Abstract: A fireproof electrical wire housing (9) for routing electrical wires through a barrier wall, such as an aircraft bulkhead (21), without destroying the fireproof and hermetic functions of the bulkhead (21) is disclosed. The fireproof electrical wire housing (9) includes a sleeve (13) which surrounds a wire bundle (11) and a tubular housing (19). The tubular housing (19) includes a cover plate (17) that is mounted to the bulkhead(21). Thereafter, the sleeve (13) is inserted into the tubular housing (19). Holes (35) penetrating the wall of the sleeve (13) are used to inject a sealant into a cavity (39) in the sleeve (13) to prevent vapors and flames from passing through the fireproof electrical wire housing (9).

Abstract: A pipe insertion machine for pushing new pipe sections (82) into an existing pipeline (22) having a internal diameter is provided, including a support structure (39), translating components (80), and gear reduction components (120). The support structure (39) includes a plurality of support beams rigidly connected to form a frame and a longitudinal axis parallel to the existing pipeline (22). The translating components (80) include a winch drum (90), a winch drive shaft (92), two translating cables (96), (98), a pushing mechanism (102), and multiple idlers (100). The winch drum (90) and winch drive shaft (92) are supported by the frame (68) in a position such that the axis of rotation of the winch drum (90) is transverse to the longitudinal axis (70) of the support structure (39).

Abstract: A ventilator having a one-piece plastic base with integral tubular member having a through passageway for flow of an exhaust gas stream. The tubular member is preferably molded simultaneously with the base, rather than glued, so that the base and tubular member assembly comprise not only a sealed tubular member, but provide a single, seamless part. Thus, moist air cannot leak out of the air flow path between the interior and exterior of a wall or roof. The ventilator is also provided with a screen and a flapper type lid for the tubular member. The flapper lid seals the outer end of the tubular member against inflow of outside air at those times when there is no exhaust gas stream impinging against the flapper so as to keep the flapper in the open position. The ventilator may be provided in a variety of colors by pigmentation of the plastic to be molded into the ventilator.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule which hybridizes under stringent conditions with the nucleic acid shown in SEQ ID NO:32 or its complement or the nucleic acid shown in SEQ ID NO:34 or its complement, and which encodes mitogen activated protein kinase kinase protein.

Abstract: An improved local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS) method with recessed silicon substrate and double polysilicon/silicon nitride spacer is disclosed. The present invention includes forming a pad oxide layer on a semiconductor substrate and then forming a first silicon nitride layer on the pad oxide layer. An active region is defined by patterning and etching the pad oxide layer and the first silicon nitride layer using a photoresist mask. Thereafter, a silicon oxide layer and a second silicon nitride layer is formed. Next, a polysilicon layer is deposited over the second silicon nitride layer. The polysilicon layer, the second silicon nitride layer, and the silicon oxide layer are etched back to form a double polysilicon/silicon nitride spacer. Finally, an isolation region in the substrate is formed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a dynamic thrust asymmetry airplane rudder compensation command with no direct thrust measurement is disclosed. An excess thrust estimate based on measured acceleration along the flight path of the airplane and measured vertical speed of the airplane is low pass filtered (11) to attenuate noise from the inertially derived data. The low pass filtered data is further filtered by a washout filter (15) to produce data that is sensitive only to changes in the excess thrust estimate. The input to the washout filter is frozen (13) and the output of the washout filter reduced to zero if the go-around or flare modes of the control system of the airplane are active or if the thrust asymmetry compensation feature of the primary flight computer is armed. The output of the washout filter is also zeroed when both engines are running, or multiplied by either -1 or +1 when one engine is out. Whether the multiplication is by -1 or +1 depends upon which engine is out.

Abstract: A support rack for carrying articles behind a vehicle is disclosed. The rack includes a base member, a forward beam, a rearward beam, a top member, and lock arms. The base member is securable to the rearward end of the vehicle. The forward and rearward beams are pivotally connected to the base member and project upwardly therefrom. The beams are parallel to each other and together form a parallelogram with the base member and the top member. The top member is pivotally connected to the forward and rearward beams. The lock arms are for releasably locking the forward beam and the rearward beam in upright positions above the base member. Support arms are also slidably coupled to the top member for securing bicycles thereon. A crank clamp attachment structure is also provided, which fits on top of the top member to hold extra bicycles. The crank clamp attachment structure includes crank clamps and wheel rails.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for fabricating interconnecting lines and contacts using conformal deposition. This invention applies patterning trenches simultaneously for interconnecting lines and contact holes and forming spacers technologies to make fully filled interconnecting line and contact holes. Then, utilizing the conformal deposition and blanket etch-back etching method, the present invention can fabricating interconnecting lines and contacts simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods of determining collagen degradation in vivo, by quantitating the concentration of a peptide in a body fluid, the peptide being a C-terminal type II collagen telopeptide containing a hydroxylysyl pyridinoline cross-link or a type III collagen telopeptide containing a hydroxylysyl pyridinoline cross-link. Suitable methods include immunometric assays, fluorometric assays, and electrochemical titrations for quantitation. The structures of specific peptides having cross-links and kits for quantitating these peptides in a body fluid are described.

