Abstract: The inventive system, which is used in transmitting illumination from a central source to a variety of remote locations, efficiently couples the light originating from an arc lamp, or similar source, into a multiplicity of flexible macroscopic fibers. The combination of the several elements of the inventive system results in a very efficient transfer of the energy of the light source to the fibers. The system also provides a very flexible mechanical means for distributing the energy to the fibers and to the remote locations at which the light is used.

Abstract: A variable pitch fan for a helicopter equipped with a NOTAR.RTM. mechanical antitorque directional control system comprises a plurality of blade assemblies. Each blade assembly includes a blade portion, which is molded from a blended material which includes fiber reinforced polypropylene. A key to the invention is the use of long fibers, having a length of at least approximately one-half inch, for reinforcement, the long fibers providing for about twice the pull-out strength of short or chopped fibers. Another key aspect of the invention is the use of a blowing agent in the blended material, which serves to reduce weight and warpage by creating a foamed structure having a variable density, the structure retaining considerable strength because of the fiber reinforcement. The blade portion is molded about a spar which has holes therethrough, the holes providing a mechanical interlock between the blade and the spar.

Abstract: A light guide illumination system is provided for coupling light from an illumination source to a number of output "light guides", which are used for a variety of purposes, such as illuminating pools, spas, hazardous material zones, jail cells, and other applications where direct lighting is dangerous, difficult to maintain, or subject to vandalism. The illumination system employs an illumination reflector which has been customized to maximize the efficiency of light transmission between the illumination source, such as an arc lamp, and the cores of the output light guides. A method of fabricating the customized illumination reflector includes mapping the radiation patterns of the particular illumination source to be utilized, creating a database of those radiation patterns, and utilizing the database to generate an optimal illumination reflector configuration. The computer-generated reflector will virtually always be a non-conic section, because the illumination source is not ideal.

Abstract: A failure of any one of three swashplate actuators of a helicopter rotor blade is detected. Once such a detection is made, the position of this nonfunctional swashplate is locked and measured. The inputted commanded swashplate collective position, commanded swashplate x-axis rotational position, and commanded swashplate y-axis rotational position are then passed to a failure-mode control matrix. The failure-mode control matrix computes swashplate actuator commanded positions for the two operable swashplate actuators so that aircraft attitude control is maintained. These two swashplate actuator commanded positions instruct positional movement of the rotor blade swashplate to thereby meet the commanded swashplate x-axis rotational position and the commanded swashplate y-axis rotational position which will control attitude. A quasi-swashplate-collective-position corrector computes the quasi-swashplate collective position that will occur because of the successful control of the aircraft's attitude.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling the external flow passing along the external surface of an aircraft such as the tailboom of a helicopter. A fan blows air into a cavity within a surface, and the air exits the surface through one or more axially oriented slots. A ramp structure is positioned within the cavity and upstream of each slot, and a set of fence structures are mounted in each slot and spaced from each other as well as from the ramp structure. The ramp and fence structures trip the airflow which then couples to the downstream side of the ramp and fence structures, thus eliminating the axial airflow component adjacent to the slot, and exits the slot in a direction normal to the axis. The airflow exits the slot in a direction tangential to the external surface and generally parallel with the external flow, resulting in deflection of the external flow and generating lift which is used to augment antitorque control in the helicopter implementation described.

Abstract: A temporary transvenous pacing system for obtaining a graphical record verifying the placement of temporary cardiac pacing lead within the ventricular cavity of a heart and for intracardiac recordings for arrythmia diagnosis. The system includes a temporary transvenous pacing lead having a distal electrode which terminates in a standard connector. A physiological monitor includes sensing electrodes having at least one connector adapted for electrical connection to a body surface. An interface module includes connectors adapted to interconnect the pacing lead to the monitor, and a coupling circuit for conditioning the pacing lead signals for use by the monitor. The pacing lead signals are displayed on an oscilloscope screen of the monitor, whereby an attending physician may adjust the pacing lead position in response to the electrical waveforms so obtained.

