Abstract: A photonic, wide-band analog to digital converter and method for converting an analog electrical signal to a digital electrical signal by electrical signal processing wherein the analog electrical signal is first converted to an optical signal having a wavelength which is a function of the amplitude of said analog electrical signal. The optical signal is then filtered in a plurality of optical filter channels to create N optical bit signals forming an N bit binary word indicating the wavelength of said optical signal. These optical bit signals are then each converted to an electrical bit signal to form an electrical binary word.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for human presence detection in vehicles where a vehicle vibration sensor is provided to sense vehicle vibration. This vibration signal is processed to obtain a measure of vehicle vibration independent of vehicle damping. Also, a seismic sensor senses ground vibrations in the area of the vehicle simultaneously with the sensing of vehicle vibration, and if the ground vibration exceeds a first threshold, the measure of vehicle vibration is discarded. Similarly, an infrasonic sensor may be used to sense infrasonic wind vibrations adjacent to the vehicle simultaneously with the sensing of vehicle vibration. When the infrasonic vibration within a desired frequency range exceeds a second threshold value, the measure of vehicle vibration is discarded.

Abstract: In accordance with the apparatus and method of the present invention, a biopotential lesion sensor is placed directly over a lesion in a symptomatic breast and a reference sensor is located away from the symptomatic breast. A plurality of electropotential test measurements are taken during a test period with the lesion sensor and averaged to obtain a primary test potential. This primary test potential can be weighted to compensate for one or more biologic variables such as patient age, time in the patient menstrual cycle, and the time of day during which the measurement is taken. To provide noise enhancement of the primary test potential average measurement, the symptomatic breast is divided into four equal quadrants with one quadrant containing the lesion.

Abstract: A high-throughput liquid chromatography system capable of parallel separations for increased sample throughput is described. The system comprises valves allowing for the use of multiple liquid chromatography columns and a single injector and pumping system while also minimizing extraneous plumbing and hardware. The system is capable of injecting individual samples and directing them to one of a multiplicity of columns followed by selective output to a detector. The system described allows for up to 16 columns, but the number may vary according to the application. The system may be run in an isocratic or gradient mode. Whereas currently available multi-probe systems incorporate a separate injector for each column, the invention described here uses only one injector and is independent of column number. This removes injector variability along with reducing the amount of pluming and mechanical parts in the system allowing for better separations while providing a more robust system.

Abstract: A building protection system and method is provided which is responsive to the release of hazardous agents both outside and inside of a protected building. For an outside release, an array of sensors surrounding the perimeter of the building is triggered to provide and indication that an external release has occurred. These external sensors operate in real time and are set at relatively high thresholds to prevent false positives. Upon initial detection of a release in a concentration above the threshold level of a perimeter sensor, a central processor connected to receive a release signal from the sensor will shut down all external air exchanges for the building and activate an over-pressure system for the building interior to insure that contaminated external air does not enter. Exterior sampling inlets are monitored to determine if high agent concentrations exist as a confirmation of the indication given by the perimeter sensors.

Abstract: The chemical stick storage and delivery system includes a chemical stick delivery tube in communication with a well which supports a rotatable chemical stick storage device on the uppermost end of the delivery tube. The delivery tube includes an upper opening and the chemical stick storage device rotates to position chemical sticks sequentially over the delivery tube opening. Within the delivery tube is a first valve positioned directly beneath the delivery tube opening and a second valve spaced below the first valve for a distance sufficient to form a chamber between the first and second valves to receive a chemical stick. A central processor unit controls the operation of the first and second valves so that the first valve is opened while the second valve is closed and the chamber is brought to well head pressure before the second valve is opened to drop the chemical stick from the chamber into the well.

Abstract: The improved helicopter anti-icing and deicing system and method includes mounting an airfoil shaped manifold transversely of the helicopter and filling the manifold with anti-icing or deicing fluid which is not under sufficient pressure to spray outwardly from the manifold. Instead, the rear edge of the manifold is provided with small, spaced openings which cause fluid droplets to form along the rear edge of the manifold and to then drop downwardly by gravity. The helicopter is positioned above a power line with the power line extending in the direction of the helicopter longitudinal axis and droplets are caused to exit the manifold as the helicopter flies along the power line.

Abstract: A blood clot filter which is collapsible toward a central longitudinal axis into a collapsed configuration for insertion into a blood vessel and which is radially expandable outwardly from the longitudinal axis to an expanded configuration for contact with the inner wall of the blood vessel at two longitudinal spaced locations. A first plurality of spaced, elongate arms, in the expanded configuration of the filter, curve outwardly away from the longitudinal axis toward the leading end of the filter to form a first filter basket and to center a hub at the trailing end of the filter within the vessel. A second plurality of spaced elongate legs angle outwardly away from the longitudinal axis toward the leading edge of the filter in the expanded configuration thereof to form a second filter basket opening toward the leading end.

