Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data, wherein a narrow band data signal is transmitted at an unknown frequency within a known range of frequencies and received, and, at the receiver, the range of frequencies is divided into plural frequency bands each of width less than the uncertainty in the transmission frequency of the data signal, with the presence of said data signal detected in at least one of said frequency bands and thereupon demodulated.

Abstract: A new method of creating thin free-standing pin hole-free hydrogen-selective palladium-bearing membranes that comprises thinning cold-rolled membranes by chemical etching or electrochemically electrolyzing of at least one membrane surface, and novel membranes produced thereby and including membranes with selected portions only thereof so thinned.

Abstract: Apparatus for powering a boat by a kite so as to use wind as a prime mover and without generating significant rolling and yawing moments, having, in combination with the boat, an arm hinged at one extremity to the boat with means for controlling the position of the arm in inclination and in orientation, and provided at its free end with means for holding kite connection lines from the boat to the kite, with the free end serving as a kite-pulling traction point; the controlling means enabling the development of a straight traction line for the kite lines to pass close to the center board of the boat as the inclination of the arm is lowered and raised and the orientation in azimuth is varied with respect to the direction of the kite lines.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for transforming the clumped untextured putty-like and high viscoelastic adhesion physical and chemical properties of hydrated vital wheat gluten into a loose layered minimally adhering serated permanently textured fiber strand structure by mixing vital wheat gluten with grain flour and hydrating the mixture, and then appropriately appropriate shredding, steaming and hot moisture denaturation of the fiber protein, enabling the creation of moisture-absorbed textured wheat gluten analogs for ground meat fiber products, such as hamburger and the like.

Abstract: A novel flexible laminated beam contractor interface package for applications between chips and the like and test equipment therefor, containing a flexible core beam contractor laminated within outer ground shield beam coverings and provided with an exposed contact tip for connecting with test equipment externally to the package; and with contacts adapted flexibly to engage the chip terminals when the chip is temporarily applied to the package for testing; the laminated beam contactor preferably being shaped as bent flexible cantilever or curved beams.

Abstract: A novel networking architecture and technique for reducing system latency caused, at least in part, by access contention for usage of common bus and memory facilities, wherein a separate data processing and queue management forwarding engine and queue manager are provided for each I/O module to process packet/cell control information and delivers queuing along a separate path that eliminates contention with other resources and is separate from the transfer of packet/cell data into and from the memory.

Abstract: Improved cation exchange zeolite crystalline and zeolite-like plant bed structures are disclosed, preferably saturated with water-based extracts of particular plant/herb materials exhibiting plant growth acceleration properties and synergistically providing also nutrient, and sometimes anti-microbial and insect and fungus repellent properties, as well, and with the adaptability to present the structures in solid, gel and liquid form.

Abstract: A system and technique for holding down and restraining a roll-off container in place as it is winched into its final position on the bed of a truck or other transport device, wherein, as the roll-off container is winched into position on the truck, a protuberance on the side of the bottom rail of the roll-off container slides into a mating interlocking cradle attached to the truck. The sliding mate can be of a cantilevered spear into a socket, or more generically, a sliding open-ended mate such as a dovetail. In the event of a crash or sudden stop, the roll-off container will thus be retained by the interlocking connection.

Abstract: A novel intelligence support of an aircraft crew and the like embodying videocards with pictogram signs indicating corrective action to be taken by the crew for emergency flight situations and monitoring the achieving of such corrective action.

Abstract: An economic and efficient method for providing an inner constrained layer damping system to a tubular structure by inserting an inner damping tube that has been substantially slit along its length at several places around its circumference and then wrapped in a viscoelastic tape to cover the slits, or just plain tape to just cover the slits, with a viscoelastic layer thereupon with the tape inserted within and coextensively along the inside of the outer structural beam to be damped, and with the space between the two filled with a replicating material such as epoxy, cement grout, rubber, or other pourable or injectable material, which must have high shear damping properties if the latter tape-just- covering-the-slit option is used, to couple in shear the outer structural beam to the inner slit damping tube and cause shear strains to be transmitted across the viscoelastic boundary between the two tubes.

