Abstract: The present invention comprises an axially arrayed helical antenna system adapted for use in a variety of broadcasting or receiving stations including a low Earth orbiting communication satellite station. The helical antenna array comprises a plurality of antenna structures each including at least one helical antenna element coaxially mounted on a common mounting structure with a separating distance between them. Each element is electromagnetically coupled to a corresponding element of the subsequent antenna structure in the array to form a separate, isolated antenna. A feeding means is included for supplying appropriately phase shifted signals to the elements that comprise each antenna. In addition, in accordance with the invention, additional independent antennas or other equipment or payload can be deployed in the separating distance between the arrayed antenna structures.

Abstract: An insulator pad for use in mattresses is provided having selected zones of enhanced firmness. A planar pad (100) of fibrous material has at least one area of enhanced or increased firmness. Adhesive is used to bind the fibrous material. The concentration of adhesive in the enhanced areas of firmness is greater than in other areas.

Abstract: An underwater soil erosion prevention system has a generally rectangular length of material folded at regularly spaced intervals at an angle generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rectangular length of material, thereby forming sheets. Each sheet contains slits which are generally perpendicular to the fold. The slits begin above the bottom edge of the sheet and terminate below the top edge of the sheet. The sheets contain openings sized to snugly receive an anchor line on either side. To aid in deploying the soil erosion prevention system, an inflatable rollable array with a receiving valve is provided. The array can be rolled together with the underwater soil erosion prevention system, and when ready for deployment, a fluid is controllably inserted into the array through the receiving valve, thereby causing the array and system to unroll. Alternatively, the underwater soil erosion prevention system can be releasably attached to a frame mechanism to facilitate deployment underwater.

Abstract: A method of dissipating hydrometeors (clouds) that includes transmitting electromagnetic radiation (e.g., light energy, from the sun, for example) that is absorbed by water vapor into the cloud to be dissipated and continuing the transmission of such energy into the cloud until it dissipates. The source of electromagnetic radiation can be a large mirror located on the surface of the earth, that reflects sunlight into the cloud to be dissipated. In a still more specific embodiment of the invention, the wind speed, direction, cloud altitude and sun movement relative to the earth is tracked to determine the mirror orientation and tracking necessary to disperse a particular cloud or clouds. In addition, an array of earth-mounted mirrors could be utilized in a coordinated fashion to dissipate a group or larger volume of clouds.

Abstract: A highly accurate system to measure the level of material in a vessel. A probe is provided in the vessel. The vessel and the probe are at different potentials so as to create a capacitance therebetween. The air and materials in the vessel act as dielectrics. As the material level varies, so does the capacitance. This capacitance is subjected to a charge-discharge-charge cycle yielding integrated net neutral charge. The duration of the cycle is compared to a reference time to determine capacitance, which is proportional to the level of material in the vessel.

Abstract: A shear viscous damped hinge uses a negator spring and a high viscosity fluid to provide a relatively slow and controlled deployment of the hinge. Shear damping of the fluid slows the angular velocity of the hinge. The invention reduces the end of travel impact loads thereby reducing the risk of damage to the hinge and the object rotated by the hinge. The hinge is particularly useful in, but not limited to, spacecraft applications.

Abstract: A control device and a storage device are provided. The storage device has a clock signal file for determining a delay reference value for a path, and a logic information file for holding description of elements in the path. The control device refers to the clock signal file and the logic information file to determine an combination of the emitter-follower current and the value of the current-switch current of a certain element in the path.

Abstract: A ventilation adjustment assembly is provided for a goggle having a ventilated lens mounted in a frame. In one embodiment, the lens has one or more ventilation apertures forming a linear or curved path. An elongated shutter housing is formed by a base having pair of parallel sidewalls or spacers mounted on the lens on opposite sides of and in close proximity to the path of lens apertures. One or more apertures on the base align with the lens apertures. An elongated shutter is slidably disposed in the shutter housing. The shutter has one or more apertures which are alignable with apertures in the base and lens. By sliding the shutter within its housing, ventilation air flow is regulated as the shutter apertures move in and out of alignment with the base and lens apertures.

Abstract: An angular rate sensor comprises a wafer of silicon etched to form tines with teeth which are interdigitated. The tines are excited into oscillation in the plane of the wafer, by applying suitable drive signals to create electrostatic forces between the tines. Rotation of the tines out of the plane of the wafer is detected by a suitable detector, such as a piezo-resistor on a support of the tines.

