Abstract: A gas regulator for a rifle is provided, the gas regulator having: an elongated member having a first end and a second end; a head portion located at the first end; a pair of openings passing through the elongated member, wherein one of the pair of openings is larger than the other one of the pair of openings; and a recessed area located at the second end.

Abstract: A retrofit apparatus is disclosed for a gas-operated reloading firearm having a pressure control unit to operate the firearm in either manual or semi-automatic operation. The pressure control unit is coupled to the reloading unit to reduce a gas flow to the reloading unit in a first configuration and allow the gas flow to the reloading unit in a second configuration. A controller is coupled to the pressure control unit to operate the firearm in the first or second configuration. The firearm operates in a first configuration requiring manual operation until it receives continuous manual actuation to enable the reloading unit in a second configuration.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of creating a visible indicator upon a firearm magazine. The method may comprise fabricating a plurality of rectangular matrices of divots on an exterior surface of the magazine, the divots having concave surfaces, each matrix comprising a plurality of rows of divots and a plurality of columns of divots. A first divot of a first row is also a first divot of a first column, the first divot forming a substantially straight line with each other divot of the first column, and a first divot of a second row is also a second divot of the first column. The method may then comprise marking, with paint or ink, at least one of the divots.

Abstract: There is disclosed a two-stage trigger with a large trigger/sear bearing area and an optimized sear loading angle that provides a lightweight trigger-pull. There is further disclosed a safety that blocks rotation of the trigger.

Abstract: Designs and methods are provided for a rotatable turret and weapon system. In one exemplary embodiment the system comprises a rotatable turret ring atop a gunner station in a supporting structure, and a gun mount at a first location on the turret ring adapted for mounting an automatic weapon accessible to a gunner. An ammunition mount adapted to interchangeably secure an ammunition magazine, or an adapter for holding multiple ammunition magazines, to the turret ring at a second location. The ammunition mount, gun mount, and turret ring move as an integral unit.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for adjusting limb placement in an archery bow are provided. The limb may be adjusted laterally and may be rotated around its length to manipulate the position of the distal end of the limb with respect to the riser. The limb may be rotated by posts extending from the limb or limb bolt. The limb may also be rotated by posts or shims positioned in an adjustable dowel installed in the riser or by shims installed in the limb between the limb and the riser.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an archery bow comprises a riser supporting a first limb and a second limb. The first limb supports a first rotatable member that defines a first axis of rotation. The second limb supports a second rotatable member that defines a second axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation move with respect to one another as the bow is drawn from a brace condition to a drawn condition. The bow defines a reference plane that includes the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation, wherein a distance between a predetermined location on the riser and the reference plane is greater in the brace condition than in the drawn condition.

Abstract: The elastic shooting support device according to the present invention is made up of at least one spiral elastic element arranged on the body of a shooting support, the elastic element being fixed by one of its ends to said shooting support, while the other end is connected to a string that is brought from an idle position to a stretched position by winding and compressing the spiral elastic element.

Abstract: Projectile launchers as disclosed herein comprise a reciprocating false barrel or other forward member to cock and air pump and/or to advance a projectile magazine.

Abstract: A rail is mounted solely to a barrel nut so that the rail is free-floating and does not affect movement of the barrel when the firearm is fired. The rail may have first and second wedges that are drawn together and frictionally engage a smooth exterior surface of the barrel nut in order to frictionally engage the wedges and the barrel nut. The first and second wedges have contact surfaces defined by a radius which is equal to a radius of the exterior surface of the barrel nut. By forming the contact surfaces of the first and second wedges to have a radius equal to the radius of the barrel nut, the maximum area of the contact surfaces contact or engage the exterior surface of the barrel nut to maximize frictional engagement between the barrel nut and the wedges.

Abstract: A device is convertible between a knife and a fore grip of a firearm. The device has a grip body operatively connected to a blade, and an attachment member connecting the grip body to a longitudinally extending rail of a firearm. The blade converts between an extended position when the device is disconnected from the firearm to a stored position when the device is connected the rail. The blade remains oriented along the longitudinal axis of the grip body when it is in both the stored position and the extended position. The grip body remains operatively connected to the blade when the device is disconnected from the firearm and the blade is in the extended position.

Abstract: A sight for firearms based on a non-collimating optical system includes a reticle, a lens and a housing for holding the reticle to be centered with the optical axis of the lens, which is parallel to the barrel's center line of the firearm. The reticle is located axially apart of the lens back focal plane and projected toward the user's eye, such that the projected reticle appears centered to the lens barrel only when the user eye is on the same lens optical axis.

