Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for equally aging a cathode ray tube (CRT). In the preferred embodiment, a standard CRT having a 4:3 aspect ratio is provided. An external video terminal is coupled to the CRT and receives any number of external video signals, one or more of which may be non-standard external video signals having a 16:9 aspect ratio. In response to a non-standard external video signal, the CRT is illuminated with a mismatched illumination ratio, i.e., a primary CRT region is illuminated and a secondary CRT region is not illuminated, resulting in an unequally aged CRT. A video pattern generator is coupled to the CRT and generates an internal video signal, such that the secondary CRT region is illuminated in response to the internal video signal.

Abstract: A flashlight has a switch housing in between the battery compartment and reflector. The neck of the switch housing holds a lamp support at a central position within a reflector. A o-ring on the rear of the switch housing seals the battery compartment. The switch housing partially floats within the flashlight tube to allow for a slight adjustment of the lamp relative to the reflector to insure centering.

Abstract: A cryocooler having an improved linear motor assembly. The cryocooler comprises a displacer unit, heat exchanger unit and compressor and linear motor assembly. The compressor and linear motor assembly includes a linear motor having both a stationary internal return iron element and a moving internal return iron element, thus enabling the motor to operate at a predetermined resonant frequency. In a preferred form, the compressor and linear motor assembly comprise a unitary structure.

Abstract: An amusement ride or theater attraction has a moveable floor for guest loading and unloading. A screen displays images. A motion base moves guests in at least one degree of freedom. The moveable floor that has a cutout for the motion base. The moveable floor is positioned to a raised position during guest loading and unloading. The moveable floor is lowered to a lowered position during ride operation, with the motion base passing through the cutout. Loading and unloading of passengers is simplified, without limiting motion base movement during operation of the ride.

Abstract: An arbitration system and method provides self-arbitration among a plurality of processors or other entities vying for access to the bus or other shared resource. The entities vying for access to the shared resource present their respective priority values to an evaluation medium. The evaluation medium determines the highest priority value of those values presented, and provides this “winning” value to the competing entities. The entities compare the received “winning” value to their respective presented values. If an entity makes a positive comparison, that entity won the arbitration and is granted access to the shared resource.

Abstract: A composition for a creamer powder is disclosed that comprises approximately 40% to approximately 60% by weight water-soluble protein, edible fat, at least one emulsifier, at least one stabilizer and less than 5% by weight carbohydrate. The creamer powder composition is dispersible in either hot or cold water-based liquids. The low-carbohydrate high-protein creamer powder may be used in the preparation of nutritious, low-carbohydrate foods.

Abstract: A stent including a helical mesh coil is provided having a substantially rectangular cross-section and a band width equal to at least one-quarter to one-third of the maximum expanded circumference of the stent. The helical mesh has a multiplicity of openings forming a lattice that preferably provides about 60% open space or more. Alternative embodiments of the stent include free ends that preferentially overlap neighboring turns of the coil, and integrally formed barbs that enhance resistance to localized compressive forces. Methods of deploying the helical mesh coil stent also provided.

Abstract: A method for processing a semiconductor wafer or similar article includes the step of spinning the wafer and applying a fluid to a first side of the wafer, while it is spinning. The fluid flows radially outwardly in all directions, over the first side of the wafer, via centrifugal force. As the fluid flows off of the circumferential edge of the wafer, it is contained in an annular reservoir, so that the fluid also flows onto an outer annular area of the second side of the wafer. An opening allows fluid to flow out of the reservoir. The opening defines the location of a parting line beyond which the fluid will not travel on the second side of the wafer. An apparatus for processing a semiconductor wafer or similar article includes a reactor having a processing chamber formed by upper and lower rotors. The wafer is supported between the rotors. The rotors are rotated by a spin motor. A processing fluid is introduced onto the top or bottom surface of the wafer, or onto both surfaces, at a central location.

Abstract: Devices and methods for filtering blood. The devices generally comprise a mesh for filtering blood flowing within a blood vessel, particularly within an artery such as the aorta, a structure adapted to open and close the mesh within the blood vessel, and a means to actuate the structure. The methods generally include the steps of introducing a mesh into a blood vessel to entrap embolic material, and removing the mesh and the entrapped foreign matter from the blood vessel.

