Abstract: Apparatus for determining if a cornea (whether in vitro or in vivo) has been modified (either surgically or otherwise). The method includes the steps of: passing a beam of collimated light a (either coherent or incoherent) through the cornea to produce a distorted wavefront; determining the characteristics of the distorted wavefront; and analyzing the distorted wavefront for characteristics that identify the presence of a modification. The analysis of the distorted wavefront can be for the presence of higher order aberrations, or Gausian characteristics which are indicative of modifications.

Abstract: A device for carrying at least one sports ball, such as a golf ball, including a cylinder which has a given length, an internal diameter, and first and second ends. The length of the cylinder is longer than the diameter of the sports ball to be carried, preferably longer than twice the diameter of the sports ball to be carried. The internal diameter is sufficient to receive such a ball. Preferably, the first end has an opening expandable from the first diameter that is less than the diameter of such ball to a second diameter at least equal to the diameter of such ball, whereby such ball can be inserted in such end. The device also includes a closure for the second end of the cylinder and a mechanism attached to the closure for permitting the device to be grasped and, optionally, attached to another object (e.g., a golf bag). Preferably, the cylinder is made of expandable material and, more preferably, the expandable material is expandable mesh-like material.

Abstract: An integrated, compact, self contained surveillance unit including: a housing having a front end and a back end; a sensor section attached to the front end of the housing; mechanism for determining the position of the unit; a communications system; a computer, and image output attached to the back end of the housing connected to the computer. The computer is connected to the sensor section, the position determination mechanisms, the communication system and the image output. All are supported by the housing. The sensor is selected from the group including visible sensors, UV sensors, short wavelength infrared sensors and long wavelength infrared sensors. The sensor section also includes an uncooled focal plane array. The position determination mechanisms include GPS, GLONASS, an accelerometer and a compass. The communication system, which is bi-directional, includes a multi-mode patch antenna and a SDR.

Abstract: The Signal Device for Positioning a Vehicle, according to the present invention relates to utilizing the peripheral vision of a driver of a vehicle in assessing the proper position of a vehicle relative to a confined parking space. The device is comprised of at least two surfaces, the first obscuring the second until the vehicle has attained the desired position within the parking space. Upon attaining this position, the second surface will come within the operator's field of vision thus notifying the operator to stop the vehicle. Alternately, the operator will stop the vehicle when the second surface obscures the first surface. Additionally, this invention includes a method for parking a vehicle in a confined parking space. Finally, this invention describes a method of distributing advertising and/or solicitation through mass mailing techniques, such advertising accompanying the signal device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high frequency alternating power generation to control kilowatts of supplied power in microseconds. The present invention includes a means for energy storage, push-pull switching means, control electronics, transformer means, resonant circuitry and means for excess energy recovery, all in electrical communication. A push-pull circuit works synchronously with a force commutated free-wheel transistor to provide current pulses to a transformer. A change in the conduction angle of the push-pull circuit changes the amount of energy coupled into the transformer's secondary oscillating circuit, thereby altering the induced secondary resonating voltage. At the end of each pulse, the force commutated free-wheel transistor causes residual excess energy in the primary circuit to be transmitted back to the storage capacitor for later use.

Abstract: An ophthalmic instrument (for obtaining high resolution, wide field of area multi-spectral retinal images) including a fundus retinal imager, (which includes optics for illuminating and imaging the retina of the eye); apparatus for generating a reference beam coupled to the fundus optics to form a reference area on the retina; a wavefront sensor optically coupled to the fundus optics for measuring the wavefront produced by optical aberrations within the eye and the imager optics; wavefront compensation optics coupled to the fundus optics for correcting large, low order aberrations in the wavefront; a high resolution detector optically coupled to the imager optics and the wavefront compensation optics; and a computer (which is connected to the wavefront sensor, the wavefront compensation optics, and the high resolution camera) including an algorithm for correcting, small, high order aberrations on the wavefront and residual low order aberrations.

Abstract: An offset sighting device for a weapon such as an M16 rifle for use with an NBC mask or equivalent. The sighting device includes front sight, rear sight, and a mechanism for supporting both. The site support includes a bracket, and a front sight support arm pivotally connected to the bracket to permit the front sight to be moved from a closed position adjacent to the bracket to an operational position. The sight support further includes a rear right support arm pivotally connected to the bracket to permit the rear sight to be moved from a position adjacent to the bracket to an operational position in alignment with the front sight. The sighting device also includes a mechanism for attaching the bracket to the rifle.

