Abstract: A microwave imaging excavator for the detection, imaging and excavation of objects on or buried beneath the surface of the ground, such as metallic and dielectric land mines. A continuous wave stepped frequency ground penetrating radar signal is transmitted into the ground from a waveguide antenna mounted in one spade of a double spade auger. Direct breakthrough energy, signals reflected from the surface and the buried objects are received by an identical waveguide antenna mounted in the opposite spade. The spectra reflected from different buried objects become more distinct when the spectrum radiated spans the natural electromagnetic resonance of those objects. These signals are recorded as the twin-spaded auger is mechanically scanned over the ground in two mechanical rotational states of polarization. When the auger spades are on either side of a buried mine they are closed to grasp the mine which is then removed from the ground.

Abstract: The present invention features an improved cross-element meander line loaded antenna. Two pairs of triangle-shaped elements are each connected at their vertices to form bow-tie elements. The bow-tie elements are arranged orthogonally adjacent a ground plane, reducing shadowing and cross-coupling, and providing an efficient and compact meander lines antenna. When fed in quadrature, the antenna radiates a circularly polarized RF field having an excellent axial ratio.

Abstract: A meander line loaded antenna (MLA) that utilizes more two or more layers of meander lines to greatly extend the operating frequency range. The antenna of the present invention can achieve an operating frequency range of 100:1, unlike antennas of the prior art, which were limited to frequency ranges of approximately 10:1.

Abstract: A multiple spectral band opto-mechanical modulator for obtaining simultaneous but independent modulation of an extended IR source in two distinct wavelength bands comprises in one embodiment a first rotating filter wheel having alternating radial segments of transparent and short wavepass filter material, a second rotating filter wheel having alternating radial segments of transparent and long wavepass filter material, a stationary wheel having alternating radial transparent and opaque segments positioned intermediate the first and second rotating wheels and means for rotating said first and second filter wheels at predetermined frequencies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, and product by process, for the production of bulk polysilicon by a chemical vapor deposition process on a removable tube section. A quartz envelope and base plate form a CVD reactor enclosure, with external radiant heaters providing process heat through the wall of the reactor, and with process gas inlet and outlet ports located in the base plate. A tube section, preferably an EFG silicon tube-section, vertically emplaced on the base plate and capped to close the top is used as the reaction chamber. During the CVD process, deposition occurs on the inside surface of the chamber tube, the inner diameter of the deposit layer becoming increasingly smaller as the yield accumulates. In a two tube reactor, a smaller diameter, vertical middle tube is uniformly spaced and supported inside the chamber tube for fall flow of process gas over and under the middle tube so that deposition occurs on the three exposed tube surfaces.

Abstract: A backpack or back borne load carrier system with abdominal support, providing both internal and external modes of back borne load support to increase an individual's load bearing capacity. An abdominal support pad and pelvic belt system is attached to a conventional backpack or equivalent load carrier system equipped with shoulder straps, to cause a portion of the load weight that would otherwise be supported directly by the shoulders and spinal column to be transferred to the pelvic region for additional external support, and to the abdominal trunk region for additional internal support through enhancement of the natural hydraulic muscle action of the abdomen in support of the loaded spinal column.

Abstract: A compressive receiver including a dispersive delay line (10) and a frequency translator (16, 18) is preceded by signal compressors (22a-d) that record the incoming signals at one speed and play them back at a higher speed. This increases the frequency spread and provides greater frequency resolution at the output of the receiver.

Abstract: The present invention features a cross-element, steerable, scanning meander line loaded (MLA) antenna with circular polarization. The transmission lines comprise a plurality of alternating or stepped impedance sections with the high impedance elements acting as active antenna elements. The impedance varies depending upon the spacing from the moveable ground plane. The orthogonal MLA elements allow the application of an in-phase and a 90° shifted signal, thus each linear array radiates a circularly polarized RF signal. Controlling the spacing between the ground plane and transmission line provides relative phase control between the active elements and thereby phased-array directional control of the antenna. Forming a two-dimensional array of these linear arrays, produces a compact, low-cost, scanning, phased-array antenna.

Abstract: The invention in the simplest form is a passive method and apparatus for filtering motile sperm from a sperm sample. The invention passively filters the motile sperm using a membrane assembly disposed in a container. In operation, a sperm sample is placed on one side of the membrane assembly, and the motile sperm migrate through the membrane where they can be easily extracted.

