Abstract: An axle seal is presented. The axle seal is disposed about an automotive axle at the automotive differential to prevent leakage of lubricant from the differential. The axle seal comprises a rigid cylindrical body member having outer grooves receptive to o-ring seals to provide a seal between the differential and the body member which is mounted within an opening of the differential. The axle is attached to the differential and passes through an opening in the body member. The body member is chamfered at the opening to direct the axle to the center line during assembly. A step defining a recessed portion is formed within the opening of the body member where inner seals are disposed. The inner seals provide a seal between the axle and the body member and allow significant angular displacement of the axle from the center line without compromising the integrity of the seal between the body member and the axle or between the body member and the differential.

Abstract: A plurality of electronically controlled downhole tools and systems for use in production wells is presented. These tools and systems include safety valve and pressure monitoring systems, remotely controlled inflation/deflation devices, remotely actuated downhole tool stop systems, remotely controlled fluid/gas control systems, remotely controlled variable choke and shut-off valve systems and a retrievable sensor side pocket mandrel.

Abstract: A dual utility hacksaw blade includes additional mounting through holes. The first set of holes (outer) being the mounting holes for the use of the saw as a conventional hacksaw and the second set of holes being initially pilot holes to be enlarged by the end user when the second utility is desired. The method of the invention also recommends enlarging the first set of holes for mounting in the reciprocating saw as the second utility. Additionally, the blade may include construction facilitating breakage of the hacksaw at predetermined areas and in predetermined angles to provide the second utility. The hacksaw may also simply, and preferably, be cut or broken off for the second utility.

Abstract: A system adapted for controlling and/or monitoring a plurality of production wells from a remote location is provided. This system is capable of controlling and/or monitoring: (1) a plurality of zones in a single production well; (2) a plurality of zones/wells in a single location (e.g., a single platform); or (3) a plurality of zones/wells located at a plurality of locations (e.g., multiple platforms). The multizone and/or multiwell control system of this invention is composed of multiple downhole electronically controlled electromechanical devices and multiple computer based surface systems operated from multiple locations. Important functions for these systems include the ability to predict the future flow profile of multiple wells and to monitor and control the fluid or gas flow from either the formation into the wellbore, or from the wellbore to the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparati for improved filling of via holes wherein compressive force is used to columnate conductive material due to a pseudoplastic thixotropic rheology of the material. Columnating of the material provides for easier and more accurate filling of via holes. Both automated roller apparati and manual methods are provided. The method further includes methods and apparati of removing excess conductive material from substrates after filling the via holes.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for preventing injury to an occupant of an enclosed space as the result of exposure to a noxious gas. The apparatus shuts a source of noxious gases, when an unsafe ambient condition is sensed. More particularly, the unsafe condition is typically the presence of the noxious gas in the enclosed space. In some forms of the invention the apparatus also includes structure for latching that upon sensing an unsafe condition continues to send a signal to shut off the source of noxious gas. Some forms of the apparatus may further include an override for the latching aspect of the structure. The override may be a manually operated push button that operates a relay. The apparatus for shutting down the source of noxious gases is a relay in some forms of the invention and that relay may be normally closed in some embodiments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementation of neural networks for face recognition is presented. A nonlinear filter or a nonlinear joint transform correlator (JTC) employs a supervised perceptron learning algorithm in a two-layer neural network for real-time face recognition. The nonlinear filter is generally implemented electronically, while the nonlinear joint transform correlator is generally implemented optically. The system implements perception learning to train with a sequence of facial images and then classifies a distorted input image in real-time. Computer simulations and optical experimental results show that the system can identify the input with the probability of error less than 3%. By using time multiplexing of the input image under investigation, that is, using more than one input image, the probability of error for classification can be reduced to zero.

