Abstract: A short wavelength infrared (SWIR) energy emitting system or material for producing SWIR energy from an emission source emitting electromagnetic energy. The SWIR energy system or material comprises a phosphor material, an electromagnetic energy blocking member, a substrate for delivering the system or material to an electromagnetic energy emission source, and optionally, a securing member. The SWIR energy system or material may be in the form of a tape, sheet, or other laminar material capable of producing short wave infrared emission when excited at wavelengths shorter than that of the emission.

Abstract: A short wavelength infrared (SWIR) energy emitting system or material for producing SWIR energy from an emission source emitting electromagnetic energy. The SWIR energy system or material comprises a phosphor material, an electromagnetic energy blocking member, a substrate for delivering the system or material to an electromagnetic energy emission source, and optionally, a securing member. The SWIR energy system or material may be in the form of a tape, sheet, or other laminar material capable of producing short wave infrared emission when excited at wavelengths shorter than that of the emission.

Abstract: A short wavelength infrared (SWIR) energy emitting unit, and device having a SWIR emitting unit, for producing SWIR energy from an emission source emitting electromagnetic energy. The SWIR energy unit comprises a phosphor material, an electromagnetic energy blocking member, a substrate for delivering the system or material to an electromagnetic energy emission source, and optionally, an attachment member.

Abstract: A short wavelength infrared (SWIR) energy emitting system or material for producing SWIR energy from an emission source emitting electromagnetic energy. The SWIR energy system or material comprises a phosphor material, an electromagnetic energy blocking member, a substrate for delivering the system or material to an electromagnetic energy emission source, and optionally, a securing member. The SWIR energy system or material may be in the form of a tape, sheet, or other laminar material capable of producing short wave infrared emission when excited at wavelengths shorter than that of the emission.

Abstract: A short wavelength infrared (SWIR) energy emitting unit, and device having a SWIR emitting unit, for producing SWIR energy from an emission source emitting electromagnetic energy. The SWIR energy unit comprises a phosphor material, an electromagnetic energy blocking member, a substrate for delivering the system or material to an electromagnetic energy emission source, and optionally, an attachment member.

Abstract: A short wavelength infrared (SWIR) energy emitting system or material for producing SWIR energy from an emission source emitting electromagnetic energy. The SWIR energy system or material comprises a phosphor material, an electromagnetic energy blocking member, a substrate for delivering the system or material to an electromagnetic energy emission source, and optionally, a securing member. The SWIR energy system or material may be in the form of a tape, sheet, or other laminar material capable of producing short wave infrared emission when excited at wavelengths shorter than that of the emission.

Abstract: Tethered unmanned aerial vehicle (TUAV) includes at least one wing fixed to a fuselage. The wing is comprised of an airfoil shaped body capable of producing lift in response to a flow of air across a major wing surface, and can include at least one flight control surface, such as an aileron. One or more buoyancy cell is disposed within the fuselage for containing a lighter than air gas to provide positive buoyancy for the TUAV when the TUAV is disposed in air. A tether attachment structure facilitates attachment of the TUAV to a tether which is secured to an attachment point for securing the TUAV to the ground when aloft. A wind-powered generator is integrated with the TUAV and configured to generate electric power in response to the flow of air across the least one wing when the TUAV is aloft.

Abstract: Tethered unmanned aerial vehicle (TUAV) includes at least one wing fixed to a fuselage. The wing is comprised of an airfoil shaped body capable of producing lift in response to a flow of air across a major wing surface, and can include at least one flight control surface, such as an aileron. One or more buoyancy cell is disposed within the fuselage for containing a lighter than air gas to provide positive buoyancy for the TUAV when the TUAV is disposed in air. A tether attachment structure facilitates attachment of the TUAV to a tether which is secured to an attachment point for securing the TUAV to the ground when aloft. A wind-powered generator is integrated with the TUAV and configured to generate electric power in response to the flow of air across the least one wing when the TUAV is aloft.

