Abstract: A simplified structure is disclosed for a dual-band, double-conversion superheterodyne receiver. All mixer-injection signals are generated by combining the outputs of two phase-locked frequency synthesizers driven by a single reference oscillator. The output of one synthesizer injects the receiver's second mixer, which converts signals from the first intermediate frequency to the second intermediate frequency. The output of the other synthesizer has two uses: (1) it provides first mixer injection needed to tune the receiver to a primary band, and (2) it is mixed with the output of the first synthesizer to provide the first mixer injection needed to tune the receiver to an alternate band.

Abstract: An aqueous silane composition for increasing the resistance to penetration by aqueous media of an absorbent substrate. The composition includes about 1.7 wt. % of an emulsion of an amino functional silicone having an amine content of about 70 mg KOH/gm; up to about 80 wt. % of a hydrolyzable silane; up to about 5 wt. % of an amino functional silane; and the balance water. The resulting composition is hydrolytically stable for a long period without requiring a separate buffering compound while, at the same time, may be prepared in much higher concentrations to reduce packaging and shipping costs.

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater including: biologically treating wastewater under pressure; then reducing the pressure and substantially removing solids by dissolved gas flotation at the reduced pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bird feeder having a bottom structure, a roof structure, and a side support structure extending between the bottom and roof structures. Disposed within the bird feeder is a sliding feed drawer. The sliding feed drawer normally assumes a position within the bird feeder. However the entire feed drawer can be removed from the bird feeder for easy and convenient cleaning.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel dispenser system capable of receiving a signal from a vehicle transponder. Upon receiving the transponder's signal, the dispenser determines the proximity of the vehicle relative to the dispenser, and preferably, a particular fueling position associated with that dispenser. Proximity is determined by measuring one or more characteristics of the signal received at an antenna associated with the dispenser. Generally, the strength or magnitude of the signal received at the antenna is the characteristic used to determine vehicle proximity. Multiple directionally sensitive antennas are used to correlate a vehicle at a unique fueling position. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the transponder indicative of the presence of an ORVR system on the vehicle. Depending on the sophistication of the communication link between the transponder and dispenser, the dispenser will control its vapor recovery system accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a wastewater treatment process wherein the waste activated sludge is digested to produce treated biosolids which are then directed to a dewatering facility that removes water from the treated biosolids. Before or during the dewatering process, both a low molecular weight polymer and a high molecular weight polymer are added to the treated biosolids. The addition of the two polymers of different molecular weights results in the treated biosolids coagulating and then forming flocs of biosolids that effectively drives water from the flocs and renders the flocs more susceptible to an efficient and effective dewatering process.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a base having an inlet opening, an outlet opening, an evaporator pan, a condenser pan, and a compressor mounting surface all integrally formed therein. All of the components of the refrigeration system mount onto the base to from a unitary structure. An evaporator is mounted to the base above said evaporator pan. A condenser is mounted to said base above said condenser pan. A compressor mounted to the compressor mounting surface and operatively connected to said evaporator and said condenser. A cover encloses the inlet opening, outlet opening and evaporator. The cover and base include an integral locking mechanism to secure the cover to the base.

Abstract: A warp knit, weft inserted fabric substrate for use as a strength component in vinyl coated and laminated backlit signs, awnings and in other applications where stability and uniform geometry is desired. The stable knit construction of the fabric is achieved by doubling the number of stitches or courses per inch of fabric. To avoid changing the industry-wide standard fabric construction of 18x12 with the stitch doubling, weft yarns are inserted every other stitch. In a fabric having an 18 x 12 construction, the number of stitches doubles from 12 to 24. The final fabric construction is 18 warp ends per inch, 12 weft ends per inch, and 24 courses per inch. Although the course count increases from 12 to 24 stitches per inch, only one weft yarn is inserted for every two stitches rather than every stitch as currently done in the prior art. By doubling the number of stitches through shortening the stitch length, the weft or filling yarns area forced to remain in a restricted are of the fabric.

Abstract: A shower curtain assembly for enclosing an opening in a shower enclosure in environments where there is a risk that an individual might attempt to use a part of the shower curtain assembly to cause injury to himself or others. The assembly is constructed of a foam plastic curtain support, a shower curtain attached at its upper edge to the curtain support, and releasable attachments that include hook-and-loop fasteners attached at opposite ends of the curtain support to attach the assembly across the enclosure opening. The shower curtain assembly may also include a cover around the curtain support, with the upper edge of the curtain being releasably attached to the cover.

Abstract: A mobile asphalt dispenser for applying strips of asphalt having prescribed widths to a roof. The dispenser has a frame including an asphalt container for holding the asphalt. At least one wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame. A valve assembly is provided in fluid communication with the asphalt container and is operable to control flow of the asphalt from the container to the roof. The dispenser has a valve assembly selectively positionable into at least three prescribed positions, each of the prescribed positions corresponding to a respective one of the prescribed widths of the asphalt strips. In addition to or as an alternative to the valve assembly, the dispenser may include a side dispensing arm for applying asphalt to a cant of the roof. Preferably, the dispenser is provided with a swivellable wheel.

