Abstract: A compressed gas vehicle fuel storage system comprised of a plurality of compressed gas pressure cells supported by shock-absorbing bumpers positioned within a low cost, shape-conforming container. The container is dimensioned relative to the compressed gas pressure cells whereby a radial air gap surrounds each compressed gas pressure cell. The radial air gap allows pressure-induced expansion of the pressure cells without resulting in the application of pressure to adjacent pressure cells or physical pressure to the container. The pressure cells are interconnected by a gas control assembly including a thermally activated pressure relief device, a manual safety shut-off valve, and means for connecting the fuel storage system to a vehicle power source and a refueling adapter. The gas control assembly is enclosed by a protective cover attached to the container. The system is attached to the vehicle with straps to enable the chassis to deform as intended in a high-speed collision.

Abstract: The invention is an optical feature extraction apparatus which uses video display, spatial light modulation, and detection components in conjunction with microlenslet replicating optics, to expedite the recognition of DNA sequences based on their symmetry properties and, specifically, to classify short (6 bases in length) sequences of DNA as palindrome or nonpalindrome. The DNA sequences are symbolically encoded using a novel method. Multichannel operation is achieved through the replication of input scenery, making possible a higher throughput rate than for single channel systems.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus and method for locating objects in a body through the mapping and imaging of the conductivity profiles of such objects by applying a force to the object and/or body and measuring certain characteristics of the body responsive to the application of force. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the force applied to the object and body is in the form of an electrical voltage or current such that electrical potentials, currents, and magnetic fields are generated throughout the subsurface site. The voltage, current, or magnetic field is then measured at the surface or the boundary of the body. An estimate of subsurface conductivity is then made and a conductivity profile generated by minimizing a loss function. Preferably, the loss function is in the form of the sum square of the differences between measurement values and a set of computed values based on a gradient approximation technique.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for using current-mode analog circuits to compute the correlation between an auditory input signal in the time-frequency domain and a stored binary template. By using massively parallel computation, circuits made of relatively imprecise analog components are able to accurately classify transient events, are competitive with high-performance DSP systems, and operate with much smaller power requirements.

Abstract: An improved RF beacon for use in space/earth communications and positioning determination provides better spectral purity and frequency stability. A power supply provides regulated voltage and control signals to the beacon. Each of two oscillators operate at a slightly different frequency very near the aforementioned 16.7 MHz. The slight difference provides for a frequency selection with respect to the transmitter frequency spectra. The oscillator provides a signal to a plurality of multiplier circuits. The resulting multiplied frequency signals are fed to respective amplifiers. Some of the features of the radio frequency beacon include redundant switchable oscillators, a 1067 MHz signal having data modulation capabilities, the ability to change power levels, improved frequency stability and temperature control characteristics, and a triplexer to optionally combine the three outputs into a single port.

Abstract: A compressed gas storage cell interconnecting manifold including a thermally activated pressure relief device, a manual safety shut-off valve, and a port for connecting the compressed gas storage cells to a motor vehicle power source and to a refueling adapter. The manifold is mechanically and pneumatically connected to a compressed gas storage cell by a bolt including a gas passage therein.

Abstract: An ionization chamber that detects changes in temperature of electrical insulation with a corresponding change in voltage. This voltage change can be relayed through an operational amplifier and a comparator to a device receiving the signal, thus triggering the necessary alarm and preventing fires caused by electrical arcing.

Abstract: A hand held, self-contained, automatic, low power and rapid sensor platform for detecting and quantifying a plurality of analytes. A sample solution potentially containing an unknown amount of an analyte is passed through an affinity column which contains antibodies to which the analyte binds thereby extracting the analyte. The affinity column is then rinsed to remove any other chemicals that may fluoresce. The rinsed affinity column is then eluted with a known volume of elution fluid causing the analyte to release from the antibody and dissolve in the fluid (eluant). The eluant is then placed in the quartz cuvette of a fluorometer. The analyte suspended in the eluant fluoresces at a waveband which is different than that of the light source that excites it. The amount of fluorescence is measured and the level of analyte determined.

Abstract: A compressed gas vehicle fuel storage system comprised of a plurality of compressed gas pressure cells supported by shock-absorbing foam positioned within a shape-conforming container. The container is dimensioned relative to the compressed gas pressure cells whereby a radial air gap surrounds each compressed gas pressure cell. The radial air gap allows pressure-induced expansion of the pressure cells without resulting in the application of pressure to adjacent pressure cells or physical pressure to the container. The pressure cells are interconnected by a gas control assembly including a thermally activated pressure relief device, a manual safety shut-off valve, and means for connecting the fuel storage system to a vehicle power source and a refueling adapter. The gas control assembly is enclosed by a protective cover attached to the container. The system is attached to the vehicle with straps to enable the chassis to deform as intended in a high-speed collision.

Abstract: The invention comprises a means for generating energy while walking or running for storage in a rechargeable battery. One embodiment uses lever arm movement in the heel of a shoe resulting from normal walking or running to generate energy from a built-in generator. The linear or rotational motion of the lever arm engages the circular gear assembly and turns the generator/motor/turbine, thus generating power. The second embodiment uses fluid reservoirs embedded in the shoes. Pressure changes resulting from normal walking or running moves the fluid through a narrow channel connecting two reservoirs, thus generating power by rotating a flywheel and an attached motor/generator/turbine in the middle of the channel. Secondary (rechargeable) batteries are incorporated into the invention either in an integrated form or as an add-on design.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based charge control architecture which provides individual battery cell charge control in order to insure an equality of charge among all cells in a rechargeable battery cell array during a single charge cycle. The array is arranged in parallel strings with an identical number of cells in series in each string. The microprocessor controls the amount of charge current in each battery cell via a shunt element for each battery cell, and adjusts the shunt element to bypass a portion of the string current for each battery cell. The invention also permits charge control algorithms to be conveniently updated, provides individual cell coulometry, and autonomously monitors and corrects conditions which can result in battery failure. Any type of rechargeable battery cell and array size can be accommodated. The array size can be set to accommodate the specific voltage and load current requirements of each application.

