Abstract: A system (10) for providing radio communication of data between a central processing computer (18) having a first transceiver (20) electrically connected thereto and a remotely located hand held personal computer (12). The personal computer includes an input and output device (28) mounted to the housing to allow interaction by a user. A second transceiver (102) is provided in a transceiver/handle housing (16). The transceiver/handle housing (16) is configured to be grasped by a single hand of a user. A spacing bracket (126) joins the second housing to the housing of the personal computer. An electrical connection provides for electric communication between the personal computer (12) and the second transceiver (102) so that data can be transmitted between the central processing computer (18) and the personal computer (12) by the first and second transceivers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing and tying a knot such as laparoscopy knot. A knot pusher assembly including an outer tube and an inner tube are positioned, and a plunger assembly is plunger through the knot pusher assembly. The plunger assembly includes a knot carrier having an at least partially formed knot with a free end. The free end is placed around the object to be tied and grasped with a clamp. The knot is released from the knot carrier and the free end is pulled back through the partial knot to complete and tighten the knot. The knot is tightened and placed using the knot pusher assembly, and the free end is cut by placing it into aligned slots on the outer tube and inner tube, and rotating the inner tube in relation to the outer tube to unalign the slots.

Abstract: A railroad rail produced by rolling a substantially round bloom, together with a process and system for manufacturing the same. The round bloom may be produced by continuous casting methods. The bloom is initially rolled into a substantially rectangular shape and then into a rail. The rolling process may be continuous and in-line to allow for the production of very long seamless rails.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the measurement of sulfur compounds is described. The system comprises a dual burner assembly for the conversion of sulfur-containing compounds to form sulfur monoxide and subsequent detection of sulfur monoxide by ozone-induced chemiluminescence. The dual burner assembly also provides for the conversion of hydrocarbons and other chemical constituents of the sample to simple molecules that do not interfere in the formation or detection of sulfur monoxide. The dual burner assembly eliminates the interference observed in the measurement of sulfur compounds from the sample matrix using flame-based or single burner devices for the production of sulfur monoxide and detection by ozone-induced chemiluminescence.

Abstract: A method of reactive ion etching both a lead zirconate titanate ferroelectric dielectric and a RuO.sub.2 electrode, and a semiconductor device produced in accordance with such process. The dielectric and electrode are etched in an etching gas of O.sub.2 mixed with either CClF.sub.2 or CHClFCF.sub.3.

Abstract: A ferroelectric device is constructed using a bottom electrode composed of a conducting oxide such as RuO.sub.x, on a substrate such as silicon or silicon dioxide. A ferroelectric material such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) is deposited on the bottom electrode, and a conducting interlayer is formed at the interface between the ferroelectric and the electrode. This interlayer is created by reaction between the materials of the ferroelectric and electrode, and in this case would be Pb.sub.2 Ru.sub.2 O.sub.7-x. A conductive top layer is deposited over the ferroelectric. This top layer may be a metal, or it may be the same type of materials as the bottom electrode, in which case another interlayer can be formed at the interface. A device constructed in this manner has the property of lower degradation due to fatigue, breakdown, and aging.

Abstract: A golfing apparatus for estimating the carry distance of a struck golf ball includes a doppler radar unit, a correlating circuit and a display. The doppler radar unit measures the doppler shift of the struck golf ball and a predetermined, empirically derived factor is used to correlate the measured doppler shift to an estimated carry distance for the ball. The display shows the estimated carry distance.

Abstract: A method for treating a pleural effusion condition by establishing fluid communication with a pleural space, using a catheter attached to a valve that is normally closed but openable by the insertion of a tube in the side opposite the catheter. The catheter is implanted into the pleural space and is periodically accessed by inserting a tube into the valve on the side opposite the catheter to add or remove fluid to and from the pleural space using a negative pressure source.

Abstract: A centerline mounted overbalanced multiple main jet engine configuration. The multiple jet engines are centerline mounted rather than parallel offset. While each jet engine is a "main" engine, capable of safely operating the aircraft in the event of a failure of the other engines, the engines are overbalanced in the sense that at least one of the main engines has substantially greater thrust than the other main engines. All of the main engines operate at critical periods of flight, but only one or the other of the main engines operates at other periods. The configuration of this invention combines the efficiency and performance of a single engined aircraft with enhanced safety advantages.

Abstract: A rectangular vacuum-arc plasma source and associated apparatus for generating and directing a stream of plasma containing an ionized vapor of a cathode material toward a substrate by vacuum arc evaporation of a rectangular planar cathode mounted in a rectangular plasma duct. The rectangular duct conducts the plasma from the cathode to the substrate region, while intercepting the molten droplets of cathode material also generated by the arc. Magnets control the arc motion on the cathode surface while simultaneously generating the magnetic field which guides the plasma through the duct. Benefits of a filtered cathodic arc (fully ionized vapor stream, elimination of splattered droplets) are combined with the benefits of a rectangular source (uniform evaporation from the source and uniform deposition on the substrate using linear motion). The rectangular source may be extended indefinitely in length, thus allowing coating or ion implantation on large or long substrates.

