Abstract: An AC electrical system has a source voltage and current interconnected through an energy storage device with a load. A unity power factor control circuit maintains unity power factor incorporating the steps of producing a sample and hold voltage related to the input voltage and an output voltage where the sample and hold voltage maintains constant values between pulses of a clock signal. A modulated signal at each clock pulse fall produces a current feedback voltage proportional to the source current, and as long as it is less then the sample and hold voltage, an inductor stores energy, and delivers it to the load each time the feedback voltage exceeds the sample and hold voltage and energy stored in the inductor is thereby delivered to the load, whereby controlling the amount of energy stored, the input voltage and current are drawn into phase thereby maintaining unity power factor.

Abstract: A hardhat provides ventilation and controlled lighting. A crown of a modified semi-spherical shape terminates downwardly with a generally oval peripheral edge in a horizontal plane, the crown having a plurality of apertures therein arranged in spaced apart sequence, and a flexible venting strip fixed forwardly on the crown and extending over the apertures, the venting strip positionable in each of a plurality of arcs above the crown, wherein each one of the arcs provides a selectable ventilation conductance into the hardhat. A brim is joined integrally to the peripheral edge of the crown extending outwardly.

Abstract: An exercise routine includes holding an elastic band in clenched fists and rotating the fists against the elastic restraining force of the elastic band while obtaining leverage through the contact of both hands. In one approach the right arm is rotated in the clockwise direction while in another approach the right arm is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction. The left arm rotates in the opposite sense to that of the right arm. By rotating the fists, wrists, and lower arms against elastic force, the biceps and triceps muscles are worked, and by repeating the exercise over a controlled program of repetitions and sets with increasing resistance, the arm muscles can be strengthened.

Abstract: A roll grooving apparatus has a back-up roller, a grooving roller positioned vertically below the back-up roller, and a linear actuator positioned below the grooving roller. The linear actuator drives the grooving roller linearly toward the backup roller. A drive is coupled to turn the backup roller. A tubular workpiece is mounted with its wall between the two rollers and compressive forces are exerted on the wall as the backup roller rotates, thereby extruding a circular groove in the workpiece.

Abstract: A multi-purpose armored vehicle is configured for a wide range of purposes by military and police units and in both defensive and offensive postures. A protective canopy covers an entrance to a cockpit capable of accommodating at least one person. The vehicle is sufficiently narrow to enable it to pass through conventional gates and also doorways to, and within buildings. A pair of armor-plated shields are pivotally engaged, and selectively positionable, with the sides of the vehicle, allowing shelter to personnel traveling alongside the vehicle. An extensible boom may be fitted with a wide range of hardware including weapons and communications equipment for dealing with situations involving criminals, terrorists, etc. The shields, boom movement and extension, and hardware are all controllable from the cockpit.

Abstract: Low-cost intelligent control and communication devices are arranged to communicate with one another over one or more shared physical media, such as a powerline or a radio frequency band. No network controller is needed, because any device can act as a master, slave, or repeater. Adding more devices makes the system more robust, by virtue of a simple protocol for communication retransmissions and retries.

Abstract: A flying craft has an aerodynamic aircraft fuselage structure preferably disc shaped. A pair of coaxial electrokinetic motor-generators are mounted concentrically, and preferably centered within the disc shaped structure of the craft. Each of the motors is toroidal in configuration, providing a ring-shaped stator and rotor portions. The rotor portions of the motors drive counter rotating fans which are electro-magnetically levitated. The structure is open to the fans so that air may be drawn into the structure and expelled downward providing vertical lift to the aircraft. By use of auxiliary air braking flaps and electrokinetic thrusters, the craft may be tilted so as to develop a desired horizontal thrust. By impulse breaking one of the fans through tracking solenoids at different points around the stator, the aircraft may be made to rotate about its own vertical axis for changing direction. By a series of sudden braking of the motors the craft may be made to move by inertial reaction.

Abstract: A magnetically levitated transport system moves a suspended cargo such as passengers and freight. A linear motor uses a track stator about which a “rotor” moves linearly. Stator and rotor circuits interact electromagnetically to maintain a gap between the moving and fixed elements. Tractor coils are embedded within the track to produce thrust through electromotor action with magnets aboard the rotor. The rotor is configured in a triangular shape as is the track with opposing electromagnets positioned for creating mutual repulsion forces. A pulsed direct current in the stator circuit, derived from conventional alternating current taken from the power grid, is used to create an induced current in the rotor, which, in turn is used to energize rotor electromagnets.

Abstract: An optical pickup transducer senses vibrations of string instruments transducing the vibrations into an electrical signal with fidelity, high signal-to-noise ratio and with exclusion of extraneous effects such as noise. The transducer includes a housing with an upper deck that holds one or more light emitters, and a lower deck that holds light sensors in a one-to-one arrangement with the emitters so that each sensor is physically in opposition to each emitter. For application to the string instruments, each string is conducted through the light beam between an emitter and a sensor. The sensors may be photodiodes, so that their electrical output is related to the amount of incident light and therefore varies with the movement of the string, that is, the string modulates the incident light on the photodiode. This electrical output is then amplified to drive a loudspeaker.

