| OMNITEK PARTNERS LLC Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120135280 | Multi-Functional Insulation Materials For Thermal Batteries - A thermal battery including: a casing; a thermal battery cell disposed in the casing and operatively connected to electrical connections exposed from the casing; a fuel and oxidizer mixture disposed at least partially between the casing and the battery cell; and one or more initiators for initiating one or more of the thermal battery cell and the fuel and oxidizer mixture; wherein the fuel and oxidizer mixture produces an exothermic reaction upon initiation and forms a reaction product being a thermal insulator. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120135276 | Reserve Power Source for Munitions - A method for producing electrical energy in a munition includes; initiating a thermal battery contained within the munition to generate electrical energy; dumping the electrical energy generated by the thermal battery into an electrical energy storage device before the thermal battery becomes inactive; and using the stored electrical energy in the electrical energy storage device over a period of time. The initiation device can be an inertial igniter, the electrical energy storage device can be a capacitor and the thermal battery, initiation device and electrical energy storage device can be configured such that the initiation device and electrical energy storage device sandwich the thermal battery. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120132097 | Compact Mechanical Inertia Igniters For Thermal Batteries and the Like - An inertial igniter for igniting a thermal battery upon a predetermined acceleration event is provided. The inertial igniter including: a base having a first projection; a striker mass rotatably connected to the base through a rotatable connection, the base having a second projection aligned with the first projection such that when the striker mass is rotated towards the base, the first projection impacts the second projection; and a rotation prevention mechanism for preventing impact of the first and second projections unless the predetermined acceleration event is experienced. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120119015 | Actuators For Gun-Fired Projectiles and Mortars - An actuator stack is provided and having a tubular body and two or more individual actuators stacked in a longitudinal direction in the tubular body. Where each of the two or more actuators have a solid propellant; a primer for igniting the propellant; and detonation wiring for powering the primer. The actuator stack further having a separation layer formed between adjacent individual actuators in the stack. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120033135 | Method and Apparatus For Listening to audio Corresponding to a PIP Display - A method for enabling two or more viewers to simultaneously view and listen to different video content, the method including: displaying simultaneously video content from each of two or more tuners on a television monitor; producing with a speaker hardwired to the television monitor audio corresponding to the displayed video content from any of the two or more tuners; generating wireless audio signals corresponding to the displayed video content from any other of the two or more tuners simultaneously with the at least one speaker producing the audio; transmitting the wireless audio signals to a single remote control; receiving the wireless audio signals at the single remote control; directing the audio signals to headphones detachably connected to the remote control; and entering commands on the single remote control for controlling at least a changing of video content displayed and changing of an audio volume corresponding to the displayed video content. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120001016 | PROJECTILE HAVING ONE OR MORE WINDOWS FOR TRANSMITTING POWER AND/OR DATA INTO/FROM THE PROJECTILE INTERIOR - A projectile including: a casing; first and second windows provided on the casing for at least one of transmitting a first optical signal into an interior of the casing and transmitting a second optical signal from the interior of the casing; a receiving element disposed on the interior of the casing and in optical communication with one or more of the first and second windows for at least one of converting the first optical signal into electrical energy and storing data provided in the first optical signal; and a transmitting element disposed on the interior of the casing and in optical communication with one or more of the first and second windows for transmitting data provided in the second optical signal to outside the casing. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110297029 | INERTIAL IGNITERS WITH SAFETY PIN FOR INITIATION WITH LOW SETBACK ACCELERATION - Inertial igniters for initiating a thermal battery and methods of preventing initiation of an inertial igniter are provided. The method including: biasing a mass element from a base element with a spring element connecting the mass element and the spring element; and removably disposing a safety member between the mass element and the base element to prevent relative movement between the mass element and base element to prevent accidental initiation of the inertial igniter. The method can further comprise removing the safety member prior to subjecting the inertial igniter to all-fire conditions. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110271864 | Speed-Adaptive Deployable Boat-Tailing Cone for Munitions for Range Extension - A base cone for a projectile including: a cone member being movable between a retracted position and an extended deployed position, the deployed position being longer in an axial direction than the refracted position; a member adapted to connect the cone member to a trailing portion of the projectile; and a release mechanism for releasing the cone member from the refracted position to the extended deployed position. