Abstract: The capacitive bolometer comprises a detection capacitor having a first-order phase transistion ferroelectric material between two electrodes. The detection capacitor operates during a detection step and a subsequent readout step. During the detection step, a preselected electric field is applied to the detection capacitor to maximize its sensitivity to temperature. A second electric field is applied to the capacitor during the readout step in order to increase responsivity of the detection cell. The detection cells according to the invention can be assembled into disclosed detection arrays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving radiant energy is provided having a linear sensitivity to the angle of arrival of the radiant energy with that linearity relatively unaffected by wavelength and polarization variations in the radiant energy. An optical fiber is provided having a receiving end disposed to receive radiant energy and also having a transmitting end. A diffusing surface for receiving radiant energy is disposed on the receiving end of the optical fiber. A detector receives radiant energy from the transmitting end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a body wrap (10) securable around the waist (12) of a person (14). The body wrap (10) includes a unidirectionally stretchable panel (16) integral at one side edge thereof with a hook-like fastening section (24), and integral at the other side edge thereof with a large brushed pile material section (28). The unidirectionally stretchable panel (16) is constructed of plural elongate stretchable support sections (22) alternating between plural apertured sections (18) through which a sutured incision may be observed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving radiant energy to approximate a uniform and homogeneous radiant energy beam from a non-homogeneous beam by a sampling from the beam by an array of receiving ends of optical fibers. A first plurality of optical fibers have receiving ends disposed parallel to a first common plane and transmitting ends directed to a first detector. A second plurality of optical fibers have receiving ends disposed parallel to a second common plane and transmitting ends directed to a second detector. The first and second common planes are oriented with respect to each other at an predetermined angle for receiving radiant energy.

Abstract: A headgear (10) for supporting a night vision goggle (12) to the head of a wearer. A flexible temporal strip (18) is joined to a flexible crown strip (20) in the forehead region, at which juncture a pair of integral rails (74, 76) suspend the goggle (12) therefrom. The temporal strip (18) and crown strip (20) include free ends which are directed toward the posterior of the cranium (22) and are connected by straps (36, 46, 48) to a webbed pad (38) which engages the occipital protuberance to prevent forward rotation of the headgear (10) due to the weight of the goggle (12). Lower girth straps (68, 69) maintain attachment of the headgear (10) to the cranium (22) and further aid in antirotational movement.

Abstract: A medical instruments sterilization container (10) includes a housing (12) and a removable lid (14). A removable tray (16) is adapted to hold various medical instruments to be sterilized. The container is formed of a polymer of relatively low thermal conductivity, with a material having a relatively high thermal conductivity being added thereto in order to substantially increase the overall thermal conductivity of the container to absorb radiant heat and rapidly conduct that heat throughout the container to reduce condensate within the container.

Abstract: A novel sole construction (16) comprises an outsole (20) and a cleat layer (34) disposed above the outsole and having a plurality of cleats (22) depending therefrom. A plurality of perforations (38) are formed in the outside (20) each perforation (38) receiving a respective cleat (22) for insertion therethrough. Thus, the exterior bottom surface (18) of the sole construction (16) comprises a flexible, light weight outsole (20) with more durable cleats (22) disposed at strategic points therein.

Abstract: The capacitive bolometer comprises a detection capacitor having a first-order phase transition ferroelectric material between two electrodes. The detection capacitor operates during a detection step and a subsequent readout step. During the detection step, a preselected electric field is applied to the detection capacitor to maximize its sensitivity to temperature. A second electric field is applied to the capacitor during the readout step in order to increase responsivity of the detection cell. The detection cells according to the invention can be assembled into disclosed detection arrays.

Abstract: An electrical-optical system is disclosed having a turning mirror (24) for superimposing light rays (44) of an indicator LED (40) into the primary optical path (28) of an image (18). The turning mirror (24) comprises a solid having a frontal mirrored reflective surface (78) with a pinhole (80) etched therein. Offset from the pinhole (80), and disposed on the backside of the turning mirror (24) is a cavity (86) housing an LED indicator light (40). The light rays from the LED (40) pass through the pinhole (80) in such a direction as to be colinear with the image ray bundle (28) reflected from the mirrored surface (78).

