Abstract: A new package and storage device for storage media, especially for discshaped pieces of storage media such as compact and digital versatile discs, includes a spring-biased carrier plate that extends from a side of the package to allow the use of a standard C-card. The package includes an automatic disc release mechanism that disengages the disc from a disc holding device when the carrier plate is extended and when the cover of the package is opened. The package uses a hinge that reduces the likelihood of hinge breakage and can actuate the automatic disc release mechanism. These results are achieved in part due to a new four-part construction of the package wherein the cover is hinged on a support plate, the support plate in turn being press-fit into a base plate. The support plate holds the carrier plate and includes components of guide and locking devices.

Abstract: An indicator movable between a set and an alarm position is latched in the set position by a thermally responsive latch disposed to sense ambient temperature within electrical equipment. If a high temperature event occurs, the latch releases the indicator, which moves under resilient bias to its indicating position to present a visible signal that such an event has occurred. Once temperature has dropped below the alarm value within the electrical equipment, the indicator can be moved back to the set position where it is relatched for continued temperature sensing.

Abstract: The disclosed gear system provides distinctive forms of gearing for directly transmitting substantially constant velocity between two shafts, while allowing the angle between the shafts to vary (e.g., by even more than 80.degree.) in any plane during operation. Several forms of gear teeth appropriate for the system are specifically detailed and applied in the design of constant-velocity joints.

Abstract: A metal recovery apparatus in which metal-laden fluid is cycled through an electrolytic cell at a relatively low flow rate, but fluid within the cell is forced to swirl at a relatively high speed to improve electroplating of metal on an electrode. Two fluid circuits are used to achieve the high speed within the cell: a fluid supply circuit runs fluid through the apparatus at a relatively low flow rate (about 2 to about 4 gallons per minute); a fluid circulation circuit boosts the speed of the fluid within the cell and forces it to swirl by discharging fluid drawn from the cell back into the cell at a relatively high flow rate (about 20 to about 40 gallons per minute). The apparatus includes inner and outer electrodes defining an annular space in which the fluid circulates. The outer electrode is preferably removable from the apparatus and is preferably the cathode. A seam in the cathode allows the cathode to be opened for removal of metal plated on the cathode.

Abstract: A large area sparger has a gas-permeable diffuser bonded to a gas-impermeable underlying element so that inflowing gas is distributed throughout a gap between the sparger and the underlying element. Bonding regions interconnect the diffuser and the underlying element around the sparger perimeter and throughout a gap region within the perimeter in a pattern that keeps the diffuser flat during operation and allows gas to flow around the bonding regions to reach all of the unbonded area of the diffuser. By giving the diffuser a liquid interface surface with a high surface energy, the gas passing through a finely porous diffuser departs from the diffuser interface surface and enters the liquid as very fine bubbles having a large area of contact with the liquid.

Abstract: An interference filter (10, 30, 50, 70, 90, 110, 130, 150, or 190) filters selected wavelengths by dividing an input beam into two or more intermediate beams having different optical path lengths and by recombining the intermediate beams into an output beam that is modified by interference between the intermediate beams. An optical path length difference generator (20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, or 200) varies the optical path lengths of the intermediate beams by changing the physical lengths of their paths or the refractive indices of the mediums in which they are conveyed. The optical path length generator (20) of one exemplary embodiment (10) includes a spacer plate (20) that is divided into elements (22 and 24) having different refractive indices for varying the optical path lengths of the intermediate beams.

Abstract: A solid material pulverizer using a vertical shaft has a plurality of bearings above a lower fixed bearing that are resiliently held in fixed mounts allowing the bearings to rise vertically against spring pressure as the shaft lengthens from thermal expansion. Impellers fixed to the shaft between the bearings hurl solid material against rings arranged around the impellers, and the rings have multi-sided interiors with ridges and grooves confronting the impeller and angled inward from bottom to top of each ring.

Abstract: A new strain/stress sensor based on the concept of reversible crack opening in a composite material. Crack opening increases the electrical resistance, which is the signal provided by the sensor. The new technology is manifested in concrete and mortar containing electrically conducting short fibers (e.g., carbon fibers and steel fibers). Carbon fibers serve to greatly decrease the crack height so that apparently reversible crack opening occurs. The crack opening is accompanied by fiber pull-out, resulting in fiber-matrix contact resistivity increase, thus allowing sensing under cyclic as well as static loading. A part of the resistance change is irreversible, so it provides memory of the first deformation.

Abstract: The contents of sealed envelopes are accessed using radiation to differentially heat information patterns within the contents and conduction to transfer corresponding thermal patterns to the envelopes' outer surfaces. The radiation is preferably within the wavelengths of microwaves or radio waves for penetrating the envelopes. The information pattern differentially absorbs the radiation by converting the attendant radiant energy into heat by either induction heating or dielectric heating. An infrared camera or other thermally sensitive device converts the thermal patterns conducted to the envelopes' outer surfaces into corresponding electrical patterns for further processing.