Abstract: A bone substitute that drills and cuts like bone for use in training and testing comprising an inner core of a foamable polymer or other soft material and an outer shell of a polymer such as an epoxy resin with a particulate filler such as aluminum oxide or silicon carbide added thereto together with, in some cases, titanium oxide to form a slurry for casting or molding around the inner core. Also provided is a method for making the bone substitute.

Abstract: A unique time-domain electromagnetic system and data processing technique which, using low frequency electromagnetic fields, can localize, in three-dimensions, the position of buried metallic objects is disclosed. The measurement system uses time-domain electromagnetic techniques on a scanning frame similar to a X-Y plotter. The system collects magnetic data over a large area above the buried object. The spatial information of the field detected on the ground is then processed with an unique `nearfield holographic` data processing method to reconstruct the field image of the buried object.

Abstract: Solid disks of polyethylene oxide are radiation crosslinked to instill viscoelastic memory. The disks are then pierced with a needle, heated, cooled and the needle removed to form disks containing a flow orifice in each which upon contact with water will revert to solid disks. A disk with a flow orifice made as just described when used as a memory flow control valve in a conventional injection device will produce a syringe with a single-use, auto-destruct capability. When the disk is inserted in a retainer in the flow channel of the injection device, a drug/vaccine can be drawn into the syringe and then expelled for a preselected time less than six minutes before the water in the drug/vaccine causes the flow orifice in the disk to close, the disk then reverting to its solid shape due to its viscoelastic memory.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for partially embedding a biocompatible material, such as a titanium coil, in the surface of a polymer bone implant to provide a porous coating for bone cells to grow through thereby promoting long term stabilization of the implant. In one embodiment, the coil is wrapped around the implant and placed in a manifold where rollers biased by springs press against the coil. The coil-implant is rotated and heated by a hot gas stream, the rollers-springs pushing the coil into the surface of the implant. In a second embodiment, the coil is compressed and placed onto a needle wire which is placed against the surface of the implant. The point of contact is heated and the implant is rotated with the needle wire creating a channel in the softened polymer and feeding the coil, which is simultaneously stretched, therein. The needle wire then pulls the polymer over a portion of the coil as it passes.

Abstract: An analog, single integrated circuit for providing centered video images. A light detector array which can be, e.g., a CCD or an array of phototransistors or silicon retinas, is scanned out to provide a video signal. Current summing lines along each row and column of the array are used as inputs to x and y position sensitive (computation) circuitry located on the edge of the pixel array. When the array utilizes silicon retinas, an absolute value circuit is added to restore low frequency information removed by the retinas to the current summing output. An on-chip sequencer uses the x and y position outputs to scan out the video image centered to the nearest pixel.

Abstract: Electromyogram, temperature and heart rate measurements, which correlate to the dermatomal level and density of neural blockade, are obtained in a passive manner, i.e., the patient is not stimulated or exposed to any sensor that requires an active conduction in order to make a measurement and no active patient participation or response is required. The measurements obtained provide objective and quantitative indications of, for example, epidural blockade with local anesthetics, thus, allowing objective real-time assessment of density and level of neural blockade.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical-based magnetostrictive magnetometer that uses, as an active element, a commercial (001) silicon microcantilever coated with an amorphous thin film of the giant magnetostrictive alloy Terfenol-D and a compact optical beam deflection transduction scheme. A set of Helmholtz coils is used to create an ac magnetic excitation field for driving the mechanical resonance of the coated microcantilever. When the coated microcantilever is placed in a dc magnetic field, the dc field will change the amplitude at the mechanical resonance of the coated microcantilever thereby causing a deflection that can be measured. The magnetometer has been demonstrated with a sensitivity near 1 .mu.T.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for making precise velocity measurements of a spacecraft using a two-way noncoherent Doppler tracking system. The received uplink and transmitted downlink frequencies on-board the spacecraft are compared with the resulting information being included in the downlink signal and used to cancel spacecraft oscillator drift rate effects in the two-way Doppler measurement made by the ground station. The information can also be used to characterize the drift rate of the spacecraft oscillator, thus permitting periods of accurate one-way Doppler tracking by the ground station. To improve accuracy, the times at which the measurements comprising the information would have been observed on the ground are inferred from the measurement of a signal generated by the spacecraft, e.g., the telemetry frame start times, made by the ground station.

Abstract: The invention consists, in one embodiment, of a resonator such as a conductive bar supported by two wires placed at the nodal points of the fundamental resonance frequency. The wires also supply current of this frequency to the resonator. In the presence of a magnetic field, the Lorentz force causes the resonator to vibrate. The amplitude of this vibration is proportional to a vector component of the magnetic field. The motion of the resonator is detected using one of a number of possible methods including optical beam deflection. The invention has a sensitivity of at least 1 nT, comparable to that of a commercial fluxgate magnetometer, and a dynamic range exceeding 80 dB.