Abstract: An extended capacity cartridge magazine assembly for containing and feeding cartridges to a firearm is disclosed. The magazine includes a metal body for containing cartridges having an upper outlet through which cartridges may exit the magazine into the firing chamber of the firearm and a base plate for covering the bottom of the magazine body. A follower body is disposed within the body of the magazine for biasing cartridges toward the upper outlet. The follower body and the magazine body have certain dimensions to prevent an unwanted amount of rotation of the follower body when 0.45 caliber cartridges are being used. A collar slidably movable along the length of the magazine body is adapted to retain the base plate in a fixed position with respect to the magazine body. A flexible bumper plate interconnects with the bottom surface of the collar to secure the cartridge magazine assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable data collection device that has a variety of sensors that are interchangeable with a variety of input ports in the device. The various sensors include a data identification feature that provides information to the device regarding the type of physical data produced by each sensor and therefore the type of sensor itself. The data identification feature enables the device to locate the input port where the sensor is connected and self adjust when a sensor is removed or replaced. The device is able to collect physical data, whether or not a function of a time.

Abstract: A method is provided for cleaning parts soiled with oil components and seating terpenes from oil compositions using filters having suitable pore sizes to allow terpene components to pass through the walls of the filter as a permeate while not allowing oil components to pass therethrough. A separate aspect of the present invention utilizes a ceramic filter capable of separating water components from a mixture of terpenes and oil, thus allowing filtered water to be reused in a cleaning procedure. Using both types of filters in one operation provides a substantially closed loop recycling system where terpene components can be reused to clean additional articles, water can be reused to rinse such articles and contaminants removed in the cleaning process can be either reused or disposed of.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for imaging a patient's breast (18) by scanning an imaging signal (58) and a receiver (30) across the patient's breast (18) and then constructing a time-delay integration composite image based on the scan. The receiver (30) includes an array of radiation sensitive detector elements (132). Read out of the array (132) is synchronized with the scanning motion of the receiver (30) based on output from position encoder (104) such that synchronization is maintained despite scan drive variances. A novel assembly (106) is also disclosed for allowing selection of an appropriate radiation filter based on particular imaging conditions.

Abstract: A process for fabricating ceramic-metal composites having ceramic and metal phases wherein the ceramic to metal ratio changes within the ceramic. The process includes the steps of contacting a porous ceramic matrix material with a molten metal whereby capillary action pulls the metal into the ceramic matrix to substantially fill the void space. The ceramic matrix has a porosity gradient wherein the infiltrated composite has a varying ratio of ceramic to metal.

Abstract: An optical fiber switching system is provided which includes two optically opposed groups of optical fiber switching units. The system is capable of rapidly aligning any one of the optical fibers in any one of the switching units in one group with any one of the optical fibers in any one of the switching units in the other group in response to a command from an exterior source. In one aspect of the invention, each optical fiber switching unit includes, on a single support chassis, one or more data carrying optical fibers and all associated circuitry for directing each fiber toward a predetermined target in response to an alignment signal and the timing portion of a pulsing signal. In another aspect of the invention, a novel alignment algorithm is implemented which provides for the alignment of two fibers in much less time than past switches.

Abstract: Microalgal biomass that comprises cells of Chlorella pyrenoidosa which contain greater than 2.0% by dry weight of L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), microorganisms and processes that form the biomass, and L-ascorbic acid enhanced animal feed compositions that contain the biomass are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for growing the microflora Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, which includes the growing of the microflora in fermentation medium containing non-chloride containing sodium salts, in particular sodium sulfate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process produces microflora having a cell aggregate size of less than about 150 microns and a high content of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids useful for the production of food products for use in aquaculture. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, rapeseed, soybean and avocado meal. Such a food product includes a balance of long chain and short chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: A panel assembly incorporating a barrier layer to resist adhesion and a method for making the same are described. The panel assembly includes at least a front panel and a back panel arranged in a superimposed relationship. The barrier layer is disposed between selected areas of the front panel and the back panel to form a pocket, flap, or window to reduce bending, curling or warping of the panel assembly. The barrier layer can be applied by a high speed printing technique such as lithographic printing.

Abstract: A variable length snowshoe (200) is provided to accommodate changing snow conditions or snowshoeing applications. The snowshoe (200) includes a flotation plate (202) and at least one detachable tail extender (204). The snowshoe (200) also includes detachable brakes (216) and toothed traction bars (212) to provide improved traction on ice and enhanced forward, rearward and side slipping protection. A de-icing crampon (214) and gripping tabs (210) which facilitate binding strap manipulation are also disclosed.