Abstract: An optical connector assembly may include a first housing having a first opening therein, a second housing having a second opening therein, a first optical window carried by the first housing within the first opening, a second optical window carried by the second housing within the second opening, at least one Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) carried within the first housing behind the first optical window, and at least one photodetector carried within the second housing behind the second optical window. A first magnetic member may be carried by the first housing, and a second magnetic member may be carried by the second housing and configured to cooperate with the first magnetic member to bias the first and second housings together so that the at least one VCSEL and the at least one photodetector are in optical alignment.

Abstract: An optical connector assembly may include a first housing having a first opening therein, a second housing having a second opening therein, a first optical window carried by the first housing within the first opening, a second optical window carried by the second housing within the second opening, at least one Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) carried within the first housing behind the first optical window, and at least one photodetector carried within the second housing behind the second optical window. A first magnetic member may be carried by the first housing, and a second magnetic member may be carried by the second housing and configured to cooperate with the first magnetic member to bias the first and second housings together so that the at least one VCSEL and the at least one photodetector are in optical alignment.

Abstract: A method for producing work from heat including mixing a first working fluid F1 vapor with a second working fluid F2 vapor to form a third working fluid F3; atomizing and/or vaporizing a liquid into the third working fluid F3 to define a saturated working fluid; and expanding the saturated working fluid to perform useful work. A high pressure F1(2) portion of the first working fluid F1 may be expanded prior to the mixing step while the F2 vapor is compressed prior to the mixing step. The steps of compressing the F2 vapor and expanding the high pressure F1(2) portion of the first working fluid F1 may be carried out by an integral compressor and expander assembly (204/209). The integral compressor and expander assembly (204/209) may be positioned within a combined mixer assembly (300) with an internal mixing chamber (206) and outlets (375, 351) of both the compressor (204) and expander (209) are directed toward the mixing chamber 206.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described whereby invisible camera illuminators may be readily identified and located. In one embodiment the method of detecting the presence of an imaging system producing an invisible illuminator includes introducing a first optical filter capable of blocking energy from an LED infrared illuminator band source and allow energy from broadband visible light source to pass with minimal attenuation; and introducing a second optical filter that permits most of the energy from said infrared illuminator to pass and blocks a substantial portion of said broadband visible light; wherein said filtered LED infrared illuminator and said broadband visible light blink on and off.

Abstract: A method of separating a liquid portion (F1) of a working fluid from a vaporous flow of the working fluid (F3). The method includes the steps of allowing a vapor portion of the working fluid (F3) to flow through the system enabling a liquid portion (F1) of the working fluid to separate using a combination of cooling means (234; 236) and a fluid separator (212). The cooling is accomplished by methods of spraying the saturated working fluid (F3) with chilled fluid (F1cooled) having the capacity to remove heat form the working fluid by direct contact. The fluid separator (212) arranged with the cooling methods enhances the condensate rate of the overall working fluid flow, whereby at least a portion of the working fluid is separated out of the cooled vaporous working fluid in liquid form (F1). Arrangements of systems for facilitating separation are also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing work from heat including mixing a first working fluid F1 vapor with a second working fluid F2 vapor to form a third working fluid F3; atomizing and/or vaporizing a liquid into the third working fluid F3 to define a saturated working fluid; and expanding the saturated working fluid to perform useful work. A high pressure F1(2) portion of the first working fluid F1 may be expanded prior to the mixing step while the F2 vapor is compressed prior to the mixing step. The steps of compressing the F2 vapor and expanding the high pressure F1(2) portion of the first working fluid F1 may be carried out by an integral compressor and expander assembly (204/209). The integral compressor and expander assembly (204/209) may be positioned within a combined mixer assembly (300) with an internal mixing chamber (206) and outlets (375, 351) of both the compressor (204) and expander (209) are directed toward the mixing chamber 206.

