Abstract: A method for designing and implementing a system for subsurface drip irrigation dispersal of sodic water from a coal bed seam, the method comprising calculating a land surface area below which the sodic water dispersal system is to be placed, determining a concentration of total dissolved solids contained in the sodic water and in the aquifer ground water beneath the land surface area, developing a sodic water dispersal system configuration and dispersal sequence that limits the increase in the concentration of total dissolved solids in the aquifer ground water to no more than five hundred percent. Installing the sodic water dispersal system in the land area in accordance with the developed system configuration and pumping sodic water from the coal bed into the configured dispersal system in accordance with the developed dispersal sequence.

Abstract: A non-invasive microwave analysis system determines scattered phase and/or amplitude data for a liquid in a container. A tank holds coupling liquid; the system includes a membrane for separating the liquid container from the coupling liquid. A transmitter antenna situated within the coupling liquid transmits microwaves. One or more receiver antennas within the coupling liquid convert microwave radiation that scatters from the liquid in the container into microwave electronic signals. Electronics process the microwave electronic signals to determine scattered phase and/or amplitude values of the microwave radiation.

Abstract: A method for reducing optical distortion within an optical system employing adaptive optics, includes modifying phase of a wavefront of the optical system with a wavefront coding element. Image data of the optical system is post-processed to remove phase effects induced by the wavefront coding element, to reduce optical distortion caused by the adaptive optics and associated with one or more of quilting, stuck actuator and piston error.

Abstract: A system for pneumatically conveying flexible fabric items such as uniforms and table linens has a pair of side outlets at each discharge location to enhance the discharge capacity. Each side outlet is provided with a gate to open and close the outlet. A hopper having a chute receives the items discharged through the corresponding outlet. A sling cart or other bin underlies each chute. When a cart is full, hopper doors can be closed to allow the hopper to serve as a temporary holding bin while the conveying system continues to operate without interruption as the full cart is moved and replaced by an empty cart.

Abstract: A multi-phase, coupled-inductor, DC-DC voltage converter operates in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) when the system is operated at low output power demand. An embodiment of the converter switches to operating in continuous conduction mode (CCM) when the system is operated at high output power demand. Operation in single-drive and rotating phase DCM operation at low power are described. An alternative embodiment operates in a multiple-drive, rotating-phase, discontinuous conduction mode during at least one condition of output power demand.

Abstract: A leak detection system for a flowing electrolyte battery comprising a containment member associated with at least one of a stack of a flowing electrolyte battery and an electrolyte reservoir of a flowing electrolyte battery and a sensing member for sensing a fluid leak within the containment member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of and system for gathering off-body pressure signature data from a scaled model in a wind tunnel. The data is gathered using a probe having multiple longitudinally disposed static pressure ports. Because of the number of ports and their spacing, the probe is able to remain stationary in the tunnel for the entire range of Mach numbers and model positions to be tested. Thus, tunnel flow characteristics can be easily and effectively removed. The system also has an automated model positioning system which enables settings at different pitch, yaw, and roll angles. This enables the user to locate the model so that it can be traversed at a fixed distance above the probe while maintaining the desired angular orientation of the model. By repeatedly traversing the model at different angular orientations, a detailed and accurate off-body pressure distribution can be obtained. The wind tunnel test technique captures full off-body pressure signatures in a complete 360 degree azimuthal range.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to effectively reduce the non-active detection gap between sensor elements of an optical sensor. Reducing the non-active gap can subsequently reduce the time delay between sensor elements, mitigating the image degrading effects of a composite element time delay. While applicable to use with a wide range of optical sensors, the invention may be used for detecting aspects of a variable-rate dynamic colorful object using a matrix sensor or a tri-linear color CCD sensor. In one variation, optical fibers extend from a first fiber optic faceplate to a second fiber optic faceplate. The optical fibers can be oriented toward or directly mounted to the sensor elements. A spacer may be used to separate the optical fibers for alignment with the sensor elements and the other end of the optical fibers are attached to each other.

