Abstract: Interferometric measurements are carried out in conventional manner to produce a correlogram corresponding to successive scanner steps. An approximation of the actual scan-step size between frames is calculated from multiple-frame intensity data collected around the frame of interest using common irradiance algorithms. The scan-step size so measured is then used in standard PSI, VSI or PSIOTF algorithms, instead of the scanner's nominal phase step. According to one embodiment, the invention utilizes a five-frame PSI algorithm to produce an average scan-step size of four scan steps. According to another embodiment, the phase step between frames is calculated directly utilizing a novel five-frame algorithm that produces an approximation of actual phase step for a given frame, rather than an average value of four steps around the frame. The method requires reduced data processing and can advantageously be applied “on-the fly” as intensity data are acquired during scanning.

Abstract: A reference signal is used to track the actual behavior of the scanner in an interferometer to produce scanner-position data that can be used to correct errors introduced by scanner nonlinearities and other error sources. A narrow-band light source is advantageously utilized to cover the entire range of operation of the scanner. Because of the independent reference channel, the invention is suitable for implementation with all types of conventional interferometric techniques. The concept is preferably implemented by utilizing an additional light source and the same scanner used for the measurement, so that the OPD varies in synchronization of both the reference-signal and data-collection procedures. Alternatively, a high temporal-coherence filter may be used with the same light source and optical path used for the interferometric measurement.

Abstract: A strip with an exterior sticky surface is judiciously selected for its ability to entrap dust and other loose debris without interfering with the operation of moving parts contacted thereby. The strip is attached to the sides of a magnetic tape cartridge, with the sticky surface facing outward, in places contacted by rollers and/or belts during the process of handling the cartridge in an automated system. Thus, any loose debris in the rollers or belts is retained by the tacky surface of the strip as the cartridge passes through the rollers and belts of the robotic system. The strips of the invention may be removably adhered to the data cartridge, or may be permanently attached. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the strips may be incorporated into a cleaner cartridge for the periodic maintenance of loading equipment.

Abstract: A boat launching device. The boat launching device is portable and attaches to the front of a vehicle so that the driver has a front view while launching the boat into the water. The boat launching device includes a first link member that is connected to a second link member. The link members are attached to the front of a vehicle and to a boat trailer. The link members are detachable from each other after use and may be stored on the boat trailer.

Abstract: A mold for the continuous casting of beam blanks is provided with a casting passage which, as seen in a transverse plane of the mold, has two lateral portions for forming the flanges of a beam blank and a central portion for forming the web of the beam blank. The thickness of the mold wall is reduced in the central portion of the casting passage in order to improve heat transfer.

Abstract: A magazine for a plurality of removable disk drives. The magazine provides physical and electrical support for the disk drives, and includes a magazine backplane for electrically connecting to the disk drives, and a module connector for electrically connecting to a host computer, preferably at a backplane of the library. Preferably, the magazine also supports a connecting circuit for implementing a fibre channel arbitration loop and intelligent hub for reconfiguring the fibre channel arbitration loop if one or more of the disk drives fails.

Abstract: The invention includes specialized card decks and methods of play that revolve around three groups or groups of cards—numerical cards of 3 suits, 3 types face cards, and high cards. In one embodiment of the invention, the card deck consists of 52 specialized cards, which are divided into groups with the following general hierarchy: (1) 4 high cards that trump all other cards and (2) 12 face cards (3 of each type) that trump all 36 numerical suit cards (12 cards of each suit with a numerical value of 1-3). Within each group, the rank of each card is: (1) all high cards are equal; (2) face card X beats face card Y, face card Y beats face card Z, and face card Z beats face card X; (3) higher numbers beat lower numbers of any suit; and (4) suit P beats suit R, suit R beats suit S, and suit S beats suit P. In addition, each card may have a “draw value,” i.e. a number of cards that must be drawn by a player as a consequence for playing a particular card.

Abstract: A bi-directional autonomous truck. The truck includes a drive-train including one or more drive wheels, the drive-train having drive characteristics that are substantially the same whether the drive wheels rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. The drive characteristics may consist of the ability to reach a maximum rotational speed of the drive wheels, but may include other characteristics, such as the ability to steer corresponding pairs of drive wheels that are situated at opposite ends of the truck. Preferably, the truck includes a dump bed that is adapted for dumping in either of two opposite directions.

Abstract: An impeller and shield for a mixing apparatus. A mixing member has upper and lower opposite faces and one or more apertures therethrough. Each of the apertures has an upper periphery defined by an edge of the lower face and a lower periphery defined by an edge of the upper face. The mixing member is preferably an otherwise substantially planar disc having a hole through the center for receiving a motor driven shaft. Preferably, a separate shield member having upper and lower opposite surfaces and an aperture therethrough for receiving the shaft of the motor driven impeller is provided. The impeller and shield are used in combination to minimize the escape of particulate matter into the surrounding air during a mixing operation.

Abstract: An electrolytic cathode consists of a solid copper hanger bar and a stainless-steel mother plate attached to a receiving groove in the underside of the hanger bar. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the entire length of connection is welded, thereby establishing a large boundary surface for good electrical conductance. The solid hanger bar further includes a cladding of stainless steel wrapped over the copper bar and the upper portion of the mother plate, leaving only the ends of the copper bar exposed for electrical connection with conventional bus-bars. The lower edges of the cover are attached to the mother plate by a steel-to-steel weld that produces a strong and durable connection. The lateral edges of the cover are also connected to the copper bar by a conventional copper weld that completely seals the cover over the copper bar, thereby preventing contamination from the electrolytic solution. The cover is then welded to the mother plate and sealed around the copper bar.

