Abstract: An onboard diagnostic memory module is configured to plug into the OBD II port and has a real-time clock and power supply, a microprocessor powered from a standard OBD II port, microprocessor operating firmware, and an attached memory (7 MB). In operation, the onboard diagnostic memory module is preprogrammed with data collection parameters through microprocessor firmware by connection to a PC having programming software for the module firmware. Thereafter, the onboard diagnostic memory module is moved into pin connection with the OBD II port of a vehicle. Data is recorded on a “trip” basis, preferably using starting of the engine to define the beginning of the trip and stopping of the engine to define the end of the trip.

Abstract: A double cladding fiber includes an inner core doped with active species, an inner cladding disposed adjacent said inner core for receiving pumping energy, minimizing local modes in said inner cladding, and transferring said pumping energy to the core. An outer cladding is disposed adjacent the inner cladding. The cross section of said inner cladding has a polygon-like shape with its boundary being a plurality of well-defined arcs, each of the arcs having substantially different arc center for delivering energy with maximum efficiency to the inner core meeting the limitation of: (1−L/r1)(1−L/r2)<0, or (1−L/r1)(1−L/r2)>1; where r1 and r2 is the arc radius of the inner cladding surfaces that are opposite to each other (mirror pair), with the radius of a concave mirror being positive and that of a convex mirror being negative, L is the distance between two mirrors.

Abstract: In the present invention, methods and apparatus for making efficient cladding pumping fiber lasers is disclosed. In particular, new fiber cladding geometry and method of construct fiber lasers and amplifiers using the laser fibers of the current invention are disclosed. The aspects of the present invention will facilitate the realization of high-efficiency and high-power fiber lasers and amplifiers. In the present invention, cladding boundary geometry structures that can prevent the formation of local modes are disclosed. Thus the pumping laser coupling method can be used for the construction of high-efficiency fiber lasers.

Abstract: A protective polyethylene canopy, in the order of 100 to 110 inches in width and approximately 1.3 mils thick, is placed over trellised grapevines and fastened by the disclosed tie downs at the respective canopy sides. To form the tie downs, the side edges of the canopy are gathered and folded back upon themselves at intervals up to 2 inches. Thereafter, tape, in the form of adhesive labels, is placed over the folded edges so as to capture the folded and gathered side film edges. The label and folded film is transpierced, typically by a worker using grape clippers holding attached twine. Once transpierced and threaded with the twine, the twine is tied to the label and the canopy material, and then secured at its remote end to tightly secure the canopy overlying the trellis and vines growing on the trellis.

Abstract: A food mixer 10 having a turntable 22 that receives a bowl 23. Projecting into a bowl 23 are beaters 24 that are driven by means of a motor 13. The turntable 22 is driven by means of a motor 25. A common speed control member in the form of a dial 29 operates a pair of potentiometers 31 that control the motors 13 and 25 so that there is a correlation between the speeds thereof.

Abstract: An optical unit (10) comprising a plurality of optical elements, a receiving structure (12) with a plurality of element supports (40, 41) for receiving the optical elements. The element supports (40, 41) are in the form of a plate or shell or tube, whose dimensions are greater than the dimensions of the optical elements to be received, and is connected to another element support. At least one element support (40, 41) comprises temperature elements (43-49) that can be heated and/or cooled. The optical unit (10) furthermore comprises a control unit for driving the temperature elements (43-49) in order to locally change the temperature of the at least one element support (40, 41) so as to influence in a controlled manner the shape of the at least one element support (40, 41).

Abstract: An intra-oral molding compound ejection tip is provided to provide a substantially uniform expanding solid angle of the mixed molding compound upon molding compound ejection. A prior art intra-oral tip typically includes an ejection orifice defined about an axis parallel to the direction of mold compound ejection. In a preferred embodiment, two cuts are placed in the tip at right angles to one another within the plane of the normal axis of molding compound ejection. Each of these cuts is sized with respect to the ejection orifice to produce a uniformly expanding solid angle of the ejected molding compound. This uniformly expanding solid angle of the ejected molding compound has the property of having higher normal incidence to both preparation and margin to the preparation in teeth having dental surgery.

Abstract: A tissue sample is conventionally visualized in a microscope. A selectively activated convex surface is provided, preferably at the distal end of a rod. This selectively activated convex surface when activated, typically with a laser through an optic light path in the microscope, provides the activated region with adhesive properties. At least one portion of the tissue sample which is to be extracted is identified. This identified portion is contacted with a portion of the selectively activated convex surface on the end of the rod. When the convex surface is activated, typically by exposure to laser light in the footprint of the desired sample, an adhesive transfer surface on the selectively activated convex surface is provided which adheres to the desired cells in the footprint of the desired sample. Thereafter, the adhesive transfer surface is separated from the remainder of the tissue sample while maintaining adhesion with the desired cells. Thus the desired portion of the tissue sample is extracted.

Abstract: The static mixer contains precision cast elements (1) which are arranged along a central axis (10) and which in each case have a reinforcement region (4) at their circumference which extends over the entire circumference. These cast elements (1) are assembled with intermediate elements (2) to form a cylindrical body. Joint locations between the elements (1, 2) form surfaces (40a, 40b, 20a, 20b) which stand transversely to the central axis. For each isolated cast element, in a rotation about its central axis the joint locations are accessible to machining tools for a subsequent machining—in particular for a grinding or turning. As a result of the subsequent machining a predetermined total length (L) of the mixer in the direction of the central axis can be precisely achieved.

