Abstract: An improved structure for a USB flash drive includes an accommodating base, a circuit board, a sliding seat, a sliding key and a frame body. The circuit board having a connecting terminal on one end thereof and a fingerprint recognizer thereon, is inserted into a bottom of the sliding seat, such that the fingerprint recognizer is exposed to a surface of the sliding seat. When in operation, push the sliding key forward to expose the fingerprint recognizer, and further forward movement of the sliding key will cause the sliding seat to move forward, such that the connecting terminal is exposed from the accommodating base. When not in operation, pull the sliding key rearward, such that the sliding key covers the fingerprint recognizer. Further rearward movement of the sliding key will cause the sliding seat to move rearward, such that the connecting terminal is retracted in the accommodating base.

Abstract: The present invention provides a RFID tag that includes a base, an antenna for communication wired to the base, a circuit chip electrically connected to the antenna for radio communication via the antenna, a first reinforcing member and a second reinforcing member. The first reinforcing member covers and fills the whole of the circuit chip and part of the antenna. The second reinforcing member is positioned underside of the first reinforcing member across the base and has an edge that is displaced from the edge of the first reinforcing member at least in the point where the edge of the first reinforcing member meets the antenna.

Abstract: An antenna unit by which a noncontact IC tag having different resonance frequencies can be easily manufactured, and the noncontact IC tag are provided. An antenna unit has an impedance matching wiring portion and an antenna, in which when an IC chip is electrically connected to the impedance matching wiring portion and the antenna, a noncontact IC tag is formed; wherein connectable regions are provided in the impedance matching wiring portion, the regions making a direct or indirect connecting position of the IC chip to be adjustable within a predetermined range, so that effective partial length for impedance matching is made adjustable.

Abstract: A method for producing a contactless card having a support for the functional elements of the card. The support is provided with lower and upper covering layers, and the functional elements borne thereon are formed by means of extrusion, directly in contact with the support.

Abstract: An alarm system for an indoor Christmas tree comprises a temperature sensor located on the tree or in proximity to the tree, an excessive-temperature detection circuit connected to the sensor and producing an excessive-temperature output signal when the sensed temperature exceeds a predetermined limit, and an alarm receiving the excessive-temperature output signal and producing an alarm indicating that the predetermined temperature limit has been exceeded. The excessive-temperature detection circuit and the alarm are located remotely from the tree, are powered by a standard power distribution system of the building in which the tree is located, and are connected to the temperature sensor at the tree by wires. An alarm may also be produced in response to an open circuit or a short circuit in the wires connecting the excessive-temperature detection circuit to the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus and methods for use with, e.g., a multi-component reactive material process. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a completely disposable static mixer, manifold and atomizer cap assembly. Such a configuration allows for, inter alia, reduced cost, rapid component changes with minimal material waste, as well as reducing or eliminating the use of hazardous solvents. Precise and repeatable configuration of the dispensing assembly is also provided by way of the substantially fixed relationship of the critical components and surfaces therein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dispensing or jetting a viscous material. The systems include an electronic controller and a jetting dispenser operatively coupled with the electronic controller. The systems further include at least one sensor that senses a system dispensing parameter and communicates an output signal representing the sensed parameter to the electronic controller for controlling system operation. In pneumatically-actuated jetting dispensers, a sensor may sense the fluid pressure in the air cavity of the pneumatic actuator. In jetting dispensers with a movable needle valve, a sensor may sense the displacement of the needle shaft. In other jetting dispensers, a sensor may sense the vibration of the jetting dispenser.

Abstract: An electric arc spraying system includes a spraying gun for thermally spraying an inner surface of an object such as a cylinder block by blasting compressed gas substantially perpendicularly to the supplying direction of target wires. The spraying gun is rotated by a spraying gun rotation mechanism. The target wires are loaded in and supplied from wire supplying sources. A wire feeder rotation mechanism is provided for rotating the wire supplying sources synchronously with the spraying gun in rotation. Wire feeders are provided at the spraying gun or adjacent to the wire supplying sources for feeding the target wires. Wire support cables are configured to guide the target wires from the wire supplying sources to the spraying gun.