Abstract: A sight module for a firearm having a barrel axis includes a base for detachably attaching onto the firearm, a first optic upwardly extended from the base to define a first sight axis parallel to the barrel axis of the firearm, and a second optic sidewardly extended from the first optic to define a second sight axis parallel to the barrel axis of the firearm and orientated at an offset angle with respect to the first sight axis, wherein a distance between the first sight axis and the barrel axis equals to a distance between the second sight axis and the barrel axis. Therefore, a user is able to maintain the same cheek weld on the firearm stock to view one of the first and second optics in order to quickly switch between the first and second optics by simply rotating the firearm.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a ballistic resistant article comprising at least one first layer facing a projectile and at least one second layer adjacent to the at least one first layer and facing an object to be protected wherein, under a ballistic event, the at least one first layer is capable of undergoing a shock induced non-reversible phase transformation.

Abstract: A system under international control is in possession of the firing codes required to launch missiles owned by the parties to the system. Upon a request to the international authority for the release of its firing codes so that it may launch a first strike, the target party is advised of the request and given the opportunity to launch its own missiles first. The system deters first strikes.

Abstract: A shooting target apparatus which can be used for mounting air-pressurized containers as targets in shooting ranges. When the pressurized container is hit by a projectile, the sound of a small explosion provides an added excitement in the shooting experience. The container can also be partially filled with a fluid or granular material to create an added visual effect of an explosion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a target throwing device which can throw a single or multiple shooting targets with a single throwing arm. The device includes a dispensing unit for dispensing a desired number of targets onto a throwing arm containing multiple rails or an adjustable rail to provide the appropriate orientation and momentum for the desired number of targets to be thrown by the throwing arm.

Abstract: A hollow tube projectile is configured with a leading edge to first exit a firearm barrel and a trailing edge to follow there through, the hollow tube projectile comprising an annular airfoil slug. A longitudinal cross section of the annular airfoil slug resembles an airplane wing having a rounded leading edge and a sharp trailing edge and an outer lift surface there around and an inner cylindrical surface. Three or more fins are distributed equidistantly around the annular airfoil slug, each fin having an inner edge complementary to the outer lift surface and an outer edge parallel to a major axis through the annular airfoil slug. The hollow tube projectile further comprises a launch wafer comprising a metal insert adapted to contain combustion gases during launch of the annular airfoil slug. The launch wafer is adapted to receive the metal insert and concentrically position it within a hollow tube cartridge.

Abstract: A jacketed bullet having a penetrator constructed of a hard material in line with a slug having a lower modulus. At least a portion of both the slug and the penetrator are then encased by a metal jacket. A plurality of circumferentially spaced and axially extending flutes are formed along the slug and possibly the penetrator. These flutes receive deformation of the jacket upon firing of the bullet into a rifled gun bore to thereby reduce friction between the bullet and the gun bore during operation.

Abstract: The invention provides a short-range, self-propelled, non-fragmenting breaching device to breach a wide variety of doors and barricades with high efficiency, high gunner safety and low collateral damage. The invention also provides a method of preparing the breaching device and a method of breaching a target using the breaching device.

Abstract: A fragmentation body comprising a substantially monolithic structure comprising a metal material and comprising a major surface having an indentation pattern therein, and an opposing major surface having an opposing indentation pattern therein, the opposing indentation pattern being substantially aligned with the indentation pattern. A warhead and an article of ordnance are also described.

Abstract: A method of blasting rock, in mining for recoverable material, comprising drilling blastholes in a blast zone, loading the blastholes with explosives and then firing the explosives in the blastholes in a single cycle of drilling, loading and blasting. The blast zone comprises a high energy blast zone in which blastholes are partially loaded with a first explosive to provide a high energy layer of the high energy blast zone having a powder factor of at least 1.75 kg of explosive per cubic meter of unblasted rock in the high energy layer and in which at least some of those blastholes are also loaded with a second explosive to provide a low energy layer of the high energy blast zone between the high energy layer and the adjacent end of those blastholes, said low energy layer having a powder factor that is at least a factor of two lower than the powder factor of said high energy layer.

