Abstract: A device for removing moisture from a rug or other item, such as a tent or a tarp, etc. in a short time while preventing compression of the rug or the item and the resultant crushing of fringe comprising a shaft disposed on a horizontal axis having a large diameter with a rotatable smaller diameter inner tube therein, the smaller diameter inner tube having apertures therethrough, the smaller diameter inner tube being open at both ends, the inner tube being driven to rotate, and fluid removal means connected to the larger diameter tube for removal of fluid from the device, whereby when a wet rug is loaded into the smaller diameter inner tube, and rotated the moisture in the rug is spun from the rug through the apertures into the larger diameter outer tube and the moisture is drained from the device. A wet item can be loaded from either end and the item can be unloaded from either end after the moisture has been removed.

Abstract: An accessory to a bed knife gage and bar that holds the bar in place against the rollers on a lawn mower cutter. The accessory comprises a movable permanent magnet attached to a rod and handle, the rod, in turn, attached to the bar. Engagement of the permanent magnet with the mower cutter bed knife holds the bar and gage in place obviating the need for the user to hold the bar in place while using the gage.

Abstract: A novel brake assembly is provided for a bicycle. The assembly is composed of an arrangement of a pair of brake pads each connected to a rod member in turn guided for axial movement by a base fixed on the bicycle frame. A bifurcated control cable actuates wedge members causing movement of the pads against a wheel rim. Return springs on the rod members cause the assembly to return to the original non-braking position in response to release of the control cable. As an option, a second wedge action can be incorporated that is activated by the frictional forces generated from the contact of the brake pads with the wheel rim. The second wedge action is limited by a mechanical stop within the brake assembly to prevent jamming of the brakes.

Abstract: A new capacitive sensor array comprises a first plurality of conductors separated by a compressible insulator from a second plurality of conductors lying in a second plane parallel to the first plane. The second plurality of conductors are paired to partially overlap the first plurality of conductors, two by one in sets, whereby a shear force applied in a plane parallel to the conductor array will cause capacitance between the first and second conductors to change. Serially sampling the two by one sets for changes in capacitance provides information on both the magnitude and direction of shear. Moreover, forces applied perpendicular to the planes causes the insulator to compress, thus also changing the capacitances of the two by one sets of the sensor array. In the preferred embodiment, the imbalance of voltages between the paired conductors is applied to a differential amplifier to sense shear magnitude and direction.

Abstract: Illuminated warning signs of familiar shapes employ back lighting through letters of smoked translucent plastic or glass. The back lighting is produced by incandescent lights or light emitting diodes located behind the letters. Thus, for example, in daylight a stop sign will appear to have black or white letters in contrast to the red background of the stop sign, but at night the letters will glow. Since warning signs provide shape to indicate the nature of the warning, the perimeter of the sign is likewise caused to glow brightly by providing one or a plurality of light pipes illuminated by lamps or a plurality of light emitting diodes. Thus, the combination of the word and the perimeter glowing brightly make clear the nature of the warning despite the sign being otherwise obscured.

Abstract: Fuel injectors (10) for internal combustion engines are modified and equipped with fiber optic fuel pressure sensors (12) and fiber optic combustion pressure sensors (14). The combustion pressure sensors (14) are located in separate channels (26) formed in the fuel injectors with the lower portion (22) of the channels leading to the combustion chambers. Above the combustion pressure sensors (14) are fiber optic leads (24). In the preferred embodiments the sensors (46) are equipped with diaphragms (40) of novel shape (48) and employ multiple pairs of fibers (86, 88), temperature sensitive components (72, 74, 126) and novel compensation and status monitoring circuits (FIGS. 6, 9, 10, 14, 15, 18).

Abstract: A laser-based first warning system for vehicles is principally intended to be used when a vehicle is moving or about to move and can't be seen by oncoming drivers or pedestrians. The first warning system provides lasers on both sides, the front and back of the vehicle to paint a square or other shape on the ground several feet from the hidden vehicle giving warning to anyone that a hidden vehicle is pulling out, or otherwise about to move.

