Abstract: A system and method is provided for gathering and aggregating operational metrics (e.g., performance metrics, process events, health monitor state, server state) for a plurality of members as a single entity and for a plurality of entities as a singular entity. The system and method provides for operational metrics of members and entities to be aggregated and retrieved as a single result set, such that entity wide operational metrics can be acquired, monitored and displayed as a single entity.

Abstract: The present invention enables an electronic message to be distributed sequentially to selected recipients. The electronic message is associated with a routing map, which defines the route of the electronic message. The routing map includes a list of operations, at least some of which are implemented in script. A routing engine controls the current state and the state transition of the routing map while predefined routing objects assist in the manipulation and processing of the routing map. Routing maps are associated with folders and any electronic message dropped in the folder is associated with the routing map. The operations of the routing map are executed in a stateful manner in response to events occurring in the messaging system until the electronic message has been sequentially distributed to the intended recipients.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the donning of gloves having elastic cuffs. The system is particularly adapted for allowing healthcare personnel to don elastic gloves without requiring the assistance of another individual and without contacting the outer surface of the gloves. A curved rim member is comprised of flared portions along the periphery of the rim as well as teeth which are formed on the upper edges of a slot, the flared portions and teeth serving to help the rim frictionally to hold the elastic cuff of a glove in a stretched open configuration so that the user's hand may be inserted therein. A slot in combination with the design of the curved rim member and the flared portion and teeth of the rim member allows the user, by proper movement of the wrist and forearm, to release the glove from the curved rim member whereupon the glove assumes a proper fit on the user's hand.

Abstract: An underwater color television camera system for use in high pressure or dense shielding applications. The system includes a spread tube color television camera encased in a three-segment housing designed to provide quick access to and interchangeability of camera parts, while also providing protection to the camera from water pressure at depths of over 2500 feet below water surface. A television viewfinder is affixed to the camera housing for use during manual operation by divers. A control center which includes computer devices is remotely connected by coaxial or triaxial cable to the camera so as to permit surface control and monitoring of numerous camera operations. Camera operations and applications are capable of enhancement by use of computer generated graphics, computer navigation assistance, and computer aided visual communication with divers.

Abstract: An interior wall system formed from two opposing walls. Each opposing wall is assembled from a plurality of composite wall panels, each wall panel having an exterior surface material and an interior layer of insulating material bonded to one side of the exterior surface material. Each opposing wall is anchored to top and bottom U-shaped support members and adjoining wall panels of each wall are connected by a plurality of retaining clips. The retaining clips may be adjusted in length to accommodate various widths between the opposing walls. Additionally, splines are inserted between the first and second walls along the seams between adjoining wall panels. The wall system also includes a door frame comprising first and second jamb members and a lintel member, each having a spacing member attached to approximately the center thereof. The spacing members are inserted between the opposing walls and are used to anchor the door frame in place.

Abstract: A large scale, industrial system and method for dehydrating fruits, nuts or other produce. The system includes two long air tunnels which are placed end-to-end. Each air tunnel has a conveyor which is used to transport the produce through the air tunnel. As the produce exits one air tunnel, it is dropped from one conveyor onto the other, thus permitting the produce to be turned over before it enters the second air tunnel. Each air tunnel is divided into a number of separate air chambers in which the heated, circulating air is confined so as to reduce heat loss, thus increasing the energy efficiency of the system, and also providing for separate control of the air temperature and humidity levels in each air chamber. Countercirculation of air between adjacent air chambers aids in confining the air through the separate air chambers, as well as the use of resilient flaps which are used to enclose the ends of each air chamber through which the conveyor enters and exits.

