Abstract: A photoconductive switching device is disclosed that has an enhanced speed f response so that its closed (low) and open (high) resistive states are obtained in response to optical illumination in the less than nanosecond regime. The enhanced speed of response is achieved by neutron irradiation of a material preferably comprising GaAs:Si:Cu. An application of the improved photoconductive switching devices is disclosed which allows the realization of a high-power, frequency-agile RF source topology.

Abstract: A process for producing a superconductor wire by:A. coating the inner surface of a steel tube with a thin layer of silver metal;B. packing the tube with high temperature superconductor ceramic (HTSC) powder;C. sealing the tube;D. cold working the tube to reduce its diameter;E. etching or dissolving away the steel tube to leave a superconductor wire comprising the silver metal coating that was on the inner surface of the steel tube as a thin silver metal sheath which encapsulates the HTSC powder.The superconductor wire can be further treated by sintering or oxygenating the HTSC powder.

Abstract: A device for detecting loose ends in tobacco articles such as cigarettes comprises a stationary cam for positioning the articles prior to reaching a flat sensor surface. A pair of concentric electrodes are arranged on the sensor surface for generating an electric field. Cigarettes are moved through the field so as to create a field disturbance. Deviations from a predetermined field disturbance indicate that a cigarette is defective. A piece of thin glass, of about 5.5 mils, covers the sensor surface and is adhered thereto to protect against wear. Compared to surface protecting members previously used, the glass member significantly extends the wear life of the sensor, improves the sensitivity of the device, improves detection accuracy, and eliminates the need for daily readjustment of the field.

Abstract: Conventional radar uses the Fourier transform to generate a radar target image. Constraints on the use of Fourier methods requiring point scatterers to remain in their range cells and requiring Doppler frequency shifts for point scatterers to be stationary are impractical due to a moving object's inherent non-uniform motion and rotation. Time varying motion-induced Doppler frequency shift spectra represented with Fourier transform methods smears radar target image. Representing time-varying Doppler spectrum using joint time-frequency transform methods is desirable. Replacing conventional radar Fourier transform with a high resolution time-frequency transform, a 2-D range-Doppler Fourier image frame becomes a 3-D time-range-Doppler cube. By sampling in time, a time sequence of 2-D range-Doppler images with superior resolution can be viewed. Smears from time-variance of Doppler spectrum may be removed to enhance target image.

Abstract: Greater energy densities can be obtained in aqueous rechargeable batteries based on the `rocking chair` principle by the use of certain polymer insertion compounds as an electrode material. Aqueous lithium ion batteries using poly(carbon disulfide) polymer as an anode have energy densities comparable to nickel metal hydride batteries.

Abstract: A process for producing a polypropylene impact copolymer by polymerizing propylene and optionally a monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, butene-1, pentene-1, and hexene-1 in a first reactor in the presence of a titanium, magnesium, halogen, and a inside electron donor catalyst, an organoaluminum cocatalyst, and an outside electron donor, R.sup.1.sub.2 Si(OR.sup.2).sub.2, to produce a first polymer which enters a second reactor where it is reacted with propylene and another monomer in the absence of additional catalyst and in the presence of a third electron donor, Si(OR.sup.3).sub.4 is provided.

Abstract: A process for producing gasoline blending components from a heavy hydrocarbon composition comprising alkyl aromatics by transalkylation of said alkyl aromatics with benzene is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the process comprises (a) feeding said heavy hydrocarbon composition comprising alkyl aromatics and said benzene as feed to a cracking unit; and (b) contacting said alkyl aromatics and said benzene with cracking catalyst at catalytic cracking conditions of elevated temperature and pressure to produce transalklyation products.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article including a first backsheethaving an aperture therein and a second backsheet releasably attached to the first backsheet and completely covering the aperture in the first backsheet. The second backsheet can be detached from the first backsheet, thus revealing the aperture in the first backsheet. The absorbent article can then be combined with an additional absorbent article where fluid acquired in the absorbent article can be transported to the underlying absorbent article to provide additional storage capacity.

