Abstract: The present invention provides a dynamic interface between two dissimilar software programs that must communicate with each, whether running on one or a plurality of computers. The invention can provide bi-directional, non-intrusive data manipulation and communications between software programs on a distributed computing platform or across platforms on a distributed network. The invention includes user-defined template files, a user-defined equality file, first and second blocks of shared memory, a master interface, and a slave interface. The template files define the output and input data of their respective programs and map the output and input data to blocks of memory. The equality file equates the input data and output data of one program with the output data and input data, respectively, of the other computer program.

Abstract: A plastic container comprises a lower base-forming portion that includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, generally spherically-shaped segments and a plurality of intervening, circumferentially-spaced, totally convex, hollow foot-forming portions that extend radially from the central bottom portion and downwardly from the spherically-shaped segments to form a clearance for the central bottom portion. The clearance-forming portion of each foot-forming bottom portion includes a compound curved offset formed with opposing radii of curvature of a substantial fraction of an inch, the compound curved offset curving downwardly and outwardly about a center of curvature below the bottom-forming portion before curving about a center of curvature above the bottom-forming portion.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator employs substantially adiabatic hydrolysis and thermal decomposition of chemical hydrides to provide a controllable generation of hydrogen from a small, lightweight container. The hydrogen generator includes a thermally isolated container for containing a chemical hydride, a preheater to heat the chemical hydride to a predetermined temperature before the chemical hydride is hydrolyzed, a water supply controlled to maintain substantially adiabatic and controlled generation of hydrogen from said chemical hydride, and a buffer to supply an initial flow of hydrogen during generator start-up, absorb excess hydrogen during generator shut-down, and to smooth the hydrogen flow due to changing loads.

Abstract: Apparatus (110, 180, 270, 330, or 360) either reforms a circumferential part (86) of a container body (11) radially outward to form a container body (64), or reforms a plurality of circumferentially-spaced parts (74) of the bottom recess portion (25) of a container body (11) radially outward to form a container body (62). The apparatus (110, 180, 270, 330, or 360) includes a body (158, 230, 288, 332, or 365) and has a tooling element attached thereto which may be a roller (172, 246, 302, or 350) or a swaging element (392). Means is included for providing relative transverse movement between the container body (11) and the tooling element (172, 246, 302, 346, or 392). Means (160, 222, 296, or 332) is provided for providing relative rotary movement between the container body (11) and the tooling element (172, 246, 302, or 346) in all embodiments except the apparatus (360) in which the bottom recess portion (25) is swaged.

Abstract: An antenna structure is provided having one or more spiral antenna arms extending outwardly from a lateral center axis. Each arm is defined by an antenna element disposed in a zig-zag configuration to provide reactive loading to the arm, wherein each arm receives or transmits radio frequency waves about a longitudinal center axis of the arm and the zig-zag element configuration. Thus, the antenna structure has a broader bandwidth than other antennas requiring the same amount of space. The antenna structure also has a substantially omni-directional radiation pattern and a low profile. Each antenna element can be metallisation disposed on a support structure or can be one or more cable conductors. A feed means is provided which can be connected to the elements proximate to the lateral center axis and positioned along or coincident with the longitudinal center axis of one arm or can be connected to one of the elements distal to the lateral center axis.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing multiple necking operations, such as by utilizing a plurality of die necking stations. In one aspect of the present invention a plurality of venting port(s) are incorporated on a necking assembly which performs a necking operation on a necked container body. In another aspect of the present invention the container body is centered with respect to a necking assembly which produces a double-neck container body configuration.

Abstract: A conformal switched beam array antenna (10) is provided which includes a plurality of antenna elements (14) that are mounted onto a curved (16) or a planar surface (28) and that are arranged into a plurality of arrays (22). The antenna elements (14) in each array (22) are arranged in a hexagonal array with one antenna element (14) in the center of each hexagonal array space. A plurality of multiple-throw switches (34), a RF power divider or power combiner (42), and a digital programmer (46) cooperate to select antenna elements (14) in the direction of a given target, and also cooperate to reduce the required number of phase shifters (40) and amplifiers (38 or 58) to a fraction of the total number of antenna elements (14).

Abstract: The method for necking a metal container body comprises the steps of reducing a first portion of the sidewall of the container body to a first necked diameter, applying force to create tension in at least a portion of a second portion of the sidewall, and further reducing the first portion of the container body to a second necked diameter, during at least a portion of the applying step, by effecting relative motion between the container body and an external forming member. The step of applying a force to create tension in the sidewall may comprise radially displacing at least part of the shoulder portion outwardly away from the central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A microstrip antenna structure comprising a radiator layer that includes a substrate layer and a radiator patch that is disposed on one surface of the substrate layer; a ground plane; and support elements, formed as an integral part of either the radiator layer or the ground plane, for maintaining a dielectric space between the radiator patch and the ground plane that includes an air gap of predetermined thickness between the substrate layer and the ground plane. The present invention also includes a method for constructing such a microstrip antenna structure.

