Abstract: Described herein is a method of preparing a fluoropolymer composite tube comprising the steps of forming a fluoropolymer substrate, and thereafter layering and chemically bonding the fluoropolymer with a polymer layer, preferably a thermosetting or thermoplastic elastomer. The fluoropolymer substrate can be activated by subjecting the substrate to a charged gaseous atmosphere formed by electrically ionizing a gas which contacts the substrate. Thereafter, a layer of a thermosetting or thermplastic elastomer is applied to the activated fluoropolymer substrate resulting in a stronger chemical bond. The ionizing step can be described as a mixed gas plasma discharge or an electrically formed plasma. The thermosetting elastomer can, but does not have to contain a curing agent.

Abstract: A high-sensitivity sensor configuration improves upon airborne hyperspectral and multispectral sensing, particularly for thermal/infrared military target detection and/or identification. The invention combines dispersive spectrometer and filtered TDI detector techniques to provide improved NESR through increased dwell time, along with interband temporal simultaneity and spatial registration. Embodiments relating to hyperspectral, multispectral, and dual-band arrangements are disclosed.

Abstract: Improvements are provided for a dental air abrasive system of the type which utilizes a compressed gas or air which creates a gas stream. Abrasive particles are introduced into the gas stream and expelled out through one end of a nozzle whereupon the abrasive laden gas stream impinges upon the target, i.e. tooth amalgam, composites, stain and/or tooth dental filling materials. The improvements include the use of two or more hoppers each containing different sized abrasive particles, which are selectively fed, either together or independently of each other, into the gas stream. Different sized abrasive particles are provided in each hopper for cutting different types of tooth structures. Other improvements include the use of fluorescent and/or colored abrasive particles to facilitate the aiming process, a laser beam, strobe, white light or other illuminating sources for aiming the abrasive stream and/or illuminating the target area as well as a disposable nozzle for hygienic reasons.

Abstract: The present invention is a burglar alarm activated by the movement of an article to be secured. The burglar alarm comprises a housing, a movement-detecting transducer, electronics for processing a signal from the transducer, a battery and an alarm buzzer or radio transmitter. Elements for activating and deactivating the burglar alarm are also included. In the preferred embodiment, the detecting transducer comprises an acceleration transducer in the preferred embodiment. In particular, the present invention is characterized in that the alarm housing includes a hole for coupling the alarm to a bolt- or rod-shaped element which is included in an article to be secured. The activating and deactivating elements are associated with the hole so as to automatically activate the alarm to action readiness and forcibly maintain the alarm in action readiness when the bolt- or rod-shaped element of the article to be secured is in the hole.

Abstract: An electroerosian wire cutting machine with a stationary workpiece in which the machining heads with wire guides are operated by two cross-slide systems along two parallel planes on either side of the machining area with the workpiece placed and clamped on pillars that are stationary with respect to the main frame of the machine including a stand which supports the pillars and which is made up of vertical elements connected together to form a space open one face with a collector fitted in a hollow space set in the stand below the machining heads to collect used electrode wire and dielectric machining fluid.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a frame which supports a pair of foot links so that a first end of each foot link is pivotably coupled to the frame for motion about an arcuate path. A guide which is supported by the frame engages each foot link and directs a second end of each foot link along a closed, curved, generally teardrop shaped path of travel. This combination of motions defined by the foot link provides a natural running and stepping motion in which the heel of a user's foot initially rises faster than the toe as the foot begins to move forward and subsequently falls faster than the toe as the foot begins to move backward.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving control of pressurized fluid flow through bootstrap power steering systems are disclosed. In particular, the methods include differentially measuring control pressure across internal flow control orifices as directly as possible. Differential control pressure measurements are made between Kelvin supply, or return, pressure values and a control pressure port of a control valve. In addition, methods and apparatus for improved speed sensitive control of steering assist and/or driver selectable steering effort are also disclosed. One of the methods comprises an extension of the method of differentially measuring control pressure across the internal flow control orifices wherein a range of control pressures are enabled. In addition, a method of improving low speed tactile steering feel wherein an electronically variable orifice is activated in order to provide additional fluid flow thereby increasing "on-center" hydraulic pressure gain is disclosed.