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110271863 | Electrically Initiated Inertial Igniters for Thermal Batteries and the Like - A method for electrically initiating an inertial igniter for a munition. The method including: generating a voltage over a duration of an acceleration of the munition; powering a circuit from the generated voltage for determining when the acceleration experienced by the munition is an all-fire condition; electrically activating a reserve battery by the generated voltage when the circuit determines that the acceleration experienced by the munition is the all-fire condition; and electrically initiating pyrotechnic materials at a specified time into a flight of the munition using the reserve battery. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110253230 | Temperature Sensitive Valve Having Shape Memory Actuator - A valve for preventing the flow of fluid from an outlet when the temperature of the fluid is above a predetermined threshold. The valve including: a body having at least one opening for allowing the fluid to pass through the outlet when the temperature of the fluid is below the predetermined threshold; and a shape memory actuator for substantially closing the at least one opening when the temperature of the fluid is above the predetermined threshold to prevent the fluid from passing through the outlet. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110204751 | Generators For Very-High-G Energy Harvesting - A method for harvesting energy from a high-G acceleration of a munition. The method including: proving a vibrating mass-spring unit in a housing of an energy harvesting device; and reducing an effective acceleration on the mass-spring unit by one or more of: offsetting the vibration of the mass-spring unit with respect to a direction of the high-G acceleration; biasing a mass of the mass-spring unit in a direction having at least a component in the direction of the high-G acceleration; limiting a vibration deflection of at least a portion of the mass-spring unit in the direction of the high-G acceleration; or limiting an amount of vibration of the mass-spring unit in a direction offset from the direction of the high-G acceleration and removing such limit after the acceleration. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110193350 | Electrical Generators For Low-Frequency and Time-Varying Rocking and Rotary Motions - An apparatus for generating electrical energy from a first motion having a low and/or variable frequency. The apparatus including: a first device to which the first motion is transferred; and a second device to which the first motion is transferred from the first device, the second device operating at a second motion having a frequency which is higher and/or more constant that the first motion. Wherein the first device comprises one of a first rotating shaft or first translating mass; the first shaft or first mass includes a tip interacting with the second device to transfer the first motion thereto, the second device comprises a mechanism having an electrical energy generator for converting the second motion to electrical energy; and the electrical energy generator comprises a rotary or linear coil and magnet generator or a piezoelectric generator. The interaction of the tip with the shaft or mass can be contactless. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110179964 | ACTUATORS FOR GUN-FIRED PROJECTILES AND MORTARS - A ring portion including: a ring body; and one or more actuators formed therein for providing thrust to a projectile and configured for fastening to a shell of an airborne device to form a portion of the shell. The airborne device can be a projectile. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110176129 | System and Method For Providing A Polarized RF Reference System with Scanning Polarized RF Reference Sources and Their Self-Alignment for Munitions - Arbitrarily deploying scanning polarized RF reference sources and using them to establish a full position and angular orientation reference coordinate system or a full angular orientation reference coordinate system that objects property equipped with polarized RF sensors could use to determine their angular position and/or orientation relative to the reference coordinate system. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110171511 | Compact and Low-Volume Mechanical Igniter and Ignition Systems For Thermal Batteries and the Like - An inertial igniter including: a body having a base and three or more posts, each post having a hole; a locking ball corresponding to each post, wherein a portion of the locking balls are disposed in the hole; a striker mass movably disposed relative to the posts and having a surface corresponding to the posts, the striker mass further having a concave portion corresponding to the locking balls, wherein a second portion of each locking ball is disposed in a corresponding concave portion for retaining the striker mass relative to the posts; a collar movable relative to the posts; and a biasing element for biasing the collar in a first position which retains the striker mass, the biasing element permitting movement of the collar to a second position to release the striker mass relative to the posts upon a predetermined acceleration profile. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110168046 | ENERGY HARVESTING POWER SOURCES FOR GENERATING A TIME-OUT SINGAL FOR UNEXPLODED MUNITIONS - A method is provided for detecting a target impact of a munition. The method including: providing the munition with a power supply having a piezoelectric material for generating power from a vibration induced by the munition; monitoring an output from the power supply; and determining whether the output of power from the power supply has dropped below a predetermined threshold. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110162549 | ACTUATORS FOR GUN-FIRED PROJECTILES AND MORTARS - An actuator stack is provided and having two or more individual actuators stacked in a longitudinal direction. Each of the two or more actuators having a solid detonation charge; a primer for igniting the detonation charge; and detonation wiring for powering the primer; and wherein at least one of the two or more individual actuators comprise an accelerating nozzle having at least a convergent section terminating at a throat. