Abstract: The invention is directed to a filter system for ornamental ponds and stock tanks that has a housing defining an internal chamber. A number of feet are located on a lower flat surface of the housing, which hold the housing off of the bottom of the pond. A filter slot in the lower surface holds a filter. A pump is inside the internal chamber of the housing and has an inlet inside the internal chamber and an outlet outside the internal chamber of the housing. When the filter system is submerged, the pump draws water in along the bottom of the body of water through the filter. As a result, the debris on the bottom of the body of water is drawn into the filter. Once the debris is drawn into the filter, microbes in the filter are able to break down the debris.

Abstract: An outdoor heated pet bed has a low wattage heating wire. A foil packet encloses the low wattage heating wire. A foam layer is placed adjacent to one side of the foil packet. A weather resistant cover encloses the foam layer and the foil packet.

Abstract: A method of producing a reflective design includes the steps of lasering a pattern on an adhesive side of a reflective laminated material. The lasering ablates the adhesive and causes these areas to not adhere. The reflective laminate material is applied to a substrate. A carrier layer of the reflective laminate is removed to produce a reflective design on the substrate. This method allows for highly customized designs at a reasonable cost that are very visually appealing. The substrate may be a textile, paper, or decal material. The textile may be the garment or may be a patch that is sewn onto a garment or applied to the garment with an adhesive.

Abstract: A road grader comprising an elongated grader blade adapted to be pushed by a vehicle such as a bulldozer and having mutually parallel side members attached to the lateral ends of the blade perpendicularly to the blade's longitudinal axis, each of said side members comprising a pair of spaced apart walls that house a slidable mounting plate on the lower end of which is attached a ground contacting skid. Each slidable mounting plate is separately actuated to move upwardly or downwardly with respect to the side member in which it is housed. Relative upward or downward movement of the side member, with respect to the ground contacting skid, results in lowering or elevating the respective ends of the grader blade with respect to the level of the respective ground contacting skid. Separately adjusting the height of the lateral ends of the grader blade and driving the blade by a pushing vehicle permits the precision depth application of a layer of road material at any desired angle or tilt.

Abstract: Techniques, systems and methods for obtaining biometric signatures and identification are described. Broadly stated, embodiments of the present invention utilize specified geometric principles to provide means for accurate biometric identification using projective invariant features of a subregion of the human body. The present invention provides a means for computing biometric signatures and identification that are projective invariant and hence are not impacted by the viewing angle of the subregion of the human body containing the biometric data. This novel invention removes the restriction, often implicit in the previous work, of the imaging or sensing system being in a fixed repeatable (and generally orthogonal) viewing position. This invention can be applied across a wide range of biometrics, although it is most easily applicable to features that are approximately co-planar.

Abstract: A feedback circuit for a display sign has a number of lights. A resistor is coupled in series with the lights. A voltage measuring circuit is coupled to the resistor.

Abstract: A Utility Pole and Tower Safety and Protection Device includes a utility pole with a crossbar to support utility conductors. The crossbar is attached to the pole with a release mechanism. A pressure transducer is attached to the release mechanism and automatically controls the release and descent of the crossbar at a predetermined load limit. A shear pin may also be used if a mechanical system is desired. An alarm system is attached to the pole and linked to a relay station announces when the system is activated. Power and continuity to the utility conductors is terminated when the system is activated, virtually eliminating the risks of a downed utility conductor. The device protects power and utility lines from breakage due to external forces, such as weather or trees. When the external force is removed, the device is reset by winching the crossbar into position and resetting the release mechanism.

Abstract: A display and messaging sign includes a number of pixels and a hooded face plate. The hooded face plate includes a number of hooded apertures, with a hood over each of the pixels. Each pixel is aligned with an aperture.

Abstract: A firearm projectile includes a precision-machined outer component having a generally cylindrical body, a tip at the forward end of the body, a base at the rear end of the body, and a precision-machined cavity machined into the outer component. A precision-machined inner component is pressed into the cavity. The outer component includes a homogenous material that is softer than firearm barrel steel. The inner component includes a material having a higher density than the outer component and a higher density than an armor plate, such as solid tungsten, tungsten carbide and potential some Nanotechnology materials such as NanoSteel™. A cap may be attached to the outer component to seal the inner component inside the cavity. The cavity can be machined from the front or rear end of the outer component. The cap fits into the rear of the projectile or may be a bullet tip. The cavity and the inner component may be cylindrical or tapered.

Abstract: A winch cable storage device includes a cable-tensioning mechanism for attachment to a cable winch. The manual cable tensioner is removably attached to the cable winch and includes a level wind feature. The level winder includes a flexible frame attached between the cable winch and the cable-tensioning mechanism. The cable-tensioner includes a clamp housing and a pair of opposed, spring-loaded friction pads.

Abstract: A reticle carrier has a cover. A gasket is attached to the cover. A door mates with the cover.

Abstract: A two phase reactor includes a source of liquid reactant and a source of gas reactant. A chamber has an inlet coupled to the source of gas reactant and a flat jet nozzle coupled to the source of the liquid reactant.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit has a standby amplifier with an output coupled to a gate of an output transistor. An active amplifier has an output coupled to the gate of the output transistor and to a gate of a replica follower transistor. A voltage regulated output is coupled to a source of the output transistor.

Abstract: A polarization switching digital to analog converter has a ferroelectric capacitor. A number of switches are coupled to the ferroelectric capacitor. A summing circuit is coupled to the one of the switches.

Abstract: An infrared laser has a seed laser with an optical seed output. A pump amplifier receives the optical seed output and has an amplified output. A molecular gas laser receives the amplified output and has an infrared optical output.

Abstract: A unity gain amplifier has a current mirror. A compensation circuit has an input coupled to an output of the current mirror. An output transistor has a base coupled to the output of the current mirror and a source of the output transistor is coupled to an output of the compensation circuit. The compensation circuit has a resistor in series with a capacitor.

Abstract: A circuit for driving a laser diode has a variable bias circuit. The variable bias circuit has an output designed to couple to the laser diode. A modulation circuit has an output designed to couple to the laser diode.

Abstract: A method of tenderizing meat comprising providing an amount of meat and treating the meat with a composition comprising an enzyme mixture consisting of bromelin, ficin, papain and/or actinidin.

Abstract: A capacitor having a first nickel electrode. A BCTZ dielectric covers a side of the first nickel electrode. A second nickel electrode sandwiches the BCTZ.

Abstract: A system for chemical and biological decontamination has a source of oxygen. A reactor is coupled to the source oxygen. An optical source is coupled to the reactor. The system produces singlet delta oxygen that neutralizes chemical and biological contaminants.