Abstract: A master control unit of a cable tester in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion. The master control unit includes a display, a pivotal cover, an indicator, a modular jack, and an activation/selection button. Electronics of the cable tester are disposed with the housing. A remote unit compatible with standard modular jacks comprises a housing for supporting a printed circuit board and a cover. The housing comprises an elongated generally rectangular portion which is sized so as to be compatible with standard modular jacks. During use the master control unit is connected by a jumper cable to a modular jack under test. The modular jack under test is connected by wiring to another modular jack, also under test, at another location. The remote unit is inserted into and mates with the other modular jack. Testing is performed at master control unit.

Abstract: An apparatus which allows monochromatic radiographs to be produced using conventional "table top" Coolidge tube generated x-rays, comprises of the use of known bent crystal x-ray diffractive optics to produce radiographic images. The apparatus for producing the desirable x-ray radiation in a predetermined maximum intensity includes a crystal of the type mentioned above which focuses the x-rays emitted from the tube, the crystal and tube being mounted on a linear translation table. In addition, a method of mammography and differential angiography employing that device are presented. Resolution of mammographs are improved and the method which uses images obtained with radiation above and below the absorption edge of the dye being used to detect anomalies in a circulatory system allows the use of dramatically reduced dye concentrations.

Abstract: An improved PC Card element, particularly a PC card unit, is presented in which the unit is hermetically sealed. The unit has a metallic frame, a metallic header with glass or ceramic encapsulated through pins, and opposed outer metallic covers, all of the metallic elements being welded together to form a hermetically sealed unit. The metallic frame and header is preferably formed as a single piece, i.e., unitary part, either by casting and machining or by metal injection molding.

Abstract: An "image information enhancement" technique for processing digital images objectively extracts basic image information classes which are intensity defined and produced by the contrast mediums used for the generation of the image. The technique has wide application in the general field of image enhancement and more particularly in the fields of microscopy, radiology, remote sensing, astronomy, robotics and machine vision and general image evaluation, quantitation and communication. The new image intensity processing technology of this invention makes possible a separation of the image intensity information into three objective distinct non-random spacial groups of "large image features/background" and small "spacial detail" and "intensity detail", and one group of random spacial information of the "image noise".

Abstract: A hanger assembly for managing pipes, cables, etc. is described having the capability to swivel, easily adjust height and with respect to pipes, reduce noise/vibration associated therewith by containing the pipe suspended thereby in a ratcheting holder. The hanger assembly employs a single hanger pin so that the swiveling capability is provided. The invention further, simplifies the installation of a pipe, in particular, and also of other conduits in need of management/suspension since the hanger can be affixed to a joist, rafter or stud at an estimated location. The assembly can then be adjusted to favorably engage the conduit to be hung or managed.

Abstract: A nanostructured steel alloy is presented. Preferably, the nanostructured steel is of the M50 type, and comprises iron, molybdenum, chromium, vanadium and carbon. In accordance with an important feature of this invention, the grain size of the steel is in the nanometer range. In accordance with the method of the present invention, the nanostructured steel is prepared via chemical synthesis from iron, molybdenum, chromium and vanadium starting materials. Decomposition of metal precursors or reduction of metal halides is followed by consolidation of the resulting nanostructured steel powders into bulk steel. The nanostructured steel of this invention finds particular utility in the manufacture of cutting tools and bearings.

Abstract: A cornerbead crimping tool for crimping cornerbead to wallboard is presented which comprises in a first embodiment a handle portion, an intermediate air cylinder portion and a crimping head portion which together form the crimping tool. In accordance with a second and preferred embodiment of the present invention, the crimper tool of the present invention is a user configurable system comprising a housing module, a plurality of interchangeable crimper modules and a plurality of interchangeable power modules (e.g., pneumatic operation and manual operation). The resultant system provides the cornerbead applicator with the ability to quickly and easily crimp cornerbead of any known size or shape using either a manual (e.g., hammer) operation or pneumatic operation. All of the system parts are made from molded reinforced plastic and due to the modular, interchangeable construction lead to ease of manufacture as well as low cost assembly.

