Abstract: A tool for and method to facilitate the replacement of wheels on track-and-wheel vehicles and equipment by lifting the track from the road-wheels in a quick, safe and efficient manner. A tool with an elongated section and two forked ends, each fork having a long prong and a short prong, the long prongs of both ends not being on the same side of the tool. In operation, one forked end is placed in notches in the lower track, and the other forked end is placed in notches in the upper track. The vehicle is then driven in a direction so that the tool acts as a wedge lifting the upper track off of the road wheel.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to the regulation of transport of cholesterol into the mitochondria of a cell and, therefore, for the regulation of steroidogenesis are provided. Compositions include nucleic acid molecules encoding a steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), StAR protein molecules and peptides having amino acid sequences as disclosed herein, and anti-StAR antibodies. Methods include immunoassays using anti-StAR antibodies and nucleic acid based screening methods for pathologies correlated with defects in StAR, such as lipoid congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In addition, these compositions and methods may be useful for treatment of steroid hormone-dependent disorders, in particular, for lipoid congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a stretch blow molding machine includes devices for monitoring the position of a stretch rod with respect to a mold, an air pressure sensor for monitoring air pressure introduced through the stretch rod, and a sensor for monitoring temperature of fluid within a fluid cavity for chilling the mold. The system includes a display for monitoring position data, pressure data, and temperature data generated by the respective sensors.

Abstract: A canister adapted to receive food or a beverage container for insertion into a chilling vessel such as an ice bucket comprising a sleeve member and a base member adapted to support the canister within an appropriate chilling vessel. The base member has a transverse portion extending outwardly from the periphery of the sleeve member which extends upwardly from the base member and has an open upper end through which food or a beverage container can be inserted and withdrawn. The sleeve is provided with a cap having a transverse closure member at least partially closing the upper end of the sleeve and a downwardly depending skirt which is configured to fit around the upper periphery of the sleeve member in order to hold the cap member in place on the sleeve. At least one flow channel provides for fluid communication between the exterior and interior of the canister.

Abstract: A multiple output dc to dc converter is described that has multiple regulated output voltages. This is achieved by using a common subcircuit in conjunction with multiple input subcircuits to power multiple output circuits. The common subcircuit is used with an input subcircuit to form a converter input circuit which with a corresponding output circuit produces an output voltage. Any number of input subcircuits can be used with the common subcircuit to produce a corresponding amount of output voltages. The multiple output dc to dc converter described produces output voltage of the same quality as using parallel converters but with a cost and complexity similar to that of using inferior secondary side switches for auxiliary outputs.

Abstract: A control system for an converter circuit using two interleaved boost circuits is described which uses a single PWM controller to control the switches in both of the interleaved boost circuits. A voltage feedback control circuit monitors the output voltage of the converter circuit and sends that information to the PWM controller. A current sensing circuit is provided that senses the current in each of the boost converters. The current sensed in the current sensing circuit is converted to a voltage and used in conjunction with the voltage information from voltage feedback control circuit by the single PWM controller to regulate both of the boost converter switches. By regulating the boost converter switches, the single PWM controller is able to ensure proper synchronization and current sharing while tightly regulating the output voltage and improving the input power factor of the converter circuit.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing arrays of metal balls for interconnect testing and/or interconnect bonding of microelectronic devices and the like with substrates are formed by securing metal balls in predetermined patterns of apertures in an insulating membrane or film. The pattern of apertures corresponds with the pattern of metal interconnect pads on a microelectronic device or the like and the corresponding pattern of interconnect pads on the substrate. The metal ball arrays may be used for testing and/or may be heated and reflowed to bond the microelectronic device to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing ink jet printheads and the product printheads derived therefrom. The method involves the electro-deposition passivation of ink channels in ink jet printheads.

Abstract: A tire puncture sealant containing water in an amount of from about 6% to about 64% by weight; ethylene glycol in an amount of from about 36% to about 94%; styrene butadiene latex in an amount of about 3%; polyethylene powder and ground rubber in an amount from about 3% to about 6%; a minor effective amounts of an alkali metal carbonate, a cellulosic thickener, an alkali metal nitrite and a corrosion inhibitor. The polyethylene powder and ground rubber are preferably surface-activated and include various particle sizes.

Abstract: A system for interfacing a human user to a data processor which receives inputs from the user and includes associated storage resource information. The data processor generates outputs to the user and associated output devices. The interface system includes structure for receiving a statement generated by the human user in natural language on a word-by-word basis. The system analyzes the statement to identify a subject and object and searches the stored resource information for data related to the identified subject. Output devices are provided for generating to the user the data from the stored resource information related to the identified subject.