Abstract: A binocular periscope (10) viewer includes a columnar glass prism (52) disposed in a vertical optical path (24) and an angled internal reflective surface (51) for redirecting the image from a horizontal path (22) downwardly to a vertical optical path (24). An objective lens assembly (54), a night vision image intensifier tube (56) and a collimator (58) are all disposed in the vertical optical path (24) and further condition the image for presentation to a triple prism (60). The triple prism (60) includes a first prism (62) integral with a second prism (64) and a third prism (66). Prism (62) is disposed in the vertical optical path (24) and redirects the image into a forward horizontal optical path (70). Each of prisms (64, 66) receive essentially the entire redirected image, and further redirect such image into oppositely directed lateral horizontal optical paths (26, 28). The triple prism (60) is mounted to a cradle (106) which is secured to the frame (12) of the viewing system.

Abstract: A midsole (10 and 22) for an activewear shoe (12) comprises an insert (10) and a peripheral member (22). A plurality of independent cushioning elements (34) depend from a base member (32) of insert (10), and are sized in order to conform to the lift of peripheral member (22). The cushionability and resiliency of insert (10) may be selected according to the wearer's weight and cushionability preference.

Abstract: A medical instruments sterilization container (10) includes a housing (12) and a removable dome-shaped lid (14) having a filtered inlet port (18) disposed therethrough for permitting the passage of gas or steam into housing (12). A removable tray (16) is adapted to be disposed within housing (12) to hold various instruments to be sterilized and includes apertures (24) formed on the bottom of the tray for permitting condensate to drain therefrom. The bottom surface of housing (12) is sloped to two locations centered on opposite sides thereof and includes filtered outlet ports (40, 42) positioned at the two locations to permit discharged air and condensate to exit housing (12). Pedestals (30) are secured on the bottom surface of housing (12) to facilitate stacking of a plurality of sterilization containers.

Abstract: One or more ports (34) are formed in a bottom wall (18) of a housing (12) and/or a lid (14) of a medical instrument sterilization container (10). As formed in bottom wall (18), the port (34) includes a circumferential, downwardly tapering side member (42) that extends to a bottom member (40) having a plurality of orifices (44) to communicate a sealed interior (26) with the exterior. A filter cartridge (36) is provided for insertion in the port (34) and has a filter medium (60) that permits the passage of sterilizing gas or steam but does not permit the passage of contaminants. A side member (54) of the cartridge (36) tapers downwardly and inwardly from its perimeter to the filter medium (60) and is adapted to sealingly register with the port side member (42). A retainer (38) may be provided for keeping the cartridge side member (54) in sealing registration with the port side member (42).

Abstract: An emergency exhaust system (59) is provided for a mobile incineration system (10). A hinged gate (76) controls access to the emergency exhaust system (59), and operates only upon the sensing of a malfunction in one of a plurality of critical incineration system components (114, 36, 56) by sensors/relays (122-126). A malfunction as sensed by Sensors/relays (122-126) causes the power to be cut through switch (98) to the main incineration system components (114, 36, 56, 46, 116, 118, 22). In a preferred embodiment, the emergency exhaust system (59) comprises a plurality of water sprayers (64) to cool the volatile waste combustion products, and a granulated activated carbon column (68) to remove hazardous substances.

Abstract: An athletic field line cutter (10) has a chassis (12) including a plurality of wheels (98-104) for locomotion across the ground. A cutter head assembly (18) is mounted on the chassis (12) and includes a plurality of cutter blades (92) mounted on a rotating axle (30). Axle (30) is mounted parallel to the ground. An engine (14) is connected to axle (30) for supplying power to the axle (30) and the cutter blades (92). An operator station (60) at which an operator (90) directs the apparatus over the ground is in line with the cutter head assembly (18) and the line of travel of the apparatus (10). Rotating axle (30) has a section (126) which is polygonal in shape, and cutter blades (92) have central polygonal holes that closely fit over this polygonal shape. Blades (92) are angularly fixed with respect to each other.