Abstract: A golf-swing training device includes a neck strap for wearing about the neck of a golfer-under-training. A tether strap connects to a front part of the neck strap and has an adjustable length. A foot plate is connected to a distal end of the tether strap, and is intended to be held under a foot of the golfer-under-training. Such provides for the head and neck of the golfer-under-training to be held at a constant elevation during a swinging of a golf club. A clip may be attached to the middle of the tether strap and the clothing of the golfer-under-training so the tether strap will be kept close in and away from the swinging golf club.

Abstract: A method for wiping a printhead of an inkjet printing mechanism is provided. The printhead surface defines a printhead plane. In the method, firstly a wiper is moved substantially parallel to the printhead plane for wiping a first portion of the printhead surface. After the first portion of printhead surface is wiped, the wiper is moved away from the printhead plane for wiping a second portion of the printhead surface.

Abstract: A coal bed anomaly detection and imaging system comprises a synchronous transmitter and receiver that are separated by a geologic structure with embedded and hidden anomalies. The transmitter sends out two signals from magnetic dipole antennas. Such signals are widely separated in frequency but synchronized internally in the transmitter to one another. The higher frequency is used to make phase shift and attenuation measurements at the receiver by synchronous detection. The lower frequency is used at the receiver to synchronize the receiver to the transmitter. The higher frequency signal is measurably affected by anomalies in the intervening geologic structure. The lower frequency signal is fixed low enough so it is not substantially affected by the intervening geologic structure. Geologic modeling tools are preferably downloaded by geoscientists to their personal computers. The total attenuation and phase shift measurements are plugged into a full-wave inversion code (FWIC) process.

Abstract: A method for assuaging tobacco addiction comprises pulsing doses of nicotine into a user's bloodstream so it reaches the brain before passing through the liver. A nicotine-burst tablet is held in the mouth by a user to receive each nicotine-pulse dose. The tablet is configured to suddenly release its entire nicotine payload from an otherwise inert or benign material. Such nicotine payload is relatively small, e.g., under one milligram. The therapeutic effects depend on the change of nicotine levels in the blood over a change in time. Rapid nicotine onset of a small dose is more assuaging than a slow build-up to a high dosage. An oral carrier comprises a nicotine saturated instant-dissolve paper that delivers one nicotine pulse. An additive prevents abuse by causing excessive use to catalyze a foul taste or sickening sensation.

Abstract: A print media handling system for feeding print media into a media inlet of a printer is disclosed. The print media handling system includes a media feeder for feeding print media along a media path towards the media inlet. At least one trimming element is disposed along the media path for trimming fed print media to a predetermined width prior to the print media entering the media inlet. A printer that includes a print media handling system described above is also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated optical switch/amplifier with modulation capabilities comprises a semiconductor waveguide with an input end-face and an output end-face. The waveguide is disposed on a substrate and separated from it by an I-region. A laser cavity is fabricated transverse to the semiconductor waveguide and supports a bleed laser during operation. A pair of switching electrodes with one placed on top of the semiconductor waveguide and another placed beneath the substrate provide for a selective injection of electron carriers from a top length of the semiconductor waveguide and from the substrate through the I-region. Thus, an optical signal presented at the input end-face is either blocked, modulated, or amplified-through according to the relative polarity of voltages applied to the pair of switching electrodes.

Abstract: A method of using vacuum-cleaner filters includes mounting a cylindrical-shaped filter cartridge coaxially on a rotatable spindle. Then air is drawn radially through a filter material wall of the filter cartridge. Periodically, the cartridge filter on the spindle is spun to dislodge any debris entrapped in the filter material by centrifugal force. Air flow is selectively drawn or pushed radially through a filter material wall of the filter cartridge. A clutch disposed between a motor and the spindle is used to periodically spin the cartridge filter on the spindle to dislodge any debris entrapped in the filter material by centrifugal force. Preferably, a motor that can be run in either a forward direction or a reverse direction is used.

