Abstract: A dynamic and adaptive communication network for monitoring broadcast messages issued by a population of mobile broadcasting devices and for forwarding broadcast messages to a central station is disclosed. The communication network comprises a grid of monitors for receiving and transmitting messages; and a main monitor of the grid in direct communication the central station; wherein each monitor of the grid receives and stores broadcast messages from broadcast devices within range thereof and monitor messages from predetermined selected monitors of the grid; and wherein each monitor transmits stored broadcast messages to a selected monitor of the grid for forwarding to the central station by way of the main monitor and transmits received monitor messages to the selected monitor of the grid for forwarding to either the central station or a designated monitor.

Abstract: A display support device for displaying flags and banners comprises a base having a cavity; a shaft attached to a rotatable member received by the cavity for rotation freely in all directions; and a clamping arrangement for clamping the rotatable member against the cavity of the base to prevent relative movement therebetween. This attachment arrangement employs a plunger, positioned for movement along the longitudinal axis of the base, which is forced out of the bottom of the base by the rotatable member pressing against the bottom wall of the cavity of the base under the action of the clamping arrangement. The plunger, when the display support device is loosely clipped or strapped to the disparate object, acts to tighten the clip or strap so as to clasp the display support device to the disparate object, regardless of the surface irregularity of the object.

Abstract: An optical interface device for extracting, inserting and passing light transmitted bi-directionally on one or more fiber optic line, comprises: a first optical coupler for receiving light to be inserted onto or extracted from the fiber optic line; and a fiber optic-line, optical coupler, coupled to the fiber optic line and to the first optical coupler, for passing light on the fiber optic line, for receiving light from the first optical coupler to be inserted onto the fiber optic line and transmitting said received light in opposite directions on the fiber optic line, and for extracting light from opposite directions on the fiber optic line and transmitting said extracted light to the first optical coupler.

Abstract: A bi-directional, redundant, optical transport system is configured to provide a non-blocking, bi-directional, multi-channel, protocol independent optical transport system for the simultaneous transfer of digital, analog, and discrete data between a plurality data terminal equipment. The optical transport system includes a light transmission line for transmitting light bi-directionally and a plurality of nodes, connected in series by the light transmission line for receiving, extracting and passing signal light.

Abstract: A powered winch driver is disclosed for operating a winch having a rotatable, typically ratcheted capstan including a socket for receiving a star stub. The driver comprises: a water proof housing having an upper plate including a socket for receiving a manual winch handle and a lower body having an opening therethrough; a battery powered motor connected by an on/off switch to a rechargeable battery contained by the water proof housing; a rotatable shaft mounted for rotation relative to the water proof housing and having a star stub extending through the opening in the lower body of the water proof housing; a water tight seal for sealing the opening in the lower body through which the rotatable shaft extends; and a drive unit connecting the battery powered motor to the rotatable shaft for rotatably driving the shaft when the motor is operated and for locking the shaft against rotation when the motor is stationary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for improving the conversion efficiency of a catalytic converter for treating exhaust gases produced from the combustion of a fuel to at least reduce pollutants from incomplete combustion, wherein the reduction in pollutants is achieved by the introduction of ozone, upstream from the catalytic converter, to improve the efficiency of the catalytic converter.

Abstract: A monitor network of a tag location system includes a grid of monitors for transmitting and receiving messages from neighboring monitors and tags within range of the monitor. Also provided is a memory device for storing: a unique identity of the monitor; each input partner monitor from which the monitor receives messages, and an output partner monitor to which the monitor sends messages; monitor and tag signals; a signal strength of the tag signals and significant changes thereto; an acknowledgement signal; and a distress signal indicating that the monitor has not received acknowledgement signal from its output partner monitor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing contaminants in exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine are provided wherein the a light source is provided for producing radiant energy which converts oxygen in air inducted into the internal combustion engine to ozone. The ozone increases the efficiency of combustion of fuel by the internal combustion engine thereby reducing the amount of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in the exhaust gases.

Abstract: A non-toxic corrosion resistant conversion coating for aluminum is formed by a process which includes subjecting the aluminum to an acidic aqueous solution containing potassium permanganate and cerous chloride, alone or in combination with strontium chloride. The corrosion resistance is improved by a subsequent treatment in an alkaline solution containing molybdate, nitrite and metasilicate ions. The corrosion resistant is further improved by treating the coated surface with an acholic solution containing glycidoxy(epoxy)polyfunctionalmethoxysilane, alone or in combination with phenyltrimethoxysilane. The coating thus produced is a mixture of oxides and hydroxides of cerium strontium and aluminum. These oxides and hydroxides may also be intermixed with molybdate silicate and nitrite ions. In the most corrosion resistant form the mixture further includes a silane overcoat.

Abstract: A non-toxic corrosion resistant conversion coating for aluminum is formed by a process which includes subjecting the aluminum to an acidic aqueous solution containing potassium permanganate and cerous chloride, alone or in combination with strontium chloride. The corrosion resistance is improved by a subsequent treatment in an alkaline solution containing molybdate, nitrite and metasilicate ions. The corrosion resistant is further improved by treating the coated surface with an acholic solution containing glycidoxy(epoxy)polyfunctionalmethoxysilane, alone or in combination with phenyltrimethoxysilane. The coating thus produced is a mixture of oxides and hydroxides of cerium strontium and aluminum. These oxides and hydroxides may also be intermixed with molybdate silicate and nitrite ions. In the most corrosion resistant form the mixture further includes a silane overcoat.