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of apple Malus domestica, tree named Excel, a sport mutation of the apple variety Jonagold, uniquely characterized from its parent variety by its much better color intensity over 50% or more of the surface of the fruit with a solid bright red colored blush with scarcely visible very fine red stripes in it and a smoother texture of the skin surface. Also the ground color of its fruit keeps longer green. The fruit has a higher acidity and a longer and thinner brown/red stalk, and has earlier ripening and picking dates. The tree is also characterized by distinctly dormant fruit buds on tips which have a conical shape and by its dark brown-red wood with clearly more pubescence and fewer but bigger lenticels than its parent variety.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach tree which has a low winter chilling requirement of approximately 200 chill units (cu). The tree is of large size, is highly vigorous spreading growth habit and has showy pink flowers. Glands are reniform in shape and isolated to the basal portions of leaves. This tree, which has been denominated UFGold is a regular bearer of heavy crops of early maturing, large for early ripening season, with very firm non-melting flesh, clingstone fruit having yellow flesh color. Fruit is uniform, attractive, substantially symmetrical shape, and has an attractive normally 70 to 90% solid red over-color. The fruit ripens substantially with that of Flordaglo in early May at Gainesville, Fla.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Salvia plant named `Rose Fountains`, characterized by its weeping, spreading, sprawling growth habit; vigorous and rapid growth rate; and bright rose red flower color.

Abstract: A new plant variety of Lonicera japonica having yellow-margined variegated foliage.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Azalea plant named `Aquarell`, characterized by its dark green leaves and numerous and large white-colored flowers with dark hot pink-speckled edges.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica, which is characterized by a dense shrub form that may reach eight to ten feet in height, leathery leaves which emerge ruby red and slowly change to purplish green, early and long flowering season that continues after seed head production, inflorescences which are six to twelve inches tall and four to eight inches wide, and flower petals that range from bright red-purple on hot summer days to less intense color on cooler or cloudy days.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant named `Tarawa`, characterized by its flat and rounded red-colored flowers; freely flowering habit; outwardly spreading, rounded and mounding growth habit; and dark green, slightly glossy, non-variegated foliage.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant named `Neptis`, characterized by its flat and rounded red and pink bi-colored flowers; freely flowering habit; outwardly spreading, rounded and mounded growth habit; and medium green, glossy, non-variegated foliage.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant named `Lycia`, characterized by its flat and rounded to star-shaped orange and light pink bi-colored flowers; outwardly spreading and mounded growth habit; and dark green, somewhat glossy, non-variegated foliage.

Abstract: An Anthurium plant named `Northstar` having heart shaped light pink spathes which fade to white, and a pink spadix, with the spathes being held well above the foliage in the center of the plant. The inflorescence has a light sweet, mint fragrance. The leaves are dark green, leathery, with a glossy surface, and are abundantly produced. The plant is moderately branched.

Abstract: The crankcase, fixed and orbiting scrolls and Oldham coupling are assembled to make a pump cartridge assembly as a subassembly of a scroll compressor. The pump cartridge assembly is tested to determine whether or not it operates satisfactorily. Upon successful testing, the pump cartridge assembly is installed in the shell of a hermetic compressor.

Abstract: A display or storage unit used to hold compact or laser disc cases, video or audio tapes or cassettes, or the like. The unit may be made from a number or modular units attached to each other. Each modular unit has a number of openings used to hold cases, tapes or cassettes. The openings may be angled to facilitate holding the cases, tapes, or cassettes in place. Apertures are provided in side portions, back portions, and top or bottom plates of the modular units, which allow the modular units to be attached to each other in order to build different configurations for the display or storage unit, or to be hung on a supporting structure such as a wall. Upright units formed by the modular units may be mounted on bases using bolts to fasten bottom plates of the units to the bases.

