Abstract: A hydrophilic microporous membrane, is provided comprising a hydrophobic membrane substrate exemplified by a polyolefin or partially fluorinated polyolefin membrane. A process is also provided for preparing a hydrophilic membrane by grafting a water soluble polymer to the hydrophobic membrane substrate surface by irradiation means, e.g., ultraviolet irradiation. The invention further concerns a method for making the membrane and process means for filtering a fluid through such membrane.

Abstract: A restricted access vending device with included microwave oven. The device includes a cabinet having a refrigerated compartment containing a plurality of product selections, a compressor associated with the refrigerated compartment, and means for vending a particular product selection to a user. The microwave oven is disposed inside the cabinet and shares a common power supply access with the compressor. An access door is disposed in the cabinet between the user and the microwave for limiting access thereto. The door opens upon the vending of a product selection for a preset period of time so that the user may insert the vended product into the oven. Upon activation by the user of a cooking switch, the access door closes and the microwave operates to heat the vended product.

Abstract: A calculator apparatus 10 includes the standard calculator mode and several other modes functions namely; a pressure-temperature conversion, a temperature-to-pressure conversion based on refrigerant, a relative humidity reading based on input of the dry bulb and wet bulb temperature; and a flow-energy rate conversion mode based upon a selected fuel meter dial and Metric or English units. In addition, a Fahrenheit-to-centigrade conversion and a centigrade-to-Fahrenheit conversion functions are incorporated. The calculator includes a keyboard 18, a microprocessor 16, a timer 26, a power source 12, a switch 14 and a display screen 22.

Abstract: A multi-purpose toy to be used in the game of catch. A plate doubles as both a throwing implement and a catching implement. Placement of an easily removable plate cover converts the plate into a catching implement; removal of the plate cover enables the plate to be a throwing implement.

Abstract: A stopper assembly for a drain pipe includes a closure member having a stopper at one end and a cylindrical portion configured to fit into the drain pipe. An actuator disposed outside the drain pipe is magnetically coupled to the closure member and may be manipulated to raise and lower the closure member so as to open and close the drain outlet. The magnetic coupling avoids the need for any levers or other mechanical elements to pass through the wall of the drain pipe.

Abstract: This invention is a compact optical processor including a coherent light source, plural optical elements that together form a Fourier transform interferometer, and a two dimensional detector array. The light source generates a two dimensional input optical wavefront intensity modulated according to the input signal. The optical elements are formed as slab-like members with parallel input and output surfaces. These optical elements are disposed abutting in tandem. The light detecting device includes a two dimensional array of photosensitive elements generating an image signal corresponding to the processed two dimensional optical wavefront. The plural optical elements preferably include at least one acousto-optical element forming a two dimensional scanner. The plural optical elements may further includes a holographic optical element to block light undiffracted by the scanning elements.

Abstract: An improved cutting tool insert for an assembly comprising a tool holder having an engagement pocket, the cutting insert configured generally as a polyhedral cutting element and adapted to engage the pocket in the tool holder, and a clamping member adapted to retain the insert in the pocket. A planar clamp bearing surface is formed in the insert oblique to the longitudinal, horizontal, and vertical axes of the insert such that pressure exerted by the clamping member on the bearing surface causes the insert to seat in the pocket and be held in place thereby.

Abstract: Method for controlling an electric drive motor coupled to a reciprocating mechanical system such as an oil well walking beam pump by inserting a pair of power-off pulses in a reciprocation period of the pump motor energization cycle, with one pulse in a top-of-cycle region and the other pulse in a bottom-of-cycle region to reduce rod stress and motor electrical power consumption and increase pump displacement and efficiency.

Abstract: A gas assisted injection molding method and apparatus wherein articles are produced by injecting molten resin into a mold cavity and then injecting a quantity of pressurized gas into the resin to fill out the mold cavity and form a hollow in the resin. Following the injection of the gas into the resin to form the hollow, gas is injected into the resin in the mold cavity at a second location. The gas injected at the second location may either form a separate hollow within the resin or may form a passage extending through the resin for communication with the hollow formed by the gas injected at the first location. The first location is preferably the resin injection location and the second location is preferably a location communicating directly with the mold cavity. Gas is vented from the article either at the first location, the second location, or both locations.

