Abstract: A maximum performance instrument for an aircraft is configured to aid a pilot in taking corrective action, after loss of functionality of one of the aircraft engines, in order to maintain as much control of the aircraft as possible. The information is provided to the pilot on a single instrument display in a format that is familiar to most pilots so that the information is immediately usable by the pilot without a high degree of proficiency or training with the instrument.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a clutch on a motorcycle includes a sensor configured to measure a parameter indicative of a performance or speed of the motorcycle. The sensor is configured to provide an input signal corresponding to the parameter to a computer control system, which includes a microprocessor and memory. The microprocessor and memory are configured to manipulate the input signal and the microprocessor is configured to output a control signal that controls an actuator that is configured to manipulate a position of the clutch.

Abstract: A motorcycle includes a front wheel drive train that supplies power to a front wheel and a rear wheel drive train that supplies power to a rear wheel. The front wheel drive train is configured to drive the front wheel at a selected rate that is faster than a rate at which the rear wheel drive train drives the rear wheel. Driving the front wheel at the selected faster rate relative to the rear wheel provides enhanced steering capabilities in soft terrain, as the front wheel pulls the motorcycle in a direction that the front wheel is pointed.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a clutch on a motorcycle includes a sensor configured to measure a parameter indicative of a performance or speed of the motorcycle. The sensor is configured to provide an input signal corresponding to the parameter to a computer control system, which includes a microprocessor and memory. The microprocessor and memory are configured to manipulate the input signal and the microprocessor is configured to output a control signal that controls an actuator that is configured to manipulate a position of the clutch.

Abstract: A motorcycle includes a front wheel drive train that supplies power to a front wheel and a rear wheel drive train that supplies power to a rear wheel. The front wheel drive train is configured to drive the front wheel at a selected rate that is faster than a rate at which the rear wheel drive train drives the rear wheel. Driving the front wheel at the selected faster rate relative to the rear wheel provides enhanced steering capabilities in soft terrain, as the front wheel pulls the motorcycle in a direction that the front wheel is pointed.

Abstract: A motorcycle includes a front wheel drive train that supplies power to a front wheel and a rear wheel drive train that supplies power to a rear wheel. The front wheel drive train is configured to drive the front wheel at a selected rate that is faster than a rate at which the rear wheel drive train drives the rear wheel. Driving the front wheel at the selected faster rate relative to the rear wheel provides enhanced steering capabilities in soft terrain, as the front wheel pulls the motorcycle in a direction that the front wheel is pointed.

Abstract: A motorcycle includes a front wheel drive train that supplies power to a front wheel and a rear wheel drive train that supplies power to a rear wheel. The front wheel drive train is configured to drive the front wheel at a selected rate that is faster than a rate at which the rear wheel drive train drives the rear wheel. Driving the front wheel at the selected faster rate relative to the rear wheel provides enhanced steering capabilities in soft terrain, as the front wheel pulls the motorcycle in a direction that the front wheel is pointed.

Abstract: The system for laser processing webs includes a laser system having a beam source, a controller and one or more heads to direct a laser beam onto a web. A cylinder cable of controlled rotation applies a web-securing force to the web under the laser beam to secure the web so that the web does not flutter or shift during laser processing. A template may be placed over the cylinder to apply the web-securing force in specific patterns or areas as needed.

Abstract: The system for laser processing webs includes a laser system having a beam source, a controller and one or more heads to direct a laser beam onto a web. A cylinder capable of controlled rotation applies a web-securing force to the web under the laser beam to secure the web so that the web does not flutter or shift during laser processing. A template may be placed over the cylinder to apply the web-securing force in specific patterns or areas as needed.

Abstract: An apparatus which selectively directs cutting debris in selected directions while a laser beam separates a workpiece in a multi-directional relation. The apparatus comprises a positionable member rotatable about the laser beam, a nozzle attachable to the positionable member, and a programmable logic controller integrated with the positionable member to selectively position the direction of the nozzle.

Abstract: A high resolution, high speed laser drilling system for operating on an advancing product operates to advances the product in a predetermined product advancement path at a product advancement speed. A laser-generating source provides a pulsed laser beam having a laser-on time and a laser-off time. The laser beam is reflected to direct a focal point of the laser beam onto the advancing product. The focal point of the laser beam is moved in a direction of the product advancement path during the laser-on time and is moved in a direction opposite to the direction of the product advancement path during the laser-off time. The system is therefore able to improve laser drilling resolution for a given product advancement speed.

