Abstract: A crash pad for use in vehicle interiors. The crash pad includes an energy-absorbing honeycomb which has a cover plate attached thereon to prevent noise from being generated due to contact between the crash pad and vehicle interior surface during normal vehicle operation. The cover plate is attached on one side to the honeycomb with the other side being molded to match the shape of the interior surface of the vehicle. The cover plate includes positioning devices which locate and hold the crash pad during interior panel fabrication. The cover plate protects the honeycomb and the technician during handling and installation. The cover plate also helps to retain the shape of the honeycomb and provides a suitable surface for labels that may contain product identification and other information needed during use of the pads in mass production of vehicles.

Abstract: A polymer-based blend which may be cured to form a non-cementious concrete-like material. The polymer-based blend includes 90 to 100 parts by weight low viscosity epoxy resin, 1 to 10 parts by weight of an aliphatic glycidyl ether epoxy diluent, 40 to 50 parts by weight polyoxy-propyleneamine curing agent, 30 to 100 parts by weight intumescent powder, 90 to 110 parts by weight hollow ceramic microspheres having a density of between 0.30 and 0.60 grams per cubic centimeter and 0.01 to 0.10 part by weight air release agent. The hollow ceramic microspheres are dispersed uniformly throughout the polymer-based blend to provide a non-cementious material which, upon curing, becomes a concrete-like material. The non-cementious concrete-like material is well-suited for use as a substitute for concrete and may be used alone or in combination with reinforcing materials.

Abstract: A solution of phenolic and polyamide polymers is used as a dipping resin to coat composite honeycomb structures. The phenolic/polyamide dipping resin increases the heat formability and strength of composite honeycomb structures. The coating formed by the resin includes from 30 to 95 weight percent phenolic resin and 5 to 30 weight percent polyamide resin.

Abstract: A gas detecting system for classifying the type of liquid fuel in a container or tank. The system includes a plurality of semiconductor gas sensors, each of which differs from the other in its response to various organic vapors. The system includes a means of processing the responses of the plurality of sensors such that the responses to any particular organic substance or mixture is sufficiently distinctive to constitute a recognizable "signature". The signature of known substances are collected and divided into two classes based on some other known characteristic of the substances. A pattern recognition system classifies the signature of an unknown substance with reference to the two user-defined classes, thereby classifying the unknown substance with regard to the characteristic of interest, such as its suitability for a particular use.

Abstract: A concentric core optical fiber provides for the simultaneous but independent transmission of signals over a single optical fiber. The concentric optical fiber is constructed of a single-mode or multimode inner optical fiber defined by a core and a cladding of a lower index of refraction than the core and an outer optical fiber defined by additional cladding concentrically disposed around the cladding and of an index of refraction lower than the first mentioned cladding whereby the latter functions as the core of the outer optical fiber. By employing such an optical fiber construction with a single-mode inner core or optical fiber, highly sensitive interferometric and stable less sensitive amplitude based sensors can be placed along the same length of a concentric core optical fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the condition of tissue or otherwise making chemical identifications includes exposing the sample to a light source, and using a synchronous luminescence system to produce a spectrum that can be analyzed for tissue condition.

Abstract: A fiber optic vibration sensor utilizes two single mode optical fibers supported by a housing with one optical fiber fixedly secured to the housing and providing a reference signal and the other optical fiber having a free span length subject to vibrational displacement thereof with respect to the housing and the first optical fiber for providing a signal indicative of a measurement of any perturbation of the sensor. Damping or tailoring of the sensor to be responsive to selected levels of perturbation is provided by altering the diameter of optical fibers or by immersing at least a portion of the free span length of the vibration sensing optical fiber into a liquid of a selected viscosity.

Abstract: Fiber optic sensing means for the detection and measurement of events such as dynamic loadings imposed upon elastic materials including cementitious materials, elastomers, and animal body components and/or the attrition of such elastic materials are provided. One or more optical fibers each having a deformable core and cladding formed of an elastomeric material such as silicone rubber are embedded in the elastic material. Changes in light transmission through any of the optical fibers due the deformation of the optical fiber by the application of dynamic loads such as compression, tension, or bending loadings imposed on the elastic material or by the attrition of the elastic material such as by cracking, deterioration, aggregate break-up, and muscle, tendon, or organ atrophy provide a measurement of the dynamic loadings and attrition.

Abstract: A bicycle trainer has a horizontal frame. Pivotal hub capturing supports are attached to the frame. A bicycle wheel hub is situated between the supports where opposed hub capturing strucuture attaches to the hub and holds the wheel secure and upright. At least one of the supports has a quick release for capturing. The quick release has a piston with a socket for fitting around the hub. The socket on the piston is urged towards the hub by a spring biased cam having a lever attached thereto. The structure supporting the rear wheel of a bicycle may be used to support the front of the bicycle. The rear and front wheel portions may be connnected by a telescoping arrangement to allow for different lengths in bicycles. The rear tire rests upon and is in frictional engagement with a roller attached to the frame. The roller is tensionable by way of a brake actuated with an easily accessible push-pull cable.