Abstract: The invention is a transaction card having a base comprising a core of substantially transparent material with a plurality of coats, on at least one of the core's surfaces, of a material which is substantially transparent to humanly visible light and which is opaque to light in the infrared portion of the light spectrum. The invention is also a method for manufacturing a transaction card having an area which is substantially transparent to humanly visible light and which may be detected by card readers, such as ATMs and card printers. The method includes the steps of forming a core of substantially transparent plastic and applying a plurality of coats of material to at least one surface of the core, which material is substantially transparent to humanly visible light and which is opaque to light in the infrared portion of the light spectrum.

Abstract: The invention is a variable displacement hydraulic motor-controlled hose reel drive system for aerial refueling of a receiver aircraft from a tanker aircraft. The system includes a variable displacement hydraulic motor, a tachometer/position sensor, a reaction torque sensor and a microprocessor which, depending upon data received from the system's position and reaction torque sensors, sends appropriate signals to the motor. The invention is also a method for deploying a hose and drogue so as to reduce the likelihood that the hose would go into oscillation after initial engagement of a receiver aircraft's probe with the drogue. In an embodiment of the invention, the hose is retracted prior to hook up of the probe and drogue, and the force required to retract the hose is recorded. After initial engagement of the probe with the drogue, the hose is retracted until the force required to retract the hose rises to about the same force previously recorded.

Abstract: The invention is a method for engaging the drogue of a hose and drogue refueling system with the probe of a receiver aircraft for aerial refueling from a tanker aircraft. The tanker aircraft and receiver aircraft approximately match speed and direction, with the probe of the receiver aircraft maintained at approximately a first predetermined distance behind the tanker aircraft. The hose and drogue are extended rearward from the tanker aircraft so that the drogue is positioned at a second predetermined distance (shorter than the first predetermined distance) behind the tanker aircraft. The drogue and probe are orthogonally aligned with each other, and the hose is extended back beyond the second predetermined distance so that the drogue moves away from the tanker aircraft to and into engagement with the probe. The force of the air stream on the drogue is sufficient to provide for secure engagement of the drogue with the probe.

Abstract: The present invention is an AC voltage regulator which includes a feed-forward circuit and a differential amplifier which continuously and instantaneously compares the incoming AC voltage to a locally generated, amplitude-stabilized wave form. The local wave form is generated substantially frequency and phase synchronized to the incoming voltage. The output of the differential amplifier drives a power amplifier. The power amplifier output is arranged to continuously buck or boost the incoming AC voltage, depending on the polarity (phase) of the signal from the differential amplifier. The system corrects even subcycle disturbances in the incoming wave form. The present invention is also a method for regulating AC voltage.

Abstract: The invention is a variable displacement hydraulic motor-controlled hose reel drive system. The system includes a variable displacement hydraulic motor, having an electro-hydraulic control valve; a tachometer/position sensor; a reaction torque sensor; and a microprocessor which, depending upon data received from the system's position and reaction torque sensors, sends appropriate signals to the electro-hydraulic control valve.

Abstract: The invention is a book which comprises a series of sculpted figures which nest within each other. The sculpted figures are preferably made of vacuum formed plastic, in a manner similar to that used in making the plastic shells for a blister package. In preferred embodiment, the figures are affixed to the basic portion of the pages of the book, with the portion of the base which lies within the perimeter of the figures removed. The remainder of each page may have text or graphics disposed on it. The figures are formed so that the figures or the lower pages nest within the figures on the upper pages. The figures will usually have graphics printed on them. However, some or all of them may be at least partially clear, and some or all of them may have text disposed on them.

Abstract: The manipulation system and apparatus receives electronic signals which are to be processed and recorded for playback as enhanced stereophonic audio signals from two laterally spaced loudspeakers in front of the listener. The system and apparatus processes those signals to produce a conditioning signal, such as which would be produced by virtual room boundaries, which is heard together with the original signals so that an enlarged listening area is perceived by the listener. By amplitude and phase control of the signal to the two real speakers, the system and apparatus provide a means for control over the enhanced sound field. This enhanced sound field is perceived by the listener as being contained within boundaries larger than those normally reproduced by stereophonic speakers.

Abstract: An automatic animal feeder comprising a housing wherein is contained a hopper for storing large amounts of dry food and a food delivery chamber positioned below said hopper for holding a fixed portion of dry feed received from said hopper. The food delivery chamber pivots at regular intervals from a loading position to a delivery position whereby the fixed portion of dry feed is discharged into an area accessible to an animal.