Abstract: A magnetic hysteresis clutch comprises an external rotor and a rotary magnetic inductor arranged in said external rotor so as to define a radial air gap. Rings of ferromagnetic hysteresis material are mounted in said external rotor so as to be able to undergo a reversible thermal expansion of their internal diameter leading to an increase in the radial air gap. The clutch is designed so that the heating up of the ferromagnetic material in the rings which accompanies an increase of the slip between the external rotor and the rotary magnetic inductor, produces a reversible increase in the radial air gap which is sufficient to decrease the transmitted torque. Thus it is possible to provide a magnetic hysteresis clutch in which the transmitted torque reversibly decreases when the slip increases.

Abstract: The first contact lens is placed on the dominating eye and includes a central spherical area for distance vision, which is surrounded by an annular non-spherical area having a diopter in the form of progressive addition which varies from zero addition at the inner periphery to a maximum addition at the outer periphery, and which enables vision, at all distances including reading. The second contact lens is placed on the dominated eye. The central area is spherical and adjusted for reading. The non-spherical annular area has a progressive reduction from maximum addition to zero addition, which enables vision from reading to intermediate and distance vision. This system provides in most cases 95-100% vision at all distances.

Abstract: A light bulb or lighting element protector apparatus is disclosed which comprises a socket assembly, a cage assembly, wherein the cage assembly further comprises a means for protecting a light bulb, a message area wherein the message area is located on the cage assembly, a word, a message or a logo wherein the word, message or logo is located on or in the message area, and a means for latching the cage assembly to the socket assembly.

Abstract: An electrical substrate material is presented which comprises a thermosetting matrix which includes a polybutadiene or polyisoprene resin and an unsaturated butadiene or isoprene containing polymer in an amount of 25 to 50 vol. %; a woven glass fabric in an amount of 10 to 40 vol. %; a particulate, preferably ceramic filler in an amount of from 5 to 60 vol. %; a flame retardant and a peroxide cure initiator. A preferred composition has 18% woven glass, 41% particulate filler and 30% thermosetting matrix. The foregoing component ratios and particularly the relatively high range of particulate filler is an important feature of this invention in that this filled composite material leads to a prepreg which has very little tackiness and can therefore be easily handled by operators. This low tackiness feature allows for the use of conventional automated layup processing, including foil cladding, using one or more known roll laminators.

Abstract: A compact atomic absorption analyzer includes a xenon flashlamp, processing circuits, optics, electronic heating apparatus and a photomultiplier. A sample to be tested is heated using electronic (radio frequency) heating apparatus within the optics to subject the sample to thermal energy sufficient to excite the element of the sample to a level at which it will radiate its characteristic line-emission spectra. A high intensity background light having an ultraviolet component is generated by the xenon flashlamp within the optics and this spectral distribution of this light is received by the photomultiplier. The output of the photomultiplier is processed by the processing electronics, with the results of the test displayed, stored and/or downloaded to an external computer or printer.

Abstract: A smoothing technique for processing digital images is presented. The smoothing technique of this invention comprises a two-dimensional digital hysteresis filter which utilizes a "two-dimensional automatically adjusting variable mask" for intensity processing. As a result, the filter is independent of the image size and content and cannot alter the size of any significant intensity features, even if they are as small as one pixel in size. The intensity processing technique provides the basis for a separation of the image information into basic information groups. The two-dimensional hysteresis smoothing technique of this invention calculates the intensity value of smoothed pixels using a set of one-dimensional hysteresis lines at various angles running through each pixel in an image. Each one-dimensional hysteresis line calculates a new intensity value for each pixel in an image.

Abstract: A method for detecting and sensing boundaries between strata in a formation during directional drilling so that the drilling operation can be adjusted to maintain the drillstring within a selected stratum is presented. The method comprises the initial drilling of an offset well from which resistivity of the formation with depth is determined. This resistivity information is then modeled to provide a modeled log indicative of the response of a resistivity tool within a selected stratum in a substantially horizontal direction. A directional (e.g., horizontal) well is thereafter drilled wherein resistivity is logged in real time and compared to that of the modeled horizontal resistivity to determine the location of the drill string and thereby the borehole in the substantially horizontal stratum. From this, the direction of drilling can be corrected or adjusted so that the borehole is maintained within the desired stratum.