Abstract: An eddy current brake for use with exercise training devices, such as bicycle, ski and rowing exercise devices. The eddy current brake includes a nonmagnetic, electrically conductive disk that is rotatably mounted between one or more electromagnets. The electromagnets introduce eddy currents within the rotating disk. The disk is formed of a copper alloy having between approximately 5.0% to 15.0% zinc by weight. In one embodiment of the invention, the disk is formed of copper alloy 220, comprising 90.0% copper and 10.0% zinc.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of manufacturing crown shape capacitors for use in semiconductor memories. High etching selectivity between BPSG (borophososilicate glass) and CVD-oxide (chemical vapor deposition oxide) is used to fabricate a tooth like structure within a crown shaped capacitor. Utilizing the structure as a mold, the present invention can form the crown shape structure with horizontal fins to increase the surface area of the capacitor.

Abstract: An improved architecture for providing high capacity capability to voice message systems is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of stand-alone voice message processors (VMP), each of which are communicatively connected via a high-speed local area network. Each of the voice message processors are communicatively connected to a network interface module (NIM) that receives all incoming calls from a public switched telephone network (PSTN). A control module is connected to the NIM and also interfaces with each of the VMPs over the local area network. As each incoming call is received, the control module routes the call to the appropriate VMP assigned to the subscriber to whom the call is designated. A terminal server is also connected to the local area network. The terminal server receives calls from subscribers utilizing a personal computer. In this manner, a subscriber can access his or her voice mailbox account.

Abstract: A drain tank for installation underground has a longer life than steel and fibreglass tanks and has a leak detection system to identify leaks. The drain tank comprises a sealed concrete chamber having at least one opening at the top thereof with a collar integral therewith, a manway connected to the collar extending upwards, the manway having a top lid with a vent and pump out exit. Inside the concrete chamber is an impervious bag liner which is sealed to the collar; an entry pipe passes through the chamber side wall and the liner and a leak detector tube passes down into the chamber to a location at the base between the chamber and the liner having an intermediate gap spacing arranged therein for an insertion tube to pass therethrough thereby facilitating the task of leak detection when interconnecting such insertion tube with a vacuum means and a suction reservoir.

Abstract: A pulse shaping filter for shaping pulses received at a specified data rate is disclosed. The filter has a desired impulse response associated with a plurality of sampled values. The filter includes a sampling circuit responsive to the input pulses, such that each pulse is sampled at a desired sampling rate. A delay circuit provides a plurality of delayed versions of the sampled pulse, wherein said sampled pulse propogate through said delay circuit at a unit delay time substantially equal to the period of the desired sampling rate. A plurality of resistors are coupled to the delay circuit, each resistor providing a weighing coefficient by which the delayed versions of the sampled pulses are multiplied to provide a plurality of weighed delayed pulses. A summing circuit is adapted to add all said weighed delayed pulses to provide shaped pulses.

Abstract: The graphical control system of the present invention includes a computer (20), a device interface (35) for a non-computer system device (21) having at least one feature control (29a) (or display (29b)), a bus network (28) connecting the computer (20) to the device interface (35), and a visual network operating system (78) based on an object-oriented programming paradigm. The device interface (35) connects the non-computer system device (21) to the bus network (28) and provides the mechanism for converting computer-generated commands into signals for controlling the operation of the feature control (29a) of the non-computer system device (21). The visual network operating system (78) is a distributed operating system that is partially stored on the computer (20) and partially stored in the device interface (35).

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under stringent conditions to SEQ ID NO:1 or its complement and to the DNA of enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 but not to the DNA of enteropathogenic E. coli O55:H7.

Abstract: A power distribution circuit is provided that isolates both power source and load faults. In one embodiment, the power distribution circuit includes two power MOSFETs connected with the channels of the power MOSFETs in series and having their gates electrically connected together. The body diode of one power MOSFET is aligned with the opposite polarity with respect to polarity of the body diode of the second power MOSFET. The power MOSFETs are adapted to be coupled between a first power source and a load. The power distribution circuit also includes a first sensor that detects when the power MOSFETs conduct too much current and switches the power MOSFETs off by discharging the gate voltage of both power MOSFETs during such overcurrent conditions. Accordingly, when both power MOSFETs are switched off, the opposing polarity of the body diodes in the power MOSFETs ensures that one of the body diodes will be reversed biased in case of a short circuit failure in either the load or the power source.

Abstract: An insulating blanket for a bulkhead in an engine nacelle comprises a fabric backing layer, a central insulating core, a ceramic precursor-impregnated hot-side fabric layer and, as required, erosion-preventing wire mesh. The backing layer comprises a fiberglass fabric. The insulating core comprises a ceramic felt. The hot side layer comprises one or more layers of resin-impregnated fiber glass fabric. The blanket is precured to provide a predetermined geometric shape.