Abstract: A floating, water current-driven electrical power generation system has a hull supporting one or more paddle wheels. The unit is tethered in a stream or river so that the moving water turns the paddle wheel coupled to an electrical generator. A transmission matches stream flow conditions to the electrical generator. Stabilizing fins on the hull bottom help keep the hull properly aligned in the stream's current. Built-in leg structures are sized to prevent bottoming of the paddle wheel during periods of low water in the stream or river. Mounts are provided for an outboard motor useful for propelling the unit to a desired location. Larger versions of the system may be equipped with a boat mooring facility allowing a boat to propel the unit to a desired position in a stream or river.

Abstract: Acidic groups such as those in the sulfonic acid family have been successfully linked onto the surface of carbon used as catalyst support. Electrodes made using such sulfonated catalysts as used in electrochemical cells improve the performance of the cells, more so than cells fabricated from electrodes using an unsulfonated electrode.

Abstract: The present invention features a method for identifying objects in an image and automatically generating of object recognition code. First, an image is segmented and coded in a first plane in at least one segmentation domain to create a first set of uniform fields or regions having interior and exterior information. Then the image is segmented and coded in a second plane, again in at least one segmentation domain, to create a second set of uniform fields or regions having interior and exterior information. The relationship of the boundaries of the first and second sets of fields is then determined. Information representative of the uniform fields is analyzed and/or communicated horizontally and vertically for relationships of objects among the planes. The system is then queried, forming object definitions, in order to recognize objects in the image. The objects can also be displayed on a common image domain. The image can also be resegmented, each field being coded by a multi-bit (e.g.

Abstract: A rolling kneepad having a weight transfer support assembly with swivel casters to support a user, a kneepad cushion provided above the support assembly to comfortably receive a user's knee, and a shin guard peripherally attached to the support assembly and extending outwardly therefrom. The elongated shin guard has a distal end which abuts the upper surface of a user's shoe or boot. Consequently, when the user moves from a kneeling to a standing position, the weight of the rolling kneepad is supported on the top surface of the user's shoe or boot. Downward slippage of the rolling kneepad along the user's leg is prevented and manual reposition of the rolling kneepad prior to the user resuming a kneeling position is avoided. Straps having hook and loop fasteners at the ends are typically used to affix the rolling kneepad to the body of the user.

Abstract: A fuel cell using a neat alcohol such as neat 2-propanol, as its fuel is described. The fuel that is purposely not mixed with any amount of water is oxidized directly at the fuel cell anode. The fuel cell can support a higher current density than a fuel cell using 1 M 2-propanol aqueous solution. The energy density of a fuel cell using a neat fuel is much higher than that of one using dilute fuel aqueous solutions.

Abstract: There is provided an improved putting training apparatus and method wherein a golfer may observe, analyze, and record their putting swing. A putter supports two detachable, vertically aligned lasers, each adapted to selectively cast a beam towards a target disposed substantially perpendicular to the face of the putter. A first laser is momentarily illuminated when the putter head address the golf ball. The second laser is illuminated continuously both during the preparation for and during the putt. The second laser records on the target a complete transition of the club head during the time it is illuminated. A camera connected to a computer records the first and second laser traces on the target and provides feedback to the golfer regarding his putting swing. Putter head velocity is thereby easily determined. The lowest point in the arc may be readily compared to the actual point of impact with the ball.

Abstract: A human-powered, electrical generation system for intermittently receiving mechanical energy from a human and storing that mechanical energy. The stored mechanical energy is used to turn a generator that produces electrical power that is stored in a rechargeable battery. An optional inverter converts the DC power stored in the battery to AC power. A mechanical energy controller is provided to regulates the release of the stored mechanical energy. This allows intermittent energy release so that an intermittent electrical load may be properly supplied over a relatively long period of time without need for repeated energy input from the human. Mechanical energy may be stored in a spring arrangement or in a pressurized hydraulic reservoir. Hand cranks, levers, and pedals in optional combination with a gear box or multi-speed hub may be provided to add energy to the mechanical energy storage apparatus.

Abstract: A pusher mechanism for attachment to the carriage, saw guard, or other appropriate point of a rotary-blade stone slab saw. Using either signals from a controller of a modern slab saw or self-generated sensor information, the pusher is actuated at a precise time in the cutting process and applied an outward pressure on the severed slab to ensure that the slab is directed away from the saw blade. While a pneumatic cylinder is typically used, either hydraulic, electro-mechanical, or mechanical mechanisms may also be used to accomplish the push-away function.

Abstract: A lift mechanism for a fifth wheel trailer tube and foot pad that is both functional and accessible. A tee handle is made with curved ends and a smooth finish, making it comfortable to grip when lowering or raising the foot pad assembly. A telescoping tube is hollow, allowing a cable to be guided through it and around a pully to an eye bolt that is attached to the foot pad. A cover is provided over the pully to keep the cable securly in the pully groove and direct it to the foot pad using the slotted cutouts in the cover. A main “L” shaped bracket allows the telescoping tube to be mounted at an angle, making it easier for operator reach.

Abstract: A new class of polymers with a highly ordered state having unique electrical, electronic, optical, ferromagnetic, piezoelectric, ionic, or superconducting properties are achieved. The polymers are highly crystalline, exhibiting both long and short range order, and an associated nanoscale lattice parameter. The polymers are fabricated by forming a conductive set of nanoscale waveguides (composed of functional molecules and charge carriers, i.e., polarons, bipolarons, superpolarons, spins, ions, copper pair electrons) throughout a polymer lattice. These “molecular waveguides” are characterized by a width or diameter comparable to the size of the lattice cell.