Abstract: A solar array according to this invention includes a solar blanket which is folded into adjacent panels that are hinged together in an accordion-folded mode at parallel hinges. A pair of foldable spines is fixed to the panels and runs the length of the array. The hinges are included in the spine. The spines are mounted at one end to a base plate, and also at the other end to a tip plate. The base plate is intended to be attached to the spacecraft structure with a yoke which will provide required standoff for rotational clearance during sun-tracking. A pantograph deployment structure extends between the two plates. It can be retracted for storage and extended to deploy the blanket. A conductive harness is attached to the blanket to collect current from the panels.

Abstract: Vectors which establish controlled expression of recombinant GHRH genes within tissues at certain levels. The vector includes a 5′ flanking region which includes necessary sequences for expression of a nucleic acid cassette, a 3′ flanking region including a 3′UTR and/or 3′NCR, and a linker which connects the 5′ flanking region to a nucleic acid sequence. The linker has a position for inserting a nucleic acid cassette. The linker does not contain the coding sequence of a gene that the linker is naturally associated with. The 3′ flanking region is 3′ to the position for inserting the nucleic acid cassette.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein relatively simple locking devices for sporting items such snowboards and the like. In one form of the locking device, the same includes a member which can be affixed to a binding of a snowboard, and includes a releasable cable which can be wrapped around a fixed or stationary object so as to secure the sporting item thereto for safe storage. In one embodiment, the cable is normally retained in a flanged section of a pad of the locking system, but can be released therefrom for attachment to the fixed or stationery object. In another embodiment, the cable can be retained around a boot binding assembly.

Abstract: A multilayer, laminated device for performing fluidic operations includes a first exterior support layer, an adjacent layer disposed in laminated relationship with a portion of the exterior support layer, a second exterior support layer disposed in laminated relationship with a portion of the adjacent layer, and a fluidic pump that is disposed in the adjacent layer. The fluidic pump includes a first gear rotationally mounted to the adjacent layer, the first gear having a magnet contained therein. A second gear is rotationally mounted to the adjacent layer, the second gear having a magnet contained therein, the second gear being engaged with the first gear in a meshed relationship.

Abstract: A radiosurgery and radiotherapy system to provide diagnostic imaging and target localization via a patient 3-D mapping means such as a CT scanner or MRI, patient positioning via a four degree of freedom of motion table, and a stereotactic Cobalt 60 therapy unit incorporating multiple sources to therapeutically irradiate a target is provided. Methods of radiosurgery and radiotherapy utilizing the system are also provided. A combination of radiation source configuration, 360 degree rotational characteristics of the therapy unit, and table movement will allow any size and shape of target to be irradiated to therapeutic levels while decreasing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. A radiation beam catcher which captures greater than 80% and preferably greater than 90 percent of the radiation from the radiation sources is also provided.

Abstract: Novel structures and methods for forming useful high temperature superconducting devices, most particularly resonators, are provided. Structures resulting in reduced peak current densities relative to known structures achieve numerous desirable benefits, especially including the reduced intermodulation effects of earlier resonators. In one aspect of this invention, a spiral in, spiral out resonator is provided, characterized in that it has an odd number of long runs, at least equal to five long runs, where the long runs are connected by turns, and wherein there are at least two sequential turns of the same handedness, followed by at least two turns of the opposite handedness. In yet another aspect of this invention, it has been discovered that reducing the size of the input and output pads of HTS resonators increases the relative inductance compared to the capacitance. Yet another resonator structure is a spiral snake resonator having a terminal end disposed within the resonator.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices having porous membrane valves, which are microfluidic channels or elements having porous materials that restrict fluid flow rate for a given pressure, are provided. Multiple microfluidic valves of this invention can be constructed on a single device so that they have different valving capabilities or impedances, and in unison can control the overall direction of fluid flow. Impedance regions may be constructed in various ways, such as, for example: by inserting porous materials into or between channels; by sandwiching a sheet or layer of porous material between other layers of the device (preferably in stencil form); or by inserting a liquid, solution, slurry, or suspension into microfluidic channels, and then permitting the formation of porous deposits by promoting at least partial evaporation. Adhesive tape may be used for one or more layers of the device.