Abstract: A system for processing oil from algae is disclosed. Specifically, the system recycles byproducts of the process for use as nutrients during algae growth and oil production. The system includes a conduit for growing algae and an algae separator that removes the algae from the conduit. Also, the system includes a device for lysing the algae and an oil separator to remove the oil from the lysed matter. Further, the system includes a biofuel reactor that receives oil from the oil separator and synthesizes biofuel and glycerin. Moreover, the algae separator, oil separator and biofuel reactor all recycle byproducts back to the conduit to support further algae growth.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for position registration and phase synchronization of monitors in a monitor network. Each monitor includes a transceiver having a transponder circuit with a calibrated transponder delay. To measure a distance between monitors, an oscillator at a first monitor generates a measurement signal which is transponded by a second monitor for receipt by the first monitor. A phase difference between the received signal and the first monitor oscillator is determined and used with the signal velocity and transponder delay to calculate the distance between monitors. The measured distances are combined with other data (e.g. monitor elevations) to calculate monitor locations. A phase delay is then measured by transmitting a signal from the first to the second monitor for comparison with the second monitor oscillator. A phase difference between oscillators (for use in synchronizing the monitors) is then calculated using the phase delay, separation distance and signal velocity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of wireless communications and more particularly to systems and methods for monitoring wireless traffic in wireless local area networks. The present invention addresses shortcomings of the prior art by providing methods and apparatus for the calculation of more meaningful performance values for a wireless network reflective of the consumption of time on the wireless medium. These performance values may then, for example, be used to control access to the network or displayed graphically to show a user the performance of the network.

Abstract: A method of indicating the presence of mechanical impact is used with a low-ductility material, such as a composite material, having a tensile elongation to failure of less than about 2 percent. The method includes preparing an indicator paint having an impact-sensitive component that produces a visible change when subjected to a mechanical impact, applying the indicator paint to the surface of the low-ductility material, placing the low-ductility material having the indicator paint thereon into circumstances where it may be subject to the mechanical impact, and thereafter inspecting the low-ductility material having the indicator paint thereon for the presence of the visible change. The method may be used to establish design criteria for the low-ductility material by establishing an impact-effect threshold value from the step of inspecting, and determining a design limit for the low-ductility material responsive to the impact-effect threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention is a male and female safety cap to protect hose and liquid transport fittings and the hand of the operator. The male safety cap has a circular disk with a diameter larger than the female fitting and a loop handle. The female safety cap has raised parallel ridges to protect the cam arm and a loop handle. A T-handle cam is provided to improve handling. In one embodiment, the safety caps are covered in a resilient material to reduce shock. In another embodiment, the safety caps are molded from an electrical dissipative material to prevent static electricity buildup and discharge when removing the safety cap. The loop handle forms a continuous arcuate structure to provide protection to the operator's hand. The safety caps can be color coded or affixed with labels to prevent product cross contamination. Safety caps can be adapted to threaded couplings and fittings.

Abstract: A system for using a pulsed laser beam to process materials includes a selector for varying the pulse repetition rate of the laser beam. Also included is a control unit for identifying an optimal pulse repetition rate that is compatible with the required pulse energy level for processing the material. Variations in the pulse repetition rate can be made during a procedure pursuant to either pre-programmed instructions, or in response to closed loop feedback controls.

Abstract: A device and method for steering a laser beam to a focal point in target tissue requires generating a laser beam. Diversions of the laser beam from a central beam path are minimized by a sequential arrangement of optical steering components. In order, the beam is first directed to the center of a z-scanning apparatus which will move the focal point in the medium in a z-direction. The beam is then passed to the center of a first galvanometric mirror which introduces focal point movements in the x-direction. A second galvanometric mirror then compensates for the x-direction movement by redirecting the beam to the center of a third galvanometric mirror where focal point movements in the y-direction are introduced.

Abstract: An auto-injector confines all functional components inside an enclosed housing, to keep its needle out-of-sight, at all times. Within the housing, a needle holder positions a needle at a location. A drive mechanism then simultaneously engages the needle with a fluid source and accelerates it with a predetermined momentum for insertion into a patient. After fluid delivery, the withdrawn needle is moved to storage within the housing for subsequent disposal.

Abstract: A device to compensate for asymmetrical aberrations in a beam of light includes at least one dual compensator positioned on the beam path. Structurally, the dual compensator includes two juxtaposed plates, each having a same pattern presented thereon. The patterns, however, are rotated through an angle ? relative to each other. Together, the plates of the dual compensator can then be rotated on the beam path through an angle ? to compensate for asymmetrical aberrations in the light beam. Dual compensators, having appropriate patterns, can be collectively used to compensate for astigmatism, coma and trefoil.

