Abstract: A mouse paid (10) is disclosed which can be attached conveniently to a portable computer (12). The pad has a lip (30) which fits over the border (18) of the keyboard on a personal computer and a spring loaded clamp slide (42) which engages the outer surface (24) of the keyboard to secure the pad on the portable computer. A pad (72) can be provided with keys (74).

Abstract: A slope/level indicating apparatus for determining the degree of slope or grade being created by a machine, such as a grader. The apparatus comprises a slope indicator unit which transmits slope information through a cable to a digital display which can be viewed by an operator. The slope indicating unit comprises one or more tubular chambers, each of which has a substantially rectangular transverse cross-section, and each of which includes a disk that can move freely within the tubular chamber. The tubular chamber is machined or molded with the longitudinal axis curved in an arc of one or more predetermined radii so that the disk moves within the tubular chamber according to the earth's gravitational force vector. A plurality of photodetectors are situated preferably evenly spaced behind the tubular chamber and are preferably placed such that they detect transitions of slope of the tubular chamber based on the position of the disk within the tubular chamber.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for controlling the direction of advance of a rotary drill to produce a borehole profile substantially as preplanned with minimal curvature while maintaining optimum drilling performance. The preferred embodiment of the system comprises a drill string; a rotatable drill bit carried on said drill string; and a compliant subassembly in said drill string, said compliant subassembly facilitating changes in the direction of drilling of said borehole. The system further comprises a plurality of sensors for measuring strains within the compliant subassembly and for producing data signals corresponding to the strain measurements. A control system is operable to use the data signals to change the direction of the borehole by applying a shear force to the drill bit.

Abstract: An improved plastic valve body design and construction which has strength and durability similar to that of steel valve bodies but with significantly reduced manufacturing time and cost. The valve body comprises a unique and nonobvious combination of a previously unused plastic material and a complex rib design that results in performance similar to that of steel valves. The valve body is preferably comprised of Delrin or a nylon/Kevlar composite material. A plurality of ribbed members connect outer and inner faces of the valve body to provide increased strength and durability. The plastic valve body has the ability to deform to mate with the valve seat and thus extrusion gaps are eliminated. This allows use of more desirable softer polyurethane inserts.

Abstract: A transverse electromagnetic (TEM) cell for measuring EM emissions. The TEM cell longitudinal axis is positioned at a fixed angle relative to the horizontal. This fixed angle results in the alignment of the orthoaxis of the TEM cell with the gravity vector. A rotatable platform for supporting an electronic device is positioned inside the TEM cell. The platform is mounted horizontally, and its axis of rotation is vertical (i.e. parallel to the gravity vector). Further, the rotation axis of the rotatable platform intersects the test volume of the TEM cell. Three mutually orthogonal components of EM emissions are measured successively by placing a device on the platform and rotating the device through two 120 degree rotations, thereby measuring three positions. Thus, it is not necessary to tilt the device from a normal, horizontal operating position in order to fully test its EM emissions.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for automatically controlling the direction of advance of a rotary drill to produce a borehole profile substantially as preplanned with minimal curvature while maintaining optimum drilling performance. The preferred embodiment of the system comprises a drill string; a drill bit; an appropriate motor for rotating said drill bit; a data processing system for storing a planned path; sensors for obtaining information for providing a profile of a drilled path of the borehole; a data processing system for comparing the drilled path with the planned path and for generating a correction signal representing the difference between the drilled path and the planned path; and a control system responsive to the correction signal to cause the drill string to follow a corrected path to cause the drilled borehole to coincide with the planned path.

Abstract: A non-pyrotechnic reusable cartridge for ejecting countermeasures, such as chaff, flares, or other payloads. The cartridge comprises a gas chamber storing a compressed gas and including an ejection mechanism and a countermeasure storage section storing a countermeasure. In one embodiment, the ejection mechanism is a solenoid valve. When an ejection signal is transmitted by the pilot, the solenoid valve opens to allow the compressed, non-flammable gas to be released from the gas chamber and push the countermeasure out of the cartridge at a high rate of speed. Other embodiments use a rupture disk positioned between the ejection section and the countermeasure storage section. When an eject signal is received, the rupture disk is either punctured or melted to allow the compressed gas into the storage section, thus ejecting the countermeasure.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for producing a dental prosthetic with a minimum of time and labor. The preferred embodiment of the invention compresses first and second trays which are hingedly secured to allow articulating movement of the trays with respect to each other. At least one of the trays is provided with a grid having a plurality of holes in a spaced pattern to receive pins for supporting the model. In operation, one of the trays is filled with plaster and the negative impression of the teeth is placed therein. The operator then closes the articulator temporarily to determine the optimum location of the pins with respect to the various teeth marks in the impression. The pins are then inserted into the appropriate holes in the opposing tray, with the pins being parallel to each other. The impression is then filled with plaster and the tray containing the pins is then closed to cause the individual pins to be inserted into the plaster at the predetermined locations.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of removing contaminants from an article utilizing a supercritical or near supercritical fluid. The article to be cleaned is first contacted with a fluid in which the contaminant is soluble at a first supercritical or near temperature. The contaminate solubilized fluid is then cooled or heated to a second supercritical or near supercritical temperature to lower the solubility of the contaminant in the supercritical fluid and thereby precipitate the contaminant. The contaminant is then recovered.

