Abstract: An adaptive processing method of and system for clutter rejection in a phased array beam pattern. The amplitude distribution of the transmit elements of a two-dimensional phased array is determined. A desired pattern with low side lobes for a linear array is synthesized. The amplitude distribution of the transmit elements of the two-dimensional phased array is compared with the synthesized pattern. Select elements of the two-dimensional array are disabled to best fit the determined amplitude distribution of the transmit elements of the two-dimensional phased array to the synthesized beam pattern. Phase only pattern synthesis is performed to produce a desired two-dimensional beam pattern with low side lobes to minimize any best fit errors.

Abstract: A patient hydration system with an infusion subsystem which infuses fluid into a patient and a urine output measurement subsystem for measuring the amount of urine output by the patient. A controller is configured to control the infusion subsystem and is responsive to the urine output measurement subsystem. The controller includes a balancing function which controls the infusion subsystem to administer fluid infused into the patient to balance the urine output with the fluid infusion. The controller also includes a taper down function which controls the infusion subsystem to administer fluid infused into the patient at a rate less than the rate of urine output by the patient.

Abstract: A wide area dispersal warhead including a housing defining a cavity, an explosive charge in the housing, and a large plurality of individual munitions in the cavity of the housing about the explosive charge. The explosive charge is configured to deploy the munitions upon detonation into a hemispherical dome shaped pattern.

Abstract: Apparatus (2) for refurbishing used cores (4) for rolls of material, which apparatus comprises: stripper means (6) for stripping remaining material (8) from the used cores (4); feed means (10) for feeding the used cores (4) to the stripper means (6); cleaning means (12) for cleaning the used cores (4) after they have been treated by the stripper means (6); and adhesive applicator means (14) for applying adhesive to the used cores (4) whereby the used cores (4) are then ready for re-use as refurbished cores for new rolls of material.

Abstract: An improved spiral coupler including a plurality of parallel, coextensive conductive strips disposed in a planar spiral path, including a first strip having an input port and a direct or through port, a second strip having a coupler port and an isolated port and a first cross-over connection for bridging the strips from the inside to the outside of the spiral path to provide all four the ports external access to the spiral path.

Abstract: A saw skid plate shield including a shield plate body defining a leading edge and a trailing edge and a mechanism such as edge rails for attaching the shield plate body to the skid plate. Both the leading and trailing edges of the skid plate body are beveled and/or rounded to divert debris.

Abstract: A system for enhancing an activated sludge process that includes at least one aeration tank subsystem for receiving a flow a wastewater and for introducing dissolved oxygen to a population of microorganisms to promote growth of biological flocs in a mixed liquor defined by a concentration of mixed liquor suspended solids. A weighting agent impregnation subsystem includes an impregnation tank for mixing the mixed liquor, virgin weighting agent, and recycled weighting agent to impregnate the weighting agent into biological flocs suspended in the mixed liquor to form weighted biological flocs. A flocculant injection port located downstream from at least one aeration tank for introducing a flocculant to the mixed liquor for enhancing settling and thickening of the weighted biological flocs and for providing agglomeration of non-impregnated biological flocs and/or partially impregnated biological flocs with weighted biological flocs.

Abstract: An aureolegraph includes a reflective screen with an aperture therein, a lens for focusing an image onto the screen, an imager for imaging the image on the screen, and a light trap for preventing light passing through the aperture in the screen from passing back out through the aperture.

Abstract: A tool for loading pin stack elements into a pin tumbler lock includes a cylindrical shank of diameter similar to the diameter of the lock plug, a loading groove extending along at least a shank portion corresponding to the length of the set of pin chambers and intersecting with the shank axis; a set of parallel loading bores formed in the shank, extending between the loading groove and the outer surface of the shank, each loading bore dimensioned to contain pin stack elements, the loading bores further having a spacing along the shank in a direction parallel to its axis equal to the spacing of the chambers; and a loader element mounted within the loading groove in adjustable positioning with respect to the loading bores, operative for selectable transfer of a pin stack element from each loading bore to a chamber in axial registration therewith.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with a fluid-activated shaft seal are provided. The system includes a housing and a seal disposed relative to the housing. The method reduces flow of a fluid between the shaft and the housing. The method involves installing the housing in an opening relative to the shaft and locating the seal relative to the housing. The seal includes a gel material that expands when exposed to a fluid. The seal reduces flow of the fluid through a gap between the housing and the shaft. Advantages of the system and method include reduced wear to the seal due to friction because the seal does not engage the shaft in the absence of a fluid. The seal engages the shaft in the presence of a fluid. Sealing quality is improved by increasing the pressure differential acting on the gel material. In some embodiments, the seal includes a lip portion.

