Abstract: An apparatus for rendering ovals of adjustable sizes and ellipticity upon various materials. An oval cutter comprises a clickerplate for adjusting the ellipticity of ovals in a single movement. The clickerplate can be rotated about a base using a knob mounted on the clickerplate. One embodiment of this invention comprises a storage compartment in the knob which can hold, for example, extra blades. A further embodiment of this invention comprises an arm that translates through the clickerplate and a swivel plate used for setting the overall size of the oval by locking the arm at a set length. In yet a further embodiment of this invention, ovals can be rendered in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction and an arrow can indicate the direction in which the apparatus is set to render ovals.

Abstract: A new process for making headgear. The process comprises the step of insert molding an armature into helmet segments to produce a protective helmet having superior characteristics. The process also comprises the step of strategically locating a retention system on the helmet to provide increased stabilization of the helmet on the wearer's head. The process further comprises the step of attaching an improved strap guide to the helmet. One embodiment of this invention is a process for making an insert-molded helmet that can be converted into a pouch. Another embodiment of this invention is a process for making a helmet that includes a protrusion at the back of a helmet suitable for a compartment.

Abstract: A high temperature superconductor material bearing system (38) This system (38) includes a rotor (50) having a ring permanent magnet (60), a plurality of permanent magnets (16, 20 and 70) for interacting to generate levitation forces for the system (38). This group of magnets are a push/pull bearing (75). A high temperature superconductor structure (30) interacts with the ting permanent magnet (60) to provide stabilizing forces for the system (38).

Abstract: A self cooling beverage container or can. In one embodiment water (26) is maintained at low pressure such that the boiling point is reduced. The water (26) is caused to boil and the vapour to be absorbed by a desiccant. The boiling of the water (26) causes heat to be absorbed from the beverage. The desiccant may be carbon (28). The water (26) or carbon (28) (or other chemicals) in one embodiment are maintained within a blind bore (30) within the container. The water and carbon are separated by a burstable membrane (42).

Abstract: A water dispenser comprising a plurality of water filling stations located side by side in a single sink. Each station includes an intermediate shelf. A filling station is coupled to each of the stations and selectively provides one of a plurality of predetermined water volumes with a single actuation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for three-dimensional imaging and treatment of a patient's body. The method and apparatus utilize a system for developing a therapy plan for treatment of an organ of the patient, a device for generating ultrasound image data from a treatment region and a device for providing a translucent volume image of a portion of a patient's body and a separate translucent image of the patient organ and a three dimensional viewing device to superimpose a translucent article image to enable viewing of the article image simultaneously with the patient organ and a portion of the patient's body.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically establishing operational parameters of a statistical surveillance system. The method and system performs a frequency domain transition on time dependent data, a first Fourier composite is formed, serial correlation is removed, a series of Gaussian whiteness tests are performed along with an autocorrelation test, Fourier coefficients are stored and a second Fourier composite is formed. Pseudorandom noise is added, a Monte Carlo simulation is performed to establish SPRT missed alarm probabilities and tested with a synthesized signal. A false alarm test is then emperically evaluated and if less than a desired target value, then SPRT probabilities are used for performing surveillance.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a process and determining its condition. Initial data is sensed, a first set of virtual data is produced by applying a system state analyzation to the initial data, a second set of virtual data is produced by applying a neural network analyzation to the initial data and a parity space analyzation is applied to the first and second set of virtual data and also to the initial data to provide a parity space decision about the condition of the process. A logic test can further be applied to produce a further system decision about the state of the process.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing a source of data. The system and method involves initially training a system using a selected data signal, calculating at least two levels of sensitivity using a pattern recognition methodology, activating a first mode of alarm sensitivity to monitor the data source, activating a second mode of alarm sensitivity to monitor the data source and generating a first alarm signal upon the first mode of sensitivity detecting an alarm condition and a second alarm signal upon the second mode of sensitivity detecting an associated alarm condition. The first alarm condition and second alarm condition can be acted upon by an operator and/or analyzed by a specialist or computer program.

