Abstract: This invention relates to pump-action nozzle devices methods of making the same. The nozzle devices of the invention comprises a body which defines an internal chamber having an inlet through which fluid may be drawn into said chamber and an outlet through which fluid present in the chamber may be expelled from the nozzle. The inlet comprises an inlet valve and the outlet comprises an outlet valve. Fluid is dispensed from the dispenser nozzles by applying pressure to an actuator member that engages and resiliently deforms or displaces a portion of the body of the device that defines the chamber, thereby compressing the chamber and actuating the dispensing of fluid. In preferred embodiments, the actuator provides a rigid actuator surface that an operator can apply a pressure to.

Abstract: A regenerative drive circuit for driving the gate of a power MOSFET of a switched mode power converter includes a pair of MOSFETS connected in series with a pair of coupled inductors L1, L2 and L3, L4 which are connected in parallel. A first blocking capacitor is connected in series with inductor L3 and a second blocking capacitor is connected in series with inductor L4. A positive voltage source is provided to one MOSFET and a negative voltage source is provided to the other MOSFET, and the gate drive circuit provides energy recovery.

Abstract: An infrared sight glass for aftermarket fitment around an opening of an enclosure which enables thermal inspection of electrical equipment within the enclosure. The mounting of the sight glass is performed externally which avoids having to access the interior of the enclosure. The infrared sight glass comprises an infrared transmitting medium to facilitate use of an external infrared thermal imaging camera for monitoring the electrical equipment. A removable protective cover is locked into a closed position by security key screws and is easily removed by a slight twist when the key screws are loosened.

Abstract: A side sealing apparatus for a shrink packaging machine comprising closed loop temperature control of a heater for maintaining an optimum temperature for cutting and sealing two layers of thermoplastic film. The heater comprises a cable or cartridge heater with an internal thermocouple, and it is connected to an automatic temperature controller. The heater is mounted on the side sealer apparatus between two sets of top and bottom V-belts mounted around drive rolls and idler rolls. The V-belts provide nip pressure against the film in order to drive the film. Nip pressure is generated by nip rolls on the scrap side of the film, and by belt support plates on the package side of the film.

Abstract: A platform or workstation comprising a plurality of various size holes and slots for holding blood specimens, test tubes, gel-cards and reagent bottles in an organized arrangement to simplify testing of the blood specimens and to eliminate the likelihood of human error. The platform comprises a top plate, a middle plate and a bottom plate which are spaced apart in a parallel plates arrangement. The top plate and the middle plate each comprise a plurality of holes in a matrix configuration for receiving blood specimen tubes and test tubes, and one or more columns of slots adjacent to the matrix configuration of holes for receiving gel-cards. Other size holes are provided for receiving the reagent bottles. The workstation organizes blood specimens, test tubes and gel-cards in a row and stores reagents needed to perform tests using 57 holes of 3 sizes and 16 slots in a predetermined arrangement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating accurate estimates of a radar target's azimuth and elevation angles for a phased-phased array rotating radar. Scan modulated coherently integrated (SMCI) monopulse curves are generated from a measured one-way transmit antenna pattern and three receive antenna patterns. The SMCI monopulse curves are calculated in advance for the expected beam steers. To utilize the SMCI monopulse curves, two-way Sum, Delta-Azimuth and Delta-Elevation target returns are coherently integrated, the target's monopulse ratios calculated, and the SMCI monopulse curves or polynomials used to calculate the target's U-offset and V-offset sine-space angles, which are added to the radar's beam steer to get an improved estimate of the target's sine-space angular position denoted as Utgt and Vtgt. A coordinate system transformation transforms Utgt and Vtgt to azimuth and elevation angles in a non-rotating coordinate system.

Abstract: A high intensity discharge (HID) assembly comprises ballast circuits which includes a micro-controller, and an HID headlamp. In order to deter theft of the HID assembly from a vehicle, the micro-controller communicates with a vehicle computer, checks the VIN of the vehicle, and if the micro-controller does not recognize the VIN, causes the HID headlamp to operate in a flickering power output mode. The ballast circuits include a power control circuit, a lamp current regulator, a 400v regulator, a current sense circuit, a turn-on synchronization circuit, a shut down circuit, and a pulse width modulator.

Abstract: A step ladder stabilizer for mounting behind the front step portion and having two adjusting legs which adjust as a slide lock moves vertically within a slot attached to the rear of the ladder steps. When not in use, the ladder stabilizer closes flush against the back of the ladder steps. An alternate embodiment includes a ladder stabilizer for an extension ladder comprising an extending leg and a stabilizer arm with the top of the extending leg attaching to a slide lock that slides along a channel mounted on the side of the ladder. Bolts passing through expansion inserts hold the channel onto each side of the ladder.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a receive only, phased array antenna in its operating environment. Two transmit signals of different but unknown polarizations are used to calibrate the receive only antenna array, and the receive element locations and polarizations are accurately known. The method determines the complex weights on the antenna elements and the magnitude of the vertical and horizontal components of the calibration signal in the presence of multi-path signals as well as standard noise. Two different methods for calibrating are provided. A first method uses combinations of three elements to determine the calibration constants using small matrices and then averaging all the possible results for each element, and a second method solves for the calibration constants for all elements at one time using a singular value decomposition, but requires the manipulation of large, sparse matrices.

