Abstract: A cargo load dividing apparatus utilizing a pivotal gate which pivots from the side of the vehicle to extend generally transversely into a cargo area. The gate is lockable into the transverse position by engaging a gate locking assembly with the floor of the vehicle. Embodiments include those having metallic, cushioned and airbag surfaces adjacent the cargo. Systems in using plurality of gates on a single vehicle can use one or more gates extending partially along with width of the vehicle. Gates may be pivoted into a locked transversed position or be pivoted into a position adjacent the side wall of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of forming a simulated stone and solid color plastic molded article includes a densified surface coating material that is sprayed on the surface of a mold. A glass fiber preform is inserted into the mold and the mold is filled with resin at low pressure. The densified coating material includes a matrix-forming resin and large and small densifier particles in a prescribed size ratio. Articles made in accordance with the method are also described.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus dispenses a precisely metered quantity of pellets or granular material from a hopper to a vessel. The hopper which holds the pellets or granular material has a conical bottom portion which terminates in a bottom opening that is in constant communication with a conveyor tube which leads to the vessel. The conveyor tube preferably extends horizontally below the hopper and is in communication with a bottom opening in the hopper. A venturi driven by compressed air is provided in the conveyor tube for creating a vacuum which carries the pellets or granular material from the hopper to the vessel. The pressure of the compressed air entering the venturi is precisely regulated so as to precisely control the amount of pellets or granulated material moved from the hopper to the vessel. Alternatively, a controller can be provided for regulating several conveyor tubes, each to feed a different type of pellet or granular material into the vessel.

Abstract: An electrical power converter for an incoming AC transformer connected to a multiphase power source and having multiple secondary windings. Each secondary winding is connected to multiple switching cells, each of which functions like a matrix converter. The secondary windings can be either single or multi-phase and more than one transformer can be provided such that the multiple secondary windings can be distributed among individual transformers. The output of at least two of the switching cells are connected in series. The switching cells can be either bi-directional or unidirectional and can also have a three-phase input. A combination of IGBTs and diodes can form the switching cells.

Abstract: A double pane window has a blind between the window panes. The interior window pane is in a housing that can be removed from the window frame. A cord guide is provided in the top edge of the housing. The cord guide has a lift cord slot and a tilt cord slot. The blind has at least one lift cord which passes through the lift cord slot and at least one tilt cord which passes through the tilt cord slot. The blind can be raised, lowered and tilted while maintaining a seal between the window frame and the window panes.

Abstract: A compact image steering and focusing device has a generally rotatable platform that carries a pan/tilt mirror. The rotatable platform, at least one motor driven lens and a camera are mounted on a housing. Two drive motors each with an associated cable are provided to rotate the rotatable platform and tilt the mirror. Light reflected from a subject is captured by the mirror and directed through the lens to the camera. The device can fit behind the cover plate of an automated teller machine. This system is preferably used with a narrow field of view camera and two wide field of view cameras. Images from the wide field of view cameras are used to focus the narrow field of view camera on one eye of the automated teller machine user to identify the user by iris analysis and comparison to an iris image on file.

Abstract: A Raman chemical imaging system uses a laser illumination source for illuminating an area of a sample. The spectrum of scattered light from the illuminated area of the sample is collected and a collimated beam is produced therefrom. An Evans Split-Element type liquid crystal tunable filter (LCTF) selects a Raman image of the collimated beam. A detector collects the filtered Raman images which are subsequently processed to determine the constituent materials. The Evans Split-Element-type LCTF suitable for high-definition Raman chemical imaging is incorporated into an efficient Raman imaging system that provides significant performance advantages relative to any previous approach to Raman microscopy. The LCTF and associated optical path is physically compact, which accommodates integration of the LCTF within an infinity-corrected optical microscope. The LCTF simultaneously provides diffraction-limited spatial resolution and 9 cm.sup.

Abstract: An implant having an integrally-textured, hemocompatible blood-contacting surface and a method for producing the same is provided. The implantable device can include a device body having a textured surface and a predefined complex shape, such as a bladder or a generally U-shaped conduit. The device body can be composed of a first device material, and the textured surface can be formed of a second device material on the obverse side of the device. The textured surface can have multiple, blood-compatible structures integrally formed thereon. The structures can be fibrils that are suitable for a generally uniform biological layer to be established thereupon.

