Abstract: A waveform correction filter is connected into an alternating current power line to absorb and remove various forms of power pollution, including high-frequency spikes, surges and other forms of high-frequency oscillations, such as those which result from switching inductive loads on and off. The waveform correction filter of the invention includes a fuse and a coaxial amorphous toroidal inductor connected between a power line and neutral with a low-pass filter connected in series with the fuse and coaxial amorphous toroidal inductor. The filter includes a capacitor, a varistor connected in parallel with said capacitor, and a magnetic core inductor connected in series with each other and in parallel with the capacitor and said varistor. A lamp may be connected in series with the resistor and the magnetic core inductor or across the resistor. Various arrangements are shown for connecting a plurality of the waveform correction filters into single phase or three-phase Wine or delta circuits.

Abstract: A laser light projector includes a housing having a plurality of apertures, a number of laser diodes and drivers mounted on said housing and aligned to direct laser light beams through the apertures, a controller connected to each driver for controlling the timing and sequence of laser light beams from the laser diodes, and a plurality of mirrors aligned to receive the laser light beams and deflect the beams in desired directions. A second embodiment includes connectors connected to the controller and utilizes plug-in modules, each including a laser diode and a driver to permit various types and numbers of laser modules to be operated by the controller.

Abstract: A coding system for data and a demultiplexer and decoder forming an interface for a computer is disclosed. Both are improvements upon the system disclosed and claims in U.S. Pat. No. 4,188,581 of this inventor. Improvements include the use of a RC differentiator in combination with a diode for introducing coded data into a reflective terminated tapped delay line. Data is coded in the form of the time duration between two successive pulses in discrete increments. One feature involves the use of the second of two pulses to define the end of one character and the beginning of the next character. Multiple code banks allow a variety of data rates.

Abstract: A decorative lamp fixture includes a housing with a generally rectangular cross-section formed of a pair of identical interlocking extruded members. An opening or window is formed on each side of the housing. The housing includes a plurality of internal grooves or channels for holding fasteners supporting a bracket which secures a glass block in position, such that its face surfaces are adjacent or protrude slightly from the openings. A lamp is positioned within the housing such that it directs light at an edge of the glass block. Other edges of the glass block are coated with a light reflecting coating, such as white paint. The housing includes a cover, and the lamp may be secured to the cover, or it may be positioned below the glass block.

Abstract: A water-cooled pump motor for delivering potable water in a demand system includes a centrifugal pump including a volute and an impeller in the volute, an electric motor driving the impeller having a hollow rotor shaft, a rotor on the shaft, bearings supporting the rotor shaft, a stator coaxially outward of the rotor, two water impervious liners, one located within the stator and the other coaxially outside the rotor, the liners being spaced to define a cylindrical passageway across the rotor and a cooling and lubricating water passageway for water to flow through the motor including flow from the impeller between the rotor shaft and the bearings, across the cylindrical passageway and through the hollow rotor shaft back into the volute.

Abstract: Smart aerogel, an aerogel material doped with special bio-affinity compounds to providing means of unique collection, detection and identification of bioaerosols, including bacteria, viruses, toxins, and other bioaerosols. Aerogels, extremely low density and highly porous materials with a complex pore structure, are used as an intelligent detection material by incorporating specific bioaffinity pharmaceuticals directly into the matrix. The complex pore structure contains micropores, mesopores, and macropores in an open pore structure. The opening pore structure of the aerogel is used to create docking sites by linking high affinity pharmaceuticals that specifically bind only to certain bioaerosols. The high internal surface area of the aerogel and the extremely low density provides abundant receptor sites per unit mesopore for a high bioaerosol-receptor interaction, yet in a manner which will reduce possible damage and destruction to the bioaerosols captured.

Abstract: A series of multi use funnels are designed to attach by threads or pressure fit to a variety of threaded or non threaded fill openings of bottles or containers. Two or more concentric female threaded or friction engaging connectors are located at the discharge opening of the funnel. The innermost connector is the smaller or smallest and each size is graduated outward therefrom. A secondary funnel is located inside of the innermost female threaded connector to direct fluid into the attached container below the junction of the top of the bottle of container and the first threads. A sealing annular ring or step is located at each connector portion. Single diameter versions are shown as well as slip-on versions for use with threaded, snap-on or straight sided bottle filling openings.

