Abstract: An improved monorail guideway assembly including unencumbered running surfaces that are supported by a truss. Electrical bus bars are attached to the underside of the running surfaces and a protective skirt is attached to the edges of the running surfaces along their entire length. The skirt is bent so as to form a smoothly curved shoulder that shields the bus bars and guideway surface from snow or rain.

Abstract: A system and method for producing rapid, high resolution hard color copies from computer-based graphics and image processing including a computer-controlled color video signal graphics system for producing electronically generated digital character and/or graphics data in response to programmed commands that are input to the graphics system. Thereafter, the graphics system transforms the digital data into blue, green and red color video signals which are input to a color camera system through a color control panel that is controlled by a microprocessor. The color control panel sequentially switches each of the red, blue and green video signals through to a video monitor where the signals are transformed into video images on a screen of the monitor. The video images appearing on the screen of the monitor are filtered by a color filter wheel which is also controlled by the microprocessor of the camera system. One of two types of film may be selected for exposure to the filtered video images.

Abstract: A combination step and extension ladder manufactured of composite material such as fiberglass is disclosed. The inner and outer side rails are molded fiberglass so that the fibers are angularly oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the respective side rail. Hinges are provided on each of the inner side rails of the ladder so that the ladder may be folded and unfolded from a step ladder configuration to a straight extension ladder configuration and vice versa. The inner side rails are telescopically mounted within channeled outer side rails so that the inner side rails can be extended to increase the height of the ladder in either configuration. The outer side rails have a foam strip molded into one side such that the ladder rungs between the outer side rails are supported by both the fiberglass and the foamstrip.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method for suppressing unwanted resonance in an electromanometry system. The apparatus includes a compliant air cavity connected through a variable impedance device which is coupled in parallel to the liquid-filled catheter of the electromanometry system. By varying the hydraulic impedance through which the compliant air cavity is coupled to the system, precise impedance matching capability is provided over a wide range of hydraulic impedance values, thereby permitting suppression of unwanted resonance and improved frequency response of recorded waveforms in a wide variety of catheter-transducer systems.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved cover for enclosing the ends of medical tubing and which is capable of maintaining the sterile condition of the tubing prior to its use in surgical or medical procedures. The cover is designed with an inner diameter of constant cross section and with several tapered ribs along the surface of the inner wall of the cover.

Abstract: A blended ethanol-based fuel for use as a substitute to conventional petroleum fuels in existing engines, without modification, comprising water, a gaseous hydrocarbon (such as acetylene or propane), a binding component (such as benzene), and a lubricating oil.

Abstract: A temperature control system and method for controlling the bus bar temperature of an automated guideway transit system in relation to the ambient dew point temperature. A resistance temperature device detects the temperature of the bus bars, and a dew point cell detects the dew point temperature of the ambient atmosphere. A first transmitter converts the detected bus bar temperature to a first electrical signal, and then amplifies and transmits the first electrical signal. A second transmitter converts the detected dew point temperature to a second electrical signal, and then amplifies and transmits the second electrical signal. A first electronic comparator receives the transmitted signals and detects the magnitude of the difference between the two signals. When the magnitude of the difference between the two signals reaches a set level, an output signal is triggered.

