Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the concentration of hemoglobin derivatives in bodily fluids include devices for measuring and comparing the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by cellular and cell-free hemoglobin at two or more wavelengths in the Soret region. Systems and methods for determining erythrocyte membrane fragility include devices for measuring the concentration of at least one cell-free hemoglobin derivative, and using the absorption properties of cellular and cell-free hemoglobin derivatives in the Soret region.

Abstract: A warhead includes a barrel operatively associated with the vehicle, the barrel being extendable from and retractable into the vehicle; a penetrator disposed in the barrel; and means for expelling the penetrator from the barrel. A vehicle includes a barrel extendable from and retractable into the vehicle; a penetrator disposed in the barrel; and means for expelling the penetrator from the barrel. A method includes transporting a warhead to a position proximate a target; angularly or translationally positioning a barrel of the warhead; and expelling at least one penetrator from the barrel toward the target. A vehicle includes an airfoil; a barrel operably associated with the airfoil; a penetrator disposed in the barrel; and means for expelling the penetrator from the barrel.

Abstract: A gutter shield for separating debris from water entering a gutter, the shield being intended for installation over a conventional longitudinally extending gutter that is mounted outboard from and below a longitudinally extending roof edge. The gutter shield includes a longitudinally extending length of planar stock material that is perforated by a plurality of intermittent, longitudinally extending slots, each slot being at the outboard edge of a tab that ramps downward and outward from a top surface of the stock material; and a longitudinally extending ridge extending downward from an underside of the shield for the purpose of breaking up water sheeting along the underside of the shield. The tab is elongated in ways that discourage sheeting while encouraging flow rate by entraining. Capillary action in opposition to water sheeting on the top surface of the shield is encouraging by gradually and smoothly curving the bend at an inboard bent edge of the tab.

Abstract: A folding control surface assembly includes a torsion shaft, a base, and a control surface hingedly attached to the base via the torsion shaft, such that the torsion shaft biases the control surface toward an unfolded configuration with respect to the base. A vehicle includes a body and at least one folding control surface assembly. The at least one folding control surface assembly includes a torsion shaft, a base attached to the body, and a control surface hingedly attached to the base via the torsion shaft, such that the torsion shaft biases the control surface toward an unfolded configuration with respect to the base.

Abstract: An explosive structure of the fragmentation type includes an outer casing comprising an energy dense explosive material and having an inner surface defining a chamber and means for propagating shock waves across the inner surface from a selected one of at least first and second detonation points within the casing. The explosive structure further includes first means for directing shock waves, propagated from the first detonation point, against at least a selected portion of the inner surface in a first pattern for scoring and weakening the casing along first, segment-defining lines and second means for directing shock waves, propagated from the second detonation point, against the selected portion of the inner surface in a second pattern for scoring and weakening the casing along second, segment-defining lines, the segments of the second pattern being larger than the segments of the first pattern.

Abstract: A device with moving squeegees is disclosed. The squeegees can have any number of squeegee configurations. The squeegee or groups of the squeegees are configured to move independently or separately concerted fashion. The device is preferably and oral-care device and can include bristles and/or nodules that move or are stationary. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention the oral-care device includes rows of squeegees that move with a first motion and a center section with squeegees, bristles and/or nodules that move with a second motion in a direction and/or frequency that is different from the first motion.

Abstract: A device with a squeegee configuration and an absorbent material positioned between protruding squeegee walls for treating a working surface with wiping edges of the squeegee configuration and the absorbent material is disclosed. A device, in accordance with the invention, comprises a curved squeegee and means for coupling the curved squeegee to a spray nozzle for wiping the working surface with edges of the curved squeegee and spray the working surface with the spray nozzle. A system, in accordance with the invention, comprises a vacuum source, a liquid source and an applicator head with squeegees and apertures wherein a portion the apertures are configured to couple the vacuum source and draw a vacuum on a working surface and a second portion of the apertures are configured to couple to the liquid source and deliver a liquid to the working surface.

Abstract: A device for simulating and/or attracting aquatic life forms is disclosed. The device includes an electromagnetic module for simultaneously generating alternating or pulsed electromagnetic fields and a pulsed light output from a light emitting diode. The electromagnetic module includes a dry battery that is activated when exposed electrodes of the dry battery are placed in contact with a common electrolyte, such as sea water. The electromagnetic module includes a control circuit with one or more application specific integrated circuits for converting an input voltage from the dry battery to an operating voltage sufficient to power the light emitting diode. In further embodiments of the invention, the device includes one or more removable jackets that resemble aquatic life-forms.

Abstract: A device for inhibiting inadvertent initiation of a munition includes a sorbing refrigeration device adapted to at least partially surround an energetic material of the munition. A container includes an energetic material and a sorbing refrigeration device at least partially surrounding the energetic material. A method for inhibiting an inadvertent initiation of a munition includes cooling an energetic material of the munition by sorption refrigeration.