Abstract: This invention features an integrated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/transmission computed tomography (TCT) system for cardiac imaging including an open arc-shaped frame. A collimator system is shaped to approximately match the thoracic contour of patients having different sizes and weights and shaped to surround and position the collimator closely proximate a heart of a patient of said patients encompassed by at least one predetermined image volume for optimizing collimation of radiation photons emitted from the heart. An arc-shaped detector system is coupled to the collimator subsystem having a shape closely matching the shape of the collimator subsystem for detecting collimated radiation photons from the collimator subsystem and generating output electrical signals.

Abstract: A single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system for cardiac imaging including an open arc-shaped frame. A collimator subsystem is shaped to approximately match the thoracic contour to optimize the geometric efficiency for detecting photons emitted from the heart of patients having different sizes and weights and shaped to surround and position the collimator subsystem closely proximate a heart of a patient of the patients encompassed by at least one predetermined image volume for optimizing collimation of radiation photons emitted from the heart. The collimator subsystem is facilitated by a tracking system that is capable of quickly bringing up the collimator component, which meets a specific set of collimation requirements, into place for imaging.

Abstract: A multichannel, surface parallel, zonal transducer system includes a membrane and a compound transducer mounted on the membrane, the compound transducer including a plurality of transducer elements extending generally parallel to the membrane, interconnected in a closed network and individually addressable.

Abstract: A sensor isolation system including a sensor, a package for the sensor, and a compliant interposer disposed between the sensor and the package and interconnecting the sensor to the package to isolate the sensor from thermal and mechanical stresses and yet at the same time providing a physical interconnect between the sensor and the package.

Abstract: A trailer and hitch system for a mobile robot. The trailer includes a front Ackerman steering linkage, a releasable locking mechanism for releasably positioning the Ackerman steering linkage in a turned position to arrest the trailer, a tow bar extending upwardly from the Ackerman steering linkage and terminating in a lunette ring, and spaced skid members extending downwardly and rearwardly. The mobile robot includes a hitch assembly for the lunette ring. The hitch assembly has a frame including a slot for the lunette ring and a guide portion for guiding the lunette ring into the slot, a latch pivotable with respect to the frame and biased to close the slot, and a decoupling mechanism configured to move the latch to release the lunette ring from the slot. A robot arm is maneuverable to engage the decoupling mechanism.

Abstract: A musical instrument piston valve receivable in a valve casing. The valve includes a valve stem, a valve barrel connected to the valve stem, and a valve guide slidably disposed with respect to the valve barrel. A spring is disposed in the valve barrel extending between the valve stem and the valve guide. A piston extends from the valve barrel and includes one or more ports. There are also various ways of adjusting the angular orientation of the piston in the valve casing. It is preferred that the piston and the valve barrel are monolithic in construction and the piston valve includes an adjustable valve guide.

Abstract: A recovery system with repeating communication capabilities. The system includes a station configured to send an activation message, at least a first “primary” remote transmitting unit responsive to the station and configured to transmit the activation message and at least a one “secondary” remote transmitting unit. That unit includes a receiver which receives the activation message, a transmitter for transmitting the activation message, and a controller responsive to the receiver and controlling the transmitter. The controller is programmed to transmit the activation message and then automatically stop transmission of the activation message after a predetermined time period unless the activation message is again received.

Abstract: Image display apparatus (10) comprising projector means, a first light source, at least one primary modulator (12) for modulating light from the first light source, a second light source, optical means (14, 18) for combining light from the second light source with the modulated light from the at least one primary modulator (12), and an auxiliary modulator (16) for modulating the combined light from the second light source and the modulated light from the at least one primary modulator (12).

Abstract: Turbocharger apparatus (1) comprising a housing (4), a compressor, a turbine (40), a first inlet (39) for enabling air to be conducted to the compressor, an outlet (36) for enabling air from the compressor to be conducted to an engine, a second inlet (53) for enabling exhaust gases from the engine to be conducted to the turbine (40), a chamber (96), a bearing assembly (82) for permitting the rotation of the turbine (40), and a control system (5, 10) for controlling the speed of the turbine (40), the control system (5, 10) having an exhaust gas sealing system (8, 21, 26) which prevents exhaust gas leakage from the turbocharger apparatus (1), and which allows expansion of parts within the exhaust gas sealing system (8, 21, 26) at high temperatures.

Abstract: A kinetic energy rod warhead includes a projectile core which includes a plurality of individual projectiles, an explosive charge about the core, at least one detonator for the explosive charge, and an explosive sheet on each end of the projectile core.