Abstract: An apparatus for reconditioning the protective coating of a digital recording disc is provided. The apparatus includes a turntable configured to receive a digital disc, a first motor for rotating the turntable, a turntable support for attaching the turntable to a base, a buffing element, a second motor for rotating the buffing element, a buffing element support for attaching the buffing element to the base, and a protective housing. A method for reconditioning a digital recording disc is also provided. The method involves placing a digital disc on a turntable, rotating the turntable, applying a cutting medium to the disc, rotating a buffing element, and removing material from the disc.

Abstract: A modular power connector includes male and female housings that releasably couple together. Each housing has ten apertures that locate conductive pin and socket elements. The apertures are arranged in a compact, asymmetrical, three-tier array that ensures that the connector is self-aligning. When the power connector is coupled together, a pin element and a socket element establish an initial ground connection before contact is established between the remaining pin and socket elements. The male housing includes a pair of holding tabs and the female housing includes a pair of cooperating lever arms that facilitate quick and easy connection and disconnection. A protective housing couples the female housing to a conduit and establishes an equipment ground connection between a ground wire and the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling the flow of crankcase emissions. The apparatus includes a crankcase emissions regulator for regulating the flow of crankcase emissions discharged from an engine crankcase, a pressure sensor for sensing a crankcase pressure, and an electronic control module (ECM) for controlling the emissions regulator. The ECM adjusts the emissions regulator in response to the pressure differential between the detected crankcase pressure and a predetermined pressure value programmed in the ECM.

Abstract: A digital data receiver includes tunable analog components having variable parameters that are responsive to the bit error rate (BER) of the decoded digital data. The analog components include a quadrature generator having a tunable phase shifter, an analog filter having a tunable bandwidth, a tunable magnitude equalizer circuit, a tunable group delay equalizer circuit, and an amplifier having an adjustable gain. The tunable components are controlled by tuning control signals that incorporate digitally-produced fine tuning signals. The digital tuning signals are altered in accordance with realtime changes in the BER.

Abstract: A clothes hanger (10) has a base (16) and shoulder pieces (18) which slidable couple to the base (16). A suspending member (20) rotatably couples to the base (16). The base (16) is wide and is shaped to roughly conform to the human body in the vicinity of the neck and shoulders. A texturized top surface (28) resists garment slippage. The shoulder pieces (18) have an inner section (46) and an outer section (48). The inner section (46) engages a receiving region (40) of the base (16). A knob (58) on the inner section (46) engages one of several holes (56) in the base to secure the shoulder piece (18) in a selected position relative to the base (16).

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the actual and proportional amounts of a volatile fluid in a test staple is described. The test staple is stored in a sealed container after being collected and kept in the sealed container through testing. The volatile fluid of interest is evolved from the test sample and a carrier gas transports the volatile fluid past a sensor. The sensor determined the relative amount of the volatile fluid of interest in the carrier gas. The flow rate of the carrier gas is precisely known and is predetermined. A microcomputer is utilized to predict with great accuracy the actual and proportional amount of the volatile fluid in the test sample.

Abstract: A surgical guidance system includes a magnetic field generator carried by a support frame, a guidance system controller, at least one magnetic field sensor located at a surgical instrument, and a feedback display device. The guidance system indicates the position of the surgical instrument relative to a trajectory as the surgical instrument approaches a surgical target within a body. The magnetic field generator establishes a magnetic field having geometric characteristics that indicate the trajectory from an initial point to the target. The sensors detect the distinguishable orientation of the magnetic field along the trajectory, and the feedback display device indicates whether the surgical instrument is aligned or misaligned with the trajectory. The magnetic field generator is adjustable upon the support frame such that the approach angle and position of the trajectory may be selected.

Abstract: A vent valve assembly is provided which will allow a probe for a gauging system to be added to underground fuel tanks which include a vapor recovery system. The support assembly replaces existing float valve assemblies and combines a valving structure with a support for a fuel system gauge probe. A gauging system may be easily and inexpensively added to existing underground fuel tanks with minimum disruption to the operation of the gas station.

