Abstract: An electrical receptacle providing repositional plug accepting members which receive and lock into place an inserted electrical plug with or without a ground prong while allowing for manual rotation to on and off positions, the receptacle further utilizes prong slot blocking members to obstruct attempted foreign object insertion when improperly initiated without plug insertion.

Abstract: A wireless remote control for the trim/tilt of a boat propulsion system including a plurality of transmitters, each capable of generating a signal on two channels and a receiver control responsive to each of the two signals and capable of synthesizing a third control signal from the combination of the two signals.

Abstract: A method of locating the source of material emitted into a moving fluid by measuring the mass flux of the emitted material in each direction of fluid flux over a period of time at a plurality of sensing points; smoothing these directional mass flux values by including a component of mass flux values taken from the adjacent fluid direction and then preparing a map of potential emission values of the emitted material at each point in a plane reasonably adjacent to the sensing points.

Abstract: A digital processing system comprising a source of input data for producing digital information, a data queue connected to the data input by a data bus, a memory array interactive with the data queue, a memory controller connected to the data queue into the memory array for timing the read/write signal cycles of the memory array in response to the state of the data queue, and a data output receiver connected by a data bus to the data queue. The data queue performs serial-to-parallel conversion of the input data from the input data source. The data queue also performs parallel-to-serial conversion on the output data to the data output receiver. The input data source comprises a large contiguous block of memory data connected to the data queue by a plurality of ports. Each of the ports is independent of any of the other ports. The data queue is a loadable shift register having a plurality of data paths extending from the input data source, the memory controller, and the data output receiver.

Abstract: A module incorporating at least one flat end cap is positioned within the payload of the Space Shuttle or other space vehicle to enhance the capabilities of the payload area. The flat end cap reduces the required volume in the launch vehicle to be occupied by the module and provides for efficient use of the interior space of the Space Shuttle by providing more flat surfaces to which necessary equipment can be fastened. The module is truncated, thus adding another flat surface, i.e., a ceiling, to the interior of the vehicle. The truncated top of the module is capable of separate integration and carries additional experiments within racks which can be attached to its interior surface. The module can be fabricated from aluminum members in an aircraft type fashion of construction, or can be assembled from existing or modified Space Lab hardware.

Abstract: An imaging plate comprising a first conductive layer having a plurality of conductive segments arranged thereabout, a photoconductive sandwich structure affixed to the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer integrally affixed to the side of the photoconductive sandwich structure opposite the first conductive layer. The conductive segments of the first conductive layer are electrically connected to a conductor such that each of the conductive segments are selectively addressable. Each of the conductive segments is a conductive strip separated from adjacent conductive strips by dielectric material. The conductor is an accumulator bar extending across the conductive layer transverse to the conductive strips. A photoconductive bridge conects each of the conductive strips with the accumulator bar. The photoconductive bridge is a photoconductive dot. Each of the photoconductive dots is addressable by a properly positioned photon beam.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting energy from fluid motion, i.e. waves, comprising spacing a plurality of floating modules, which may be single floats or arrays, on the fluid's surface far enough apart to minimize apparatus cost and close enough together to utilize the vortex-like action of the waves to extract a maximum amount of wave energy. This spacing is preferably about half the wavelength of the incident waves. The energy extracted by the modules is converted to hydraulic, electrical, mechanical, or chemical energy.

Abstract: The invention is an efficient hydraulic motor/pump whose mechanical advantage can be varied while it is operating. Preferred embodiments described include a multi-cylinder reciprocation motor/pump, a variable level power extraction system used with a wave generator, a hydraulic transformer and a hydraulic autotransformer.

Abstract: The invention sorts small particles by subjecting them to a charging and motivating field produced by a single positively charged electrode. The magnitude of the charge placed on the particle passing the electrode is a function of the observed particle parameters. Once the particle has been deflected in accordance with its observed parameter, the particle may be collected for further study.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring radiation exposure in realtime by measuring the charge flowing in an external circuit when radiation creates electron hole pairs, and thus allows discharge, of a duo-dielectric detector.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and a method for using the apparatus to maintain quality control over a radiographic imaging system by precisely exposing two areas of a film to even illumination from a light source attenuated by different precisely known amounts. Both exposures are chosen to fall on the linear portion of the film's density-log exposure curve. The film is developed and the densities of the exposed areas are sensed photometrically. The film's base plus fog density, gamma and "processor quality factor" (which is a measure of the sensed film's deviation from the gamma and speed of a reference film processed in a reference processor) are automatically calculated. The processor quality factor allows faulty radiographic technique to be detected apart from faulty film or faulty processing without re-exposing the patient to additional radiation.