Abstract: A torch ignition apparatus and method, the apparatus including a secondary, torch ignition piston interconnected to the primary piston and operable to produce through compression ignition of a carbureted fuel/air mixture a jet of hot gases capable of igniting a fuel and air mixture compressed in a primary combustion chamber by the primary piston. The apparatus also includes a secondary fuel system for supplementing a low ratio fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber and a novel hoop valve and exhaust port system for providing a unique, highly efficient flow-through system for exchanging gases in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A combination breast pump and gavage feeding apparatus and method, the apparatus including means for applying suction to the nipple portion of a mammary gland while accommodating manual manipulation of the mammary gland for colostrum extraction and improved lactation. A pulse unit may also be included in the apparatus to impart the desired manipulatory action to at least the areola portion of the breast engaged by the breast pump. Air pressure and wall thickness and contour of the pulse unit are used in the pulse unit to provide the desired manipulatory action. The apparatus also includes interchangeable reservoir means for collecting the colostrum and/or milk therein for subsequent oral feeding and/or gavage feeding. A syringe barrel is configurated as the reservoir means for the gavage feeding portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: A power factor metering device. The power factor metering device includes a novel electronic circuit for deriving the power factor from a detected voltage and current. The device includes a current clamp that may be clamped onto any conductor of a three-phase or single-phase circuit. Voltage clips are used to detect the circuit's voltage. The current clamp induces a voltage that lags the detected current by 90 electrical degrees. An amplifier stage is coupled to the induced voltage through a low input variable resistance so that the input voltage to the amplifier stage may be adjusted to correct for errors induced in the phase relationship between the detected voltage and current. The output from the amplifier stage is input into a zero crossing detector stage that changes its output state each time the output of the amplifier stage passes through zero.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for electronically storing, retrieving, separating, comparing and interrelating data which is maintained in a predetermined classification scheme. Data is electronically stored under the predetermined classification scheme in the form of hierarchal information trees. Data corresponding to a selected attribute may be found in an information tree by using a CRT terminal to scan the various levels of the hierarchy of the tree. As the various levels of the tree are scanned, nodes in each level of the tree are selected in accordance with the desired attribute which is being searched. The selection of various nodes in the levels of the information tree defines one or more concurrent paths through the tree which provide access to all data classified under the information tree corresponding to the attribute being searched. A CPU generates an encoded representation for each set of concurrent paths that are searched through the information tree.

Abstract: A system and method for automated materials handling is disclosed wherein palletized goods are stored and retrieved with maximum through-put. This system is particularly applicable for pallets of comparatively large size. In accordance with this system and method, input loads are queued prior to displacement onto a continuous conveyor serviced by a plurality of S/R machines. The queued loads are metered onto the conveyor on a far to near aisle correspondence basis and are simultaneously exchanged for output loads at each of the aisle locations. The method includes compensation for circumstances where outputs exceed inputs and where inputs exceed outputs by empty pallet management.

Abstract: A detachable balloon catheter apparatus and method. The apparatus includes an introducer catheter which is attached at its trailing end to a source of pressurized fluid. The leading end of the catheter is attached to an inflatable balloon which may be inflated as the pressurized fluid is injected through the introducer catheter. A valve mechanism is positioned inside the assembled introducer catheter and balloon and the leading end of the valve mechanism is bonded to the interior of the balloon. As the balloon is inflated by the pressurized fluid, a forwardly directed lateral force is exerted on the valve mechanism so that it is pulled forward into fluid-tight engagement with the valve seat placed at the opening of the balloon. Once the valve mechanism is pulled into fluid-tight engagement so as to close off the opening of the balloon, further injection of the pressurized fluid serves to detach the inflated balloon from the introducer catheter.

Abstract: An automobile transportation and storage pallet used in automated storage and retrieval systems. The pallet is provided with steel tire channels connected and supported by a plurality of steel support members. Safety grip strips applied to the tire channels provide tire traction thereon. A corrugated drip pan interposed between the tire channels collects any drippings from the automobile. Tire blocks adjustably mounted to the tire channels secure the tires of the automobile resulting in proper alignment of the automobile with respect to the pallet and preventing movement of the automobile thereon. The tire blocks can be adjusted to conform to any size of tire and wheel base.

Abstract: A valve having stacked disks with alternate circular grooves in the faces thereof to provide a high pressure drop surface in fluid flow transverse to said grooves and ridges. The disks are circular in shape with a circular center opening to provide a central fluid opening when the disks are stacked with the center openings in register. Fluid enters the center opening and flows radially between the adjacent faces of a pair of disks to flow transversely across the continuous circular grooves and ridges.