Abstract: A surgical system wherein a two component hand-held probe is provided. The probe includes a sterilizable and reusable detector portion formed principally of metal in combination with a disposable handle and cable combination. Formed principally of metal components, the detector assembly includes a crystal receiver within which a detector crystal is retained in compression by an annular metal ring assembly having thin inwardly depending tines which contact the crystal forward surface and additionally apply the electrical ground thereto. An access channel rigidly supports bias and signal carrying electrical leads through a crystal mount to a rearward face thereof. The rearward face rigidly supports the forward stage of a preamplifier. In one embodiment a rigid polymeric crystal mount is employed. Particularly for this embodiment, a cup-shaped, shield containing window assembly is utilized.

Abstract: A program controlled integrated circuit having an input path for receiving an analog signal with given attributes and using a program controlled sequence of treatment stages to generate a bit-defined information vector. That vector is introduced to a distributed memory matching array where it is compared with conveyed instruction set having bit-defned codewords corresponding with an analog signal attribute. A match process under the control of a central control unit then develops a digital result. The digital result may be utilized or converted to analog form in an analog return path. Both the input path and the return path incorporate a reduced instruction set computing arithmetic unit under the control of the central control unit.

Abstract: A compact multiple output power supply which has a circuit architecture with distinct primary and secondary circuit domains. Within the secondary circuit domain, a distribution bus of relatively low constant voltage supplies power inputs to d.c.-to-d.c. converters providing regulated outputs and operating independently of each other. Because of the secondary circuit domain topology, surface mount components are made available in conjunction with relatively simple converter circuitry. Heat management within the compact housing of the power supply is achieved through the utilization of linear driven air flows in combination with employment of heat sinks extending to the heat sink configured cover of the housing. Additionally, the highest heat generation components are positioned rearwardmost within the driven air path.

Abstract: A hand-held radiation probe is configured having a crystal thickness as well as a bias generated electrical field which have values to cause the semiconductor crystal to operate in a trapping-dependent operational mode wherein a trapping of substantially all carriers generated by radiation impinging upon the crystal forward face are trapped. The bias level voltage is selected to achieve adequate photopeak heights and to permit the windowing out of lower energy Compton scattering and other noise phenomena.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a steering system for an articulated tracked combine composed of (i) a forward unit having a pair of differentially-connected powered non-steering wheels or tracks and (ii) a tracked rearward unit having powered steerable tracks. This steering system includes a pivoting articulation joint interconnecting the forward unit and the rearward unit. The rearward unit is fitted with a differential tracked steering system in steering connection with an operator steering wheel for steering of the articulated tracked combine. Optionally, such novel steering system includes a pair of steering articulation cylinder assemblies connected between the forward unit and the rearward unit. An angle sensor is mounted at the joint for sensing the relative position of the forward unit and the rearward unit. Another sensor is mounted at the steering wheel to sense its position.

Abstract: Count rate outputs of a probe-based radiation detection system are stabilized through the utilization of a dynamic window-based count analysis. Circular memory is utilized to record a sequence of segment count values. These values then are accessed and updated with respect to short scan intervals. The memory segments then are employed to develop a count sum over a count collection interval. That count sum is employed with algorithms adjusting the upper and lower edges of the dynamic window. A reported mean value, computed from the window upper edge or window lower edge, is utilized for creating a variable pitch output or for driving a bar graph. Background count and target count intervals are adjusted utilizing a data point predictive technique in combination with upper and lower time bounds.

Abstract: The present invention allows the produce or process engineering of a factory to define a sequence of steps and to associate the steps to various levels defined by the object oriented database OODB. This allows the steps to be variable name independent and allow increased flexibility in reusability of the step.

Abstract: A chemical fluid valve transfer (e.g., load/unload) assembly is formed from a male valve assembly and a female valve assembly. The male valve assembly is fitted with a male connector which houses a chamber that is connected to a flush inlet line, and a flush outlet line, and a chemical transport line. The female valve assembly is fitted with a female connector which mates with the male valve assembly male connector for interconnecting the male valve and female valve assemblies, and fitted with a chemical transport line. Another aspect of the present invention is a method for transferring a chemical fluid between a tanker fitted with a female coupler and a fill/unload station fitted with a male coupler and hose assembly. This method involves the connecting of the tanker hose and the fill station hose with the valve assembly described above.

Abstract: Broadly, one aspect of the present invention is an articulated combine having increased on-board grain storage capacity (e.g., 1,200 bushels) and which is composed of a forward unit having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, and being devoid of an on-board grain bin; and a rearward unit jointedly attached to the forward section and having, steerable and powered wheels, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward section grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The grain transfer assembly, joint, and grain off-loading assembly and controls, form other aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing adhesive polymers which commences with the formation of a poly-telechelic polymer of narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) by polymerizing one or more radically-polymerizable monomers in the presence of a transition metal, a ligand, and an initiator, under atom or group transfer radical polymerization conditions. In this polymerization step, OH groups are contained on one or more of said initiator, an initiating monomer, a polymerizable monomer, a terminating monomer, or combinations thereof. The poly-telechelic polymer, then, is chain extended with a polyisocyanate to form the adhesive polymer.