Abstract: An in-vessel composting apparatus and process for continuous processing of food waste into a two component end product consisting of a bulk organic compost material and a compost-rich, liquid tea. The apparatus consists of a shredder/particle sizer feeding a horizontal drum having at least three chambers with connecting ports of sequentially increasing diameter, and through to a bulk collection container. The apparatus is further equipped with motorized drum rotation and provision for draining excess fluid from the first chamber, holding a batch volume at elevated temperature for a period of time, and then percolating it through the finished compost product in the third or final chamber to make compost tea.

Abstract: An electro-optical transceiver system with controlled lateral light leakage and a method of making such a system includes a plurality of emitter devices and detector devices including at least one of each, arranged in a planar array for transmitting and receiving, respectively, energy in a predetermined wavelength and a blocking medium disposed interstitially of the devices and being absorbing at the predetermined wavelength for blocking energy at the predetermined wavelength laterally leaking from an emitter device to one or more detector devices.

Abstract: A method for integration of integrated circuit devices includes providing an array of first devices including dummy devices on a first chip; providing an array of contacts on a second chip; flip-chip bonding the first device to the contacts; filing the voids between the two interstitially of the first devices with an underfill; masking the first devices leaving exposed selected dummy devices; removing the dummy devices leaving an array of holes with contacts; providing a spaced array of second devices on a third chip matching the array of holes; flip-chip bonding the second devices to the contacts in the holes; and filling the voids between the chips associated with second devices with an underfill.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating and drying wafers, including micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) structures, in a second, supercritical processing fluid environment. The apparatus utilizes an inverted pressure vessel connected to a supercritical processing fluid supply and recover system, with an internal heat exchanger connected to external heating and cooling sources, which is closed with a vertically movable base plate. A wafer cassette configured for supporting multiple wafers is submerged in a first processing fluid within a container, which is installed on the base plate for insertion into the pressure vessel. Vessel inlet and outlet tubes extend vertically downward from the ceiling of the pressure vessel to nearly the base plate. Container inlet and outlet tubes extend vertically downward from the ceiling of the pressure vessel to inside the container and nearly to the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A merchant's point of sale terminal system for processing credit and debit card and other electronic purchases for a vision impaired purchaser, incorporating a removable or auxiliary handset with a manual keypad disposed on an arched surface between siderails, the keypad being a ten data key array in the familiar three by three over one pattern but displaced from any function keys. The system is further equipped and configured to provide an automated, contemporaneous, audio call out of at least the monetary total of the transaction being processed.

Abstract: A meander line loaded antenna provides a wide instantaneous bandwidth with a first planar conductor extending orthogonally from a ground plane, a second planar conductor substantially parallel to the ground plane and separated from the first planar conductor by a gap, a meander line interconnecting the first and second planar conductors across the gap, and a third conductor connecting the second planar conductor to ground. A fourth conductor provides enhanced capacitance between the first and second planar conductors. The antenna may be arranged in opposed pairs, and also as two orthogonally opposed pairs for enabling circular polarization.

Abstract: In a jamming cancellation system wherein a balanced modulator receives as two inputs thereto: the desired plus jamming signals, and the AM difference frequency produced by the beating of the desired and jamming signals, jamming suppression, in an environment containing two jamming signals, is achieved by peak detecting the output from the AM difference frequency producing means and applying same directly to the receiver video input or upconverting same to the receiver r.f. frequency and applying same to the system receiver.

Abstract: A method of equalizing device heights on a chip includes providing on a first chip an array of first devices having a predetermined height including dummy devices with bonding bumps; engaging the bonding bumps on the first chip with those on the second chip; removing the dummy devices to create holes containing the double bumps previously associated with the dummy devices; providing on a third chip an array of second devices having a lower height than the first devices with bonding bumps which match those in the holes; and bump bonding the third chip to the second chip with the second devices in the holes and the bonding bumps on the second devices combining with the multiple bumps in the holes to equalize the height of the first and second devices.

Abstract: A demountable component table system to improve handicapped access to standard proportioned furnitures common to public places. A table top component has symmetrically positioned cut-outs for foam rubber covered, demountable flexible steel rods to pass from their frame component sockets upwards to the area above the top component where they provide upper body and arm support for occupant utilization and management of the cubic space above the table top. Frame mounted rods with Velcro attachments and a vertically mounted rigid tubular pole which inserts through the table top component into its socket mount in the table frame allow for customized positioning of objects in the cubic space above the top. The front side edge of the top component is cantilevered towards the occupant's chest. Varied types of demountable legs allow for height adjustment in inch increments.