Abstract: A malleable vaginal speculum is manually shaped to dilate the inner contour of a vagina sufficiently to allow manipulation of endoscopic surgical instruments within the vagina. The malleable vaginal speculum may optionally be coupled a funnel, apron and splash shield to function as a fluid collector for use during endoscopic surgery. A portion of the splash shield is placed under the patient while the remainder extends to a perforated portion of the funnel wall. Fluid draining into the funnel through its mouth and through the perforated wall is collected in a container, where its volume is measured. By measuring the volume of irrigation fluid dispensed during the surgery and subtracting the measured fluid volume collected, an estimate of the amount of irrigation fluid absorbed by the patient during the surgery is obtained.

Abstract: A robot link deflection gauge providing precise measurement of the deformation of a robot link due to load and acceleration forces. The robot link deflection gauge of the present invention includes at least one light source, a plurality of lenses and corresponding position sensitive detectors positioned at the ends of the robot arm link to accurately measure the relative position and orientation of a first (or destination) end relative to a second (or source) end of each robot arm link. Each lens has an optical axis which is positioned to receive light from the light source and focus the light into a light spot on the surface of the corresponding position detector. As the robot link is deformed so that the destination end is displaced and rotated relative to the source end, the light is transmitted away from the optical axis of each lens causing the light spot to be displaced along the surface of the respective position sensitive detector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for working one end of a steel pipe by externally upsetting the end in a first die set and sequentially shifting some of the upset internally by pressing in a second die with a reduced diameter mandrel to form a tapered internal shoulder in the pipe upset in only two passes.

Abstract: A pneumatic sit/stand device which is preferably used in assisting an invalid or physically disadvantaged person in rising from, or being seated in, a chair. The sit/stand device includes an inflatable bag having two or more cavities which inflate sequentially to help stabilize the person as he is raised from or lowered into a chair. Rear and side wall cavities inflate first to provide stabilization and push the person forward so that his feet contact the floor. A center cavity then inflates to lift and thrust the person into a standing position. The side walls help prevent the person from tilting or leaning from one side to another as air pressure equalizes the bag. The device can be used alone by the physically disadvantaged person or in conjunction with an attendant whose duty is to assist the person in sitting or standing.

Abstract: A portable time of flight mass spectrometer using plasma desorption sample ionization. The sample is deposited onto a sample surface by condensing a sample gas stream onto the surface. While the instrument is evacuated, the sample surface is cooled and a sample gas stream is injected into the instrument near the sample surface causing a portion of the gas stream to condense on the sample surface and the remainder to be removed by the evacuation pump. A mass spectrometer having a linear geometry is disclosed. A reflective geometry is also disclosed wherein the flight path length is maximized by placing the fission source between the sample surface and a single detector. A collector surface for receiving start signal-generating fission fragments is sized to insure equal collection of start signal fragments and sample ionizing fragments. An area on the sample surface which is occluded by the fission source is compensated for by appropriate sizing of the fission source and the collector surface.

Abstract: A signal analyzer generates a time varying spectrum for input signals characterized by frequency components which change in time. The signal analyzer includes a converter generating a sequence of digital signals representative of an input signal. The sequence of digital signals is supplied to a digital signal processor which computes orthogonal-like discrete Gabor transform coefficients C.sub.m,n in response to the sequence, and a time varying spectrum of the input signal energy in response to the coefficients. Finally, a data processor processes the spectrum for further analysis or display. One particular analysis step for which the time varying spectrum is useful is in partitioning the input signal into separate components. The orthogonal-like discrete Gabor transform coefficients are computed using a non-periodic, localized discrete window function h and a discrete auxiliary function .gamma., similar to h. The time varying spectrum is computed utilizing a cross-term deleted Wigner-Ville distribution.