Electromagnetic wave energy converter

Electromagnetic wave energy is converted into electric power with an array of mutually insulated electromagnetic wave absorber elements each responsive to an electric field component of the wave as it impinges thereon. Each element includes a portion tapered in the direction of wave propagation to provide a relatively wideband response spectrum. Each element includes an output for deriving a voltage replica of the electric field variations intercepted by it. Adjacent elements are positioned relative to each other so that an electric field subsists between adjacent elements in response to the impinging wave. The electric field results in a voltage difference between adjacent elements that is fed to a rectifier to derive dc output power

Measuring the Lifetime of Trapped Sleptons Using the General Purpose LHC Detectors

In supergravity where the gravitino is the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP), the next-to-lightest supersymmetric particle (NLSP) decays to the gravitino with a naturally long lifetime (10^4 - 10^8). However, cosmological constraints favour charged sleptons with lifetimes below a year as the natural NLSP candidate. For this scenario we report a method to accurately determine the slepton lifetime and SUSY cross-section from observation of the decays of sleptons trapped in the material comprising the main detector (ATLAS, CMS). A measurement of the lifetime to 5% is possible after 3 years at nominal luminosity and running conditions. This method is sensitive to the cosmologically preferred stau lifetime of ~37 days and does not require the use of ancillary trapping volumes

Apparatus and method for protecting a photographic device Patent

Camera protecting device for use in photographing rocket engine nozzles or other engine component

Space Shuttle booster thrust imbalance analysis

An analysis of the Shuttle SRM thrust imbalance during the steady-state and tailoff portions of the boost phase of flight are presented. Results from flights STS-1 through STS-13 are included. A statistical analysis of the observed thrust imbalance data is presented. A 3 sigma thrust imbalance history versus time was generated from the observed data and is compared to the vehicle design requirements. The effect on Shuttle thrust imbalance from the use of replacement SRM segments is predicted. Comparisons of observed thrust imbalances with respect to predicted imbalances are presented for the two space shuttle flights which used replacement aft segments (STS-9 and STS-13)

Electromagnetic wave energy conversion research

Known electromagnetic wave absorbing structures found in nature were first studied for clues of how one might later design large area man-made radiant-electric converters. This led to the study of the electro-optics of insect dielectric antennae. Insights were achieved into how these antennae probably operate in the infrared 7-14um range. EWEC theoretical models and relevant cases were concisely formulated and justified for metal and dielectric absorber materials. Finding the electromagnetic field solutions to these models is a problem not yet solved. A rough estimate of losses in metal, solid dielectric, and hollow dielectric waveguides indicates future radiant-electric EWEC research should aim toward dielectric materials for maximum conversion efficiency. It was also found that the absorber bandwidth is a theoretical limitation on radiant-electric conversion efficiency. Ideally, the absorbers' wavelength would be centered on the irradiating spectrum and have the same bandwith as the irradiating wave. The EWEC concept appears to have a valid scientific basis, but considerable more research is needed before it is thoroughly understood, especially for the complex randomly polarized, wide band, phase incoherent spectrum of the sun. Specific recommended research areas are identified

Large boron--epoxy filament-wound pressure vessels

Advanced composite material used to fabricate pressure vessel is prepeg (partially cured) consisting of continuous, parallel boron filaments in epoxy resin matrix arranged to form tape. To fabricate chamber, tape is wound on form which must be removable after composite has been cured. Configuration of boron--epoxy composite pressure vessel was determined by computer program

Letter December 12, 1951

Letter from Mr. L. R. Bailey of the Imperial War Museum acknowledging the receipt of the autographed copy of the biography of Jacob DeShazer ( The Amazing Story of Sergeant Jacob DeShazer ) by the Museum and thanking DeShazer for the gift

Electronic compensation for reflector surface distortion to improve radiation pattern characteristics of antennas

A simple procedure is described for determining the excitation coefficients of an array feed which compensates for the surface distortion of a reflector antenna to improve the radiation pattern in such a way as to approximate the performance of the undistorted antenna. A computer simulation for a practical feed array is presented as an example of compensation for the distortion of an actual antenna

A fluoroplanigraphy system for rapid presentation of single plane body sections

Fluoroplanigraphic system for rapid presentation of single plane body sections with reduced X ray exposure to patient

Pipelining Data Compression Algorithms

Many different data compression techniques currently exist. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Combining (pipelining) multiple data compression techniques could achieve better compression rates than is possible with either technique individually. This paper proposes a pipelining technique and investigates the characteristics of two example pipelining algorithms. Their performance is compared with other well-known compression techniques