Abstract: A pulsed light source in used conjunction with a ramping scanning mechanism for phase-shift and vertical-scanning interferometry. The pulse length and the scanning velocity are selected such that a minimal change in OPD occurs during the pulse. As long as the duration of the pulse is shorter than the detector's integration time, the effective integration time and the corresponding phase shift are determined by the length of the pulse, rather than the detector's characteristics. The resulting minimal phase shift produces negligible loss of fringe modulation, thereby greatly improving signal utilization during phase-shifting and vertical-scanning interferometry.

Abstract: Average fringe contrast is determined by PSI measurements at each step of relatively large translations of the reference optics and mirror of a white-light Linnik interference objective and the resulting data are used to minimize the OPD between the reference and test beam paths of the instrument. Utilizing the same algorithms used in the art to perform conventional vertical scanning interferometry, the position of minimum OPD is determined by finding the position of maximum average fringe contrast. Furthermore, by automating the system with a precise translation mechanism, operator-to-operator variations are completely eliminated and the precision of the process of OPD minimization is greatly improved. In another embodiment of the invention, the optimal focal position of the reference mirror is found at the same time by calculating the average lateral variation of fringe contrast as a function of OPD and focal position.

Abstract: A laser interferometer is embedded into an interference microscope to precisely determine the in-focus position of the microscope objective's reference mirror. A collimated laser beam is introduced into the microscope system and split into two beams directed toward a calibration reference surface and the interference objective. The light reflected from the calibration reference surface is returned to the camera. The light into the interference objective is focused onto the reference mirror and returned to the camera. For the purpose of calibration, the two beams are combined at the camera to produce interference fringes. When the reference mirror is in focus, the returned beam is collimated; if the mirror is on either side of focus, the beam is either converging or diverging. Accordingly, the interferogram produced at the camera reflects the in-focus or out-of-focus condition of the reference mirror.

Abstract: A perfusion chamber includes a porous oocyte support structure. A continuously sloped top surface and a receiving well in the support structure entrap the underside of the oocyte, thereby localizing the cell in a predetermined fixed position within the reach of dedicated voltage-clamp microelectrodes. A test solution is delivered continuously at the top of the chamber, above the oocyte, and withdrawn from the bottom of the chamber, below the oocyte. The porosity of the support material enables the continuous perfusion of test solution around the membrane of the oocyte, including its bottom portion that is held firmly in contact with the holding well. The geometry of the holding well is selected such as to ensure the automatic and precise placement of the oocyte by gravity and to optimize the pressure distribution over its membrane, thereby minimizing the probability of rupture or other damage to the cell.

Abstract: An outer layer of mesh material is used to loosely cover the exterior of an animal blanket to provide a protective buffer against damage caused by impact and abrasion experienced during use. The mesh material utilized in the manufacture of the outer protective layer is made with a high-strength polyester yarn that has been extrusion-coated with a polyvinyl chloride sheath. This fiber material has been found to have physical characteristics that are particularly advantageous for this protective application. Specifically, in addition to the light weight, strength and flexibility provided by the inner core of the fiber, the PVC coating provides temperature stability and resistance to color fade, abrasion, flame, and mildew.

Abstract: A pallet positioner includes a support frame that consists of a main upright structure with a pair of spaced, parallel outriggers extending horizontally at ground level. The distal ends of the outriggers are connected by a flat, low-profile ramp. The upright structure includes a pair of vertical guide masts rigidly mounted on a horizontal base bracing the proximal ends of the outriggers. A cantilevered carrier with a rotatable platform is mounted laterally for vertical motion along the vertical guide masts. A pneumatic bellows and an air reservoir in the base are adapted to raise and provide self-leveling to the platform. Two hydraulic cylinders provide dampening and a stabilizing effect. The flow of hydraulic fluid in the cylinders is used to control the motion of the carrier. A braking system under the platform prevents its rotation at ground level.

Abstract: An emergency lighting monitoring and control system controls and monitors the emergency lights in a building. A central control unit automatically schedules self tests for each of the emergency lights and stores the results of the tests in memory. The self tests include tests of the backup power source and the lamp. Some failures are predicted prior to actual failure. Failures are diagnosed and repairs are suggested. Light output is automatically monitored and adjusted. The central control unit generates a report of the self tests and notifies an operator of failures. An operator views test reports, controls the emergency lights, and schedules tests. The system automatically detects newly installed emergency lighting units.

Abstract: A spacer and method for facilitating removal of a cork from a bottle with a corkscrew. The spacer has a bottom surface that abuts the bottle, a top surface that abuts the bottom of a corkscrew, and a side opening that is sufficiently large to receive the cork. Once the corkscrew has been used to partially remove the cork, the spacer is placed around the exposed cork by pulling the body of the corkscrew away from the bottle while the screw is still inserted in the cork and inserting the spacer in the resulting space. Force is then reapplied to completely remove the cork from the bottle. One or more spacers may be attached to the corkscrew by a flexible cord for convenience. In one embodiment, a hinge mechanism interconnects a number of spacers of various thicknesses and opening sizes.

Abstract: A back-side imaging infrared microscope is integrated with a novel integrated-circuit probe station. The microscope is located below the silicon substrate of the integrated circuit, on the side opposite to the probe card. The electronic circuitry located on the top side of the substrate is imaged through the back side of the substrate and through a window sized to provide a view of a single integrated circuit and of the corresponding probe tips overlying the contact pads. Since the silicon substrate of integrated circuits is transparent to infrared wavelengths, the alignment between probe tips and contact pads is carried out with a clear view of both from the bottom of the substrate. Furthermore, emission images from the integrated circuit are taken during testing with the same microscope after electrical contact has been established.