Abstract: Example height measuring system includes a slide rack configured for mounting to a vertical wall surface and being vertically aligned. The height measurement system also includes a height measuring gauge. The height measuring gauge has a slide mount portion slidably mounted within the slide track, the slide mount portion being configured to travel essentially parallel to the vertical surface. The height measuring gauge also has a gauge plank hingedly mounted to the slide mount portion. The gauge plank is rotatable between a first plank position and a second plank position. The first plank position is parallel to the vertical surface, and the second plank position is perpendicular to the slide mount portion. The height measurement system also includes a backing sheet configured for mounting along a length of the backing sheet on the vertical wall surface and between the height measuring gauge and the vertical wall surface.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems in which video segments of an athletic activity session of a user may be captured by a plurality of video sources and a processing system may determine that each of the video segments correspond to the athletic activity session of the user. The processing system may accordingly generate a video replay of the athletic activity session of the user by piecing together the video segments captured by the video sources. The first portion of the video replay includes a first video segment captured by a first video source and a second portion of the video replay includes a second video segment captured by a second video source different than the first video source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing on-machine measurements and automatic part alignment, including: a measurement component operable for determining the position of a part on a machine; and an actuation component operable for adjusting the position of the part by contacting the part with a predetermined force responsive to the determined position of the part. The measurement component consists of a transducer. The actuation component consists of a linear actuator. Optionally, the measurement component and the actuation component consist of a single linear actuator operable for contacting the part with a first lighter force for determining the position of the part and with a second harder force for adjusting the position of the part. The actuation component is utilized in a substantially horizontal configuration and the effects of gravitational drop of the part are accounted for in the force applied and the timing of the contact.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a pipe length in an air conditioning system includes a detector to detect a signal traveled through a pipe; and a processor to determine a pipe length based on the detected signal.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor can include a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements; an angle processing circuit to generate an uncorrected x-y angle value representative of an angle of a magnetic field in an x-y plane, the uncorrected x-y angle value comprising a first angle error component; an angle error correction module to generate an x-y angle error value indicative of an error in the uncorrected x-y angle value, wherein the angle error correction module uses a sinusoidal error relationship, a sine look up table, and a coefficient table memory to determine the x-y angle error value; and a combining module to combine the uncorrected x-y angle value with the x-y angle error value. A similar method is used.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive position sensor achieves an improved signal to noise ratio by implementing several electronic control features, including: enclosing a waveguide within an approximately tubular return conductor, adjusting the energy of an interrogation pulse and then clamping the waveguide, tracking the peak voltage of a sensed signal, cutting off the signal of a pickup during the time period outside of a signal time frame, adjusting the pass band of a filter based on an interrogation rate and waveguide length, zeroing and scaling a signal without digitizing the signal, and avoiding noise from an interrogation voltage generator.

Abstract: An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device such as a vehicle window includes a capacitance sensor and a controller. The sensor has a jacket with a cavity, a dielectric element within the cavity, and first and second electrical conductors. The conductors are within the cavity on opposite sides of the dielectric element such that the conductors are separated from one another by a separation distance. The capacitance of the sensor changes in response to an electrically conductive object moving in proximity to at least one of the conductors. The controller is configured to control a translating device as a function of the capacitance of the sensor. The jacket is attachable to a seal configured to receive the translating device.

Abstract: An interferometer module for quantum processing is described including a substrate having two or more input ports and two or more output ports; multiple photonic pathways embedded in the substrate for conveying photons from the two or more input ports and the two or more output ports; and one or more partial beam splitters embedded in the substrate in a photonic pathway for generating spatial and polarization entanglement.

Abstract: Embodiments include devices, systems and processes for using a white light interferometer (WLI) microscope with a tilted objective lens to perform in-line monitoring of both resist footing defects and conductive trace undercut defects. The defects may be detected at the interface between dry film resist (DFR) footings and conductive trace footing formed on insulating layer top surfaces of a packaging substrate. Such footing and undercut defects may other wise be considered “hidden defects”. Using the WLI microscope with a tilted objective lens provides a high-throughput and low cost metrology and tool for non-destructive, non-contact, in-line monitoring.

Abstract: A position-measuring device, as well as a system having such a position-measuring device, is used for determining the position of a first object relative to a second object, the first and the second object being movable relative to one another along at least two measuring directions. The position-measuring device has an optical unit that is linked to one of the two objects and includes at least one light source, a detector system, as well as further optical elements in a defined configuration. In addition, the position-measuring device includes a measuring standard-reflector unit, which is provided on the other object, and has at least two differently formed regions in one track that are optically scannable by the optical unit for position sensing.

