Abstract: This H.V.A.C. duct cleaning system comprises an air compressor connected to a manifold wherein at least one line is coupled to an air gun with a quick connect device while another line is connected to the duct cleaning system providing a pressurized exhaust to remove debris from the ducts. Fixed lengths of plastic tubing are connected to the air gun and one another by quick connects with the end tubing having an air head to dislodge dirt and other contaminants within the ducts. The duct cleaning system includes a series of filter and blower modules controlled by a variable frequency drive to convert and control power to the various blowers. A primary filter module is connected to the ducts, a main filter module connected to the outlet of the primary filter module or blower and a blower which preferably is a tube axial blower or can be a backwardly inclined centrifugal blower is connected to the outlet of either the primary or main filter module to provide a pressurized exhaust.

Abstract: A method apparatus is provided for electrophoretically depositing particles onto an electrode, and electrohydrodynamically assembling the particles into crystalline structures. Specifically, the present method and apparatus creates a current flowing through a solution to cause identically charged electrophoretically deposited colloidal particles to attract each other over very large distances (<5 particle diameters) on the surface of electrodes to form two-dimensional colloidal crystals. The attractive force can be created with both DC and AC fields and can modulated by adjusting either the field strength or frequency of the current. Modulating this "lateral attraction" between the particles causes the reversible formation of two-dimensional fluid and crystalline colloidal states on the electrode surface. Further manipulation allows for the formation of two or three-dimensional colloidal crystals, as well as more complex "designed" structures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the transparent, non-disruptable transfer of data, particularly multimedia data, through any packet-based network, such as an ATM network is provided. The method of the present invention includes the step of setting a primary path and a secondary path between nodes of a network, or of a network domain. Accordingly, when a switch or node establishes a Virtual Path (VP) to another switch with specified effective bandwidth, it also has an alternate VP that is available, although no bandwidth is actually used. The method of the present invention further includes the step of optimizing the available capacity of the system through management actions. For handling congestion and resource failures, the total effective bandwidth on each physical link is categorized in terms of idle capacity (unused or available), used capacity (for existing VPs), and spare capacity. When a resource failure occurs, the idle capacity is used for real-time switching of the VP and service is not disrupted.

Abstract: A process directed to preparing surfactant-polycrystalline inorganic nanostructured materials having designed microscopic patterns. The process includes forming a polycrystalline inorganic substrate having a flat surface and placing in contact with the flat surface of the substrate a surface having a predetermined microscopic pattern. An acidified aqueous reacting solution is then placed in contact with an edge of the surface having the predetermined microscopic pattern. The solution wicks into the microscopic pattern by capillary action. The reacting solution has an effective amount of a silica source and an effective amount of a surfactant to produce a mesoscopic silica film upon contact of the reacting solution with the flat surface of the polycrystalline inorganic substrate and absorption of the surfactant into the surface. Subsequently an electric field is applied tangentially directed to the surface within the microscopic pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing glow plasma discharges by suppressing the transition from glow-to-arc includes a perforated dielectric plate having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of holes extending therethrough. The perforated dielectric plate is positioned over the cathode. Each of the holes acts as a separate active current limiting micro-channel that prevents the overall current density from increasing above the threshold for the glow-to-arc transition. This allows for a stable glow discharge to be maintained for a wide range of operating pressures (up to atmospheric pressures) and in a wide range of electric fields include DC and RF fields of varying strength.

Abstract: A method is provided for recovery of lost cells in an ATM network wherein an error recovery scheme is incorporated into the ATM adaptation layer to allow recovery of cells along the network.

Abstract: The lid with re-closable spout invention can be used with a hot and/or cold beverage container or other fluid container. The lid fits onto the container as is known in the art. The lid includes a spout formed on the lid and extending from the lid which allows one to access the contents of the fluid container. The spout can be positioned in a closed position wherein it is folded in to prevent the contents of the fluid container from exiting the spout. The spout may be locked into a closed position. In a second, open position, the spout is folded out to allow the fluid within the fluid container to be poured out of the fluid container through the spout. After use and/or between uses, the spout can be re-closed and re-sealed. The spout can be any desired configuration including generally square or rectangular, or generally cylindrical. The sealing means can be a zipper-type engagement formed on the upper edge of the spout.

Abstract: A device which employs an acoustic signal having one or more frequencies for penetrating into ground, water, or sediments and vibrating a compliant buried object is provided. When these acoustic signals encounter an acoustically compliant object such as a mine, the acoustic signals vibrate the compliant object, leading to a vibration of the compliant object against the boundaries of the surrounding medium such as ground sediment, creating a nonlinear distortion of the probing signal including the generation of harmonics and acoustic waves with combination frequencies (nonlinear signals). These nonlinear vibrating signals are received from the surface by a sensor. The amplitude of the measured nonlinear signals indicates the presence of an acoustically compliant object such as a mine.

