Abstract: Apparatus and method of monitoring fluid presence, wherein electomagnetic radiation sources (1, 2) provide respective reference and sample beams (12, 22), the wavelength of the radiation preferably being matched with that of the absorption spectrum of a fluid to be monitored. A first reference cell (13), containing a reference sample of the fluid to be monitored, has the reference beam (12) passed through it, whilst a second, sample cell (33) containing any working sample of the fluid to be monitored, has both the reference and sample beams (12, 22) passed through it. Subsequently, the reference and sample beams are detected independently of each other to provide respective signals representative thereof, which signals are then compared to determine the presence, and preferably also the concentration, of any sample fluid in the second cell.

Abstract: A wheel blocking device includes a pressure foot which is attached to one end of a pressure foot arm. The other end of the pressure foot arm is pivotally connected to either the frame or an axle of the vehicle. One end of an actuator is connected to the pressure foot arm and the other end is connected to either the frame or an axle of the vehicle. When the actuator actuates, the pressure foot is forced into engagement with a tire of the vehicle. The pressure foot indents the tire to a predetermined degree, thereby providing a positive mechanical lock to prevent rotation of the tire. A control system allows the vehicle's driver to actuate the wheel blocking device while seated in the vehicle's cab.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the possibility of transfer of material through a protective barrier between a worker and an external object and warning the worker of that possibility is provided. In one embodiment, an electronic leak alarm module is electrically connected to the worker and to the external object. In another embodiment, the module is connected to the worker and a conductive layer on or within the protective barrier.

Abstract: A visual conceptual map is displayed on each window of a program for accomplishing a complex task. In the preferred embodiment, the conceptual map includes all of the program's action dialogs and the potential paths between the action dialogs. The action dialog corresponding to the current window, the action dialogs that can presently be selected from the current window, and the other action dialogs are visually distinguished from each other. In addition, the potential paths from the action dialog corresponding to the current window to the action dialogs that may presently be selected from the current window are visually distinguished from the other potential paths.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment of a panel connector system, the connectors are channel-shaped in cross section. Each of the connector's legs includes an inwardly extending lip, and the connector's base includes two inwardly extending studs. Each of the panels for the system includes a frame including upper and lower horizontal members and two vertical faces attached to the frame. The edges of the horizontal members include two orifices located near the vertical edges of the panel and adapted to engage a connector stud. When a connector is installed on two adjacent panels, one stud engages an orifice in the first panel and another stud engages an orifice in the second panel. When installed, the inwardly extending lips on the connector legs engage horizontally extending grooves in the vertical faces of the panel. The system includes connectors for connecting two aligned panels, two panels at a right angle, three panels, and four panels.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension friction control assembly includes vehicle suspension having at least two elements which are slidable with respect to each other in the fore-and-aft direction thereof. The assembly also includes a friction control device comprising a resiliently deformable member which is located between the suspension elements and means for limiting deformation of the deformable member to a predetermined degree in the fore-and-aft direction of the suspension elements. The suspension elements are slidable with respect to each other against friction when the deformable member has been deformed to the predetermined limited degree.

Abstract: An autoclave (1) for sterilizing at least one generally hollow article having openings at remote ends thereof, such as a dental drill handpiece (21), includes an article carrier (17) and at least one adaptor (20) for passing dry saturated steam through the article to sterilize the interior thereof.

Abstract: A shaft has a head attached at one end and terminates at the other end in a tapered tip. A slot passes through the shaft, extending from the end opposite the head at least partially along the length of the shaft. Helical thread segments extend along the shaft, matching the thread in the threaded hole. The screw is inserted by pushing it into the threaded hole; the shaft halves are compressed together until the outer diameter of the thread segments on the shaft is smaller than the inner diameter of the threads in the threaded hole. The shaft halves spring back to their uncompressed position after insertion. The thread segments on the shaft mesh with the thread in the hole, retaining the shaft in the hole after insertion. The shaft must be removed by unscrewing the shaft.

Abstract: The shaft of a dilation balloon catheter includes three lumens; a dilation balloon lumen, a guidewire lumen, and an inner balloon lumen. A dilation balloon near the distal near the distal end of the catheter is inflated and deflated through the dilation balloon lumen. An inner balloon within the guidewire lumen provides a means for releasably securing a guidewire disposed within the guidewire lumen, thereby allowing the catheter to be configured as a fixed-wire catheter and an over-the-wire catheter. The inner balloon is inflated and deflated through the inner balloon lumen. A longitudinally-extending separable area in the wall of the guidewire lumen allows the guidewire to pass transversely therethrough, thereby allowing the catheter to be removed from a patient while leaving the guidewire in place within the patient. A method for constructing the shaft is also provided.

