Abstract: A custom wheel assembly that reduces and/or eliminates vibration of vehicles that utilize custom wheels. This is accomplished through the use of a hub ring that is placed over the center hub of a wheel hub, but behind the wheel. This renders the wheel hub-centric to reduce and/or eliminate the vibration. The hub ring is held in place by a center cap that fits over the center hub and attaches to the hub ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for implementing magnetostrictive sensor techniques for the nondestructive short term inspection or long term monitoring of a structure. A plurality of magnetostrictive sensors are arranged in parallel on the structure and includes (a) a thin ferromagnetic strip that has residual magnetization, (b) that is coupled to the structure with a couplant, and (c) a coil located adjacent the thin ferromagnetic strip. By a transmitting coil, guided waves are generated in a transmitting strip and coupled to the structure and propagate along the length of the structure. For detection, the reflected guided waves in the structure are coupled to a receiving strip and are detected by a receiving magnetostrictive coil. Reflected guided waves may represent defects in the structure.

Abstract: A test administration center is provided at which a plurality of balance diagnostic tests are administered on a patient. A test evaluation center, located remotely from the test administration center, is provided at which diagnostic data is evaluated by a skilled clinician. A computer network links, and transfers data from, the test administration center to both the test evaluation center, where the data is evaluated, and to a patient database, where the data is stored.

Abstract: This apparatus is an add-on computer component peripheral for existing computer systems. The mouse/keyboard capture recorder (MCR) is capable of recording keyboard keystrokes, mouse coordinate movements, and mouse actions such as left, middle and right mouse clicks and/or mouse drag movements. The MCR has external cables that connect inline to a host computer's external keyboard and mouse without modification on the host computer system and its peripherals. The MCR apparatus operates independently of the hardware and software that is installed on a host computer system. A microprocessor monitors and controls all operations and stores mouse actions and keyboard actions in non-volatile memory during the MCR's record mode. In the MCR play mode, the apparatus will transmit the stored keyboard/mouse data by sending electrical signals representing the stored data to a host computer system via the mouse port and the keyboard port.

Abstract: At least two separate fuels, having different volatility characteristics, are used to control the combustion phasing in a compression ignition engine. Desirably, the separate fuels are produced by distillation by which a parent fuel is separated into separate fractions having different reactivity. The provision multiple fuels by distillation and the control method embodying the present invention are particularly useful in controlling the combustion phasing of homogenous charge compression ignition combustion processes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the propensity of fuel materials to leave deposits in compression ignition engines is disclosed. The apparatus consists of a closed chamber fitted with conduits to supply fuel composition, air, and other test fluids to its interior, and arranged to contain or substantially contain a substrate. Substrate is placed in the chamber to provide interaction between a fluid passing through and the substrate. Substrate may be a monolithic machined element or a collection of discrete bodies. The chamber conduits are connected to at least two metering devices, one controlling fuel and one air flow, whereby the substrate is exposed to measured quantities of fuel compositions and air. Heating devices are in thermal communication with the substrate and the source of air provided to the chamber, thus providing a method of controlling the temperature of the substrate and air flowing through the chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for implementing magnetostrictive sensor techniques for the nondestructive evaluation of plate type structures such as walls, vessels, enclosures, and the like. The system includes magnetostrictive sensors specifically designed for application in conjunction with plate type structures or pipes that generate guided waves in the plates or pipes which travel therethrough in a direction parallel to the surface of the plate or pipe. Similarly structured sensors are positioned to detect the guided waves (both incident and reflected) and generate signals representative of the characteristics of the guided waves detected that are reflected from anomalies in the structure such as corrosion pits and cracks. The sensor structure is longitudinal in nature and generates a guided wave having a wavefront parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sensor, and which propagates in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sensor.

Abstract: A weep hole insect barrier is provided for existing and new construction that prevents insects from crawling into cavity walls in a typical house through weep holes. For existing construction, the insect barrier has a flap hinged to a frame. The frame is then secured to the outside of an existing weep hole. The flap contains a screen which prevents insects from crawling in while allowing moisture to escape from the cavity walls. For new construction, the insect barrier also has a flap hinged to a frame, but the frame has two portions, a first portion containing having a flap and a second portion containing a fixed screen. In this embodiment the frame can be secured within the weep hole.

Abstract: A feedstock for feeding to animals is disclosed. The feedstock contains a mixture of feed for animals and shredded tires. Also disclosed is a method of using the feedstock to improve digestive efficiency and control harmful and toxic plants.

Abstract: An electronic circuit is shown to initiate and sustain conduction in a gaseous discharge light. A breakover device and snubber network, isolation network, and self-adjusting symmetrical high voltage pulse generator are incorporated into a standard gaseous discharge light assembly typically composed of a power source, gaseous discharge lamp ballast apparatus, and gaseous discharge lamp. The electronic circuit is used (1) for initiating and sustaining conduction of electrical current through gaseous discharge lamps, (2) to provide active suppression of transient voltages both within and external to the gaseous discharge lighting apparatus, and (3) to provide significant attenuation of the propagation of undesirable conducted and radiated radio frequency interference from the gaseous discharge lamp and the overall associated ballast apparatus.

