Abstract: An aircraft flight control stick is mounted on a gimbal which provides left, right, forward and aft pivotal motion of the stick. A pivot member that is mechanically linked to the aircraft flight controls is attached to the gimbal through a uni-ball bearing which allows the pivot member to pivot independently of the control stick. A bell-shaped housing is slidably mounted on the control stick. The housing is spring-biased downward toward the pivot member so that a stud protruding upward from the pivot member plugs into a socket in the housing. A lever assembly mounted on the control stick and attached to the housing can be actuated to slide the housing away from the pivot member, thereby unplugging the stud from the socket to disengage the control stick from the aircraft flight controls. The downward facing housing circumscribes all possible motion of the stud while the control stick is disengaged. Release of the lever assembly allows a spring to urge the housing downward toward the stud.

Abstract: A method of cryptographically labeling electronically stored data is provided as part of a security system for personal computers. In protecting sensitive files of data, the labeling method utilizes a plurality of key streams, which are long, relatively prime-length sequences of random-like bytes. The key streams are related in some way to individual user and machine identifiers. Protected files of data are encrypted and decrypted by combining the key streams with the data using a reversible function, such as Exclusive OR. Each protected file has a label prefixed to it as part of the file. The label contains information necessary for encrypting and decrypting the file, controlling access to the file, and verifying integrity of the label and file. The label is permanently prefixed to the protected file but is encrypted and decrypted separately from encryption and decryption of the file.

Abstract: A moisture separator (10, 150, 200) is provided for filtering air being provided to a marine power plant. If the moisture separator becomes clogged, reducing air flow, a vacuum sensing switch (108) is closed to power panels (18, 20) to an opened position, permitting air to bypass the filtering elements of the moisture separator and flow directly to the power plant. The doors can be powered shut and latched in either position. A de-icing manifold (206) serves a dual function of spraying a de-icing fluid on the panels and also acts as a frame for the latching mechanism to hold a panel in an open position.

Abstract: A landing gear load sensor (24) for an aircraft (10) having a skid type landing gear (14) is provided. The sensor (24) includes a shear beam (30) having a loadbearing area (40). Structure (32, 34) is provided for mounting the shear beam (30) to the aircraft (10), such that the loadbearing area (40) is disposed adjacent the landing gear (14). Structure (50) is disposed on the shear beam (30) between the mounting structure (32, 34) and the loadbearing area (40) for sensing shear load on the shear beam (30).

Abstract: A new cell line has been made which is capable of producing an antibody that reacts with melanoma associated tumors cells. Antigens capable of reacting with the new antibody have been isolated and characterized. Methods are disclosed for the utilizing the antibody and antigen of the present invention and diagnostic procedures for determining the identity and extent of melanoma associated disease. The compositions of the present invention are disclosed to be useful in other immunological procedures.

Abstract: A call processor (32) for intercepting incoming calls to a key telephone system (10) and returning a message to a calling party. A digital message storage unit (48) stores messages associating called parties with respective pseudo-telephone numbers so the calling party can input information identifying a desired called party. A CPU (50) of the call processor (32) references a look-up table (52) with hte pseudo-telephone number input by the calling party to select and transmit a message via an intercom line (36) to the key telephone system (10). The message carried by the intercom line (36) broadcasts a message relating to the identity of the called party as well as the line to utilize.

Abstract: A method for using a foamed liquid for cleaning and/or inerting a vessel is described which allows for continuous recycling of the foam and its breakout liquid and gas components into regenerated foam which is continously directed back into the vessel.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for the rapid identification of fungal pathogens. In a preferred method, a sample of human body fluid is obtained and subjected to analysis comprising inoculating a nutritive medium, incubating said inoculum for such time and temperature as is necessary for visible fungal colony formation, thereafter plating a sample of said visible fungi on miniature culture plates for example having the dimensions of about 33.times.75.times.5 millimeters, said plates containing differential fungal media, and thereafter identifying fungal pathogens in a manner consistent with said medium selected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a real-time method for minimizing the expected, controllable unit cost over a future drilling interval by simulating the values of selected operating variables and lithologies.