Abstract: A fuel or liquid injector includes a needle valve and a piezoelectric actuator that bears a hydraulic acceleration piston on its distal end. The actuator expands moving the piston toward the needle valve. The needle valve has a ball end, restrained against the valve seat by a spring, sealing the valve until the spring force is overcome by mechanical and hydraulic forces on the piston. When closed, the piston rests against the needle valve. Expansion of the piezoelectric actuator mechanically actuates the piston, and then increases the hydraulic pressure, which closes the fuel check valve, and accelerates the forward movement of the piston attached to the needle valve. When the restraining force on the needle valve is overcome, the ball end of the needle valve is unseated, and compressed fluid in the lower hydraulic chamber is released in a high velocity spray.

Abstract: A spreader assembly for spreading sand or salt comprised of a molded, double-walled hopper having a bin portion and leg portions. The hopper has an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the inner wall has a front end section and opposing side sections. The end sections and the side sections define a media-holding chamber within the bin portion of the hopper. The chamber has a generally rectangular upper portion, a funnel-shaped lower portion and a bottom having an opening extending through the bin portion. The funnel-shaped lower portion of the chamber slopes toward the opening. The outer wall of the hopper defines the leg portions, and the leg portions are dimensioned to extend below the opening in the bin portion.

Abstract: An Ejector (1) of a mixture of air and water for hydromassage baths (100), comprising a first inner collector (2) provided with at least one opening for supplying pressurised water and a second outer collector (3) arranged coaxially to said inner collector (2) so as to form an annular air chamber, said first collector (2) and second collector (3) being connected together through at least one ejector nozzle (10) of said mixture of air and water.

Abstract: A dispenser head for use with a plurality of containers, each of the containers having a hollow stem through which contents are dispensed when the stem is activated, includes (a) a flow guide structured and positioned to receive a plurality of pressurized containers; (b) a plurality of flow conduits disposed within the flow guide, each of the plurality of flow conduits comprising an inlet and an outlet and each said inlet capable of engagement with a respective container stem; and (c) an actuator connected to the flow guide, wherein the actuator is structured and positioned to allow simultaneous flow communication between each of the plurality of flow conduits and a respective hollow stem, allowing substantially contemporaneously dispensing and/or combining of the content from a plurality of containers.

Abstract: A spray tip for discharging a controlled liquid spray distribution is provided. The spray tip includes a spray tip body having an inlet end for connection to a pressurized liquid supply. The spray tip body includes a first fluid chamber having a first longitudinal axis and a second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber and having a second longitudinal axis that extends transversely relative to the first longitudinal axis. A pair of discharge orifices are formed in the spray tip body. Each discharge orifice has a downstream side with a deflector surface for directing liquid discharging from the chamber. Each discharge orifice intersects the second fluid chamber adjacent a respective end thereof so as to define a pocket extending downstream of the deflector surface.

Abstract: This is to announce the invention of a new oral irrigation device, dubbed the “Toothflush”, which is made up of a faucet adapter, hose, handle, and flushing head. The hose connects to the water source (e.g. a faucet) via the adapter on one end, and connects to the handle on the other end. The handle in turn connects to the flushing head. There are two or more slits or holes in variable sizes and shapes on the flush head arranged in any pattern. During operation, the water flows through the faucet adapter, hose, handle, and then out through the holes in the flushing head, to fulfill its objective of cleansing the teeth, tongue and oral cavity. The device's strengths lie in its simplicity, convenience of use, and effectiveness in carrying out its objective.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid cone spray nozzle with a mouthpiece having an outlet chamber and an inlet opening emanating from the outlet chamber and having a smaller cross-section than the latter According to the invention an inlet opening into the outlet chamber has a smaller cross-section than the outlet chamber and downstream of the outlet chamber inlet opening is provided a web-like preatomizer element on which impacts at least partly a fluid jet following entry into the outlet chamber. Use e.g. as a two-fluid spray nozzle for spraying or atomizing low viscosity liquids for cooling purposes in billet or bloom continuous casting installations.

Abstract: A two-stage sewage grinder pump (10) having two impellers (30, 32) and a grinder (60) attached to the motor shaft (24). Preferably, both impellers are vortex impellers and are positioned between the grinder and the motor. The motor housing includes a discharge conduit (70) that is monolithic with the motor housing (20). An anti-siphon valve (71) is integral with the discharge conduit. An integral discharge flange (75) and check valve (78) are attached to the discharge conduit to connect the sewage grinder pump to a sewage outlet.

