Abstract: A magnetic suspension system for a rotary machine including two magnetic actuators spaced from each other. Each actuator includes a stator which has a support shell with a plurality of coil windings, and a rotor which has an inclined annular gap for rotatably receiving the shell and a device for providing a magnetic field in the gap. The system selectively excites the coils to interact with the magnetic field in each gap and produce Lorentz forces for suspending the rotor of each actuator.

Abstract: An adjustable biopsy paddle for compressing tissue to be examined and assisting localization of a needle relative to a nonpalpable lesion, the paddle including a locator plate having a plurality of tissue access holes of generally uniform diameter and of generally uniform spacing in a first direction, typically the lateral direction. The paddle further includes a guide for permitting movement of the plate in the first direction for a distance of at least half the distance of the spacing, and a bracket for slidably supporting the plate.

Abstract: A system which inspects pattern-bearing material that is subject to topical distortions which scans in a first direction a plurality of predefined local regions of a pattern to be inspected to provide an image of each local region and generates a reference image for each of the local regions. The system shifts the position of the image of each local region and the position of its corresponding reference image relative to each other to align the images in the second direction and/or modifies in the first direction the dimension of the image of each local region and the dimension of its corresponding reference image relative to each other to align the images in the first direction. For each local region the system compares the aligned images to detect errors in the pattern independent of misalignment of and topical distortions of each local region.

Abstract: A cross-flow filtration device which separates a feed stock into filtrate and retentate, including a structure of porous material which defines a plurality of passageways extending longitudinally from the feed end of the structure to a retentate end, and a number of filtrate conduits within the structure for carrying filtrate from within the structure toward a filtrate collection zone. The filtrate conduits provide paths of lower flow resistance than that of alternative flow paths through the porous material, and the structure is constructed such that the filtrate conduits are distributed among the passageways to provide low pressure drop flow paths for filtrate flow from the passageways through the porous material to nearby filtrate conduits. The cross-flow filtration device can also be utilized as a membrane support for a device for cross-flow microfiltration, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, gas separations or pervaporation. Also disclosed is a method of making such a cross-flow filtration device.

Abstract: A multifield collimator system and radionuclide emission tomography camera using same which include at least two collimator segments whose fields of view in combination define at least two tomographic field of view boundaries. At least one of the boundaries encompasses the region to be imaged of an object. The fields of view may overlap at least in part to produce enhanced imaging sensitivity in the portion of overlap. The tomography camera detects radionuclide emissions from the region to collect at least one collimated image through each segment and combines the collimated images to produce a final image of the region exhibiting enhanced sensitivity in the portion of overlap. A multifield method of collimation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A number of bearers concurrently use card-keys, having a common access code, and a unique lockout code to open a single lock. If a particular bearer is to be selectively locked out, the lockout code sensing device in the lock is changed to lockout the particular bearer but not all other bearers concurrently using their card keys to open the same lock.

Abstract: An image change detection system for observing an environment to be monitored, such as a region proximate a vehicle, by sensing energy from the region and generating a plurality of pixels which form an image of the region. The system stores a first image of the region and matches pixels of a subsequent image of the region with pixels of the first image to detect deviations between corresponding pixels. The system indicates when the pixel deviations exceed a preselected threshold to detect an abnormal condition in the region. Also a method of monitoring the environment about a vehicle by sensing a first image, sensing a subsequent image, matching the pixels of the subsequent image with the pixels of the first image to detect deviations between corresponding pixels, and indicating when pixel deviations exceed a preselected threshold.

Abstract: A holographic head including a collimating element for receiving a coherent beam of radiation non-circular in cross section, an objective element for receiving a radiation beam and focusing it to a spot, and a holographic unit also disposed in the path of the beam. The holographic unit includes a first hologram element for passing the beam at a predetermined diffractive order and sign. The holographic unit further includes a second hologram element inclined at an angle to the first hologram element for providing a beam substantially circular in cross section and at the same diffractive order and opposite sign to compensate for dispersion. The first and second holograms may additionally compensate for collimating or objective element aberrations, respectively.

Abstract: A recharge docking system for a battery-powered mobile robot which senses when the battery charge is below a predetermined level and halts the travel of the robot at its next navigational node, following which the robot independently plots and negotiates a path from the next node back to a base node at a recharge station, where the batteries are charged.

Abstract: In the surface inspection apparatus disclosed herein, an elongate array of electro-optical shutters is interposed between a laser beam which scans across the surface to be inspected and a photodetector system which collects light scattered from the surface along the scan line. The shutters are operated in a shifting pattern in synchronism with the scanning means thereby to block unwanted regular signal components.

