Abstract: The present invention comprises tunable optical wavelength filters and multi-level optical integrated circuits which use resonant optical cavities in a vertical arrangement with input and output waveguides. The resonant optical cavities are vertically separated from the input and output waveguides by a material or region of lower refeactive index. The vertical arrangement allows accurate control over the gap size between the waveguides and the cavities during manufacture. The present invention also enables the use of electrodes for enhancing tuning characteristics and for multiple tunable optical wavelength filters to be created in vertical alignment with one another by placing two resonant optical cavities and their respective input and output waveguides in vertical alignment with a low refractive index buffer between the multiple tunable optical wavelength filters.

Abstract: A plastic disruption and homogenization device. The device has rotor that is axially disposed within a stator. The stator and the rotor have several teeth to aid the disruption and homogenization process. The device consists of plastic material that allows the rotor to rotate smoothly without the use of bearings.

Abstract: A sheet having a first face panel and a second backing panel that form a generally flat pocket for receiving a card with information related to an object, and having a third panel for mounting to a shelf. First and second apertures are defined through the first and second panels in alignment, and a fastener extends through the first and second apertures. The fastener extends through an aperture in the object to secure and suspend the object from the display, and the fastener extends through an aperture in the card to secure the card in the pocket.

Abstract: A steerable catheter having a shaft with one or more internal stiffeners coextruded within the shaft along a portion of its length. The internal stiffeners have a higher or lower hardness than the body of the catheter shaft. The overall stiffness of the shaft varies along its length for improved steerability.

Abstract: Method for preparing biocidal halogenated polystyrene hydantoins. The biocidal polymers poly-1,3-dichloro-5-methyl-5-(4?-vinylphenyl)hydantoin, poly-1,3-dibromo-5-methyl-5-(4?-vinylphenyl)hydantoin, and their monohalogenated alkali metal salts and protonated derivatives have been prepared as porous beads by use of highly crosslinked polystyrene beads as starting materials. The porous beads will be useful in water and air disinfection applications when employed in cartridge filters and carafes (for water), as well as for controlling noxious odor when mixed with absorbent materials in items such as disposable diapers, incontinence pads, bandages, sanitary napkins, pantiliners, mattress covers, shoe inserts, sponges, animal litter, carpets, fabrics, and air filters or the like.

Abstract: A method of rendering screen of a computer display device under conditions requiring frequent repainting of the screen is disclosed. The display is a part of a computer system running an application under control of an operating system. The application detects the onset of conditions requiring frequent repainting of the screen by checking messages sent by the operating system to the application's message queue. The application then starts the repainting of the screen based on the information retrieved from the queue while checking periodically the message queue to see if the originally detected conditions still apply. If this is the case, the application terminates the original repainting operation and starts a new repainting operation based on the updated information retrieved from the message queue. This cycle is repeated until it is determined that the originally detected conditions no longer apply, in which case a final complete repaint of the screen takes place.

Abstract: A weight-sensitive mat or other sensor determines whether a child seat in a vehicle is occupied, a transmitter is proximate to the sensor, and a keychain fob or other portable unit includes a receiver and an alarm. Generally, if the child seat is occupied and the keychain fob is removed from proximity to the transmitter, the transmitter communicates this to the keychain fob receiver and the alarm is activated. Exemplary embodiments include an add-on kit including a base unit with a transceiver for use with existing car seats having a base and a detachable shell, an add-on kit without the base unit for use with existing unitary car seats, and a car seat with the child sensor, transmitter, and/or base unit built into it.

Abstract: A material to reduce the effects of trauma received from the impact of a projectile. One embodiment is a needle-punched, non-woven material including at least one type of ballistic fibers selected and oriented to provide a cushioning effect and maintain a high compressive restitution constant. A percentage of the fibers are oriented with at least their ends lying approximately perpendicular to the fabric plane and/or oriented to lie in a waveform generally along or parallel to the fabric plane. This enables the ends of the fibers lying perpendicular to the fabric plane to cushion the impact from the projectile by dissipating energy through compressional resistance, and the fibers along the fabric plane to reduce energy through dispersal along fiber lines, thereby reducing the trauma resulting from an impact.

