Abstract: This invention is a handtool having an elongated member and two arms rotatably attached to an end of the elongated member. The elongated member is adapted to hold a bit at an its end. The first arm can be rotated about its fixed point to a position that is substantially perpendicular to the elongated member. The first arm can also be rotated about its fixed point from its perpendicular position towards the elongated member. Similarly, the second arm can be rotated about its fixed point to a position that is substantially perpendicular to the elongated member and the second arm can be rotated about its fixed point from its perpendicular position towards the elongated member. Each of the arms can be rotated independent of the rotation of the other arm.

Abstract: A method and system for liquifying natural gas using a cryogenic process is described. The method is well suited for producing high methane purity natural gas which can be used as a vehicle fuel. The invention utilizes residue gas from a cryogenic plant as a natural gas feedstock. The natural gas feedstock is condensed by heat exchange with overhead gas from the demethanizer of the cryogenic plant. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the pressure of the condensed natural gas is reduced to a level at which it can be readily stored and transported by expansion through one or more Joule-Thomson valves.

Abstract: A cooling pack for cooling and keeping cool beverages and other containerized food products. The cooling pack is designed to fit closely around the container and is adjustable to fit around a variety of containers. The cooling pack is also designed to be foldably compact, when not in use or for freezing. The cooling pack is made of an insulating yet flexible material, the exterior of which is ideal for printing commercial or other symbols upon. The cooling pack also includes a convenient strap for carrying the loaded cooling pack in a secure manner.

Abstract: An angle sensor for measuring an angle .theta. between two rigid bodies rotatably joined at a joint. The angle sensor includes an indicator disk, an anchor strap and a reading means for reading the indicator disk. Our invention also includes forward and backward motion steering control systems which can employ the angle sensor as a hitch angle sensor to measure the hitch angle between a tow vehicle and a trailer.

Abstract: An angle sensor for measuring an angle .theta. between two rigid bodies rotatably joined at a joint. The angle sensor includes an indicator disk, an anchor strap and a mechanism for reading the indicator disk. Our invention also includes forward and backward motion steering control systems which can employ the angle sensor as a hitch angle sensor to measure the hitch angle between a tow vehicle and a trailer.

Abstract: A motion simulator having a people-holding capsule attached at the front end and at the rear end to a supporting structure. The supporting structure has movable arms that, when extended or retracted, provide positive and negative pitch to the capsule. The supporting structure also provides the mechanism for rotating the capsule up to and in excess of 360 degrees. It is also possible to make the support structure capable of supporting forward/backward as well as side-by-side motion. With a video display system installed inside the capsule providing optical cues, this invention provides the motion cues necessary to provide a safe entertainment environment for passengers.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing historical medical provider billings to statistically establish a normative utilization profile. Comparison of a medical provider's utilization profile with a normative profile is enabled. Based on historical treatment patterns and a fee schedule, an accurate model of the cost of a specific medical episode can be created. Various treatment patterns for a particular diagnosis can be compared by treatment cost and patient outcome to determine the most cost-effective treatment approach. It is also possible to identify those medical providers who provide treatment that does not fall within the statistically established treatment patterns or profiles.

Abstract: A method for determining the amount of photoreactive polynuclear aromatic compound in a sample is described. A sample containing an unknown amount of a photoreactive polynuclear aromatic compound is mixed with a known quantity of a polyhalogenated organic compound and exposed to light of a known wavelength for a known length of time. The quantity of the photoreaction product which results from the light exposure is measured by absorption spectroscopy. Comparison of the absorption measurement to a standard curve allows determination of the concentration of the photoreactive aromatic compound. The simplicity of the method makes it suitable for on-site testing. The method can be used to test for photoreactive compounds in various media, such as soil, aqueous samples, and oil.

Abstract: A system for power coupling independent of the position of the receiver over a surface. This is achieved by developing a spatially-dependent phase shift in the electromagnetic field generated by the power transmitter. The power inputs to the power receiver are then driven 180 degrees out of phase at any coordinate in the plane over the surface. An array of elements is placed in a plane below a surface and driven with a series of alternating current power sources. Consecutive adjacent elements across the area of the plane are driven with uniformly increasing phase shift. An integral multiple of adjacent consecutive elements results in a 180 degree phase shift. Pairs of field receiving elements in a power receiver are dimensioned to receive fields that are separated by 180 degrees of phase. Utilizing the technique of the invention, power coupling independent of the position or rotational orientation of the power receiver can be obtained.