Abstract: Open circuit voltage of photovoltaic devices manufactured by a microwave deposition process is increased by disposing a bias wire in the microwave energized plasma and applying a positive voltage of approximately 100 volts to the wire during only a portion of the time in which the intrinsic semiconductor layer is being deposited.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the signal transmission speed between a signal source and a signal receiver of a microelectronic circuit is disclosed. The method includes the step of providing a signal transmission path whose length provides a predetermined ratio between its resistance and characteristic impedance which will reproduce the transmitted signal at the receiving end upon the first signal transition. The length of this transmission path may be increased by using a nonhomogeneous line structure in which the characteristic impedance increases in the direction of the signal transmission. In one form of the invention, the signal transmission path is formed by interconnecting a plurality of micro-strip conductors disposed on different planes of a universally programmable silicon circuit board. Under the appropriate circumstances, a signal can travel through such a "semi-lossy" transmission path at approximately the speed of light.

Abstract: A flexible inflatable polymer film filter assembly or device is provided in pouch or sleeve form for filtration of fluid comprising at least one fluid porous dead-end filter panel located internally within the pouch or sleeve with the opposite end edges of the filter panel sealed respectively to first and second polymer film fluid-barrier panels that form the pouch or sleeve so that the respective pouch or sleeve is divided into separate internal chambers, one of which may serve for collection of permeate fluid. The device has a flat two-dimensional form when empty but can assume an inflated three-dimensional form when containing fluid under pressure. The device being constructed of sterilizable thin plastic film, can be cut into transverse segments (for purposes of analysis, further processing, etc.) which can be a segment comprising each filter panel or a segment containing a liquid or non-liquid fluid permeate.

Abstract: A microwave window assembly for transmitting high power microwave energy from microwave propagating means into the interior of a chamber and including first and second windows formed of a dielectric material substantially transparent to microwave energy with the first window sealed in a wall of the chamber and the second window spaced rearwardly from the first window to define a space therebetween. A cooling fluid is circulated in the space between the windows to cool the window positioned in the wall of the vacuum chamber and a waveguide tube extends from the microwave propagating means to the rear surface of the second window to define a waveguide surface extending from the microwave source to the rear surface of the second window.

Abstract: A customized foot orthosis designed to be worn by a patient having at least one ulcerated site on his or her foot. The foot orthosis comprises a brace having at least a back portion and a sole portion, an aperture extending through the sole portion, and means for fastening the orthosis securely to the patient's foot and lower leg. The aperture is positioned to correspond with the location of the ulcerated site on the patient's foot, thus relieving pressure from the ulcerated site when the patient is weight-bearing and thereby permitting the patient to be mobile while simultaneously assisting in the aeration and healing of the ulcerated site.

Abstract: An apparatus for extruding a sheath or cladding about a temperature sensitive core material wherein the melting point of the core material is lower than the temperature of the extruded sheath or cladding. The apparatus utilizes a cooling chamber separated from said extrusion die assembly to cool the core material prior to the core material entering the extrusion die assembly.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive linear displacement detector includes a dual pole magnet assembly. The displacement detector includes a magnetostrictive wire, a return wire and a magnet disposed for displacement along the magnetostrictive wire. A torsional strain sensor at the head end generates an electrical indication of the torsional strain within the magnetostrictive wire induced by passage of an electrical excitation by the position of the magnet. The magnet of this invention is a cylindrical magnetic bipole. The magnet includes two toroidal magnet sections. The first toroidal magnet section has radially disposed magnetic poles with the South pole directed inwardly and the North pole directed outwardly. The second toroidal magnet is a similar radial magnet except that it has its North pole directly inwardly and its South pole directly outwardly. The magnet assembly has a length preferably no more than one half inch. This length should be short in relation to the total length of the measurement range.

Abstract: An electric plug including a disabling mechanism to preclude unauthorized use of the plug. The disabling mechanism includes a key cylinder lock assembly including a cam member rotated in response to rotation of the key cylinder, a pair of conductive track strips extending from a cord inlet to a location proximate the prongs of the plug, an insulative block mounted for linear sliding movement within the hollow of the housing of the plug between open and closed positions, and a pair of conductive contact strips carried by the insulative block and each including a portion slidably engaging a respective track strip and a portion movable into electric contact with a contact portion of a respective prong in response to movement of the insulative block to a closed position in response to rotation of the key cylinder lock.