Abstract: A low resistivity contact to a high-Tc superconductor is made by forming a contact pad on the surface of an abraded or freshly prepared superconductor by depositing an inert metal on the surface so that a surface resistivity between the surface of the high-Tc superconductor and the pad is established of less than about 1000.mu..OMEGA.-cm.sup.2 at high-Tc superconductor operating temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for promoting preselected article orientation by elimination of unoccupied spaces in an assemblage of articles at a staging area, and, more particularly for precisely grouping cans prior to palletization thereof. The apparatus has opposite side walls, at least one of which is movable relative to the other, adjacent to a transfer surface for alternately expanding and contracting the area allotted to article staging, while the articles are being assembled to thereby cause articles to occupy unoccupied spaces and thereby enhance quantity reliability of articles within a given area.

Abstract: A highly reliable remote control system is disclosed that is particularly well adapted for controlling a vehicle, and, more particularly, for controlling the throttle, brake, steering and transmission mechanisms of a motor vehicle. The system includes a remote manipulator that enables control of the adapted vehicle remotely with one hand and with minimal control force and range of motion, with the manipulator controlling a plurality of actuators through interfacing redundant digital/analog electronics. The remote manipulator may be a bilateral input device utilizing a plurality of pressure sensors, but could also be a two-axis joystick, with the manipulator, in conjunction with an adjacently positioned transmission controller, controlling linear and rotary actuators powered by electric motors to effect throttle, brake, steering and transmission control of a motor vehicle adapted to include the remote control system as a part of the overall vehicle controlling system.

Abstract: A compact environmental modification apparatus and method are disclosed for selectively supplementing predetermined characteristics of substantially enclosed environments, for example in rooms, and/or vehicles, to thereby more nearly simulate desirable naturally occurring environmental conditions, and to enhance the performance and/or physical and mental well-being of occupants of the enclosed environment. The apparatus preferably includes operator regulated negative ion and electrostatic field generators, as well as an electrostatic field pulsator for establishing, and regulating the frequency of, pulsations in the electrostatic field, and the apparatus may be incorporated with a system for environmental modification which includes filters for filtering of air circulated through the enclosed environment. The apparatus is particularly well adapted for convenient and advantageous location in vehicles, including, but not limited to, ground craft, aircraft, spacecraft, marine craft.

Abstract: Taped data copying is disclosed having the capability of high speed simultaneous generation of multiple data copies. Storage media, for example magnetic tape, having data, normally in digital form, recorded thereon is read at a master unit and electrical signals indicative of the data is generated and broadcast over a computer bus to a plurality of addressable memory units where data-indicative information is simultaneously written into the plurality of memory units. Each memory unit is connected with a different associated one of a plurality of magnetic tape-containing data copying units so that data-indicative information stored in each memory unit is read and reliably copied onto the tape at the associated data copying unit. A processing unit is included to control writing information into the memory units, reading information stored in the memory units, and verifying the integrity and content of data copies.

Abstract: An electronic stimulating device for wound healing and, more particularly, for enhancing healing of soft tissue wounds. The device includes a plurality of signal generators for generating output pulses suitable for enhancing healing of soft tissue wounds by application of the output pulses through electrodes to the soft tissue to be healed. Two pairs of active electrodes are included along with a pair of return electrodes. Control signals from a pulse generator control generation of the output pulses and a digital timer is included for causing treatmet for a predetermined period of time. The intensity, polarity, and rate of the output pulses can be varied by rotation of control knobs on the front panel of the device or, alternately, can be effected by a series of switches located on the front panel of the device, with varying intensities of output being indicated by brightness varying light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A detection device is disclosed for determining particle size from particle effected light scattering in a sensing region illuminated by a laser beam and receiving the particles in a medium, such as air. Background light from molecular scattering is reduced to a level that enables light scattered by particles having a size of at least as low as about 0.1 micron to be sensed in a high background of molecular scattering such as, for example, where molecular scattering can exceed the 0.1 micron particle's scattering by one hundred times.

Abstract: A surface analysis system and method are disclosed for determining particle contamination and/or defects on or below a surface of material. Laser beams having different polarizations are directed to the surface to be analyzed and light scattered from particle contamination and/or defects on or below the surface is collected and detected to provide electrical signals representative thereof. The electrical signals are then processed to provide an output indicative of sensed contamination and/or defects. In the embodiment particularly shown and described, a pair of polarized laser beams, one of which is a "P" polarized laser beam and the other of which is a "S" polarized laser beam, are separately directed to a monitoring region so that the beams impinge at a common point on the surface to be analyzed.

Abstract: A material positioning and securing apparatus and process is disclosed that is particularly useful in association with a device for spirally wrapping palletized units at a wrapping station with a stretchable netting material to form a secure package. A disposable elongated material engaging member, formed from reasonably stiff and yet deformable material, is placed adjacent one side of units on a pallet at the wrapping station with the material engaging member having protruding portions oriented to extend in a direction away from the surface of the units for engagement with the netting material as the netting material is wrapped around the units.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for enhancing performance of an alcohol fueled engine during cold conditions, with such enhancement being particularly effected by generation of ether to assist cold operation including starting and/or to achieve reduced emissions during cold running. Dimethyl ether is generated by catalytic dehydration of vaporized methanol using a catalyst, preferably fluorinated alumina. Apparatus is disclosed for generating dimethyl ether on board as needed for immediate mixing with combustion air and methanol and/or for storage to enable later mixing of the dimethyl ether with combustion air and methanol to effect subsequent cold starts and/or cold running operations.

