Abstract: A navigation satellite receiver that nulls interference and enhances satellite signals using differences in their spatial positions and that includes four antennas in a spatial array respectively connected to four amplitude and phase balanced receiver downconverter channels. Five satellite tracking channels are each connected to all four receiver channels and each includes despreaders and I/Q accumulators for early, late and punctual correlation. The despreader and accumulator combinations provide four-by-one vectors called aperture estimates. A code-gated maximum likelihood processor whitens these by multiplication with the mathematical inverse Cholesky factor of the interference data. This vector is generated in a millisecond block "k" and is multiplied by a similarly generated vector formed in a previous millisecond block "k-1". The magnitude of the resulting product is used for code tracking, and the phase of the result provides for carrier tracking.

Abstract: A reflector-pump network is provided for insertion between an AC power supply source and a full-wave rectifier in an AC-DC power converter. The complex harmonic current demands generated by the full-wave rectification process are satiated by a pump in the network. Such complex harmonic current demands are further isolated from the AC power source by the reflectors in the network.

Abstract: An optical disk records digital information in optically-reflective layers that each vary in thickness between constructive interference of a monochromatic light and destructive interference of the said monochromatic light. The difference in the intensity of a reflected light beam subjected to interferometric constructive and destructive interference is used to communicate digital data from the optically-reflective layers and a detector. The optical disk provides for multiple layers of digital information that are tuned for interferometric response at correspondingly different monochromatic wavelengths of light. Another embodiment of the present invention is a mass-production process for making such an interferometric optical disk. Another embodiment of the present invention is a variation that includes layers that are emitting or absorbing depending on dopants.

Abstract: A method for locating the joints and fractures of underground cast iron gas mains comprises connecting several sections of an underground cast iron gas main pipeline across a sixty watt signal generator with an audio-frequency signal output of 7800 hertz. The connections take advantage of service lines, valve boxes and drip access at the surface, otherwise holes are drilled to accommodate contact probes. The signal passes through the pipe sections and their joints in series. The centerline of the underground cast iron gas main pipeline is plotted directly above on the surface of the ground, e.g., along a surface centerline. The relatively higher impedance of the pipe joints compared to the pipes themselves, causes current fluxes to radiate from each joint. The relative linear positions and their corresponding signal power measurements are collected along the surface centerline.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a roadway sensor for surface installation in a hole such that a thin ceramic contact sensor may be used to measure and cross-compare fundamental physical antenna parameters of the space immediately above a roadway or bridge surface. Measurements are combined by a microprocessor to discriminate between dry pavement, water (rain), snow and ice above the sensor head. Ambient surface temperature, water depth and ice/slush conditions are determined to estimate any hydroplaning hazard and ice/antifreeze/water mixtures. The sensor comprises an antenna that exhibits a resonant frequency and an input admittance including a real term; a Maxwell bridge coupled to the antenna for detecting the resonant frequency, input admittance and real term; and a frequency sweeping oscillator for driving the antenna at a plurality of frequencies proximate in frequency to the resonant frequency.

Abstract: Several fixed-location pseudolites transmit coordinates of their respective positions to a local area navigation receiver. The respective position and range information to each pseudolite are used to compute the position of the receiver. The pseudolites transmit on frequencies exempt from licensing requirements at power levels under one watt and use spread spectrum communication and pseudo random number codes similar to the global positioning system operated by the United States Government.

Abstract: A strutural connector hub for an exhibit booth. The connector hub provides for a double friction fit connector to secure various components together in place and further provides for a lock to additionally secure various components thereto.

Abstract: An improved navigation satellite receiver with a super heterodyne receiver channel configured to provide a first local oscillator frequency between L1 and L2 such that the down converted intermediate frequencies of L1 and L2 can be processed by the same intermediate frequency stages and a second mixer stage. A radio frequency (RF) selector switch is provided to select between inputting L1 and L2 to the first mixer. The RF switch is controlled by a digital signal processor (DSP) that also provides automatic gain control (AGC) to an intermediate frequency amplifier. Histories and expected levels of AGC for each of L1 and L2 are maintained by the DSP. The RF switch is briefly toggled over to select one of L1 or L2, while tracking a satellite on the other carrier frequency, just long enough to sample the AGC level needed. If the level is too high, given the histories and expectations for such levels, the sampled carrier frequency is assumed to be jammed, and a high risk for switching over.

Abstract: A spectral filter and mounting assembly comprising a flat quartz disk with coatings to control the light spectrum, a heat transfer adapter, a split-ring retainer for use in a drop-in arc lamp assembly that includes an arc lamp with fitted cathode and anode heat sinks each including a thin-wall copper strip that is brazed in pleated folds between inner and outer cylindrical rings to create cooling fins. The drop-in lamp assembly also includes an insulative sleeve in which the arc lamp and heat sinks are disposed and a pair of connection bushings piercing the wall of the sleeve and providing an electrical connection to the arc lamp outside the sleeve. The arc lamp includes a copper heat conduction flange that surrounds a front window reduced in diameter from the diameter of the arc lamp. The flange conducts heat generated in the window and the spectral filter during operation directly to the cathode heat sink. Both heat sinks are forced-air cooled by the fan, thus cooling the window and the spectral filter.

