Abstract: The invention is a distributed airways airflow dryer system for coffee beans and other such bulk crops. The interior volume or container of the dryer or dehydrator system that holds the bulk crops, is filled with an airways network structure that provides uniformly distributed open wall airflow passageways in the bulk crops. The airflow passages communicate with airflow openings in the walls or bottom of the container, to divide and admit the drying airflow into and through the full volume of the bulk crops as a large number of individual airstreams. Corrugated, ribbed, or cross-ribbed airflow plates are preferred embodiments that provide narrow open grooves or channels that expose the beans or kernels of the bulk crop directly to the airflow. This results in faster drying and greater uniformity of the drying effect on the full volume of the bulk crops.

Abstract: A pressure proof gasket plate for use with a cup and special or modified lid assembly for a spray gun, consisting of a cup with a first end configured with fittings suitable for attachment to the feed port of the spray gun and a second end with a large opening for access and filling, and a domed lid, with an external mechanism for providing a compressive attachment of the lid to the cup with the gasket plate in between. The floating gasket plate has a compressible gasket configured on its inside surface so as to form a seal when it contacts the edge of the cup as the lid is applied to the cup. The floating gasket plate is sealed to the cup by pressure on its periphery as applied by the domed lid. The floating gasket plate is made of such material and thickness as to resist deflection and deformation under normal working pressure of the spray gun.

Abstract: An optical transceiver system including a plurality of transceiver nodes with at least one two-dimensional integrated circuit array of optical emitters and detectors mounted on an ASIC drive circuit and forming a focal plane; a lens or light collimator located adjacent for directing light to and from the emitter and detectors; an epoxy stand off located peripherally around each focal plane to prevent contact between the focal plane and the lens or collimator and to prevent entry of contaminants therebetween; and at least one fiber optic bundle to convey light between each of the transceiver nodes through the perspective lenses or collimators.

Abstract: A low profile, broadband includes an active conductive edge having a shape which approximates a quadratic curve. Two identical elements may be used in an opposed manner to form signals across their respective active edges, and two pairs of opposed identical elements may be used in quadrature for handling circularly polarized signals with a high degree of polarization purity. The quadratic curvature of the elements can provide sufficient space to co-locate a second, smaller antenna within the same volume and aperture as the larger antenna. Applications include combinations of a wide variety of current communications systems.

Abstract: An air massage system of air jets for injecting pressurized air into bathtubs. Each air jet has a hollow body component and an inlet fitting between which is housed a unidirectional fluid flow device. The outlet end of the jet is mounted directly to the hidden surface of the bathtub wall over an air flow opening in the wall, by means of a flange on the hollow body with recesses for holding an adhesive for securing the air jet to the bathtub wall. The flange has an annular seat with blades extending radially outwardly from the seat defining recesses for holding adhesive. The flange has holes between the blades for introducing the adhesive in the recesses. The inlet ends of the air jets are connected to air distribution piping. The air jet has an annular seal between the upstream side of the mounting flange and the inlet fitting.

Abstract: The present invention is an RF electromechanical single pole single throw (SPST) switch providing a low loss path for RF signals in closed position and a high impedance path for RF signals in open position. The structure has two reed switches each having an actuator and two contacts with both reed switches electrically connected in parallel and mechanically attached such that one contact in each reed switch is grounded and the another contact connects to the actuators that are also connected together and to an RF input pin.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for making interdigitated optoelectronic devices in which the surfaces of the photonic devices, emitters and detectors, are protected from contaminants during processing through the use of multiple etch stop layers.

Abstract: An ergonomic mouse accessory that allows the user to vary the manner in which the control buttons of the mouse are operated, thereby reducing or eliminating repetitive strain injuries (RSI). A trigger arm rises from an attaching means, wherein the attaching means interconnects with the mouse. The user can rotate and otherwise position the trigger arm to constantly change the manner in which the mouse buttons are manipulated.

Abstract: The automobile bumper core according to the present invention provides greater impact absorbing qualities from impact forces. The core (3) comprises a surface wall (8) and an opposing rear wall (9), with a pair of opposing side walls (7). In one embodiment there are a plurality of ribs (10) and a plurality of hollow portions (6) between the surface wall (8) and the rear wall (9). The bumper core is intended to lie disposed inside the bumper fascia (2) and the resulting bumper is attached to the automobile.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mounting assembly for firmly securing a storage tank having a curved bottom wall to a chassis of a vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a pair of longitudinal support structures for securing to the bottom wall of the storage tank, a cross bracket for mounting between the longitudinal support structures, a sub-frame for supporting the longitudinal support structures, and a bracket assembly for securing the cross bracket to the sub-frame.

Abstract: The invention in the simplest form is an improved transformerless 3 phase power inverter topology and control method for power distribution systems. This 3 phase power inverter system provides the necessary output voltage and current waveform regulation, harmonic distortion rejection, very low output impedance, and ultra low DC offset of the output AC power, even when exposed to a high magnitude of the non-linear, single phase, or the unbalanced loading.