Abstract: An optical detection system for detecting rain or other water droplets on the outer surface of a window and fog on the inner surface with a single photo-detector. The invention measures the accumulation of water droplets on the window by light refraction of a first light beam with droplets to redirect a first light beam to the photo-detector. A masking device prevents light from reaching the photo-detector directly without refraction. As a result the rain measurement output signal of the photo-detector increases with an increasing accumulation of water droplets on the window. The fog accumulation is measured by a second light beam reflected off the inner surface of the window to the photo-detector so that the output signal of the photo-detector decreases with increasing amounts of fog since fog scatters the light to reduce the amount of light reflected to the photo-detector.

Abstract: A permanent magnet excited motor is provided with a plurality of low circumferential hump-like protrusions on the face of each stator pole to partially decrease the air gap between the stator and rotor and act as so-called magnetic cams to exert a force on the rotor to smooth an otherwise uneven parasitic slot torque that occurs between the interaction of slot openings of the stator poles and the gaps between the permanent magnet poles of the rotor.

Abstract: A new inverting output driver circuit is disclosed that reduces electron injection into the substrate by the drain of the circuit's pull-up field effect transistor. This is accomplished by adding additional circuitry that allows the gate voltage of the pull-up transistor to track the source voltage. The output circuit makes use of an inverter having an output node (hereinafter the intermediate node) coupled to V.sub.CC through a first P-channel FET, and to ground through first and second series coupled N-channel FETs, respectively. The gates of the P-channel FET and the first N-channel FET are coupled to and controlled by an input node. The inverter output node controls the gate of third N-channel FET, through which a final output node is coupled to V.sub.CC. The intermediate node is coupled to the final output node through a fourth N-channel FET, the gate of which is held at ground potential. The gate of the second N-channel FET is coupled to V.sub.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a method of reducing conductive and convective heat loss from the battery unit in battery-powered devices, such as RFID tag devices. Battery heat loss prevention is accomplished by suspending the battery in a vacuum or within a low thermally conductivity gas, such as air, nitrogen, helium or argon. Further improvement is accomplished by using a minimum number of suspension points made of solid material which possesses a low thermally conductivity. The battery can be suspended by various means, the first of which totally encapsulates the battery using the minimum number of solid material suspension points mentioned above, and the second of which only a portion of the battery (such as the lower portion) is suspended in a low thermally conductive material and the upper portion is encapsulated by the low thermally conductive material fabricated in an arching structure that does not contact the upper portion of the battery.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser control apparatus includes a semiconductor laser, a current driver connected to the semiconductor laser, a semiconductor p-i-n photodiode for generating a monitoring current, and an operational amplifier. The inverting input of the operational amplifier receives a modulated or control signal through a resistor and a feedback current based on the monitoring current. The non-inverting input of the operational amplifier receives a reference signal. When a variation in output light amount of the semiconductor laser occurs, the operational amplifier generates an error signal in accordance with the feedback current and supplies the error signal to the current driver, thereby compensating for the variation in output light amount of the semiconductor laser.

Abstract: When an exposure counter in a single-use camera indicates that the maximum number of exposures on a roll of film in the camera have been exposed, a function of the camera such as an electronic flash capability is disabled to prevent unauthorized recycling of the camera. A reset code must be inputted to the camera to initialize the exposure counter and to enable the electronic flash capability, to permit authorized reuse of the camera with another roll of film. If an invalid code is inputted to the camera, the electronic flash capability is permanently disabled or cannot be re-enabled for a period of time.

Abstract: A drag reduction arrangement for the body of an athlete moving through a fluid medium, comprises a device attachable to the athlete's body for delaying the onset of boundary layer separation at a trailing surface thereof. The device preferably comprises an array of vortex generators. As a result, form drag is reduced by an amount which is substantially greater than any increase in skin friction due to the presence of the vortices.