Abstract: A replacement for the standard fluorescent lamp tube has a plurality of LED devices mounted on a circuit board. The enclosure within which the circuit board is held has a clear or frosted lens mounted on a heat sink. The lens and heat sink each are arcuately shaped and together form a circular tube. A power converter is mounted below the circuit board and transfers its heat to the heat sink. A pair of pins mounted on the power converter extend beyond one end of the tube. An end cap has means for snapping onto and off the end of the tube and has clearance holes for the pins to protrude through and extend beyond so as to be fitting into mechanical and electrical contact with a standard lamp mounting fixture.

Abstract: A walker is fitted with a utility bag having pockets on both a front side and a rear side of the bag. Panels are removably attached to the front of the bag. Each one of the panels of a set of panels provides utility messages and illustrations to improve the navigation and safety of the walker most importantly, when the user has poor vision or hearing. The panels may also have illustrations related to sports, hobbies, and serious messages. Generally, the panels provide a novel approach to personalizing the walker.

Abstract: The invention provides an article of clothing having a tourniquet affixed to the clothing at one end of the tourniquet, the tourniquet comprising a band comprised of an elastic and flexible material, the band having a width and a length, a first end and a second end, and a first face and second face, where at least a portion of the first face comprises hook-type fastener means, and where the second face comprises loop-type fastener means.

Abstract: A compact, self-contained, energy-efficient split-cane apparatus and method of use for separating pith, rind, and epidermis components of a sugarcane stalk, wherein sugarcane billets are driven over a splitter blade, dividing them longitudinally into two billet portions. The billet portions are processed individually by symmetrical processing paths. The pith is milled away from the rind while simultaneously flattening the rind. A deflector is adapted and positioned for directing the pith along a pith processing path, and further directing the rind along a rind processing path. The epidermis is removed from the rind, and each are subsequently shredded by at least one shredder disc, at which point an at least one perforated tumbling drum separates the shredded epidermis from the shredded rind. In addition, the apparatus is adjustable, enabling it to accommodate a wide range of sugarcane stalk thicknesses while maintaining its ability to efficiently separate each sugarcane component.

Abstract: A running surface for a common exercise treadmill has an endless belt made of a rubber like material leaving a smooth finish to its upper and lower surfaces. At least one line of spaced apart holes penetrate the belt along its entire length. The holes enable fastening elements to affix generally circular rods to the upper surface to engage fastening eyelets by means of the fastening elements which are installed into at least one strengthening endless belt positioned below and urging against the lower extremity of the endless belt. The generally circular rods have prefabricated objects such as simulated cobblestones of various sizes and configurations in immediate adjacency to the upper extremity of the endless belt.

Abstract: A cooking utensil support apparatus for catching and containing runoff from supported cooking utensils has a support body with an integral depressed catch well or basin. The support body further has a pair of spaced-apart and mutually parallel walls, each terminating upwardly in a top edge. The top edge of each wall has a plurality of slots for resting cooking utensils therein. The slots extend downwardly from the top edges in mutually aligned pairs between the walls. A tray is positioned below where the working ends of utensils are positioned when resting in the slots so that runoff drips into the tray for easy disposal.

Abstract: A camera is capable of measuring distances to objects in a photographic field of view and when two such distances are measured and the included angle between their paths, a measurement standard and a vertical plane are defined. The standard is then used to measure linear dimensions of any objects within the defined vertical plane and field of view. The camera, itself, can be used, on site, to measure various objects in the field of view, or the information may be transmitted for use off site use.

Abstract: A produce cleaning machine provides baskets for holding large and small produce items and water sprayers for directing water jets onto the produce from above and below. One basket is motorized to rotate to more evenly clean the produce, while a further basket can be rolled in and out of the machine to make loading and unloading easier. The force of the spray is adjustable and the rotational speed of the motor is as well to provide for special handling of the produce. Rotation after cleaning is used to help dry the produce, and ultraviolet emission is used to sanitize the produce.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing aspects of how a child learns includes a toy-like base having upstanding pegs. The child is encouraged to place donut shaped hand pieces onto the pegs. The hand pieces test the ability of the child to discriminate between different colors, and separately between different textures and different shapes and also tests the child's abilities in perception and creativity. The base also is able to test the child's ability to discern and copy tones and rhythms. Information of the child's performance is automatically collected within the apparatus and then compared with a normative baseline. Remediation focuses on activities related to the learning channels where the child is least astute and periodic retesting measures the ability of the child to improve in those channels to enable improvement of remediation approaches.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for electroplating selected portions of a high contact force, high elastic response range pin-receiving and cylindrical electrical contact having a pair of spaced apart cantilever beams which extend forwardly from a base to a pin-receiving end. In accordance with the invention at least one plating cell is provided including a cavity type of enclosure thereof in general matching the outer contour of the lower portion and pin receiving end of the contact whereas plating solution is ejected towards the pin receiving end including at least one conducting device for electric current is provided adjacent to the opposite region of the contact for engaging with thereof whereas electric current is being conducted.