Abstract: In this device, we employed four sets (or three sets) of different wavelength light sources and mixed each other to form the Moreland's color matching equation (a 580 nm+b 480 nm=c 440 nm+d 500 nm) or the Rayleigh's color matching equation (a 590 nm=b 546 nm+c 650 nm) and resulted in two mixed lights. On these two light paths, we employed a flat mirror to separate them into two halves and formed a single light path. On this light path, we added a neutral density filter to adjust light intensity to reach our purpose of attenuating the light intensity. In addition to this, a shutter diaphragm was set on the same light path to adjust a proper lighting area on the retina. Behind the shutter diaphragm, a set of lenses focused the light beam on to the observer's pupil of human.

Abstract: This H.V.A.C. duct cleaning system comprises an air compressor connected to a manifold wherein at least one line is coupled to an air gun with a quick connect device while another line is connected to the duct cleaning system providing a pressurized exhaust to remove debris from the ducts. Fixed lengths of plastic tubing are connected to the air gun and one another by quick connects with the end tubing having an air head to dislodge dirt and other contaminants within the ducts. The duct cleaning system includes a series of filter and blower modules controlled by a variable frequency drive to convert and control power to the various blowers. A primary filter module is connected to the ducts, a main filter module connected to the outlet of the primary filter module or blower and a blower which preferably is a tube axial blower or can be a backwardly inclined centrifugal blower is connected o the outlet of either the primary or main filter module to provide a pressurized exhaust.

Abstract: The master jaws in a three jaw chuck are located and maintained in position by a spacer having two plates which are located adjacent one another along edges which are inclined approximately 7.degree. from the vertical. One plate is generally rectangular. The other plate is generally trapezoidal. Sliding the plates along the inclined edges positions one edge of the rectangular plate against one of the master jaws and the two edges of the generally trapezoidal plate against the other two master jaws. The relative movement of the plates changes the position of the outer edges of the plates which allows for the master jaws to make contact with the plates at different positions to allow for positioning of the soft jaws for machining.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic lock having first and second disposed in axial alignment is provided. A first key inserted into the cylinders of the electronic lock sends an electronic signal to a solenoid which retracts a stopper from engagement with a latch plate upon turning the first key through an initial angle. Thereafter, the first key drives the first cylinder to drive a first cam which moves against a first cam follower to move the latch plate and withdraw the latch from locking engagement. In the event of an electronics failure and/or in order to manually override the electronics, a second key is inserted into the axially aligned cylinders. The second key initially drives the second cylinder to move a second cam against a second cam follower that bears against the stopper to remove the stopper from engagement with the latch plate.

Abstract: An attachment useful for a conventional type sports cap which has a fabric dome, a headband surrounding the dome, a pair of straps at the rear of the cap for adjustment of the size of the headband and an opening in the dome of the cap above the straps. The attachment has a planar member having a first surface, a second surface, a top area and an opposite bottom area. An indicia means is provided on the first surface for displaying a trademark and/or logo. At least one fastening means is provided on the top area of the second surface for removably fastening the attachment means to the fabric of the cap. There is at least one fastening member on the bottom area of the second surface for removably fastening the attachment to the strap of the cap. Preferably the fastening member is a hook member which hooks onto the straps.

Abstract: The present invention uses Paclitaxel and/or Colchicine in an appropriate carrier to inhibit wound contraction. Paclitaxel is an antimicrotubule agent that is currently used as a cancer chemotherapeutic drug. Colchicine inhibits microtubule dependent processes such as cell contraction and motility. It has been given orally for decades to treat gout. Previous studies using Colchicine to control wound contraction have been unsuccessful because of both local and systemic toxicity. Studies using the present invention demonstrate that Paclitaxel and Colchicine, when applied to wounds locally (either topically or by injection) in concentrations which are much lower than those previously studied, inhibit wound contraction, collagen deposition and granulation tissue growth.

Abstract: A composition and method of making bodies and necks for stringed musical instruments is provided. The composition is basically an unsaturated compound poly-urethan resin and an inorganic filler, or components comparable thereto, which are combined with a hardener and then molded to form a guitar body, neck or other component of a stringed instrument. The method of making a body or neck of the present invention generally includes the steps of preparing the composition mixture, adding a hardener to the mixture, delivering the mixture and hardener to a mold, and molding the composition. Various appropriate actions may be undertaken upon completion of the molding process including machining, finishing, etc., although the molding process tends to obviate the need for further machining.

Abstract: An acoustic panel system is provided for partially acoustically isolating a portion of a space in, for example, a recording studio. The acoustic panel system is modular in design and includes a plurality of different sized acoustic panels which can be assembled together in various configurations to form complete or partial acoustically isolated areas within a space. The acoustic panel system includes wall mount members, wall panels, floor panels, ceiling panels, transparent viewing panels and door panels. The wall mount members are basically partial members either permanently or removably interconnected with the walls of a space. The wall panels can be interconnected with the wall mount members. The wall panels may include casters for facilitating the movement thereof, and may also include feet for supporting the panels on uneven flooring.

Abstract: An implant is provided for which has an outer bearing surface and an inner attachment surface. The outer bearing surface functions as ajoint contact surface for a reconstructed bone joint. The inner attachment surface contacts a bone and is attached thereto. The inner attachment surface of the implant is curvilinear from the anterior to the posterior area of the femur, and is also curvilinear from the medial to the lateral areas of the femur to approximates the shape of natural femur. The resection of the femur for accommodating the implant can be properly performed by a milling device employing one or more curvilinear milling bits.