Abstract: A device and method for securing terminal equipment connected to a communications line is disclosed. The device, when inserted into the communications line between the caller and terminal equipment, places an air gap in the communications line physically preventing unauthorized callers from accessing the equipment. The device employs an authentication line separate from the communications path that is used to authenticate the caller wishing to use the terminal equipment. The caller must first call the authentication line where the information regarding the source of the caller is retrieved and stored. Once the caller's source is identified, the device answers the line and requires that the caller enter an authentication code. If a proper authentication code is entered, the device disconnects the authentication line and waits a predetermined amount of time for a call on the communications line.

Abstract: Miniaturized, self-contained apparatus for conducting bio-chemical reactions and analyses is formed in a compact structure made from a substrate which includes a plurality of reaction chambers and a plurality of analysis chambers which are in fluid communication with the reaction chambers. Independently controllable heaters and coolers are positioned in thermal contact with the reaction chambers to permit parallel processing of biological samples at different temperature cycles. The apparatus is especially useful for performing and analyzing the results of a polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: A free standing coin operated game system includes a computer and a mechanical animal for a player to ride. The game further includes a first video display screen displaying computer generated video graphics of a moving head section of an animal of the same species as the mechanical animal. The first screen is disposed in front of the mechanical animal and viewable by the player. A second video display screen displays the score of the player. A third video display screen displays computer generated video graphics of an animal of the same species as the mechanical animal and a mounted rider on the animal. During play of the game, movement of the head section image in relation to the surrounding arena images creates a sensation of movement in the player. The video graphics image displayed on the first video display screen induces physical movement by the player who is positioned on the back of the mechanical bull.

Abstract: A method for pipeline padding for reducing the size of spoil disposed in a pile utilizes a vehicle having first and second sides adapted for movement on the surface of the spoil pile. The vehicle includes first and second surface engaging devices disposed on each side of the vehicle. The spoil is crushed using a crushing assembly connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle. Spoil is transferred using a transferring assembly connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle for transferring spoil from the pile to the crushing assembly. Disposed between the vehicle sides, adjacent the transferring assembly and connected to the vehicle for movement with the vehicle is a control structure for controlling passage of spoil from the spoil pile forward of the surface engaging devices to a position under the surface engaging devices.

Abstract: An arm pouch accessory or support structure adapted to be worn by a mail carrier to assist in the carrying, sorting, and delivery of incoming and outgoing mail, as well as the method or process of using this accessory. The arm pouch facilitates the exchange of incoming and outgoing mail by providing an easily accessible, convenient, and partitioned transition area between the mail carrier's mailbag and a mailbox.

Abstract: An adjustable tree stand utilizes a receptacle for receiving and securing the bole of a Christmas tree. The receptacle includes a substantially cylindrical sidewall, an upper, radially outwardly extending collar, a bottom wall including an integrally formed, upwardly extending pointed projection for engaging the bottom of the bole of a Christmas tree, a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending, vertical ribs integrally formed with the sidewall, at least one of the ribs having a radially outwardly extending convex portion extending from below the upper collar to the bottom of the sidewall including a plurality of teeth extending along at least a portion of the circumference of the outwardly extending convex portion. The receptacle is adapted to a base including a truncated, substantially hemispherical interior sidewall for receiving the receptacle, the sidewall having upper and lower edges.

Abstract: A refrigeration controller is provided which thermostatically controls a refrigerated compartment temperature. A heated evaporator is provided within a certain wattage range to accelerate defrosting. The controller maintains the compartment temperature within a certain operating range; if the compartment temperature rises above a certain preselected maximum temperature, the controller activates the compressor and a blower to circulate air over the evaporator to reduce the temperature of the compartment. The controller provides a defrost loop which is periodically activated which controls the compressor, evaporator and heater cycle during defrost. If, during defrost, the evaporator reaches a maximum temperature, or if the food compartment temperature rises above a certain maximum, the heater is deactivated. An evaporator precool loop is provided which activates the compressor without activating the blower, thereby cooling the evaporator before hot air is allowed to circulate in the compartment.

Abstract: An ultra high resolution photographic printing system that generates and rasterizes multiple sub-images synchronized with positioning coordinates that program a moving-matrix light valve during sequentially timed exposures. Diagonal displacement masking operations prepare a 16384.times.12288 ultra high resolution image for bicubic resampling that generates four unique 4096.times.3072 intermediate images. These four intermediate images are sieve-sorted based on X and Y modal logic into four unique image sets of 16 unique 1024.times.768 raster images per set. Each of the 64 unique images sequentially reconstruct a unique "window screen view" of the original high resolution image as dictated by the geometry of the moving-matrix light valve. The moving-matrix light valve is positioned with dual axis micro-stepping motors and leadscrew assemblies. The serial geometry of the light valve RGB elements is sequentially converted to parallel geometry in the printed image.