Abstract: An article of wearing apparel capable of being worn and played with having a fabric surface including a game playing portion or background scene, and one or more removably attached articles. The game playing portion or background scene of the fabric surface having a multiplicity of loop or hook elements discretely located thereon. The removably attached articles having a multiplicity of hook or loop elements capable of engaging the loop or hook elements on the fabric surface.

Abstract: An extended protective article capable of covering an upper extremity of a wearer from the hand and up to a region near the axilla, and providing protection from fluids from its distal to its proximal ends; the protective article can be formed of a single material or two components of dissimilar materials; a method for constructing the protective article is also provided.

Abstract: A woman's sports hat is disclosed. A pin configured to represent the sport the woman intends to play while wearing the hat is inserted through two openings at the front of the hat so as to secure the hat to the woman's head. The hat will then resist being blown off in the wind, or falling off during physical, sports related activity. To further relate the hat and sport together a logo representing the same sport as the sports pin is imprinted or otherwise affixed to one or both sides of the hat. Reversible hats and caps can have different logos on the inside and outside of the hat so that the hat can simply be turned inside out, and the appropriate sports pin inserted in order to make the hat suitable for different sports, as, for example, golf and tennis.

Abstract: A safety helmet has a hard outer shell having front and rear edges. A bowl-shaped liner with front and rear edges and a peak between the edges is contoured to fit snugly in the shell so that the front and rear edges of the liner are adjacent to the front and rear edges of the shell. The liner has an interior surface contoured generally to fit a wearer's head and a corrugated exterior surface, the tips of the liner corrugations contacting the shell along multiple lines of contact. The corrugations in at least a central zone of the liner adjacent to the peak extend fore and aft between the front and rear edges of the liner such that the corrugations define valleys that are spaced from the shell to provide air passages in the helmet extending from the front of the helmet to an array of through-holes in the liner and to a vent opening in the shell adjacent to the rear edge of the liner. A valve is provided to control air flow through the passages and the through-holes.

Abstract: A pair of swimming goggles includes two lens frames, two lens units, a nose bridge, two gasket units and a head strap. Each of the lens frames has an inner periphery that defines a lens retaining space, and an outer periphery that has bridge and strap connecting portions. Each of the lens units is mounted on a front part of a respective one of the lens frames in the lens retaining space of the latter. Each of two terminal end portions of the nose bridge is connected to the bridge connecting portion of the respective lens frame. The gasket units are provided on a rear part of the respective lens frame. The head strap has two ends connected respectively to the lens frames. The lens frames, the nose bridge and the gasket units are formed integrally.

Abstract: A detergent dispenser including a container having a bottom formed with a downwardly depending tubular portion provided with external threads thereon, a plug having a plurality of longitudinal grooves and an enlarged annular node at an intermediate portion, an upper packing ring mounted on a top of the enlarged annular node of the plug, a lower packing ring mounted on a bottom of the enlarged annular node of the plug, an internally threaded sleeve having an upper opening and a lower opening which is smaller than the upper opening and the enlarged annular node of the plug in diameter, and a buoy threadedly engaged with the lower end of the plug.

Abstract: The present invention is a raised toilet seat that fits both elongated and regular toilet bowls. Within the raised toilet seat is a water channel that runs water to perforation on the side of the raised toilet seat that allows the water to spray upon an individual sitting on the seat. A water line runs out of the side of the toilet seat. This water line can be flexible and can be attached with a coupling to a faucet of a sink near the toilet. The bidet could also be placed in the toilet permanently by hooking the water line to the hot and cold water lines of the sink next to the toilet in the bathroom. In this embodiment the lines from the hot and cold water line to the sink would run into a temperature valve for setting the proper temperature of the water and then into a gate valve that would allow the individual to turn on and off the spray within the toilet seat. The line would then run out of the gate valve to the toilet seat and to the water channel of the seat.

