Abstract: An electrical connector capable of connecting, diverting and/or splitting electrical charges between a plurality of conductors.

Abstract: A fluid conveyor jet moves flexible containers or bags along a trough from one station to the next in the trough in a process which efficiently heats or cools the contents of the containers. Side fluid jets positioned along opposite sides of the trough direct heating or cooling fluid (water) on the flexible containers at the stations. They direct the fluid generally in spaced horizontal planes on the flexible containers therebetween causing (1) the central contents of the containers to move away from central areas of the container towards the sides to promote temperature transfer between the contents and cooling or heating fluid from the fluid jet conveyor and the fluid jets and (2) the containers to rotate generally about axes parallel to a longitudinal axis of the trough also helping in the cooling or heating process. The side fluid jets are operatively positioned below the waterline of the trough.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of optical switching wherein a plurality of individual activation strips (18) are adhered longitudinally upon an optical channel, such as an optical fiber (14) to cause the fiber to undulate in 2½ dimensions when the activation strips are activated. The activation strips are activated with a constant or varying electrical source and are located at the free end of the optical fiber. Contraction and expansion of respective activation strips causes a free end of the optical fiber to be displaced or to undulate. A multichannel switch (100) operates by moving the free end of the selected input fiber and the free end of the selected output fiber toward one another so that the signal is sent from the input to the output fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating slow rise-time, high voltage electrical pulses to a load, preferably using an existing transformer/rectifier set or power supply to charge an inversion or high voltage switching circuit to produce the pulsed voltage. An energy recovery circuit (100, 102) is used to return unused energy from the load (24) back to the means for producing pulsed voltage (110, 130). A load matching circuit (120) uses a blocking diode and a capacitor for charging the load. An additional blocking diode (32) inhibits load voltage discharge back through the slow pulse generating circuit. A transformer (20) can be used to step-up voltage from the inversion circuit, or high voltage switching circuit, to the load. One or more magnetic switch stages are used to transfer energy from the inversion circuit, or high voltage switching circuit, to the load matching circuit. A fire-on voltage controller (66) triggers the inversion or high voltage switching circuit.

Abstract: A heat sink retainer clip for attaching a heat sink to an electronic device and its housing such as a microprocessor module. The clip is comprised of flexible rails having slots that corresponding pins are inserted through. The pins are inserted vertically through registered openings in the heat sink and microprocessor module, and through corresponding holes in the retainer clip. Then the clip is expanded by a handle causing the pins to slide horizontally through the slots and lock into place because the size of the bulb at one end of the pin is larger than the width of the slot. Each pin also contains a spacer for maintaining a fixed distance between components of the microprocessor module and heat sink.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting objects are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a person entering a secured or “Safe Zone™” is illuminated with low-power polarized radio waves. Differently polarized waves which are reflected back from the person are collected and measured. Persons carrying a concealed weapon such as a handgun are detected by calculating the difference of a pair of differences between levels of different polarized reflected energy. Alternative embodiments of the invention may be used to detect a wide variety of objects other than concealed firearms. The invention may be used for inventory control or to thwart shoplifting.

Abstract: A fluid conveyor jet moves flexible containers or bags along a trough from one station to the next in the trough in a process which efficiently heats or cools the contents of the containers. Side fluid jets positioned along opposite sides of the trough direct heating or cooling fluid (water) on the flexible containers at the stations. They direct the fluid generally in spaced horizontal planes on the flexible containers therebetween causing (1) the central contents of the containers to move away from central areas of the container towards the sides to promote temperature transfer between the contents and cooling or heating fluid from the fluid jet conveyor and the fluid jets and (2) the containers to rotate generally about axes parallel to a longitudinal axis of the trough also helping in the cooling or heating process. The side fluid jets are operatively positioned below the waterline of the trough.

Abstract: A broadband collapsible impulse radiating antenna having a reflector 36 and feed arms 24 made from a flexible conductive material. An umbrella-like support mechanism is used to collapse and deploy reflector 36. The umbrella-like mechanism consists of a plurality of support ribs 52, a center support rod 22, center push rods 28, feed arm support rods 26, and push sleeve 32. Support ribs 52 are attached to the reflector 36 and are pivotally connected to a central hub 66. Push sleeve 32 slides along center support rod 22 causing the radial center push rods 28 to provide a radial force to reflector 36 and thereby deploy and collapse the antenna. Center can 12 contains center support rod 22 and an RF splitter 86 that splits the input signal into two feed cables of equal length leading to the feed point 54. Optional expandable seams can be provided in the reflector and feed arms so that the surface curvature of the reflector can be adjusted.

Abstract: A size reduction apparatus and process for reducing the size of a heterogeneous or homogeneous article or articles using variable and interchangeable interior parts for varying article output size and an air handling system for introducing air and/or fluid into the process of size-reduction. The components of a heterogeneous article are separated and used to aid in the size-reduction process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method wherein polarization rotation in alkali vapors or other mediums is used for all-optical switching and digital logic and where the rate of operation is proportional to the amplitude of the pump field. High rates of speed are accomplished by Rabi flopping of the atomic states using a continuously operating monochromatic atomic beam as the pump.