Abstract: A superconducting device is disclosed with the device having multiple layers of thin film configured to achieve highly sensitive measurements based upon temperature. The device is implemented, in simplest form, as a stripline having a ground plane layer of superconductor, a configured layer of superconductor, and a dielectric layer between the ground plane layer and the configured layer. The device is operated at a temperature just below the transition temperature of the superconducting materials utilized so that the inductance of the device depends substantially upon temperatures encountered, with highest sensitivity resulting when at least one of the superconducting layers has a thickness that is small relative to the magnetic penetration depth of the superconducting material utilized.

Abstract: An adjustable backpack structure including a base member having structure to secure it to a backpack and carrying thereon at least one elongated track spaced from and parallel to the securing structure, a movable member including attachment structures for backpack straps and configured to be movably engaged in a no more than partially encircling fashion by the base member track, and a locking structure to releasably secure the movable member in a selected position and along the base member track whereby the base member may be conveniently sewn or otherwise fastened to a backpack with the track disposed in a direction in which adjustability of the backpack straps is desired, and the movable member carrying the straps released, moved along an unobstructed path adjacent to the track and resecured to the base member along the track at any of a number of positions by releasing and securing the locking structure.

Abstract: A syringe positioning device is disclosed for enhancing control of fluid flow from a syringe. A disposable unit that includes a syringe and rack mounted on a retaining clip is positionable on a drive unit so that, when so positioned, the piston of the syringe is precisely displaced to deliver medicament from the syringe to a patient. A non-disposable unit is also disclosed onto which a syringe and piston can be positioned so that the device thereafter also provides precise medicament delivery. The longitudinal movement of the rack is effected by rotating the pinion gear that is connected with a pulse-driven, power efficient stepper motor, with the operation of the stepper motor being controlled by a pre-programmed memory unit. A hinged rack is also disclosed, as is a one-way ball drive unit.

Abstract: Wound healing therapy utilizing pulsed electrical stimulation is disclosed with the process including repeated short treatments of electrical stimulation applied to a soft tissue wound through an active electrode positioned preferably at the wound and with a dispersive electrode positioned at a distance from the wound. The active electrode positioned at the wound is normally caused to have negative pulses applied therethrough to the wound during a first treatment period of a treatment cycle, and thereafter is made to have positive pulses applied therethrough to the wound during a second treatment period of the treatment cycle, with the treatment cycle being preferably thereafter repeated one or more times in treating most wounds, and with the negative pulses causing debriding of the wound.

Abstract: An inflatable cushioned seating assembly and method is disclosed, which assembly and method alternates the areas of supporting contact of inflatable portions of the assembly with the body of a user seated in the seating device while providing continuous overall cushioned support to the user to thereby reduce or alleviate medical problems and/or fatigue caused by prolonged seating. The assembly includes a plurality of first and second alternating sets of elongated inflatable compartments that extend across both the seat and backrest of a seating device, with each set substantially independently supporting the user when pressurized to a pressure greater than that of the other set. Selected compartments of each set may be varied in size and/or material for support of selected contours of the user's body, for example, the lumbar region of the spine, and the compartments extend beyond the front edge of the seat portion of the seating device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improved plasma treating of circuit boards is disclosed wherein a plasma treating zone and a gas resupply zone are established in a chamber, an actuating mechanism being provided to establish relative movement between the circuit boards and the zones during treatment of the circuit boards. The apparatus preferably includes a chamber for receipt of a gas and having electrodes centrally positioned therein for generating an electrical field at a central portion of the chamber thereby exciting the gas thereat and creating a zone of intense plasma.

Abstract: A structure and method for adjusting alignment of steerable wheels movable supported by a ball joint with a ball joint stud having an annual tilt bearing surface carried thereon, the structure comprising a bore defined in a suspension member and configured to receive the ball joint stud therein, the bore being larger than the ball joint stud and including therein a concave bearing surface in the form of a truncated sphere, the ball joint annular tilt bearing having a convex surface shaped to fit the spherical portion of the bore bearing surface, and a wedge washer proportioned to fit adjacent a ball joint nut, alignment being obtained by placing the tilt bearing on the ball joint stud bearing movable in the concave portion of the bore bearing surface, and positioning a wedge washer on the proper angle in the proper orientation to incline the ball joint stud as required for proper alignment. Orientation is determined by the position and angle of the wedge washer.

Abstract: A storage receptacle sealing and transfer apparatus is disclosed for selectively enabling sealing and transfer of material to and from the receptacle. The apparatus is particularly useful for maintaining and later transferring drug and associated materials, under sterile conditions, to achieve mixing, as, is necessary, for example, in reconstituting a drug by mixing the drug with a diluent prior to delivery to a patient. The transfer apparatus is mounted at the aperture, or mouth, of a storage receptacle to seal the aperture until the contents are needed, and then to permit sterile transfer from one receptacle to another receptacle through a central passage.

Abstract: An enhanced lighting unit is disclosed that is particularly useful for lighting displayable materials such as photographs, paintings, graphics and the like. The unit is compact and includes a housing having display positioning elements that define a planar display area for viewing of displayable materials thereat. The display area can be adjacent to a display surface, such as is provided, for example, by a picture frame, for receipt of the material to be displayed thereat. The unit also includes a light diffusing surface in the housing opposite to, and substantially coextensive with, the planar display area with the light diffusing surface being disposed so that the distance between the planar display area and the light diffusing surface continually decreases along their entire lengths.

Abstract: A material positioning and securing apparatus and method is disclosed that is particularly useful in association with a device for spirally wrapping palletized units at a wrapping station with a stretchable netting material to form a secure package. A disposable elongated material engaging member, formed from reasonably stiff and yet deformable material, is placed adjacent one side of units on a pallet at the wrapping station with the material engaging member having protruding portions oriented to extend in a direction away from the surface of the units for engagement with the netting material as the netting material is wrapped around the units.