The Boeing Company

Rockwell International Corporation

Edward D McCullough

James Ping Huang

Robert D Waldron

A device and method for generating electricity. The device includes a heat source, a cold source, and a thermoelectric generating plate, having a first side and an opposed side. When heat is introduced to the heat source, heat flows across the thermoelectric generating plate and electricity is generated. In the present arrangement, because the hot and cold sources are in thermal communication with opposed sides of the thermoelectric generating plate, the thermal gradient or rate of heat flow across the thermoelectric generating plate is maximized. Thus, because the rate of heat flow is increased, the rate at which electricity is generated is also increased, and the size of the device is maintained, or minimized.

Device and method for generating electrical power

Producing a scaled multiple parallax compound lens is accomplished by providing an insect eye having multiple ommatidia and creating a polymer mold of the insect eye. A casting is then created from the polymer mold with an expandable polymer which is then linearly expanded to provide a form for creating a second polymer mold. A second casting is then created from the second polymer mold. Duplication of the process can be accomplished for further scaling up of the compound lens with the final casting created using a durable polymer having appropriate optical properties for the lens.

Method and apparatus for scaled up reproduction of detailed features

Producing a scaled multiple parallax compound lens is accomplished by providing an insect eye having multiple ommitidia and creating a polymer mold of the insect eye. A casting is then created from the polymer mold with an expandable polymer mold. A second casting is then created from the second polymer mold. Duplication of the process can be accomplished for further scaling up of the compound lens with the final casting created using a durable polymer having appropriate optical properties for the lens.

A system for removing heat includes a sealed container, and an evaporator, housed within the sealed container. The evaporator includes an evaporator inlet, a plurality of evaporator outlet ports and a plurality of tubes, each tube connecting the evaporator inlet with a tube outlet to the sealed container. The system further includes a condenser, also housed within the sealed container, having a plurality of condenser inlet ports from the sealed container, a condenser outlet and closed condenser channels connecting the condenser inlet ports with the condenser outlet. The system further includes a conduit joining the condenser outlet to the evaporator inlet.

Method and system for removing heat

A wavelength division multiplex transmitter for modulating light from a broadband light source and coupling modulated light to an optical waveguide for digital optical communications. The wavelength division multiplex transmitter includes a diffraction grating for receiving and diffracting light from a broadband light source. A first reflecting element receives diffracted light from the diffraction grating. A spectrally programmable spatial light modulator (SLM) receives reflected diffracted light from the reflecting element and selectively modulates a selected set of wavelengths of the reflected light. A lens receives the selected set of wavelengths and directs them into an optical waveguide for digital communication. This provides enhanced utilization of each wavelength within the broadband light source.

Wavelength division multiplex transmitter

A rotatable member is positioned coaxial with a joint between a first element and a second element. The joint defines an angle to be measured. The rotatable member has coded information thereon. First and second sensing heads are attached to respective elements. Coded information is arranged on the rotatable member so as to periodically pass in readable proximity to the sensing heads once every revolution of the rotatable member. A decoding system is provided for each sensing head. Each decoding system includes threshold circuitry, a state machine, and a pulse generator for providing a timing strobe. A first timer uses a timing strobe from the first sensing head for continuously determining the average elapsed time for one complete revolution of the rotatable member. A second timer uses timing strobes from the first and second sensing heads to continuously determine the average elapsed time for the coded information on the rotatable member to travel from the first sensing head to the second head. A time-based generator provides the necessary time pulse references to the first and second timers. Ratio determining circuitry calculates the ratio of the average elapsed time of the second timer to the average elapsed time of the first timer. The ratio defines the angle between the first element as a fraction of a revolution.

Angular sensing system

The present invention is a method for enhancing reaction rates when digesting chemical systems which form passivating layers. Particles are introduced into a digestion fluid bath. Digestion is allowed to proceed until passivating layers of digestion products have partially formed on the particles. The layers constitute a diffusion barrier to the digestion fluid and reduce the digestion rate. The particles are periodically conveyed through an ultrasonic beam to remove portions of the passivating layers. Thus, fresh surfaces of the particles are exposed to the digestion fluid bath. The periodic conveyance is such that a desired rate of digestion is obtained.

Method for enhancing digestion reaction rates of chemical systems

The present invention is a system for the comminution of passivating layers on particles to facilitate particle digestion. A vessel comprises a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion has an inner surface with an increasing cross sectional area in the upward direction. The upper portion is in fluid communication with the lower portion. The upper portion has an inner surface with a substantially constant cross sectional area. A focused ultrasonic source is positioned so as to sonicate material in the lower portion. At least one fluid inlet is so arranged and constructed relative to the lower portion to introduce fluid into a lower section of the lower portion in a manner so as to cause helical, upward circulation of any particles in the lower portion. A flow re-direction mechanism is positioned in the upper portion so as to stop the helical, upward circulation of the particles and to convert the circulation to an upward, substantially non-circular flow. Thus, the velocity of the particles is reduced, allowing the particles either to fall back down to the lower portion, or to continue upward in the upper portion in accordance with their size. At least one outlet is arranged and constructed relative to the lower portion for providing an exit of the fluid and particles less than a desired threshold size. A particle outlet is provided for adding particles to the vessel.

Apparatus for suspension of particles in an ultrasonic field

A system for mechanically stabilizing a bed of particulate media which undergoes changes in volume during operation. A tubular column is provided which is closed and ported at a first end and open at a second end. A piston assembly is supported in the column for containing a bed of particulate media. The piston assembly comprises a piston having at least one opening for conveying a fluid through the piston. A fluid connection is attached to the piston in fluid communication with the opening. The fluid connection may move relative to the tubular column. A resilient seal is arranged about the piston to provide sealing engagement of the piston and the tubular column and to provide proper alignment therebetween. Porous barrier elements are positioned in the column so as to prevent the undesired escape of particulate media through the tubular column port and through the piston opening. The tubular column port and fluid connection are connectable to either a source of fluid or vacuum so that fluid can be drawn through the bed in either direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular column, at a pressure below ambient, thereby causing the piston to respond to changes in volume of the particulate media so as to continually compress and compact the particulate media regardless of the direction of fluid flow.

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Riverside, CA, United States of America

Edward D McCullough