Abstract: A position of a lens is detected by detecting, using a phototransistor, light that is emitted from a photodiode and that varies depending on lens position. A control unit divides a moving range of the lens into a plurality of areas, approximates a relationship between lens positions and current of the phototransistor for each of the areas, corrects a current of the phototransistor using the approximated relationship so as to obtain a corrected detection current having a linear relationship with respect to lens positions, and detects the position of the lens using the obtained corrected detection current.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a projection unit configured to project a projection pattern onto an object, an imaging unit configured to capture an image of the object on which the projection pattern is projected, and a derivation unit configured to derive a three-dimensional shape of the object based on the image captured by the imaging unit. The projection pattern projected on the object by the projection unit includes a first pattern including a continuous luminance variation repetitively arranged at certain distances in a predetermined direction, and a second pattern having information for identifying the position of the measurement pattern in the captured image in an area between peaks in the measurement pattern.

Abstract: A fringe image phase distribution analysis technique that performs one-dimensional discrete Fourier transform using temporal intensity information or spatial intensity information to calculate the phase distribution of the fringe image. To improve the analysis accuracy of the phase distribution, a plurality of phase-shifted moiré fringe images is generated from high-dimensional intensity data by a thinning-out (down-sampling) process and an image interpolation process, and the phase distribution of the moiré fringe is calculated by a two-dimensional or three-dimensional discrete Fourier transform. In addition, the phase distribution of thinned-out is added to calculate the phase distribution of an original fringe image. Since high-dimensional intensity information which is present in both spatio-domain and temporal-domain is used, phase distribution analysis is less likely to be affected by random noise or vibration.

Abstract: Compact 3D depth capture systems are based on a 3D system driver/interface, a 3D system camera, and a 3D system projector. The systems are compatible with integration in to mobile electronic devices such as smart phones and tablet computers.

Abstract: A monitoring device is provided that is used for the monitoring of an area of building or land, including an optical strand used as a sensor, one optical source for emitting an optical emission signal transmitted in the optical strand, and one optical analogue detector for detecting an intensity of an optical return signal corresponding to the optical emission signal returning from the optical strand. The monitoring device is arranged as a compact unit and includes a controller for alternately activating and deactivating the emission of the optical source so that a ratio between the non-emission duration and the emission duration is greater than 5000. A monitoring system is also provided including such a monitoring device, and a monitoring method carried out in the monitoring device.

Abstract: In some aspects, a wireless system is configured for estimating a thickness of a material layer on a surface of an aircraft. The wireless system includes a tag device located beneath a material layer. The tag device is capable of transmitting an electromagnetic signal in response to an electromagnetic signal. In some aspects, a transceiver device is configured to estimate the thickness of a material layer on a surface of an aircraft. The transceiver can be configured to communicate with a tag using electromagnetic signals. The transceiver can include one or more processors configured to measure signal strength and correlate the signal strength to the thickness of a material layer.

Abstract: A method for embedded failure detection includes embedding radio frequency identification (RFID) tags at varying depths within a composite material comprising a polymer, an epoxy or an aggregate bonded with a fluid. Each RFID tag is attached with an insulated wire loop and configured to communicate tag identification and resistance on each insulated wire loop upon being energized by an RFID reader. The RFID tags are read with an RFID reader after initial curing of the composite material for reference information. The RFID reader reads the RFID tags after a particular time period for current information. The current information is compared to the reference information. It is determined whether a change information has occurred for any of the RFID tags to detect a possible failure of the composite material.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a rotation laser and a method for operating a rotation laser. The rotation laser may be provided with a laser light source for generating a laser beam, a deflection means rotatable about a rotation axis and serving for the directional emission of the laser beam, and an optical system comprising one or more lenses for manipulating the laser beam. In some embodiments, at least one of the lenses is a lens which is deformable in a targeted manner by actuators. In some embodiments, a control unit is included for manipulating the at least one lens. In some embodiments, the at least one lens has at least four actuators which are drivable by the control unit and/or which are arranged in a manner distributed along a circumference of the lens.

Abstract: Provided are examples of a hands-free level to quickly, accurately, and efficiency level and plumb a wide range of objects regardless of shape. The level includes a stationary component, an adjustable component, a level device attached to the stationary component/adjustable component, and a cord. The cord includes a J-shaped terminus that abuts the adjustable component. Advancing the cord urges the adjustable component towards the stationary component. Complementary locking teeth on the cord and stationary component lock the adjustable component in place and clamps the hands-free level to an object. This lets a user use two hands to hold and move the object while simultaneously checking the object for plumb and/or level.

Abstract: A conduit-bending level has a pair of bubble levels oriented in such a manner as to facilitate the bending of conduit in a first plane and a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane. This bending operation is preferably conducted without having to detach the conduit-bending level from the conduit in order to make the second bend.

