but not limited to diesel, gasoline, turbine and many other engine types. Each of these technologies have respective efficiency curves based on engine speed, load and many other factors. Often the maximum efficiency point is not the current load demand of the generator system. The disclosed systems and methods are directed to enabling the various generator sets to operate at or near their peak efficiency while they are running, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the generator systems.

Abstract: An inflator having a body, an aperture in the body, and a diffuser housing is disclosed. The body has, or forms, an interior cavity, which may contain gas or gas generant material. The gas generant material is capable of producing gas to inflate, for example, an airbag. A diffuser housing is situated around at least a portion of the body and, in cooperation with the body, forms a gas flow channel. When the gas or gas generant material releases gas, the gas flows from the cavity, through the aperture, into the channel, and exits the channel into an airbag, cooling the gas before it enters the airbag. The inflator may also have an indentation capable of receiving a clamp. The clamp may be secured over an airbag and seated in the indentation to secure the inflator within an airbag.

Abstract: A power divider formed by the interconnection of an input resistive network and a transmission line network for dividing a signal received on an input port into N output ports. Four embodiments are described. Three are two-way power dividers and one is a three-way power divider. A 2-way equal division power divider comprises an outer conductor 51 which has a generally rectangular cross section and is filled with a lower dielectric sheet, a center dielectric sheet and an upper dielectric sheet. The dielectric sheets are made of low loss material. Inner conductors are photo-etched from a conducting material that has been deposited or laminated to both surfaces of the center dielectric sheet. Two conductors are spaced a maximum distance from each other at their outputs and are in close proximity to each other at their inputs. Two resistors are connected respectively from the conductor inputs to a power divider input.

Abstract: Unique eyewear is disclosed having electronically controlled lens structures in which the optical transmissivity thereof is automatically adjusted to a level correlated with the level of ambient light. The preferred eyewear includes a pair of lens having liquid crystal material therebetween, a control circuit having a sensitivity-adjustable, ambient light sensor, and a power supply. The preferred power supply includes a battery and a photocell array distributed about the periphery of the lens structures. In use, the control circuit senses ambient light level and adjusts the transmissivity of the lens structure to a level correlated with the ambient light level.

Abstract: An improved center conductor element for a miniature female, air dielectric, coaxial connector that has two concentric tubes, one of which is the inner and shorter tube and the other is the outer and longer tube. The inner shorter tube engages the pointed end of the male pin and provides for centering of the mating male pin, and the longer outer tube is slotted to form fingers which make contact, at their ends, with the male pin.

Abstract: A beam lead rod assembly for incorporation into an electromagnetic wave coaxial transmission line structure. The rod assembly comprises a beam lead holder and a beam lead device. The holder includes a cylindrical body of a dielectric material and a conductive coating surrounding each end portion of the body for conductively connecting each side of the body to a different portion of the transmission line. The conductive regions are separated by a circumferential gap so that there is no conduction between the two conductive regions. The beam lead device is disposed across the gap with opposite beam leads being conductively connected to opposite conductive regions.

Abstract: A TEM mode strip line directional coupler utilizing an outer conductor having a dielectric slab filled cross section with photo-etched center conductors. The center conductors are arranged to form a coupling portion whose opposite ends define diverging conductors. At least one conductive element, photo-etched simultaneously with the center conductors, of generally arrow-shaped configuration having its end portion immediately adjacent and in between the diverging conductors facing the coupling portion to increase the directivity of the coupler.