Abstract: A wood chipper includes an engine and a cutting assembly. A rotatable feed wheel and a gap-bounding member define therebetween an adjustable gap through which feed material moves toward the cutting assembly. An electronic control unit (ECU) controls force applied to the feed wheel or gap-bounding member toward the feed material in response to an operational condition of the wood chipper. The ECU can maintain or vary the force in any desired manner. One option is to apply the force with a pulsating mechanism in a pulsating manner to enhance the feeding procedure. The pulsating mechanism is in communication with a sensor from which the ECU receives signals typically indicating an operational speed of the cutting assembly or the engine. An ECU logic circuit permits the pulsating force only if the operational speed exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Devices and systems for transporting a material suspended in a fluid, e.g., pulverized coal, that can be assembled about a rotary element are disclosed. The devices and systems comprise a first portion or half of a fan wheel assembly, a second portion or half of a fan wheel assembly, and a plurality of splice plates for connecting the first portion of the fan wheel assembly to the second portion of the fan wheel assembly about the rotary element. Methods of manufacturing and assembling the sectionalized devices and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A crusher for rubble and similar, having an outer casing, a rotary drum mounted for rotation inside a crushing chamber formed in the outer casing, and at least one baffle plate positioned inside the crushing chamber to direct the raw material entering the crushing chamber onto the peripheral surface of the rotary drum; the baffle plate being hinged to the outer casing to oscillate, inside the crushing chamber, about a given rotation axis; and the crusher also having connecting members for connection to the casing which have at least one floating-piston, linear hydraulic actuator interposed between the body of the baffle plate and the outer casing of the crusher to adjust the tilt angle of the at least one baffle plate as required with respect to the vertical.

Abstract: A sample preparation kit is described, a representative one of which includes: a tissue container for containing tissue from a living body and comprising a convex part on an inner bottom of the container; and a crushing tool for crushing the tissue contained in the tissue container by using the convex part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for chopping long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. having an idler roll for pressing the item(s) against a backup roll for pulling the item(s) into the chopper, the idler roll being an assembly allowing the idler roll to pivot around a pin inside the idler roll assembly to keep the surface of the idler roll in proper contact with the items being chopped.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a trimming machine used to cut flowers or other plant material into small sized fragments or to prune unwanted thorns or leaves off of plants and flowers. This machine trims flower petals into small pieces which can be used in potpourri or other displays. This machine enables the user to generate a greater volume of flower petals then the traditional method of hand trimming with a scissors. This machine can also trim the unwanted leaves, buds or thorns off plants and flowers.

Abstract: A data storage system has a first chassis that has a pair of storage processors and a pair of SAS expanders, each one having a bidirectional front end port, a plurality of bidirectional backend ports, and a keyed expansion connector. The first chassis also has a pair of SAS controllers each one being coupled between a corresponding one of the pair of the processors and a corresponding one of the pair of the expanders. The first chassis also has a first plurality of multiplexers. Each one of the multiplexers has a pair of bidirectional front end ports and a pair of bidirectional back end ports. A first one of the pair of bidirectional front end ports is connected to a corresponding backend port of a corresponding one of the pair of SAS expanders. A second one of the pair of bidirectional front end ports is connected to a corresponding backend port of a corresponding one of the pair of SAS expanders.

Abstract: In an apparatus on a spinning machine for depositing fibre sliver, in which there is a delivery device for delivering fibre sliver and a substantially planar receiving support surface for receiving and collecting the fibre sliver in the form of a can-less fibre sliver package, the receiving support surface being substantially unenclosed, the receiving support surface and the delivery device being displaceable relative to one another, the receiving support surface being movable back and forth horizontally, and in which there is a device for displacing the collected fibre sliver in the form of a can-less fibre sliver package out of the depositing area. A storage device, for example a belt storage means, is provided for receiving at least one fibre sliver package, in which the at least one fibre sliver package is stably positionable.

Abstract: In an apparatus in a spinning room for transporting a can-less fibre sliver package between a sliver-delivering spinning machine, for example a draw frame, or a storage means and a further processing device or a further storage means, having a support for receiving the can-less fibre sliver package, the support being substantially unenclosed, the support and the can-less fibre sliver package are transportable in common. In order to effect simple transport of the can-less fibre sliver package, the support for receiving the at least one fibre sliver package can be brought to the sliver-delivering spinning machine or to the storage means and, after the package has been received, the support, together with the stably positioned fibre sliver package, can be supplied to the further processing device or to the further storage means.

