Abstract: An ultrasonic flow sensor probe for measuring fluid (liquid or gas) flow (e.g., blood flow) in vessels or tubes provides decreased sensitivity to flow distribution non-uniformities and decreased overall size by employing multiple angled reflector surfaces which cause incident ultrasonic waves from one or more ultrasonic transducers to pass through the flow volume multiple times and in multiple directions without changing the planar orientation of the ultrasound waves. The wave paths resulting from the multiple reflections and multidirectional illumination of the flow volume decreases the probe's size and sensitivity to spatial distribution non-uniformities. The multiple angled reflector surfaces also permit the transmitting and receiving ultrasonic transducers to be placed close to one another, thereby reducing the overall probe size and making them particularly useful in flow measurements on small blood vessels in very small animals.

Abstract: The present disclosure teaches a system for analyzing ultrasonic image that provides an output of a measurement of muscle width from an ultrasonic image input of an outline of a muscle from an animal or carcass. The muscle that is used in the preferred embodiment is the longissimus dorsi muscle when an ultrasonic scan is taken in a transverse direction relative to the backbone. The analysis is done with a computer that receives the electronic input of rows and columns of gray level pixel data from an ultrasonic scan image of the outline of the muscle of the animal or carcass. The software is set to select a region of the ultrasonic image input to analyze to determine a first edge of the muscle. The selected region is divided into subregions Sj,.sub.k. J designates a row and ranges between 1 and n. K designates a column and ranges between 1 and o such that o is greater than 1. The subregions are aligned in rows and columns throughout the ultrasonic image input.

Abstract: A solenoid-actuated zero-leakage fail-safe three-position poppet-style four-way hydraulic directional control valve includes an arrangement whereby the inlet pressure P is connected to the inlet ports of first and second normally closed 2-way poppet solenoid valves. The outlets of first and second poppet solenoid valves are connected to the A and B load ports, respectively. The A and B ports are respectively connected to the checked port of first and second pilot-operated check valves (POCVs) whose outlets are connected to the tank port T. The pilot ports of the POCVs are cross connected from A to B and from B to A. When the solenoid for the first poppet solenoid valve is energized, the first poppet solenoid valve opens, admitting pressure to port A. Pressure is blocked to the tank port by the first POCV. Simultaneously, the pilot pressure from the A-line opens the second POCV, thereby connecting the B port to tank. If power fails, pressure is maintained in the A-line and the B-line remains connected to tank.

Abstract: A method of infecting insects is disclosed; the method utilizes a form of a baculovirus which is highly efficient at establishing infection and is normally destined to become occluded within the polyhedrin or granulin--Pre-occluded Virus (POV). Specifically, the POV as derived from a polyhedrin-minus or granulin-minus (lacking a functional polyhedrin or granulin gene) baculovirus is fed to insect larvae per os resulting in high infection rates. The stabilization and use of the POV form of polyhedrin-minus baculoviruses for recombinant protein production and as an insecticide is also disclosed.

Abstract: In an ultra high speed optical communications system, the clock signal from a data stream in NRZ format is recovered using an inexpensive, low Q filter. Resulting clock jitter is reduced with a clock divider which lowers the speed of the signal by 1/n, where n is a an integer. The divided clock signal is filtered again by a low frequency high Q filter. This invention eliminates the need for a costly high frequency high Q filter, while providing a divided down clock for data de-multiplexing. At the lower speed, an inexpensive D flip flop is used with the divided down clock for data recovery.

Abstract: Provided herein is a novel method of game play utilizing a two-dimensional board having spaces arranged in orthogonal rows and columns in two alternating contrasting colors. Two dice are used as a chance element. Each player is assigned 12 ordinary pieces in one of the colors and a "King" piece. The "King" piece is bi-colored, so that when attacked or captured it may be converted to the other color by inverting it. The "King" counts as two pieces for the purposes of attack and stacking, and can move forward or backward. A path of play begins in a corner space of the player's color termed the "Start" and proceeds in a defined path from space to intersection to space alternately across the board to another corner space termed the "Finish". The path of play turns at a right angle at each space, so that the player always exits a space on the same side he entered it, and such a path change may be symbolized by a corner symbol on the board.