Abstract: A UPS device of universal application provides a pair of backfeed relays, which are mandated by certain countries outside the United States, controlled by an overall control circuit to perform in conjunction with the connection of neutral to system ground to avoid damage to a load, UPS and power utility. The control circuit is responsive to an anomaly in the power supply of a power utility to enter a backup mode wherein power is supplied by a battery power supply through an inverter to the load. Entry into backup mode occurs with a delay-based switching logic which governs the control circuit's operation of the backfeed relays and formation of the neutral to system ground connection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving the treatment of a cancer patient which is undergoing (adjuvant) chemotherapy. Prior to or concomitant with the patient receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, the patient is administered mitogenically stimulated lymph node lymphocytes or the supernatant therefrom. The lymph node lymphocytes are patient excised lymph node lymphocytes enriched in tumor reactive cells, such as CD4+ tumor reactive cells. Radiolabeled locators (e.g., antibodies) can be used along with a portable radiation detector to intraoperatively determine which lymph nodes bear lymph node lymphocytes enriched in tumor reactive cells. The patient excised lymph node lymphocytes enriched in tumor reactive cells then are subjected to mitogenic stimulation for their expansion and administration to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that different carbon components are required in an electrically conductive exothermic coating in order to avoid break-down and especially if a constant temperature is to be maintained by the coating (self-regulating embodiment). It has been discovered that graphite permits heat to be generated by the coating when energized with a.c. power; however, the heat tends to run away which results in a break down of the coating. Carbon, on the other hand, permits more electrical conductivity by the coating. Both the graphite and carbon should be flake-like in structure. Such a combination of flake-like graphite and carbon pigments in particles sizes of about 5.mu. to 500.mu. should be used. The amount of such pigments should range from about 10 and 20 weight-% based on the non-volatile solids content of the coating formulation (e.g., without solvent and other components that evolve from the coating during drying and curing operations).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for separating a vaporous or gaseous contaminant from an air stream contaminated therewith. This method includes the steps of: (a) passing said contaminated air into a contact zone in which is disposed an aerogel material capable of selecting adsorbing said contaminant from air and therein contacting said contaminated air with an aerogel material; and (b) withdrawing from said zone, air depleted of said contaminant. For present purposes, "contaminant" means a material not naturally occurring in ambient air and/or a material naturally occurring in air but present at a concentration above that found in ambient air. Thus, the present invention scrubs (or treats) air for the purpose of returning it to its ambient composition.

Abstract: A container for housing and producing a liquid comestible product and in situ heating thereof has an upper comestible chamber and a lower comestible chamber separated by a comestible diaphragm. One of the comestible chambers retains a dry powder and the other comestible chamber retains water. A moveable pierce rod assembly penetrates from outside the container to inside the upper comestible chamber and is attached to an arm disposed outside of the container. A removable protective collar is disposed between the arm and the container to retain the arm and pierce rod assembly in place. A flexible collar is disposed within the protective collar to seal the pierce rod assembly between the arm and the container. The lower chamber houses an upper heating/cooling chamber and a lower heating heating/cooling chamber separated by a heating heating/cooling diaphragm. One of the heating heating/cooling chambers retains a chemical reactant and the other heating heating/cooling chamber retains water.

Abstract: The present invention broadly is directed to enhancements to various bag splitting apparatuses. One such improvement for splitting open garbage bags containing stacked paper includes a row of pivotally-mounted blades mounted for rotation away from the filled bags and having a serrated lower edge with downwardly-projecting teeth that confront the bags being conveyed through said assembly, followed by a row of pivotally-mounted blades mounted for rotation away from the bags and having a serrated lower edge with teeth projecting into and confronting the bags being conveyed through the assembly. The corresponding method for splitting open bags containing stacked paper forms another aspect of the present invention.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for depositing salt granular materials upon a highway pavement at practical speeds. The deposition forms two narrow bands of the salt through utilization of two impeller-based mechanisms which are canted downwardly at an acute angle toward the pavement. The dump bed of trucks utilizing the apparatus is maintained in a down orientation through the utilization of a salt transport mechanism implemented as dual augers extending the length of the truck bed. Two embodiments of the apparatus are described each being self-contained and mountable upon a truck bed with relative ease. In one embodiment, a brine formation tank of generally triangular cross-sectional configuration is combined with a brine holding tank to form the sides of a V-box hopper structure. The brine formation tank is charged with salt and water to form a saturated brine which is permitted to migrate through a baffling system to the brine holding tank.