Abstract: A raised patch antenna is disclosed which includes a base having a ground plane, a plurality of leg supports interconnected to and extending upwardly to the base, a raised patch antenna element supportedly interconnected to the leg supports and positioned over the ground plane and an RF feed comprising a feed-leg portion provided on the leg supports and a feed base portion provided as a part of the base. The RF feed includes impedance matching components for matching the impedance of the feed base portion with the impedance with the raised patch antenna element in series with the feed-leg portion. The feed-leg portion comprises at least a first pair of balanced feed-leg lines interconnected to opposing sides of the raised patch antenna element. Baluns can be provided in said feed base portion for balancing.

Abstract: A multiple spectral imager includes three modular imaging spectrometers, each having a respective collimator, dispersing element, and imaging system. Each collimator includes a pair of parabolic reflectors having a common focal point and an elongated slit positioned at the focal point, and each collimator defines a pupil near the respective dispersing element. The dispersing elements disperse light from various positions along the slit of the collimator into the respective imaging system, and each of the imaging systems includes an array detector that intercepts the dispersed light from the respective dispersing element and registers spectral information in a first direction and spatial information in a second direction. The spectrometers are stacked adjacent to one another, and light from a single directing mirror enters the collimators of all three of the spectrometers. The three array detectors are each responsive to a separate respective spectral region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tuning a multi-radiating element embedded microstrip antenna is disclosed. In one embodiment, the lower resonant frequency of an antenna is tuned using trimmable tabs integral with an upper radiating element and/or scrapable recessed edges on the ground plane surrounding the upper element and/or trimmable tabs interconnected with the ground means and extending inwardly towards the upper element.

Abstract: A crossed-slot antenna having a reduced number of feed components to achieve circular polarization. The present invention provides a crossed-slot antenna capable of transceiving circularly polarized radiation and having a feed network comprising a ninety degree hybrid and at least one infinite balun. In one embodiment, a transmission line is used to feed a pair of antenna patch elements, one of which acts as a local ground plane for the microstrip line, thereby defining an infinite balun. The transmission line may comprise a microstrip line, the inner conductor of a coaxial cable, or a coplanar waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable communication system with functional components whose functions are not readily apparent to an observer. One embodiment of the system includes a carrying case in which the antenna portion of the communication system is concealed between the shell of the case and an inner liner; a reflector to protect the radio portion of the system from electromagnetic radiation and direct electromagnetic radiation to or from the antenna that is covered so that it simulates the appearance of the file folder portion of a briefcase; and a radio that is covered with a shell upon which are mounted the keyboard and CRT of an actual personal computer or a simulation thereof, so that when the case is open, it appears to contain a laptop computer.

Abstract: An optical interferometer system is described which precisely measures the angle of rotation of a mirrored surface about a desired axis of rotation without sensitivity to rotation of the surface about an axis perpendicular to the desired axis of measurement. Measurements of the angle or position of a surface are made without attaching any optical or other components to the surface. In operation, a laser beam is passed through a beam splitter which provides two secondary beams. Each of the beams is then passed through a respective optical assembly, each of which is essentially a mirror image of the other. Each of the optical assemblies comprises a unique combination and arrangement of optics which provides a folded optical path wherein the laser beam passes through the system optics and is reflected multiple times by the mirror being measured. Each of the beams then passes back through its respective optical section and is detected by optical means.

Abstract: A solid film lubricant having a certain degree of flexibility when cured to, for instance, enhance the wear life of the lubricant. In one embodiment, a composition of such a lubricant includes a dichalcogenide such as molybdenum disulfide and a chlorotrifluoroethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer binder. In addition, a silane curing agent may be utilized to react with the binder to improve the properties and/or performance characteristics of the lubricant.

Abstract: A charge transport apparatus for use in a signal information system (10) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a detector (18), having a number of radiation sensitive elements (24), for receiving a radiation signal (14) and generating electrical charge responsive to the received signal (14). The resulting charge is conveyed to a readout port area (32) by impressing a stepped potential gradient or a potential field with a varying sweep rate on the detector (18). The stepped potential gradient or variably swept potential field is communicated to the detector (18) via underlying tines (38).

Abstract: An efficient, lightweight, broadband antenna, having high quality circular polarization capabilities, is disclosed for use in a variety of applications. In one embodiment, signals are fed to, or received by, an array of electromagnetically coupled patch pairs arranged in sequential rotation by an interconnect network which is coplanar with the coupling patches of the patch pairs. The interconnect network includes phase transmission line means, the lengths of which are preselected to provide the desired phase shifting among the coupling patches. The complexity of the array and the space required are thus reduced. In one described embodiment, two such arrays are employed, each having four patch pairs. The two arrays are arranged in sequential rotation to provide normalization of the circularly polarized transmitted or received beam. In another embodiment, a lightweight material having a dielectric constant less than about 1.