Abstract: A belt retraction mechanism (200) including a biased spool (210) having a belt (300) wound thereon, the spool (210) biased to retract the belt (300), a pawl and ratchet mechanism for preventing rotation of the spool (210) in a direction of retraction, a biased cam member having an engagement surface, the cam member biased to an engagement position wherein the engagement surface engages the belt (300) thereby preventing movement of the belt (300) and moveable to an open position, and an actuator (240) moveable between an open setting and a closed setting, wherein the actuator (240) is manually operable to the open setting to release the pawl and ratchet mechanism and furthermore cause the cam member to move from the engagement position to the open position, thereby allowing the belt (300) to be moveable.

Abstract: An arranging-line mechanism comprises a cam, an axle connecting to the cam, a sliding element and a transmitting mechanism to drive the cam and the axle. The cam comprises an inclined surface and the sliding element to slide thereon. When the axle revolves, the transmitting mechanism drives the cam to revolve. A power line is wound regularly via the sliding element to slide on the inclined surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for winding up web-shaped material (35, 40, 41). This web-shaped material (35, 40, 41) is particularly film that is wound up on winding cores (7). The device for winding up web-shaped material (35, 40, 41) is equipped with at least one device for electrostatically charging (38, 42) the web-shaped material (35, 40, 41). Said device for electrostatically charging (38, 42) the web-shaped material (35, 40, 41) is arranged in such a manner with respect to the web-shaped material (35, 40, 41) and the winding core (7) that it exposes the web-shaped material (35, 40, 41) to an electrical field before it reaches the winding core (7).

Abstract: In a receipt printer (10), suitable for printing on a paperribbon of different widths, wound on a roll (14) arranged in a seat (15, 22, 23, 24) in the printer, a wall is provided for the lateral positioning (18, 30) of the roll of paper (14) in its seat, to keep the paper ribbons, or the respective rolls (14a, 14b) of at least two different widths in the proper printing position, independently of the width of the ribbon; the positioning wall (18) is arranged inside the seat (15) of the roll of paper, with a first surface (44) facing a side (26?) of the same roll (14a).

Abstract: A spin attachment attachable to the firing end of the barrel of a compressed gas gun and a method of using the same is disclosed. The spin attachment allows a user to control the spin on a projectile exiting the muzzle end of a barrel of a compressed gas gun, which in turn, allows the user to curve the trajectory of the projectile after it is fired from the spin attachment. The spin attachment comprises a housing having a first open end, a second end adapted for attachment to the muzzle end of a barrel of a compressed gas gun, and an inner wall defining a through passage that has central longitudinal axis with the muzzle, a deflection wall that is positioned within the housing, the deflection wall having a stationary end adjacent the muzzle and a moveable portion adjacent to the open end of the housing, and, a deflection wall adjuster mounted in the housing between the housing and the deflection wall and moveable to move the moveable portion of the deflection wall.

Abstract: A system for controlling inbound transition of an aircraft includes a fuselage and first and second freewings pivotably mounted on opposing sides thereof. The system includes an airspeed sensor that outputs an airspeed indication signal. The system includes a controller for increasing aircraft engine thrust to substantially maximum for inbound transition, and for generating pitch and freewing control signals. The system includes actuators for actuating aircraft control surfaces in response to the pitch control signal to rapidly increase pitch of the fuselage to decelerate the aircraft, and for actuating freewing control surfaces in response to the freewing control signal to adjust lift produced by the freewings to oppose climbing of the aircraft due to the increase in engine thrust and the increase in the fuselage pitch. The controller is configured to decrease the engine thrust as the aircraft decelerates until the aircraft is in a hover mode.

Abstract: A method of generating lift for a vehicle including heating a flow of gas using a gas generator mounted on the vehicle that contributes no more than about ten percent of thrust used to propel the vehicle in a forward direction, and driving a lift fan using the heated gas flow to generate lift for the vehicle.

Abstract: An aircraft 1 with a spiral inducing assembly 2 which is capable of inducing the aircraft to travel in a continuous spiraling motion without the aircraft rolling. A ramjet 6b is attached to a tube 3 that is able to rotate around the encircled part of the fuselage. The ramjet 6b is able to rotate in a pivoting manner on the rotate-able tube 3 with respect to the rotate-able tube 3, thereby changing their pitch relative to the longitudinal axis of the rotate-able tube 3. Ramjet 6b is rotated to a greater than another ramjet on the right side of the tube 3. The difference in degree of rotation between the ramjets makes the ramjet 6b exert a greater force on the rotate-able tube 3 than the ramjet on the right side when the ramjets are rotated in the same direction. The imbalance between the rotational forces thus causes the rotate-able tube 3 to rotate. When rotated, the ramjets would exert a lateral force on the rotate-able tube 3.

