Abstract: An internal combustion engine has engine cylinder intake and exhaust valves that are operated by intake and exhaust cams via hydraulic linkages. The hydraulic linkages have selective lost motions that allow selective modification of the openings and closings of the engine cylinder valves. These modifications may also include complete omission of all response to particular lobes on the cams. The hydraulic linkages may be interconnected so that some intake valve openings are produced by an exhaust cam lobe and/or some exhaust valve openings are produced by an intake cam lobe. The linkages and linkage interconnections are preferably controlled electronically. The engine is preferably operable in either four-cycle positive power mode or two-cycle compression release engine braking mode. The intake cam may have plural lobes or only one lobe, while the exhaust cam may only have one lobe.

Abstract: Electronic controls for compression release engine brakes of the type having electrically controlled valves for selectively applying high pressure hydraulic fluid to hydraulic actuators which open exhaust valves in the associated internal combustion engine to produce compression release events in the engine. The electronic controls may produce signals for both opening and closing the electrically controlled valves. The electronic controls may monitor various operating conditions of the engine and the vehicle powered by the engine and may automatically modify the timing of the compression release events in accordance with those conditions.

Abstract: A decorative display device comprising figurines arranged in tiered first and second scenes, one scene being placed above the other. Each of the upper and lower tier scenes is coupled to a wind-up drive and music box mechanism and when rotated appears to be in synchronization with the music. The rotatable and music synchronized scenes are more noticeable and aesthetically pleasing and, thus, provide a more interesting display. The upper and lower tier scenes may rotate simultaneously, at different speeds (but in the same direction), in opposite directions, in opposite directions at different speeds, or one scene may rotate while the other scene remains stationary.

Abstract: A planarization method for use during manufacture of a microelectronic field emitter device, comprising applying a glass frit slurry including glass particles in a removable base, and subsequently baking to liquify the frit.

Abstract: Glass beads in accordance with the present invention may be constituted of SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Na.sub.2 O, K.sub.2 O, BaO, SrO, TiO.sub.2, and CeO.sub.2. The glass of which the glass beads is made will generally contain at least 40% SiO.sub.2 as the network former, from about 10 to about 25% Na.sub.2 O and K.sub.2 O as fluxes, from about 5 to about 25% of BaO and/or SrO as a fracture resistance improvement components, a small amount of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and--when made from CRT waste--very small amounts of TiO.sub.2 and CeO.sub.2. The glass beads of the invention are suitable for use as reflective elements in roadway markings and as media in shot-peening metal cleaning procedures.

Abstract: A light emission device including (i) a light emitting organic material, i.e., an organic material which in response to an applied voltage thereon emits light in the visible spectrum; (ii) an array of emitter tip elements in contact with the light emitting organic material; (iii) the first conductor coupled to the emitter tip elements in the array to stimulate emission of electrons from the emitter tip elements when the first conductor is connected to a power supply; (iv) a second conductor contacting the organic material and in depart relationship to the array of emitter tip elements, the second conductor being arranged in relation to the first conductor, to impose an applied voltage on the organic material when the first conductor is connected to the power supply, and electrons are emitted from the emitter tip elements into the light emitting organic material.

Abstract: A field emitter structure, comprising: a base substrate; a field emitter element on the base substrate; a multilayer differentially etched dielectric stack circumscribingly surrounding the field emitter element on the base substrate; and a gate electrode overlying the multilayer differentially etched dielectric stack, and in circumscribing spaced relationship to the field emitter element. Also disclosed are electron source devices, comprising an electron emitter element including a material selected from the group consisting of leaky dielectric materials, and leaky insulator materials, as well as electron source devices, comprising an electron emitter element including an insulator material doped with a tunneling electron emission enhancingly effective amount of a dopant species, and thin film triode devices.

Abstract: A spacer structure for use in a flat panel display, and a corresponding flat panel display article are disclosed, together with an appertaining method of fabricating the spacer structure utilizing a photosensitive precursor material which is selectively irradiated, developed and etchingly processed to produce shaped standoff elements for a unitary spacer structure. The spacer structure may be dimensionally fabricated to precisely align with a selected pixel region, comprising a single pixel or an array of pixels, e.g., a color (red, blue, green) triad.

Abstract: The Disaster Warning Communications System is a message relay system designed to provide backup warning of impending natural hazard in areas where normal communications are vulnerable to losses imposed by geographic influence. It has been designed to take advantage of the near-hemispheric communications access of existing geostationary weather satellites. This broad coverage allows a single satellite to provide warning to virtually all the inhabited islands in the hemisphere surrounding the subpoint of the satellite, excluding only the extreme polar areas. By extension, three such satellites can cover the entire populated Earth.