Abstract: A platform comprising a plurality of holes and slots for holding blood specimens, test tubes and gel-cards in an organized arrangement to simplify testing of the blood specimens and to eliminate the likelihood of human error. The platform comprises a top plate, a middle plate and a bottom plate which are spaced apart. The top plate and the middle plate each comprise rows of holes in a matrix configuration and a column of slots adjacent to the rows of holes. The bottom plate only has 5 screw holes for securing the top plate, middle plate and bottom plate together. A first row comprises a 16 mm hole followed by nine 12.5 mm holes equally spaced adjacent to each other and a slot (2 mm×72 mm) positioned adjacent to the last 12.5 mm hole. The testing platform comprises a total of eight rows, each row being parallel to said first row.

Abstract: A compact high-definition hyperspectral imaging system (HDHIS) for light aircraft remote sensing to perform concurrent pushbroom hyperspectral imaging and high-resolution photographic imaging. The HDHIS comprises a sensor head having a hyperspectral scanner and a CCD digital camera. An airborne computer interfaces with the sensor head to provide data acquisition including hyperspectral quick view images and control functions. An alternative embodiment includes combining the HDHIS with a computerized airborne multi-camera imaging system (CAMIS) which comprises four progressive scan (CCD) cameras attached to a set of interchangeable, interference filters, to provide a triple spectral imaging system that can be operated by one person on a light aircraft.

Abstract: A wind vane that easily snaps on to golf equipment such as the pole of a golf bag for visually indicating wind direction to a golfer comprises two side elements attached to each other at a junction along the side elements' edges forming approximately a 50 degree angle between the side elements, and a partially opened cylindrical clamp. A ring holder is provided on the inside surface of each of the side elements. A plurality of ribbons extend from each of the ring holders and the movement of such ribbons indicate the direction and to some extent the speed of the wind. An alternate embodiment of the wind vane comprises arms that clip onto a canopy pole of a golf cart and a plurality of ribbons to indicate wind direction.

Abstract: A cooperative code-enhanced multiuser communications system having a receiver for resolving user ambiguity in a received composite signal by using convolutional encoder state machine properties to analyze strings of bit sums and separate out individual user data. The receiver comprises a signal sampler which converts a received composite signal to a digital data. A single point cluster mapper determines a closest pseudo-constellation point, and the pseudo-constellation point is formed with the aid of power and timing control in the transmitters. A bit sum look-up table maps symbol points to bit sums. A deterministic loop tests for bit sum cases where symbols can be determined immediately. A guess loop tests the bit sum after the deterministic loop test and performs guesses until all bits are decided. The bit sum is provided to a multiuser convolutional decoder to decide all user data streams.

Abstract: A firefighting segmented monitor for redirecting a trajectory of a pressurized fluid discharge towards a target comprises a flowpath with minimum convolutions. The monitor flowpath comprises in series a stationary segment and three rotating segments including a lower segment, a middle segment and an upper segment connected in series each of which comprises a predetermined curvature. The lower segment swivels in one axis about the stationary segment. A nonorthogonal swivel is arranged on each end of the middle segment at the interfaces with the lower segment and the upper segment, and the swiveling of the middle and upper segments are synchronized with a single rotary input to produce an approximately planar elevational motion of the fluid discharge end of the monitor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a hem on a 5th panel of a liquid carton blank comprising a skiving section, a stepped creaser section, a burner section, a vacuum hemmer section, and a sealer section. Carton blanks are fed into the skiver section and exit from the sealer section at a high rate of speed. The final folding step in the process is performed by a vacuum hemmer which comprises a belt with holes for pulling a vacuum to securely hold the carton blank during the second and final folding of the skived portion of the 5th panel.

Abstract: A denitrification system for denitrified wastewater or nitrified water treatment using a detergent or detergent-like compound comprising available carbon. The system comprises a plurality of interconnected tanks including a mixing tank which feeds detention tanks which in combination provide a detention time period for the effluent. A controller determines the amount of detergent dispensed into the mixing tank in accordance with the measured volume of effluent to be treated. The mixing tank comprises a heater for maintaining the nitrified effluent temperature above 50 degrees F. An optional line filter can be added to the output of the system for further reducing organic nitrogen concentration. An alternate embodiment comprises passing the final denitrified effluent through a pump chamber for pumping of the effluent to a sand filter capable of reducing bacterial populations.

Abstract: A horizontally draining artificial turf system comprises an impervious base at proper slope, an impermeable layer or drainage blanket over the base at a corresponding slope for guiding water horizontally, an artificial turf at top of the impermeable layer, and a perforated pipe near the lower edge of the base for receiving water for evacuation. Rainwater over the artificial turf first drains vertically onto the impermeable layer and then flows along the impermeable layer to reach the perforated pipe, without infiltrating into the base. Alternatively, a partially pervious drainage blanket is provided in lieu of the impermeable layer where the base is partially pervious. Backup rainwater runs off the drainage blanket horizontally after it saturates the soils of the base.