SMA applications in an innovative multishot deployment mechanism

An innovative Deployment and Retraction hinge Mechanism (DARM) in the frame of a technological program is examined. The mechanism includes two restraint/release devices, which enable it to be stable in its stowed or deployed position while sustaining all associated loads, and to carry its payload by remote command. The main characteristics of the DARM are as follows: deployment and retraction movements are spring actuated; the available amount of functional sequences is almost unlimited; and no use of electrical motors is made. These features were accomplished by: the application of a special kinematic scheme to the mechanical connection between the spring motor and the swivel head arm; and the use of shape memory alloys (SMA) actuators for both release and spring recharge functions. DARM is thus a mechanism which can find many applications in the general space scenario of in-orbit maintenance and servicing. In such a frame, the DARM typical concept, which has a design close to very simple one-shot deployment mechanisms, has a good chance to replace existing analog machines. Potential items that could be moved by DARM are: booms for satellite instruments; antenna reflector tips; entire antenna reflectors; and solar panels

The Outward Limit of the Department of Interior\u27s Authority Over Submerged Lands—The Effect of Customary International Law on the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act

After briefly establishing the relevant background of the controversy, this Comment suggests that neither the President\u27s proclamation nor the new customary law of the EEZ operates to change domestic law and concludes that DOI\u27s claim exceeds its authority under domestic law

Short-Swing Profiles in Failed Takeover Bids—The Role of Section 16(b)

This Comment examines the scope of section 16(b) liability for the unsuccessful takeover bidder. It then develops two possible analyses by which the courts might exempt the takeover bidder from section 16(b)\u27s provisions. Alternatively, it recommends that if the courts do not exonerate takeover bidders, they should at least allow a less harsh calculation of profit

Adam Darm

UNF Oral History Project Interview of Adam Darm by James B. Crooks on November 9, 200

Improving LIGO calibration accuracy by tracking and compensating for slow temporal variations

Calibration of the second-generation LIGO interferometric gravitational-wave detectors employs a method that uses injected periodic modulations to track and compensate for slow temporal variations in the differential length response of the instruments. These detectors utilize feedback control loops to maintain resonance conditions by suppressing differential arm length variations. We describe how the sensing and actuation functions of these servo loops are parameterized and how the slow variations in these parameters are quantified using the injected modulations. We report the results of applying this method to the LIGO detectors and show that it significantly reduces systematic errors in their calibrated outputs.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures. This is an author-created, un-copyedited version of an article published in Classical and Quantum Gravity. IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from i

Calibration Uncertainty for Advanced LIGO's First and Second Observing Runs

Calibration of the Advanced LIGO detectors is the quantification of the detectors' response to gravitational waves. Gravitational waves incident on the detectors cause phase shifts in the interferometer laser light which are read out as intensity fluctuations at the detector output. Understanding this detector response to gravitational waves is crucial to producing accurate and precise gravitational wave strain data. Estimates of binary black hole and neutron star parameters and tests of general relativity require well-calibrated data, as miscalibrations will lead to biased results. We describe the method of producing calibration uncertainty estimates for both LIGO detectors in the first and second observing runs.Comment: 15 pages, 21 figures, LIGO DCC P160013

Length sensing and control strategies for the LCGT interferometer

The optical readout scheme for the length degrees of freedom of the LCGT interferometer is proposed. The control scheme is compatible both with the broadband and detuned operations of the interferometer. Interferometer simulations using a simulation software Optickle show that the sensing noise couplings caused by the feedback control can be reduced below the target sensitivity of LCGT with the use of feed forward. In order to improve the duty cycle of the detector, a robust lock acquisition scheme using auxiliary lasers will be used.Comment: 13 pages 9 figures. A proceedings paper for Amaldi9 conferenc

Weidemanagement beugt Parasitenbefall vor

Magen-Darm-Nematoden, Lungenwürmer und Leberegel sind in der Bio Weide-Beef-Haltung weit verbreitet, stellen aber derzeit kein gravierendes Problem dar. Mit einem geeigneten Weidemanagement ist Aufzucht und Mast von Jungrindern auch bei geringem Einsatz von Medikamenten gegen Magen-Darm-Parasiten möglich. Zu diesem Schluss kommt eine Studie, die das FiBL im Auftrag der Migros durchgeführt hat