Abstract: The device and methods herein disclosed were developed to allow a large number of small samples of organic tissue to be processed. The goal was to allow for the capture of these intracellular contents for study, use, and/or amplification. Though the device and specific protocols can be used to retrieve a variety of intracellular molecules one of the preferred embodiments particularly lends itself to the extraction of DNA. The electromagnetic device uses a set of terraced coils controlled in such a matter as to continually alternate polarity and thereby emulate the random motion of a manual mortal and pestle. This simulation of random motion is created through the arrangement of coils found in this invention. Methods were also developed to aid in the retrieval of DNA or other intracellular components using this device such that these components can be isolated and then used for study, amplification, or a variety of different purposes.

Abstract: A riding mower or other like four-wheel vehicle has the two front wheels mounted off the cantilever end of a subframe which is pivotably attached to the underside of the main frame of the vehicle by two spaced part pivots lying along the vehicle length axis. A cutter deck is suspended from the main frame beneath the subframe. The subframe construction resists bending forces, due to front-to-back and vertical forces on the dropped-down front wheels, when they encounter obstacles or depressions. The main frame is made of steel tubing, and provides a generally rectangular space just forward of the driver's seat, suitable for placement of the driver's feet. Preferably, the subframe also has a generally rectangular opening, nominally aligned with the main frame opening, to also accommodate the driver's feet. The elevation of the driver's seat can thus be desirably lowered, to maintain a low center of gravity.

Abstract: A method of providing and maintaining a plurality of clean, sanitary bedspreads for a hostelry having sleeping accommodations for a plurality of guests. The method includes providing a plurality of bedspreads, and each bedspread includes (i) a removable liner having an insulating core and two outer layers where each outer layer is a nonabsorbent, flame retardant material, and (ii) an outer shell having two outer layers defining a pocket therebetween for removably receiving the liner. The outer shell is closed at one end and has a fastener, preferably a zipper that is enclosed and hidden by a zipper fold, along the other three sides.

Abstract: The invention presents the use of non-woven fiber barriers applied to agricultural products or the plants to protect agriculturally or aesthetically valuable plants from damage inflicted by pests of agricultural or ornamental plants. Experiments with these fiber barriers have shown a significant deterrent to both the oviposition and feeding of a varied group of agricultural pests. This pest management strategy will be of significant economic value in the more pest sensitive phases of plant growth. Another positive benefit of the use of this system of pest control is that it may allow the elimination or moderation in the use of pesticides in commercial agricultural operations, home gardens, or the urban environment. In this way alleviating public concerns about the large number of pesticide treatments that agricultural products typically receive.

Abstract: An integrated power factor converter utilizes a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) bridge which limits the inrush current by controlling the conduction angle of the SCR's. The same SCR bridge shuts down the output in case of short circuit and recovers automatically at a predetermined duty cycle rate. In case the input voltage exceeds approximately 275 VAC, the SCR bridge regulates the output voltage to below 400 VDC. The input inrush current is reduced by phasing up the input voltage in a controlled manner. The use of SCR's in the input bridge produces no additional losses, since the rectifier function is required regardless of which topology is used. The integrated power factor converter interfaces universal voltage mains to DC/DC converters while reducing input harmonics.

Abstract: A modification to an automatic transmission having a transmission brake, especially applicable to the TurboHydramatic 400 transmission, allowing for fast, consistent release of the transbrake. The reverse servo cover is modified to add a pressure release passageway communicating with the inside of the reverse servo cover and dumping fluid into the transmission pan. The passageway is selectively blocked by an electrically operated solenoid having a shaft or needle fitting into a seat, so that when the solenoid is powered, the solenoid shaft or needle fits tightly into the seat, preventing the flow of hydraulic fluid from the inside of the reverse servo cover. When power is removed, the pressure of the fluid instantly pushes the solenoid shaft back from the seat, dumping pressure from the reverse servo nearly instantaneously.