Abstract: A laser device operating system includes a laser device generating a laser beam when receiving a remote control unit command signal. The remote control unit operates in a public or private mode. In public mode the remote control unit generates a command signal transmitted to the laser device. In private mode the remote control unit generates a unique identifier prepended to the command signal. The laser device operates in a laser device public or private mode. In public mode the laser device responds to the remote control unit command signal or the command signal if transmitted by a second remote control unit. In private mode the laser device operates only upon receipt of the command signal and unique identifier, preventing laser device operation by the second remote control unit if the second unit does not include the unique identifier with the command signal.

Abstract: An integrated detection structure has a first inertial mass and a second inertial mass, each of which is elastically anchored to a substrate and has a linear movement along a first horizontal axis, a first detection movement of rotation about a first axis of rotation parallel to a second horizontal axis and a second detection movement of translation along the second horizontal axis; driving electrodes cause linear movement of the inertial masses, in opposite directions of the first horizontal axis; a pair of flexural resonator elements and a pair of torsional resonator elements are elastically coupled to the inertial masses, the torsional resonator elements having a resonant movement of rotation about a second axis of rotation and a third axis of rotation, parallel to one another and to the first axis of rotation.

Abstract: A gyro sensor includes a first detection mass unit provided with a drive mass unit, a drive unit, a first detection unit and a first vibrating body; and a second detection mass unit provided with a second detection unit and a second vibrating body, the first vibrating body extends in the direction of the first axis and one end thereof is connected to the first detection mass unit, the second vibrating body extends in a direction that is opposite to an extension direction of the first vibrating body, and one end thereof is connected to the second detection mass unit, and the vibrating bodies vibrate in the direction of a third axis, along with the vibration in the direction of the first axis.

Abstract: An integrated optomechanical disk vibratory gyroscope device includes a mechanical oscillator having a substantially circular structure. The substantially circular structure is supported by a pillar, and mechanically isolated from a surrounding structure by a gap or slot. One or more actuators are coupled to the mechanical oscillator across the gap or slot. Each of the one or more actuators is configured to excite the mechanical oscillator in a driving mode. One or more optomechanical cavities are disposed substantially in a plane defined by the mechanical oscillator. At least one component of the one or more optomechanical cavities is disposed on or in the substantially circular structure. Each of the at least one or more optomechanical cavities configured to measure a displacement of the mechanical oscillator in a sensing mode. A method of manufacture is also described.

Abstract: A ring laser gyroscope comprises a laser block that defines an optical closed loop pathway configured to contain a lasing gas. A plurality of mirror structures are respectively mounted on the laser block, with each of the mirror structures having a respective reflective surface that is in optical communication with the optical closed loop pathway. A plurality of electrodes are coupled to the laser block, with the electrodes configured to generate a pair of counter-propagating laser beams from the lasing gas in the optical closed loop pathway. At least one optical sensor is coupled to one of the mirror structures, with the optical sensor in optical communication with the closed loop pathway. A polarizer is in optical communication with the optical sensor. The polarizer is configured to pass laser light having substantially one polarization mode to the optical sensor.

Abstract: A resonator fiber optic gyroscope comprises a master laser that emits a reference optical signal, a first slave laser that emits a first optical signal and is responsive to the reference optical signal through a first optical phase lock loop (OPLL), and a second slave laser that emits a second optical signal and is responsive to the reference optical signal through a second OPLL. A reference resonator in optical communication with the master laser receives the reference optical signal, and comprises a first fiber optic coil having a first cavity length. A gyro resonator, in optical communication with the first and second slave lasers, receives the first and second optical signals. The gyro resonator comprises a second fiber optic coil having a second cavity length longer than the first cavity length. The reference resonator has an operating frequency that substantially tracks with an operating frequency of the gyro resonator.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to generate aerodrome surface area node-link graphs. The terminal area network generator provided constructs terminal area networks from reliable terminal area node-links that do not require further manual processing. The exemplary embodiment is compatible with the AIRAC cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided that aid law enforcement agencies in intercepting a suspect before he or she can go into hiding. The method and apparatus provide for law enforcement agencies to track a person of interest (POI) and to predict an intercept point and/or a destination where the POI may be found, based on situational data and social media content. Further, the method and apparatus provide for determining and adjusting a geofence based on a predicted route and/or destination of a POI and for dispatching public safety officers to the geofence, predicted intercept point, and/or predicted destination to aid in the apprehension of the POI.