Abstract: A toilet training device (20) is provided, preferably configured as a simulation of an antique railroad engine. The device (20) includes a toilet training bowl (56) supported within a housing (22) with a cover (24) mounted for selective movement thereof between a covering position over the bowl (56) and a retracted position adjacent the housing (22), so as to allow access to the housing (22) and bowl (56) for toilet training purposes. A secondary supply chamber (26) is also provided having a pivotal top (28), for the storage of toys or toilet training needs. The bowl (56) supports a lift-off apertured panel (54) which may be removed for use on a conventional adult toilet. The bowl (56) is also removable from the device (20) after toilet training is completed, so that the device (20) may be used as a toy.

Abstract: A safety device comprising a floor drain grate includes at least two separate regions, and preferably three, with openings through which water can flow into a pool drain. The regions are preferably spaced to either side of the pool drain, by a distance which effectively prevents a swimmer from blocking all the openings at once and becoming stuck to the grate by suction. The floor drain grate may be provided as a retrofit to replace an existing drain grate of a pool.

Abstract: An infant bathing apparatus including a cushioned body having a cavity surrounded on all sides except one by the body. The sides and bottom of the cushioned body are formed from a water permeable outer layer joined to a water permeable inner layer having a hydrophobic material disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A structural body for a water-handling fixture assembly is alternatively usable as a right-hand or a left-hand body part in the assembly. A first edge of the body part is formed to orient in the assembly at an angle that is non-perpendicular in a first direction relative to a surface portion of another structural part of the assembly. A second edge, opposite the first, is formed to orient at an angle that is non-perpendicular in a second direction, opposite the first direction, relative to the surface portion. Formed as a side splash structure for a vanity top assembly of cultured stone, either of the edges of the body part can serve as a back or front edge so that, on either the left side or the right side, the large decoratively finished surface of the side splash structure can face inwardly in the vanity top assembly.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for assisting a person when moving between support surfaces comprising a planar base structure spanning between a first surface and a second surface and a planar person-supporting platform configured for receiving a person thereon. A slidable bearing structure couples the platform with the base structure and the platform slides in a first direction with respect to the base structure to move a person on the platform from said first surface to said second surface positioned away from said first surface. A locking device coupled between the base structure and the platform prevents the platform from moving in a second direction opposite said first direction such that a person on the platform may move from the first surface to the second surface without losing progress made toward the second surface.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an adaptor which removably fastens together with ordinary sleeping bags to make them larger and less susceptible to use-related wear. In the preferred embodiment, the adaptor resembles a sleeve which may encase a sleeping pad (or lightweight camping mattress) incorporating one half of a normal sleeping bag zipper along each side.

Abstract: A baby blanket assembly for covering and protecting a baby from adverse weather and rain, snow, or water, and for use as a water resistant playmat for a baby, the assembly including a first layer of soft, flexible blanket-type material, and a second layer of water resistant material, the second layer being connected to the first layer. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a pocket is provided for receipt and protection of the head of the infant from adverse weather conditions. In an additional preferred embodiment of the invention, VELCRO.RTM. is connected to the edges of the blanket for connection of the blanket to baby carriers or for connection to another of the strips connected to the blanket assembly.

Abstract: A tool assembly is provided, which includes a primary body and a secondary body having a primary post and a secondary post respectively which are pivotally engaged with each other. An L-shaped primary flange is formed on an inner wall of the primary body and is located adjacent to the primary post, and a primary groove is defined in the primary post and is partially defined in the primary flange. An L-shaped secondary flange is formed on an inner wall of the secondary body and is located adjacent to the secondary post, and a secondary groove is defined in the secondary post and is partially defined in the secondary flange. A pair of pliers include two plier bodies pivotally engaged with each other and each having a shank received in each of the primary and secondary grooves and stopped by associated primary and secondary flanges.

