Abstract: Disclosed is a dual transistor flyback converter having a pair of synchronously driven switching transistors (20, 36) for switching voltage to a primary (12) of a flyback transformer (10). When driven into a cutoff state, transistor (36) isolates switching transistor (20) from the supply voltage (V1), thereby preventing a transformer reflected voltage from being superimposed on the supply voltage and imposing such voltage across the transistor (20). Clamp diodes (40, 42) maintain the switching transient voltage across the flyback transformer primary (12) between prescribed limits. Capacitor (48) allows the switching transient to pass and be clamped by the diodes (40, 42), but prevents the reflected secondary voltage from being clamped when the input voltage is low.

Abstract: A knee brace (10) is provided with a thigh collar (12) and a tibia collar (40) for securing the brace to the user's leg. A hinge (20) is connected to the thigh collar (12) and the tibia collar (40) in order to allow extension and flexion of the leg. The tibia collar (40) is connected to the hinge (20) via a connecting rod (26) upon which the tibia collar (40) may rotate and piston vertically. The desired range within which tibia collar (40) may rotate and piston may be adjusted by cams (34 and 36). An elastic wrap (56) is attached to the thigh collar (12) and the tibia collar (40) in order to facilitate proper rotation of the leg.

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 missile launcher and missile snubbing apparatus (32) includes a pair snubber blocks (34, 36) slideable along angled side edges of a wedge (38). The snubber blocks (34, 36) are biased by respective springs (48, 50) in a first direction, while the wedge (38) is biased in an opposite direction by a spring (84). A spring biased cam (86) is operative to move the wedge (38) in a direction to reduce the effective width of the snubber block assembly (32) so that a missle can be downloaded from the rear of the launcher (10). A spring clip (85) is engageable with a rod (43) attached to the block (38), and responsive to the action of the cam (86) for locking the wedge (38) in a first position. The spring clip (85) is shaped so as to be responsive to the downloading of the missile (12) for releasing the locked wedge (38).

Abstract: Disclosed is a hub replacement device for use in vehicle tire retreading processes. An envelope (30) is sealed against the tire carcass sidewalls (22, 24) to provide an environmental seal of the new tread (54) on the carcass crown (50) during the vulcanization process. Three arcuate rigid plates (16, 18, 20), each with a pair of ribs (56, 58), are installed between the carcass beads (12, 14), for supporting the beads (12, 14), a predetermined distance apart along a majority of the bead circumference. Integral with each support plate (16, 18, 20) are pairs of opposing toggle clamps (32, 40) with hooked ends (36). A pair of annular discs (26, 28) are located on each side of the tire for applying a compressive force on the envelope (30) against the carcass sidewalls (22, 24). The annular discs (26, 28) are each equipped with pairs of anchor loops (42, 44) to which the hooked ends (36) of the toggle clamps (32,40) are releasably engaged.

Abstract: A filtering unit (10) has four filter holders (20) arranged in a rectangle around a blower (36). Each filter holder holds up to two filter elements (11). The blower draws air through the filter elements (11) and outputs filtered air through a vent (40). Refillable filter frames (16) are provided to allow the user to change the filter material (18). In one embodiment, glass chips are used as the filter material (18).

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: Disclosed is a missile launcher (142) which includes frontal electrical access to electrical apparatus mounted in the aft portion of the luncher. A connectorized extender electrical cable (66) is connected to the aft-mounted electrical apparatus (50). The other end of the cable (66) is routed internal to the launcher (142) and exits a frontal sway brace (24). A hole (108) is bored at a 30-inch launcher mounting location (28), and a connector (90) of the extender cable (66) is mounted therein. Aircraft pylons utilizing 14-inch mounting centers and frontal electrical umbilical connections can thereby utilize existing launchers modified according to the invention.

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 chin cup arrangement (10) is disclosed having a foam chin cup (32). The chin cup foam (32) is adhered to a canvas interface (33). The composite foam and canvas structure is coated with a vinyl/nitrile mixture, pigmented to a dark color with a finely powered carbon. A pair of straps (20, 26) are then sewn to the contoured composite foam/canvas cup.

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 missile launcher is disclosed having an elongate planar platform (28) formed integral with the body of the launcher (26). Plural bomb rack fasteners (34, 36) and pylon mounting lugs (38, 40) are fixed to the platform surface (28) to accommodate different aircraft types. Plural sway braces (46) are removably fixed to the side edges of the platform surface (28). Each sway brace (46) can be fixed to desired positions along the side edges of the platform surface (28) to also accommodate different aircraft type mounting apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating a prosthetic member (112) having personalized features of the patient, and being formed to provide an individualized fit to the patient's extremity (18). A rigid jacket (30, 32) is first formed around the uninsured foot (10) and the amputated extremity (18). The limb characteristics are impressed into an alginate (44) lining within the jackets (30, 32). A stone material poured into the alginate lining (44) forms stone models (48, 50) of the patient's limbs. A wax preliminary model (64) is scuplted in the likeness of the stone foot model (48) and used to form final stone mold halves (100, 102). The contour of the stone extremity model (50) is adjusted according to the tissue texture of the patient to provide an individualized fit. A gelatinous silicone is injected inside the final mold (100, 102) and allowed to form around the extremity model (50) to thereby provide the body of the prosthetic member (112) and the conformal sleeve (132 ).

Abstract: A well coring apparatus is provided with the capability for monitoring the length of the core in the inner barrel (32) of a core barrel (16) and the rate at which the core enters the inner barrel (32). The device includes a Sonic Core Monitor (78) which is disposed in the upper end of the inner barrel (32) and a piston (68) which is disposed in the lower end thereof. The inner barrel (32) is filled with a pressurized fluid. The Sonic Core Monitor (78) generates an ultrasonic pulse that is transmitted down to the surface of the piston (68) and reflected back up to the Sonic Core Monitor (78). The time between the transmitted and received pulse is then measured and distance determined therefrom. Both length of core and rate of core entry into the inner barrel (32) can then be determined. If the core is proceeding at too slow a rate, a valve (50) can be opened to allow drilling fluid to bypass the core barrel (16). This provides the surface operator with an indication that a jam has occurred.

Abstract: A taxidermic specimen and a method of formation thereof is disclosed. A preliminary negative mold (28) is formed by applying an alginate material to the jaw structure of the animal carcass. Fibers (50) are disposed within the depressions (30, 32 and 34) to provide tooth stains. Tooth-colored acrylic material is alternately poured in layers into the teeth depressions (30, 32 and 34) of the preliminary mold (28). The hardened acrylic teeth (44, 46, 48) are removed and chamfered around the gingival line (40). The teeth are reinserted into the preliminary mold (28) and covered by palate and gum forming fiberglass. Natural appearing colorations are provided comprising selected colored threads (52) near the surface of the gum structure. The composite tooth, gum and palate structure forms the master mold (54). From the master mold (54) a final rubber production mold is formed which is used to construct additional production taxidermic specimens in the same manner in which the master mold (54) was formed.

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.