Abstract: An improved explosively operated separation joint as well as a process for manufacturing it are disclosed. In the present invention, a hollow-form extrusion is used to provide both sides of a separation joint, each side being attached to both of the two structures. Each end of the joint is attached to a respective one of the two structures. A stainless steel tube is inserted into the hollow portion of the extrusion. The extrusion then is rolled to form a portion of a ring. An explosive core covered by an elastomeric sheath is inserted into the length of the tube. The ends of the ring then are connected to and sealed by an initiation manifold. The manifold provides an interface between each of two flexible confined detonating cords ("FCDCs") with a respective end of the explosive core. The manifold includes a barrier between the ends of the explosive core and the two FCDCs that prevents sympathetic damage to either end of the explosive core and the associated FCDC by the detonation of the other.

Abstract: A gaming machine has internal coin container sensors (110, 112) that sense the weight, and therefore, the number of coins contained in the internal coin containers (104, 106). The gaming machine also has mechanical and/or optical sensors (102, 114) to monitor the inflow and outflow of coins. By comparing the number of coins, as determined by weight, with the number of coins detected by the mechanical and/or optical sensors, fraud is readily detected.

Abstract: A gaming machine uses a time-based method for generating game results having nonuniform probability. The gaming machine employs an addressable memory in cooperation with a counter and a clock. The clock generates a very fast series of pulses, and includes a digital-to-analog converter. The counter holds a number representing one of the possible reel stop positions and counts the clock's pulses, so that with each pulse, the value of the counter advances by one. To vary the odds that a particular reel stop position will be selected, the clock's pulses do not come at even intervals. Rather, the clock is responsive to a digital input signal to control how long it will allow a particular number to remain in the counter before the next clock pulse. The binary numbers which are used to control the clock are stored in memory. The memory accepts as input the current value of the counter. Thus, when the counter is incremented, the memory provides the binary number associated with the new counter value.

Abstract: A satellite has two solar array panels which are moveable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The solar array panels are pivotably mounted on hinges attached along the top and bottom of the satellite and extend outwardly from the top and bottom of the satellite in the open configuration. The height of the perimeter sidewall is selected such that the satellite has a generally oblate configuration. Each solar array panel has a surface area substantially equal to that of the satellite cross-sectional area. The hinges are mounted on pintles extending from a solar array drive motor which rotates the solar panel about the axis defined by the pintles to provide one axis sun tracking. The solar array panels are pivoted about the axes of the hinges until substantially parallel to the top and bottom of the satellite to form a compact, stackable configuration of the satellite for stowage.

Abstract: A coin hopper having an optical-electrical coin sensor with a light source and a light detector is provided. The coin hopper includes a coin transport disc, a coin trough, and a coin payout chute. The coin sensor is secured to the hopper and is proximally located to the coin payout chute. The sensor is configured such that the light detector is substantially adjacent the coin transport disc and the light source is spaced apart from the coin transport disc. The sensor is operatively connected to the coin hopper control circuitry which shuts down the hopper after the appropriate number of coins is dispensed. The hopper may also include circuitry which, in conjunction with the light source, provides a pulsed or intermittent beam of light.

Abstract: Disclosed is the preparation of fruit and nut mixes with improved texture stability. Such mixes contain from about 15% to about 60% fruit and from about 40% to about 85% nuts wherein at least about 20% of the nuts are roasted and at least about 20% of the nuts have a crystalline sugar coating. The fruit for use in the mix has an initial water activity of from about 0.35 to about 0.70 and an initial moisture content of from about 7% to about 18% water. The roasted nuts for use in the mix have an initial water activity of from about 0.05 to about 0.40 and an initial moisture content of up to about 3% water. Once the fruit and nuts are combined, they are allowed to equilibrate in a moisture impervious environment to an equilibrium water activity of from about 0.35 to about 0.58 and a percent moisture to equilibrium water activity ratio of the fruit of from about 17:1 to about 32:1.

Abstract: A computer system for entering, processing and recording sales of items is provided, which is especially suitable for use in retail sales, particularly quick service restaurants. The system includes a plurality of programmable POS registers for entering and tabulating customer orders, an off-line processor for programming the programmable POS registers, shared memory for recording data entered and tabulated by the programmable POS registers, and a communication structure for networking a plurality of programmable POS registers, the off-line processor and the shared memory. In one embodiment, the system includes an access control system for enabling access to the POS registers, the off-line processor or the shared memory if operation of those are authorized.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a perforated multiweb folded display product or insert having a width greater than the width of any single web forming a part thereof. The perforated multiweb product is also claimed. Gutterless joints are used to allow the display to lay flat when opened. Perforations allow the insert to be removably bound within a book or magazine. In some embodiments, displays having widths exceeding commercially available web widths are disclosed. In other embodiments, two or more webs are combined to yield web printed single or double magazine inserts or displays having an active viewing width in excess of 70 inches.

Abstract: A return system for a throttle of an internal combustion engine has a first return device in the form of a spring for returning the throttle to a first return position and a second return device in the form of a motor for returning the throttle to a second return position beyond the first return position. A position sensor determines the first and second return positions and a fault is indicated if the second return position is not beyond the first return position.