Abstract: Most mines and underground facilities employ standardized construction techniques and materials. Such also cannot avoid having some above ground openings to receive utilities, fresh air, supplies, etc. Those or other surface openings are also universally used to discharge ground water, wastes, and other materials. Typical underground facilities have abundant electrical wiring and power demands, both of which can be detected at the surface. Levees with leakage pathways also form electrical conductors. When properly illuminated with remotely generated electromagnetic (EM) radiation, many of these features will “glow” or reradiate the radio energy in an electronic signature unique to the underground facility. Synchronized EM-gradiometer transponders are situated nearby on the ground surface to collect and analyze the “glow”. Alternative transmitting devices further includes ways to generate the illumination, and computers for characterizing the return signatures.

Abstract: A ground-penetrating radar comprises a single resonant microstrip patch antenna (RMPA) that is driven by a three-port directional coupler. A reflected-wave output port is buffered by a wideband isolation amplifier and a reflected-wave sample is analyzed to extract measured values of the real and imaginary parts of the load impedance-the driving point impedance of RMPA. Each such port will vary in a predictable way according to how deeply an object is buried in the soil. Calibration tables can be empirically derived. Reflections also occur at the interfaces of homogeneous layers of material in the soil. The reflected-wave signals are prevented from adversely affecting transmitted-signal sampling by putting another wideband isolation amplifier in front of the input port of the directional coupler. A suppressed-carrier version of the transmitted signal is mixed with the reflected-wave sample, and the carrier is removed.

Abstract: A coal mining operation begins by using directional drilling to bore several horizontal shafts through a coal deposit with its natural overburden still intact. Any methane gas permeating the coal deposit is pumped out and preferably sold as natural gas to commercial and residential customers, or used locally in support of mining operations. The methane gas evacuation continues until the concentrations are reduced to safe levels for mining. But before mining begins, ground penetrating radar equipment is lowered into the boreholes for electronic imaging studies of the coal deposit. One borehole is used for a transmitter and another for a receiver. Many measurements are made at a variety of frequencies and equipment positions within the boreholes. Such studies estimate the electrical conductivity of the surrounding material, and thereby give clues where and how much coal is actually deposited.

Abstract: A landmine detection system comprises a ground-penetrating radar for probing the surface of the ground for landmines and other anomalies. The radar is swept back and forth across a lane while a user proceeds forward. A navigation sensor and processor keep track of all the parts of the lane that have been probed. A user display presents a visual graphic that represents the lane and the parts of it that have been probed. The user is then able to swing the radar to areas that are indicated as having been skipped in previous passes, e.g., to get 100%. coverage.

Abstract: A battery-power distribution unit comprises two printed circuit assembly bus units that carry eight pairs of ± screw terminal connections and their associated GMT-type fuses. Each A-side and B-side bus unit needs only one pair of heavy cables that feed it power inside a RETMA-rack cabinet. Heavy-duty foil buses etched on the printed circuit boards on both sides are reinforced with tinned copper flat bar to increase the current carrying capacity.

Abstract: An exercise device comprises a housing with a self-rewinding spool of cord. The cord is threaded out between a pair of inner wedgeblocks that can move together and pinch the cord. The amount of pinch applied determines how much resistance will be applied when the user exercises by pulling out the cord on handles. The inner wedgeblocks are disposed between a pair of outer fixed wedgeblocks. Facing channels in the interfaces between the inner and outer wedgeblocks have ball bearings that run on inclined ramps. When the inner wedgeblocks are pulled by the cord out of alignment with the outer wedgeblocks, the inclined ramps and ball bearings press the inner wedgeblocks together. The more they press together, the more the cord resists being pulled out. An adjustment limits how far the inner wedgeblocks can move out of alignment.

Abstract: A furnace-cooling block comprises a UNS-type C71500 schedule-40 water pipe cast inside a pour of electrolytic copper UNS-type C11000 de-oxidized during the casting process, or melted in an inert environment, to produce a high-copper approximating UNS-type C81100. A resulting fusion of the pipe to the casting is such that the differential coefficient of expansions of the two copper alloys involved does not exceed the yield strength of the casting copper during operational thermal cycling. The melting point of the copper alloy used in the pipe is such that a relatively thin-wall pipe may be used with a sand packing during the melt.