Abstract: An articulating suspension for the bridge of an overhead bridge crane allows the bridge to be skewed from perpendicular to the parallel runs that support the bridge. The runs are allowed to pivot toward each other on pivot axes above and parallel with each run. End trucks that support end regions of the bridge from each run are interconnected with the bridge via suspension hangers. These are suspended on end truck pivots that are parallel with the runs and include thrust bearings that allow the bridge to skew. The bridge is suspended from the hangers on a pivot axis above and parallel with the bridge. The arrangement allows the necessary freedom of movements for skewing the bridge without making the crane wobbly or unstable. The arrangement of pivot pins and thrust bearings also is rugged and durable and requires little maintenance.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic amplifier can pump and heat condensate returned to a boiler in a Rankine cycle system by receiving vapors at different pressures that are directed into merger with a condensate stream that is accelerated through merging regions. By properly selecting parameters for successive stages of a hydrokinetic amplifier and for the liquid and vapor inputs to a hydrokinetic amplifier, the condensate return can be pressurized to boiler pressure and heated close to the boiling point at boiler pressure.

Abstract: A tamper-evident ring is made from a split ring made of a strong resilient material and terminated by male and female fittings. The two fittings can be connected to form a continuous ring of the type that allows keys to slide entirely around the ring. One of the two fittings is breakable to prevent the ring from being reclosed and to provide a visual indication that the ring has been reopened.

Abstract: Compound diffractive optics are used in an interferometer for simultaneously measuring multiple surfaces, making multiple measurements of individual surfaces, conveying test beams multiple times, and aligning pairs of the diffractive optics with each other. Typically, the compound optics have multiple diffraction zones that reshape test beams for reflecting from test surfaces or for combining with reference beams. The multiple diffraction zones can also exhibit different optical qualities such as transmission and reflection for conveying the test beams to and from the test surfaces.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a photograph is held between two panels of a multi-panel display device and viewed through a die cut in the outer panel. The outer panel has graphics printed around the die cut in such a way as to give the appearance of interaction between the subject of the photograph and the scene depicted in the graphics. In second and third embodiments, the display device is in the form of an album containing multi-layered pages which hold photographs between their layers. The photos are viewed through die cuts in the outer layers of the pages. The pages have graphics printed on their pages which give the appearance of interaction between the subjects of the photos and the graphics printed on the pages. The die cuts and graphics can be formed such that the face of a subject of a photograph appears in place of the face of a character depicted in the graphics. An audio storage device can be included to deliver an audio message to accompany the photos and graphics.

Abstract: Cylindrical surfaces of a test cylinder are measured with a grazing incidence interferometer. Separate measures of a test cylinder's cylindrical surface and a master cylinder's surface are made and compared to obtain absolute measures of the test cylinder's surface. Surface fitting techniques are used to discount the effects of positioning errors, and a separate measurement is used to resolve remaining ambiguities for extending the range of test cylinder sizes that can be measured with absolute dimensions.

Abstract: A temperature controlled chuck (20) includes a heating unit (24) and a cooling unit (34). A first cavity (30) separates the heating unit (24) from a wafer substrate (18), and a second cavity (50) separates the cooling unit (34) from the heating unit (24). A first fluid delivery system (60) conducts fluid to the first cavity (30) to facilitate exchanges of heat between the heating unit (24) and the substrate (18). A second fluid delivery system (70) conducts fluid to the second cavity (50) to facilitate exchanges of heat between the heating unit (24) and the cooling unit (34). A control system (90) raises the temperature of the substrate (18) by increasing power to the heating unit (24) and by evacuating fluid from the second cavity (50) and lowers the temperature of the substrate (18) by reducing power to the heating unit (24) and by conducting fluid to the second cavity (50).

Abstract: An improved spade-type hand tool incorporates an easily operated impact member which is slidably received on the upper end of the tool handle for acceleration by gravity to generate an impactive force for increasing the efficiency of the tool for chopping ice, roots, hard soil, etc. Attached to the tool's spade-type blade is an inclined-ramp component that serves (a) to lift, separate, and break up material into which the blade is driven, and (b) to increase the effectiveness of the spade tool when it is used for prying or as a lifting wedge.

Abstract: An evacuator for a plastic bag containing viscous liquid within a rectangular, parallelepiped container having a drain positioned at a bottom edge region uses a windlass for drawing and winding an evacuated upper region of the bag to a region above the drain. A bag wall region diagonally opposite the drain is gripped, preferably with a noose; and a windlass positioned on the walls of the container above the drain draws the gripped region of the bag across the top of the container and then winds the evacuated upper regions of the bag onto the windlass to funnel the viscous liquid toward the drain in lower, unevacuated regions of the bag.

Abstract: A laser gun uses small arms technology for loading and firing a cartridge containing flash powder. When the cartridge is fired, the flash powder burns to produce an intense burst of light. This light is directed for optically pumping a laser medium that emits an intense pulse of laser light. The cartridge-based small arms technology allows the gun to be easily and conveniently carried about and fired rapidly and reliably.

Abstract: An umbilicus system includes a mobile medical unit and interior and exterior treatment platforms connected to the mobile medical unit with respective umbilici that include bundles of lines for conveying medical and electrical utilities from the mobile medical unit to the treatment platforms. The umbilici are supported within the treatment platforms on trays that have openings for extending free ends of the umbilici from either end of the treatment platforms. The utilities conveyed by the umbilici are made available from medical action boards located at a front end of the treatment platforms.