Abstract: A seating apparatus having a base, front and rear upright support members, and two vertical transverse support members. The transverse members comprise the seating means. Extending from the rear upright support members are two vertical supports holding two rear upright support members. Leg support members are rotatably mounted to the transverse support members. Coupled by ratchet devices to the rear of the seating means is a seat back. The seat back is composed of two vertical seat back members separated by horizontal seat back members. The ratchet allows the seat back to be 90 degrees from the seating means or to rearwardly pivot to parallel with said seating means. Legs formed at the top back of the seat back support the seat back against the ground when the seat back is fully reclined. Arm support members are pivotally coupled to the sides of seat back. Also disclosed are two pneumatic devices. The first pneumatically advances a horizontal armature. The second pneumatically advances a vertical armature.

Abstract: Electrodes for stimulating living tissue such as penile, scrotal, anal, vaginal and clitoral tissue are shown. The electrodes are formed from elastomeric material. Electrical stimulation to such areas is intended to control incontinence, to induce penile erection, or to induce excitation and orgasm. A plug electrode formed from elastomeric material, has a nonconductive base plate and base, and a conductive portion comprising a stem extending from the base and the ellipsoid ball extending from the stem. A snap contact on the base plate allows the electrode to be connected to an electrical source, and a wire within the base terminating in the stem carries the electricity, when applied, from the contact to stem and to the ellipsoid ball. A memory wire is also shown allowing the ellipsoid ball to be bent along its length or allowing the stem to be bent against the base, thereby angling the posture of the ball relative the base.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the operation of a refrigeration system having a compressor, a defrost timer that provides an operating power supply, a solenoid valve, and a thermostat includes a relay switch and a delay timer. The relay switch is coupled in series between the defrost timer and the thermostat, and it is configured to electrically disconnect an operating power supply from the thermostat for a predetermined time period regulated by the delay timer. The solenoid valve closes when the relay switch is in the opened state and the compressor remains functional during the predetermined time period.

Abstract: A digital communication receiver (10) takes one complex sample (20) of a baseband analog signal (12) per symbol. A rectangular to polar converter (26) separates phase attributes of the complex samples from magnitude attributes. A phase processor (28) identifies clock adjustment opportunities which occur when relatively large phase changes take place between consecutive symbols. A magnitude processor (32) influences symbol timing only during clock adjustment opportunities. The magnitude processor (32) advances symbol timing in a phase locked loop when decreasing magnitude changes are detected during clock adjustment opportunities and retards symbol timing when increasing magnitude changes are detected during clock adjustment opportunities. An interpolator (66) may be used to estimate magnitude values between samples so that magnitude change is determined between sampled magnitude values and estimated magnitude values.

Abstract: A precision balanced fishing reel incorporates a fork-mounted spool coupled to an axle that rotates upon precision bearing assemblies. The fishing reel is rotationally balanced and fabricated from lightweight and heat-tolerant materials to facilitate high speed operation with little or no vibration and wobble. The fishing reel includes a disc braking system that utilizes a rotor coupled to the spool through a clutch bearing. The clutch bearing is configured to prevent independent rotation of the spool, relative to the rotor, in an outgoing direction while permitting unrestricted rotation of the spool in an incoming direction. A brake assembly employs brake pads to control the amount of rotational drag of the rotor and spool.

Abstract: A message delivery system (12) automatically delivers messages (44) through mobile units (20) as the mobile units (20) travel within a predetermined area (10). Each message (44) is delivered only when the mobile unit (20) is near a point of interest (16) which is the subject of the message's content. Each message (44) is delivered in its entirety, from beginning to end, without repetition. Que points (24) are defined to reside before corresponding points of interest (16) when mobile units (20) travel in particular directions. Based upon these particular directions of travel, message content may be configured to describe points of interest (16) using left or right relative directional references. Messages (44) are delivered in real time, and their content may change quickly and frequently. A control station (18) controls the programming of the mobile units (20) and sends programming communications (48) over the air to change mobile unit programming as needed.

Abstract: A light-string holder (20) has two hubs (38) with a plurality of receptacles (40). One of the hubs (38) attaches to an external suspension device (24). The light-string holder (20) has a plurality of lamp-cluster holders (34) fabricated from a translucent material. The lamp-cluster holders (34) have a central beam member (58) with two connectors (46) configured to mate with corresponding receptacles (40) on each hub (38), and a tapered straight edge (70) configured to mate with the other tapered straight edges (70) of the other lamp-cluster holders (34), and a peripheral beam member (60) with a plurality of lamp clamps (32) recessed below the peripheral edge (74) of the peripheral beam member (60).