Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft comprises (1) a fuselage having a front end, a rear end and two lateral sides, the fuselage defining a substantially horizontal central longitudinal axis of the aircraft; (2) an aircraft tail arranged at the rear end of the fuselage and including a rudder and an elevator on each side of the fuselage with movable surfaces for controlling the aircraft; and (3) a wing on each side of the fuselage having a front edge, a trailing edge and an upper surface extending from the front edge to the trailing edge. Means are provided for increasing the speed of an airstream flowing over the upper surface of each wing.

Abstract: An STOL or VTOL winged aircraft comprises a fuselage and a fixed wing attached to the fuselage and extending outward from the two lateral sides thereof, forming one wing component extending outward from one side of the fuselage and a second wing component extending outward from the opposite side of the fuselage. At least one “thruster” is disposed in each wing component to provide vertical lift to the aircraft when the aircraft is stationary or moving forward only slowly. The thruster includes a shaft mounted for rotation in the respective wing component and extending substantially parallel to the wing axis and a plurality of fan blades attached to the shaft for movement of air. A shroud is preferably arranged in each wing component, adjacent to the fan blades, for directing the airflow downward or rearward. Ducted fans a preferably arranged on both sides of the aircraft for providing additional vertical thrust.

Abstract: A method for providing unequal allocation of rights among agents while operating according to fair principles, comprising assigning a hierarchal rank to each agent; providing a synthetic economic value to a first set of agents at the a high level of the hierarchy; allocating portions of the synthetic economic value by the first set of agents to a second set of agents at respectively different hierarchal rank than the first set of agents; and conducting an auction amongst agents using the synthetic economic value as the currency.

Abstract: A method of maintaining electronic medical records, comprising the steps of receiving a medical transaction record, encrypted with an encryption key relating to a patient association of the file, accessing the encrypted medical transaction record according to a patient association; and further encrypting the encrypted accessed medical transaction record with an encryption key associated with an intended recipient of the medical record. The system and method according to the present invention presents a new business model for the creation, maintenance, transmission, and use of medical records, allowing financial burdens to be reallocated, for example more optimally or equitably, to decrease overall societal cost, or simply to provide a successful business model for a database proprietor. Secure entrusted medical records are held in trust by an independent third party on behalf of the patient, serving the medical community at large.

Abstract: A hand covering for controlling the stroking power of hand is provided. The hand covering includes a tubular shaped body-cover for bringing the hand in a covered state. The hand covering includes one or more insert members disposed within the body-cover of the hand covering. The insert members extend the body-cover beyond the fingers. Further, one or more slits are provided on the body-cover for bringing the hand in an exposed state from the covered state. The exposed state allows the hand covering to be rolled back onto the wrist of the user.

Abstract: A microscope illuminator system suitable for both critical source illumination and Köhler-type illumination without substantially altering the elements within the optical path. The system preferably provides a continuous range of adjustment from critical type illumination to Köhler-type illumination, and beyond. Further, the microscope illuminator system preferably employs a fiber optic illuminator providing both incandescent continuous illumination and stroboscopic illumination.

Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft comprises (1) a fuselage having a front end, a rear end and two lateral sides, the fuselage defining a substantially horizontal central longitudinal axis of the aircraft; (2) an aircraft tail arranged at the rear end of the fuselage and including a rudder and an elevator on each side of the fuselage with movable surfaces for controlling the aircraft; and (3) a wing on each side of the fuselage having a front edge, a trailing edge and an upper surface extending from the front edge to the trailing edge. According to the invention, means are provided for increasing the speed of an airstream flowing over the upper surface of each wing, and an air deflector is disposed on each side of the fuselage between the trailing edge of each wing and the aircraft tail.

Abstract: Supercooled electronics often use Rapid Single Flux Quantum (RSFQ) digital circuits. The output voltages from RSFQ devices are too low to be directly interfaced with semiconductor electronics, even if the semiconductor electronics are cooled. Techniques for directly interfacing RSFQ digital circuits with semiconductor electronics are disclosed using a novel inverting transimpedance digital amplifier in conjunction with a non-inverting transimpedance digital amplifier to create a differential transimpedance digital amplifier that permits direct interfacing between RSFQ and semiconductor electronics.

Abstract: A computer program and method for the creation of tutorials having screen snapshots and associated text as well as other content. A testing method is provided where content created can be used to prompt the user and the user can respond by creating a snapshot of the computer screen as a response. The program may use text from a previously created page to prompt for an image that matches the text, with the option to create an answer page that can then be compared with the previously created page. A system provides for online creation, storage and retrieval of books containing pages, and for online testing, where pages are stored on a network computer, and a program-generated program allows the user to submit a screen snapshot in response to the prompt.