Abstract: A mold and divider assembly for creating a solid surface countertop having an exterior edge according to different shapes and sizes. The mold includes a planar shaped surface which is bounded by a polygonal shaped body, at least one side of which has a raised and inwardly contoured mold defining edge. A first elongated dividing member equals a length of a first selected side of the mold and is placeable upon the planar surface so as to be movable in directions towards and away from the first selected side. A second elongated dividing member extends between the first dividing member and a second selected side of the mold so that the dividing members define in combination a subset area of the mold for receiving a resinous material pour. The second dividing member may be providing in differing lengths as a kit for producing an assortment of countertops according to differing dimensions. The mold may further be provided in a generally L-shape or rectangular shape.

Abstract: An injection molding process for the manufacture of composite, molded, thermoplastic articles comprising an insert member contiguous with a second body of molded thermoplastic material, is carried out in a mold assembly comprising a core member and a cavity member engageable therewith. The core and cavity members cooperate to define a first molding station having a first cavity for molding an insert member, and a second molding station which is configured to receive and support an insert member therein, and to provide a second molding cavity contiguous with the insert member for molding a thermoplastic body contiguous with the insert. At the start of the process, an insert is supported in the second station, and thermoplastic materials are injected into the molding cavities in the first and second stations so as to mold an insert and a completed, composite member.

Abstract: Force feedback in large, immersive environments is provided by device which a gyro- stabilization to generate a fixed point of leverage for the requisite forces and/or torques. In one embodiment, one or more orthogonally oriented rotating gyroscopes are used to provide a stable platform to which a force-reflecting device can be mounted, thereby coupling reaction forces to a user without the need for connection to a fixed frame. In one physical realization, a rigid handle or joystick is directly connected to the three-axis stabilized platform and using an inventive control scheme to modulate motor torques so that only the desired forces are felt. In an alternative embodiment, a reaction sphere is used to produce the requisite inertial stabilization. Since the sphere is capable of providing controlled torques about three arbitrary, linearly independent axes, it can be used in place of three reaction wheels to provide three-axis stabilization for a variety of space-based and terrestrial applications.

Abstract: Improvements are provided for a dental air abrasive system of the type which utilizes a compressed gas or air which creates a gas stream. Abrasive particles are introduced into the gas stream and expelled out through one end of a nozzle whereupon the abrasive laden gas stream impinges upon the target, i.e. tooth amalgam, composites, stain and/or tooth dental filling materials. The improvements include the use of two or more hoppers each containing different sized abrasive particles, which are selectively fed, either together or independently of each other, into the gas stream. Different sized abrasive particles are provided in each hopper for cutting different types of tooth structures. Other improvements include the use of fluorescent and/or colored abrasive particles to facilitate the aiming process, a laser beam, strobe, white light or other illuminating means for aiming the abrasive stream and/or illuminating the target area as well as a disposable nozzle for hygienic reasons.

Abstract: The present invention is an aquatic exercise and therapeutic system comprising a plurality of aquatic exercise devices arranged about a central controller which permits adjustment of the water level and water temperature within each exercise device. Sensors which detect water level and temperature may be disposed in each exercise device to electrically communicate with the central controller. Individual controllers may also be provided on each exercise device so that the water level and temperature may be controlled by the user. The exercise devices are preferably arranged so that the longitudinal axis of each device extends radially outwardly from a center point where the water source, the central controller, and the means for heating the water are positioned. Each exercise device comprises a tank having an inner chamber. At the rearward end of the inner chamber, the wall is configured to form a seat suitable for positioning a user within the tank.

Abstract: Refrigerated storage apparatus is primarily intended for storing product which can be removed without significant loss of cold air and is suitable for vertical, upright cabinets. The apparatus has a main access door extending vertically and moveable about a vertical axis. Access openings are provided, usually in the door to gain access to products within the storage compartment, the openings being of relatively small size. The compartment houses storage means for product and there may be storage means for each kind of product. Closure means seal off each access opening.

