Abstract: A leak detector including a float having a number of magnets connected to the float. Electromagnetic coils are disposed along a length of the possible range of travel of the float within the leak detector. The coils, when energized, interact with the magnet making the float move-about and settle to a position representing its true equilibrium buoyancy. Optionally, the leak detector includes a self-calibration apparatus that provides a reference signal indicting the fixed position of the self-calibration apparatus, allowing the leak detector to compensate for offset errors.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dispensing frozen confections, such as ice cream and yogurts. A collapsible container is adapted to contain the frozen confection and is provided with an outlet of sufficient size to permit extrusion of frozen confection into an outlet dispensing conduit. A compressive force that may be applied by a piston causes the extrusion of frozen confection from the collapsible container into the outlet conduit. A receptacle is provided for the collapsible container wherein the receptacle is so designed that upon collapsing the collapsible container the collapsible container does not collapse into or otherwise plug or interfere with the flow of soft confection through the collapsible container outlet.

Abstract: A system for supervising a telephone connection using over a pulse code modulated carrier network between a first customer's equipment and a second customer's equipment. A first channel unit is located in a channel bank serving the first customer's telephone equipment. A second channel unit is located in a channel bank at a remote central office that is geographically remote from the first customer's equipment. The second channel unit is coupled to the second customer's equipment through a switch at the remote Central Office. The second channel unit includes a means for detecting a reverse battery signal generated by the Central Office when the second customer's telephone goes off-hook, and a means for converting the reverse battery signal into a digital supervisory signal. The second channel unit transmits the digital supervisory signal, preferably using the A and B signalling bits on a pulse code modulated carrier system.

Abstract: A gas analysis device for the remote detecting, measuring and recording of NO, CO, CO.sub.2, HC, and H.sub.2 O levels from the exhaust (30) of moving motor vehicles (28) utilizes a source (11) of collimated infrared and ultraviolet radiation (15) and includes a detector unit (16) positioned on the opposite side of the roadway for receiving and measuring the infrared and ultraviolet radiation from the source (11) tranmitted through the vehicle exhaust. The detector unit splits the combined infrared and ultraviolet radiation into separate infrared and ultraviolet beams (42) and (40). The ultraviolet beam is diffracted onto a photodiode array in a spectrometer that generates a signal indicative of NO in the vehicle exhaust. A rotating reflector (27) time-multiplexes the infrared beam to a plurality of infrared sensors that generate electrical signals indicative of, for example, CO, CO.sub.2, HC, and H.sub.2 O in the vehicle exhaust. A computer (17) then computes the relative concentrations of CO, CO.sub.

Abstract: A mounting assembly including a casing having an outer surface attached to a TVRO antenna and having an inner surface and at least one first guide slot positioned on the inner surface of the casing. An inner tube is located inside the casing and has portions which extend out of the casing for attaching to the mounting pole. At least one second guide slot is formed through the inner tube. One of the first or second guide slots is non-linear. The casing is rotated by a spider-like mechanism having drive arm having a first end nested in the first guide slot, a body passing through the second guide slot. A leadscrew passes through the spider like mechanism and a motor coupled to one end of the leadscrew turns the leadscrew causing the spider like mechanism to move vertically along the leadscrew, which in turn causes the casing to rotate with respect to the inner tube.

Abstract: A dual band MDS/MMDS down converter receiving system wherein the support boom of a semi-parabolic antenna contains the down converter electronics. Located at the focal area of the semi-parabolic antenna are a pair of driven feed elements which are connected to the printed circuit board carrying the dual band down converter electronics. The dual band down converter is formed in an elongated shape to fit entirely within the formed hollow interior of the support boom. The down converter comprises a first printed circuit board which contains a low noise amplifier, two RF filters, and two diplexer filters located at the input end of the printed circuit board. The RF filters are mounted on opposite sides of the printed circuit board. The input is directly connected to the pair of driven feed elements. The RF filters are surrounded by input ground shields.

Abstract: A spur for mounting on a heeled athletic/hiking shoe suitable for riding having a heel and a protrusion adjacent to the heel. The spur includes at least two opposing sides connected at one end by a rear body. A front loop stretches between and extends downwardly from another end of the sides. The spur is formed of flexible material, so that the front loop stretches over the heel to engage the front of the heel with the rear body positioned at the rear of the canvas riding shoe. A structure is added to the rear body and sides for selectively engaging the protrusion, so that the spur is firmly held in place on the riding shoe.

Abstract: A shutter mechanism for collimating x-rays uses a frame to define an opening with two opposing interior edges. An elongated flexible band extends in sliding engagement about at least a portion of the periphery of the frame opening. A first shutter member made of an x-ray opaque material has a first end attached to the flexible band along the first interior edge of the frame. Similarly, a second shutter member made of an x-ray opaque material has a first end attached to the flexible band along the second interior edge of the frame. A drive means, such as a stepper motor, translates the flexible band relative to the frame to control the positions of the shutter members and the shutter aperture. In the preferred embodiment, the interior edges of the frame also include tracks that slidably engage the opposing edges of the shutter members for support.

