Abstract: A computer system which is configured to load executable programs. This configuration first accepts an operator defined key; withdraws an encrypted executable program from memory; and, using the operator defined key, decrypts the encrypted executable program into a functional executable program. It is this functional executable program which is used by the processing unit. During shutdown, each executable program is checked to see if it was derived from an encrypted executable program; those that aren't, are verified as being legitimate by the operator prior to their storage into the memory.

Abstract: A method of producing a hose in which a relatively inelastic material, such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, is wrapped around an uncured hose. A rope is then wrapped about this combination with a cure wrap encircling the entire hose. During the curing process, the rope becomes embedded in the inelastic material forcing the underlying hose to be displaced. Once fully cured, the cure wrap and the rope are removed. The valleys where the rope was embedded into the hose provides flexibility which allows a hose with a highly protective outer coating to be flexible enough to reduce susceptibility to kinking during use, has a low coefficient of friction during dragging, is highly resistant to abrasion, and provides significantly improved chemical resistance compared to conventional hose constructions.

Abstract: A spacer mechanism which is used to separate electrodes within an electrowinning process. The spacers have a central body portion which defines the distancing between the electrodes and at least four sloping arms extending from the central body. The arms are used to move the electrodes to the top of the central body of the spacer, as the electrodes are being placed next to each other. Each of the arms is ideally narrow so that the “footprint” of the spacer is minimized. The small “footprint” causes minimal disruption of the electrical flow between the electrodes so that the electro-deposition process proceeds in a uniform manner.

Abstract: A therapeutic clothing which directs a polarity of a permanent magnet into selected locations of the human to assist in healing of the human body. The permanent magnets are preferably thin members and are positioned to contact the skin of the user. The articles of clothing include a wide variety of apparel including: gloves, trousers, socks, brassieres, and kneepads.

Abstract: An electro-refining system in which the deposited metal is harvested without the need to remove the cathode from the slurry bath. The cathode has a hollow cavity permitting steam or hot water to be introduced to heat the cathode. During the deposition process, the heating of the cathode encourages the deposition process. When the deposited material is to be harvested, the cathode is heated to “melt” the bonds between the cathode and the deposited metal. Using a bracket which was installed before the deposition process and into which the deposited metal has been formed, the now-released sheet of deposited metal is easily removed.

Abstract: A filtering system which is secured to a traditional air register. The filter uses a flange adapted to encircle the outlet of the traditional air register. Connected to the flange is an air filtering material which collects the dust and pollen at the air register, before the air enters the room. In one embodiment of the invention, an electro-static charge is used by the filtering material to assist in the collection of the dust and pollen. To assist the user in determining when the filter system should be replaced, the air flow pushes a flag; hence as the air flow decreases as the filter becomes clogged, the location of the flag notifies the user that the air filter system should be replaced. While a hook-and-loop fastener is sometimes used to secure the filter to the air register, the preferred embodiment uses a releasable adhesive.

Abstract: A truck bed cover secured to a bed of a truck is described which utilizes two leg assemblies which are connected to the bed of the truck. The cover is swivelly connected to these leg assemblies allowing the cover to be raised or lowered. In an up position, the cover is locked in position using a locking bar from the cover to the rear-most leg assembly; in a down position, the cover is locked to the bed of the truck using engagement studs positioned near the cab of the truck.

Abstract: A composition which incorporates a metallic salt of fluoric acid is used as an additive for washing. When used in the “wash cycle”, the metallic salt of fluoric acid increases the cleaning affect of the detergent and also increases the “fluff” of the clothes. Application of the fluoric acid is through a variety of mechanisms including: direct deposit of a quantity of liquid dilute containing the fluoric acid; application of an absorbent material containing the fluoric acid within the wash; and, inclusion of the fluoric acid within the detergent.

Abstract: A universal pyrotechnical percussion compositions used in rimfire ammunition and in cenerfire ammunition primers which is free of lead and other heavy metals. In the PCC of the present invention, the task of maintaining ecological purity of its burning products, absence of corrosion action on a barrel, increased shelf-life, with simultaneous increase of energetic parameters of primer and ballistic characteristics of a shot is achieved. The composition includes a base mixture of diazodinitrophenol, tetrazene and an inert organic or glass stablizer. To this base mixture, monopotassium styphnate or potassium dinitrobenzofuroxane is added. The mixture so created has a specific gravity of less than 1.7 grams per cubic centimeter.

Abstract: An infant inhaler in which the aerosol medication is communicated into a flexible bag. Using a mask, during inhalation, the medicated air within the flexible bag is drawn into the infant's lungs; exhalation from the infant is exhausted into the atmosphere. By watching the deflation of the flexible bag, the care-giver is appraised of the progress of the medication's inhalation. The entire assembly is held with one hand allowing the infant to be cradled in the other arm. Refilling of the flexible bag with ambient air is accomplished by inverting the apparatus which causes the valves therein to open and allow ambient air into the flexible bag. Refilling the flexible bag with medication is done using a single hand by pressing the aerosol bottle against the apparatus.

Abstract: A method to model the NMR signal and/or noise functions as stochastic processes. Locally relevant statistics for the signal and/or noise processes are derived directly from the set of individual coil images, in the form of array correlation matrices, by averaging individual coil image cross-products over two or more pixel locations. An optimal complex weight vector is computed on the basis of the estimated signal and noise correlation statistics. The weight vector is applied to coherently combine the individual coil images at a single pixel location, at multiple pixel locations, or over the entire image field of view (FOV).