Abstract: Description tables can be linked to a kernel to form a device driver. The description tables can be device description tables and adapter description tables. The kernel is operating system dependent. The description tables are operating system independent and can be linked to other kernels for other operating systems. A library of kernels for different operating systems can share a common set of kernel requests.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot formed by one continuous coil spring which has a foot center coil section, a heel extension section, and a forefoot extension section. Lateral and medial and torsional movement are accommodated. Energy is absorbed and stored by the prosthetic foot during heel strike in the gait cycle, energy is transferred to the forefoot extension section during foot roll-forward to toe-off in the gait cycle, and energy is released to provide a propelling force on the prosthetic foot at toe-off in the gait cycle. An apparatus allowing the wearer of the prosthetic foot to feel by physical sensation forces being applied to the prosthetic foot is included in one embodiment.

Abstract: A method for measuring or detecting halogenated organic compound content. For example, the method can be used to identify polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCB's"), contaminating soil or oil. The method is based on a light induced color producing reaction between a photodonor reagent and a halogenated organic compound. This reaction produces change in the optical absorption of the light exposed photodonor. Reversing the role of reagent and halogenated organic compound provides a method for identifying polyaromatic organic compounds such as pyrenes.

Abstract: An improved method for error recovery in client-server distributed processing systems using cascaded servers. The method adds an additional form of acknowledgement message from a server to its predecessor. This message is sent when the server has completed all its processing and has received an ACK message from its successor, indicating that its result has been successfully received by the successor. The predecessor server retains a copy of its results until it receives the done message, at which time the copy of the results is discarded. If a done message is not received by the time a timer has expired, indicating that a problem has occurred with a server or its communications, the predecessor server resends its stored results.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing the presentation of data from different, but related, sources in different windows of a computer display. Data is positioned using duplicate sectional names that are in each of the data sources that are being synchronized. Even though the sectional names in each data source are the same, the contents of the sections can be different, independent, and unrelated. Multiple views of a single data source in different windows can be synchronized, showing data from many different locations within each data source. This allows authors and content experts to simultaneously show data from dissimilar data sources that have a logical connection, such as footnotes or commentary to a text, translations of a text, or updates to a read-only file.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting multiple access simultaneous telephone communications in full duplex either over the power lines of a building or using RF transmission. It employs a combination of multiple access techniques selected from among the following: time division, code division, and frequency division. The following features result: a) security coding to prevent unauthorized access and eavesdropping, b) multiple simultaneous conversations through identical and closely coupled transmission media, c) non-interference to other communications systems and users, and d) processing gain for operating in noisy environments.

Abstract: A golf car towing hitch system for towing a three or four wheeled golf car behind a passenger vehicle or light truck with the rear two wheels of the golf car elevated off of the ground. A hoist mounted on a rotable mast for lifting the rear of the golf car is included. Receiver or bar hitches may be used.

Abstract: A yieldable confined core mine roof support including a container and a filler placed within the container. The container is yieldable and the filler is compressible. The combination of a filler within a container produces a mine roof support which is yieldable under a substantially axial load and which increases in load carrying ability as it yields, impeding any decrease in the distance between a mine roof and a mine floor, minimizing or preventing mine roof collapse and mine floor heave, buckling or punching.

Abstract: A stabilization assembly for securing and stabilizing two or more bicycles on a bicycle rack. In a presently preferred embodiment, the assembly comprises a stabilization bar which can be selectively varied in length by sliding one tube within another. Each end of the stabilization bar is provided with a cradle and a securing strap. The stabilization bar is attached to the frame of each bicycle by resting a portion of the frame within one of the cradles and wrapping the associated securing strap around the frame. The strap is then secured to the frame using hook and loop fastener surfaces or other suitable means.

Abstract: A decontamination system and method for the decontamination of a contaminated gas. The contaminated gas is characterized by a gas phase and at least one contaminant. The contaminated gas is removed from its source and is introduced into a loop through which a bio-agent is circulated. The bio-agent includes a microorganism (e.g. bacterium) effective for the biodegradation of the contaminant. The bio-agent may also include a liquid carrier. The loop may include absorption column, separator and bioreactor positioned in the loop. An oxidation means can be utilized to oxidize metals in the contaminated gas. Alternatively, the bio-agent can be replaced by a liquid which circulates through the bioreactor and which is effective for absorption of the contaminant. In other embodiments, the loop can be replaced by a conduit in a form or arrangement other than a loop.