Abstract: An interior wall system formed from two opposing walls. Each opposing wall is assembled from a plurality of composite wall panels, each wall panel having an exterior surface material and an interior layer of insulating material bonded to one side of the exterior surface material. Each opposing wall is anchored to top and bottom U-shaped support members and adjoining wall panels of each wall are connected by a plurality of retaining clips. The retaining clips may be adjusted in length to accommodate various widths between the opposing walls. Additionally, splines are inserted between the first and second walls along the seams between adjoining wall panels. The wall system also includes a door frame comprising first and second jamb members and a lintel member, each having a spacing member attached to approximately the center thereof. The spacing members are inserted between the opposing walls and are used to anchor the door frame in place.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for practicing calf-roping on live calves without the use of a roping horse. The novel calf-roping practice apparatus of the present invention comprises a rectangular chute which may be connected to the cattle chute of a stockyard or corral. The chute of the apparatus has a spring-loaded forward gate, which may be opened by pulling on a lever. The apparatus further comprises a take-up mechanism which is connected to the roping rope and which removes the slack in the rope after a calf has been roped. The apparatus is surmounted by a surface which simulates a horse's back, such that the user may secure his saddle thereon. The apparatus of the present invention may also include a spring-loaded neck mechanism which simulates a horse's neck and head.In use, the user ties his saddle on the apparatus and ties a string between one of the stirrups of the saddle and the lever which triggers the spring-loaded forward gate. The user then connects his rope to the take-up device of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting interproximal cavities and the like. A high intensity light from an incandescent lamp is transmitted through an optical fiber bundle and is projected onto a tooth. Light passing around or through said tooth is detected by a second optical fiber bundle and is transmitted to a viewer where it is projected through a lense system onto an opaque screen where an image of the tooth can be viewed and any defects therein can be detected.

Abstract: A touch controlled membrane device producing an output signal which is a function of any dual coordinate location resulting from an applied pressure in a two dimensional resistive field. In one preferred embodiment a single resistive film is spaced from a coextensive conductive film. First and second source voltages are alternately applied across orthogonal axis directions of the resistive film to establish voltage gradients in both directions. Pressure applied to the conductive film brings the conductive and resistive films into contact so that a unique two component output signal appears on the conductive film which defines the X and Y coordinates of the location of the applied pressure. In a second embodiment, two resistive films are mounted opposite to two conductive surfaces applied onto opposite sides of an insulative film, and voltage is applied to the resistive films in orthogonally related directions.

Abstract: A vibrating wire placed in the humidity duct of a standard radiosonde is used to measure vertical profiles of the concentration of supercooled liquid water in clouds. An electronic circuit is provided for monitoring the natural frequency of vibration which varies according to the mass of ice accumulated on the wire by contact freezing. The time rate of change of ice accumulation is related to the supercooled liquid water concentration. By monitoring the natural frequency, the supercooled liquid water concentration can be found.

Abstract: An electrical heating system for use in heating surfaces. A heating element is constructed of mesh screen comprised of nonferrous, small gauge metal wires which are spaced in a cloth mesh arrangement such that the total surface area of the wires is substantially equal to or greater than the adjacent area of the surface to be heated. The heating element is positioned substantially parallel to and adjacent the surface to be heated. The heating system includes electronic circuitry which essentially eliminates transmission of power surges, voltage spikes and chatter when the heating system is connected to an alternating current power source. The heating system also includes protective circuits and devices for preventing injury or damage due to transformer overheating, or due to under-current or over-current conditions. An optional electronic circuit permits use of the device for preventing formation of ice on surfaces in an efficient and economical manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a band of hardened metal around a portion of a drill collar in accordance with conventional MIG or TIG welding processes. The improved hardbanding system comprises an AC power source coupled to a water cooled, MIG or TIG welding torch assembly. A hydraulic pump is provided, coupled to the AC power source, for independently driving: (1) a mandril assembly for rotating the drill collar workpiece adjacent the torch assembly, (2) an elevation assembly for adjusting the height of the torch assembly and the mandril assembly; and (3) a pair of hydraulic jacks for lifting the drill collars off of standard pipe racks. The entire system is designed for mounting on the bed of a conventional two ton truck such that the system is easily transportable for on-site hardbanding.

Abstract: A laser system having an intermediate mode of laser beam operation wherein the laser beam is extinguished but the laser cathode continues to remain energized. The laser system includes an electronic circuit in which energy is stored while the laser beam is extinguished so that the laser beam can be substantially instantaneously re-ignited when the stored energy is released to the laser anode.

