Abstract: An exhaust header system (20) for an internal combustion engine includes primary tubes (22), each having inlet (26) and outlet (28) ends. The inlet ends (26) are adapted to carry exhaust gas (60) from exhaust ports of the internal combustion engine. A collector (24) has a collector inlet (32), a collector outlet (34), and an intermediate section (36) interposed between the collector inlet (32) and the collector outlet (34). The collector inlet (32) exhibits an ovular cross-section, and the outlet ends (28) of the primary tubes (22) are aligned along a width (74) of the collector inlet (32). The collector outlet (34) exhibits a circular cross-section, and the intermediate section (36) transitions from the ovular cross-section at the collector inlet (32) to the circular cross-section at the collector outlet (34).

Abstract: A method (100) for coherent change subtraction of mission and reference synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data (20′,20″) is provided. The method (100) forms (102) mission and reference images (22′,22″) from the mission and reference SAR data (20′,20″), registers (122) the mission and reference images (22′,22″) on a common plane to form registered mission and reference images (24′,24″), and forms (124) the registered mission and reference images (24′,24″) into at least one patch (26) containing mission and reference data (28′,28″). The method (100) then processes (126) each patch (26) by removing (130) linear phase terms (34) from the mission data (28′), trimming (142) non-overlapping spectra of the mission and reference data (28′,28″), and balancing (144) phases and amplitudes of the mission data (28′).

Abstract: An error-suppression signal measurement system and method therefor is provided. The system transmits a test signal from a first probe, through a device under test, and into a second probe. The probes extract normalization signals from reference signals therein, exchange specific ones of the normalization signals, and combine the normalization signals with data signals derived from the test signal to form receiver signals. The probes propagate the receiver signals to a receiver, where the signals are gain-ranged, digitized, normalized, and compensated for phase-noise.

Abstract: A thorough error suppression signal measurement system (20) having a transmitter (300) for propagating a transmission signal to a first probe 100, through a device under test (26), and into a second probe (200), and for propagating reference signals to the probes (100,200). The probes (100,200) extract normalization signals from the reference signals, exchange specific ones of the normalization signals, and combine the normalization signals with data signals derived from the transmission signal to form receiver signals. The probes (100,200) propagate the receiver signals to a receiver (400), where the signals are gain-ranged, digitized, normalized, and compensated for phase-noise.

Abstract: A HE0&ggr;&dgr; mode dielectric resonator (12) includes a cylindrical dielectric disk (32) having top and bottom ends (20, 22) spaced apart by a closed curve wall (24). The dielectric disk (32) has a dielectric constant greater than 40. An axially aligned hole (36) is formed through the disk (32) between the top and bottom ends (20, 22). A conductive wall (34) is formed at the closed curved wall (24) but not the top and bottom ends (20, 22). The hole (36) has a preferred diameter less than 0.2 times the diameter of the disk. A tuning plug (30) is formed from a material having a dielectric constant less than 0.5 times the dielectric constant of the dielectric disk (32) and an unloaded quality factor greater than 2.0 times the unloaded quality factor of the dielectric disk (32). The tuning plug is inserted to a desired depth within the hole (36) of the dielectric disk (32).

Abstract: A device (20) for the retrieval of a ferromagnetic object (22) from a remote area is provided. The device (20) contains a retractable tape measure (24) and a magnetic gripping head (26). The tape measure (24) has a blade (30) with a first end (64), an opposing second end (66), a longitudinal axis (68) extending between the first and second ends (64,66), and a zero hook (32) coupled to the first end (64). The gripping head (26) has a housing with a gripping opening (40) in a face (42) thereof and a coupling opening (62) in another face (70) thereof. The gripping head (26) also has a magnet (38) within the housing (34). The housing (34) and magnet (38) are configured so that a portion of the magnet (38) protrudes through the gripping opening (40) to effect magnetic engagement with the ferromagnetic object (22) during retrieval.

Abstract: A system (100) for coordinating engineering services (102) is provided. The system (100) uses a hyperdatabase (108) to encompass a CAE application library (122) for each CAE application program (120) used to provide the engineering services (102). Within the hyperdatabase (108), a program database (140) is configured for each CAE application library (122) to be encompassed. Each program database (140) has a plurality of datasets (142), each associated with a single CAE application record (134) in the CAE application library (122) and instantiating a one of a plurality of components (136). A data input routine (112) loads each dataset (142) with an identifier (150) uniquely identifying that dataset (142), query data (152) comprising attributes (148) of the instantiated component (136), graphic data (154) in a standardized format, and instantiation data (156) being the original CAE application record (134). A data extraction routine (116) extracts CAE product libraries (128) from the hyperdatabase (108).

Abstract: A combined refrigerator-oven (20) includes an enclosed chamber (28) having a top wall (22), a bottom wall (24), and vertical side walls (26). The refrigerator-oven (20) further includes a heating unit (50) and a refrigeration unit (70). A controller (118) is in communication with the heating unit (50) and the refrigeration unit (70). When a cooling mode is selected, the controller (118) activates the refrigeration unit (70) to deliver cool air (62) into the enclosed chamber (28). When a heating mode is selected, the controller (118) activates the heating unit (50) to produce heat (66) in the enclosed chamber (28).

Abstract: A tracking radar receiver as described herein is relatively invulnerable to image frequency jamming. Partial image-rejection down-converters down-convert RF signals to IF signals in each of various sum and difference receiver channels. Image frequency components of the IF signals exhibit a predetermined amplitude and phase relationship relative to corresponding real frequency components for each of the channels. Thus, phase and amplitude tracking between the various channels is achieved even when image frequency signals are received.

