Abstract: A hardened voyage data recorder includes two subsystems: a removable non-volatile memory and a base containing electronics and firmware for communicating with data sensing systems and for accessing the memory. According to the invention, the memory is protected in a “boiler” and the electronics includes an ETHERNET interface for connecting to shipboard data acquisition devices. The firmware is preferably configured via web pages. A communications protocol for communicating with the recorder is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a back up power supply for avionics equipment that can be installed in existing avionics equipment trays without having to rewire the aircraft. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention (described for illustrative purposes in the context of providing a power supply back up for a cockpit voice recorder (CVR)), the power supply/CVR combination is retrofit in an existing CVR rack. The power supply is modular; removable/replaceable; and is “independent” relative to the main aircraft power source and wiring. The modular power supply is designed to fit into a conventional CVR tray; and the modular power supply is designed to accept an existing CVR.

Abstract: An improved capacitive moisture detector includes a ceramic substrate with a plurality of layers of interdigitated electrodes and a plurality of interleaved moisture sensitive dielectric layers. Alternate electrodes are electrically coupled to provide two electrical contacts and a circuit representing multiple capacitors connected in parallel. According to an exemplary embodiment, six layers are provided resulting in a structure presenting five parallel connected capacitors thereby providing a total capacitance of the detector which is ten times that of a prior art detector having the same footprint. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each dielectric layer is made relatively thin to effectively decrease the distance between the plates of each of the five capacitors. Since capacitance is inversely proportional to the distance between the dielectric layers, the thinness of the electrodes in the present invention also serves to increase capacitance.

Abstract: The outdoor barbecue cooking grill cover of the present invention includes a free standing cover which is designed to fit over the grill with an air space between the grill and the cover. The cover is designed to rest on the ground or a platform sitting on the ground; and is intended to cover the entire grill including the legs of the grill, and prevent the effects of whether from attacking the grill. A presently preferred outdoor barbecue cooking grill cover is made of heat resistant molded rigid plastic, has integral handles, is weighted at the bottom, includes at least one horizontal surface which can be used as a counter, and is vented in a manner to allow air to circulate between the cover and the grill but will still keep out rain and snow. According to another embodiment of the invention, tie down loops are provided on the cover so that it may be tied down to a deck, retaining rings or the like.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention includes a sensor header and a sensor cover which are coupled to a prior art diaphragm assembly. The sensor header is provided with two piezoresistive silicon membrane strain gauges. One side of both strain gauges is exposed to fluid at upstream high pressure. The other side of the first strain gauge is exposed to fluid at downstream low pressure and the other side of the second strain gauge is exposed to the atmosphere. The sensor header is provided with a first port which is fluidly coupled to the first membrane strain gauge and extends to the surface of the header at a first location. The sensor header is provided with a second port which is fluidly coupled to the second membrane strain gauge and extends to the surface of the header at a second location. The sensor cover defines two isolated annular spaces around the sensor header, a first annular space around the first location and a second annular space around the second location.

Abstract: A stacked memory module having alternating layers of printed circuit boards and spacers. Connections between a given circuit board surface and an adjacent (facing) stacked printed circuit board surface, are made using at least one conductive pad incorporated into the electrical circuitry printed on and within the perimeter of each of the adjacent pair of board surfaces; together with means for interconnecting these conductive pads. The spacers can, for example, take the form of standoffs, spacer boards provided with clearance cutouts for components on the printed circuit boards, etc. The printed circuit boards and spacers are then aligned and fastened together using, for example, one or more alignment rods. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastened assembly is placed in a hollow memory module housing (e.g., a metal cylinder) to complete the fabrication of the memory module.

Abstract: A prosthetic acetabular cup assembly, for receiving a ball attached to a femur, including components interlocked via a locking mechanism that includes a retaining ring fabricated at least in part using a polyaryletherketone material, such as PEEK. The locking mechanism is designed to meet predefined constraints such as assuring that substantially all motion is eliminated between assembled parts, assuring further that push-in/pull-out forces of assembly are within generally accepted industry standards, etc.

Abstract: A solid state electrochemical sensor includes a conductive base layer which supports a chemically sensitive membrane, a guard ring layer located below the base layer and insulated therefrom by a dielectric insulator ring layer. The two ring layers define a central hole through which access to the underside of the base layer is provided. The side wall of the hole is coated with a dielectric oxide layer and a metal conductor is laid on the oxide layer and is ohmically bonded to the base layer. A second dielectric oxide layer covers the metal conductor and a metallic inner guard layer covers the second dielectric oxide layer and is in ohmic contact with the guard ring layer. A CMOS buffer amplifier (voltage follower amplifier) is formed on the lower surface of the guard ring layer. The input to the buffer amplifier is coupled to the conductor in ohmic contact with the base layer and the output of the buffer amplifier is coupled to the guard ring.

Abstract: The dynamic range of an image intensifier camera may be extended by using an automatic exposure control system which, in response to imager output (for example, the output of a charge coupled device (CCD) imager included in a solid state image intensifier camera), (a) generates a first control signal that controls the gain of the I.sup.2 Tube itself; (b) generates a second control signal for selectively gating the I.sup.2 Tube on or off; and (c) generates a third control signal for controlling a light attenuator that, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, is included in the camera. The automatic exposure control system contemplated by the invention has a control range in excess of 10.sup.10 .times.; takes a measurement of the exposure from an imager (again, for example, a CCD sensor) for comparison to a desired setpoint; the measurement used may be a peak, an average or some weighted function and the automatic exposure control logic then adjusts, in order, the I.sup.2 Tube gain, the I.sup.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in total knee arthroplasty includes a tibia engaging plate which is coupled to an upstanding rack member, a drill bushing bracket coupled to the rack member by a lockable pinion member, and a femoral positioning jig which is rotatably coupled to the drill bushing bracket. The drill bushing bracket has a pair of spaced apart drill bushings which are dimensionally located to correspond in position to medial and lateral condyles of the femur. The centers of the drill bushings lie in a plane which is parallel to the plane in which the tibia engaging plate lies. The femoral positioning jig is provided with a pair of posterior skids, one for the lateral posterior condyle and one for the medial posterior condyle, a pair of holes for attaching the jig to the resected distal femur with spikes, and a pair of holes for receiving the two drill bushings. Two different femoral positioning jigs are provided, one for the right knee and one for the left knee.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus (systems) are set forth for enabling bingo (and similar games of chance, referred to hereinafter collectively as "bingo") to be played in real time at locations which are remote (geographically separated in a physical sense) from the location where the numbers (or more generally symbols) used to play a bingo type of game are being selected. The disclosed methods and apparatus are directed to both passive and interactive systems which allow bingo to be played from the aforementioned remote locations.