Abstract: The invention refers to a suspension pylon (4) for an aircraft engine (2), the pylon including a rigid structure (10) forming a box provided with a lower spar (28) and an upper spar (26), and an engine mounting system (11) installed fixed on the structure (10) and in particular including a forward attachment (6) with an attachment body provided with a horizontal fixing surface (40) held in contact with a horizontal fixing surface (38) of the structure (10). According to the invention, the attachment body is arranged such that its horizontal fixing surface (40) is located along a vertical direction (Z) of the pylon, upwards from a forward end (28a) of the lower spar and downwards from a forward end (26a) of the upper spar. Furthermore, the structure (10) includes at least one forward fitting (42a, 42b) making up a forward closing rib (36) of the box, this fitting (42a, 42b) defining said horizontal fixing surface (38).

Abstract: The invention relates to an engine suspension pylon for an aircraft including a rigid structure provided with a box (24), this pylon also including an engine aft attachment (8) provided with an attachment body (38), and a thrust resistance device (9) generated by the engine. The rigid structure according to the invention includes an offset rib (35) for the attachment body (38), this rib (35) being mounted fixed on the box (24) between the box and the engine (2) and carrying the attachment body. Furthermore, the device (9) includes a thrust resistance spar (9b) of which the forward end is mounted fixed on the rib (35), and the aft end is mounted fixed on the box.

Abstract: An energy recovery and storage apparatus especially well adapted for use with flight control surfaces on airborne mobile platforms, such as aircraft. In one form the apparatus includes a ram-like element coupled to a portion of a flight control surface. An accumulator holds a flexible container having a compressible medium contained within the flexible container. The accumulator is in fluid communication with a housing of the ram-like element. When the flight control surface is moved from a deployed to a retracted position, the energy acting on the surface is recovered and stored in the compressible medium as the ram-like element forces fluid from its housing into the accumulator. When the flight control surface is to be deployed again in a subsequent cycle, the stored energy in the compressible medium is used to urge the ram-like element into an extended position, thus assisting in deploying the flight control surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing back-up hydraulic power for aircraft are disclosed. A system in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes a hydraulic supply line, a hydraulic return line, and a hydraulic actuator coupled between the supply line and the return line. The system can further include a fluid energy storage device coupled in parallel with the hydraulic actuator between the supply line and the return line, and a first valve (e.g., check valve) coupled in series between the supply line and the fluid energy storage device. A second control valve can control the flow of fluid from the fluid energy storage device to the actuator. In particular embodiments, the fluid energy storage can be coupled to an actuator that deploys and retracts an aerial refueling device.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a liquid level in an aircraft shock strut includes a cylinder having an internal chamber sealed by a piston telescopically movable within the cylinder. The chamber contains a gas and a liquid, and a sensor assembly is provided for monitoring a condition of a level of the liquid in the chamber. The sensor assembly includes at least one probe within the chamber, and a fitting assembly allows one or more leads from the probe to pass through the wall of the strut while maintaining pressure in the chamber. The fitting assembly includes a plug molded to the one or more leads extending from the probe. The fitting assembly also includes a retainer for holding the plug in sealed relationship with a through passage in the strut.

Abstract: A passenger seat assembly for a vehicle, particularly an aircraft, which is adapted to provide self-contained, individual seating and sleeping accommodation for a passenger, said seating assembly includes a supporting structure (42) for supporting said assembly off the floor of a vehicle; one or more movable, passenger-bearing, structural components (71,72); and means for connecting said movable, structural components to said structure such that said components can be selectively moved between a seat configuration, in which a plurality of passenger-bearing surfaces on said one or more structural, movable components (71,71) or said supporting structure form a seat for the passenger, and a bed configuration, in which a plurality of said bearing surfaces (47,48,67,74,76) are disposed substantially coplanarly and substantially contiguously to form a bed for the passenger; characterized in that at least one of said movable components (72) is double-sided, comprising first and second opposite sides, one of said sid

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is a canopy system, and in particular a canopy system to be deployed about and above a building site or the like, in order to provided weather proofing thereto. The canopy system includes a base of telescopic supports and a canopy support by and above the supports. The canopy is remotely extendable and retractable.

Abstract: An open cell or highly porous woven composite truss utilizes fibers of carbon, glass, ceramic, or the like that are woven together in a loom. The warps or tow are woven with the wefts, while the fibers are impregnated with resin. The resin impregnation step may be performed before or after the weaving step. The truss is then cured on the loom and later may be machined as needed. A rigid foam material may be used to stabilize the shape of the truss prior to curing and while machining. The foam may be later chemically dissolved or otherwise disposed of.

