Abstract: An invented hinge for coupling three buoyant-slats pool cover sections together is described wherein three, modified, longitudinal buoyant slats are coupled for pivoting around three angularly spaced, parallel hinge axes aligned with the slats by a plurality of hinge plates each defining a coupling aperture received and pinned within registering hinge bays penetrating into adjacently positioned, longitudinal side flotation chambers of the three modified buoyant slats by a longitudinal hinge pin passing through the coupling apertures of the hinge plates received in the hinge bays inside of the flotation chamber of each of the three modified, buoyant slats.

Abstract: An invented computer curve construction system is described that enables construction of conics more intuitively, predictably, and accurately. Also new constructions of particular cubic Bezier curves and their conic analogs are described.

Abstract: A low-cost airliner defense system utilizing self powered, retrievable, towed decoys against man portable heat-seeking missile (MANPAD) systems provides both high power and a large IR radiating surface area. An efficient and lightweight integrated turbine-alternator extracts sufficient electric power from an air stream directed through a small decoy deployed and towed behind an aircraft during the vulnerable phases of a flight to power a large and intense IR emitter. Unfurled IR radiator “petals” present large area arrays of rear-facing IR emitters. During the high-altitude cruise phase the radiating petals furl down folding around the retrieved decoy body as it is stowed in a streamlined housing for minimizing fuel consumption and maneuverability penalties.

Abstract: An invented fluidic (hydraulic/pneumatic) actuation system is described wherein bidirectional, hydraulic/pneumatically driven elements of multiple components in a common hydraulic/pneumatic circuit inherently provide increases in pressure upon reaching mechanical end points limiting, arresting or stopping further mechanical movement or travel of the driven element of any particular component that switches a sequencing valve system and/or electro-hydraulic/pneumatic pressure switches for directing hydraulic/pneumatic power to other hydraulically/pneumatically driven components in the hydraulic/pneumatic circuit in a timed, sequenced and velocity controlled manner.

Abstract: Methods for making a storage package having a breaching bubble(s) opening mechanism are described.

Abstract: A close-fitting, compression garment is described for providing adjustable compressive force over a surgical site in the dorsocervical region of the human body below the neck, above and between the shoulder blades of the upper back. The vest body portion of the invented garment has graduated or increasing elasticity encircling the upper torso and shoulder region of the body. Wide adjustable elastic pressure bands pressure anchored at the dorsocervical apex at the back of the vest stretch over the shoulders of the patient and adjustably anchored to anchor strips secured to the front chest surface of the vest for establishing compression over a surgical site in the dorsocervical region during recovery as needed both for rehabilitation and comfort.

Abstract: A magnetically coupled pressure display system particularly adapted for pneumatic tires of motor vehicles includes pressure transducer coupled for rotating a magnet field source within the tire and an external magneto-optical liquid crystal display attached to or integrally incorporated into the exterior sidewall of the tire for visually indicating pressure within the tire responsive to the orientation of the magnetic field source within the tire. The external display exploits the magneto-optical effects of liquid crystals and can be conformally and permanently attached to the outer tire sidewall surface. Elements (pixels) comprising the display have selective light polarization properties globally determined by direction (orientation) of the magnetic field each experiences, the primary component of which is that provided by the magnetic field source rotated by the pressure transducer within the vehicle tire.

Abstract: A compact, robust, and inexpensive magnetically coupled pressure gauge includes a spiral-faced or helical bellows coupled for rotating a magnetic field source (permanent magnet) within a pressure vessel the orientation of which is externally sensed and correlated to pressure within the pressure vessel. Mechanisms of extraneous magnetic field compensation are discussed Applications contemplated include measuring pressure in pressure vessels and pressure of pneumatic vehicle tires without breaching the integrity of the particular pressurized vessels. Embodiments included a visual, manual tire pressure monitoring system.

Abstract: A fast computer curve construction system/method is described enabling a computer graphic artist, intuitively, to predictably, and accurately generate a class of two dimensional curves defined and described as peak-point curves, point-point curves point-tangent curves, point curves and curvature curves that can be connected together, and be connected with circular arcs and straight lines with either G0 continuity, G1 continuity, or G2 continuity for display and printing. The described computer curve construction system/method further permits the computer graphic artist to: (i) dynamically modify or shape a constructed curve component by selecting and altering or repositioning particular geometric constraints defining that curve component; (ii) modify the continuity of two connected curve components; (iii) create two curve components from a single curve component; (iv) create a single curve from of two curves; (v) delete and redraw any curve component, and (vi) add or subtract curve components.

