Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner comprising an operating head providing two inlet openings and passages therethrough connecting to a single outlet is disclosed. The cleaner includes a valve to close intermittently in one passage and, optionally, a restriction valve in the other passage operable between greater and lesser degrees of restriction to enhance the smooth, consistent, and continual collection of dirt and debris from the pool surface.

Abstract: Discs for devices such as automatic swimming pool cleaners are disclosed. The discs incorporate one or more flutes, or raised areas (arched protrusions), extending generally radially from adjacent their central portions to their peripheries. The peripheries themselves, moreover, may include upturned areas (lips) between flutes, and both the discs and footpad may include ramped segments facilitating movement over obstacles extending from swimming pool surfaces.

Abstract: Cards and methods of securing hidden symbols on cards are disclosed. The cards, such as instant-win lottery tickets, utilize continuous overprint inks that mask the boundaries between their "secure" and "unsecure" portions to inhibit unscrupulous players from successfully tampering with them. By reformulating the overprint inks to permit a single set to be applied to both portions of a card, more vibrant and aesthetically-pleasing graphics may be displayed as well while utilizing fewer printing stations during the printing process.Alternatively or additionally, the cards may be embossed for added security. Raising portions of the secure area of a card above the remainder of its surface produces irregular features, thereby inhibiting both improper removal of the upper latex or other coating and photo reproduction of the card. The varying card height caused by embossing further inhibits heat-based tampering, as heat transfer to the irregular surface is no longer uniform.

Abstract: Electrostatic chucks and methods of forming the chucks are disclosed. The chucks include ceramic materials directly bonded with a layer of active braze alloy. The active alloy operates as both a conductive layer of the electrostatic chuck and a mechanism for bonding the dielectric layer to the base of the chuck. Electrical feedthroughs to the electrode may also be formed using the active alloy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for side pumping lasers are disclosed. By pre-collimating radiation emitted by laser diode arrays, the present invention provides transverse mode matching to achieve fundamental, or TEM.sub.00, mode operation in the corresponding (nominally vertical) axis. Optics associated with the resonant cavity additionally redirect energy longitudinally through the gain media, enhancing fundamental mode operation in the (nominally horizontal) other axis as well. With dual forty-watt linear arrays of laser diodes and four longitudinal passes, TEM.sub.00 mode outputs exceeding fifteen watts have been achieved.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming devices including dead-ends and insulator ties from flat and other strips of material, as well as the devices themselves, are disclosed. Components of these devices may be formed continuously from a single strip, avoiding the need to weld or clamp the components together. Forming the devices in this manner reduces the possibility of stresses or non-uniformities forming when the components are joined and permits continuous automatic or semiautomatic manufacture to occur.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for characterizing biological tissues and other turbid media with normalization that serves to compensate for the effects of scattering, reflectance, and absorption are disclosed.

Abstract: A self-sintered silicon carbide/carbon-graphite composite material having interconnected pores which may be impregnated, and a raw batch and process for producing the composite material, is provided. The composite material comprises a densified, self-sintered matrix of silicon carbide, carbon-graphite inclusions and small amounts of any residual sintering aids, such as boron and free carbon, and has interconnected pores which may be impregnated with resin, carbon, TEFLON, metal or other compounds or materials selected for their particular properties to achieve desired tribological characteristics for a specific application. The composite material is produced from a raw batch which includes silicon carbide, sintering aids, a temporary filler and coated graphite particles. The raw batch is then molded/shaped into a green body and heated to carbonize any carbonizable materials and to decompose and volatilize the organic filler to form a matrix of interconnected pores.

Abstract: Flexible metal tapes and adhesives are disclosed. The tapes comprise one or more alloy powders, PTFE powder, and a water-based casting vehicle, while the adhesives include inorganic substances such as sodium silicate, boric acid, sodium tetraborate, sodium fluoride, or sodium aluminum fluoride as well as pastes having compositions similar to the flexible metal tapes. The tapes and adhesives shrink minimally linearly when brazed to metal substrates, avoiding surface cracks that often result from shrinkage. The adhesive additionally retains the tape in place on the substrate, regardless of orientation, both before and during brazing.

