Abstract: The locking arm pedestal system includes a clevis assembly pivotally attached to a plurality of pivotal arms. One of the arms is pivotally attached to a telescoping arm housed in a base, the telescoping arm setting the desired height of the clevis assembly. The base is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle console and floor. The clevis assembly includes a pivotal mounting bracket where an item can be mounted thereon at a desired angle. A pivot locking joint prevents the mounting bracket from pivoting from the desired angle. Each of the pivotal arms also includes similarly configured pivot locking joints to set the desired position of the clevis assembly with respect to the user. Fasteners clamp the locking pivot joints in place.

Abstract: The outdoor sillcock mounting kit is positioned around a pipe that is connected to a sillcock. The kit is utilized prior to adding finishing material to the outer wall of a home or building. The kit permits adjustments to the pipe and the sillcock when necessary due to a change in the dimensions of the finished material added to the outer wall, especially those outer finished walls that add brick, stucco, and other types of building materials. The kit has three components, two sleeves of the same basic shape and size except one sleeve is longer. The longer sleeve can be utilized with the third component, which is a block-shaped cover. The cover is utilized with rectangular-type finishing material on the outer wall, and fits over the longer sleeve.

Abstract: The wine bottle sealing and dispensing device provides for the dispensing of wine from a wine bottle, or any other liquid from a corresponding liquid container, without exposing the wine or liquid in the bottle to environmental air at any time. The device includes a housing adapted for mounting above a cork of a corked wine bottle. An upper open end of a hollow needle is mounted in the housing, the needle projecting downward from the housing and terminating in a tip adapted for insertion through the cork. A first end of a spout projects outwardly from the housing, and a second end of the spout is in fluid communication with the upper open end of the hollow needle. A cartridge of pressurized, inert gas is mounted to the housing. The cartridge is in communication with an upper end of a gas conduit, which is mounted within the hollow needle.

Abstract: The battery saver includes a charge pump connected to a control switch to provide a time-hysteretic threshold feature wherein it takes a longer, elapsed time threshold to activate the control switch than it does to deactivate the control switch. Control switch output is connected to a main switch wherein activation of the control switch opens the main switch to de-energize a battery-powered device's battery circuit. Control switch deactivation closes the main switch, which energizes the battery circuit of the battery-powered device. A quick elapsed time threshold allows a vibration sensor, which indicates continuing use of the battery-powered device, to instantaneously deactivate the control switch when vibrations are sensed. When the vibration sensor no longer senses motion in the device, a longer elapsed time threshold is triggered in which the charge pump slowly ramps up current to activate the control switch to turn the battery-operated device off.

Abstract: Food and drink trays have flat surfaces and peripheral edges with openings adapted for receiving and securely carrying a plurality of beverage and food containers. A bearing member attachable to a tray has an arched configuration and fits over the forearm of a user, while a gripping member attachable to the tray is adapted for gripping by a user's hand. A second embodiment has a pair of large circular openings on the upper surface that will hold full plates of food. The food and drink carrying tray may be made from wood, or from a lightweight material, such as plastic, and is useful for holding a plurality of beverages and plates of food when dining buffet-style in a restaurant or a home dinner party. Additional embodiments have removable grips and removable bearing members, as well as large food trays capable of receiving a variety of container-holding adapters.

Abstract: The compact scissors lift includes a chassis having a body, a pair of wheels disposed at one end and a pair of steering wheels at the opposite end; a lifting linkset assembly disposed substantially within the base, the linkset assembly shaped to form space for the steering wheels; a steering system operatively connected to the steering wheels in front of the linkset assembly; and a deployable safety guard mechanism, on at least one side of the chassis. Having the linkset assembly within the chassis body reduces the overall stow height of the lift to thereby increase access to work areas, decrease physical expenditure on the user, increase stable steering and increase safe operation on potentially hazardous terrain.

Abstract: The carbonation device includes a cap system selectively mounted to the mouth of a liquid container. The cap system includes a cap, a rotatable control ring coaxial with and selectively attached to the cap, a reaction vessel selectively attached to the bottom of the cap, and an elongate distribution tube selectively mounted to the cap. The reaction vessel is filled with a preselected amount of carbonating material such that when the control ring is rotated in one position, water may be introduced into the vessel to initiate the carbonation reaction. In another position, the carbonating gas flows into the liquid via the distribution tube. Other rotated positions permit locking and unlocking of the control ring. The carbonation device also includes a drop-in configuration that serves as a self-contained carbonation distribution vessel.

