Abstract: An optical detection apparatus includes a housing having a circumferential opening therein. A primary mirror reflects light rays to form a first set of light rays to a secondary mirror that has a generally concave shape coupled to the housing. A tertiary mirror having a generally concave shape coupled to the housing spaced apart from the secondary mirror directs light to detection optics that form an image using the third set of light rays. The detection optics include a micro-mirror array that redirect the image to a detector. A controller controls the micro-mirror array and determines an event characteristic based upon the image thereon.

Abstract: An optical detection apparatus includes a housing having a circumferential opening therein. A primary mirror reflects light rays to form a first set of light rays to a secondary mirror that has a generally concave shape coupled to the housing. A tertiary mirror having a generally concave shape coupled to the housing spaced apart from the secondary mirror directs light to detection optics that form an image using the third set of light rays. The detection optics include a micro-mirror array that redirect the image to a detector. A controller controls the micro-mirror array and determines an event characteristic based upon the image thereon.

Abstract: An optical detection apparatus includes a housing having a circumferential opening therein. A primary mirror reflects light rays to form a first set of light rays to a secondary mirror that has a generally concave shape coupled to the housing. A tertiary mirror having a generally concave shape coupled to the housing spaced apart from the secondary mirror directs light to detection optics that form an image using the third set of light rays. The detection optics include a micro-mirror array that redirect the image to a detector. A controller controls the micro-mirror array and determines an event characteristic based upon the image thereon.

Abstract: A system and method for free space, optical remote sensing of a potential threat agent using spectrally responsive sensor material. In one example the sensor material is formed by particles, which in one particular form are porous photonic crystals. The particles are dispersed into an area being monitored for the presence of the potential threat agent. A pair of lasers is used to generate optical light beams that are directed at the sensor particles after the particles have been dispersed. The light reflected by the sensor particles is then analyzed. The presence of the potential threat agent causes a shift in the spectral peak of light reflected from the sensor particles that can be sensed using photo detectors and a processing subsystem. The system can be tuned to remotely detect for specific chemical, biological or environmental agents that may be present within a given area.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for calibrating an optical detector. In one embodiment an optical reference apparatus includes a body having an outer surface. At least a portion of the outer surface has a reflectance that can vary. The optical reference apparatus is adapted to be deployed with a cloud of optical sensors and has a terminal velocity that is about the same as the terminal velocity of the sensors. Further, the variation of the reflectance can be caused by a rotation of the optical reference apparatus (caused by an aerodynamic member). The sensors may be made from porous silicon and the optical reference apparatus may include a retroreflector. The apparatus also provides a method of referencing an optical signal. The method includes deploying an optical reference apparatus with a cloud of sensors and detecting a variation in its reflectance.

Abstract: An optical detection apparatus includes a housing having a circumferential opening therein. A primary mirror reflects light rays to form a first set of light rays to a secondary mirror that has a generally concave shape coupled to the housing. A tertiary mirror having a generally concave shape coupled to the housing spaced apart from the secondary mirror directs light to detection optics that form an image using the third set of light rays. The detection optics include a micro-mirror array that redirect the image to a detector. A controller controls the micro-mirror array and determines an event characteristic based upon the image thereon.

Abstract: The invention performs coordinate measurement employing multiple-frequency intensity-modulated laser radar. A laser diode source is intensity modulated by variation of its excitation current. Its output beam is directed to a target using scanning mirrors or other opto-mechanical means, and the light returned from the target is detected. The modulation frequency is alternated between two or more values, creating a dataset of several relative phase measurements that uniquely determine the distance to the target without ambiguity.

Abstract: The difficulty and expense of fabricating a support strut for a ram air driven turbine are reduced by providing an axially opening channel in a central portion of the strut. Blockage of a portion of the airstream flowing through the ram air turbine and past the strut is reduced by extending the axially opening channel through the entire axial length of the strut. Apparatus for converting or transferring power generated by the ram air turbine to a point of use, such as an aircraft, is routed through the axially opening channel, thereby allowing convenient access to such apparatus. A strut design is provided which may be readily manufactured as a single unitary structure from a variety of metallic and non-metallic materials including fiber reinforced composites.