Abstract: Cards and methods of securing hidden symbols on cards are disclosed. The cards, such as instant-win lottery tickets, utilize continuous overprint inks that mask the boundaries between their "secure" and "unsecure" portions to inhibit unscrupulous players from successfully tampering with them. By reformulating the overprint inks to permit a single set to be applied to both portions of a card, more vibrant and aesthetically-pleasing graphics may be displayed as well while utilizing fewer printing stations during the printing process.

Abstract: A laceless athletic shoe is disclosed. The shoe presents a thin, uniform upper surface, permitting truer kicks when contacted by a soccer or other ball. An integral elastic area in the upper expands to receive the wearer's foot, while carbon fibers embedded in and grooves formed across the outsole provide greater torsional stability and flexibility of the shoe during turns.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for spraying fluids are disclosed. Multiple distinctive airflows are used sequentially to create eddy currents at and near the outer canopies of vegetation. Such currents promote uniform chemical coverage of fruit and foliage throughout the vegetation. Nozzles adapted for selective use and adjustment independently and in multiple directions and planes also enhance coverage, particularly when fruit and foliage is especially dense or sparse or close to or remote from the ground.

Abstract: A leak detector for a plastics injection molding machine comprises a small diameter conduit (20) located adjacent to a potential leak site on or associated with the machine, through which a regulated supply of air is emitted. When the conduit outlet (26) is blocked with leaked molten plastics, a sensor (45) in the conduit instantly detects a change in air flow or back pressure and triggers an alarm (65), and optionally cuts off the machine automatically to avoid damage to machine components and with the object of reducing machine down time. Changes in incoming primary air supply pressure may be detected to provide a fail-safe system. Alternatively, air pressure in the conduit (20) may be below zero, i.e. a vacuum, so that air is sucked into the conduit at its outlet (26). Several potential leak sites may be monitored simulatneously from a single sensor arrangement.

Abstract: A card, such as a lottery ticket or game piece, lacking a foil laminate is disclosed. To simulate the appearance of such a laminate, however, the card includes a substrate onto which metal particles are adhered. The particles are permanently suspended in a resinous ink binder, thus forming neither a sheet of material nor a continuous, solid film. To enhance the reflectivity of the card, a clear overcoat may be applied.

Abstract: A system for simulating effects of cleaning and maintenance on the appearance of a product such as carpet tile is disclosed. Short- and long-term effects of wear and soiling can be simulated as well, providing a relatively complete and rapid indicator of product appearance changes over time.

Abstract: A raised flooring system and methods of forming components of such a system are disclosed. Systems consistent with embodiments of the present invention utilize thin sheet metal, typically galvanized steel, base plates laid side by side on an existing floor. Attached in a rectilinear pattern to the base plates are stand-offs, which support floor panels forming the raised or false floor (which in turn are typically covered with carpet tile). In addition to supporting the floor panels, the stand-offs form a network of channels where conduit, cables, hoses, pipe and similar materials can be routed. The stand-offs are punched and then formed from thin sheet metal, also typically galvanized steel, and have an overall shape generally that of a truncated cone achieved with four arms that have rolled edges for enhanced load-bearing capacity.

Abstract: Techniques and retinoscopic apparatus for measuring or determining a patient's optical error are disclosed. The techniques include overrefraction and can be performed from a fixed position, avoiding the practitioner's need to move back and forth relative to the patient's eye. Equipment associated with the apparatus is adapted to record the location of the retinoscope slide (relative to its upper or lower position) during the examination to provide information concerning the optical error present in the patient's eye. Other associated equipment can include discs of spherical lenses and devices for limiting relative movement of components of the retinoscopic apparatus.

Abstract: A flash device has a flash tube which generates light in response to electrical energy. The amount of light emitted by the flash tube is monitored by a circuit which is connected to means for adjusting the electrical energy supplied to said flash tube when a predetermined amount of light has been emitted to thereby increase the effective life span of the flash tube and maintain intensity level of the flash tube within a given tolerance.

Abstract: A brazing alloy for brazing ceramics has the following composition, in weight percent: 1 to 4 silicon; 1 to 5 titanium; 0.5 to 6 aluminum; 89 to 96 copper.