Abstract: The apparatus for measuring concentrations of fuel mixtures using depth-resolved laser-induced fluorescence is a fluorometer equipped with a sample container holder that is movable in the path of the beam from the light source. Fluorescent emissions from the sample mixture pass at 90° to the excitation light path through a slit that is narrow enough that the emission intensity is effectively produced by a thin layer of the sample and focused on a monochromator, with successive thin layers receiving nonuniform excitation radiation due to reduction of intensity along the excitation light source path with increasing depth penetration and due to reabsorption of emitted fluorescence from adjacent layers. The method has a first mode in which the emission spectrum is scanned at a fixed depth, and a second mode in which the sample is moved relative to the emission monochromator slit to vary the depth while keeping the emission wavelength fixed.

Abstract: The X-ray tube having a rotating and linearly translating anode includes an evacuated shell having a substantially cylindrical anode rotatably mounted therein. The substantially cylindrical anode may be rotated through the usage of any suitable rotational drive, and the substantially cylindrical anode is further selectively and controllably linearly translatable about the rotating longitudinal axis thereof. A cathode is further mounted within the evacuated shell for producing an electron beam that impinges on an outer surface of the substantially cylindrical anode, thus forming a focal spot thereon. X-rays are generated from the focal spot and are transmitted through an X-ray permeable window formed in the evacuated shell.

Abstract: The shopping cart organizer fits removably into the child's seat area of a shopping cart, and facilitates the monitoring of a child by a parent or guardian shopper during a shopping trip. The device includes two rigidly connected panels and a hinged panel that permit the devices to fold and nest compactly for storage when not in use. A first panel serves as a seat bottom for the child's seating area, and may be padded. A second panel extends upwardly and rearwardly from the first panel to face a rearwardly facing child in the child's seat, and includes a series of shopping related features thereon to keep the child occupied. A third panel extends outwardly and rearwardly from the upper edge of the second panel to face the shopper and includes a series of aids to assist the shopper, e.g., charts, coupon and list holders, calculator, article storage hooks, etc.

Abstract: The azo dyes relate to thiophene azo dyes of the general formula: where R1 is Cyano or C1-C5 alkoxy carbonyl; R2 is hydrogen, halogene, C1-C2 alkyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl; and R3 is C1-C5 alkoxy carbonyl, C1-C4 alkanoyl, benzoyl, phenyl, alkyl substituted phenyl, or alkoxy phenyl; or R2 and R3 are fused cycloalkane with C3-C5.

Abstract: The emergency vehicle alarm system and method allows a user to select an emergency vehicle alert as a telematics service in a mobile vehicle. Once the user selects the alert service, a telematics operations center determines a service fee, bills the user, and debits the user's account accordingly. The emergency vehicle alert telematics service warns a civilian vehicle of an approaching emergency vehicle. The system includes a transmitter located in the emergency vehicle that transmits a signal adapted for reception by a receiving module of a telematics system located in the civilian vehicle. When the emergency vehicle signal is received by the receiving module in the civilian vehicle, an audio and/or visual alert is generated to alert the occupants of the civilian vehicle that an emergency vehicle is nearby. The civilian vehicle's telematics system may also display relative positioning of the emergency vehicle and the civilian vehicle.

Abstract: The adaptive CQI-based HSDPA flow control method selectively eliminates flow control to greatly improve scheduler performance and increase the overall system throughput at low traffic load in a 3G High Speed Downlink Packet Access system. The method utilizes channel quality information (CQI) to predict potential handover conditions and adjusts the degree of flow control applied to classes of users to tune buffer levels accordingly. By regulating buffer levels, the adaptive HSDPA flow control method improves scheduler performance and significantly reduces handover data loss, thereby enhancing the effective Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) throughput.

Abstract: The computerized method for identifying Hammerstein models is a method in which the linear dynamic part is modeled by a space-state model and the static nonlinear part is modeled using a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN). Accurate identification of a Hammerstein model requires that output error between the actual and estimated systems be minimized. Thus, the problem of identification is an optimization problem. A hybrid algorithm, based on least mean square (LMS) principles and the Subspace Identification Method (SIM) is developed for the identification of the Hammerstein model. LMS is a gradient-based optimization algorithm that searches for optimal solutions in the negative direction of the gradient of a cost index. In the method, LMS is used for estimating the parameters of the RBFNN. For estimation of state-space matrices, the N4SID algorithm for subspace identification is used.