Abstract: A frame (12) with a charging chamber (14) for receiving a load of waste material, a platen (20) that moves in the charging chamber to compact the material load, and one or more wheels (44) rotatably coupled to the platen. The charging chamber (14) has a floor (34), the platen (20) has a bottom (32) that slidably contacts the floor and supports enough of the weight of the platen on the floor that none or little of the material can pass under the platen, and the wheels (44) support a substantial portion of the weight of the platen on the floor to mitigate sliding friction. The wheels (44) are made of a resilient material and deform from an unloaded state to a loaded state when supporting the substantial portion of the weight of the platen (20).

Abstract: The present invention enables the usable bandwidth of an optical fiber transmission link to be increased. The transmission fiber of the link with a is coupled with a dispersion compensation fiber (DCF+) that has a positive dispersion and a dispersion slope such that the relative dispersion slope (RDS) of the DCF+ is lower than the RDS of the transmission fiber. Because the RDS of the DCF+ is lower than the RDS of the transmission fiber, the RDS of the combination of the transmission fiber and the DCF+ below the RDS of the transmission fiber. When the DCF+ is combined with a DCF having a negative dispersion (DCF−), the transmission link is dispersion compensated by DCF− and the usable bandwidth of the optical fiber transmission link is increased compared to the compensation of the transmission fiber by a single DCF−.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for arranging at least two sheets in a shingled mode of arrangement, wherein a first sheet is moved in a paper travelling direction, and a second sheet is simultaneously moved in a direction at an angle relative to the paper travelling direction in such a way that the at least two sheets are slid one on top of the other. Alternatively, the first and the second sheet are moved in a first and in a second direction at respective different angles relative to a paper travelling direction. Another alternative is to move the two sheets in a first and in a second direction at different speeds but at identical angles relative to the paper travelling direction.

Abstract: A display device including a plurality of display panels, at least one of the panels having a dimension differing in at least one aspect from a corresponding dimension of another panel. The invention also includes sets of display panels for use with such a display device, and related display methods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for active boundary layer control on an aerodynamic surface. One or more piezoelectric synthetic jet actuators operate as a boundary layer pump to ingest fluid along the surface of an aerodynamic object and discharge fluid tangentially to the fluid flow along the surface and/or at the trailing edge of the object to reduce drag and delay stall.

Abstract: A chamber having an inlet for receiving polluted storm-water runoff and an outlet for the storm water to flow out. Within the chamber are a screen, one or more baffles, a collection reservoir, and a pivotal filter. The screen is elevated for separating and suspending miscellaneous debris such as vegetative matter, paper, and plastic. The baffles increase storm-water residence time to encourage settling of particulate matter such as sand and grit. The collection reservoir has an adjustable weir for skimming off floating matter such as motor oil, other hydrocarbons, and detergents. And the pivotal filter catches clay during typical storm flows and pivots out of the way during higher flows. In addition, a method for maintaining the pollution trap includes removing the screen for cleaning, suctioning out the particulate matter and oil, and replacing the pivotal filter member.

Abstract: A digital demodulator which coherently demodulates a low-IF or zero-IF complex signal using a complex-valued phase-locked loop (CPPL). The CPPL includes a numerical controlled oscillator, four multipliers and two combiners to provide independent phase/frequency and amplitude outputs. The CPLL exhibits in first order PLL dynamics without a loop filter in the feedback loop to the NCO. However a filter with one or more poles may be included in the feedback circuit to exhibit 2nd or higher order PLL dynamics. The CPLL allows coherent demodulation of extremely low FM modulation indexes whereby the incoming frequency drift may be larger than the frequency deviation. It can also be used to coherently demodulate signals which have combined amplitude and phase characteristics.

Abstract: A heating system for warming and drying the grip of a golf club includes an electric heating element and a first electrical connector for the grip, and a second electrical connector and a power supply for the golf bag. The first electrical connector and the second electrical connector electrically engage when the golf club is inserted into the golf bag, thereby energizing the electric heating element.

Abstract: Natural, biodegradable compositions are described as well as methods for their manufacture. Fishing lures and other items made of the biodegradable materials disintegrate over time in fresh or salt water to reduce pollution. The materials are digestable by fish and other aquatic animals, reducing potential harm to the animal from ingesting a fishing lure or other item made from the natural biodegradable materials disclosed. Because the material is digestable, it can also be used as a food source or supplement for fish and aquatic animals.