Abstract: A monitoring system for a vehicle's air-brakes in which the push-rod extending from the brake chamber engages an electrical switch. The electrical switch, if moved to a pre-selected position (indicating that adjustment of the push-rod's connection to the brake is warranted) transmits electrical energy or other such signal to an alarm within the cab of the vehicle where either an auditory alarm is sounded or a warning lamp is illuminated. The monitoring system is operationally checked through the use of several alternative mechanisms. In one such check mechanism, a switch located near the warning lamp, allows the operator to transmit electrical energy to the remote switch located at the push-rod where the electrical energy is transmitted back to the warning lamp. In another check mechanism, a switch located near the warning lamp is used to engage a solenoid which pushes the remote switch into a transmitting position to check the entire monitoring system.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for performing liposuction in which the reciprocal motion of the cannula during the operation is automated. The apparatus includes a housing, a cannula and reciprocating arrangement to provide the motion for the cannula. In one arrangement, the suction being applied to the cannula to remove fatty tissue has the negative pressure created by the suction applied to the cannula to reciprocate it. In a second embodiment, a permanent magnet piston attached to the cannula is reciprocated by the use of electromagnets which simultaneously change polarity to apply a reciprocating force to the permanent magnet piston.

Abstract: A rain gutter and system created therewith in which the gutter is easily cleaned using a traditional garden hose from the ground level. The gutter has an upper lip and a lower lip between which is a continuously curved surface. This continuous curved surface, such as elliptical, provides a surface over which a stream of water from a garden hose and caught by the upper lip portion flushes debris over the lower lip. In some embodiments of the invention, vanes are used to help maintain the stream of water from spreading to obtain the maximal cleaning affect. In this manner, the gutter is easily and simply cleaned of leaves and other debris by directing a garden hose's stream of water against the upper lip.

Abstract: An cleaning mechanism especially well suited for agricultural products in which the agricultural products are moved by a flow of water through a channel in which the water is agitated by vibration of the channel. The agitation of the water, together with contact with other products, dislodges dirt, rocks, and other debris from the products. The dislodged debris settles into troughs at the bottom of the channel. The washed agricultural products fall over a baffle at the end of the channel and are ready for packaging. In one embodiment of the invention, the cleaning system is conveyed through the agricultural field to clean the product immediately after harvest so that the agriculture product leaves the field in a wrapped or packaged state.

Abstract: A regulatory system for a distributed system of computers in which authorized data files are marked with an indicia. The granting of the indicia is made by a variety of authorizing entities such as Internet Service Providers and governmental entities. The indicia acts as a "stamp" which is used to grant/deny passage of the data files to selected users. In practice, using the Internet as an example, data providers obtain the "stamp" from a regulating entity (i.e. the state government). The "stamp" is affixed to the data file. When the data is being transferred over the Internet, the access providing computer (which acts as an interface between a user's computer and the Internet) checks for the "stamp" and sends an inquiry via the Internet to the regulating entity's computer where the "stamp" is check for authenticity. Based upon the authenticity of the "stamp", the access providing computer passes the data to the user computer.

Abstract: Within the present invention, a powder or "fines" is created from the targeted wood (i.e. mesquite, peach, hickory, apple). This powder is then sprinkled onto, or rubbed into, the meat (fish, chicken, beet, ostrich, buffalo, etc.) and then the meat is flame grilled. During the flame grilling, the wood powder is incinerated, thereby releasing the wood's flavor into the meat through the smoke.

Abstract: An armband which provides a platform for both holding and directing a beam of light from a flashlight as well as protection from blows and knife attacks. The armband has a circular body which is slipped over the forearm of the user The armband provides mild compression of the forearm so that the armband does not readily slip off of the user. The armband is further tightened using at least one fastening strap which "cinches" the armband tighter onto the arm. In the preferred embodiment, two fastening straps are used, one above and one below the muscle bulge on the forearm. The flashlight is secured to the armband to direct the beam of light parallel to the forearm. Activation of the flashlight is by tapping a spring activator which engages the switch on the flashlight. To provide further protection, a shield is also incorporated into the armband. In the preferred embodiment the shield is removable from the armband, but, in other embodiments, the shield is embedded into the armband itself.

Abstract: A filtering mechanism for especially well suited for corrosive mists which are generated from electro-refining systems. A layer of bristles forming a brush is secured to an electrode within the electro-refining system. As the electro-refining system produces a mist of corrosive chemicals above the slurry, the mist rises through the bristles. As the mist passes through the bristles, the corrosive chemical adheres to the bristles; hence, the corrosive chemical does not pass into the surrounding environment. Periodically, the bristles are washed to remove the corrosive chemicals. In one embodiment of the invention, the edge between the electrodes and the wall of the slurry bath are partially sealed with a pliable member which assists in directing the mist through the bristles.

Abstract: A transformer group in which a multitude of transformers are used to supply energy to a single load. The transformers are connected in series; in order to assist in providing a "flux equalizing" affect, the invention includes a flux equalizer circuit. The flux equalizer circuit provides a series of flux windings. Each flux winding is associated with a single transformer. The windings are arranged in parallel. In this manner, a balancing of the output of the transformers is obtained; the power output from each transformer is "sensed" by its associated flux winding which is "shared" with the other transformers via their own associated flux winding. Power is process then through the secondary windings, rectifiers, and output filters to a common load.