Abstract: Items in a container object of a first computer application program are filtered using filter data for related entries in a container object of a second computer application program.

Abstract: A bracket for retro fitting running boards to existing motor vehicles comprises a rigid Z-shaped, main body which is connected at an upper end to the underside of the vehicle and at a lower end to a running board. A relatively flexible strap which extends upwardly from the lower portion of the Z-shaped body is connected to the rocker panel of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system, comprising suspension means, anti-roll means capable of rotational movement due to deflection of the suspension means during straight axle static bounce motion thereof, and counteracting means arranged to act between said anti-roll means and the vehicle frame or chassis during straight axle static bounce motion of the suspension means, to at least partially counteract any consequential rotational movement of the anti-roll means, thereby applying a couple or moment to, and as a result, altering the deflection and rate of said suspension means.

Abstract: An emergency brake system for wheeled vehicles includes a deformable brake wedge for each tire on one of the vehicle's axles. The brake wedges are constructed and arranged to transfer substantially all braking forces to the vehicle through the vehicle's tires. The system also includes releasable mechanism for allowing the brake wedges to move between inoperative and operative positions and an electrically-controlled pin for retaining the brake wedges in those positions.

Abstract: A method for employing a preferred external object handler program with an integrated computer application program is described. The programs are operated simultaneously and the preferred object handler can be employed with the integrated program, rather than employing a similar object handler included in the integrated program. Data is inputted into the preferred object handler program and then, if necessary, automatically converted into a format that is compatible with the default handler.

Abstract: Injectable medications are color coded by adding harmless coloring materials to the medications themselves. In one embodiment of the invention, each medication is assigned a color. In another embodiment, a class of medications is assigned a color.

Abstract: A dual-purpose bulkhead structure functions to support normal aircraft operational loads and to absorb energy in a controlled manner during a crash. An integral fuel tank comprises a fuel compartment and a crashworthy flexible fuel cell. The fuel compartment includes two dual-purpose bulkheads and crushable foam disposed between the sides of the fuel cell and the bulkheads and sides of the fuel compartment. The foam limits fuel pressure loads on fuel compartment bulkheads and sides during a crash, thereby preventing their failure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the possibility of transfer of material through a protective barrier between a worker and an external object and warning the worker of that possibility is provided. In one embodiment, an electronic leak alarm module is electrically connected to the worker and to the external object. In another embodiment, the module is connected to the worker and a conductive layer on or within the protective barrier.

Abstract: A hydraulic inertial vibration isolator is connected between a vibrating body and an isolated body. The vibration isolator comprises a cylinder which includes two chambers and a piston therebetween. The chambers are connected by a tuning passage in which a solid tuning slug is slidably disposed. The chambers and the portion of the tuning passage not occupied by the tuning slug are filled with liquid. Bypass passages connecting the tuning passage to the chambers allow the liquid pressures in the chambers to equalize when the amplitude of the tuning slug's oscillatory motion is sufficiently large, thereby limiting the tuning slug's amplitude. Dashpots axially disposed adjacent to either end of the tuning slug act to damp excessive tuning slug motion and to bias the tuning slug toward the center of the tuning passage.

Abstract: A vibration isolation system comprises four tunable dual-axis hydraulic inertial isolators, an array of accelerometers, and a controller. The controller inputs signals from the accelerometers and outputs signals to tune the isolators to minimize the vibration transmitted from a vibrating body to an isolated body. The isolators are tuned by varying the dimensions of their tuning passages or by application of magnetohydrodynamic force to the liquid within the tuning passages.

Abstract: An emergency brake system for wheeled vehicles includes a deformable brake wedge for each tire on one of the vehicle's axles. The brake wedges are constructed and arranged to transfer substantially all braking forces to the vehicle through the vehicle's tires during emergency braking. The system also includes releasable device for allowing the brake wedges to move between inoperative and operative positions and electrically-controlled device for retaining the brake wedges in those positions. While the brake wedges move from the inoperative position to the operative position, a control system temporarily applies the vehicle brakes associated with the tires that engage the brake wedges during emergency braking.