Abstract: A free standing filter is provided with a filter body having an elongate guidewire receiving member extending centrally therethrough to define an open ended channel configured to receive a plurality of different sized guidewires. An expandable and contractible frame surrounds the elongate guidewire receiving member and is connected at a proximal end to the elongate guidewire receiving member. A porous embolic capturing unit has an open end connected to the frame and a closed end connected to the elongate guidewire receiving member which extends through the porous embolic capturing unit.

Abstract: The continuous, high speed, tomographic imaging system moves a closed package containing concealed objects continuously along a conveyor belt past three spaced sensing stations. At each sensing station a plurality of X-ray sources each emit a fan beam in the same scan plane which passes through the package to a plurality of detectors opposite to the X-ray sources. One scan is a vertical perpendicular scan plane relative to the direction of travel of the package along the conveyor belt and the remaining two scan planes are horizontal scan planes at right angles and transverse to the direction of travel. One horizontal scan plane is a left to right scan plane while the remaining scan plane is a right to left scan plane. Each detector provides multiple energy outputs (5) for the same data point in a scan slice, and the detector outputs are stored until all three sensing stations have scanned the same cross sectional view of the package in three directions.

Abstract: A bacon cooker and method for the microwave cooking of bacon. The bacon cooker includes a cover unit for releasably retaining a microwave permeable container having an open end with an annular, laterally projecting rim. The cover unit is designed to extend over the open end of the container and includes a plurality of cam locks which engage the container rim and force the rim into engagement with the underside of the cover unit. The cover unit is provided with a steam vent which includes an elongate, open ended shaft extending outwardly from the cover into the container. A plurality of radially extending arms are affixed to the shaft in spaced relationship to the cover. A hydrophilic material isi placed in the bottom of the container.

Abstract: The high efficiency gear pump includes a pump housing which defines an internal pump chamber. The pump chamber includes opposed first and second elongate gear receiving sections spaced on opposite sides of a central chamber section. The first and second gear receiving sections each have an arcuate peripheral wall which extends between a low pressure inlet port and a high pressure outlet port positioned on opposite sides of the central chamber section between the first and second gear receiving sections. Coaxially mounted on a drive shaft for rotation therewith are first and second pump drive gears having teeth which rotate in minimal spaced relationship with the arcuate peripheral wall of the first gear receiving section. The first and second pump drive gears are mounted for floating axial movement relative to each other and the drive shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides an inhalation device for administering a medicament within a prescribed dosage range to avoid over or under administration. The device contains in the mouthpiece or nozzle a channel which follows the Poiseuille equation and provides a flow rate of the fluid containing the medicament at a flow rate of between 0.5 and 3.0 l/s.

Abstract: A tamper indicator includes a collar which can be positioned to be circumambient a connection nut on a gas meter. The collar includes two portions which are interlocked by snap-catches which are located inside a locked collar. The collar portions are formed of frangible material and can include lines of weakening. Once in place, the collar cannot be removed without breaking it, and once broken cannot be repaired so that an indication is provided that the encircled connection nut may have been tampered with.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting an enclosable food cooker having a food supporting surface into a food smoker which can be advantageously used to smoke food at a very slow rate without significant dehydration or loss of natural juices. The apparatus includes an open topped container or pan containing a water filled, heat absorption cavity and suspension means, such as upstanding hooks, for detachably suspending the container or pan from the food supporting surface. A method for employing the apparatus in a conventional home charcoal grill is disclosed.

Abstract: An article moving attachment, and the like, including a grapple member adapted for engaging, for example, base runners of skids or pallets, or other articles, and being selectively connectable to power actuated means such as a line, through which a skid or an article can be moved from an initial position of perhaps difficult access to a subsequent position providing ready access to facilitate removal from a carrier, or unloading by a lift fork truck, and the like. The attachment includes mechanism coactable with the grapple member whereby a grappling force is directly proportional to the weight of an article being moved.

Abstract: Microscopic fibers are mixed with a metal powder to provide a nonuniform mixture with randomly oriented fibers having metal particles adhered thereto. This mixture is extruded at room temperature at least three times, and is then placed in a die cavity and subjected to a first pressure at room temperature. While adding no additional pressure, the die cavity is heated to bring the mixture to a temperature above the solidus of the metal powder, and the volume of the die cavity is decreased to at least the theoretical volume necessary to receive the mixture if the mixture included no voids. The die cavity is then cooled and the resultant billet ejected therefrom.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is disclosed for editing and mounting segments of recording tape containing prerecorded visual information, such as segments of an electrocardiogram (ECG) recording tape. The disclosed apparatus includes an editor for storing and feeding the tape past a window through which the tape may be viewed. Upon detection of a desired tape segment, the tape is halted and marked with the aid of a scale mounted adjacent the window opening. Thereafter, the tape is severed at each mark to form a segment having a longitudinal length corresponding to the particular type of information contained on the severed tape segment. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus is adapted to process electrocardiogrphic recording tape and the editor scale includes a zero mark and a plurality of index marks spaced from the zero mark by distances corresponding to the desired longitudinal length of various groups of lead segments such as ECG leads I-III, V.sub.1 -V.sub.6, aVR, aVL and aVF.