Abstract: A fiberoptic endoscope includes an axially movable optical fiber guide to compensate for focusing effects, such as thermal expansion or mechanical tolerances. The distal end portion of the optical fiber guide is secured to the distal end of the endoscope while the proximal end portion is permitted to move axially relative to a proximal housing portion of the endoscope. The proximal housing portion includes an eye lens unit secured thereto. A decoupling lens unit is fixed to the proximal end portion of the optical fiber guide so as to move therewith with respect to the eye lens unit.

Abstract: An endoscope including an elongated endoscope body sized and adapted for insertion into a passage, such as a passage of the body of a patient. Optical components are carried by the endoscope body to enable viewing of the passage distally of the distal end of the endoscope body within a field of view of the endoscope. An elongated, resilient member is mounted on and carried by the endoscope body such that the endoscope body and the resilient member are a unitary assembly which can be inserted as a unit into the passage. The resilient member extends beyond the distal end of the endoscope body and is capable of contacting material within or forming the passage and relatively displacing the distal end of the endoscope body and such material within the field of view of the endoscope to enhance viewing of the passage with the endoscope.

Abstract: A hollow light guide illumination system is provided for coupling light from an illumination source to a hollow light guide, which is used for a variety of purposes, such as tunnels, hallways, and large rooms where direct lighting is dangerous, difficult to maintain, or subject to vandalism. The illumination system employs an illumination reflector which has been customized to maximize the efficiency of light transmission between the illumination source, such as an arc lamp, and the core of the hollow light guide. A method of fabricating the customized illumination reflector includes mapping the radiation patterns of the particular illumination source to be utilized, creating a database of those radiation patterns, and utilizing the database to generate an optimal illumination reflector configuration. The computer-generated reflector will virtually always be a non-conic section, because the illumination source is not ideal.

Abstract: An inclined ashtray rest provides only a slight inclination to the cigar or cigarette being held. Since only a slight inclination is used by the cigar and cigarette ashtray rest, the cigar or cigarette does not need to be significantly inclined above the support surface. Consequently, the inclined ashtray rests may be integrally formed of a single material, such as glass or ceramic. The integrally formed inclined ashtray rest can further be configured with a number of open channels to accommodate a corresponding number of cigars or cigarettes, and these open channels may be integrally formed with the inclined ashtray rest. Additionally, a common ash receiving area may be formed for servicing all of the open channels. The slight inclination of each of the open channels is optimal for keeping the tip of the cigar cooler, by accelerating heat dissipation through the burning end. This is particularly advantageous in the case of cigars, where if the tip gets too hot, the smoking experience becomes less enjoyable.

Abstract: A method of tracking movement of gaming chips in casino comprising gaming chips each having an electronic circuit which transmits information, and antennas located at gaming chip placement areas. When gaming chips are placed on a first gaming chip placement area within the casino, the antenna at that first gaming chip placement area transmits a radio beam which in effect scans the electronic circuits of the gaming chips. The electronic circuits identify the gaming chips by electronically broadcasting information. Upon moving a first of the gaming chips to a second gaming chip placement area, the antenna at the second gaming chip location transmits a radio beam which scans the electronic circuit of the first gaming chip. The electronic circuit in the first gaming chip identifies the first gaming chip on the second gaming chip placement area so that the location of the first gaming chip is tracked. The gaming chip placement areas may be at various places such as on a gaming table or a gaming chip tray.

Abstract: Instruments for performing percutaneous biopsy procedures are disclosed, which have advantageous features for improving functionality and performance over prior art devices. These instruments comprise two types, single-use devices, and multiple-use devices having active tissue capture capability. Improved features include the ability to retrieve and evaluate multiple tissue samples during a single insertion procedure, without physical handling of the samples, as well as constructional features, such as a molded tissue cassette housing, variant vacuum port embodiments suited for different tissue environments, and a method for backflushing the instrument to remove biological debris, among others.