Abstract: A recordkeeping apparatus for use with a pushbutton telephone communication system for providing a permanent printed record at a called party's station of a pushbutton telephone transmitting station optionally equipped with a source terminal to display the transmitted data and a receiving station connected to the telephone communication system. The receiving station includes an answering circuit to detect incoming calls, a tone decoder to decode the transmitted character data and "#" and "*" function data, storage for the character data, a time and date clock, a printer interface, a printer to print the time and date and character data, and a programmer. The programmer controls printing of the time and date, printing of the transmitted character data, and elimination of erroneous character data, all in response to the "#" and "*" function data received from the transmitting station.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating breakage of a tensioned rope, or chain or the like by firing flares or other warning signals. In the preferred embodiment, an auxiliary cable running parallel to the towing or mooring cable is used to actuate firing of a first flare and to simultaneously activate a timing mechanism. Said timing mechanism fires a series of flares in a predetermined sequence. This combination allows both an immediate indication of a hazard and quick localization and recovery of a detached boat or vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for disposing of waste material by means of a multi-stage reaction favoring desired reaction products. The rate at which different reactions reach equilibrium at different temperatures and the effects of reaction stoichiometry are controlled by the process to promote desired reactions and discriminate against undesired ones.

Abstract: Shrimp are introduced individually onto a rotating disk inward of an adjustable gauging strip fixed above the disk's surface. Shrimp passing under the gauging strip under the influence of centrifugal force and are channeled to a first output chute. Those retained by the strip exit the disk through a second output chute. Disks may be ganged vertically to provide a plurality of sorted grades or in parallel for increased throughput.

Abstract: The present invention is a tool used to demount polygonal hub nuts from a threaded axle located within a wheel hub. The tool comprises at least two steel bars slidably and rotatably joined by a buckle pivot. Each end of each bar is equipped with a rounded raised surface. The four rounded raised surfaces are dimensioned so the nut engaging end of the tool will fit snugly between one face of the hub nut and the wheel hub. The cross-member on the tool is rotated so lugs on the wheel hub strike a lug protection plate mounted on the cross-member. The tool transfers torque imparted to it by the lug to the hub nut. When not in use, the tool may be collapsed for ease of storage.

Abstract: An indicator device for providing a high-intensity visual indication of an occurrence comprises a flash tube which is fed with a high voltage from a capacitor, the capacitor being charged by means energized from an intrinsically safe supply. Trigger pulses are applied to the flash tube in response to the occurrence, so that the tube emits flashes in response thereto. An annunciator can comprise a plurality of the devices housed in a single unit and fed from a single power supply.

Abstract: The present invention sorts small particles by subjecting them to a charging and motivating field produced by a single electrode. The magnitude of the charge placed on the particle passing the electrode is a controlled function of observed particle parameters. The amount of charge placed on the small particle in this manner determines the amount of deflection imparted to the particle's trajectory. Once the particle has been deflected in accordance with its observed parameter, the particle may be collected for further study. It will be appreciated that this version of the present invention deflects the small particle by applying a force to it at some angle to its direction of movement. The particle's movement will generally be impelled by the accelerative force of the fluid stream along a line between the end of a droplet producing nozzle and a collection station.

Abstract: A memory device and method is disclosed wherein positions of ions associated with a film are varied locally with respect to the film's surface by an electric field. A writing and erasing field is created by voltage modulating the film's conducting substrate in synchronization with low intensity electron bombardment of a local area of the film's surface by a scanning electron beam.The ion's position in the film varies the film's surface potential and alters the angular distribution imparted by its surface to primary diffracted and secondary emitted electrons. In the invention's read mode a scanning electron beam, combined with a detector discriminator, analyzes these emitted electrons to determine the surface potential at each address on the film thus reading out data stored in the film. A second means of reading out stored information utilizing detection of low energy electrons selectively diffracted by ions near the film's surface is disclosed.

Abstract: A plurality of different sized floats are connected into an array through nonlinear interfaces so their relative motions drive hydraulic pumping means. Floats in the array are sized to present a "black body" to the ocean waves incident upon the array. Fluid moved by the pumping means is used to drive an electric turbogenerator.