Abstract: Optical instruments having, inter alia, optics to process wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation to produce an interferogram. The instruments include at least one optical path and optical elements positioned along this path for splitting the electromagnetic radiation and spectrally dispersing the wavelengths to produce first and second sets of spectrally dispersed beams which interfere with each other to produce a plurality of different fringes of different wavelengths. The optics for dispersing the wavelengths includes a matched pair of gratings. The gratings may be reflective or they may be transmissive. The optics also includes a beam splitter and first and second mirrors. The gratings may be positioned in a variety of locations along the optical path. The instruments can also include a detector for detecting the interferogram and means for processing the detected interferogram to produce spectral information.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining if a cornea (whether in vitro or in vivo) has been modified (either surgically or otherwise). The method includes the steps of: passing a beam of collimated light a (either coherent or incoherent) through the cornea to produce a distorted wavefront; determining the characteristics of the distorted wavefront; and analyzing the distorted wavefront for characteristics that identify the presence of a modification. The analysis of the distorted wavefront can be for the presence of higher order aberrations, or Gausian characteristics which are indicative of modifications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for, preferably, determining noninvasively and in vivo pH in a human. The non-invasive method includes the steps of: generating light at three or more different wavelengths in the range of 1000 nm to 2500 nm; irradiating blood containing tissue; measuring the intensities of the wavelengths emerging from the blood containing tissue to obtain a set of at least three spectral intensities v. wavelengths; and determining the unknown values of pH. The determination of pH is made by using measured intensities at wavelengths that exhibit change in absorbance due to histidine titration. Histidine absorbance changes are due to titration by hydrogen ions. The determination of the unknown pH values is performed by at least one multivariate algorithm using two or more variables and at least one calibration model. The determined pH values are within the physiological ranges observed in blood containing tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining if a cornea (whether in vitro or in vivo) has been modified (either surgically or otherwise). The method includes the steps of: passing a beam of collimated light a (either coherent or incoherent) through the cornea to produce a distorted wavefront; determining the characteristics of the distorted wavefront; and analyzing the distorted wavefront for characteristics that identify the presence of a modification. The analysis of the distorted wavefront can be for the presence of higher order aberrations, or Gausian characteristics which are indicative of modifications.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining if a cornea (whether in vitro or in vivo) has been modified (either surgically or otherwise). The method includes the steps of: passing a beam of collimated light a (either coherent or incoherent) through the cornea to produce a distorted wavefront; determining the characteristics of the distorted wavefront; and analyzing the distorted wavefront for characteristics that identify the presence of a modification. The analysis of the distorted wavefront can be for the presence of higher order aberrations, or Gausian characteristics which are indicative of modifications.

Abstract: This invention relates to both the apparatus and method for increasing the sensitivity of measuring the amount of radioactive material in waste by reducing the interference caused by cosmic ray generated neutrons. The apparatus includes: (a) a plurality of neutron detectors, each of the detectors including means for generating a pulse in response to the detection of a neutron; and (b) means, coupled to each of the neutrons detectors, for counting only some of the pulses from each of the detectors, whether cosmic ray or fission generated. The means for counting includes a means that, after counting one of the pulses, vetos the counting of additional pulses for a prescribed period of time. The prescribed period of time is between 50 and 200 &mgr;s. In the preferred embodiment the prescribed period of time is 128 &mgr;s. The veto means can be an electronic circuit which includes a leading edge pulse generator which passes a pulse but blocks any subsequent pulse for a period of between 50 and 200 &mgr;s.

Abstract: A power generating system, including a first shaft, a first compressor, a second compressor and a turbine. In a further embodiment, the system also includes a second turbine, a second shaft and a generator. Each of the first compressor, the second compressor and the turbine are connected to the first shaft whereby the first shaft, the first compressor, the second compressor and the turbine all rotate at the same speed. The first compressor and second compressor are of disparate flow types.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for improving the precision of at least one of neutron coincidence counting and neutron multiplicity counting. The method includes the steps of: (1) sampling the real and accidental coincident pulses at the incoming pulse rate; and (b) sampling the accidental coincidences at a clock rate, wherein the clock rate is much faster than the pulse rate. The clock rate is faster than the pulse rate by a factor of 5 to 10 (in the preferred embodiment, approximately 4 MHz).

Abstract: An ophthalmic instrument (for obtaining high resolution, wide field of area multi-spectral retinal images) including a fundus retinal imager, (which includes optics for illuminating and imaging the retina of the eye); apparatus for generating a reference beam coupled to the fundus optics to form a reference area on the retina; a wavefront sensor optically coupled to the fundus optics for measuring the wavefront produced by optical aberrations within the eye and the imager optics; wavefront compensation optics coupled to the fundus optics for correcting large, low order aberrations in the wavefront; a high resolution detector optically coupled to the imager optics and the wavefront compensation optics; and a computer (which is connected to the wavefront sensor, the wavefront compensation optics, and the high resolution camera) including an algorithm for correcting, small, high order aberrations on the wavefront and residual low order aberrations.

Abstract: A pair of grips for holding a specimen which includes a pair of through openings for receiving tension pins and a pair of spaced apart, parallel edges. Each of the grips includes a pin, a Davis adjustable key, and a housing. The Davis adjustable key includes a key housing, a movable key portion and a mechanism to move the key portion relative to the key housing. The housing includes a bore for receiving the Davis adjustable key, a bore for receiving the pin, and a slot for receiving that portion of the specimen which includes the through opening and the edge. The Davis adjustable key bore and said pin bore are substantially parallel to each other. The slot is substantially perpendicular to and completely bisecting the pin bore.