Abstract: An electric pulse generator includes a driver having an outer surface, a receiver, and one or more piezoelectric elements disposed between and in electrical contact with the driver and the receiver. The electric pulse generator further includes an explosive material disposed on the outer surface of the driver. A method of making an electrical pulse generator includes providing one or more piezoelectric elements, a driver, a receiver, and an explosive material and operably associating the explosive material with an outer surface of the driver. The method further includes electrically coupling the one or more piezoelectric elements between the driver and the receiver.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an arm-brace for improving the efficiency of a swimmer's stroke. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the arm brace includes a first closed loop and a second closed loop that together form a figure-eight configuration. The first closed loop and the second closed loop are preferably at an angle with respect to each other such that the swimmer's hand is positionable through a portion of the first closed loop and the swimmer's forearm is positionable through the second closed loop. The arm brace is configured to control an angle between the swimmer's elbow and wrist in order to promote early vertical forearm positioning as the swimmer's arm moves through a catch phase of a swimming stroke.

Abstract: A system and architecture for managing lighting through a seamless low-voltage bus network is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of control units that serve as nodes for integrating devices, such as light fixtures, control switches and sensors into the bus. Each of the control units preferably includes a printed circuit board and node interconnects for assembling the low-voltage bus and for integrating the devices. Alternatively, the system comprises a central hub with a master printed circuit control board and a plurality of interconnects for assembling the bus and for integrating the devices.

Abstract: A plasma antenna generator includes an ionizable material, an explosive charge capable of projecting the ionizable material upon detonation, and a detonator coupled with the explosive charge. An electromagnetic pulse transmitting system includes an electromagnetic pulse generator and a plasma antenna generator capable of reradiating an electromagnetic pulse emitted from the electromagnetic pulse generator. A method includes providing an explosive device comprising an ionizable material, detonating the explosive device to propel the ionizable material, and ionizing the ionizable material to form at least one plasma trail. A sensing system includes an electromagnetic pulse generator, a plasma antenna generator capable of reradiating an electromagnetic pulse emitted from the electromagnetic pulse generator, and a sensing system capable of receiving and analyzing at least a portion of the electromagnetic pulse after being reflected from an interface.

Abstract: An impact-sensing, thermal insulation system includes a light source; an optical detector; and an optically-transmissive insulation optically coupled with the light source and the optical detector, the optically-transmissive insulation being operably associated with an outer surface of a pressure vessel. A missile includes a body; a propulsion system including a pressure vessel having an outer surface; and an impact-sensing, thermal insulation system operably associated with the outer surface of the pressure vessel. The impact-sensing, thermal insulation system includes a light source; an optical detector; and an optically-transmissive insulation optically coupled with the light source and the optical detector, the optically-transmissive insulation being operably associated with the outer surface of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A system and device for and a method of programming and controlling light fixtures is disclosed. A system in accordance with the present invention includes a stationary controller unit that is electrically coupled to the light fixtures. The stationary controller unit is configured to be remotely programmed with a portable commissioning device to automatically control the lights fixtures. The stationary controller unit and the portable commissioning device include light sensors, micro-computers and transceivers for measuring light levels, running programs, storing data and transmitting data between the stationary controller unit and the portable commissioning device. In operation, target light levels selected with the portable commissioning device and the controller unit is remotely programmed to automatically maintain the target level.

Abstract: A layered test pattern for measuring registration and critical dimension (CD) for multi-layer semiconductor integrated circuits is disclosed. A first layer includes a first pattern having vertical and horizontal portions. A second layer is formed over the first layer and includes a second pattern having vertical and horizontal portions having nominal vertical and horizontal phase shifts with respect to the vertical and horizontal portions, respectively, of the first pattern. The vertical and horizontal portions include periodically repeating vertical lines and horizontal lines, respectively. The nominal phase shifts may be half of the period of the vertical and horizontal lines. A scatterometry tool measures the width of the lines and the phase shift of the first pattern relative to the second pattern. The width of the lines corresponds to CD, whereas the difference between the measured phase shift and the nominal phase shift indicates variation in registration.

Abstract: A system for controlling a load circuit is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of multi-way sensor switches for mounting in an electrical boxes and coupling to the load circuit. Preferably, each of the multi-way sensor switches includes a tactile switch for manually opening and closing the load circuit load circuit, a built-in sensor for automatically opening and closing the load circuit in response to a level of detected motion and a micro-processor for generating status signals. The status signals are transmitted between each of the multi-way sensor switches over a traveler wire that is electrically coupled to each of the multi-way sensor switches. The micro-processor then uses the status signals to synchronize the operation of each of the multi-way sensor switches to allowing the multi-way sensor switches to operate in a true three-way fashion.

Abstract: A contact device with resilient contact elements is disclosed. The resilient contact elements have primary structures and secondary structures. The primary structures and secondary structures have contact surfaces for engaging a working surface. The primary structures are preferably molded structures with hardness value between 10 to 90 Shores A. The secondary structures are nodules, squeegees, arrays of nodules or squeegees and matrices but are preferably bristle structures formed from plastic resins, wherein the device is configured clean dentition.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for supporting an instrument, particularly support that places as much as possible of the instrument weight onto the instrument user's lower body (i.e., waist/hips/thighs and lower). A patch of a releasably adhering fabric is attached to the back of the instrument. The patch attachment is preferably temporary (removable) but if permanent, then preferably the permanent attachment is made to a removable and replaceable component of the instrument. A hanger that is removably attachable to the user's waist/hips/thighs is at least partially covered by a releasably adhering fabric that will mate with (releasably adhere to) the fabric of the patch on the instrument. Rigid forms of the hanger can be used to reduce twisting of the instrument in the vertical plane, and can also be used to provide support wherein the patch-to-hanger releasable adherence location is positioned above the location of the removable attachment to the user.