Abstract: Radiation synthesizer systems provide efficient wideband operation with an antenna, such as a loop, which is small relative to operating wavelength. Energy dissipation is substantially reduced by cycling energy back and forth between a high-Q radiator and a storage capacitance. Systems using multi-segment loop antennas match antenna input impedance to switching circuit parameters. Control signal feeds employ fiber-optic cables and reduce conductive paths. Multi-voltage DC supply configurations use parallel conductor portions of antenna loop segments and reduce the need for separate DC supply conductors. Spurious conductive loops are thereby reduced and lightweight, flexible antenna constructions are enabled.

Abstract: Call-protect systems are arranged, upon an operating failure, to handoff a call in progress and maintain processing of the call without disruption or need to reinitiate. Application processor (AP) nodes are configured to continuously run standby call processing (CP) facilities, in addition to running active call processing facilities engaged in current call processing. As a call is actively processed, call context information, such as caller and account identification and call status, is stored in memory within a call processing subsystem. Upon a failure affecting the AP node processing a call, call handoff is made to the standby CP facility of a different AP node. The capability of maintaining processing of the handoff call without disruption is enhanced by retrieval of the stored call context information for that call.

Abstract: Anchoring systems for aircraft arresting nets utilize frangible anchor links around lower horizontal straps of each net element of a composite arresting net. Each anchor link may be formed from flexible plastic sheet material, with openings through which an anchor cable passes and is secured to a runway surface by an anchor retainer. The anchor links provide ease of anchoring system assembly in the field and retain the bottom of the arresting net in proper position prior to engagement of the arresting net by an aircraft overrunning the runway. When an aircraft engages the net, the anchor links break to permit the net to conform to and safely stop the aircraft. Each anchor link may be perforated in its central portion or otherwise formed or specified to provide suitable frangibility in an arresting incident.

Abstract: A split seal component includes two seal face segments in two holder halves and a method of assembly and installation. Each seal face segment has a primary sealing surface and a section extending axially from each primary sealing surface. The holder halves are adapted to be joined together to rigidly hold the circular seal face. The holder being constructed and arranged to mount to a shaft.

Abstract: A split seal component including a seal face comprising two seal face segments rigidly mounted in two holder halves and methods of assembly and installation. The seal face segments may each have a nose that is held snugly by each holder half and is supported axially. Aligning pins received in aligning holes of the holder halves may be used to align the face segments. A fixture may be used to axially align the seal segments. A split o-ring and inner axial wall may be included that position the seal face concentrically with a shaft. Each holder half may have an integral band that clamps and also positions the face segments concentrically with the shaft. The walls of the holder halves may be stress-relieved proximate the junctions of the holder halves. A kit is provided for a rotary seal component with a rigidly mounted seal face. Another seal component includes a seal face comprising two seal face segments resiliently mounted in two holder halves.

Abstract: A computer system implements a process for gathering, synthesizing, and analyzing data relating to a pump and/or seal or other rotating equipment failure. Data indicating the current state of the equipment is gathered and verified prior to a failure occurring so that accurate information is available. After a failure or problem occurs, data about the problem or failure are methodically gathered to aid in the determination of the root cause of the failure. In particular, visual images of failure modes are provided to the user to ensure that proper and accurate data are obtained. A user also is directed to gather other data about the failure and the system. After data relating to the problem or failure has been gathered, the data are synthesized and an analysis is performed to determine the root cause of the failure or problem. These various methods and apparatus allow a non-specialist to properly identify and diagnose a failure or problem associated with a mechanical seal and pump.

Abstract: Call routing is controlled by a central unit providing switching control signals based on selecting the best figure-of-merit value from among poll responses for agents. While an incoming call is held by a public network 12, poll inquiries are sent from a central unit 20. Each local unit 24, 26, 28 provides a poll response indicative of the one its associated response resources (e.g., agents 31, 32, 33) having the shortest queue wait. Each poll response may be a simple figure-of-merit value representing agent availability. Central unit 20 selects the poll response represented by the best figure-of-merit value and sends routing instructions to the network 12. The call is then routed to the appropriate agent for handling. Where a local unit has no associated agent who is qualified to respond to a call (based on caller data related to that call) no poll response need be sent to central unit 20.

