Abstract: A system is disclosed for drawing water from the top and bottom of an aquarium simultaneously for delivery to a filter. This system includes at least one subsurface tube connected to the lower portion of the back wall of the aquarium and brought to an external tank mounted to the back of the aquarium proximate to the surface water line. A horizontal rectangular opening at the surface water line of the aquarium allows the surface water from the aquarium to flow directly into the external tank. At least one drain tube leads from the external tank to an external algal or bacterial filtration system or simply to an overflow reservoir. Adjusting the height of the distal end of the subsurface tube within the external tank increases or decreases the hydraulic pressure in the subsurface tube, thus changing the proportional amount of water in the external tank being drawn from the bottom of the aquarium relative to that being drawn from the surface. Free of moving parts, the system will not harm tiny specimens.

Abstract: A programmable timing unit having a number of event markers circuits that receive a master clock signal and generate an output when a predetermined time occurs. Optionally, the event marker circuit can add an interpolated delay time to provide greater resolution than the master clock circuit. The output is programmably coupled to any of a number of function circuits. Each function circuit has a trigger input for receiving the event signal and output for providing the delayed output function.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing substrates, the apparatus including a plurality of molecular dissociation furnaces. Each dissociation furnace produces a directed beam of neutral dissociated reactive species. Each reactive beam is directed at a surface of the semiconductor substrate. A photon source is also directed at the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The intensity and wavelength of the photon source are selected to enhance the reaction rate over that of the reactive beam acting alone on the surface.

Abstract: An automated system for partitioning a set of Boolean logic equations onto one or more devices selected from a plurality of commercially available devices. The system utilizes a processor having a memory containing information on the different architectural types of devices, physical device information on individual devices and user generated design constraints, weighting factors and partitioning directives. Based upon this stored information, the system of the present invention selects all acceptable architectural types of devices wherein at least one of the Boolean logic equations can be placed thereon. For all physical devices associated with the acceptable architectural types only those devices which fall within the selected user constraints are selected. The system then evaluates the weighting factors to order the devices in order of cost value and then fits the equations according to the partitioning directives to the devices.

Abstract: A visual display lighting system of a series of individual lighting modules. Each of the lighting modules having a printed circuit board containing drive circuitry and a plurality of light sources. Each module having a lighting panel which includes a reflector unit for each light source and a covering lens. A pair of retainer strips lock to the opposing ends of the lighting panel to hold the module in the display lighting system. The retainer strips quickly release from the opposing ends when the module is removed from the front of the visual display lighting system. In each module, the lighting panel has retainer clips for locking to the printed circuit board. When locked in place the board holds the plurality of light sources into the lighting panel for illumination of the sign. The printed circuit board can be quickly released from the lighting panel so that the board with the light sources can be removed from the rear of the visual display lighting system.

Abstract: Biodegradable foam compositions for extinguishing class B fires are disclosed that may be in either a liquid concentrate or a powder concentrate form. The concentrates comprise (1) a foaming group including a high-foaming surfactant such as an alkyl polyglycoside and a plurality of viscosity-reducing agents, for example, polyethylene glycol, and (2) a stiffening group including a water-soluble polymer such as a natural gum, e.g., xanthan gum, and a viscosity-reducing agent. The powder concentrate further comprises a sorption agent.

Abstract: A programmable wavelength router having a plurality of cascaded stages where each stage receives one or more optical signals comprising a plurality of wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) channels. Each stage divides the received optical signals into divided optical signals comprising a subset of the channels and spatially positions the divided optical signals in response to a control signal applied to each stage. Preferably each stage divides a received WDM signal into two subsets that are either single channel or WDM signals. A final stage outputs optical signals at desired locations. In this manner, 2.sup.N optical signals in a WDM signal can be spatially separated and permuted using N control signals.

Abstract: A percutaneous oxygenator is used to induce a retrograde perfusion of oxygenated blood in a vein to a compromised organ (e.g., to the brain following a stroke, or to the heart following a heart attack). The oxygenator has an occluding balloon and an oxygenation balloon located upstream from the occluding balloon. A plurality of hollow gas-permeable fibers surround the oxygenation balloon. The oxygenator is inserted into a vein downstream from the compromised organ. An external supply of air/oxygen is connected to create a flow through the fibers and thereby oxygenate blood in the surrounding vein. A retrograde flow of oxygenated blood is induced in the vein to the compromised organ by first inflating the occluding balloon to occlude the vein and then inflating the oxygenation balloon. Both balloons are then deflated to permit the normal antegrade flow of blood through the vein. This process of inflation and deflation is periodically repeated at a rate of about 30 to 60 cycles per minute.

Abstract: A method of playing a modified form of Baccarat played on a gaming table. The acting banker and an action player are selected from a plurality of players. The acting banker establishes a bank and each of the remaining players places a wager. The dealer deals to each player including the acting banker two cards face up. Play then commences between the action player and the acting banker and moves around the table to the next player in a predetermined order. The acting banker plays each player individually according to the standard rules of Baccarat until completion. If the acting banker wins, the player's wager is added to the bank. The acting banker is not permitted to set off the amount won. At the end of play between an individual player and the acting banker, all of the player's cards are discarded and all of the acting banker's cards are discarded except the initial face up card dealt. This initial face up card is always retained by the acting banker in all games with the remaining individual players.

Abstract: Hand-holdable containers for various, liquid, powder and solid products can be made suitable for a "second use" by provided such containers with an animal simulating configuration, a head (cap) which is attached to the animal's neck region, a first opening in the animal's neck region for dispensing the original product stored in the container and a sealed second opening that can be readily unsealed when the original product stored in the container is used up so that said container can be used to store or display other items.

Abstract: A system for recording designated physical activity during the period of activity by means of a digital timepiece carried by an athlete or user for subsequent playback after the activity via an audible transmission link to a digital computer for processing, analysis and display.

Abstract: A recycling system processes used oil filters on a continuous basis by shredding the oil filters and then incinerating the shreds in a rotary kiln. The shreds are fed into the upper end of an inclined rotating drum kiln. The shreds of combustible material and any oil are burnt to produce exhaust gases and ash particles. The remaining metal shreds are discharged at the lower end of the rotating drum through a first port. The exhaust gases and ash particles flow from the kiln through a first cyclone which separates out any heavy unburnable pieces. The remaining exhaust gases and ash particles then pass through an afterburner to further ensure complete combustion and minimize air pollution. A second cyclone separates the ash particles from the exhaust gases. An exhauster can be used to induce the flow of exhaust gases and ash particles from the kiln through the afterburner and cyclones. This system automatically separates metal shreds and incinerates the combustible materials and oil in the oil filters.

Abstract: This patent disclosure teaches a moving, vehicle toy having a hand operable selector knob that determines the direction of single guide wheel that is steered by the action of a pivotally mounted steering arm that is rotated by means of a lever arm that engages with any one of several cam surfaces of a powered cam shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for propelling balls smaller than a baseball, such as a golf whiffle ball, at timed intervals from a storage bin. The bin contains a plate with a single hole that rotates at timed intervals and permits one ball to be delivered to a continuous air source to propel the ball to a batter. This small ball is then hit with a bat that is smaller and lighter in weight, than an ordinary baseball bat. By design, the storage bin has a mix unit in it to prevent the balls from forming a gridlock or jamming, thereby preventing normal timed operation.