Abstract: A system and method for oxidizing a feed material includes a reactor vessel that forms an enclosed chamber. The vessel includes a port for introducing the feed material into the chamber where it can be oxidized to create salts and particulates, together with a fluid effluent. After their creation, the salts and particulates flow into a brine pool maintained within the chamber. Thereafter, brine, including salts and particulates, can be removed from the chamber through a vessel outlet. Further, the vessel includes a fluid effluent discharge pipe extending from outside the vessel, through the brine pool, into the chamber. As a result of this structure, the fluid effluent can be separated from the salts and particulates and discharged from the chamber through the pipe, passing through the brine pool.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a secure enclosure from a remote location to determine whether a secure enclosure door has been opened includes a seal having a base material and an indicator. The base material is bonded across first and second secure enclosure surfaces that must move relative to each other when the secure enclosure door opens. The indicator includes an indicator component that is coupled to the base material to deform in response to a relative movement between the first and second secure enclosure surfaces. The indicator provides a first indication prior to deformation of the indicator component and a second indication after deformation. Indicator components can include an impedance element, a piezoelectric material, volatile memory, a transmitter assembly component or a bar code. A monitor (e.g. RF signal receiver or a bar code reader) receives the indication and determines whether the secure enclosure door has been opened.

Abstract: A lamina cutter includes a handle with a blade having a cutting edge mounted thereon. A guard member is affixed to the blade, and is positioned at a distance from the handle to establish a channel having a width “w” therebetween. The blade then extends between the handle and the guard member to present its cutting edge across the width of the channel. In use, a lamina (e.g. a sheet) having a thickness “t” (wherein “t”<“w”), is advanced through the channel and against the cutting edge to cut the lamina.

Abstract: A system and method for determining “real time” air leakage from a duct involves an airflow meter for taking airflow measurements at the inlet and at the outlet of the duct. Also included is a base fan that operates in three different modes to simultaneously vary an enclosure pressure at the inlet and outlet. This is done while a duct fan, inside the duct, is operated to continuously move air through the duct. A comparison of airflow measurements at the inlet, or at the outlet, under the three base fan operational modes will respectively identify whether leaks are present in the duct, upstream or downstream from the duct fan.

Abstract: A system for diagnostically evaluating the health of tissue within the fundus of an eye includes a fs laser source, an adaptive optical assembly, an imaging unit, and a computer. The adaptive optical assembly focuses a laser beam to a focal point in the fundus of the eye, and scans the fundus tissue according to a predetermined scanning pattern. Illumination of anisotropic tissue within the fundus, such as the photoreceptors and the Henle-fiber layer, induces a Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) response. Red photons, with a wavelength (?) of about 880 nm, are converted to blue photons, with a wavelength of ?/2, through the process of photon conversion. An imaging unit senses the blue photon return light, and uses the return light to generate an image of the fundus. The computer processes the image, and compares it to a template of healthy tissue to evaluate the health of the imaged tissue.

Abstract: A device for deploying an aerostat includes a cylindrical shaped container having an open end and a closed end and a center tube axially oriented in the container. A tapered disc is mounted for axial movement on the center tube, and it has a taper of increasing diameter in an axial direction from the closed end toward the open end of the container. In its operation, the tapered disc is held in a first position while a portion of the aerostat is loaded into the container. It is then moved to a second position wherein the tapered disc holds the loaded portion of the aerostat in the container. Thereafter, the disc is moved to a release position wherein the disc directs deployment of the aerostat from the container.

Abstract: A system for generating an electrical current in a circuit includes a rotor, a stator and a motor for rotating the rotor about a rotation axis. A plurality of permanent magnets are mounted on the rotor and radially distanced from the rotation axis. With this structure, the permanent magnets rotate with the rotor to establish a time-varying magnetic field. A winding is attached to the stator, connected to the circuit and immersed in the time-varying magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets. In one implementation, a switch is provided to reconfigure the circuit between a first, open-circuit configuration in which little or no current flows through the circuit, and a second closed-circuit configuration in which a current is generated at the winding for flow through the circuit.

Abstract: A mount/dismount system for use with a personnel carrier (vehicle) having a substantially flat bed, includes a tubular frame and attachments for holding the frame on the vehicle. Specifically, the tubular frame includes a grip pole that extends perpendicularly from the vehicle bed. It also includes a cross bar that interconnects, and is coplanar with, the grip pole and a support pole. When the frame is attached to the vehicle, the support pole is positioned at a distance “d” from the bed of the vehicle. Additionally, the support pole incorporates a step for concerted use with the grip pole and the support pole by personnel as they mount/dismount the vehicle.

Abstract: A safety device automatically raises and lowers a warning flag over a boat based on the tension applied to a line towed by the boat. For the device, the tow line is anchored to a tower mounted on the boat. Further, an arm is pivotably connected to the tower for movement between first and second orientations. Structurally, the arm is partially enclosed within a housing mounted to the tower. Also, the warning flag is pivotably mounted to the housing. Within the housing, the device includes a mechanism for translating movement of the arm to movement of the flag between raised and lowered orientations. When the tow line is slack, the arm is biased toward the first orientation by a spring. However, when the line becomes taut, the tension in the line overcomes the spring force and the arm is moved to its second orientation.