Abstract: A mandrel for use in processing a workpiece having an internal spline. The mandrel includes an expandable collet having an upper expandable spline-shaped portion and a lower portion with a groove adapted to receive two half-keys. Inside the expandable collet are a series of sleeves and steel balls. A bolt having a conical head and a nut hold the mandrel together. As the nut is tightened, the sleeves and balls cause the upper spline-shaped portion of the collet to expand to hold a workpiece having an internal spline. At the same time, the half-keys are forced apart in the key-way of an indexing rotary table to accurately position the mandrel on the table.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying particulate matter such as vegetables and the like is disclosed. The apparatus has a centrifugal dryer that includes a drum adapted to be rotated about its longitudinal axis which is canted with respect to the vertical. The drum is open at its upper end to receive the particulate matter, the lower end of the drum includes a lower opening to facilitate dispensing of the particulate matter after it has been dried. The drum includes a perforate wall and a radially inwardly extending annular member which preferably extends from the lower end of the perforate wall. In use, the drum is rotated at a low speed whilst the particulate matter is introduced, the drum then being accelerated through the drying cycle and decelerated again for dispensing through the lower opening. In the preferred form the dryers are used in coupled pairs which allows for effectively continuous processing, despite the batch type operation of the individual dryers.

Abstract: Improved designs for the internal combustion engine are disclosed. The first embodiment of the invention relates to a configuration in which the cylinder/piston assembly is inclined at an oblique angle relative to the center axis of rotation of the crankshaft and connected to the crankshaft with a curved or bow-shaped connecting rod. The second embodiment of the invention resides in an improved design for the combustion chamber. In this embodiment, the cylinder and piston have elliptical cross sections. This, combined with a concave cylinder head, provide for a ellipsoid shaped combustion chamber. In this chamber are mounted two spark plugs, positioned along the major axis of the ellipse defined by the cylinder cross section. This configuration then sets the stage for the phenomenon called "Dual opposite firing fronts.

Abstract: An attitude determining system based upon the global positioning system is disclosed, and is adapted to provide dynamic, real time three-dimensional attitude, position, and time information on any vehicle in which it is located. The system is adapted to work at high latitudes, and be immune to magnetic deviations. The attitude determining system makes use of certain hardware configurations and mathematical algorithms to overcome the limitations of the prior art, and eliminate errors related to the motion of the vehicle platform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tubular ozone generator which uses a novel electrode structure wherein a wound electrode has a solid insulator between the turns of the windings.

Abstract: A pulse detonation engine is provided with at least one detonation combustor selectively coupled to an air inlet and fuel source. The detonation combustors are equipped with either active or passive means to dissipate the heat of detonation. Fuel, air, and an oxidizer can be fed to said detonation combustors either through a rotary valve or through a conically shaped injector head.

Abstract: An advertising display mounting device is provided for attaching promotional displays, dispensers, or other objects to a price channel mounted on the edge of a grocery or other retail store shelf. This mounting device uses clips which are adapted to mate with the price channel of the shelf. The clips are forced into a mated relation with the price channel by a locking slide. The invention also provides for a means by which to attach an advertising display to the advertising display mounting device.

Abstract: A system for determining location and pointing angle to a selected one of a first series of orbiting satellites as provided, wherein information relating to the system and desired satellite, is provided the electronic signals emitted by a second series of orbiting satellites. System is hand-held, compact, and portable, and is adapted to work in any environment, being immune to magnetic deviations. The satellite locating and pointing system makes use of certain hardware configurations and mathematical algorithms to determine location, and elevation information with respect to both the user and the desired satellite. The mathematical algorithms are also adapted to reduce errors inherent in incoming information from said satellites.

Abstract: A drum comprising a shell, a pair of skins (12) disposed at opposite ends of the shell, and substantially free floating tensioning assembly (30) to stretch the skins over the respective ends of the shell. The tensioning assembly comprises respective engagement means adapted to grip the periphery of each skin, a stabilizing ring (32) extending around the shell intermediate its ends, and a plurality of adjustable peripherally spaced tensioning elements (35) extending intermediate the respective engagement means and the stabilizing ring. The tensioning assembly is disposed to transfer tension directly between the skins substantially independently of the shell, thereby facilitating tuning and permitting substantially undamped vibration of the shell.