Abstract: The present invention features a compact tunable meander line loaded patch antenna where switches or the like are used to electrically connect and disconnect sections of the meander line adjusting the electrical length of the antenna. A fixed or switched series capacitance is used to overcome the inductance of the meander line. In one embodiment, a quarter wavelength mode patch antenna can be constructed which occupies significantly less space than conventional patch antennas. This size reduction is important when the antennas are to be used on mobile platforms where real estate is at a premium and larger antennas cannot be used.

Abstract: A method for alignment in software and supporting circuitry of the optical transmitters and receivers to their respective optical channels at each connection of a multi-channel optical link to an optical planar array, permits non-critical physical alignment of the connector to the optical array. The steps include: employing a connector and optical array configuration at each connection in which there are several optical devices within the illumination area of each channel at the connector/array interface, employing supporting circuitry and software that has control of all optical devices associated with the optical link, enabling all receivers, turning on the transmitters sequentially, recording which of the receivers is responding, comparing matching receiver sets for each transmitter to identify associated transmitter sets and channels.

Abstract: A pump for dispensing particulate-ladened or heavily viscous fluids such as grit-ladened or granulated hand soap or lotion, has a compressible pump cavity with an inlet and a streamlined outlet, with a backflow check valve associated with the inlet and a nozzle assembly connected to the outlet. In the nozzle assembly, a spring loaded outflow ball valve resists outflow until sufficient fluid pressure is applied from the pump cavity. A minimally flow restrictive spring base support structure holds the base of the spring apart from the nozzle tip, creating a fluid flow path around the check ball and spring to the nozzle tip.

Abstract: The present invention provides a programmable image antenna formed on the face plate of a cathode ray tube (CRT) or on another substrate. The inner CRT face is coated with a silicon semiconductor material replacing conventional phosphors utilized in CRTs for generating visual images. An electron beam impinging upon the silicon-coated CRT face plate creates conductive areas during liberation of minority carriers, in the form of electron-hole pairs. Antenna elements having a virtually unlimited variety of shapes and/or sizes can be formed on the CRT face.

Abstract: This invention is a steerable thermoacoustic array system for directing information between an object that is above the surface of the water and a sound detector that is beneath the surface of the water. The foregoing system comprises a laser or particle accelerator that is located above the water's surface. The laser or particle beam produces a light beam or particle beam which contains information that is moved along a small layer of water at the air/water interface at a speed equal to the speed of sound in water divided by the steering angle of the laser so that the light beam or particle beam is absorbed by the water causing the water to expand and produce a series of acousitic Braves that constructively interfere with each other and travel towards the sound detector.

Abstract: In a reciprocating rotor device such as a scanning galvanometer, a bearing assembly consisting of a rheological bearing coupler interposed between the rotor shaft and the bearing support structure or housing, where the rheological bearing coupler is relatively stiff during constant-velocity portions of rotor rotation, assuring adequate geometrical precision of the rotor within the rotor housing during the scanning phase. When loaded beyond a design load threshold by acceleration-induced moments causing lateral or asymmetrical force applied between the shaft and the bearing support structure during changes in rotor speed, becomes relatively compliant or resilient, absorbing a portion of the load at the expense of momentary axial misalignment of the rotor, then returning to original shape and realigning the rotor to it's correct precision axial position when the acceleration forces are abated.

Abstract: The present invention features a dual mode, meander line loaded antenna (MLA) having an additional wideband plate or hat located above the horizontal top surface of the MLA antenna. The upper plate is spaced a predetermined distance above the MLA and held in place by dielectric blocks of a predetermined thickness. By properly spacing the additional plate, simultaneous wideband and narrowband reception can be performed. The added upper plate generally does not interfere with the usual narrowband operation of the original antenna structure. The modified antenna can accept radio frequency signals across a wide range of frequencies. The additional upper plate can be retrofitted to existing MLAs to modify them for dual mode operation.

Abstract: A submersible electric motor driven pump includes a motor chamber and a pump chamber separated by a seal chamber. Inboard and outboard shaft seals immersed in an oil buffer fluid within the seal chamber restrict the flow of liquid from the seal chamber into the pump and motor chambers. An integral or externally mounted pre-pressurized buffer fluid reservoir maintains a positive fluid pressure in the seal chamber relative to the external pressure at working depth, and suitable buffer fluid level within the chamber, preventing the ingress of the pumped media through the outboard seal. A unique impeller design circulates fluid within the seal chamber in the region of the outboard shaft seal, allowing continuous run dry operation when used in conjunction with an integrally cooled motor design. A cartridge shaft sleeve subassembly permits with a bearing configured between the inboard and outboard seals, facilitates maintenance.

Abstract: The invention in the simplest form is a dispenser that is a teaching tool and uses audio and visual means to promote compliance with proper washing techniques. A detection means is used to commence a time interval, and washing instructions are used to communicate with the user as an instructional tool in washing. There is a feedback response during the washing cycle to walk the user through the washing cycle and provide progress indicators during the cycle. A usage indicator tracks the number of usages as part of a management tool of assessing overall employee performance.