Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of a vehicle wheel using an optical target assembly secured to the vehicle wheel in a non-determined position, the optical target assembly having a dimensionally stable shape and a plurality of optical target elements disposed on a plurality of target surfaces. Images of the optical target elements are acquired by an imaging system, together with target identifying indicia, and utilized together with previously stored target characterization data to determine a spatial orientation of the optical target assembly and an alignment of the vehicle wheel onto which it is secured.

Abstract: Detection of fault occurrences within a power distribution system. A transient detector and fault classification system (10) implements an algorithm that detects transients which may result from the occurrence of a fault in the power distribution system. The system includes a detection module (18) which processes a set samples obtained from electrical waveforms propagated of through the power distribution system and appear to be statistically anomalous compared to other sample data. This is done using an adaptive detection algorithm that is applied when large changes occur in a waveform over a relatively short period of time. The identified samples are then provided to a signal classifier module (20) which processes sets of samples to classify a transient they represent as a likely fault occurrence or some other type of anomaly which is likely not a fault occurrence.

Abstract: Applicants have discovered that electrostatic discharge (ESD) may, in some circumstances, result in current densities sufficient to ignite unprotected reactive composite materials. They have further discovered that a reactive composite material (RCM) can be protected from ESD ignition without adversely affecting the desirable properties of the RCM by the application of conducting and/or insulating materials at appropriate locations on the RCM. Thus ESD-protected RCM structures can be designed for such sensitive applications as ignition of propellants, generation of light bursts, and structural materials for equipment that may require controlled self-destruction.

Abstract: A device for sensing a mass in a liquid environment including a resonator comprising a piezo layer having a top electrode and a bottom electrode, a sensing surface located adjacent and opposite the top electrode, the resonator and the sensing surface defining a gap therebetween, and a post attached to the sensing surface and the resonator.

Abstract: A mold for imprinting a patterned region by imprint lithography is provided with a peripheral groove around the patterned region. The groove is connected, as by channels through the mold, to a switchable source for gas removal to prevent bubbles and for the application of pressurized gas to separate the mold and substrate. In use, the mold is disposed adjacent the moldable surface and gas is withdrawn from the patterned region through the groove as the mold is pressed toward and into the moldable surface. At or near the end of the imprinting, the process is switched from removal of gas to the application of pressurized gas. The pressurized gas passes through the groove and separates or facilitates separation of the mold and the moldable surface.

Abstract: A drain ring adapted for use in a device for flushing a dead-end of an underground municipal water distribution system includes a pair of annular seals and a channel between the seals, an outlet passage extending from inside the ring to the channel, and a flapper adapted to close the outlet passage under the influence of at least one of pressure and flow. The drain ring is removably positioned between a shut-off valve and an outlet of the device.

Abstract: A children's building system is comprised of panels that can be connected together to form a structure formed from one or more layers of connected panels. The panel includes a connecting flange along one side edge and a channel member along an opposite side edge. The channel member is sized, configured, and shaped to receive the connecting flange of an adjacent panel, such that panels can be connected together to form a “wall”. In one embodiment, the system includes a connector to vertically connect the panels. The connector defines upper and lower channels or slots and can rest on a lower panel and receive an upper panel, thereby enabling a second level of panels to be formed over the first level of panels. In another embodiment, the panels include a tongue on an upper edge and an downwardly opening slot in the bottom edge, wherein the tongue is sized and shaped to be received in the slot.

Abstract: A concealment (10) for equipment (13) including imaging devices, audio equipment, and sensors. The concealment comprises a frame (12) which, when assembled, forms the outline of a naturally occurring or manmade object. A covering (22) fits over the assembled frame. An outer surface (24) of the covering has a texture and finish that passes for the outer surface of the natural or manmade object the concealment represents. The frame provides a mounting for the equipment installed within the concealment, with the equipment being positioned to provide surveillance of an area (A) within which the concealment is located. The frame and covering are both made from materials which do not interfere with the transmission of signals from the equipment to a monitoring site, nor the reception of signals from the monitoring site to the equipment installed within the concealment to control operation of the equipment.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a filter is fabricated to take into account the effect of absorption by filter material. The method is exemplified by the fabricating of an ultraviolet light transmission filter for transmitting a band within the range 230-320 nanometers. The resulting filter comprises plurality of hard-coating, thin-film layers of alternating high and low index of refraction. The improved filter provides high transmission, sharp edge slopes, and deep and extended out-of-band blocking. As compared with currently available filters, the filter provides transmission up to three or more times greater, edge slopes up to four times sharper, and deep extended out-of-band blocking extending further, even through the visible range.

Abstract: A closure for a container including a downwardly depending skirt having an upper end and a bottom end and a periphery defining a perimeter of the closure for sealable connection to the mouth of said container. Each of two side edges of the lid has a proximal end adjacent a different side of the hinge on the skirt and angling outwardly from the hinge at increasing distances from the opposing side edge to a distal end defining a different end of the outer edge. The end wall has shoulders integrally formed with the end wall and skirt proximate the upper end of the skirt on opposite sides of the lid hinge. The shoulders extend across portions of the end wall such that the thickness of the end wall in the regions of said shoulders is thicker than a thickness of said end wall free of the shoulders.

Abstract: Systems and methods for personal financial management using a financial card having a body with a front side and a back side, and a primary account number user associated with a primary account of a user of the financial card. A user interface is configured for receiving input from the user at a time of use of the financial card for selecting a subaccount indicator from among a plurality of subaccount indicators each of which is associated with a subaccount within the primary account. A magnetic strip is positioned on the back side and includes a user definable portion configurable by the user at a time of use of the financial card for a transaction. The user interface is adapted to configure the user definable portion to include the user selected subaccount indicator.

Abstract: A motor that includes a motor portion structured to house a stator and a rotor mounted to a shaft of the motor. The motor additionally includes a cooling portion disposed adjacent to the motor portion and separated from the motor portion by a structural interface. The cooling portion provides a cooling chamber structured to have a cooling fluid passed therethrough via a cooling fluid moving device that is structured to be coupled to and driven by the motor shaft. Furthermore, the motor includes a plurality of heat pipes having evaporator ends disposed within the motor portion and condenser ends disposed within the cooling chamber. During operation of the motor and cooling fluid moving device, the cooling fluid contacts the heat pipe condenser ends to extract heat from the condenser ends, hence cooling the evaporator ends of the heat pipes, thereby cooling the motor portion of the motor and the stator and rotor housed therein.

Abstract: A vehicle tire changing system is configured with sensors to acquire dimensional information associated with tire service tools and a vehicle wheel assembly. The sensors acquire dimensional information associated with at least one feature of the vehicle wheel assembly or a tire service tool. The vehicle tire changing system is configured to utilize the acquired dimensional information to automate and monitor the movement of an associated tire service tool and optionally, to store or convey the acquired dimensional information for use by other vehicle service systems.