Abstract: A trough construction including a trough along which water is propelled to convey bagged product therealong. A plurality of nozzles jet-spray cooling or heating water onto the product as it is conveyed along the trough. The nozzles are oriented in opposing first and second series so as to impart a rotation on the bagged product generally about a longitudinal axis of the trough. According to one embodiment, a first suction tube having openings through the trough wall is opposite to the first series of nozzles and with a first pump forms a first fluid circuit. Similarly, a second suction tube with suction openings, together with a second pump and the second series form a second fluid circuit. The two fluid circuits keep the bags centered in the trough, surrounded by cooling or heating water. According to a second embodiment, the trough is positioned in a sump and has trough openings so that the water in the trough communicates with that in the sump, and the suction tubes are not used.

Abstract: A retainer clip for retaining a component to a board and a handle for handling the same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a fully programmable and configurable application specific integrated circuit (FPCA). Programmable I/O cells are programmed for selected electrical characteristics, including power and ground. The circuit contains a functional core for programming the circuit, programmable I/O leads to connect to the programmable I/O cells, and programming logic and control for programming the functional core and I/O cells. Certain leads double as programmable I/O leads and programming control leads, and are used to communicate with the programming logic and control and the I/O cells. A method of programming the FPCA comprises the steps of asserting the programming control signal; applying programming voltage and ground to a respective two designated I/O cells' leads; isolating a plurality of the I/O cells from the programming signal; and programming an FPGA array in addition to the isolated I/O cells of the circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting and directing the flow of fluid. A movable core within the flow valve has openings which can be aligned or misaligned with an inlet, outlet, and bypass tap hole on the flow valve body thereby either blocking the flow of fluid, allowing the flow of fluid directly through the valve, allowing the fluid to flow directly through the valve as well as to the bypass tap hole, or only allowing the flow of fluid to the bypass tap hole.

Abstract: A two-dimensional light valve array comprising a pattern of reduced electrode spacing solid state light valves formed using semiconductor processing techniques, and a method of making same. The electrodes are recessed into channels in an electro-optic substrate, such as lanthanum modified lead zirconate-titanate (PLZT). A first set of electrodes are deposited in a comb-shaped configuration into parallel and orthogonal channels etched into the PLZT substrate. A second set of deposited electrodes are bands running in alternating channels between the teeth of the first set of electrodes. An insulating material isolates the two sets of electrodes. An applied voltage between the electrodes induces bi-refringence in the PLZT and affects light transmissivity through the light valve at that location. The array is activated electronically by means of matrix addressing and controlled by means of a microcomputer and appropriate software.

Abstract: A stackable heat sink having a core shaft in heat-engaging relation with a semiconductor device and a plurality of individual thin fins having an opening for receiving the core shaft in press fit relation so that a plurality of the fins, when mounted on the shaft, define a plurality of air passageways and the fins and shaft efficiently transfer heat away from the semiconductor device and into the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A remote targeting apparatus and method comprising surrounding a projectile target with a sensor array, computing projectile impact data, transmitting the data receiving the data at a controller; and displaying information corresponding to the data. RF transmission/reception is performed, most preferably at a frequency of between approximately 902 and 928 MHz, with the controller having RF Faraday cage shielding and collision avoidance being employed to permit multiple sensor arrays to operate in a vicinity of one another. Projectile impact locations within twelve inches of the center of the projectile target are calculated to an average RMS accuracy of less than approximately fifty thousandths of an inch, directly in an orthogonal Cartesian coordinate system. Velocity is also determined via an additional sensor at a predetermined distance from the sensor array which measures a difference in time between the projectile passing the additional sensor and the sensor array.

Abstract: A chemical (coating and reduction)/mechanical/electrical treatment of ion-exchange materials (preferably ion-exchange membranes) to convert them to artificial muscles. The figure is a perspective view of an actuator of the invention showing the treated membrane actuator (A) with electrodes (25 and 26) placed at one end of the membrane, the electrodes being further attached to a power source (35). Artificial muscles created by the inventive method are capable of undergoing electrically-controllable large deformations resembling the behavior of biological muscles. A typical flap muscle of 0.2-0.4 mm thickness, 2-5 mm width and 20 mm length manufactured by the inventive process can achieve a completely reversible maximum deflection of 12-15 mm under a maximum voltage of 2.0-2.5 volts.

Abstract: An amusement device comprising a modularized pod, in which one or more riders sit and are restrained, and which spins under power about a horizontal axis according to the passenger's active control. The riders control the spinning of the pod, either forward or backward, by pressing buttons on the passenger's handgrips located inside the pod. The modularized pod may be used in conjunction with many different types of amusement devices, including, but not limited to roller coasters, carrousels, Ferris wheels, virtual reality units, centrifugal tumblers. The modularized pod may also be used in conjunction with flight and space training and simulation units.