Abstract: A method and apparatus for pasteurizing comminuted wood. A housing is substantially sealed over the hatch of a ship's cargo hold before it is opened. The hold contains comminuted wood for transport, which are typically contaminated with pathogens that it is desired to destroy. Hot water is provided to combine with the comminuted wood to form a slurry. The slurry is pumped to a pasteurization vessel where it is held for a predetermined pasteurization temperature and time. Subsequent to the predetermined pasteurization time, the slurry exits the pasteurization vessel and the water is reclaimed from the wood chips. The reclaimed water is preferentially reused to slurry more chips. The method and apparatus preferably include employing an air removal and cleaning system which maintains the environment within the cargo hold at conditions tolerable for a worker to work therein, the air removal and cleaning system purifying the air obtained therefrom before exhausting it into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing electronic circuitry and the resulting hardware is described in which a conduction plate is formed achieving separate electrical conducting paths for application specific signals is engaged with an electronic circuit package containing a wide range of elements including one or more integrated circuits, chip packages, multichip modules printed circuit boards and cables. One or more of these elements are assembled into the circuit package where all or a major portion of the element conductors are routed to terminals positioned for electrical connection between the circuit apparatus and the electrical conduction plate. The conduction plate completes the electrical interconnection of the circuit package by providing the application specific conduction paths, using various techniques for creating electrical conduction, such as severing segments of a generalized conductive grid to establish desired conduction paths.

Abstract: A dynamic diffractive optical transform. An electric field pattern is created across a body of material, the material being characterized in that it has an optical transmission property which varies in response to of an electric potential applied across a portion thereof. The electric field pattern is created such that the resulting profile of the transmission property is an arbitrary shape which produces a desired diffraction pattern that may not be physically realizable in conventional refractive optics or is a Fresnel lens-like construct derived from a refractive optical element. This is done by selectively applying electric potentials to transparent electrode pairs having liquid crystal material therebetween and preferably relatively small proportions in relation to the relevant wavelength of light, so as to create variations in phase delay that are aperiodic, have other than fifty percent spatial duty factor or have multiple levels of phase delay.

Abstract: An overlay dual balloon catheter. Two balloons composed of differing materials are employed, the balloons being disposed so as to overlap one another but not being bonded to one another, so that adjacent surfaces of the two balloons are permitted to move relative to one another, to provide improved surface and structural characteristics in a balloon unit. Preferably, an outer balloon, disposed on the exterior of the catheter is composed of latex, silicone, or a thermoplastic elastomer while an inner balloon, disposed underneath the first balloon is composed of a material employed in existing angioplasty balloons such as polyester or polyurethane. The overlay dual balloon catheter may be used in angioplasty, embolectomy and thrombectomy.

Abstract: A method and device for magnetizing a tool bit. A housing is adapted for removably fitting around a magnetically attractive tool bit, and a plurality of magnets are disposed in the housing and adapted for making contact with the surface of the bit, to strengthen the magnetic coupling of the magnets to the bit. The device preferably remains on the bit while employing the bit, and is especially adapted for high speed use.

Abstract: A laterally articulable blade for a bulldozing device. A main blade portion and an articulable blade portion extend along the same elongate axis so that the blade portions are co-linear when the blade is in a "straight" configuration. A hinge is pivotally connected to both blade portions and extensible means are provided to displace and pivot the articulable blade portion with respect to the main blade portion providing for two motions. The articulable blade portion may be displaced forwardly of the main blade portion, and the rotated inwardly.

Abstract: A height adjustable bed and storage unit for small living quarters in which substantially vertical posts are fixedly attached to the floor and ceiling of the living quarters. Each post includes a mating structure for mating to a cross-member at a plurality of vertical positions, the cross-member being utilized for holding a platform substantially horizontally. The cross-member is releasable from the mating structure without the use of tools.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fast response and distortion measurement of a signal transfer device. A computer processor generates a multitone test signal of predetermined duration and stores it in a memory. The test signal is read out, converted to analog form, if necessary, and applied to the input of a device under test. The output produced by the device under test in response to the test signal is acquired and digitized, if necessary, and a Fast Fourier Transform is performed on the acquired data to determine its spectral characteristics. Frequency response, harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion, phase distortion, wow and flutter and other signal transfer characteristics are measured by the CPU by analysis of the output signal.

Abstract: A digital electronic system architecture having one or more system components and a memory coupled to selected system components, the memory selectively storing and communicating data among the coupled components. The digital electronic system preferably also has a transaction control bus, coupled to each of the selected system components and to the memory, for communicating command and control signals among the components and memory. A memory circuit is provided that has a plurality of ports, each of the ports (i) having an input terminal and an output terminal that transfer data independently of one another, (ii) operating independently of one another and (iii) being coupled respectively to one of the other system components for data communication therewith.