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110129295 | Deployable Collapsible Engineered Material Systems For Runway Safety - A method for slowing a vehicle. The method including: disposing a predetermined thickness of collapsible material over a base; disposing a plurality of panels over a top surface of the collapsible material over which the vehicle travels; and selectively either supporting one or more of the plurality of panels or allowing the collapsible material to be compressed under the weight of the vehicle. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110088149 | Method For Applying a Protective and Decorative Covering to Sports Helmets - A method for one or more of protecting and decorating a sports helmet. The method including; positioning an opening in a band of heat shrink material around an external outer surface of the sports helmet, the opening being larger than a corresponding size of the external outer surface of the sports helmet; and applying heat to the heat shrink material to shrink the heat shrink material to a size of the external outer surface of the helmet. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110076030 | Computer Having a Casing and/or Interior Acting as a Communication Bus Between Electronic Components - A computer including: a casing, at least a portion of which contains a potting material acting as an optical waveguide material; a transmitter for transmitting a pulse based signal at least partially through the potting material acting as the optical waveguide material; and a receiver for receiving the pulse based signal after one or more reflections of the pulse based signal from interior surfaces of the casing; the pulse based signal having a pulse rate configured such that a subsequent pulse doesn't interfere with reflections from an immediately previous pulse. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110076029 | Device Having a Casing and/or Interior Acting as a Communication Bus Between Electronic Components - A device other than a projectile including: a casing, at least a portion of which contains a potting material acting as the optical waveguide material; a transmitter for transmitting a pulse based signal at least partially through the potting material; and a receiver for receiving the pulse based signal after one or more reflections of the pulse based signal from interior surfaces of the casing; the pulse based signal having a pulse rate configured such that a subsequent pulse doesn't interfere with reflections from an immediately previous pulse. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20100307362 | Setback and Set-Forward Initiated Inertial Igniters and Activated Electrical Switches - A method of igniting one of a pyrotechnic material and primer during or after an all fire setback acceleration. The method including: positioning a mass element along an inclined surface; biasing the mass element in a direction into the inclined surface such that the mass element traverses the inclined surface upon the all fire setback acceleration against the biasing; drawing the mass element toward one of a pyrotechnic material and primer with the biasing after the mass element traverses the inclined surface. The method can further include delaying the drawing until the mass element experiences a set forward acceleration. The delaying can include drawing the mass element into a delay well after the mass element traverses the inclined surface and drawing the mass element across a delay wedge when the mass element experiences the set forward acceleration. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100295720 | Integrated Reference Source And Target Designator System For High-Precision Guidance of Guided Munitions - A method for guidance of a moving object towards a target. The method including: providing reference signals from RF reference sources to illuminate RF sensors on the moving object; positioning the RF reference sources to form a reference coordinate system; determining position information designating a position of the target in the reference coordinate system by a forward observer; fixing at least one of the RF reference sources at the forward observer in the reference coordinate system; determining a position and orientation of the moving object in the reference coordinate system on board the moving object based on signals received at the RF sensors from the RF reference sources and based on the positions of the RF reference sources; and guiding the moving object to the target at least based on the determined position and orientation of the moving object and the determined position information of the designated target. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100283265 | METHOD FOR POWERING A DEVICE WITH AN IMPACT - A method for powering a device. The method including: impacting a portion of the device against a surface; converting the impacting to electrical energy; and providing at least a portion of the electrical energy to at least one powered element associated with the device. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100283264 | Impact Powered Devices - A device including: a housing; a powered element disposed on or in the housing; and an impact power producing element housed on or in the housing and operatively connected to the powered element, the impact power producing element producing power upon an impact of at least a portion of the housing with another surface; wherein the impact power producing element comprises a mass and one or more spring elements connected at a first end to the mass and at a second end directly or indirectly to the housing and the impact power producing element further comprises one or more magnet elements and a coil, wherein the impact causes a relative motion between the one or more magnet elements and the coil. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100236440 | Methods and Apparatus For Mechanical Reserve Power Sources For Gun-Fired Munitions, Mortars, and Gravity Dropped Weapons - A power source including: a power generation device; a mass-spring unit having a mass and an elastic element operatively connected to the power generation device; and one or more retention fingers releasably engaged with the mass-spring unit for retaining the mass-spring unit in a position such that potential energy is stored therein and for releasing the potential energy upon occurrence of an event to generate electrical energy in the power generation device, the one or more retention fingers having a first end fixed at a base and a second end releasably engaged with the mass-spring unit. The occurrence of the event can be one or more of an acceleration and spinning of the base. Also disclosed is a power source having one or more retention fingers that are slidable with respect to a base such that the engagement of the first end is released upon a spinning of the base. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100236329 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INTEGRATED ENERGY HARVESTING POWER SOURCES AND INERTIAL SENSORS FOR GUN-FIRED MUNITIONS - A method for generating electrical power from an acceleration of an object is provided. The method including: vibrating a mass-spring unit upon an acceleration of an object; transmitting a force resulting from the acceleration from the mass-spring unit to the one or more piezoelectric elements; converting the vibration of the mass-spring unit to an electrical energy; and calculating at least one of the force and acceleration based on an output of the one or more piezoelectric elements. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100220002 | System and Method For Roll Angle Indication and Measurement in Flying Objects - A method for onboard measurement of a deviation in orientation of an object from a desired orientation of the object. The method including: transmitting a polarized RF signal from a reference source, with a predetermined polarization plane; receiving the signal at a pair of polarized RF sensor cavities positioned symmetrical on the object with respect to the predetermined polarization plane; analyzing an output of the pair of polarized RF sensor cavities resulting from the received signal; and determining the deviation in orientation of the object relative to the predetermined plane based on the analysis. The method can further include controlling the object based on the determined deviation in orientation. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100199873 | Methods and Devices For Enabling Safe/Arm Functionality Within Small Weapons - A method for enabling safe/arm functionality in weapons. The method including: attaching the weapon to an airframe; providing an elastic element in the weapon; releasing the weapon from the airframe to release a stored energy in the elastic element; converting the stored energy to an electrical energy; and providing the electrical energy to one or more components in the weapon. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100181784 | Collision Barrier Device For Projecting Loads - A crash barrier device including: a body portion having at least an impact portion; and a fastening portion configured to fasten the body portion to a projecting load being carried by a vehicle; wherein the impact portion and fastening portion are configured such that the impact portion is nearer to a surface traveled on by the vehicle than the fastening portion. A system for carrying projecting loads is also provided and includes: a trailer having wheels and fastener(s) for fastening the trailer to a powered vehicle; and the crash barrier device. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100174478 | Software Based Driving Directions - A method for electronically generating driving directions from a starting location to an ending location. The method including: indicating the ending location; indicating one or more preferences for the directions to include less than all steps that would otherwise be generated if not for the one or more preferences; and generating driving directions based on the starting location, ending location, and one or more preferences. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100160122 | Device for Generating Power From a Locomotion Energy Associated With Leg Muscles Acting Across a Joint - A device for generating power from a locomotion energy associated with leg muscles acting across an ankle joint. The device including: a cuff worn on the leg; a shoe; an energy absorbing element operatively connected to the cuff and shoe for absorbing energy during one or more periods of a periodic motion of the joint in which energy is absorbed by the muscles. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100160121 | Device for Generating Power Across a Joint - A device for generating power during a locomotion cycle from mechanical energy of a living body. The device including an energy absorbing and converting device disposed across a joint of the living body, the energy absorbing and converting device configured to be selectively in an engaged state and in a disengaged state during selected portions of the locomotion cycle while the device remains disposed across the joint of the living body, wherein the device is engaged to absorb mechanical energy of the living body only during a portion of the locomotion cycle during which muscles of the joint would otherwise be doing work across the joint to absorb mechanical energy of the living body, the device is disengaged during a portion of the locomotion cycle during which the muscles are doing work across the joint to increase mechanical energy of the living body and at least partially converting the absorbed mechanical energy to converted energy and the converted energy is provided to one of an energy storage device or power consuming device. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100132577 | Multi-Stage Mechanical Delay Mechanisms For Electrical Switching and the like - A multi-stage inertial switch including: a housing having a first electrical contact; two or more members disposed in the housing, at least one end of each of the two or more members being sequentially movable upon a different level of acceleration of the housing; and a movable member movable within the housing by the sequential movement of the two or more members, the movable member having a second electrical contact capable of engagement with the first electrical contact to one of open or close an electrical circuit between the first and second electrical contacts upon an occurrence of a predetermined magnitude and/or duration acceleration event. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100126338 | Modular, Deployable Weapon System Mount - A mount for deploying a weapon system through a window in a defended position is provided. The mount including a mechanism having an attachment to the weapon system and a base having an attachment to a portion of the defended position. The mechanism further having; a first actuator for moving the weapon system from a stowed position to at least one intermediate position; and a second actuator for moving the weapon system from the at least one intermediate position to a deployed position projecting from the window. The defended position can be a ship in which case the window can be an opening in a hull of the ship. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100100312 | Software Based Driving Directions - A method for electronically generating driving directions including: indicating a starting address; indicating an ending address; indicating one or more preferences for the directions to include less than all steps that would otherwise be generated if not for the one or more preferences; and generating driving directions based on the indicated starting address, ending address, and one or more preferences. Also provided is a method for electronically generating driving directions including: indicating a starting address; indicating an ending address; instructing the use of less than all steps that would otherwise be generated if not for the instruction; and generating driving directions based on the indicated starting address, ending address, and instruction. Also provided is a method for electronically generating driving directions by indicating addresses or locations on a map. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100094265 | Automated Laser-Treatment System With Real Time Integrated 3D Vision System for Laser Debridement and the Like - A method for automated treatment of an area of skin of a patient with laser energy. The method including: identifying the area to be treated with the laser; modeling the identified area of the skin to be treated; and controlling the laser to direct laser energy to within the modeled area of the skin. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100087803 | Automated Laser-Treatment System With Real Time Integrated 3D Vision System for Laser Debridement and the Like - A treatment head for treatment of an area of the skin. The head including: an enclosure having an open end for contact with the skin in a vicinity of the treatment area; a camera configured to be directed towards the open end; and a laser head configured to be directed towards the open end. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100071577 | AXIALLY COMPACT AND LOW-VOLUME MECHANICAL IGNITER FOR THERMAL BATTERIES AND THE LIKE - An inertial igniter for use with a thermal battery for producing power upon acceleration is provided. The inertial igniter including: a base; at least one member disposed on the base, the at least one member having a hole; a mass movable towards the base, the mass having a concave portion; a locking ball disposed in the hole in the at least one member and having a portion thereof disposed in the concave portion for preventing relative movement of the mass with the base when an acceleration time profile is below a predetermined threshold; and a biasing spring including a portion for preventing the locking ball from leaving the concave portion when the acceleration time profile is below the predetermined threshold and for allowing the locking ball to leave the concave portion when the acceleration time profile is below the predetermined threshold to unlock the mass and permit movement of the mass relative to the base. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100059622 | Integrated Reference Source and Target Designator System for High-Precision Guidance of Guided Munitions - A method for guiding a moving object to a target. The method comprising: transmitting a signal from one or more illuminating sources defined in a reference coordinate system; receiving the signal at three or more cavity waveguides disposed on the moving object; using one or more forward observers to determine the position of the target; fixing the one or more illuminating sources to the one or more forward observers; determining a position and/or orientation of the object in the reference coordinate system based on a strength of the signal received in the three or more cavity waveguides; and guiding the moving object to the target based on the determined position and/or orientation. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20090315431 | ELECTRICAL GENERATORS FOR LOW-FREQUENCY AND TIME-VARYING ROCKING AND ROTARY MOTION - A method for generating electrical energy from a first motion having a low and/or variable frequency is provided. The method including: transferring the first motion to a first device; and intermittently transferring the first motion from the first device to a second device operating at a frequency which is higher and/or more constant that the first motion. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090288571 | MULTI-STAGE MECHANICAL DELAY MECHANISMS FOR INERTIAL IGNITERS FOR THERMAL BATTERIES AND THE LIKE HAVING A ROTATABLE MOVABLE MEMBER - An inertia igniter including a mechanical delay mechanism having two or more members which are movable under different acceleration conditions to sequentially move a movable member upon sequential movement of the two or more members and an ignition member actuatable by the movable member such that movement of the movable member by the two or more members ignites the ignition member. The movable member can be movable by one of translation and rotation. The inertia igniter can further comprise an impact mass releasably movable in the housing, wherein the impact mass is released and movable by movement of the movable member to impact the ignition member. The inertia igniter can also further comprise a stop member for preventing movement of the impact mass until the movable member has moved a predetermined distance. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090256024 | Projectile Having A Window For Transmitting Power and/or Data Into The Projectile Interior - A method is provided for optically providing at least one of power and data to a projectile from an external optical source. The method including: outputting an optical signal from an external optical source into an interior of the projectile; receiving the optical signal in the interior of projectile and at least one of converting the optical signal to electrical energy and storing data provided in the optical signal. The electrical energy can be provided to the one or more electronic components and/or energy storage medium disposed on the interior of the projectile. The data provided in the optical signal can be provided to a data storage medium disposed on the interior of the projectile. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090218712 | Method of Forming a Ladder - A method for forming a ladder including: forming first and second expandable members used in constructing the ladder, the forming of each of the first and second expandable members which includes; expanding a covering to define a cavity; expanding foam in the cavity in an expansion direction to expand the covering into a predetermined shape; and connecting the first and second expandable members together by disposing a plurality of rungs therebetween. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090217985 | Temperature Sensitive Valve Having Shape Memory Actuator - A valve for preventing the flow of fluid when the temperature of the fluid is above a predetermined threshold, the valve including: a body having at least one opening for allowing the fluid to pass when the temperature of the fluid is below the predetermined threshold; and a shape memory or bi-metal actuator for substantially closing the at least one opening when the temperature of the fluid is above the predetermined threshold to prevent the fluid from passing. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090211648 | FAUCET OUTLET FITTING HAVING A TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE VALVE HAVING SHAPE MEMORY ACTUATOR - A valve for preventing the flow of fluid when the temperature of the fluid is above a predetermined threshold, the valve including: a body having at least one opening for allowing the fluid to pass when the temperature of the fluid is below the predetermined threshold; and a shape memory or bi-metal actuator for substantially closing the at least one opening when the temperature of the fluid is above the predetermined threshold to prevent the fluid from passing. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090178285 | High Branch Tree Saw - A saw for cutting an overhead object is provided. The saw including: an elongated pole having a first end held by a user and a second end; a holding mechanism disposed at the second end of the elongated pole, the holding mechanism having an opening for holding the overhead object; and a cutting blade movably disposed on one of the elongated pole or holding mechanism so as to define a cutting stroke within the opening. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090160294 | Piezoelectric Generators Having an Inductance Circuit For Munitions Fuzing and the Like - A piezoelectric generator for generating power from an acceleration is provided. The piezoelectric generator including: a piezoelectric member capable of producing an output power; means for applying a force to the piezoelectric member due to the acceleration; means for sustaining a strain in the piezoelectric member resulting from the applied force; and an inductor electrically connected to the piezoelectric member for forming an oscillating circuit. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090093344 | GYMNASTICS SAFETY AND TRAINING AID BAR SLEEVES FOR HIGH BAR AND OTHER APPARATUS - An apparatus for use with gymnastics equipment having a bar which is held by a gymnast, the apparatus including: one or more sleeves surrounding at least a portion of the bar and rotating relative to the bar while the gymnast holds an outer portion of the one or more sleeves; at least one harness for securing around at least a portion of a torso of a gymnast; and one or more straps fixed at a first end to the harness and to the one or more sleeves at a second end; wherein the one or more sleeves have one or more slots for accepting the second end of the one or more straps. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090022546 | TRAFFIC CONTROL SPEED BUMP - A method for at least slowing a vehicle moving along a surface, the method comprising: providing first and second panels rotatably disposed on the surface and capable of extending above the surface, wherein each of the first and second panels rotate in a different and opposite direction; providing at least one center panel disposed between the first and second panels, the center panel being capable of being deployed into a position extended from the surface; detecting at least one of a vehicle speed, vehicle type, and vehicle weight; and controlling one or more of the first, second, and center panels based on the detecting. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090013891 | Electrically Initiated Inertial Igniters for Thermal Batteries and the Like - A method for electrically initiating an inertial igniter for a munition is provided. The method including: generating electrical power upon a firing acceleration of the munition: powering circuitry on board the munition with the generated electrical power; and electrically determining, at the circuitry, whether an acceleration profile experienced by the munition is an all-fire condition. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20080304910 | Roadway For Decelerating A Vehicle Including An Aircraft - A method for slowing a vehicle traveling over a movable surface in a direction of travel where the vehicle has a first wheel and at least a second wheel offset from the first wheel in a direction opposite to the direction of travel. The method including: deploying the movable surface to an open position; moving the movable surface to a closed position due to the weight exerted on the movable surface by the first wheel of the vehicle as it travels over the movable surface; locking the movable surface in the closed position to convert at least a portion of a kinetic energy of the vehicle into potential energy to slow the vehicle; and redeploying the movable surface to the open position such that at least the moving can be repeated due to the weight exerted on the movable surface by the second wheel of the vehicle. | 12-11-2008 |