Abstract: A dielectric-wall linear accelerator is improved by a high-voltage, fast rise-time switch that includes a pair of electrodes between which are laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators. A high voltage is placed between the electrodes sufficient to stress the voltage breakdown of the insulator on command. A light trigger, such as a laser, is focused along at least one line along the edge surface of the laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators extending between the electrodes. The laser is energized to initiate a surface breakdown by a fluence of photons, thus causing the electrical switch to close very promptly. Such insulators and lasers are incorporated in a dielectric wall linear accelerator with Blumlein modules, and phasing is controlled by adjusting the length of fiber optic cables that carry the laser light to the insulator surface.

Abstract: A portable water-pumping system comprises a water-tight case with a hinged lid. A deep recess in the lid allows a photovoltaic array to be nested inside in a protected position. A gel-cell battery operates a high-pressure water-pump and both are carried inside the case. A trigger-operated water nozzle and a pressure switch allow automatic functioning of the water pump. A non-collapsible water-suction hose includes a strainer to prevent clogging of the pump. A cigarette-lighter power cord allows near-continuous and heavy use when a source of 12VDC power is available from a car, boat, plane, or other vehicle.

Abstract: A liquid-nitrogen injection system comprises a vacuum-insulated reservoir that is held aloft and to one side of a flexible dosing arm. Such reservoir is completely sealed and capped on its top and sides, the vent, feed, return, and supply conduits enter only from the bottom. The feed and return conduits connect to the dosing arm through a long flexible, stainless steel, vacuum-insulating jacket. Such allows an injection nozzle at the end of the dosing arm to be adjusted up and down, in and out, and even tilted relative to both the assembly line and the reservoir. This also means the hydraulic pressure head at the control nozzle can be adjusted in the field. A metering orifice is positioned within the dosing arm such that it is behind the control nozzle valve. A nitrogen gas purging system is connected to provide a freeze-up shielding gas flow from a liquid nitrogen tap in the reservoir.

Abstract: A portable platform-scale weighing system comprises a floor dolly and lift mechanism that allow a heavy low-profile platform scale to be used practically anywhere truck cargoes need to be weighed. The low-profile platform scale includes a shear-beam load cell on each of four corners that are lifted off the ground by the lift mechanism whenever the dolly is being rolled to a new job. The weighing system puts weight on each of the shear-beam load cells only when the lift system has lowered the low-profile platform scale onto a protective outrigger runner on each side and such runners are resting on the ground. Such runners have turned up steel wings that prevent side impacts to the shear-beam load cells. Various guides and pins keep the low-profile platform scale centered over the floor dolly and lift mechanism so that when it is lowered it will drop properly on the two outrigger runners and minimize contact between the lift mechanism and dolly during the weight mode.

Abstract: A cryopump-type water-vapor removal system comprising a vacuum chamber for location within a device-fabrication cleanroom or other similar fabrication area, and a Meissner-type cryocoil for condensation of atmospheric water vapor in the atmosphere inside the chamber. A refrigerant compressor-evaporator is for location outside the device-fabrication cleanroom and is separated from the cryocoil by at least twenty feet. A refrigerant umbilical cord connects between and includes a flexible outer sheath providing for maintaining a thermal-insulation vacuum within. Flexible smooth-bore refrigerant suction and discharge tubes are disposed in the thermal-insulation vacuum of the umbilical. The suction tube has a larger diameter than the discharge to provide for an expansion of the refrigerant that occurs in the cryocoil. Non-turbulent flow through the suction and discharge tubes in the refrigerant umbilical cord may be controlled by use of a smooth-bore wall.

Abstract: A database tool comprises a computer-implemented method for extracting systematic information from one or more databases that apparently only comprise data noise or seemingly unrelated data items. Criminal and community relationships that exist amongst telephone and internet subscribers are extracted from large telephone databases derived from wire taps and/or long distance telephone records. A telephone records file is used that comprises a caller's telephone number, dialed telephone numbers, and the time. A second database comprises a list of telephone numbers which are suspicious for some reason, and a descriptor as to why each such telephone number is suspicious. A third database includes biographical data about the telephone subscribers, such as name, address, and other facts. The unique telephone numbers in the database are identified. Matches between the first and second databases are made. Related components are grouped into clusters. The valence for each telephone number is computed.