Abstract: A digital programmable frequency divider is constructed of Rapid Single Flux Quantum (RSFQ) logic elements. The logic elements may include an RSFQ non-destructive readout cell (NDRO), RSFQ D flip-flop and an RSFQ T flip-flop. A digital word comprising N bits is used to control the amount of frequency division and the frequency divider selectively imparts a respective frequency division for any of 2N states that can be represented by the digital word. The RSFQ logic elements utilize Josephson junctions which operate in superconducting temperature domains.

Abstract: Exercise equipment of the type comprising a frame structure; a handle coupled to the frame structure and adapted for movement by a user, back and forth in a first direction and in an opposite second direction; and at least one weight, coupled to the handle for applying a gravitational force to the handle in the second direction. According to the invention, a spring device, having two ends, is coupled to the handle at one end and to the frame structure at the opposite end to apply a spring force to the handle in the second direction. With proper choice of the spring constant of the spring device, when the handle is rapidly moved by the user in the first direction and then suddenly moved in the second direction, the total force applied to the handle in the second direction is maintained above minimum threshold value which is sufficient for “high-speed training”.

Abstract: There is provided a rigid hinged substrate, which forms a diaphragm for miniature microphones. A series of fingers disposed radially around the perimeter of the diaphragm interacts with mating fingers disposed adjacent the diaphragm with a small gap in between. The fingers are interdigitated. The movement of the diaphragm fingers relative to the fixed fingers varies the capacitance, thereby allowing creation of an electrical signal responsive to varying sound pressure at the diaphragm. Because the fingers may be formed with great stiffness, the classic problem in typical capacitive microphones of attraction of the diaphragm to the back plate is effectively overcome. The multiple fingers allow the creation of a microphone having a high output voltage relative to conventional microphones. This yields a very low noise microphone. The diaphragm may be readily formed using well known silicon microfabrication techniques so as to reduce manufacturing costs.

Abstract: An OLED display panel according to the present invention comprises: a substrate; a plurality of banks, each having a tapered shape of cross section in a traverse direction comprises by a pair of side surfaces, an upper surface and a bottom surface respectively connected to the side surfaces, the banks being arranged on a top surface of the substrate in side by side at an interval; and an electrode layer covering the top surface of the substrate between banks and the side surfaces of the banks adjacent to such top surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing an efficiency of a refrigeration system, comprising means for measuring a refrigeration efficiency of an operating refrigeration system; means for altering a process variable of the refrigeration system during efficiency measurement; and a processor for calculating a process variable level which achieves an optimum efficiency. The process variables may include refrigerant charge and refrigerant oil concentration in evaporator.

Abstract: A seat guide device has at least one linear guide system and a seat base supported in a movable fashion on the carriage of said system against the force of a spring. The device further comprises: (a) damping element coupled to at least one of the carriage and the spring, and (b) a block and tackle which includes: (1) one fixed end which is attached to a stationary attachment point; (2) one loose end which is connected to the carriage; and (3) one first loose pulley which is connected to a stationary attachment point via the spring.

Abstract: An exercising apparatus designed to fit around a seat is provided. The exercising apparatus includes a frame that is adapted to be secured to the support. The frame is a U-shaped configuration with a lateral open area to receive the seat into the frame. One or more arms are coupled to the frame about one or more pivots. Further, the pivots allow a pivotal motion of each of the arms when a force is exerted thereto by a user. One or more first resistance devices coupled to the frame and the arms, which provide resistance to the pivotal motion of each of the arms.

Abstract: A rod-type connecting profiled element (10) for connecting sheet piles to carrier elements comprises a central strip (12) that separates two opposing connecting profiled elements (16, 18), each of which respectively forms a saw (24, 42). One connecting profiled element is embodied as a plug-in profiled element (16) for the carrier element and the other connecting profiled element is embodied as a receiving profiled element (18) for connecting a sheet pile. The central strip (12) comprises, on the side of the receiving profiled element (18), a central section (14) having a straight plane inner wall (30) to which a first short end section (32) is connected on one side, said short end section protruding past the central section (14) at an angle of approximately 90°, and being connected thereto by means of a transition section (36) having an inner wall with a cross-section that follows a quadrant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular reactor for carrying out catalytic gas-phase reactions, containing a catalyst tube bundle (8) that is traversed by the relevant reaction gas mixture, is filled with a catalyst, extends between two tube sheets (4, 148) and around which flows a heat transfer medium contained within a surrounding reactor jacket (6). The reactor also comprises gas entry and discharge hoods (2; 60) that cover the two tube sheets for supplying the relevant process gas to the catalyst tubes and for discharging the reacted process gas from the catalyst tubes. Together with all the parts that come into contact with the process gas mixture, the reactor is designed to have an appropriate strength for withstanding the deflagration and explosive pressures that are to be taken into account during its operation. The volume available to the process gas mixture prior to its entry into the catalyst tubes is restricted as much as possible in construction and flow engineering terms.