Abstract: Addressed herein are techniques and equipment for pre-processing digital images to be superimposed for display. Filtering, re-sampling, and decimation are variously used to process images and sub-images to produce to-be-superimposed images. One of the described techniques is designed primarily (although not necessarily exclusively) for computational efficiency, while the other sacrifices some computational efficiency for higher quality of output images.

Abstract: A gear assembly (10) for transmitting torque between an input rotatable member (12) and an output rotatable member e.g. differential unit (24) comprises an input gear (14) rotatable with the input member (12), an output gear (20) rotatable with the output member (24), and intermediate gears (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) held simultaneously in mesh with the input gear (14) and output gear (20). Various arrangements are disclosed for sharing the transmitted torque evenly between the paths provided by gears (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d). The transmission may provide a reduction ratio and is connected to a low reduction ratio differential gearbox of small size and slim profile.

Abstract: Adjustable seats and components thereof are detailed. The seats, particularly (although not exclusively) useful in commercial aircraft, permit substantial angular recline without the corresponding rearward linear movement necessarily occurring in conventional seats. The seats additionally may have discontinuous, or non-integral, seat bottoms, with the heights of the forward portions of the bottoms being adjustable mechanically. Tray tables optionally associated with the seats further omit any central slot and may define one or more pivot axes in locations different than exist in conventional seats.

Abstract: A circular above-ground self-supporting pool, comprising a flexible and impervious pocket, the circular upper edge of which is provided with a buoyant inflatable annular hoop, wherein said inflatable hoop consists of several pneumatically independent inflatable annular chambers.

Abstract: This invention relates to the nature of thick film compositions that are specifically designed for the fabrication of circuit elements on diamond substrates, especially resistive elements. The nature of diamond sheet material requires special consideration because of its relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion and its sensitivity to oxygen at elevated processing temperatures. The general compositional requirements of thick film paste formulations are provided as a basis for accommodating the particular physical properties of diamond, and thereby establishing a method by which high performance microelectronic components can be fabricated economically. Thick film pastes containing certain borosilicate glasses, metal components, and optionally semiconducting materials are demonstrated to possess favorable behavior in terms of mechanical and electrical properties after sintering. Resistive elements on diamond can be fabricated by adding conductive components to a borosilicate glass.

Abstract: An electrical resistance ceramic heating element comprises: a) three or more ceramic legs comprising regions of the element in which at least the majority of the electrical heating occurs (hot zones), at least one of the legs being effectively entirely a hot zone and at least two of the legs each comprising a hot zone and a cold zone; b) a number of leg terminal portions less than the number of legs, for connection to a power supply; and, c) ceramic bridging portions providing electrical connectivity between the legs.

Abstract: A current sensor (1) is provided with low-pass filters (17 and 18) for stabilizing the pulse-duration modulated compensation signal. The current sensor is also provided with an additional RC element (40). Furthermore, a limiting means consisting of Zener diodes (44) and an ohmic resistance (45) is provided for suppressing fast current transients.

Abstract: A floating weir skimmer (1) with a pivoting flap (2) that can be fixed to a flexible wall (3) of an above-ground pool, comprising: a flexible pouch (4) with an open front face (7) that can be sealed to the exterior face of the flexible wall (3) to correspond with an opening (8) therein, and a removable rigid cassette (9) in the flexible pouch (4), with two side walls (10) frontally defining a water inlet (11) facing the opening (8) and at the bottom a water outlet (12), this cassette containing a pivoting floating flap (2) with its axle (13) fixed to the base of the side walls (10) near the inlet (11).

Abstract: Devices and methods for mounting components of electronic circuitry and these mounting devices are capable of surviving repeated thermal cycling. The devices comprise two metal laminate members brazed to a ceramic member on each of the two major surfaces of the ceramic member. The laminates preferably comprise a layer of molybdenum disposed between two layers of copper. The thickness of the individual layers comprising the metal laminate member may be varied to yield a laminate CTE similar to the CTE of the ceramic member to be joined.