Abstract: A method of ablating a polymeric substrate by laser means, wherein the laser means emits a laser having a selected wavelength dependant upon the polymeric substrate, and wherein at least 70% of the incident power from the laser means absorbs within 0.001 inches of the polymeric substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus which selectively directs cutting debris in selected directions while a laser beam separates a workpiece in a multi-directional relation. The apparatus comprises a positionable member rotatable about the laser beam, a nozzle attachable to the positionable member, and a programmable logic controller integrated with the positionable member to selectively position the direction of the nozzle.

Abstract: A high resolution, high speed laser drilling system for operating on an advancing product operates to advances the product in a predetermined product advancement path at a product advancement speed. A laser-generating source provides a pulsed laser beam having a laser-on time and a laser-off time. The laser beam is reflected to direct a focal point of the laser beam onto the advancing product. The focal point of the laser beam is moved in a direction of the product advancement path during the laser-on time and is moved in a direction opposite to the direction of the product advancement path during the laser-off time. The system is therefore able to improve laser drilling resolution for a given product advancement speed.

Abstract: An apparatus which selectively directs cutting debris in selected directions while a laser beam separates a workpiece in a multi-directional relation. The apparatus comprises a positionable member rotatable about the laser beam, a nozzle attachable to the positionable member, and a programmable logic controller integrated with the positionable member to selectively position the direction of the nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus which selectively directs cutting debris in selected directions while a laser beam separates a workpiece in a multi-directional relation. In a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a positionable member rotatable about the laser beam, a nozzle attachable to the positionable member, and a programmable logic controller integrated with the positionable member to selectively position the direction of the nozzle. In a second embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of stationary nozzles positioned about the laser beam, a gas source connected to each nozzle, and a programmable logic controller integrated with the gas source to selectively provide a stream of gas to each nozzle and direct the cutting debris in selected directions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high speed laser perforation of a web involves a web-bearing cylinder receiving the web in a wrapped spiral pattern. The web-bearing cylinder includes a slit along a circular circumference of the cylinder. A laser guiding tube is provided for propagation of a laser beam within the web-bearing cylinder. An inner cylinder is also provided in the web-bearing cylinder. The inner cylinder has an axis, supports a reflecting mirror adjacent to the laser guiding tube to direct the laser beam in the slit in the web-bearing cylinder, and is rotatable around the axis to adjust an orientation of the reflecting mirror so as to direct the laser beam around the circular circumference of the web-bearing cylinder in the slit.

Abstract: An improved method for operating a steered laser beam system employs selective laser power control. A laser beam is provided having a selectively positionable focal point. A workpiece is provided on which a selected laser beam pattern is used to process the workpiece, and the laser beam focal point is controlled to travel along the selected pattern at varying velocities. A position of the focal point on the workpiece is dynamically determined as the focal point travels along the selected pattern. A velocity of the focal point on the workpiece is dynamically calculated based on multiple determined positions of the focal point. An energy level of the laser beam is controlled based on the calculated velocity of the focal point. In one embodiment, the energy level of the laser beam is adjusted to maintain a constant energy per unit distance traveled by the focal point.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a material having a thickness, T, defined by the distance between a first surface and a second surface of the material. The apparatus comprises an energy source for providing a beam of energy, and directing mirrors for directing the beam of energy from the energy source to a first focal point between the first and second surfaces of the material, and to a second focal point between the first and second surfaces of the material. The first and second focal points are spaced apart from each other by a distance sufficient to cut through the entire thickness of the material.

Abstract: A high resolution, high speed laser drilling system for operating on an advancing product operates to advances the product in a predetermined product advancement path at a product advancement speed. A laser-generating source provides a pulsed laser beam having a laser-on time and a laser-off time. The laser beam is reflected to direct a focal point of the laser beam onto the advancing product. The focal point of the laser beam is moved in a direction of the product advancement path during the laser-on time and is moved in a direction opposite to the direction of the product advancement path during the laser-off time. The system is therefore able to improve laser drilling resolution for a given product advancement speed.