Abstract: A method of fabricating high quality layered structure oxide ferroelectric thin films. The deposition process is a chemical vapor deposition process involving chemical reaction between volatile metal organic compounds of various elements comprising the layered structure material to be deposited, with other gases in a reactor, to produce a nonvolatile solid that deposits on a suitably placed substrate such as a conducting, semiconducting, insulating, or complex integrated circuit substrate. The source materials for this process may include organometallic compounds such as alkyls, alkoxides, .beta.-diketonates or metallocenes of each individual element comprising the layered structure material to be deposited and oxygen. Preferably, the reactor in which the deposition is done is either a hot wall or a cold wall reactor and the vapors are introduced into this reactor either through a set of bubblers or through a direct liquid injection system.

Abstract: A cold pad for use with a tool such as office equipment including computer controls like a keyboard or mouse. The cold pad has a thickness which is used to elevate the user's wrists from a work surface to lessen the onset of work-related disorders such as carpaltunnel syndrome. At the same time, the pad contains a gelatinous substance which absorbs heat and reduce pain and inflammation caused by existing injuries, and which forms a deformable cushion upon which the user's wrists can rest.

Abstract: A method of therapeutic or diagnostic treatment using a medical agent in which there will be beneficial effects if the level of circulating medical agent is reduced artificially faster than the reduction by the normal clearance or routes that obviate normal clearance mechanisms. The method includes the extracorporeal removal of the medical agent by passing bodily fluid from the patient over a support adapted to selectively immobilize the medical agent.

Abstract: A data compression and decompression method and apparatus utilizing a sliding window dictionary in combination with an adaptive dictionary. Incoming data moves through a buffer and is compared against both the sliding window dictionary and the adaptive dictionary, and matched data is replaced with a pointer to the dictionary entry. All incoming data is entered into the sliding window dictionary, but only data which satisfies certain criteria is entered into the adaptive dictionary.

Abstract: A railroad rail produced by rolling a substantially round bloom, together with a process and system for manufacturing the same. The round bloom may be produced by continuous casting methods. The bloom is initially rolled into a substantially rectangular shape and then into a rail. The rolling process may be continuous and in-line to allow for the production of very long seamless rails.

Abstract: A P-F connector establishing electrical connection between a conducting layer formed on the inside wall of the funnel and a fluorescent layer formed on the inside wall of the panel is disclosed.The P-F connector comprises a fixed portion having a through hole; the first connecting portion extended from one side of said fixed portion and bent, to be electrically connected to said conducting layer; and the second connecting portion extended from the same side of said fixed portion and bent in the opposite direction from said first connecting portion to be electrically connected to said fluorescent layer.

Abstract: A refrigerant reclaim system including an automatic air purge system. The refrigerant reclaim system has an evaporator, oil separator, compressor, condenser, storage tank, and a filter-drier. An improvement relates to an automatic air purge system having an evaporator to concentrate noncondensable gases in an isolated area of the refrigerant reclaim system so as to minimize the loss of refrigerant vapor during purge operations; a differential thermostat and an insulated enclosure are used within the system. The air purge system is not limited to use with a refrigerant reclaim, and is suitable for use with any refrigeration system from which noncondensable gases are to be purged with minimal loss of refrigerant vapor.

Abstract: Variable valve lift in an engine is achieved by varying the location of the pivot of the rocker arm or finger follower as stated in an earlier patent application. The path of contact between the rocker arm or finger follower and the pivot may be circular or non-circular. The relationship between adjustment clearance and pivot shaft position yields controlled variation of phase and duration. At full lift the clearance would be within usual limits, while at partial lift reduced contact velocities allow greater clearance without increasing idle noise, and thus opening of valves may be delayed, and closing advanced. Deactivation of valves can occur with reduced lift and a suitably increased adjustment clearance, while maintaining adequately low contact velocities. With individual control of valves, one or more cylinders may be deactivated, or by varying lift independently on multi-valve engines, mixing of incoming gases may be enhanced.

Abstract: A system for monitoring ferromagnetic materials in proximity to a sensing region, which is particularly applicable to traffic monitoring and controlling. A magnetic probe generates a signal in response to magnetic flux changes caused by a vehicle moving through a sensing area. A processor analyzes the signal to determine the duration of the signal and correlates that duration to a vehicle velocity. A checking system periodically sends a checking signal to the magnetic probe and monitors the return signal to verify that the probe is operative and also analyzes the return signal to determine whether a stationary vehicles is in the sensing area.