Abstract: Systems and techniques relating to creating motion pictures are described. Included as part of the system are cameras incorporating two taking lenses, one of which images onto film through a shutter and the other of which images onto a digital sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices, systems, and methods for obtaining a quick diagnostic view of a cavity or joint of a patient and/or delivering a therapeutic treatment to that cavity or joint. The invention relates specifically to a cannula device that is sized for insertion into a patient for diagnosis or treatment in an office-based procedure and that has a securing mechanism that allows a scope or other instrument to be adjusted with respect to the cannula. Various optional features of the invention include a rotatable sleeve and an adapter for changing the working length of the cannula. The invention also relates to methods for performing an office-based diagnostic procedure and to kits for assisting the performance of such procedures.

Abstract: “Plug-in” fluid flow diverters are disclosed. Additionally disclosed is water purification equipment adapted to communicate with the diverters. Such equipment is especially (although not solely) useful in connection with circulating streams of water present in systems associated with swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas, as the circulating nature of the water permits more of its volume ultimately to be diverted into the equipment for purification. The diverters, furthermore, may have entrances oriented to receive fluid travelling in only one direction through a conduit and be keyed to one or more components of the equipment for purposes of identification, inventory control, or otherwise.

Abstract: A handset cable reel for use e.g. in passenger aircraft comprises a spool fitted with a rewind bias spring, the spool also having peripheral teeth 82. These interact with an oscillating pawl 62, a ratchet/star wheel 60 and a pawl 57 so that, after the cable has been extended a certain amount, repeatedly releasing and then pulling on the cable will alternately lock the spool to prevent retraction of the cable by the rewind bias, and then allow such retraction under the influence of the rewind spring. A driving key 100 on the spool indexes a cam wheel 88 for rotation so that as the final length of the cable is being rewound, a cam surface 96 rotates the pawl 57 about a pin 48 so that it no longer co-operates with the star/ratchet wheel 60 and the cable remains under spring tension even if inadvertently tugged.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel casting wheels for the rapid solidification technique which are produced by centrifugal casting. The wheels are made of an alloy with a non-equiaxial granular structure, wherein the grains are elongated and their longitudinal axis lies substantially perpendicular to the casting-wheel surface.

Abstract: Many of today's weapons systems use surveillance and target acquisition (STA) devices which can exploit the infrared and millimeter wavebands of the electromagnetic spectrum. Designing obscurant devices which can provide screening against such systems often results in complicated or costly solutions. A device capable of mitigating these problems is described wherein an obscurant device (10), and more particularly a device capable of providing screening against the visual, infrared and millimeter wave regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, comprises an obscurant payload, a burster charge capable, when detonated by a detonator, of disseminating said payload and a payload casing wherein some or all of the payload casing is configured to disintegrate upon actuation of the burster charge and to act thereafter as an obscurant.

Abstract: Armored protective panels for inflatable (and other) boats are detailed. The panels themselves may be inflated, either separately or together, for deployment and hence need not normally impede navigation or performance of the boats. If relatively flexible anti-ballistic materials are selected as components, the panels may be designed to collapse into rolls when not inflated. Alternative panels may include stealth or other non-anti-ballistic materials or be designed for use with objects or vehicles other than boats.

Abstract: Discussed are rational, economical production methods for inductive components. Compared to prior methods, those addressed herein are significantly simplified processes in which exact positioning of the connections is possible. Among actions contemplated in exemplary versions of the method are providing a mold comprised of aluminum alloy, inserting a magnet core of the inductive component, and filling the closed mold with a molten hot-melt adhesive preferably comprising a polyamide base.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating ceramic surfaces to decrease their wettability by aqueous solutions. One method involves polishing the ceramic surface until wettability is decreased, and a second method involves a silane heat treatment. Both methods can be used to produce ceramic supports for IEF and electrophoresis gels, as well as microarray plates.