Abstract: An inflatable device having a safety system provided by having at least two separate and distinct independently inflatable bladders contained within the outer shell of the device. Each of the bladders is designed when fully inflated to fully inflate the shell, but during use one of the bladders is not fully inflated and has a projected area of no greater than 50% of the projected area of the inflated shell.

Abstract: A method for measuring the weight of a vehicle and/or of its load comprising measuring the temperature and pressure of at least a significant number of tires of said vehicle, a temperature standardized pressure based on a selected standardization temperature, summing the standardized pressures and determining weight of the vehicle and/or its load based on the sum of the temperature compensated pressures and a conversion factor.

Abstract: A debris separating system for separating debris in a fish tank is formed by a standpipe extending up through the bottom of tank at the center of tank and terminating in an open end. A cover covers the opening and is spaced therefrom to provide an inlet opening positioned above the bottom of the tank. A transition zone is formed at the bottom of the tank surrounding the standpipe and a debris outlet is provided from this zone through the bottom of the tank for removal of debris separated in the transition zone. Cleaned water from the transition zone flows up around the standpipe, through the inlet opening and into the standpipe for removal from the tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dielectric drying is disclosed wherein a load to be heated positioned on a carrier the bottom of which provides a secondary electrode is moved with the carrier a dielectric heating chamber having a primary electrode positioned above load when said load on said carrier is moved into an operative position in the chamber. The carrier and load are elevated into heating position and this movement simultaneously connects the secondary electrode to ground, so that when high frequency power is applied to the primary electrode the circuit is made to dielectrically heat the load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating or drying material by applying radio frequency (RF) power to a material in a resonant cavity; wherein an RF power source is inductively coupled to a resonant cavity formed by distributed inductance in resonance with the applicator and material where the magnetic field established by the feed line(s) induces a voltage on the applicator permitting feed line voltages delivering said RF power to the cavity to be lower than those that would normally be encountered for equivalent RF heating using direct coupling.

Abstract: A voltage sensor for measuring the voltage on high voltage lines is formed by an electrically isolating-section of material with resistive shielding (RS) that structures the electric field generated by a voltage difference between the two ends of the isolating-section and provides shielding of the internal electric field from sources of electric field interference external to the voltage sensor. At least one electric field sensor is provided to sense the electric field in the isolating-section the output(s) of which is(are) used to infer the voltage difference.

Abstract: A window frame structure formed from hollow members is formed with access holes through the outer walls through which fasteners are inserted and tightened to bear against an inner wall of the member (opposite the outer wall) and then the access hole is sealed with a sealing plug to prevent moisture from passing through fastener holes in the outer walls and into the supporting wall.

Abstract: A joystick composed of a stator formed by an outer cage forming an inner cubic compartment containing an inner cube oriented with its wall spaced from and substantially parallel corresponding wall of the compartment. Opposed magnets are position in cooperating relationship on opposed walls of the compartment and cube and define a gap therebetween. A floater formed by a plurality of flat actuating coils, one positioned in each gap and each thinner than the width of the gap in which it is received. Preferably the ratio of coil thickness to gap width is at least 1:3. Preferably an optical position sensor is used to monitor the relative position of the flotor and stator and is composed of at least one linear light position sensor mounted on one of the stator and flotor and a plurality of planar light beams arranged at an angle to each other on the other of the stator and flotor and directed to the linear light position sensor(s) so that the light beams traverse the linear light position sensor(s).

Abstract: A system for performing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery on the beating heart senses the movement of the surgical area of the heart to be worked on and moves a support with a controlled motion follows the motion of the surgical area on the heart surface in real time. To provide a steady image of the workspace a vision system can be attached to the support. This approach can be used for open-heart surgery as well as other less invasive procedures like minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) or thoracoscopic surgery.

Abstract: A hollow window frame structure is provided with a one way valve to permit flow from the exterior of the building to the interior of the building through the hollow frame when the air pressure is higher outside than in the interior of the building and impair flow from the interior of the building to the exterior of the building when the air pressure in the interior of the building is higher than the exterior pressure.

Abstract: A pair of five-bar mechanisms having their pivotal axes parallel are each mounted at one end to a base and are interconnected at their other ends by a crankshaft to obtain a manipulator generating three degrees of freedom planar motion of an end-effector. Redundant actuation may be used to generate an unlimited rotation range and an extensible link in the crankshaft may be used to provide adjustable torque capabilities during operation.

Abstract: A vacuum drying system wherein the drying chamber is provided with at least two vacuum draw headers positioned one above and one below a median plane through a load being dried to draw gases substantially symmetrically from opposite sides of the load as it is being dried. Preferably the drying system is a dielectric drying system and headers are positioned on opposite sides of the load.

Abstract: The amount of coating dispensed by a metering rod type applicator such as used on size press coater for applying coating onto the size press rolls can be reduced by vibrating the metering rod. Such vibration of the metering rod has been found to reduce the thickness of the film passing through the metering nip of the coating applicator for a given metering nip rod pressure.

Abstract: A process for drying antioxidant-rich berries (such as blueberries) to preserve their antioxidant action and their antioxidant compounds is disclosed. The process may conventionally dry the antioxidant-rich berries to remove 0 to 90% of the initial mass of water associated with them, but the important step is subjecting the antioxidant-rich berries to vacuum microwave drying (VMD) at an absolute pressure of 0 to 200 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) (preferably 30 to 60 mm Hg) and 0.1 to 2 watts of microwave power/gram of berries (preferably 0.

Abstract: A voltage sensor for measuring the voltage on high voltage lines is formed by an electrically isolating section of dielectric material that structures the electric field generated by a voltage difference between the two ends of the isolating section and provides screening of the electric field from other electric field sources external to the isolating section. At least one electric field sensor is provided to sense the electric field in the isolating section the output(s) of which are weighted and combined to provide an accurate measurement of the voltage between the two ends. The electric field sensors are located and their outputs are combined so that error in the voltage measurement due to the influence of external electric field sources is within an acceptable range.

Abstract: A relatively stable, weakly acidic, non-cyanide electroplating solution for deposition of Au—Sn alloys over a range of compositions. The solution consists of Au and Sn chloride salts, as well as ammonium citrate as a buffering agent and sodium sulphite and L-ascorbic acid as stabilizers. Preliminary electroplating experiments with the developed solution indicate that uniform, homogeneous deposits can be achieved over a range of compositions, including the technologically important eutectic and near euctectic values.

Abstract: A case sealer for overlap flap type boxes wherein the major flaps extend greater than ½ the width of the carton. The case sealer uses a folding shoe for folding the inner major flap and then holding the inner major flap and a trailing minor flap in folded position until a plough folds a leading minor flap and the overlies the inner major flap and at least the leading minor flap at least until the outer major flap traps the trailing and leading flaps and thus the inner major flap in folded position.

Abstract: A dielectric heating or drying system incorporating an electrode structure, which is provided with wings that projects toward the opposite electrode along each side of a planar central portion of the electrode and function to improve electric field uniformity through the load being dried.

Abstract: An easy access immersion suit, in which the zippered opening starts at the crotch, runs diagonally up across and around the hip, diagonally across the back and ending at the underarm opposite the previous referred to hip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bioprocessing particles wherein particles are entrapped a porous material and have biologically active microorganisms on their surfaces. A liquid (carrying oxygen and/or nutrients for said microorganisms) is passed through the entrapped particles and microorganisms and microorganisms are active to breakdown said particles. After a suitable period of time the particles are removed from the matrix.