Abstract: An airship including a hull having a lenticular shape and a fairing attached to the hull to act as a stall strip and reduce the lift generated by the hull. The hull is symmetrical along a central horizontal plane and the fairing may be positioned along the central horizontal plane. The fairing may have a triangular shape, a semi-circular shape or any other shape capable of disrupting the flow of air over the hull.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of buoyant aircraft and operation thereof, in particular, airships with improved stability. The present invention is directed to non-rigid, non-spherical airships having an envelop contained within the airship and at least one further envelop contained therein for holding a volume of lifting gas.

Abstract: Currently, the wastewater collection tank and the freshwater tanks comprise separate containers which are each mounted individually in the pressurized area of the cabin on the structure. In the present application a water-wastewater module is described which has two tanks for disposing of feces and wastewater and a water generation unit in the form of the fuel-cell module as integral components. The module and the fuselage may advantageously be manufactured separately from one another and first have to be combined during the final mounting of the aircraft.

Abstract: A window for a subsonic passenger aircraft that provide maximum optical visibility while minimizing the amount of exterior acoustic noise transmitted through the windows to the passenger cabin during flight of the aircraft includes at least one substantially transparent window pane having the shape of an ellipse. The ellipse has a major axis and a minor axis, and the major axis is about twice as long as the minor axis and is disposed generally perpendicular to the direction of flight of the aircraft. In one exemplary embodiment, the window has a height of about 20 inches and a transparent area of about 141 square inches, and includes a pair of substantially similar window panes disposed in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship circumscribed by a mounting bezel. A plurality of the windows are each mounted with the bezels in spaced-apart rows in each of the opposite sidewalls of the aircraft fuselage.

Abstract: An aircraft window configuration utilizes a laminate build-up of the primary pane to increase damping and reduce the structural response to the turbulent boundary layer outside the aircraft. The laminate may consist of several acrylic layers or a combination of acrylic and glass layers. Noise dampening results from the introduction of a transparent visco-elastic material or a urethane. A vacuum layer may be introduced between the primary pane and a middle, or fail-safe pane. The vacuum layer decouples the panes over a broad frequency range resulting in a lower response of the inner pane that radiates noise into the passenger cabin. Such a window configuration reduces weight and improves noise performance. A damped laminate also reduces pane deflections into the air stream and improves aerodynamic performance of the aircraft.

Abstract: A demiseable momentum exchange system includes a base and a flywheel rotatably supported on the base. The flywheel includes a web portion defining a plurality of web openings and a rim portion. The momentum exchange system further includes a motor for driving the flywheel and a cover for engaging the base to substantially enclose the flywheel. The system may also include components having a melting temperature below 1500 degrees Celsius. The momentum exchange system is configured to demise on reentry.

Abstract: An orbital debris shield for protecting the hull of a spacecraft is claimed. The shield is comprised of a number of flexible and releasably attached gores that substantially cover the hull. Interleafed between layers of the gores are layers of a spacing material. As debris collides with the gores, the material is shocked and breaks up to some degree. As the shocked debris disperses through a layer of the gore, the spacing material interacts with the debris. After dispersing through a number of layers of the gores and the spacing material, the debris transfers a significant portion of kinetic energy and the probability of the remaining particles piercing the hull is significantly decreased.

Abstract: A self-contained avionics sensing and flight control system is provided for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system includes sensors for sensing flight control parameters and surveillance parameters, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. Flight control parameters and location signals are processed to generate flight control signals. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is configured to provide a look-up table storing sets of values with each set being associated with a servo mechanism mounted on the UAV and with each value in each set indicating a unique duty cycle for the servo mechanism associated therewith. Each value in each set is further indexed to a bit position indicative of a unique percentage of a maximum duty cycle for the servo mechanism associated therewith. The FPGA is further configured to provide a plurality of pulse width modulation (PWM) generators coupled to the look-up table. Each PWM generator is associated with and adapted to be coupled to one of the servo mechanisms.

Abstract: An extendable leading edge for the fuselage and wings of an aircraft is disclosed. The leading edge may be extended from a retracted position adjacent to the fuselage and wings to an extended position. In the extended position, the leading edge increases lift of the aircraft at low speeds. In the retracted position, gaps associated with the leading edge are avoided.