Abstract: An expandable airlock shaft with surface mounted roller bearings provides differential core speed slipping capability for adjacent core segments on a common shaft. The shaft may be used with an expandable collet system consisting of a set of relatively short, expandable collets, which are used with spacers where needed to accommodate multiple core segments in any desired arrangement. Alternatively, the roller bearings may be incorporated into the expandable collets, and the shaft configured with an expandable bearing support surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring key components of body movement and flexure during kinetic activities, and providing intuitive, audible, real time biofeedback to the user. The system uses one or more transducers of types that are directionally sensitive to motion, distance, velocity, and the like, or sensitive to flexure of body joints, at frequencies and magnitudes consistent with human physical activities. Universal appliances aid in the ready emplacement of transducers at user selected points on the body, with user selected orientation. Transducers are connected by wires or wireless means to a small, battery powered signal processor and biofeedback module worn by the user. Individual or integrated transducer outputs are processed to obtain the selected parameter, such as speed of rotation or degree of flexure, and measured against a multistep scale of preferably 3 to 5 steps calibrated to the range of interest and separated by perceptible difference in value.

Abstract: The invention is an improved method and apparatus for growing crystals that incorporates an isolation valve between the growth and injection chambers to allow the growth chamber to be maintained at operating temperature and pressure while decoupling the injector chamber in order to make changes necessary to restart or advance the process. Separate heating elements in the injector assembly or chamber provide related heating control. Upper and lower load cells and programmable signal amplifiers are configured to weigh and output the dynamic weight range of the loss or gain of process materials of the growth chamber crucible and the injector assembly, and are connected by electrical slip rings or wireless means to a computer control system.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for verifying the integrity of a smart antenna system. A signal simulator replicates the respective signals received at the multiple sensors of the antenna array, with signal parameters that include the correlated effects of Doppler, delay and angular spread. A combination of hardware and software capabilities simulate a primary line-of-sight signal, plus reflected signals and refracted signals, which requires manipulation by the smart antenna processor to extract the temporal and spatial information of the signals of interest. The simulated signals may be varied in numbers, amplitude, phase, delay and bearing components for representing a variety of terrain, environmental, equipment and capacity conditions encountered in alternative environments and conditions. The output of the smart antenna processor is checked against the input parameters to compare, verify and calibrate the smart antenna system.

Abstract: A totem pole driver circuit for driving N-channel Field Effect Transistors and Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors, using a binary to decimal decoder/demultiplexer or a decoding analog multiplexer integrated circuit and signal transformers for switching the totem pole transistors, and employing a dead-time delay in the logic circuit to protect the transistors during switching.

Abstract: A wake reflector system attached to the hull of a surface or subsurface vessel attenuates the visible surface elements of a vessel's displacement wake, making the vessel less likely to be detected by passive observation means from above. The system consists of plates firmly mounted parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hull over a sufficient length and at a sufficient distance outboard from the hull to contain and affect at least the bow component of the displacement wake. The system may incorporate non-reflective means to leak or pass a calibrated portion of the wake energy through the reflector system along its length. When the vessel moves forward, the displacement wake travels to the plate system and is contained and reflected back and forth between the plate system and the hull over the length of the system, substantially attenuating the peak amplitude, integrity and outward momentum of the remaining wake. The system is applicable to both surface vessels and submarines.

Abstract: The invention is a twist-on electrical connector incorporating a shallow recess or fitment in its endcap opposite the open end of the socket, to enable application or installation onto electrical wires with a screwgun, screwdriver or similar handheld tool equipped with a corresponding male tip. The connector may incorporate a fitment snap off feature or fitment geometry failure feature to limit the torque that can be applied through the fitment and promote consistent quality of installation. The sidewalls of the connector may be smooth to inhibit installation and removal without tools. The fitment geometry may be compatible with more than one tip design.

Abstract: The present invention defines a method for emulating an iterated process represented by a series of related tasks and a control mechanism that monitors and enables the iterative execution of those tasks until data associated with the process converges to predetermined goals or objectives. The invention defines a method in which fuzzy neural networks and discreet algorithms are applied to perform the process tasks and in which configurable, reloadable finite state machines are applied to control the execution of those tasks. In particular, the present invention provides a method for emulating the process of designing integrated circuit (IC) applications and printed circuit board (PCB) applications for the purpose of simulating, emulating, analyzing, optimizing and predicting the behavioral and physical characteristics of the application at the earliest possible stage of the process.

Abstract: A colorimeter method and apparatus is described that is used to accurately deduce the color of a source which is varying in intensity with respect to time. The colorimeter consists of a plurality of sensors with varied spectral responsivity, a means of shielding these sensors from the effects of ambient illumination and a computational element to analyze the temporal and intensity variation of the signal under measurement. The output from the sensors is integrated and analyzed based upon the measured light intensity, time variant, and characteristics of the source. Sources such as CRT monitors, Flat Panel displays, and stroboscopic illuminators, are typical representations of time variant sources.

Abstract: An improvement to a rotary floor edger/sander machine for eliminating the tracks caused by the castors on the back edge of the edger when working on softer floors. Castors are replaced or supplemented with a float member assembly that provides a relatively larger area of smooth surface support. The rotating disc reduces friction between the float member and the floor, facilitating the manual guidance of the machine over the floor. The float member assembly can also be configured so as to reduce the overall opening between the machine's bellhousing and the floor, increasing the effectiveness of the machine's vacuum action for picking up loosened particles of floor material.

Abstract: A half-bridge circuit where the transistors comprising the half-bridge are electronically interlocked--precluding cross-conduction; and high-side voltage generation and logic level translation are integral to the interlock mechanism.

Abstract: A pneumatic mattress system includes a plurality of rigid ribs position side-by-side and hingedly interconnected so as to form a continuous overlay basis which is flexible in one direction. A plurality of pneumatic cushions is attached to each rib so as to provide a cushioned surface. The pressure of the pneumatic cushions is controlled by a main pressure control system which includes a main supply conduit with a pressurized inlet and an exhaust, both controlled by a control unit, and a pressure sensor. The pneumatic cushions are connected through a number of tubes located within the ribs to a rib control system which selectively connects them to the main supply conduit. By synchronized control of the pressure of the main supply conduit and the rib control system, the pressure within each cushion can be measured and controlled independently.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods using rotational advancement and emplacement of various devices for catheterization, dilation and occlusion of mammalian genito-urinary and gastro-intestinal passages and organs, where devices and assemblies have an external helical element present near the distal end which provides a longitudinal pull on the wall of the passage when rotational force is applied to the proximal end of the device.