Abstract: An automatic sweep acquisition circuit for a phase-locked-loop using a positive feedback network coupled between a non-inverting input of an operational amplifier and an output of the operational amplifier is provided. The operational amplifier serves as a loop filter for the PLL and has a negative feedback network configured as a lead-lag integrator. The positive feedback network forms a Wein-bridge oscillator that automatically oscillates at a predetermined frequency when phase lock does not exist. A negative feedback path also supplies a portion of the phase shift required to activate the Wein bridge oscillator in order to provide sweep acquisition. When the circuit operates within the bandwidth of the PLL or within the lock-in range of the PLL the positive feedback network provides minimal feedback and thus creates no oscillation or sweeping voltage. The locked-in range of the PLL is increased to the pull-in range of the voltage controlled oscillator used in the phase-locked loop.

Abstract: A bi-directional MMDS/ITFS response converter and feed system connected to an antenna for receiving MMDS programming from a central location and for receiving information/data signals from a set top for retransmission of these signals back to the central location, The bi-directional converter has a down converter connected to a first feed for down converting conventional programming signals from the first feed into a group of converted programming signals and an up converter for up converting data/information signals from the communication line into ITFS response signals and delivering them into a second feed for transmission, The bi-directional MMDS/ITFS response converter of the present invention uses a common local oscillator for driving both the down converter and the up converter and a dual feed printed circuit board having the first feed dipole printed orthogonally to the second feed dipole,

Abstract: An optical transceiver for full-duplex communications employs a single gimbaled steering mirror, a receiver for receiving an incoming beam reflected from a field of view on the central portion of the mirror, and a transmitter for directing an outgoing beam onto a peripheral portion of the steering mirror outside of the field of view of the receiver. In the preferred embodiment, the receiver includes a Cassegranian telescope that receives the incoming beam reflected by the steering mirror and directs the beam through a beam splitter to produce separate beams for tracking and data recovery. The transmitter consists of a plurality of lasers positioned at the periphery of the telescope that have been boresighted to effectively produce a combined beam that is substantially parallel to the incoming beam. The transmitted beam has a divergence of at least approximately 200 micro-radians.

Abstract: The disclosed method and apparatus provides for providing addition of micro-spheroidal ("MS") Fluid Catalytic Cracking ("FCC") catalyst additives and/or bulk catalyst to an in situ circulating, active catalyst inventory of a fluid catalytic cracking unit at times and rates precisely controlled to sustain an effective additive concentration. In a preferred version of this invention, each of a series of such apparatus comprising one such device for each catalyst additive, is operated on a basic cycle time length during a portion of which the unit is engaged in active addition while in the remainder of the time it is passive.

Abstract: A fine applicator tip for a craft paint applicator for use in creating stylized textured designs. In a preferred embodiment, the applicator tip includes a parabolically-shaped inner passage to deliver the craft paint in a laminar flow with minimal flow resistance. This permits easy flow of the craft paint from the applicator with minimum hand fatigue. The size of the outside diameter of the surface of the dispensing end is critical for fine point application and for the craft paint flow to be uniform without adhering to the end surface of the dispensing end of the applicator tip. The thin sidewall thickness allows the dispensing end to be formed with a fine-tip and still have adequate rigidity. The applicator tip is formed with a reverse-threaded portion to affix the applicator tip onto an applictator. This allows the applicator to be easily removable for cleaning or replacement while prevents the applicator tip from being inadvertently removed.

Abstract: A well in a semiconductor wafer is partially filled by a tungsten plug having an irregular surface. There is an aluminum line exterior of the well for electrically connecting the tungsten plug into an electrical circuit. A doped polysilicon fillet having an irregular surface meshing with the irregular surface of the tungsten plug fills the portion of the well between the plug and line, making a reproducible good electrical connection between the tungsten plug and the aluminum line. The poly fillet is formed by a poly deposit and planarization performed between a tungsten plug overetch and aluminum line deposition.

Abstract: A method for sputtering atoms from a target made of a group II metal using a laser is provided. A sputter target and substrate are located in a vacuum chamber. The laser frequency is chosen to be near-resonant with an electronic transition in the group II metal from a ground state to an excited metastable state. As the sputtered atoms leave the target surface, the near-resonant laser energy excites the sputtered atoms. The excited atoms are sputtered into an ambient of molecules containing group VI atoms in the vacuum chamber where they react to form a II-VI compound that deposits on the substrate.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument has a conductive elongated member, a connector for connecting an external electrical power supply to the proximal end of the elongated member, an electrosurgical implement at the distal end of the elongated member, and an insulative parylene coating covering the elongated member. The thickness of the parylene coating is in the range of approximately 1 to 6 mil inches, and preferably 2 to 3.5 mil inches. In the preferred embodiment, the surfaces of the instrument that are to remain uncoated are first masked. The unmasked surfaces are roughened and then dipped in a liquid silicone. The parylene coating is then applied by vacuum vapor phase deposition and annealed. A parylene coating can also be applied to portions of the electrosurgical implement for insulation. A thin parylene coating can be applied to the blade of the instrument as a non-stick coating for easier cleaning.