Abstract: A pet-play apparatus (20) for interactive use with a domestic cat or other pet (24) incorporates a lash (26) made of a strip of fake fur (56) formed into a tube (42) with a nap (58) of the fake fur (56) upon an external surface (60) of the tube (42), a crop (22) coupled to a first end (32) of the lash (26), a toy (28) detachably coupled to a second end (36) of the lash (26), and a sonic device (86) coupled to the crop (22) and configured to produce a prey-sound for the domestic cat or other pet (24) in the form of a chirp or squeak in response to a movement of the crop (22). A first attachment device (62) is affixed to the second end (36) of the lash (26) and incorporates a hook part (70) of a hook-and-loop fastener (88). A second attachment device (64) is affixed to the toy (28) and incorporates a loop part (72) of the hook-and-loop fastener (88), the hook and loop parts (70,72) being detachably coupled to each other.

Abstract: A process (30) is presented for the post-honing cleaning and lubrication of a cylinder (24) of a reciprocating engine (22) prior to assembly thereof. The process (30) includes cleaning (32) the cylinder (24) with a water-and-wetting-agent solution and with a solvent in an effort to remove contaminants. The process (30) also includes lubricating (40) the cylinder (24) with a penetrating oil, and coating (42) the cylinder (24) with an indicating lubricant (28) formed of a powdered mixture of tungsten disulfide and graphite. The indicating lubricant (28) is configured to change color to assume a specific tint when contaminants have been substantially removed from the cylinder (24), and to refrain from assuming that tint when contaminants have not been substantially removed from the cylinder (24).

Abstract: A method (22) and apparatus (20) for training a bird (24) to refrain from uttering a vocalization exceeding a predetermined acoustic level is provided. A control area (26) containing the bird (24) is illuminated with a light (32) coupled to a power source (74) through a normally-closed switch (76). A microphone (40) monitors the control area (26) and captures a sound (28) uttered by the bird (24) to produce an audio signal (86). The audio signal (86) is amplified. A discrimination unit (54) determines if the audio signal (86) exceeds a predetermined threshold (50). A timing unit (60) is triggered when the audio signal (86) exceeds the threshold (50). In response to an output (62) of the timing unit (60), a switching unit (78) opens the normally-closed switch (76) to darken the control area (26) and the bird (24) for a predetermined duration (68). After the predetermined duration (68), the switch (76) is allowed to close and the control area (26) and the bird (24) are re-illuminated.

Abstract: A time division multiple access digital communications system (12) is provided. The system (12) has a base station (14) configured to generate a receive baud clock (86) and has a receiver (18) and a transmitter (20). The system also has a subscriber unit (16) configured to generate a transmit baud clock (50), and has a transmitter (28) and a receiver (26). The subscriber unit transmitter (28) is configured to transmit a reverse channel signal (54) that incorporates the transmit baud clock (50) as a component thereof. The base station receiver (18) is configured to receive the reverse channel signal (54) from the subscriber unit (16) and produce a phase-error signal (&mgr;′) in response to a phase difference between the transmit baud clock (50) and the receive baud clock (86). The base station transmitter (20) is configured to transmit the phase-error signal (&mgr;′) to the subscriber unit receiver (26).

Abstract: An animal-actuated feeder (20) has a treadle (26) to be tread upon by an animal (36) desirous of obtaining food, a food compartment (24), a cover (30) with closed and open positions (32, 34) denying and granting access to the compartment (24), and linkage (28) to open the cover (30) when the animal (36) treads upon the treadle (26). A damper (88) is coupled to the cover (30) and dampens transit between open and closed positions (32, 34). A dish (106) having a mating lid (108) coupled to the cover (30) promotes the retention of the food in a palatable condition. A plurality of moat assemblies (118) serve as legs for the feeder (20) and inhibit crawling arthropods from gaining access to the food. A control unit (154) and latch (152) control the opening of the cover (30) in response to a tag unit (162) worn by the animal (36) treading upon the treadle (26).

Abstract: A communication system (10) includes a transmitter (12) which induces in a communication signal (16), a first component of in-phase to quadrature phase (I-Q) imbalance and a receiver (14) which adds a second component of I-Q imbalance. A digital, intermediate frequency (IF) I-Q balancer (38) compensates for the receiver-induced I-Q imbalance so that total distortion is sufficiently diminished and a data directed carrier tracking loop (60) may then perform carrier synchronization to generate a baseband signal (70). An adaptive equalizer (64) within the carrier tracking loop (60) may then effectively operate to compensate for additional distortions, such as the transmitter-induced I-Q imbalance.

Abstract: An apparatus (46) for reconditioning a protective surface (30) of an optically-read digital recording disc (20) includes a turntable (48) configured to receive the disc (20) and a first motor (52) for rotating the turntable (48) and the disc (20). The apparatus further includes a buffing element (122) and a second motor (54) for rotating the buffing element (122). A timing element (56) synchronizes the first and second motors (52, 54) to substantially simultaneously cease rotation of the turntable (48) and the buffing element (122) following removal of an amount of material from the disc (20). The buffing element (122) includes a foam pad (124) having a discoid portion (126) and an annular portion (128) encircling a perimeter (132) of the discoid portion (126). The annular portion (128) is more resistant to compression than the discoid portion (126). A buffing pad (82) is in fixed relation with the foam pad (124).

Abstract: A system (230) for voice browsing utilizing a telecommunication network (24) is provided. The system (230) includes a subscriber unit (30) and a system server (242). The subscriber unit (30) is configured to generate an origination packet (50) containing a voice frame (54), and to transmit the origination packet (50) utilizing a wireless non-circuit-switched service (106) of network (24). The subscriber unit (26) and the system server (242) are coupled through a cellular telephone site (234) of the network (24).