Abstract: A fuel injection, spark ignition, piston type internal combustion piston engine 1 with a fuel sprayer 2 comprising a hollow casing 3. A liquid fuel injector 4 is disposed within the upper end 5a of the hollow interior 5 of the casing 3, and comprises means for injecting liquid fuel into the hollow interior 5. Structure 6 is placed within the hollow interior 5 and is disposed in the path of fuel 7 injected, whereby injected fuel is temporarily deposited on the structure 6. A venturi-shaped passageway 8 enables the induction phase (stroke) of the engine 1 to remove the temporarily-deposited liquid fuel from the structure 6 and into the associated cylinder of the engine 1. The structure 6 comprises an inner body 10 of conical form disposed within an outer body 11 of annular form, so as to define an annular passageway 12 therewith. The sprayer 2 is located by a recessed 22 formed in the air inlet tract 34 of the engine 1.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manipulating small dielectric particles. The apparatus and method involves use of a diffractive optical element which receives a laser beam and forms a plurality of light beams. These light beams are operated on by a telescope lens system and then an objective lens element to create an array of optical traps for manipulating small dielectric particles.

Abstract: A laser having an electrode assembly which reduces the formation of glow-to-arc transitions. The electrode assembly of the present invention includes a cathode sub-assembly placed in opposition to an anode sub-assembly, with a main discharge region defined between the two. The cathode assembly includes an electrode in electrical contact with a cathode plate, the latter of which is formed from negative temperature coefficient of resistivity (NTC) material. The anode assembly includes an anode to which is mounted at least one structural member, at a position away from the main discharge region. This structural member is separated from the edges of the cathode plate by a gap, across which arcs may form.

Abstract: A ceramic/metallic, low polluting, long life, high performance, two-cycle gasoline engine that requires no oil lubrication. This engine eliminates the need for oil lubrication by: a) incorporating advanced ceramic materials, such as silicon nitride for critical engine components, b) employing the use of gasoline as well as the products of combustion of gasoline as lubricants for some critical surfaces, and c) engineering design approaches for critical engine components and assemblies. The elimination of the need for oil lubrication allows the engine to produce far less pollutants than conventional two-cycle engines.

Abstract: A nonimaging solar collector. A method and article of manufacture of a solar collector includes an outer housing transparent to light, a reflector element positioned asymmetrically within the outer housing, an absorber disposed within the outer housing, and a heat conduction fin coupled to the absorber and having a wedge shape which tapers to a smaller thickness as a function of increasing radial separation from the absorber. The heat conductor fin can be positioned at a variety of angular positions.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n.sub.1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination .phi.. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n.sub.2. The first layer index n.sub.2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

Abstract: A pivoted hand tool, such as a scissors, includes a pair of blades having non-rectilinear cutting edges to form various cutting patterns on a sheet of paper. The scissors also include at least one guide to control the angular presentation of the paper to the blades and limit the amount of paper presented to the blades. The guide may also include a pair of ridges spaced apart from a pair of abutting surfaces, thereby providing a way to further limit the amount of paper presented to the blades. The scissors preferably have identically-shaped handles and oppositely facing guides to enable a user to create several complementary patterns on the sheet of paper simply by reversing the position in which the scissors are held.

Abstract: A method of positively indicating leaks in the heat transfer surface area of a heat exchanger between the normally separate fluid paths denoted by side (A) and side (B) arranged in a heat exchange relationship is disclosed. The method comprises:placing a detector gas or gas mixture on one side;placing a carrier or entraining liquid in the other side;applying a positive pressure differential between detector gas and carrier fluid; anddetecting entrained bubbles within the carrier fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a gasified fuel. The fuel is gasified by partial oxidation of a fuel layer obtained from a raw fuel which contains water and has decreased viscosity. The fuel layer is subjected to partial oxidation by being exposed to oxygen, producing a gasified fuel having a low water content. The separation of the raw fuel into a water layer and a fuel layer can be accelerated by adding an emulsion breaker to the raw fuel or by applying an electric field.

Abstract: Self-lubricating resin compositions including a boric acid additive and a synthetic polymer including those thermoset materials.

Abstract: A nonimaging illumination optical device for producing a selected far field illuminance over an angular range. The optical device includes a light source 102, a light reflecting surface 108, and a family of light edge rays defined along a reference line 104 with the reflecting surface 108 defined in terms of the reference line 104 as a parametric function R(t) where t is a scalar parameter position and R(t)=k(t)+Du(t) where k(t) is a parameterization of the reference line 104, and D is a distance from a point on the reference line 104 to the reflection surface 108 along the desired edge ray through the point.