Abstract: A sensor device includes a source of radiation and a reflective surface having a contour that directs radiation reflected from the surface along a field having at least two parallel sides. In a disclosed example, the reflective surface contour is at least partially curvilinear. A disclosed example includes a laser diode as the source of radiation and the reflective surface directs the reflected radiation in a direction that is generally perpendicular relative to a path that light follows as it emanates from the laser diode. The reflective surface in one example shapes the reflected radiation from a source that provides radiation along a path with obliquely oriented sides, the reflected radiation has at least two parallel sides. A disclosed sensor device is useful for measuring at least one feature of a part or object placed within a field of view of a sensing element that can detect the reflected radiation.

Abstract: A device and technique for monitoring the quality of a manufacturing process, a resulting part or both includes determining a cumulative deviation of an actual process signature from an expected signature. A disclosed example includes determining a quantitative value of a difference between the signatures at each of a plurality of corresponding segments of the signatures. A cumulative deviation based upon deviations of the corresponding segments provides an indication of quality. A disclosed example includes determining a negative cumulative deviation, a positive cumulative deviation and a total cumulative deviation, each of which may be used independently for analysis purposes.

Abstract: A vehicle safety sensor allows a vehicle operator such as a truck driver to detect the presence of adjacent objects in order to avoid collision with same. In one embodiment, three detection ranges providing feedback with various lights and sounds can be used with separate sensors, with some sensors automatically made “live” upon reversing or turning of the vehicle, and some sensors being manually activated, such as when an overpass is encountered.

Abstract: A bearing arrangement for an articulatable support includes bearing assemblies. In one embodiment, the assemblies have a ball and aperture having sliding contact at discrete areas during relative rotation. In another embodiment, the sliding contact may be formed at a ball and a plastics (e.g. P.T.F.E. support). Resilient displacement of the bearing contact along a rotational axis is provided by planar spring supports and a rigid support is provided by supports.

Abstract: There is provided a small transmitter designed to be worn by a detainee in a house arrest system. A tamper-resistant band retains a housing on an appendage (e.g., a wrist or ankle, etc.) of the detainee. The band contains stainless steel strands for strength. In addition, a fiber optic stand connected at one end of the band to a light source and at the other end to a light detector is used to detect severance of the band. The band may also have a conductive portion in contact with the skin of the detainee. The conductive portion is connected to a proximity detector so that in the event that a detainee managed to remove the device without severing the band and, consequently, the fiber optic strand, an alert could be generated at a monitoring station. Tamper alerts as well as low battery status are transmitted by a low power, RF transmitter within the housing. An IR control port is provided to selectively activate and deactivate the unit.

Abstract: Testing apparatus for testing string lamps such as hose of Christmas lights. The apparatus includes a hand held housing having two sockets for testing lamps, an indicating lamp, and a buzzer. One socket connects power from a battery to the electrodes of the lamp. The other socket is associated with an inductive circuit which energizes the indicating lamp and buzzer when the inserted lamp is operable. Externally exposed electrodes connected to the indicating lamp and buzzer enable testing of fuses. Internal circuitry includes a 4069 chip containing a plurality of individual amplifiers.

Abstract: Chimeric molecules of nucleic acid/nucleic acid analogue, comprising a nonstandard backboned portion and a standard backboned portion having a 3′ end, useful as primers in reactions involving primer extension, such as nucleic acid amplification and sequencing.

Abstract: The present invention features a self-contained, programmable, telephone-activated emergency visual alert system. Low energy consumption LED visual alert "strobe" signal is directly powered from the inventive control unit. Multiple emergency telephone numbers may be programmed into the control unit making the inventive system highly effective for use in areas without standard "911" emergency dispatch service. In an alternate embodiment, the visual indicator may be located some distance away from the controller unit and be activated by means of an rf or other wireless control link. A small, inexpensive battery at the remote indicator may power the receiver and indicating lamp for long periods of time without the need for battery replacement. Programmable integrated circuits form the basis of the control circuitry allowing low component count, low power consumption and, ultimately, low cost and long term, reliable operation.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer for producing a tunable frequency output signal. The synthesizer includes a tunable frequency oscillator having a tunable output signal and including: a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) for generating an output signal; a harmonic generator coupled to the VCO for generating a plurality of harmonics of the VCO output signal; and a tunable bandpass filter coupled to the harmonic generator and having an output for selectively passing any one of the VCO output signal harmonics which constitutes both the tunable output signal of the tunable frequency oscillator and the tunable frequency output signal of the frequency synthesizer.

Abstract: A method of recovering a biopolymer from solution involves the use of magnetically attractable beads which do not specifically bind the polymer. The beads are suspended in the solution. Then the polymer is precipitated out of solution and becomes non-specifically associated with the beads. When the beads are magnetically drawn down, the polymer is drawn down with them. The polymer can subsequently be resolubilized and separated from the beads.

Abstract: Biological assay systems often involve suspending magnetically attractable particles in a liquid, and later bringing down the particles from suspension and separating the formed pellet from the supernatant liquid. The invention provides magnetic systems for this purpose, shaped to form an annular or part-annular pellet close to the bottom of the vessel. The systems are suitable for automation.

Abstract: An airless, solenoid-operated applicator having a high speed non-contact extrusion valve, wherein the time required for opening and closing the plunger assembly of the valve, as well as for the applicator to recycle, is minimized by concentrating an electromagnetic field on pole pieces made of magnetically soft material. The electromagnetic field is generated by a coil having windings with a length substantially equal to the distance between their inner and outer diameter. Further, the dynamic pole has a length relative to the length of the windings since the plunger assembly is spring-loaded within the static pole instead of the dynamic pole. An annealing process may also be performed on the pole pieces, as well as various magnetically conductive and corrosion resistant coatings or platings applied thereto, in order to further enhance the susceptibility of the pole pieces to magnetism.

Abstract: A combination straw, lid and cup including a cup, a lid forming a cover for the cup hinged at one end thereof, means for retaining the lid in an open position and against the body of the cup, an externally-mounted straw one end of which is passed through the bottom of the cup into the interior thereof and the other end extending above the rim of the cup, and a housing for the straw.

Abstract: A digital speech scrambler system allowing for the transmission of scrambled speech over a narrow bandwidth by sequency limiting the analog speech in a low-pass sequency filter and thereafter multiplying the sequency limited speech with periodically cycling sets of Walsh functions at the transmitter. At the receiver, the Walsh scrambled speech is unscrambled by multiplying it with the same Walsh functions previously used to scramble the speech. The unscrambling Walsh functions are synchronized to the received scrambled signal so that, at the receiver multiplier, the unscrambling Walsh signal is the same as and in phase with the Walsh function which multiplied the speech signal at the transmitter multiplier. Synchronization may be accomplished by time division multiplexing sync signals with the Walsh scrambled speech. The addition of the sync signals in this manner further masks the transmitted speech and thus helps to prevent unauthorized deciphering of the transmitted speech.