Abstract: A device for use with a tool for rotating a wheel nut of a vehicle. The device is fittable to a diameter of a wheel to facilitate the turning of a wheel nut for loosening for removal of the wheel from the vehicle or for tightening the wheel to the vehicle. The device has a outer diameter, the device comprising a monolithic star-shaped body having extended portions that extend to a diameter that approaches the inner diameter of the wheel or fits around the outer diameter of the wheel. Apertures through the device are arranged in a base circle pattern that matches the diameter circle of the wheel nuts. An aperture is provided for the axle hub. A stabilizer can be used with a sleeve for maintaining the tool along the centerline.

Abstract: A device for holding a container (bucket) containing material to be mixed without the need for an operator to hold the container comprises a frame having multiple rings. An upper ring and a lower ring are attached to vertical connectors. Horizontal connectors extend from the lower ring across the diameter to position the bottom of a bucket. The vertical connectors are attached on one edge to the lower ring and on another edge to the horizontal connectors connecting the lower ring. The vertical supports are attached on one upper edge to the upper ring with one free edge that forms a fin that extends into the interior diameter of the device. Supports extend from the vertical connectors below the lower ring. Each support has a tapered side terminating in a point. The device sits on the supports. A bucket of material to be mixed is held within the frame of the device. Means for mixing is applied to the material for mixing the material.

Abstract: The invention is a sensing and indicating device for determining the presence of a second vehicle near to a first vehicle and indicating the presence of the second vehicle. A sensor is positioned and electrically connected between the light socket and the light bulb contained within a light assembly and protected by a lens. The sensor transmits to an indicator adjacent the operator of the first vehicle, by a visual indication in the operator's sight or by an audio indicator. The sensor can be replaced, transferred to another vehicle or retrofitted to a vehicle.

Abstract: A method for producing microporous objects with fiber, wire or foil core with periodic welding of nodes by movement of the substrate and the making of a porous mat. Microporous objects are created by deposition of small dimension of solid from liquid streams undergoing solidification with the simultaneous welding of the streams at various nodal locations concurrently during the deposition process. Bulk porous material objects are created containing open spaces within the microstructure. Inserts can be added to create internal geometries. Variations in pore density from near-zero to about 95% with gradient densities can be created. Screens can be used for forming column-like supports within the microporous object. Holes can be punched in the fiber core to create desired properties of denser regions and to limit the thermal expansion of the mat in a single direction.

Abstract: In metal stamping dies, by taking advantage of improved material flow by selectively warming the die, flat sections of the die can contribute to the flow of material throughout the workpiece. Local surface heating can be accomplished by placing a heating block in the die. Distribution of heating at the flat lower train central regions outside of the bend region allows a softer flow at a lower stress to enable material flow into the thinner, higher strain areas at the bend/s. The heating block is inserted into the die and is powered by a power supply.

Abstract: A movable frame assembly to move a device for dressing a grinding wheel for the sharpening an ice skate blade. The device uses a housing surrounding a grinding wheel and movable frame with a swing arm. A dressing tool is mounted in the dresser swing arm and the dresser swing arm is rotatable between a storage position and an operating position. The movable frame assembly slides along rails to allow positioning of the dressing tool into the grinding wheel. Horizontally and vertically disposed bearings are positioned beside and under a rail with resiliently biased bearings are held against the top of the rail. The bearings help the rails of the movable frame move smoothly. The rails are spaced apart by yokes on the arm or a bar across the top of the dresser to prevent binding as the movable frame is slid for dressing the wheel. Adjustment of the rails is also provided for by adjustment slots at the back of the rails.

Abstract: A method and system for multiple microphone photoacoustic leak detection and localization. The leak detection technique uses photoacoustic sounds produced by the interaction of a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser turned to 10.6 microns and a photoactive tracer gas, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), emitted by calibrated leak sources. As the leaked gas is heated by the laser, it expands and launches a photoacoustic sound pulse. The sound pulses generated by the scanning process are recorded across a broad bandwidth by multiple ultra-sensitive microphones. After the photoacoustic pulses arc recorded, the magnitude is compared with background noise measurement at several frequencies for a determination if a leak is present. If the presence of a leak is found, then the location of the leak is determined. The recorded sound is processed by using Matched Field Processing (MFP) as the signal processing technique.