Abstract: An improvement to inventor's prior art loudspeaker crossover filter invention is described. A substantially flat network input-impedance characteristic across the audible frequency range is provided by the addition of at least one series connected constant resistance network at the input terminals of the crossover filter system. By relaxing certain infinite slope filter parameters, more uniform acoustic polar response of the loudspeaker system is obtained. Specifically, infinite slope methods are used for the upper (higher frequency) band-edge of low-pass and band-pass filters, and optionally, for high-pass filters. Infinite slope characteristics, however, are relaxed for the lower frequency slope of band-pass filters and, optionally, for high-pass filters. In addition, the crossover network uses fewer components than infinite slope crossovers of the prior art.

Abstract: The invention is a method for automatically determining the dialing sequence that is required for local, local long distance, ten digit local and long distance, long distance, and international dialing from an initial dialing database that contains no information about local telephone company dialing requirements and requires no or minimal human interaction. The method contains a database for logging call attempts, failures, and successes and an analysis algorithm to determine which dialing sequences are potentially failures and which are potentially successes and which are certain successes. Data from previous dialing attempts and analysis are used to determine dialing sequences for future calls to each area code and exchange. Each area code and exchange pair is quickly optimized without the need for purchasing or maintaining a third party dialing database and without manual definition of dialing sequences.

Abstract: A Unified XML integrated voice and data application delivery system includes a switch coupled to a first network and at least a second network, wherein the first network includes distinct voice and data applications and the second network includes one or more user devices, such as a cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. The switch transfers voice and data between the applications and the user devices. A controller coupled to the switch includes a finite state machine controlling the interaction between the voice and data applications and the user devices. The finite state machine controls the transfer of voice and data between the applications and the user devices by the switch to enable a user to interact with the integrated instance of the voice and data applications simultaneously via the user devices.

Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing carbon supported, ternary alloy composition core-shell PtVFe nanoparticles for use as fuel cell electrocatalysts. These catalysts have been found particularly useful for oxygen reduction reactions. The alloy nanoparticles can be assembled on carbon supports which then may undergo subsequent activation and/or calcination treatments. The method, combined with new synthetic feed and processing conditions, provides core-shell PtVFe alloy nanoparticles of 1–3 nm size. The catalyst-produced high monodispersity, controlled composition are highly dispersed, and have a uniform distribution. Finally, the correlation of the preparation and treatment parameters to the ORR catalytic activities of the prepared nanoparticles is described. The catalysts exhibit ORR in the range of 2 to 4 times more than a standard Pt/carbon catalyst.

Abstract: A fuel cell using a secondary alcohol such as 2-propanol as fuel is disclosed. The fuel is oxidized directly at the anode without any reforming. Such a direct secondary alcohol fuel cell (D2AFC) possesses a much higher performance than a direct methanol fuel cell, especially at current densities less than 200 mA/cm2. In addition, fuel loss due to crossover in a direct 2-propanol fuel cell (D2PFC) is less than one-sixth of that in a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC).

Abstract: A signaling apparatus including a substantially transparent panel, a light emitting element attached to a surface of the transparent panel, substantially transparent means for delivering power to the light emitting elements, and means for selectively controlling energization of the light emitting elements. The signaling apparatus being substantially transparent when the light emitting elements are not in an energized state. The light emitting elements might be LEDS, organic LEDS (OLEDs), electroluminescent displays, LCDs, or incandescent bulbs. The signaling apparatus is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle window for providing selectable patterns, variable rate flashing, changeable colors, textual or graphic messages, strobe lights, and other types of displays. Cooling channels or a cooling plenum may be provided to allow higher power (e.g., high intensity) operation.

Abstract: A method of training a user to identify an object in an image, by querying a computer system having a lexicon of photo-interpreters to formulate object extraction rules. A database to be queried by an expert photo analyst is generated and a programming language is provided to generate extraction rules against that database. Graphical query results are displayed to determine whether an object has been identified. First, a hyperspectral image cube is represented by a set of fraction planes and texture transforms. Mean spectral reading values are obtained and used to build a pseudo multivariate distribution of the values. Recognizable features are then extracted from the hyperspectral image cube. A textural transform of a hyperspectral image cube results. The hundreds of image bands reduced to a few texture transforms can be used to train users of the image recognition system.

Abstract: A football goalpost that can be used at various times by both high school and college teams by adjusting the spacing of the uprights. The goalpost has the ability to adjust the verticality of the uprights by rotation of the uprights about the crossbar axis. The goalpost has the ability to adjust the side-to-side tilt and front-to-back tilt of the gooseneck by adjusting the gooseneck to sleeve connection. The goalpost also has the ability to adjust the horizontality of the crossbar by rotation of the crossbar about the gooseneck horizontal axis. In addition, the goalpost has a vertical gooseneck with incorporated height adjustment to be used for either real turf, or artificial turf.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a land grid array connector for a printed wiring board is disclosed. The process does not require electroplating precious metal overlays. Therefore, no commoning bar is required. Another benefit of the invention includes a connector design using only a flash, soft gold application in the outer surface of the connector. Physical hardness and durability are derived from a thin palladium layer lying beneath the flash gold layer.