Abstract: An intrusion detector has a first sensor for monitoring a first condition and a second sensor for monitoring a second condition in a space to be protected against intrusion; a change in the condition sensed by the first sensor in a target area causes the second sensor to be aligned with the same target area; and if both sensors indicate a change in the respective conditions that they monitor an intrusion is indicated.

Abstract: A locking safety helmet including a helmet; a retractable shackle; locking means for locking the shackle to the helmet in the locking position; and storage means included with the helmet for storing the shackle out of the way in the retracted position for conventional wearing of the helmet.

Abstract: A spark discharge trace element detection system is provided which includes a spark chamber including a pair of electrodes for receiving a sample of gas to be analyzed at no greater than atmospheric pressure. A voltage is provided across the electrodes for generating a spark in the sample. The intensity of the emitted radiation in at least one primary selected narrow band of the radiation is detected. Each primary band corresponds to an element to be detected in the gas. The intensity of the emission in each detected primary band is integrated during the afterglow time interval of the spark emission and a signal representative of the integrated intensity of the emission in each selected primary bond is utilized to determine the concentration of the corresponding element in the gas.

Abstract: A motor winding insulation resistance monitoring system for measuring the insulation resistance of a winding of a polyphase motor while the motor is operating including a motor winding insulation resistance measuring circuit. A switching mechanism is provided for selectively interconnecting each winding with a separate phase power source and the winding insulation resistance measuring circuit. The switching mechanism is directed to disconnect a winding from its power source and connect one end of that winding with the motor winding insulation measuring circuit to measure the resistance of that winding's insulation to ground while the motor continues operating.

Abstract: A dynamic adsorber system and method for removing a contaminant from fluid by feeding contaminated fluid to be cleansed to an adsorption bed, having a capacity for the contaminant based substantially on the flow rate of the contaminated fluid, to cleanse the fluid, and subsequently regenerating that bed by providing clean fluid relatively free of the contaminant to flush that bed with the clean fluid.

Abstract: A safety guard device for a power tool discharge chute which includes a shaft attached to the chute and extending across the opening of the chute. There are a plurality of elongate spaced-apart blade elements mounted to the shaft for pivoting within the chute and one or more springs or other resilient elements are provided for biasing the blade elements into a closed condition within the chute to prevent operator access through the opening of the chute and permitting the blades to pivot into an open condition so that bulky material may be discharged through the chute.

Abstract: The bicycle equipment carrier apparatus which includes a support section adapted for mounting to a bicycle frame adjacent the rear wheel of the bicycle. The support section includes a plate portion and an elongate receptacle for accommodating items therein. A web is attached to the support section to form a container for holding items therein.

Abstract: An internally matched power amplifier including an input terminal for receiving an input signal and an output terminal; a plurality of semiconductor devices connected with the load electrodes in series; transmission means for coupling the load electrodes of neighboring devices in the series and establishing an internal impedance match; the last device in the series having its other electrode connected to the output terminal; the first device in the series having its control electrode connected to the input terminal and its other load electrode connected to a common conductor and having a predetermined d.c. bias level and a predetermined signal voltage level between its control and its other electrode; first means for setting the control means of each device but the first in the series to the predetermined signal voltage level and second means for biasing the control electrode of each device but the first in the series to the predetermined d.c. bias level.

Abstract: An eye training device for treating one or more visual disorders in a patient, which displays two images visually superimposable into a single image and optically conducts one of the images to a right eye viewing port and the other image to a left eye viewing port. The device further includes an assembly for modifying the perception of one or both images by the patient to differ from the perception required for normal viewing of the images to exercise corresponding one or both eyes of the patient. At least one of the first and second images has a first image element whose location is changeble relative to the other image elements, and the device further includes a mechanism which is operable by the patient to move the first image element while the patient views through the viewing ports.

Abstract: A high-sensitivity pulsed radiation detection system which receives pulses of radiation from a target area and includes a charge-coupled device having an array of photosensitive elements and an apparatus for receiving backscattered radiation from the target area. The apparatus repeatedly scans, across at least one row of the array, the back-scattered radiation from a plurality of regions within the target area. The photosensitive elements accumulate charges and are arranged in rows and columns. The detection system further includes a circuit for synchronizing the apparatus for scanning with the radiation pulses for accumulating in the same photosensitive element of the row charges representing the same region during successive scans.