Abstract: A crop cleaner comprising a generally parallel array of first and second rollers each first roller being scrolled and each second roller generally unscrolled, the first rollers alternating with second rollers with pairs of adjacent rollers being carried on frames with each frame being displaceable relative to an adjacent frame and a drive for independently rotating each pair of rollers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supervising the functioning of a plurality of valve units, a system for performing the method, a control unit and a control assembly for cooperation with the control unit. Each valve unit in the system comprises a semiconductor element (THY1-THYN) and a control unit for controlling the semiconductor element. The control unit comprises a trigger order input for receiving a trigger order (FP), an indication output for emitting a first indication signal (TP) and a trigger signal output (100) for emitting a trigger signal to the semiconductor element. The method comprises the steps: detecting a positive forward voltage (U.sub.T) across the semiconductor valve, generating a first indication signal (IP) when the forward voltage (U.sub.T) exceeds a first threshold value (U.sub.1), generating a trigger signal upon detected receival of the triggering order signal (FP), and the step: generating a second indication signal (SSTP) when the forward voltage (U.sub.

Abstract: For displaying moving images on a field sequential color display device from a simultaneous color image source, without color break-up appearing in the observed image, an image shift device is provided for shifting each color component image within each cycle of color component images representing each frame of the simultaneous color video image source. The display device is for use with head mounted displays in which an LCD or a CRT screen is used to display field sequential color images without color break-up during head motion.

Abstract: The machine incorporates a front and a rear motorized units operatively connected together, and in which power is transmitted from one unit to the other so that they are both serf-propelled. A snow levelling device is disposed between the two motorized units for breaking irregularities on the trail and delivering excess snow behind the rear unit. A compaction and levelling unit is placed at the rear of the rear unit. Both the snow levelling device and the compaction and levelling unit may be raised from the ground especially in case of difficulties. This arrangement does not usually become inoperative in heavy snow or on inclined surfaces.

Abstract: A versatile tire derimming machine comprises three crushing arms articulated at a top of the device, hydraulic actuators for each arm and a power multiplying arrangement. The device is generally mounted on a rotating means of a mechanical arm such as a hydraulic excavator or a log loader and can be remotely moved into position to "pick" a tire and wheel combination from a resting place, place the tire and wheel combination in a desired orientation and deform the wheel therein thus facilitating removal of the tire therefrom quickly and easily. The machine may be configured for and used on every size wheel and tire combination but is particularly suited for use in derimming large truck tires from their wheels. The device avoids the need for a worker lifting or moving the tire/wheel combinations which can easily weight 120 lbs.

Abstract: A device employing a redundant array of solid state memory devices is presented, whereby RAID technology architecture is uniquely combined with solid state memory devices. The devices comprises a plurality of circuit boards assemblies mounted within a housing, preferably a housing which fits into a standard 51/4 inch computer drive bay or a rack mount housing. The circuit board assemblies are electrically connected to solid state memory devices, for example, flash memory PCMCIA cards. A data path controller circuit provides the interface between a host system and the flash memory cards.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention significantly improves the optical intensity induced damage limit of optical quality crystals, and in particular crystals used in the conversion of laser radiation at a specific wavelength to another wavelength or other wavelengths through non-linear interaction of the input laser radiation with the optical crystal medium. In accordance with the present invention, passive optical elements are positioned at the laser beam exiting and entrance surfaces of the active optical element. The surfaces of the passive optical elements are placed up against respective exiting and entrance surfaces of the active optical element. Since the optically transparent passive optical elements have higher mass than optical coatings, they provide vastly superior cooling, and therefore, considerably higher laser damage threshold for the surfaces.

Abstract: The multimedia outlet of the present invention exhibits a combination of form and function. The outlet provides six openings for various telecommunicating connectors that provide for up to 12 ports of mixed media or up to 24 fiber optic ports. Also, provided is a cable management arrangement complying with industry standards specifications. The form of the outlet, having inwardly angled sides allows for "true" gravity feed connections, which are desirable. The outlet also includes multiple cable access/raceway knockout ports and a concealed labeling system.

Abstract: A bi-stable memory element (1) comprises a base contact (3), and a bridging contact (8), both made from an electrically conductive material. The bridging contact (8) is dimensioned so as to have two stable positions, in one of which the bridging contact (8) is in contact with the base contact (3), and in the other of which the bridging contact (8) is spaced apart from the base contact (3). Deflection means (4, 5) deflects the bridging contact (8) from one stable position to the other.