Abstract: A controlled release capsule comprises a male plug (2) formed of a water-swellable hydrogel which is engaged with a neck portion (4) of a female body (6). The capsule is intended to deliver two dosages of pharmaceutically active material at different times. A water soluble cap (8) is fitted over mouth (14) of the body, and defines a first volume (9) containing a first unit dosage (10). A second unit dosage (12) is contained within a second volume (11) defined by the plug and the female body. When the capsule is swallowed by a patient, the cap dissolves quickly in the aqueous medium within the gastro-intestinal tract and releases the first dosage. The aqueous medium then comes into contact with the hydrogel plug which swells and becomes disengaged from the body, usually in the intestine, thereby releasing the second dosage a predetermined time after the first dosage.

Abstract: A system for establishing and terminating the flow of electrical current through a circuit which includes a fuse puller which engages and retains a standard plug-in fuse element. The system also includes a housing which supports the fuse puller and associated fuse in a first, raised position which separates the fuse from its corresponding contact terminals, and a second, lowered position in which the fuse contacts the terminals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming books comprising pages of coated paper interspersed with pages of newsprint paper. The book is formed by providing a moving web of coated paper, providing a plurality of moving webs of newsprint paper, printing the moving web of coated paper with inks of a plurality of colors including printing within identified coupon areas, selectively perforating the moving web of coated paper around the printed coupon areas, subjecting the moving web of coated paper to a heatset operation to set the inks on the web, printing the moving webs of newsprint paper with at least one color ink, and associating the moving webs of coated paper and newsprint paper in a pasting, folding, and cutting operation to form a plurality of books each comprising a plurality of pages of coated paper interspersed with a plurality of pages of newsprint paper and adhesively bound together along one longitudinal edge of the book and each including detachable coupons on at least some of the coated paper pages.

Abstract: A wooden tube made up of tubular layers of wood veneer and the method of making it in which the various tubular layers are made from flat sheets of wood veneer having the grain in one layer extending longitudinally and the grain in an adjacent layer extending circumferentially of the tube so that the grain in adjacent layers extend transversely of each other with all joints extending in the direction of the wood grain being edge to edge butt joints and all joints extending transversely to the wood grain being interlocking finger joints and with adjoining tubular layers being bonded to each other to form a unitary tube.

Abstract: To initialize a remote control device for use in a particular installation, initialization parameters are entered relating to the relationship between user input codes and equipment to be controlled. In the preferred embodiment involving video recorder equipment, the initialization procedure concerns the video channels available to the recorder and remote control codes associated with the operation of the recorder using a receive-only modem on the device attached to a phone jack, initialization is performed by dialing up a remote location with a touch tone phone. At the remote end a computer sends selected audio response signals to the telephone receiver requesting that the user key in information using the touch tone pad. The computer then transmits the appropriate signals to the memory of the remote device to initialize it.

Abstract: A photo mask or other phototool is directly prepared by the imagewise illumination of an azo dye with a high intensity source of illumination so as to cause the removal of the dye from the imaging medium. Illumination is preferably carried out with a laser light source having an output at a wavelength of less than 530 nanometers and an energy density of at least 100 mj per centimeter squared. Disclosed are some specifically preferred azo dyes.

Abstract: A cavity resonator is disclosed for use in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) systems. The resonator has a housing defining a cavity having a selected length and cross-sectional shape. A layer of electrically conductive material is provided around at least a portion of the housing enclosing a dielectric material (air, gasses, teflon, etc.) and the cavity is energized at a Larmor radio frequency useful for NMR systems. The cavity, i.e. a volume enclosed by conductive walls, furthermore, is dimensioned to resonate at the selected radio frequency to thereby generate an alternating magnetic field through the cavity. An opening in the housing is adapted to be placed adjacent an object to be analyzed.