Abstract: A stacked memory module having alternating layers of printed circuit boards and spacers. Connections between a given circuit board surface and an adjacent (facing) stacked printed circuit board surface, are made using at least one conductive pad incorporated into the electrical circuitry printed on and within the perimeter of each of the adjacent pair of board surfaces; together with means for interconnecting these conductive pads. The spacers can, for example, take the form of standoffs, spacer boards provided with clearance cutouts for components on the printed circuit boards, etc. The printed circuit boards and spacers are then aligned and fastened together using, for example, one or more alignment rods. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastened assembly is placed in a hollow memory module housing (e.g., a metal cylinder) to complete the fabrication of the memory module.

Abstract: Processes are set forth for forming high strength thermoplastic polymer bone fixation devices used, for example, in orthopedic surgery, where "strength" is quantified in terms of a given device's pullout strength, tensile modulus, shear strength and breaking torque strength. Products of the aforementioned process are contemplated by the invention as well, with both "bioabsorbable" devices, for example, screws which are absorbable in an animal body and do not need to be removed after the bone in which they are inserted has healed; and non-bioabsorbable devices being described.

Abstract: Processes are set forth for forming high strength thermoplastic polymer bone fixation devices used, for example, in orthopedic surgery, where "strength" is quantified in terms a given device's pullout strength, tensile modulus, shear strength and breaking torque strength. Products of the aforementioned process are contemplated by the invention as well, with both "bioabsorbable" devices, for example, screws which are absorbable in an animal body and do not need to be removed after the bone in which they are inserted has healed; and non-bioabsorbable devices being described.

Abstract: A tibial prosthesis includes a base support member, a bearing surface member, a stabilizer insert support, and a shoulder screw. The base member has a centrally located proximally flared protrusion or rail which extends substantially from the anterior edge of the base support member to the posterior edge of the base support member and defines a pair of substantially parallel dovetail coupling edges. An upstanding posterior stop is located on the upper surface of the rail adjacent its posterior edge and a posteriorly angled screw hole is provided in an anterior portion of the rail. The bearing member has a lower distally tapered recess or groove, dimensioned to receive the rail on the base member, and a posterior stop receiving recess for permitting the posterior stop on the base member rail to engage the insert support. A hollow upstanding stabilizer is formed on a central portion of the bearing member and a hole is provided anterior of the stabilizer.

Abstract: A non-refillable valve for a pressurized container which includes a unidirectional stepped valve housing within which a freestanding blocking element is housed. The blocking element is preferably a reversible, symmetrical check that integrally includes stop means for preventing the return of said blocking element to an initial location after it has been moved to a final location that activates the one way characteristic feature of a non-refillable valve (where activation is designed to take place after initially charging of the container). Further aspects of the invention relate to blocking elements (checks) per se which are suitable for use in non-refillable valves.

Abstract: A prosthetic acetabular cup assembly, for receiving a ball attached to a femur, including components interlocked via a locking mechanism that includes a retaining ring fabricated at least in part using a polyaryletherketone material, such as PEEK. The locking mechanism is designed to meet predefined constraints such as assuring that substantially all motion is eliminated between assembled parts, assuring further that push-in/pull-out forces of assembly are within generally accepted industry standards, etc.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for (a) increasing expansion tank "acceptance" (defined herein as working fluid storage capacity); and (b) adjusting the rate of pressure variations within a prespecified range in precharged fluid storage systems (for example, holding pressure down below a prespecified threshold value for a given volume of acceptance, stored water temperature level, etc.). A "volatile" fluid (defined herein as a fluid having a boiling point within the predetermined pressure and temperature operating ranges for a given system), is used at least in part as the expansion fluid in an expansion tank included in a fluid storage system.

Abstract: A heat recovery system (including associated methods, apparatus and controls for implementing such a system) integrated in a hot water heating system that is combinable with an air conditioning loop containing hot gas wherein the hot water system selectively utilizes heat recovered from the hot gas to produce and store hot water at a preselected temperature level requiring the use of only a single water storage tank. According to one aspect of the invention, hot gas is taken from the air conditioning loop and placed directly into a heat exchanger coil immersed in the water storage tank for selective use therein to produce hot water.

Abstract: An enclosure for protecting a heat sensitive item from high temperatures and shock which includes: (a) an outer housing including an inner cavity for containing at least one heat sensitive item; (b) an aquarium located within the inner cavity including at least one protective compartment within which the at least one heat sensitive item is located; (c) a thermal mass, located within the inner cavity and covering at least a portion of the exterior surface of the aquarium; and (d) a venting mechanism for venting any moisture, that penetrates the aquarium and enters the at least one protective compartment included therein, to the ambient air outside the outer housing. The invention finds particular utility in the Flight Recorder field where heat sensitive components, such as solid state memories, may be subject to fire and shock often resulting from an aircraft crash.