Abstract: Stabilization devices for use with folding and/or extension ladders and methods of stabilizing ladders are disclosed herein. A stabilization device of one embodiment includes an upper shaft for operative coupling to a ladder's upper end. An outer leg has a lower end and an upper end with an aperture for receiving the shaft. An inner leg is configured for telescoping extension relative to the outer leg, and means are included for maintaining the inner leg at various positions. A foot is at the inner leg's lower end. A lower bracket selectively attaches to a ladder leg. A lower coupler selectively attaches to the outer leg. A lower strut has a first end attachable to the lower bracket and a second end attachable to the lower coupler to operatively couple the outer leg to the ladder leg and maintain a distance between the outer leg and the ladder leg.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for encrypting a program for execution on a remote host computer on a network, such that correct execution by the remote host computer is ensured, and such that the remote host computer remains unaware of the computations or data associated with execution. Results from the computations at the remote host computer are transmitted to a control computer, on the network, which decodes the results to useful data representative as output from the program. In a first step of the method, the program is encoded as a unitary matrix multiplication, Uij, of i dimensions by j dimensions. Un is the set of unitary matrices of size n, forms a non-commutative group under matrix multiplication, and has a unique group-invariant Haar measure probability distribution; Uij is thus an element of Un. In a second step, an input data string to the program is encoded as a vector bj of n dimensions. The first and second steps can be performed in either order.

Abstract: An environmentally clean dual fuel for use in an internal combustion engine, comprising acetylene as a primary fuel and a combustible fuel, such as one or more fluids selected from an alcohol such as ethanol, methanol or any other alcohol or alcohols from the group comprising C1-C20 carbon chains, ethers such as from the group comprising dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, methyl t-butyl ether, ethyl t-butyl ether, t-amyl methyl ether, di-isopropyl ether and the like, low-molecular-weight esters such as from the group comprising methyl formate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, ethyl malate, and butyl malate, and the like, or other suitable combustible fluid such as mineral spirits and the like, as a secondary fuel for operatively preventing early ignition and knock arising from the primary fuel.

Abstract: A hair accessory includes a first comb, a second comb, at least one connecting member connecting the first comb to the second comb, and a plurality of hair strands extending from the connecting member. A method for fabricating a hair accessory is also described.

Abstract: A structural bolt security apparatus includes a security nut forming a threaded central hole for a bolt; the security nut has a groove in an upper surface and/or a side surface. At least one groove is at least partially separated from the threaded central hole by the upper surface. In one embodiment, a security nut has a plurality of electrical contacts, logic electronics configured for monitoring electrical resistance across the electrical contacts, and a transmitter for broadcasting security data generated by the logic electronics. In one embodiment, a structural bolt security apparatus includes a security nut and an outer sleeve. Structural bolt security systems described herein include a security nut, a security socket, and a security wrench. The systems may be equipped with RFID chips for recognition of matched security nuts and security sockets, and/or with GPS transceivers for broadcasting security wrench position information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to light-weight thin-film photovoltaic cells, methods for making cells, modules made from cells, and methods for making modules from cells. The invention teaches a manner in which individual cells may be bonded to one another, eliminating the need for an additional support substrate and interconnecting leads, thus reducing the overall weight and thickness of individual cells and modules of the cells.

Abstract: A system for storage and delivery of a fuel additive to a fuel tank includes a reservoir in fluidic communication with a volumetric pump, through a tubular member such as a steel-braided hose. The pump is in further fluidic communication with the fuel return line of a vehicle, via another tubular member, such as a steel-braided hose. Valves disposed along the fluidic pathway prevent backflow of additive. The pump is electrically connected to and actuated by a timer, the timer calibrated to a rate of the pump to provide a predetermined amount of fuel additive necessary to treat an amount of fuel added to the fuel tank of the vehicle. A user interface with user-selectable, volumetric settings and control switches is electrically connected to the timer. A related method of adding a fuel additive to the fuel tank of a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A correspondence kit and method for continued and repeated mailing or sharing or exchanging of a journal between two or more participants. The kit includes a journal of blank writing pages, multiple mailing envelopes, a primary sending envelope and accessories such as photo corners, stickers and labels. One participant will write in the book, add mementos, photographs and similar items. The book will be mailed, with return envelopes to another participant, who will add to the book, and return it to the original sender, or to another participant. The journal is exchanged between the participants until it is complete.