Abstract: An aquatic habitat extension device uses a circulation assembly to reversibly maintain a volume of water above the surface of an underlying body of water. The aquatic extension can be used alone or with other similar aquatic habitat extensions that themselves can be varied in terms of size, shape, and the degree to which they are filled with water. Each habitat extension has a water inlet located beneath the surface of a body of water, which preserves the partial vacuum in the aquatic extension, and provides an entryway for aquatic animals to enter the transparent habitat extension where they are observed. To increase the occasions when fish or other aquatic animals enter a given habitat, a food delivery system delivers food to an air pocket trapped in the upper portion of an individual extension. Illuminating or tinting the habitats enhances the beauty of an aquarium, pond, water garden, or other body of water and can be accomplished through the use of a fiber optic cable system or more conventional means.

Abstract: A telescoping seal uses a split resilient gasket surrounding the slide pipe at the bottom of the tank. The gasket has a slanting outer side, mating with a slanting seat in a lower flange which is attached to the bottom of the tank. An upper flange compresses the gasket downward into the seat, causing the gasket to be compressed inward around the slide pipe, thereby providing a watertight seal which still permits the vertical sliding motion of the slide pipe.

Abstract: A probe includes a handle, neck, and sensor head. The neck consists of a stiff portion and a flexible portion. The neck is offset from the handle so that a hand of a surgeon holding the handle does not block the surgeon's view of sensor head. In another embodiment, the stiff portion includes three sections that have separate and distinct linear axes. The extended axis of the section adjacent the handle intersects the juncture of the flexible portion and the stiff portion of the neck, while the sensor head is connected to the flexible portion of the neck. The precise alignment of the handle and neck enables the precise placement of the sensor head around a small blood vessel.

Abstract: An improved musical instrument carrying case combines a well-placed storage space for bows and accessories with a humidity control system to completely protect and preserve the instrument. The case includes a base and an upper lid which together form the outer surface of the case. Inside the case, a lower lid divides the case into two compartments. A first compartment is formed between the lower lid and the base of the case, while a second compartment is formed between the lower lid and the upper lid. The first compartment is preferably lined with a protective padding which has a molded primary chamber for the instrument. In addition to the primary chamber, a humidity control system and an accessory chamber are preferably between the lower lid and the base of the case. Within the second compartment is a cache for a plurality of bows or other accessories. By separating the instrument and bows into two different compartments, the life of bow hairs and the wooden body of the instrument is prolonged.

Abstract: A viscometer measures the rheological properties of polymers over a wide range of temperature, shear-rate and cure conditions, so that it can be used with extremely fast-changing resinous materials such as fast curing thermosets and fast crystallizing thermoplastics. The viscometer uses a mold made of three plates, clamped together during testing, with the center plate having at least one cavity (reservoir) and a slit from each reservoir to the ambient conditions outside the viscometer. Resin is injected into the reservoir in a short period of time. After filling the reservoir, the sample is heated to a test temperature through heat conduction from the reservoir wall. The heating is rapid because of the small thickness of the reservoir. The rapid filling and heating properties of the apparatus makes the rheology measurement of fast changing polymers possible. The sample is put under pressure by a piston and forced to continuously flow through the slit.

Abstract: Collection of particles from a gas stream and the separation of dissimilar particles from a gas stream by a field effect auxiliary gas cyclone (FEAGC) is enhanced by providing an inductive field that attracts or repels particles and an auxiliary gas system that complements the field effect by providing an additional independent internal control for particle velocity, particle concentration, and system delta p. The FEAGC has three adjustable operating variables: (1) an auxiliary high pressure air input orifice located in the cyclone input which is used to increase the product velocity while reducing the solids to gas ratio; (2) an electric field between the cone and the vortex that subjects charged particles to either an attractive or repelling field; and (3) an auxiliary air venturi located in the inlet of the vortex to control the delta p and to control the operating temperature of the vortex and insulating materials.

Abstract: A table that corrects postures when looking at the anterior aspect of the person. The table will be mirror-imaging their postures including: Right and left head translations, right and left thoracic translations, and right and left lateral bending of the thorax. The table is made up of two movable sections (cervical and thoracic) and a stationary seat having a pelvic support. The head is placed in between two padded walls, and the cervical section is slid to one side and gets locked down, placing the head of the patient in the mirror-image translation. The thorax of the person is strapped down to the thoracic support, which is then slid to one side and locked in place, causing the thorax to be in mirror-image translation and/or lateral bending posture.