Abstract: An aerial cargo container system for transporting cargo from an aircraft to the ground having a cargo box with a continuous side wall with six rectangular side panels, and rotor blades having stowed positions against alternating box side panels and deployed positions extending outwardly from the box in a generally horizontal plane. Each blade may include a lower panel and an upper panel that has two triangular sections behind the leading edge that forms an aerodynamic camber. The blades are hinged to a rotor hub secured across the top of the box. The upward deployment of the blades is limited by tethers extending from the blades down to a tether attach frame secured across the bottom of the box. The box and blades are preferably formed of corrugated paper or plastic material. The entire unit rotates with the load to create aerodynamic braking and lower cargo to the ground with a minimum of energy being translated to the cargo on impact.

Abstract: A seismic support module for supporting communications equipment on a raised floor includes a plurality of anchoring feet secured to the structural concrete floor and a plurality of support columns having generally horizontal top plates on one end thereof extending up from the anchoring feet. Attached to the plates are a plurality of tie rails and run rails forming a horizontal frame for supporting the communications equipment and the raised floor tiles. The outermost support columns are preferably braced by a plurality of diagonal cross-braces. The anchoring feet have a base plate, preferably a plurality of vertically extending sockets, and a reinforcing plate between the sockets. Preferably, the anchoring feet are interchangeable with each other as are support columns, tie rails, and run rails.

Abstract: A system and method for funding a home investment trust program to provide for home mortgage payments to pay for a home throughout the mortgage period, a first trust fund and a cash-out amount payable during the mortgage period useable for college expenses, and a second trust fund payable at the end of the mortgage period for retirement, wherein funding for the trust comes substantially from income tax savings associated with deducting interest paid on a home mortgage. The invention includes determining the purchaser's tax liability and any tax refund or reduction due to the deduction attributable to interest paid on the home mortgage. The latter amount is systematically deposited into a trust fund. At a point during the mortgage period, the home maybe refinanced in a manner allowing the homeowner to "cash-out" part of the equity build-up. After refinancing, the homeowner will continue funding another trust with income tax deductions attributable to the interest paid on the home mortgage.

Abstract: A fractional loading scheme is used to improve the spectral efficiency of a cellular system, and therefore increase the number of users that the system can support. The fractional loading scheme allows only a fraction of the total number of available communication channels within each cell to be used simultaneously. Thus, each cell is deliberately underloaded to operate at less than its full capacity. The underloading of the individual cells reduces the spectral efficiency within each cell. However, the underloading of each cell means that there will be fewer interfering users at any given time so that the co-channel interference is reduced. This reduction in co-channel interference allows the reuse distance between co-channel cells to be reduced thereby increasing the reuse of frequencies throughout the system resulting in an increase in spectral efficiency in the system as a whole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transmitting multiresolution image data via wireless devices in a radio frequency communication system wherein images are decomposed into levels of resolution. The image data is stored in discrete information blocks in an image storage unit including a base image and one or more image details. The base image represents the coarsest resolution of the image. Each image detail, when added to the base image, improves the resolution of the image. An image display unit transmits a request for image data to the image storage unit. In response to the initial request, the base image is transmitted to the image display unit. If the base image is insufficient, the resolution can be increased incrementally by sending additional image data requests to transmit additional image detail. The additional image detail is then transmitted to the image display unit and recombined with the base image to provide a higher level of resolution to the image.

Abstract: A trailer of the type for securing to and following a bicycle. The trailer includes a frame, a wheel rotatably mounted on the frame, and an extension member having first and second ends. The first end is hingedly connected to the frame such that the extension member is selectively positionable between an extended position wherein the extension member extends outwardly from the frame and a folded position wherein the extension member is disposed adjacent the frame for compactness of storage and transport.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for closed loop, automatic processing of typical financial transactions, including loans, setting up checking, savings and individual retirement accounts, obtaining cashier's checks, ordering additional checks, issuing credit and debit cards, wire transferring money, and so on. The transactions are provided from a kiosk and controlled by a computer controller interacting with the consumer. In the case of loans, a computer controller helps the consumer in the completion of the application, performs the underwriting, and transfers funds. The computer controller obtains the information needed to process the application, determines whether to approve the loan, effects electronic fund transfers to the applicant's deposit account and arranges for automatic withdrawals to repay the loan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microcurrent electrotherapy device that is pre-programmed to produce a series of different microcurrent waveform signals that are directed to a selected treatment area of a human or animal. More particularly, the electrotherapy device is pre-programmed to produce a sequence of different pulsed and continuous direct microcurrent waveforms. In one programmed mode, the programmed electrotherapy device produces a pulsed direct current waveform of approximately 10 .mu.A to 100 .mu.A which is followed by a second treatment phase of a direct microcurrent of approximately 300 .mu.A to 1000 .mu.A which is followed by a third treatment phase of pulsed direct microcurrent of approximately 50 to 250 .mu.A.

Abstract: A battery pack for an electronic device including a latch assembly comprising a latching member, a biasing member, and an actuator. The latching member is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The biasing member urges the latching member to the extended position so that when the battery pack is mounted to the electronic device, the latching member prevents its removal. To remove the battery pack, an actuator is provided to engage the latching member and push it downwardly to a retracted position. During assembly of the battery pack, the latching member can be pushed down to a retracted position allowing the actuator to move to an assembly position. In this position, the actuator is engaged by a retaining member on the battery case to hold the latching member and actuator in place during assembly.