Abstract: Collision avoidance systems are provided for groups of aircraft operating in close proximity, as during formation flights or cooperative missions. Fixed and rotary airfoil aircraft with separations of 30 feet to 5 miles, for example, participate in a local radio sub-net. An aircraft receiving CAS sub-net signals derives signal transit time values representing differences between send and receive times and which are used to derive data on inter-aircraft range and closing rate. With synchronized clocks, highly-accurate one-way ranging uses assigned time slots with predetermined sub-net time-of-day timing of transmissions. Round-trip ranging operates with less accurate time synchronization, and systems may operatively select between one-way and round-trip ranging. By exchange of range and closing rate data among aircraft, 3-D data for current three-dimensional location of aircraft enables evasive action determination.

Abstract: A source of interference signals may be present at a fixed incident angle relative to a stationary antenna. Horizontal array antennas are provided with radiation pattern notches or nulls at selected fixed angles to suppress reception of interference signals. By excitation of elements on the left side of an array in opposite phase relative to elements on the right side and provision of an appropriate line-length differential between left and right radiation element feed lines, a radiation pattern notch is positioned at a selectable angle relative to boresight. Notch width optimization is provided by use of relative excitation levels of radiating elements as disclosed. Other configurations are disclosed.

Abstract: A hook cable support assembly is arranged to support a hook cable above a runway surface for arrestment of an aircraft having a tail hook. The operating mechanism of the support assembly is mounted to the detachable cover of an enclosure. A cable support block holding the hook cable can be rotated to lower the cable into a runway slot for non-arrested landings and can be depressed downward upon impact by an aircraft wheel. Support block rotation is controlled by a pneumatic cylinder and compression spring combination acting via a four-bar linkage. Support block upward recovery following depression is controlled by torsion springs. The cylinder and compression and torsion springs are mounted to the lower surface of the cover and function as a self-contained mechanism isolated from mechanical contact with the enclosure. With this cover-mounted configuration, the operating mechanism of the cable support assembly is removable for service or replacement by detachment of the cover.

Abstract: For broadcast transmission of Differential GPS data signals, a vertical array antenna provides broad band omnidirective phase-progressive radiation with elliptical polarization. Four-dipole sub-arrays use diagonally aligned two-piece cut and bend dipoles with isolated conductive frontal strip. With these vertically arrayed sub-arrays, lower and upper sub-arrays are excited at 70 percent amplitude and respective plus and minus 90 degree phase rotation relative to middle sub-array, for optimized performance with low elevation lobing. Divided transmission line operation provided by the frontal strip of appropriate length achieves double-tuned dipole performance with very low VSWR over the operating band.

Abstract: Playback of pre-recorded messages to respond to caller inquiries has been subject to delays inherent in speech retrieval. Latent periods, both initial and intra-message, are reduced by breaking speech elements (words, phrases, sentences, etc.) into opening fragments and remaining portions. For each pre-recorded speech element for a particular application, an opening fragment (e.g., 4K bytes of speech data) is stored in active computer memory. The remaining portion of each speech element, regardless of length, is stored in a large capacity speech storage facility. For an incoming call, an appropriate responsive message is determined. The opening fragment of a pre-recorded speech element for that message is retrieved from active memory and used to initiate message transmission to the caller. Contemporaneously, a remaining portion of the speech element is retrieved from the storage facility and moved to active memory.

Abstract: Low-protrusion array antennas enable reception of satellite signals by airliners in flight. Prior systems using a beam normal to an array face required a 70° array tilt for reception from a satellite at 20° elevation (i.e., tilt angle is complementary angle (90°−&bgr;) of satellite angle (&bgr;) of elevation). Compared to that 70° array tilt for reception from a satellite at 20° elevation, disclosed antennas require an array tilt of only 25° (90°−&bgr;−&agr;=25°). This is accomplished by providing a beam at a fixed acute angle (&agr;) to the array face (e.g. 45 degrees). A side-by-side linear array 16 of slotted waveguide radiator columns 18 provides a pencil beam at a fixed acute angle of 45° to array aperture, for example. By action of tilting motor 42 to mechanically tilt the array of slotted waveguides over a range of ±25° from horizontal, the beam can be scanned from 20° elevation to 70° elevation.