Abstract: An improved clothes washing machine is provided with a one-piece pulley and fluid balance ring. The fluid ring is integrally formed with the pulley and is cantilevered from the pulley. The fluid ring is thus in an offset vertical plane relative to the belt track of the pulley so as to prevent interference with the pulley belt. The fluid ring includes a plurality of concentric annular fluid chambers each of which are partially filled with fluid to provide a counterbalance to an unbalanced load of clothes in the washing machine. In an alternative embodiment, the fluid ring is integrally formed with the pulley and spaced radially inwardly from the pulley belt track.

Abstract: There is disclosed a power supply system for a washing machine which has an automatic door opening/closing apparatus designed for automatically opening or closing a door, a washing machine driving unit for enabling the washing machine to perform the washing operation, and a control component for controlling the operation of the washing machine driving unit.

Abstract: A weldless grating comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending primary load bearing members having an upper portion having an upper edge, a lower portion and a first web located between the upper portion and the lower portion, the primary load bearing member having a plurality of spaced-apart openings in the first web, the openings in each of the primary load bearing members being aligned with the openings in adjacent primary load bearing members, the openings having a top portion and a bottom portion, at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion having a protuberance extending from the first web into the opening, and a plurality of secondary load bearing members having an upper edge and a lower edge and a secondary web between the upper edge and lower edge, the secondary load bearing members provided with secondary slots in the secondary web.

Abstract: In a device for removing toner or similar substance deposited on a recording sheet or similar sheet, projections are formed on a back-up member and located at portions on which the rear of a separating member slide. While a sheet is passed through a pressing portion in contact with the separating member, the projections raise the rear of the separating member toward the surface of the sheet carrying the toner. Hence, even solitary particles of the substance adjoining relatively thick and large masses of the substance can contact the front of the separating member. Hence, the solitary particles are prevented from remaining on the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning of a reactor pressure vessel head closure stud. The surface of the stud is cleaned by power vacuum brushing. The stud is hung vertically in a cabinet which supports a vertically elevatable spinner housing. The stud is cleaned in a single process using a rotating wire brush system which is rotatably mounted in the spinner housing and has a central opening for passage of the stud. A plurality of wire bushes are arranged in a circular array surrounding the stud. While the wire brushes are rotating in contact with the stud external surface, the spinner housing and wire brush assembly are displaced vertically by an elevator so that the rotating brushes travel along the full length of the stud. The rotating brushes remove accumulated material on the stud surface. The resulting contaminated debris is contained in a volume enclosed by a brush canister and a bellows. The bellows expands or contracts as the elevator travels.

Abstract: A toothbrush capable of removing plaque from teeth wherein a plurality of plaque removing members formed from a mixture of a relatively soft elastomeric material and particles of an abrasive material project outwardly from a support portion of the toothbrush and each plaque removing member is surrounded by a plurality of tufts of bristles formed from conventional materials and wherein each plaque removing member has a base portion and a plurality of spaced apart projections with each projection having an outer surface with a plurality of crevices formed therein.

Abstract: A toothbrush is provided having a brushhead, neck and handle. The handle includes a flex zone flanked on one side by the neck on the other by a tail zone of the handle. The neck and tail zone are rigid in contrast to the bendable flex zone. Spring Rate for the neck and tail zone is each greater than that for the flex zone. A relatively hard, unitarily formed backbone traverses neck and handle. An elastomer forms portions of both the flex and tail zones. Elastomer is anchored through at least one channel traversing a beam of the backbone. Ends of the channel are radiused to eliminate structural weakness.

Abstract: The present application discloses an apparatus and a method of cleaning an optical fiber, which comprise a cleaning area where an optical fiber is placed between a first tape-shaped cleaning member and a second tape-shaped cleaning member; a first passing line, which is arranged in the cleaning area through which the first tape-shaped cleaning member passes; and a second passing line, which is arranged in the cleaning area and faces the first passing line, through which the second tape-shaped cleaning member passes.