Abstract: Several embodiments (10, 30, 80) of an energy absorption system are designed for permitting progressive collapse of the system by absorbing energy within the system. In one embodiment, a system (10) comprises conical bodies (12) separated by cables (20), which system progressively collapses through plastic deformation of compression members (16) cooperating with each cable (20). In another embodiment, a system (30) incorporates plastically collapsible compression members (44, 46, 48) which collapse progressively to permit the bodies (32) to move together. In another embodiment, a system (80) is provided where the progressive collapse is permitted by frictional sliding of a securing device (92) along a track (90) which permits bodies (82) to move together.

Abstract: An hydraulic apparatus is provided for pushing and pulling rod or pipe underground. The apparatus includes a frame for mounting an hydraulic cylinder and a carriage. The carriage is mounted for reciprocating movement along rails attached to the frame. The carriage includes a lower carriage plate, an upper guide plate, and left and right side plates for retaining an actuator slide connected to the hydraulic cylinder. The slide rides on a plurality of thrust roller disposed in a race between the slide and a wear plate mounted in the lower carriage plate. The top of the slide comprises a cam surface that cradles a pair of actuator rollers which bear against a corresponding cam surface on the bottom of an actuator key. The top portion of the actuator key extends through a slot in the upper guide plate and is attached to a lower clamp plate that cradles the rod or pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading food for alignment with food sticks is provided. A food bin stores the food to be processed. The bin is filled with food which is gravity fed into J-shaped sections of a food conveyor belt. Concurrently, a stick conveyor system carries and aligns food sticks with the food. When the correct number of food items is aligned with the food sticks, the sticks are automatically inserted into the food items.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-piece telescoping jack that is capable of rapid coarse adjustments in height. The invention comprises first, second and third elongated tubular members that are somewhat nested in a telescoping relationship. The invention further comprises fine adjustment means for holding and adjusting the position of the second member in relation to the first and coarse adjustment means for holding and adjusting the position of the third member in relation to the second. The coarse adjustment means further allow the position of the third member to be rapidly adjusted, either retracted or extended, in relation to the second member. In a preferred embodiment, the fine adjustment means are a threaded nut and bolt. Also in a preferred embodiment, the coarse adjustment means are a pin and a series of holes in the second and third members.

Abstract: A soil displacement tool, or mole, comprises a hollow cylindrical body in which is provided an hydraulically reciprocal piston the movement of which drives the tool through the soil to form a hole, the body and piston being annular such that the tool is hollow.

Abstract: An infusion pump incorporates a cassette formed by bonding of two substantially flat sheets. The fluid to be infused to the patient comes into contact only with the cassette. The cassette includes first and second flexible sheets which define a pumping chamber therebetween. The infusion pump is provided with a pumping member having a hub and a plurality of petal-shaped sections extending radially outward therefrom and pivotal relative thereto. A stepping motor can be operated to move the pumping member against the second flexible sheet to decrease the volume of the pumping chamber and pump fluid to the patient. A load cell monitors the force exerted by the stepping motor on the hub. An outlet restriction value is electronically controlled by a second stepping motor in response to the pressure sensed by the load cell to control pumping to a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: An antenna tracking system tracks a primary antenna to follow a moving signal source, such as a communication satellite. A secondary antenna has a greater beam width than the primary antenna and receives the same tracking signal from the satellite. The primary antenna is tracked according to a predetermined search pattern which causes a variation in the signal amplitude depending upon the relative location of the satellite and the antenna position. The signal strength signals from the two antennas are input to a summation function which takes the difference of the two signals. The noise and signal variation component of the two signals is substantially the same and is therefore eliminated from the resulting difference signal. An antenna control unit utilizes the resulting difference signal to select the optimum signal strength for the particular step of the search pattern.

Abstract: An improved system (10) is provided for loading compacted waste bales (34) in each compartment (22, 24, 26) of a container (14). The system (10) includes a container handling apparatus (12) which sequentially positions each of the compartments before the discharge opening (32) of a compactor assembly (18) for receiving a bale. Further, a control circuit is provided which controls the operation of the compacting ram (20) so that an overlength bale is prevented.