Abstract: The invention provides generally a new type of organic electrochromic Near Infrared (NIR)-active materials capable of absorbing and attenuating the light in the NIR region around 1550 nm and forming thin films on electrodes for variable optical attenuator (VOA) applications. They have utility in planar VOA devices. The materials are ruthenium complexes. Unsymmetrical complexes having two different substituents are disclosed, where one substituent is more electron-donating than the other. Complexes which are dimers or trimers (symmetrical or unsymmetrical) are disclosed, as are polymeric complexes. Crosslinked polymeric complex films are also disclosed.

Abstract: For an asynchronous memory control system, a system and method of interfacing the system with a synchronous memory device is provided. A first set of signals indicating an asynchronous memory operation from the control system and a first memory address associated with the asynchronous memory operation from the control system are received. Next, a second set of signals, a second memory address and at least one asynchronous clock pulse are generated, wherein the generated signals allowing processing of a comparable synchronous operation to the asynchronous operation by the synchronous memory device at the second memory address. The second set of signals and initiation, duration and frequency of the asynchronous clock pulse comply with requirements of the synchronous memory device to process the synchronous operation.

Abstract: Discloses sheet of printable media, such as paper, of a special format for printing, preferably by computer, images (such as charts) which are too large to fit on conventional sized sheets of printed paper, and a method for printing such images. The images are printed in sections onto standard sized paper sheets segmented into a retained portion and a removable portion with a glue strip along one side of the retained portion. The sections of the image are printed on the sheet to predetermined margins extending parallel to the sheet edges. The printing may include inconspicuous marks along a registration boundary to facilitate registration of a pair of sheets. The removable portion is separated from the sheet along a segmentation line that coextends with a registration boundary and two sheets with adjacent portions of an image are overlapped until their portions of the image are in register to present a continuous image without gap or overlap.

Abstract: For storage of natural gas at pressures over 1,000 psia, it is advantageous to add to natural gas an additive which is a C2 or C3 hydrocarbon compound, or a mixture of such hydrocarbon compounds. Above a lower limit (which varies with the additive being added and the pressure), there is a decrease in the amount of power needed to compress the mixture. For storage or pipeline transportation of natural gas at pressures over 800 psia, it is advantageous to add ammonia to the natural gas, in an amount such that the ammonia does not create a liquid phase at the temperature and pressure used. The ammonia-natural gas mixture can be compressed or pumped with a lower energy expenditure than would be needed for an equivalent volume of natural gas alone. When more than 4% by volume of ammonia is present, the pumping through pipelines is also aided by the refrigerant effect of the ammonia, which reduces the temperature of the gas being transported.

Abstract: At pressures over 1,000 psia, it is advantageous to add to natural gas an additive which is a C2 or C3 hydrocarbon compound or a mixture of such compounds. Above a lower limit (which varies with the additive being added and the pressure), this results in a decrease in the amount of power needed to pump the mixture or to compress it.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting failure of tensioned reinforcements in a structure by means of a plurality of acoustic or seismic detectors disposed about the structure in a known arrangement, processing signals from the detectors to determine frequency contents and origins, and identifying simultaneous signals as due to the failure of tensioned reinforcements in the structure when they meet spectral and origin criteria.

Abstract: A concrete form system is disclosed, together with a method of assembling it and particular ties useful with it. The system has a concrete form with two opposed walls and a cavity between to be filled with concrete. One wall is made of conventional wood or metal panels. The other wall is made of foam panels. Vertical joins between plywood or metal panels are directly opposite vertical joins between foam panels. The system provides ties to join the two walls and brackets or retaining members to spread the forces on the ties so they do not pull out of the foam wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the transmission and conduct of a bingo game at more than one site, through the use of a private wide area network ("WAN"), on which participants are qualified and controlled. Each site has a PC computer, with peripheral equipment, which communicates on a WAN. This is done by the present invention with considerably less hardware setup cost at each location, and with a lower operating cost, than is found in the prior art. Access to the present invention is more easily controlled than under the video broadcast prior art, and unauthorized participants may be more easily excluded from participation.

Abstract: A removable handle for use with large soft drink bottles compressibly engages the circumference of the body of the bottle. The handle has a resilient, expandable bottle surrounding sleeve to engage the bottle with a hand grip extending outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting failure of tensioned reinforcements in a structure by means of a plurality of acoustic or seismic detectors disposed about the structure in a known arrangement, processing signals from the detectors to determine frequency contents and origins, and identifying simultaneous signals as due to the failure of tensioned reinforcements in the structure when they meet spectral and origin criteria.

Abstract: An underwater gamma radiation survey probe adapted to be towed by a tow cable along the bottom of a body of water. The probe comprises a tubular shell with a nose cone having a waterproof connector for the tow cable. The nose cone closes one end of the tubular shell in a waterproof manner and an end plug closes the other end of the tubular shell in a waterproof manner. At least one weight of high density material is located in a lower half of the shell with that weight containing a cavity having an opening which faces the tubular shell. The weight maintains the orientation of the probe such that the opening faces downwards and a radiation detector in the cavity can detect radiation from the bottom surface.

Abstract: An ion trap for an electron beam generator consists of at least two electrically conductive elements which are in the form of a sector of a cylinder the elements being spaced apart from each other and together form a cylindrical form. Each element has end plates and a number of fins extending inwardly to the center of the cylindrical form. A recess in the form of a sector of a circle is located in each end plate and each fin adjacent to the center of the cylindrical form. These recesses form a central bore through which an electron beam from an electron gun travels, the electron beam and central bore being essentially of the same diameter. Each elements is attached to an outer envelope by an insulating element and a conductive lead is electrically connected to each element to maintain that element at a predetermined potential which deflects positive ions travelling along the beam path.