Abstract: A bollard style light fixture, which allows the user to vary the fixture's light distribution pattern, while also eliminating the fixture's emission of glare. The fixture of this invention is also designed to absorb a minor amount of shock without damage, and provides a mechanism whereby the fixture may be quickly and easily leveled and releveled even after installation. The fixture of this invention comprises a base; a compressible base pad upon which the base rests; a support sleeve vertically extending from the base; a light source located within the support sleeve; a light-emitting window located on the support sleeve opposite the base; and an adjustable cap assembly located atop the light-emitting window vertically adjustable for variably covering the light-emitting window, thus varying the light distribution pattern of the fixture and redirecting the light rays towards the ground, eliminating glare.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion into an artery having deposits of plaque and/or thrombus includes, at its distal end an ultrasonic transducer and a dilatation balloon surrounding the transducer such that when the balloon is positioned in the artery adjacent the deposits and inflated, energizing of the ultrasonic transducer will focus the ultrasonic energy against the deposits to cause dissolution of the thrombus into microscopic particles and cause cracking and softening of the plaque. Other embodiments include the provision of a second ultrasonic transducer as a means for viewing the treatment site, and a second balloon to cooperate with the first balloon to define a chamber between the balloons and with a lumen and a port connected to the chamber to remove any debris of larger than microscopic size which might otherwise tend to move downstream and cause further obstructions. Also described is the use of an expandable filtering device distal of the dilatation balloon for trapping such particles.

Abstract: An interactive game is disclosed which may take the form of a board game, a hand held game or a yard game. It includes a series of printed circuits or devices which may be concealed within a playing surface and an electronic detector for the circuits. Easily as many as 8 or 16 different discrete device may be detected and distinguished. Stored messages associated with each device or combinations of devices is displayed or audibly reproduce the messages. This invention is also applied to interactive books and games which have multiple layers with superimposed pages or boards. Interference between superimposed pages or boards is eliminated by surrounding each concealed device with a conductive pattern which has no resonant frequency in the range of detection of the electronic detector or probe. Likewise, concealed devices are not located on immediately following pages or boards at the same location on the page. The method of manufacturing such interactive games or books is disclosed.

Abstract: An optical retroreflective remote control used in combination with electronic apparatus, such as a VCR or television set is disclosed. The controlled apparatus includes a light or radiation source and a retroreflected light detector as well as means for detecting any modulation of the light emitted as a control signal for the electronic apparatus. The remote control includes a portable housing with a window for receiving light from the electronic apparatus and for retroreflecting modulated light return by the remote controller. Manual controls or push buttons on the housing operate to block or modulate certain portions, i.e., wavelengths of the incident light enter in the window before the light reaches a retroreflector. Returned light or radiation from the controller as modified constitutes a control signal for the electronic apparatus. The remote control requires no power supplies or light or radiation sources.

Abstract: A ballast housing having a uniform generally rectangular cross section is formed, preferably by extrusion, to accommodate any of a number of ballasts of varying sizes. Exterior sidewalls are formed with longitudinal grooves, one of which contains a pair of cylindrical members. A separate mounting plate carries screws which contact the cylindrical members and permit the cylindrical members to act as hinges permitting the housing to pivot away from the mounting plate. Closure plates are secured to each end of the housing and standard threaded ports may be formed in each closure plate as well as in the extruded member for mounting lighting fixtures or conduits carrying wires. Mating openings are formed on the backside of the housing member and the mounting plate for the passage of power leads to the ballast in the housing.

Abstract: A plastic boat is formed of wide extruded polyethylene foam planks all external surfaces of which have a skin. Two such planks are heated and then folded 60°, such that the longitudinal halves are at a 120° included angle. While still hot, with one half assigned as the bottom and placed on a flat surface, the folded ends are forced inwardly and the plank allowed to cool. A vertical cut is made through two of the planks thus formed, each of which becomes a hull half. The exposed edges are heated to a molten state and the halves aligned and bonded together to form a completed hull. The top edges are trimmed to a desired angle and rounded. A pair of stabilizers and a pair of handles are cut from edges of planks, such that they have skin on their tops, bottoms and one edge and with a smooth curve at each end on their unskinned edges.

Abstract: An image projector includes a generally cylindrical housing containing a slide or pattern holder, a fixed lens and an adjustable lens. A separate lamp house threadedly engaged with the housing contains a lamp and electrical connections to the lamp. A cylindrical forward housing or shroud is threadedly engaged with the housing at its opposite end and includes a window through which the light pattern is transmitted. Seals are incorporated adjacent to the threaded connections to assure weather tight operation. The housing is carried in a sleeve which is spaced to allow air circulation around the housing. The sleeve is carried in a yoke which permits elevational adjustment of the projector.

Abstract: A two-handled club for use by two persons simultaneously for striking a ball toward a target and a game for using same. The club is such that one handle or grip is oriented as a left-handed club, while the opposite handle is oriented as a right-handed club. A team comprising of two members, each grasps a club handle and simultaneously strikes the ball towards a target. A winner may be determined, for example, by the team requiring the fewest strokes to get to the target.