Abstract: A weighing vibratory apparatus and method. In one embodiment, an infeed vibratory conveyor element feeds a bulk product to a weighing vibratory conveyor element. In another embodiment, bulk product is fed directly to a weighing vibratory conveyor element and flow rate is determined by measuring the loss of weight therefrom. The weighing vibratory conveyor element includes a weight measuring apparatus that weighs the product at the same time that the product is being dispensed through vibrations. The weight measuring apparatus may be coupled to the vibratory conveyor element through damping mechanisms. An electrical signal output of the weight measuring apparatus may be low-pass filtered to provide an improved signal for feeding to a controller for controlling the flow rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying and supporting a portable bench top saw wherein the saw has a body housing a saw blade, the body being generally adapted for four-corner screw attachment downwardly into a table, the apparatus comprising a carrying frame having a transversely adjustable member for receiving a screw for attachment to the saw body in a multitude of transverse locations required thereby. Preferably, the saw also includes an attachable table assembly supported with a downwardly projecting table leg and, preferably, the carrying frame includes a transversely positionable leg receiving member, for receiving the table leg at any of a multitude of transverse locations required thereby.

Abstract: A portable light lamp having multiple brightness providing predominantly directed light projection. The portable light employs a light source and a light source housing, the light source housing having a directed light port disposed to project light from the light source therethrough in a selected direction at a first brightness and at least one filtered light port to project light from the light source therethrough in another direction at a second brightness which is diminished from the first brightness. One or more magnets are secured to the side of the light source housing to attach the portable light to magnetic material.

Abstract: A carrying device for electroplating and method for improving the delivery of current therein. The carrying device comprises a core of a high conductivity material and a cladding shrunk around and sealing the core, the cladding having a second, moderate conductivity material which, however, has a high resistance to acidic corrosion. The device further comprises a plurality of electrically conductive clamping members of the second material for clamping an article to be electroplated and for delivering current thereto. Current flow to the clamping members is improved by respective pins consisting essentially of the second material, the pins being forced into respective undersized apertures provided near the clamping members.

Abstract: A computer system with an externally accessible bus system having pairs of card slots and bus receptacles for repeatedly installing and removing modules includes one or more peripheral modules containing peripheral devices and having one or more pairs of sliding flanges and a connector for engaging one or more card slot pairs and corresponding bus receptacles. The peripheral modules have a peripheral interface port on an externally accessible front panel for externally connecting the peripheral devices within the module to other modules in the computer system.

Abstract: A multi-ring gasket (24) and flanged pipe joint assembly employing such gasket. The gasket (24) for sealing the joint between two flanged pipes of polyvinylchloride, chlorinated polyvinylchloride or fiberglass-reinforced plastic pipe is provided. The gasket (24) has an inner ring (26), an outer ring (28) and a plurality of spokes (30) connecting the inner ring (26) to the outer ring (28). Voids (34), or reduced thickness areas, are formed between the inner ring, the outer ring and the spokes so as to leave substantial space between the flanges at the voids and thereby reduce the uneven distribution of stress on the flanges when the gasket (24) is installed. The joint assembly employing such gasket (24) has a groove (50) disposed in an inside surface of a flange (12 or 16) and has a channel (51) disposed through the flange. The channel (51) is in communication with the groove (50) and, by means of a port (56), an outside surface of the flange.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fast response and distortion measurement of a signal transfer device. A computer processor generates a multitone test signal of predetermined duration and stores it in a memory. The test signal is read out, converted to analog form, if necessary, and applied to the input of a device under test. The output produced by the device under test in response to the test signal is acquired and digitized, if necessary, and a Fast Fourier Transform is performed on the acquired data to determine its spectral characteristics. Frequency response, harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion, phase distortion, wow and flutter and other signal transfer characteristics are measured by the CPU by analysis of the output signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fast response and distortion measurement of a signal transfer device. A computer processor generates a multitone test signal of predetermined duration and stores it in a memory. The test signal is read out, converted to analog form, if necessary, and applied to the input of a device under test. The output produced by the device under test in response to the test signal is acquired and digitized, if necessary, and a Fast Fourier Transform is performed on the acquired data to determine its spectral characteristics. Frequency response, harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion, phase distortion, wow and flutter and other signal transfer characteristics are measured by the CPU by analysis of the output signal. In one embodiment, the measurement equipment senses the presence of the test signal by comparing the received spectrum to a pair of templates whose shapes are determined by the test signal spectrum.

Abstract: A shirt or shirt-like garment having a large cutout section in the torso is constructed in the neck and shoulder region so as to be symmetric across a plane passing laterally therethrough, whereby the "fit" of the shirt is the same whether put on "frontwards" or "backwards." As a consequence, the same shirt or shirt-like garment can be worn in one disposition with the cutout region in the front for cooling and the back covered for protection against the sun, or in the opposite disposition.

Abstract: A joint assembly for a pipe and a backing mechanism therefor. The joint assembly provides for sealing a pipe, the pipe having an elongate axis, an inside surface, an outside surface and a flange disposed at one end thereof, the flange having a front surface facing away from the pipe, a back surface and an inner periphery defining an outlet of the pipe. Sealing material is disposed adjacent the front surface and inner periphery of the flange. A backing member is adapted to engage the flange and to apply a compressive load from the back surface of the flange toward the sealing material adjacent the from surface and the inner periphery of the flange so as to seat the sealing material along the inner periphery. Seating is against a surface of a cooperating joint member adjacent the front surface of said flange.