Abstract: A feed control switch is provided for controlling the supply of feed to a hopper without the need to contact the feed. The control switch includes first member having a switch contact surface and a second member slidably moveable relative to the first member, the second member having a suspender from which the hopper is suspended. A spring biasing arrangement pulls the first and second members together at a predetermined spring bias strength and switch, adjacent to the switch contact surface and at the second member, is provided which is in the off position when the switch is at an extended position and is in the on position when depressed by the contact surface. When the weight of feed in the hopper exceeds the predetermined spring bias strength, the second member pulls away from the first member causing the switch to move away from and disengage the switch contact surface so that the switch moves to the extended and off position thereby signally the cut off of feed to the hopper.

Abstract: A non-toxic corrosion resistant conversion coating process for aluminum and aluminum alloys which includes subjecting the aluminum to an aqueous solution containing hydrogen peroxide or cerous chloride, alone or in combination with strontium chloride. The corrosion resistance is improved by a subsequent treatment in an alkaline solution containing molybdate, nitrite and metasilicate ions. The corrosion resistant is further improved by treating the coated surface with an acholic solution containing glycidoxy(epoxy)polyfunctionalmethoxysilane, alone or in combination with phenyltrimethoxysilane. The coating thus produced is a mixture of oxides and hydroxides of cerium, strontium and aluminum. These oxides and hydroxides may also be intermixed with molybdate silicate and nitrite ions. In the most corrosion resistant form the mixture further includes a silane overcoat.

Abstract: A protective coating process is described for simultaneously sealing and priming the anodic coating applied to a metal compound without the need for elevated temperatures during a subsequent curing step. The process comprises the steps of anodizing the component to be coated, applying the coating composition at an elevated temperature of about 150 degrees F. to thereby simultaneously seal and prime the component and curing the sealed and primed component at ambient temperatures. If cross-linking agents are employed then elevated cure temperatures are utilized.

Abstract: A supplemental cooling system is provided for selectively boosting the cooling capacity of a primary cooling system having a cooling duct for feeding cooling air to an electrical device to be cooled. The supplemental cooling system includes a source of cryogenic coolant and a control valve for controlling the amount of cryogenic coolant fed to the cooling duct of the primary cooling system. Also provided is an injection nozzle for injecting the cryogenic coolant into the cooling air duct and a mixer for mixing the cryogenic coolant with the cooling air of the cooling duct so that, as the cryogenic coolant evaporates, the cooling capacity of the primary cooling system is boosted. A controller controls the operation the control valve to regulate the amount of cryogenic coolant released into the cooling duct and thereby set the amount of increased cooling provided.

Abstract: A combination target for use in competitive shooting tournaments includes primary and secondary targets which are reliably presented to a shooter in sequence as well as a signalling arrangement which signals a hit only after both targets have fallen to a scoring position. The combination target includes a face plate including at least first and second apertures, a primary target and a secondary target being positioned behind the face plate and respectively at the first and second apertures. A target protector plate is further provided for protecting the secondary target from being struck by a projectile until the primary target has been knocked down to a scoring position. The target protector plate is pivotally mounted so as to be movable, by gravity, from a first position covering the second aperture to a second position uncovering the second aperture.

Abstract: A corrosion and crack growth inhibitor is disclosed, the inhibitor being relatively non-toxic as well as unreactive with curable elastomeric materials so as to form a coating composition for application to metal surfaces. The inhibitor comprises a curable polymer material, such as epoxy polyamide, and cerous molybdate in the amount of from about 1 to 15 percent by weight of the inhibitor.

Abstract: A method of making a structure having a plurality of serrations on a surface is provided wherein each serration is positioned at a specific location along the surface, has first and second sides with specific lengths, and has effectively zero radius internal and external corners. In detail, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of sheets of material having opposed principal surfaces, each said sheet having a thickness equal to the specific thickness of one of the first sides of the serrations; stacking said plurality of sheets of material in a staggered relationship such that said thicknesses of said sheets of material are in an order corresponding to the order of the first sides of the serrations and the distance between the ends of the adjacent ends of said sheets of material are in an order corresponding to the second sides of the serrations; and joining said stacked plurality of sheets of material together forming a joined stack with at least one end having a serrated surface thereon.

Abstract: A non-toxic corrosion resistant conversion coating for aluminum is formed by a process which includes subjecting the aluminum to an acidic aqueous solution containing potassium permanganate and cerous chloride, alone or in combination with strontium chloride. The corrosion resistance is improved by a subsequent treatment in an alkaline solution containing molybdate, nitrite and metasilicate ions. The corrosion resistant is further improved by treating the coated surface with an alcoholic solution containing glycidoxy(epoxy)polyfunctionalmethoxysilane, alone or in combination with phenyltrimethoxysilane. The coating thus produced is a mixture of oxides and hydroxides of cerium strontium and aluminum. These oxides and hydroxides may also be intermixed with molybdate silicate and nitrite ions. In the most corrosion resistant form the mixture further includes a silane overcoat.

Abstract: A penetrameter is provided for use in evaluating the resolution of an x-ray inspection system as well a method for calibrating the resolution of the x-ray inspection system. The penetrameter comprises a radiolucent substrate, and at least one filament at the radiolucent substrate, the at least one filament being broken by a gap having a predetermined size. The method of determining the resolution of an x-ray inspection system comprises steps of: generating a radiographic image of the penetrameter, determining if the broken filament is visible, and if the broken filament is visible, determining if the gap is visible.