Abstract: An invented track construct component system with a threaded radial bearing end pulley is described for pool cover systems that includes an extruded longitudinal cover track having a top longitudinal anchoring slot, a C-channel longitudinal slot along one side edge for capturing and holding a side edge of a pool cover and associated sliders carrying a leading (front) edge structures, a cable return channel with a longitudinal slot opening along the other side edge for receiving and protecting cabling connecting between sliders/front cover comers and associated cable reels. Each cover track is secured within separate extruded side wall channel structures having a top channel side wall with a depending longitudinal shaped for snuggly fitting into the longitudinal anchoring slot of the cover track. The extruded side wall channel structures are incorporated into the side wall of the pool.

Abstract: A kitchen hand press for crushing and extruding pulp, juices and oils from food items includes a stationary handle having a tub located at one end with sides, a distal end and a bottom with openings communicating through it, a pressing element forming a proximal end of the tub journaling and rotating about a shaft extending through the stationary handle; a large radius, ratchet-toothed, disc segment secured to and rotating with the pressing element; a pivoting handle pivotally secured to the stationary handle radially outward from the shaft having a ratchet, driving pin for engaging and rotating the ratchet-toothed disc segment rotating it and the pressing element into the tub upon pivotal rotation of the of the pivoting handle inward toward the stationary handle and ratcheting over the ratchet-toothed disc segment upon pivotal rotation of the pivoting handle outward away from the stationary handle; and via releasable ratchet, latching mechanism integral with the stationary handle for engaging and holding the

Abstract: A projection illumination fixture includes luminescent light tubes lined with an emulsion coating of titanium dioxide and phosphors for producing an appropriate mixture of highly scattered red, blue and green wavelengths of sustained luminescent light emission, a reflector housing for reflecting scattered rays of emitted luminescent light toward an aperture, a catadioptric lens for collecting and redirecting luminescent light rays reaching the aperture into and through a light snoot or barrel and a large area projection (magnifying) Fresnel lens at the end of the light snoot or barrel for directing and spreading the emitted light to fill an illumination field with directional divergent light ideal for dimensionally ‘painting’ talent and objects positioned and moving within the illumination field.

Abstract: An improved, angled head, tubing disconnect tool is described designed for de-coupling annular tubing telescoping around connecting to connection nipples jutting from planar wall surfaces in narrow confined spaces.

Abstract: A lanyard, tether or leash is secured to a PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT device (PDA) by a tether latch receiving and positively latching onto a “plug-in” or docking base of typical PDA. The body of the tether latch defines a socket with a mating curvilinear circumferential lip for snugly receiving the PDA docking base with a stationary catch nib being received in a latch notch on one side of the PDA docking base. A toggle coupled to the latch body manually translates carrying a catch nib into and out of the corresponding latch notch on the opposite side of the PDA docking base. A spring compressed between the latch housing and the toggle positively biases the latch ‘normally latched.’ A tether, lanyard, leash strap or cord is fastened between a tether hole through a tab on the latch body and the neck, the wrist; belt or clothing of a user to prevent the PDA from striking ground when fumbled or inadvertently dropped by the user.

Abstract: A system for delivering a liquid phase precursor fluid into a process chamber as a vapor phase fluid at constant pressure, the system comprising: a vaporizer for vaporizing the liquid phase precursor fluid prior to injecting the vapor phase fluid precursor into the process chamber, and a controllable device for transporting a preselected volume of the liquid phase fluid precursor from a reservoir to the vaporizer responsive to the pressure at the outlet of the vaporizer prior to entering the process chamber where the transport device is operated as the pressure at the outlet of the vaporizer canister drops, whereby system pressure perturbances are minimized prior to entering the process chamber.

Abstract: A real time fingerprint verification system includes a recording device and a verification device each having a fingerprint scanner for generating a flat, dimensionally undistorted, high contrast, fingerprint image, and an intensity sensitive, spatial light modulator (SLM) for receiving and transforming the flat fingerprint image into a planar, coherent light image. In the recording device, the planar coherent light image beam of the fingerprint from the SLM is Fourier transformed, and input into a microscope objective lens system which expands the Fourier transformed beam image sufficiently to allow mechanical blocking of its central portion or order, whereupon it is directed to interact as an object beam with a reference beam from the particular coherent light source to record a holographic matched filter.