Abstract: In a method for monitoring particulates in stacks or ducts a back-scatter monitor uses a solid-state laser to emit a collimated beam, the intensity of which is controlled via feedback from a reference detector. The beam is split so that part goes to a reference surface for calibration checks, and part is directed to pass at a selected angle through a gaseous sample. Optical energy scattered from particles in the sample is detected by viewing optics to provide an indication of particulate concentration. The beam steering mechanism can direct the optics to view scattering along a selectable axis that intersects the laser beam at a specified location within the gaseous sample. The method can be used to determine the opacity of the gaseous sample providing a basis for correlation to particulate loading of that portion of the particulates that are of a size comparable to the wavelength of light.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing laminated parts in which spacing of individual laminas is maintained during the manufacturing process. As the laminas are stamped from strip stock material, a staking lug is formed in each lamina. The staking lug comprises an attaching lug, having a corresponding attaching cavity on an opposite surface, and a separation lug. The mating attaching lugs and cavities keep the spaced stack in a single unit configuration while the separation lug ensures adequate spacing between individual laminas for annealing and/or insulation of the individual laminas. The staking lug is preferably formed in one stamping step in a punch press machine, and eliminates the need for rotation of the laminas or alternate stamping methodologies, simplifying the laminated part manufacturing process.

Abstract: A suction sign holder is provided having a suction cup and a tack. The suction cup and tack having mating surfaces between which a sign is held. The mating surfaces can be provided with a plurality of concentric grooves and ridges or other projections which mate together and frictionally hold a sign therebetween. The shaft of the tack can be provided with a raised rib or a groove disposed on the shaft of the tack at an angle. The rib may additionally have a sloping leading edge and a perpendicular trailing edge such that the shaft is easily inserted yet resists backing out of the bore.

Abstract: A method and system for recycling byproduct streams from metal processing operations introduces a flow of a molten mixture of salts, metal and metal oxides from a melting vessel into a flow of water. The molten salts dissolve into the water. The metal oxides, and any metal entrapped in the molten mixture, instantly fragment into small particles. The slurry of brine and small particles flows into a storage tank and from there the brine can be separated from the small particles by employing a series of known liquid-solid separation techniques which preferably utilize cyclones, centrifuges, thickeners, and filters. In the case of aluminum processes, an antioxidant is preferably provided in the holding tank. To increase the settling rate of the solids, a flocculent can be added in the thickener.

Abstract: The railway freight car brake control utilizes sequential pressurization of the brake cylinder from a first auxiliary reservoir and a second auxiliary reservoir during emergency. Embodiments utilize a first supply reservoir larger in volume than a second supply reservoir. The first supply reservoir is used during a service braking mode. The larger first supply reservoir provides improved braking in a service mode, while the sequential utilization of both reservoirs provides an improved level of emergency braking available during a loaded freight car condition.

Abstract: A high output level is maintained in power supplies having multiple cells in each leg. Failed cells in any leg are bypassed to provide a current path through the respective leg. All of the unfailed cells are utilized while maintaining equal magnitude between phases and a balance phase relationship in the line-to-line output voltage. The invention may be utilized in conjunction with a peak voltage reduction circuit, and a by-pass switch.

Abstract: A sheet rock measuring and cutting device, comprising: a T-square arm for abutment with an edge of a piece of sheet rock; a base scale arm positioned within the T-square arm for selective sliding interengagement therewith; and a sliding scale arm positioned within the base scale arm for selective sliding interengagement therewith. The sliding scale arm includes a cutting tool engagement member for receipt and positioning of a cutting tool at a measured distance from the edge of the sheet rock.

Abstract: A blood pump apparatus can include a pump housing having a drive chamber containing a drive mechanism. A cupped member can be connected to the housing and the drive mechanism can include a motor for rotating an eccentric shaft. A pumping arm can be provided having one end riding on the eccentric shaft, an intermediate portion pivotably attached to the housing and another end connected to a movable plate. A roller bearing can be mounted on the eccentric shaft on which the arm can ride. A compressible blood chamber having an inlet and an outlet connected can be provided sandwiched between the cupped portion and the movable plate. The motor thus rotates the cam causing the pumping arm to pivot which cycles the movable plate against the blood chamber to pump blood. The movable plate can be implanted adjacent a lung such that the lung moves with the plate as blood is pumped and thereby functions as a compliance chamber. A speed reducer can be provided between the motor and the eccentric shaft.

Abstract: A method is described for selecting an enrollment image or standard from multiple close-up images of a subject such as a human eye. The selected image is the one image that best represents the appearance of that subject to an image processing system which identifies subjects by comparison of later taken images of subject to the selected image.

Abstract: A clutch-brake device having a housing, a shaft rotationally mounted therethrough, modular coupling units rigidly coupled to the shaft at either side of the housing, and an adapter which allows a single modular unit to be utilized interchangeably in either a clutch or a brake configuration. Each modular unit has a coupling member carrying an annular friction ring. The coupling member is rotationally connected to and spaced apart from a resilient disk defining a vacuum chamber therebetween. The resilient disk is rigidly attached to the modular unit and may be tapered towards the outer edge. The modular unit may also have several shims predisposed between the resilient disk and the coupling member which can be periodically removed to maintain the gap between the resilient disk and the annular friction ring within a preferred range. The device may have a microprocessor controlled high speed switch for controlling electromagnets which regulate engagement of the resilient disks.