Abstract: A computer cable bender which has two haves that are coupled together. The halves are supported by a base and have arcuate channels of circular cross section to surround the cable. The cable is redirected from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation thereby providing strain relief to the cable.

Abstract: A recordable compact disc comprises a 0.6 millimeter clear plastic or glass substrate on which is grown a thin-film image layer having several distinct recording planes. Each recording plane is separated from the next by a clear plastic layer. Each recording plane includes an organic dye layer in combination with another clear layer that has a different index of refraction. Different color dyes are used for each recording plane. A method for storing and reading data to and from a multilayer recordable compact disc with different color dye layers uses high powered color lasers to write each recording plane and low powered monochromatic reading lasers that are sensitive to the constructive and destructive light interference effects caused by micron variations in the clear plastic layers in each recording plane. The micron variations used for each recording plane are unique and chosen along with the monochromatic reading laser colors to have minimal crosstalk between recording-plane data channels.

Abstract: A modular semiconductor wafer processing system comprises a plurality of detachable process reactors and other types of generators that can be attached to any of several ports on the lid of a circular wafer handling chamber. A multiple-spoke single-axis rigid-arm transfer carousel centrally located within the circular wafer handling chamber has access to the respective process areas beneath each port in the lid. A set of independent cylindrical sleeves with sealing rings are provided to rise up from the floor of the circular wafer handling chamber to contact and seal against the lid to isolate each of the process stations. The multiple-spoke single-axis rigid-arm transfer carousel is automatically positioned out of the way before the cylindrical rings are raised and sealed.

Abstract: A modular gas box system comprises a series of modules that each connect into upper and lower manifolds that distribute reactive and purge gases through weldments and monoblock valves. A motherboard distributes power, control signals, and pneumatics air to all the plug-in modules. Environmental modules provide vent and purge lines to the process' reaction chambers. An embedded microcomputer manages in situ system and safety diagnostics for each and every module that has been assigned a motherboard address. Each gas module 24 is easy to remove and replace and the pneumatics control motherboard integrates pneumatics distribution, analog-to-digital converters, device controllers and support electronics. Gas module 24s include digital mass flow controllers, analog and digital pressure switches and transducers, gas filters and pneumatic valves.

Abstract: A method of making activated alumina includes beginning with a leach liquor of potassium and aluminum sulphates that is subjected to a surface-cooled crystallizer with a heat-exchanger input temperature of 160.degree. F. and a surface-chilled temperature of 60.degree. F. to 80.degree. F. Crystals of aluminum sulphate are precipitated and recrystalized by evaporation in a vacuum and at an elevated temperature. Purified crystals of aluminum sulphate are then dried at 50.degree.-60.degree. C. The dried aluminum sulphate crystals are then dehydrated at 400.degree.-450.degree. C. after a rise rate of 10.degree.-20.degree. C. per minute to drive off most of the water. A roasting and recalcination step at 900.degree. C.-950.degree. C. after a rise rate of 10.degree.-20.degree. C. per minute is used drive off the sulphate. The remaining alumina is useful as a high-grade catalyst.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a process in which a polymer solution is spin coated onto a master data recording disk, such as glass substrate with photoresist images, before separating. After drying and forming polymer, a polymer membrane results which is a faithful reproduction of micron-sized optical recording features on the surface of the master. Such membrane is either peeled-off and mounted to a pellicle-like frame or first laminated to a stiffer, stronger substrate before peeling to support the duplicate.

Abstract: A modular jack for interfacing a modular plug with a printed circuit board. The jack has a first outer housing segment and a second outer housing segment with a plurality of contacts embedded within the second segment and having pin portions projecting therefrom about one terminal end and contact portions projecting therefrom about the other terminal end with the contact portions being insertable within the first housing segment to make interface contact and mating with a male plug. The modular jack may include a shield with an electrically conductive compliant member about the edge of the shield to make interface electrical connection with a panel when the modular jack is mounted in place.

Abstract: A dental model and articulator system comprises upper and lower dental casts that each receive a corresponding anchor in their respective vertical posterior faces. A generally rectangular articulator main body has a transverse horizontal hinge attachment on its top that connects to an upper arm and the anchor on the upper dental cast. A vertical pivot is provided in the bottom end of the articulator main body that connects to the anchor on the lower dental cast. The upper and lower anchors attach to their respective articulator parts with a stem-in-sleeve arrangement that allows independent lateral tilting of both the upper and lower dental casts for occlusal and masticatory registration and fixing with glue. The vertical pivot also attaches to the articulator main body with a stem-in-sleeve arrangement that allows further degrees of freedom for the occlusal and masticatory registration between the upper and lower dental casts and for fixing the registration with glue.

Abstract: A GPS navigation receiver with a data output port for communicating a position estimate frame-by-frame and time codes in SMPTE format. The conventional date and time sentence output of the GPS navigation receiver is combined with a highly-accurate one pulse-per-second (.+-.one microsecond) to form a time-keeping base for the time code output. A data-logger records the position estimates with their corresponding time in time code format frame-by-frame in a database. The recorded position estimates are then used in special-effects post-production to direct the special-effects animation, modeling kinetics, etc., in a composite, final film or video.