Abstract: A misalignment compensating fastener insert for adjusting the location of a fastener to compensate for misalignment in attachment holes of articles to be assembled. The misalignment compensating fastener insert includes a truncated cone shaped outer body member having an eccentric tapered inner bore and a truncated cone shaped inner body member having an eccentric inner bore. The truncated cone shaped inner body member is rotatably positioned within the tapered inner bore of the truncated cone shaped outer body member which is rotatably positioned in a tapered attachment hole of a first article to be assembled. A second article to be assembled includes a cylindrical attachment hole corresponding to the tapered attachment hole. Adjusting the eccentricity of the inner bore of the truncated cone shaped inner body member relative to the truncated cone shaped outer body member compensates for misalignments between the attachment holes.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving the adhesion of a substrate material which does not form stable bonds to a bondable material by applying high energy bondable ions to the surface of the substrate to create an interface alloy layer and then adhering a bondable material to the surface of the substrate material. The high energy ions used may be meal ions. Before adhering, the thickness of the interface layer may be increased to form a layer utilizing conventional processes such as flame spray, plasma spray or D-gun spray. Additionally, the method may be used to join similar or dissimilar first and second substrate materials.

Abstract: In order to accommodate post-manufacturing, or secondary operations in precision assemblies using composite materials, where the secondary operations consist of drilling, machining, grinding, lapping, or other material-removing processing, without the need to resort to expensive diamond tooling and while maintaining needed structural integrity, a composite formed of a base material, a matrix, and a machineable material is provided. The matrix is bonded to the base material and the machineable material is rendered integral with the matrix and sufficiently thick to accommodate subsequent material-removing processing to a precision dimension.

Abstract: To transfer a fluid at high service temperature and pressure without the limitations of rigid tubing, a flexible tube is provided with a plurality of generally concentric tubular layers for transferring fluids. The innermost layers define a fluid flow path and provide insulation without pressure containment whereas the outermost layers provide fluid containment and resist pressure exerted by the fluid flowing through the tube. By utilizing a plurality of layers of different materials selected to have specific characteristics, the flexible tube operates at a service temperature and pressure providing a high level of energy transfer.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns steps interchangeable into a platform lift, such as for wheelchairs for vehicles. Such a convertible step lift comprises a frame mounted in a rectangular notched-out floor section, which frame comprises corner posts which also act as guides for up and down movement of the platform lift. The movable platform comprises three sections foldable into a lower step, a riser, and an upper step, which sections are pivoted on shafts along their adjacent edges. The pivot shaft for upper step section and riser also is connected to reciprocating motor means for raising and lowering the platform. Lever extensions are fixedly attached to the ends of the riser, which are pivotally connected to other reciprocating motor means which unfolds the riser from an acute angle under the upper step section into a position coplanar with the upper step and at the same time moves the lower step section horizontally outwardly and upwardly into the same coplane to form the platform.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift such as for vehicles, comprising a stationary outer rectangular frame across the top of which swings an inner rectangular telescopic frame, the lower telescoping end of which has a foldable platform for the wheelchair. The inner frame swings out to clear the side of the vehicle, which swinging movement is limited by a pair of toggles that support a bridging platform between the lift platform and the floor of the vehicle. An electric motor-driven hydraulic pump, valve, and accumulator assembly provides the power for lifting the platform by telescoping the inner frame parts, and a valve in the hydraulic system damps the lowering of the platform. The folding of the platform from a vertical to a horizontal position and swinging of the inner frame may be done manually or by a separate reciprocating motor mounted on the upper telescopic frame.

Abstract: A platform lift with a ramp corresponding to the platform's thickness along one edge thereof, at least a part of which ramp is hinged along said edge and normally urged and locked in an upward barrier position to prevent objects from sliding or rolling off the platform when the platform is away from the ground. A single lever attached to the hinged ramp part depends below the platform and automatically releases the latch for maintaining the ramp as a barrier and then engages and moves the ramp part into its ramp-employing position as the lever contacts the ground. This lift platform and ramp part barrier mechanism is particularly adapted for wheelchair lifts on vehicles.