Abstract: An assembly that couples a spindle shaft to the cover of a hard disk drive. The disk drive has a cover that is attached to a baseplate. Extending from the baseplate is a spindle shaft which supports a hub and the magnetic disk of the drive unit. The spindle shaft has a plurality of protrusions which are embedded into a metal shim. The metal shim is coupled to the cover by a sheet of elastomeric material. The metal shim and elastomeric sheet secure the end of the spindle shaft to the cover of the assembly.

Abstract: A method of managing the power consumed by a hard disk drive in a portable computer. The first step consists of measuring the work load placed on the hard disk drive by a particular computer, a particular application and a particular user. The next step is to determine the average power consumed in the disk drive in the active state and in a lower power state for a series of wait times. The next step is to determine the total average power consumed by the disk drive for both states for the series of wait times. The next step is to determine the wait time at which the total average power consumed by the disk drive in minimum. The final step is to set the wait time at which the disk drive operates to the previously determined minimum wait time.

Abstract: The laser diode control circuit includes a laser diode, a photo diode, a transimpedance amplifier network, an inverting amplifier network, a comparison network, a transistor network, and a zener diode. The control circuit is designed for a single power supply. Preferably, the control circuit includes a power supply output compensation network to maintain a constant light output of a laser diode despite variations in voltage level of a voltage source. Preferably, the control circuit includes an input for a digital pulse train to pulse width modulate the light output of a laser diode.

Abstract: A floor cleaning assembly including a gimballing connector is disclosed. The floor cleaning assembly includes a mounting member having an annular ring of bristles attached to the bottom surface thereof. The upper surface includes a centrally disposed hub and plurality of spokes and passageways extending radially therefrom. An annular barrier wall disposed adjacent the passageways extends upwardly from the upper surface of the barrier wall. The floor assembly is coupled to a motor drive by a gimballing connector which allows the axis of rotation of the floor assembly to shift relative to the axis of rotation of the motor drive. The geometry of the gimballing connector results in an evenly distributed wear pattern on the gimballing surface of the connector.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus incorporating a sorter device formed by a double pair of driving rollers for ejecting sheets from the apparatus and delivering them into a collecting bin, the two roller pairs acting on the side edges of the sheets at selectively controllable velocities to selectively produce an angular deflection of the outgoing sheets in either of two directions and their delivery into the collecting bin in different positions rotated from each other, the bin having an opening dihedral with side walls which define the maximum amounts of imparted deflection for the two positions.

Abstract: A bicycle fork for interconnecting a bicycle wheel to a bicycle frame. The bicycle fork includes two leg assemblies, each having first and second leg members slidably engaged with each other, an elastomer for providing a biasing force when the leg members are compressed toward each other, and a fluid-based damping mechanism for providing a fluid-based damping force to resist relative movement of the leg members. The damping mechanism in one of the fork leg assemblies provides the primary compressive, fluid-based damping characteristics for the fork, while the damping mechanism in the other fork leg assembly provides the primary expansive, fluid-based damping characteristics for the fork. Each of these damping mechanisms may be adjusted without disassembling the fork to vary the damping characteristics as desired.

Abstract: A luge sled having features which enhance performance and safety characteristics of the sled. The sled generally comprises a support structure for supporting a sled rider, at least two runners, a cavity, a mounting boss, and an elastomeric bushing positioned between the cavity and the mounting boss and including a body portion which substantially encloses the side surfaces of the mounting boss around the perimeter thereof. The elastomeric bushing may further include an end portion which substantially encloses the end surface of the mounting boss. The runners are molded from glass-reinforced plastic and are formed into an I-beam section. The runners also include a plurality of reinforcing ribs protruding from a side surface thereof. The runners include a front segment having a front surface which is generally vertically disposed. The sled includes front and rear bridge supports which are molded from glass-reinforced plastic and also include reinforcing ribs in a lower surface thereof.

Abstract: Flowable, pressure-compensating material compositions are provided. The compositions are directed toward improving one or more aspects of the flowable material, such as by providing/improving flame retardancy and/or the homogeneity of the composition over time. For instance, one composition includes a liquid, a viscosity-increasing material, and beads having a preselected coating thereon to provide for a coupling interaction with at least one of the liquid and the viscosity-increasing material.