Abstract: A method (400, 1100) and apparatus (500, 1200) for producing work from heat includes a boiler (510) which is configured for heating a pressurized flow of a first working fluid (F1) to form of a first vapor. A compressor (502) compresses a second working fluid (F2) in the form of a second vapor. A mixing chamber (504) receives the first and second vapor and transfers thermal energy directly from the first vapor to the second vapor. The thermal energy that is transferred from the first vapor to the second vapor will generally include at least a portion of a latent heat of vaporization of the first working fluid. An expander (506) is arranged to expand a mixture of the first and second vapor received from the mixing chamber, thereby performing useful work after or during the transferring operation. The process is closed and enables recirculation and therefore recycling of thermal energy that is normally unused in conventional cycle approaches.

Abstract: A flow of first working fluid (F1) is provided to a boiler (203) to produce (104) a flow of first working fluid vapor. A second working fluid (F2) in vaporous form is compressed (106), after which a third working fluid is formed by mixing (108) the first working fluid vapor and the second working fluid. Thermal energy is transferred (110) directly between the first and second working fluids in a mixing chamber (206) exclusive of any intervening structure. The third working fluid is expanded (112) to perform work, after which the first working fluid is extracted (114) as condensate, leaving a residual portion of the third working fluid. The cycle is repeated (116, 118, 120) using the condensate as the first working fluid and the residual portion as a constituent of the second working fluid.

Abstract: Work is produced from heat in a continuous cycle. A flow of first working fluid is provided to a high pressure boiler to produce a flow of first working fluid vapor. A second working fluid in vaporous form is compressed, after which a third working fluid is formed by mixing the first working fluid vapor and the second working fluid. Thermal energy is transferred directly between the first and second working fluids in the mixing chamber exclusive of any intervening structure. A refrigeration loop containing a fourth working fluid extracts thermal energy from a low grade thermal energy source and moves the thermal energy to the first working fluid and/or the second working fluid.

Abstract: Work is produced from heat in a continuous cycle. The cycle involves communicating a first flow of a first working fluid to a low pressure boiler. The low pressure boiler forms a first flow of first working fluid vapor by using a low temperature thermal source. A second flow of the first working fluid is provided to a high pressure boiler to produce a second flow of first working fluid vapor at a pressure higher than the low pressure boiler. A second working fluid in vaporous form is compressed, after which a third working fluid is formed by mixing the first flow of first working fluid vapor, the second flow of second working fluid vapor, and the second working fluid. Thermal energy is transferred directly between one or more of the working fluids in the mixing chamber exclusive of any intervening structure.

Abstract: An antenna reflector (100, 700) comprising a centrally located hub (120), inner ribs (108) rotatably secured at a proximal end to the hub, outer ribs (110) extendible from the inner ribs, and a guideline truss structure (132, 160) configured to support a flexible antenna reflector surface (122). The inner ribs are rotatable from a stowed position in which they are generally aligned with a central axis of the hub, to a rotated position in which they extend in a radial direction relative to the central axis. The guideline truss structure is secured to each outer rib using standoff cords attached at intermediate locations along a length of the outer rib between opposing ends (116, 118) thereof. The outer ribs are configured to be linearly displaced respectively along an elongated length of the inner ribs from a proximal position adjacent to the hub, to an extended position distal from the hub.

Abstract: A cycle (100) for producing work from heat involves pressurizing a first working fluid (F1), and heating the first working fluid under pressure (102) to obtain a first vapor. A second working fluid (F2) is compressed (106) in a compressor (204a, 204b). The first vapor and the second vapor are then mixed (108) to form a third vapor (F3). Heat is thereby transferred directly between the vapors at a common pressure. The third vapor is expanded (112) to perform work. All or a portion of the third vapor is communicated (121) to a low pressure expansion zone (214, 215) where it functions as a refrigerant used to provide cooling for the third vapor, thereby facilitating the condensate of the first fluid to liquid extracted from the third vapor. Heat extracted during the condensate process is used for later performing work. The first fluid condensate is returned to the initial pressurizing step with capacity to again acquire heat that is useful for performing work.