Abstract: A utility loop includes a loop of fiber which forms the loop core. The loop of fiber is made from a thread wrapped into a plurality of loops. The two loose ends of the thread can then optionally be tied together to form the loop of fiber. The outer loop cover of the utility loop is a tube of braided material, which surrounds loop of fiber. The tube of braided material has a tube axis running along a length of the tube of braided material. The tube of braided material includes a relatively small number of relatively large-diameter monofilament fibers, which are braided together in a tubular form. All of the relatively large-diameter mono-filament fibers are oriented to form acute angles with the tube axis. The two loose ends of the tube of braided material are connected together to form the utility loop. Specifically, a first opposing end of the tube of braided material is slipped over a second opposing end of the tube of braided material to thereby form an overlap.

Abstract: A label applicator for applying a label to an article comprising a supporting structure, a label carrier adapted to receive and releasably retain a label and a carrier mount. The label carrier is mounted for rotation on the carrier mount. The carrier mount mounts the label carrier on the supporting structure for bodily movement between a label receiving position in which the label carrier can receive and releasably retain a label and a label applying position in which the label carrier can apply the label to the article.

Abstract: The present invention provides a desired design approach for retuning a rotorcraft airframe by utilizing resilient connections between major airframe components. In the preferred embodiment, the design employs resilient material, preferably elastomeric material, in the mounting system between the vertical tail and the tailboom of a helicopter as a method of providing dynamic detuning of the tailboom torsion/lateral mode. Other possibilities include similarly mounting the horizontal stabilator and the wing onto the airframe. Using elastomeric or similar devices to soft mount the vertical tail of a helicopter on the tailboom can efficiently and effectively alter the natural frequencies of the entire aircraft. By choosing the spring constant of this connection, the designer can place fuselage frequency at a desired value.

Abstract: An everting catheter system comprising an elongated outer tubular body having an outer body lumen and an opening leading from the outer body lumen, an elongated inner tubular body movable longitudinally in the outer body lumen and having an inner body lumen and an everting element coupled to the outer body and the inner body so that with movement of the inner body longitudinally in the outer body lumen the everting element can be everted and inverted. The system also includes an elongated instrument, such as a transfer catheter, movable longitudinally in the inner body lumen relative to the inner body. A coupling releasably couples the instrument to the outer body in a substantially fixed longitudinal position with respect to the outer body.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising an elongated endoscope body having a distal end, an objective carried by the endoscope body adjacent the distal end and an elongated fiberoptic image guide in the endoscope body for transmitting an image proximally. The objective has a curved proximal surface and the image guide has a curved distal end surface which has a shape which generally conforms to the shape of the curved proximal surface of the objective. These surfaces are in close proximity to provide an interface and an index matching medium is in the interface. The objective provides a curved image plane substantially at the interface and the image plane has a shape which generally conforms to the shape of the curved proximal surface of the objective.

Abstract: An adjustable bracket is disclosed for use in mounting a display sign, equipment, or the like on the post of a support stand, which is quick and easy to use, requires no tools, is easy to fabricate, and is adaptable to posts of different sizes and shapes. When installed, it is adapted to firmly grip the post along three lines of contact, thereby firmly securing the bracket at a predetermined location. An improved flexible sign receiving portion for such a bracket is also disclosed, which permits a flexible sign to be installed therein in a single motion, and provides a secure attachment of the sign to the sign stand, even in adverse conditions.

Abstract: A method for making helicopter rotor blades includes wrapping a prepreg strap around the conical or cylindrical outboard end of each weight segment. The weight segment is then placed in the rotor blade spar and goes through the spar cure cycle with it. Primary retention is provided by adhesive bonding between the weight and the spar. Secondary retention is by hoop tension in the strap, acting through interlaminar shears at the co-cured interface with the spar.