Abstract: Angled warp spikes enable secure attachment to the steel flooring of a railroad boxcar. Such flooring includes transverse slots with a curved depth profile. The warp spikes are designed to deform or warp as they are driven into a flooring slot and conform to the curved depth profile. Tiedown fixtures fabricated of steel plate can be attached to the floor of a boxcar by warp spikes driven through elongated openings in the fixture into slots in the boxcar flooring. Tiedown fixtures used with warp spikes provide a boxcar tiedown system to which tiedown load carrying members, such as cables, chains, braces and struts can be connected.

Abstract: A dual-radiator whip antenna to operate over a 30 to 450 MHz frequency band includes a high frequency dipole above a low frequency monopole. The outer conductor (30) of a coaxial line is configured to operate as a monopole. Above the upper terminus of the outer conductor, an extension (32a) of the inner conductor (32) is configured as the upper arm of a dipole. An upper length of the outer conductor also functions as the lower dipole arm. With a single antenna port (13), a diplexer and other feed elements separate signals into high and low frequency bands respectively coupled to the dipole and monopole radiators. Increased high frequency range results from positioning of the center of radiation of the dipole above the monopole.

Abstract: Synthesizer radiating systems provide efficient wideband operation with an antenna, such as a loop, which is small relative to operating wavelength. Energy dissipation is substantially reduced by cycling energy back and forth between a high-Q radiator and a storage capacitor. Wideband operation is achieved by actively controlling power switch devices. Dissipation is further reduced during high speed switching by use of sequential switching methods to avoid dissipation of energy capacitively stored in switch capacitances, including switch control circuit capacitance. Systems using multi-segment loop antennas are arranged to match antenna input impedance to switching circuit parameters. Personal transmit/receive systems mounted on a jacket or other clothing for field use are enabled.

Abstract: A self-contained four-dipole element provides a 360 degree phase-progressive-omnidirectional (PPO) circularly polarized antenna pattern. Via a single signal port, a PPO excitation network incorporated into the element excites the four dipoles at phases differing by successive 90 degree increments. The four-dipole element is adapted for efficiently reproducible fabrication using printed circuit techniques. Antennas employing a stack of the elements provide a hemispherical antenna pattern with PPO circular polarization and a sharp cutoff below horizontal. For GPS reception in Differential GPS aircraft landing applications, a 21 element antenna provides multipath suppression and a unitary phase center enabling avoidance of signal phase discrepancies. More or fewer elements may be employed in other applications.

Abstract: Low impedance loop antennas utilize a loop separated into a plurality of radiating segments fed in parallel. A four point feed loop antenna, including radiating segments 12, 13, 14, 15 had a measured input impedance varying from 1.8 to 5.8 Ohms over a range of 5 to 15 MHz, without excessive radiation Q degradation. An incorporated feed network includes transmission line segments, with conductors on opposite surfaces of a thin substrate, connecting the radiating segments to a centrally mounted coaxial connector for parallel excitation. Operating bandwidth of the loop antenna is determined by the characteristic impedance of the transmission line feed segments. Low impedance loop antennas which are small relative to operating wavelength can be fabricated on a thin flexible substrate for field transport and use. Incorporation of the antenna into a jacket or other clothing enables field use while minimizing restriction of activity of the user.

Abstract: By providing subpixel accuracy in the detection of the position of an element of a pixel data image, the invention makes possible reductions in scanner and storage resolution of the order of 65 percent or greater for two-dimensional applications. Methods use normalized gray level values to determine the extent of coverage of an image cell by individual pixels. By then applying such gray level values of a plurality of successive pixels to a preconstructed lookup table, ambiguities are resolved to determine the position of cell edges. The cell edge data can be used to determine cell position or used directly in edge-based bar code decoding techniques. Cell position data is used for construction of a virtual image of a bar code or other dataform of interest and virtual image information may then be used for purposes of decoding the bar code or other dataform.

Abstract: A self-contained helmet communication system is arranged to support oral communication by sending sound waves to and receiving sound waves from an unequipped person positioned near a helmet wearer. The helmet communication system includes a protective helmet having an external microphone and speaker mounted on the helmet. The external microphone, responsive to sound waves external to the helmet, provides signals that are coupled to an internal speaker or earphone to provide a representation of the external sound waves to the wearer. An internal microphone, which is responsive to speech of the helmet wearer, provides signals representative of the helmet wearer's speech that are coupled to an external speaker. Additionally included is a signal coupler with dual audio amplifier channels to couple signals representative of external sound waves from the external microphone to the internal speaker, and to couple signals representative of speech of the wearer from the internal microphone to the external speaker.