Abstract: The design and process scheduling optimization method is a technique that circumvents problems encountered in previous optimization techniques. The method performs comparison against multiple possible outcomes rather than a single-valued benchmark. Pattern Recognition (PR) techniques are utilized to classify the work planned at specified cut-off dates during the planning stage. Classification is used to monitor and evaluate the progress during the construction stage. The PR technique generalizes a virtual benchmark to represent the whole project based on multiple possible outcomes generated at a given cut-off date. The generalization feature offers a potential tool to overcome the problem of variation in the quality of data collected. Patterns are constructed to encode work of the project at different cut-off dates. The present invention utilizes a robust pattern recognition method applied to Critical Path Method (CPM) procedures to monitor and evaluate progress of construction projects.

Abstract: The condensation-free and bacteria-free pan system provides hygienic cover for a food preparation area. The system includes at least one pan having a top cover sheet, a heating element, a layer of thermal insulation and a bottom pan sheet. The top cover sheet is formed from a corrosion resistant material and is adapted for catching contaminants falling from overhead. The layer of thermal insulation is sandwiched between the top cover sheet and the heating element, and the bottom pan sheet is formed from a thermally conductive, corrosion resistant material, the bottom pan sheet having a lower wall and at least one sidewall. The top cover sheet, the layer of thermal insulation and the heating element are disposed above the bottom pan sheet to form a multilayer pan.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for tracking a center of gravity (COG) of an air vehicle provides a precise calculation and updating of the COG by disposing a plurality of acceleration measuring devices on a circumference of one or more rings in a manner that establishes redundancy in acceleration measurement. A multivariable time-space adaptive technique is provided within a high speed digital signal processor (DSP) to calculate and update the position of the COG. The system provides the capability of executing a procedure that reduces dispersion in estimating angular velocities and lateral accelerations of a moving vehicle and corrects the vehicle's estimated angular velocities and lateral accelerations. In addition, a consistency check of the measured values from the acceleration measuring devices is performed to assist in fault detection and isolation of a faulty accelerometer in the system.

Abstract: The method for measuring porosity of concrete is a vacuum pressure saturation-based method for calculating a porosity value of a sample of concrete. The method includes the steps of first drying a concrete sample and then making a first weight measurement of the concrete sample. Following the first weight measurement, the concrete sample is placed in a vacuum pressure vessel, where the sample is subjected to vacuum. The vacuum pressure vessel and a pressure cell are next filled with water. Water in the pressure cell and vacuum pressure vessel is pressurized, and the sample remains within the pressurized water for twenty-four hours. The sample remains submerged in the vacuum pressure vessel for another twenty-four hour period to achieve equilibrium. A second weight is then taken in the water, and a third weight measurement is taken in air. The porosity is calculated based upon the first, second and third weight measurements.

Abstract: The motor vehicle windshield and window kit includes a plurality of insulated panels for covering respective interior surfaces of a windshield and at least one window of a motor vehicle to prevent sunlight and environmental noise from entering the motor vehicle, and for further providing privacy for the occupants of the motor vehicle. At least one privacy flap is substantially centrally formed through at least one of the plurality of insulated panels. Additionally, a plurality of releasable fasteners are provided for releasably securing the plurality of insulated panels to the interior surfaces of the motor vehicle windshield and the at least one motor vehicle window, so that the insulated panels cover the motor vehicle windshield and the at least one motor vehicle window to provide privacy, thermal insulation and acoustic insulation for the interior of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: The system for removing blood containing contrast dye includes an inner catheter having a fixed proximal end and a distal free end, and an outer catheter coaxially disposed around a portion of the inner catheter, defining an inner channel and an annular outer channel. The fixed end of the inner catheter is coincident with the proximal end of the outer catheter, and the distal end of the inner catheter extends outward from the outer catheter. An annular suction orifice is defined between the distal end of the outer catheter and the inner catheter. First and second balloons are mounted adjacent the distal ends of the outer and inner catheters. The distal free end of the inner catheter extends beyond the second balloon. In use, the first and second balloons are inflated in the coronary sinus and blood containing contrast dye is then removed from between the first and second balloons.