Abstract: A procedure for generating different variations of a sequence of symbols, such as a musical piece, based on the properties of a chaotic system--most notably, sensitive dependence on the initial condition--is described and demonstrated. This method preferably uses a fourth order Runge-Kutta implementation of a chaotic system. Bach's Prelude in C Major from the Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I serves as the illustrative example since it is well-known and easily accessible. Variations of the Bach can be heard that are very close to the original while others diverge further. The system is designed for composers who, having created a through-composed work or section, would like to further develop their musical material. The composer is able to interact with the system to select various versions and change them, if desired. Yet the compositional character of the variations remains within the artist's domain of style, expression and inventiveness.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for producing real-time continual nanometer scale positioning data of the location of sensing probe used with one of a scanning tunneling microscope, an atomic force microscope, or a capacitive or magnetic field-sensing system, for measuring the probe distance and the position relative to an atomic surface or other periodically undulating surface such as a grating or the like moving relatively with respect to the probe, and between which and the surface there exists a sensing field, through rapid oscillating of the probe under the control of sinusoidal voltages, and comparison of the phase and amplitude of the output sinusoidal voltages produced by current in the sensing field to provide positional signals indicative of the direction and distance off the apex of the nearest atom or undulation of the surface; and, where desired, feeding back such positional signals to control the relative movement of the probe and surface.

Abstract: A novel means for manufacturing a precision linear or rotary motion system that is comprised of one or a set of precision machine bearing rails (i.e., long straight and parallel surfaces, or a single straight shaft), precision manufactured modular bearing pads, and a carriage or housing that surrounds the bearing pads when they are placed onto the rails and held in place by placing a vacuum on the port normally used to supply pressurized lubricant to the bearing rails, but leaves a gap between the rough surface of the housing or the carriage and the backsides of the bearing pads, into which gap a stable epoxy is injected to fill the gap between the backs of the bearing pads and the inner rough surface of the carriage.

Abstract: This invention involves a novel egg-shaped hollow dual-compound conical light-ray concentrator with mirror-like inner walls (preferably tandem substantially inverted paraboloidal and ellipsoidal conical sections) for receiving light through one aperture end, as from an integrating sphere, and concentrating and collecting the rays within said walls and directing them to a detector at an opposite aperture end. This construction attains both high collection efficiency and hemispherical angular response.

Abstract: A novel means for the design of the pockets of a hydrostatic spindle and the flow supply, collection, and pocket injection means to allow for very high speed rotation with a minimum of heat generation, mid maximum load capacity; furthermore the concept of self compensation is used to make the design insensitive to contaminants and thereby allow for the use of water based hydrostatic fluids, whereas the design of the compensator region is also advanced to facilitate high speed use. Accordingly, the present invention allows designers to increase the allowable speed and accuracy of rotary motion hydrostatic bearings. Design methodologies are presented for designing self compensating hydrostatic bearing spindle pockets and compensators to minimize the effects variation in stiffness with angular position, cavitation in bearing pockets, and turbulent shear power generation.

Abstract: A method and garment aid to facilitate and induce the use of a condom for safe or safer sexual acts are disclosed, wherein a pocket containing a condom is carried, for example, at the inner forward waistband region of underpants, such that a potential participant, when removing such underpants, as a general precondition to engaging in the sexual act, will invariably touch or be conscious of the pocket-and-condom, thus providing a warning and a reminder of the proximal presence and readily accessible convenience of the juxtaposed condom that may serve to induce use of the same and thereby increase the chances of the enactment of safe or safer sex. Novel pockets including modified condom-package-pockets are disclosed.

Abstract: An energy-conserving photvoltaic- or solar-rechargeable power source for commercial or industrial battery-operated products is provided, enabling a high degree of reliability of continued operation through a method involving the use of a backup battery or other backup d.c. voltage source which is automatically and instantaneously selected when the rechargeable cell falls below a predetermined lower threshold voltage. As the rechargeable cell receives charge from the solar cell, the circuit automatically switches back to it as the primary power source when an upper threshold voltage is reached. Moreover, the initial connecting of the rechargeable cell to power the product is ensured upon the turn-on of the product, even if not fully charged (though above the lower threshold voltage), conserving the backup source. More general applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel high-speed actuated high-voltage RF switch for such purposes as the cold switching of short very high current RF pulses in applications such as solid-state Loran-C transmitters and the like, as for switching between coupling/output networks thereof. The switch comprises planar upper and lower unconnected pairs of longitudinally extending input and output bus strips electrically connectable by the transverse insertion of planar link strips slightly separated therefrom and the rapid compression thereof against the adjacent end portions of the unconnected input and output bus strips, enabling rapid switching absent wear of the contact surfaces, but with the provision of adequate spacing for high voltage operation and adequate contact pressure to eliminate current arcing.

Abstract: A novel cartridge for conventional shot gun and other weapons, suitable for training and other applications, and containing a thin-walled ball encapsulating a substance to be ejected upon the ball hitting the target, provided with a folded fan enclosure for the ball and its holder within the cartridge which, upon expulsion of the ball-holder-fan unit upon firing, causes the ball to separate and continue to the target, while the folded fan segments spring open in free flight into an air-resistant disc and then pinwheel with the holder harmlessly to the ground within a short distance of the gun.