Abstract: Specially designed non-mammalian GnRH analog decapeptides resistant to degradation by the placental enzyme, C-ase-1, or a post-proline peptidase, are disclosed. The GnRH analogs are further defined as analogs of Chicken II GnRH or Salmon GnRH. These non-mammalian analogs incorporate D-arginine, D-leucine, D-tBu-Serine or D-Trp at position 6 and ethylamide or aza-Gly-amide at position 10. The D-Arg (6)-Chicken II GnRH-ethylamide, D-Arg (6)-Chicken II GnRH-aza-Gly (10)-amide, the D-Arg (6)-Salmon GnRH ethylamide, and D-Arg (6)-Salmon GnRH-aza-Gly (10)-amide analogs are also provided, and demonstrate preferential binding to chorionic GnRH receptor that is greater relative to the biding of these analogs to pituitary GnRH receptor. These non-mammalian GnRH analogs may be used in pharmaceutical preparation, and specifically in various treatment methods as a contraceptive or post-coital contraceptive agent.

Abstract: A circular saw head for use as a boom mounted head attachment is disclosed for agricultural trimming. The blades can cut as much as four inches of material. An adjustable head piece is provided that is also reversible allowing for exposure of more or less of the blades. Safety aprons are provided to deflect cut material away from the operator.

Abstract: A sickle cutting system of the type used in mowers, other harvesting machines and the like. A sickle is shown consisting of 1¾ to 2¼ inch knife sections, a knifeback bar, a plurality of sickle guards with fingers spaced to match the knife sections. The knife and sickle guard fingers may be of any number. The sickle cutting system provides a cutting surface for the sickle, adjustable hold-down clips that hold the knife sections down to the cutting surface. The clips also provide a rear wear bar for the sickle. A driving mechanism is provided with a stroke complimentary to the spacing of the knife sections. The driving mechanism may be a wobble joint, a pitman type, or other device which can convert rotary motion to reciprocating motion. The sickle is driven at a speed of between 2200 to 2700, and ideally at approximately 2475 strokes per minute.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a rotary combustion motor and method of operation. The rotary combustion engine has dual rotors that are driven by timed combustions of fuel in a large combustion chamber and a small combustion chamber. Intake valving is also provided by dual intake rotors, each of which provide a time delivery of fuel to the large combustion chamber and the small combustion chamber. Gears control the timing between each of the rotors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for implementing magnetostrictive sensor techniques for the nondestructive evaluation of plate type structures such as walls, vessels, enclosures, and the like. The system includes magnetostrictive sensors specifically designed for application in conjunction with plate type structures or pipes that generate guided waves in the plates or pipes which travel threrethrough in a direction parallel to the surface of the plate or pipe. Similarly structured sensors are positioned to detect the guided waves (both incident and reflected) and generate signals representative of the characteristics of the guided waves detected that are reflected from anomalies in the structure such as corrosion pits and cracks. The sensor structure is longitudinal in nature and generates a guided wave having a wavefront parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sensor, and which propagates in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sensor.

Abstract: A bi-directional power converter apparatus and method of conversion is disclosed which comprises three active elements (output, primary, and auxiliary switches) and two passive components (primary and auxiliary energy storage elements) coupled so as to enable operation in any one of several different power conversion modes, including: a Non-Assisted Generation mode, a Super-Assisted Generation mode, a Super-Assisted Regeneration mode, an Auxiliary Generation mode, and an Output Regeneration mode. The individual components operate in a synergistic fashion to enable the free, bi-directional, transfer of power from primary and auxiliary energy sources to a load, and from the load to the primary and auxiliary energy sources. Further, the invention operates in such a way as to dramatically reduce the effective boost/buck ratios required for low voltage energy sources connected to a high voltage output power bus.

Abstract: A direction-finding antenna constructed from polymer composite materials which are electrically conductive is shown with the polymer composite materials replacing traditional metal materials. An inherent advantage of replacing metal materials is significantly lower radar reflectivity (radar cross section) and lower weight. The reduced radar reflectivity reduces the range of detectability of the antenna by possible adversaries. Despite significantly lower radar reflectivity, the antenna assembly has direction-finding characteristics which are essentially equivalent to traditional metal antennas.

Abstract: The present invention is a motorcycle suspension fork that combines a presently available conventional suspension with a presently available inverted suspension. The suspension of the present invention has two telescoping segments, with each segment capable of moving independently from the other. This design allows one segment to compress to absorb a shock while allowing the other segment to expand in preparation of absorbing another shock, thus allowing better shock absorption and a more comfortable ride.