Abstract: A ventricular assist device and a method of manufacturing the ventricular assist device. The device is generally flat in shape and gently curved so that it may be comfortably implanted under the skin or inside the chest of a patient. The device includes a housing comprising an atrial blood chamber, an atrial compliance chamber, a ventricular blood chamber and a ventricular pumping chamber. Blood is introduced through an inlet port into the atrial blood chamber. An atrial compliance membrane within the housing separates the atrial blood chamber from the atrial compliance chamber and responds to the changing volume of blood. The ventricular blood chamber receives the blood from the atrial blood chamber through a flap valve which is formed as an integral extension of the compliance membrane.

Abstract: A computer controlled microfilm camera system and method for microfilming data onto pre-cut individual microfiche film sheets in one of a plurality of formats selected by a system user. The camera system includes a reusable cartridge which permits the single microfiche film sheet to be substantially withdrawn and exposed, and then reinserted into the cartridge for processing in a daylight loading processor. The cartridge is supported on a movable carriage assembly which is connected to a first drive system and stepping motor so as to provide for translation of the film sheet in a column direction. The carriage assembly supports a second drive system and stepping motor which is connected so as to provide for translation of the film sheet in a row direction.

Abstract: An interior wall system formed from two opposing walls. Each opposing wall is assembled from a plurality of composite wall panels, each wall panel having an exterior surface material and an interior layer of insulating material bonded to one side of the exterior surface material. Each opposing wall is anchored to top and bottom U-shaped support members and adjoining wall panels of each wall are connected by a plurality of retaining clips. The retaining clips may be adjusted in length to accommodate various widths between the opposing walls. Additionally, splines are inserted between the first and second walls along the seams between adjoining wall panels. The wall system also includes a door frame comprising first and second jamb members and a lintel member, each having a spacing member attached to approximately the center thereof. The spacing members are inserted between the opposing walls and are used to anchor the door frame in place.

Abstract: An improved ring laser gyroscope is disclosed that uses two counterrotating beams separated in frequency by an amount that is large compared to lock-in thresholds. The two beams are heterodyned together to obtain a beat frequency whose magnitude is proportional to rotation rate. In the preferred embodiment, the gyroscope utilizes an optical fiber waveguide as the laser cavity. The two countercirculating beams are generated via the mechanism of stimulated Brillouin scattering within the cavity. The two Brillouin ring lasers are pumped by two beams derived from an external pump laser. The derived beams are shifted in frequency by acousto-optic modulators. Lock-in is eliminated at all rotation rates. Other error sources common to ring laser gyroscopes are eliminated or greatly reduced.

Abstract: An auxiliary drive traction system for an automated guideway transit (AGT) vehicle. Remotely controlled hydraulic or electrically powered auxiliary drive systems are used to drive the AGT vehicle's lateral guide wheels, which are biased against a running surface, thus providing an auxiliary drive and braking system. A remotely controlled clutch may be added so as to selectively couple the auxiliary drive system and the guide wheels. A protective skirt is attached to the edges of the guideway assembly along its entire length in order to shield the guide wheel running surfaces from adverse weather conditions.

Abstract: A solar collector panel and a method of making the collector panel. The solar collector panel has four layers of fiberglass mat which are each saturated with a catalyzed liquiform resin. Between the first two layers, unimpregnated Kraft honeycomb paper having an open cellular structure is placed so as to form a resinated honeycomb core between these first two layers. A plurality of fluid channels are then bonded to the second layer of resin saturated fiberglass mat. The fluid channels are made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion essentially equal to that of the fiberglass mat. The third layer of resin-saturated fiberglass mat is placed over the fluid channels. A second layer of Kraft honeycomb paper is then placed between the third and fourth layers of resin-saturated fiberglass mat, and a clear gel coat mixed with an ultraviolet inhibitor solution is rolled out over the top of the solar collector panel to partially screen out ultraviolet rays.