Abstract: An orthopaedic knee brace comprising an upper arm and a lower arm securable to a wearer's leg above and below the knee joint. There is a pivotable joint at the ends of the arms to allow flexing of the knee by pivoting movement of the arms. A locking mechanism is provided to control pivoting of the joint to lock one of the upper or lower arms relative to the joint while automatically unlocking the other arm to permit pivoting movement of the other arm about the joint. The joint and locking mechanism co-operate to form a light weight structure that operates smoothly to imitate the complex bending motion of the knee while supporting the knee.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the micro juxtaposition is set forth where a selectively activatable surface is maintained spaced apart from the tissue sample and juxtaposed to the tissue sample by activation. In the typical case, activation occurs by laser radiation with the material of the activatable surface thermally expanding and bringing about the desired micro juxtaposition. The disclosed micro juxtapositioning can cause locally and microscopically pressure on tissue sample, insertion to the tissue sample, or contact of an activated or prepared surface to the tissue sample.

Abstract: A capillary optic produced by impression has a mold with an external profile figured for radiation transmission along an axis used as a mandrel for impression. The mold often takes the form of a precisely etched wire. At least one soft plate is used for impressing the mold into the soft plate. The mold is removed from the soft plate to leave a vacant impression figured for radiation transmission in the soft plate along an axis. The impression is then closed to provide for radiation transmission along the axis of the impression. In the most common embodiment, two relatively soft plates having identical compositions with flat and highly polished initial surfaces are used. The impression(s) can be coated with reflective materials. Disclosure of an optical connector and emitter is included.

Abstract: A lightweight visor of semi-rigid plastic mesh material is sized to provide filtered sun ray incidence with minimum wind resistance to and through to the head of the wearer. The visor is crescent-shaped with the outer and larger curvature of the crescent forming the visor brim and the inner and smaller curvature of the crescent forming the head-contacting surface of the visor. The smaller curvature of the crescent is always maintained with a curvature that is greater than the head of the wearer and is provided with a soft liner disposed in the plane of the visor for contact to the head of the wearer. Provision is made for the removably detachable mounting of light-obstructing shades, each shade occupying less than one-third of the total area of the visor.

Abstract: The magnetic stirring apparatus (1) comprises an agitator (1a), at least one permanent magnet (1d, 1e) and a float body (1f), which are connected to one another.

Abstract: A claw-pole type stepping motor which includes a stator in which coils are arranged in association with a pair of inner and outer yokes and a pair of pole tooth sections thereby forming a magnetic circuit; and a rotor magnet which is rotatably disposed opposite to the pair of pole tooth sections, each of the pair of pole tooth sections being prepared discretely from each of the inner and outer yokes by punching out a soft magnetic steel plate so as to form a piece having a belt portion and a plurality of pole teeth integrally connected to the belt portion and thereafter rolling into a cylindrical shape. Thus, it becomes possible to set arbitrarily individual dimensions of each of the pole teeth as required by the characteristics of a motor, thereby providing an excellent high output and miniature motor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of gathering by LCM identified cellular material from randorn locations on a tissue sample to designated locations on a transporting substrate enables convenient further processing. A transporting substrate has an identified mapped location for receiving identified cellular material. At least a segment of a selectively activatable coating is placed on the side of the transporting substrate in apposition to the tissue sample at the mapped location. The transporting substrate and sample are relatively moved to place the selectively activated coating at the mapped location in apposition to identified cellular material of the tissue sample which is to be extracted. Thereafter, the selectively activatable coating is activated and impressed or impressed and activated to form an adhesive region on the transporting substrate for adhering to the identified cellular material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing, loading and singularly dispensing bags in a bag bundle from a dispensing hook includes a bag bundle formed from a plurality of stacked bags. Each bag has apertures are defined in the front panel and the rear panel adjacent the open top, these apertures having an opening of a selected dimension normal to the vertical side walls with an upper edge. A dispensing hook is used having parallel sides separated by a width complimentary to the selected dimension of the apertures to provide a secure, snug fit when the bag bundle is placed on the dispensing hook at the registered apertures. The dispensing hook defining a bag holding surface complimentary to the upper edge of the apertures.

Abstract: The device for the homodyne reception of optical phase-keyed signals comprises a heterodyne receiver (101, 102), a data discriminator (20), a frequency acquisition circuit (80) and a local oscillator laser (70). In addition, the device has a window discriminator circuit consisting of a window comparator (30) and a feedback unit (40), whose output is connected with the input of a reversing switch (50). The window comparator (30) has been inserted between the output of the heterodyne receiver (101, 102) and the one input of the feedback unit (40), whose other input is supplied with the output signal (Si) of the discriminator (20). The output of the frequency acquisition circuit (80) is connected with the other connector of the reversing switch (50), whose output signals supplied to the control input of the local oscillator laser (70). The window comparator (30) has two or more thresholds. The feedback unit (40) can have a control input for a quadrature channel (Sq).

Abstract: A low temperature melt film such as EVA is prepared for laser capture microdissection by having a thin specimen non-adhering coating in the range of 0.1% to 10% of the total film thickness placed on the sample exposed side of the film. When the film is brought into contact with the specimen, the specimen non-adhering coating prevents non-specific transfer due to sticky adherence of portions of the sample. At the same time, the non-adhering coating on the low temperature melt film surface can stabilize and protect the low temperature melt film against variations in performance due to ambient humidity and temperature variation. Upon appropriate heating for laser capture microdissection, the barrier of the thin coating allows conventional film melting with otherwise uninhibited adhesion of selected cell areas to the film.