Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor covering storage and dispensing rack including a frame equipped with castors. Floor lock anchors are also provided on the frame. Upper frame members of the rack are in spaced parallel relation and support a roller. A motor is provided to rotate the roller for winding the floor covering onto the roller for storage. An elongated cleaning head including a pair of parallel brushes is provided on a frame member so that floor covering passing between the brushes while being retrieved or dispensed will be cleaned.

Abstract: An orthopaedic chair including a frame for supporting a contoured chair seat and chair back; each of which is mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis. Horizontal adjustment for the axis of the chair seat and vertical adjustment for the axis of the chair back are provided thereby holding the person in an orthopaedically beneficial position. The orthopaedic chair may be in the form of an arm chair or folding camp chair.

Abstract: A process for converting composted organic materials produced by optimized composting procedures into plant growing media for agronomic and other uses. The raw organic matter is first processed into compost by optimized standard methods. If desired, the raw organic matter can be of “organic” sources to provide plant growing media certifiable for use for organically grown food crops. The finished compost is screened to remove coarse particles above about 1 cm diameter, which are recycled back to the composting process. The composted material below approximately 1 cm diameter is further screened to separate out the particles below about 1 cm diameter and above 1 mm. This material is further separated into two size ranges: particles between 1 mm and up to 4 mm diameter (medium), and particles between 4 mm and 1 cm diameter (coarse).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing large hay bales of approximately 750 kg to produce smaller recompacted manageable units to facilitate shipping in containers. The apparatus provides means for cutting the bales into at least two slabs, preferably three slabs, and means for cutting these slabs into two approximately equal pieces. Means are provided for each piece to be recompressed, strapped and cut again to provide units having an approximate weight of 35 kg.

Abstract: A modulator transportable collective protection system for the decontamination and containment of personnel in a toxic free area. A contamination containment area is provided through which personnel are decontaminated prior to entering the toxic free area. The migration of contaminants is prevented by causing a purge of clean filtered air from the toxic free area to the contamination control area and to the exterior environment. A blower and filter unit provides air to the toxic free area to maintain an over pressure therein, ensuring that all entry to the toxic free area is through a flow of clean air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sliding rail anchor safety device which is slidably mounted to the rail of a railway track. The device consists of a pair of pivotally interconnected jaw like members which defines claw-like structure which is configured to securely, yet slidably engage the rail of a railway track. A locking arm including a pair of alignable apertures defines a bore which receives a karabiner, which is turn connected to a worker's safety belt or tether.

Abstract: A power-up detector for detecting power-up and power supply voltage bump conditions includes a current mirror connected to the power supply. A pair of series connected resistors are connected between the current mirror and ground thereby providing a bias point at a junction of the series connected resistors. A field effect transistor having a source-drain circuit is connected between the current mirror and ground for providing an output signal to an inverter. The field effect transistor being is controlled by the voltage at bias point between the series connected resistors.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a communication network comprising determining a mean drop rate in a device x by polling each device from a network management computer (NMC) which is in communication with the network, and processing signals in the NMC to determine a drop rate D(x), in accordance with: D(x)=((L+(x)−L−(x))/2, and L(x)=1−A(x) where A(x): the fraction of poll requests from the NMC to device x for which the NMC receives replies (measured over the last M sampling periods), (wherein x must not be broken), D(x): the mean frame drop rate in device x, L(c): NMC's perception of the loss rate to device x and back, L−(x): the NMC's perception of the mean value of L(z) for all devices z connected to device x, closer to the NMC than device x and which are not broken, and L+(x): the NMC's perception of the mean value of L(z) for all devices z connected to device x, further away from the NMC than device x and which are not broken.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of detecting, on a per wavelength basis, optical return loss at the output of an optical circuit pack. The optical circuit pack can be, for example, an optical amplifier. At an output port and reflected port of the optical circuit pack apparatus for detecting signals is connected. The output power and reflected power are measured, and the optical return loss is calculated. The return loss may be calculated for signals on one or more wavelength channels.

Abstract: A delta sigma modulator which uses at least one quantizer having a dead zone. The dead zone quantizer outputs a zero when its input is within the dead zone range. It outputs a predetermined value if the input is above the dead zone range. If the input is below the dead zone range, the quantizer outputs another predetermined value. Ideally, the quantizer dead zone thresholds are complimentary in that the upper threshold for an input is the positive value of the lower threshold. Also, to save on accumulator bits, the delta sigma modulator selects a predetermined number of most significant bits at different stages.

Abstract: An antenna array of parabolic rectangular reflectors for use in satellite communications. The antenna comprises two parabolic reflectors disposed contiguously on a common outer surface. The common surface forms a continuous antenna aperture. The parabolic reflectors have rectangular side edges which permit the adjacent edges of the parabolic reflectors to be spaced closely. The mouth of each parabolic reflector is focussed on a separate feed. The focus of the feed is not located at the center of the reflector but rather offset. The antenna feeds and the reflector foci are displaced toward the center of the array such that the spacing between the antenna feeds is less than half the length of the antenna. The present invention provides the displacement of each reflector focal point and each antenna feed toward the center of the array.

Abstract: A method of operating a digital computer includes the steps of addressing a memory, reading a row of data from the memory, providing the same computational instruction simultaneously to each processor element of a plurality of processor elements, where each of the processor elements is selectively coupled to a corresponding bit position of the memory row of data, performing the same computational operation on a selected plurality of data bits in parallel, and writing the result into the memory at the same row from which the data was read.

Abstract: A phased-array antenna whose main beam can be positioned (scanned) substantially anywhere within a full hemispherical coverage. The phased-array antenna consists of a plurality of radiating multi-filar helix antenna elements, each of which is independently rotatable on its helix axis relative to the antenna base plane. The rotation of each radiating element substantially decreases the noise temperature, the passive intermodulation of signals, and the sidelobe levels relative to an antenna which uses PIN diode phase shifters. A change in the radiated signal phase of each element in the antenna array is achieved by the mechanical rotation of the multi-filar helical antenna element on its axis. Mechanical rotation is provided by a drive system or multiple drive systems coupled to at least one radiating antenna element. The drive system rotates the at least one radiating element on its axis by various amounts.

Abstract: A controller controls a switch bank which can shunt a voltage source in parallel with one or more fuel cells in a stack. By controlling the voltage of the voltage source, the current through the fuel cells is directly controlled. By increasing the anode potential of the fuel cell through control of the voltage source, poisons deposited on the electrocatalyst are removed, thereby rejuvenating the fuel cells. Fuel cells in a stack can be treated in turn, causing a reduction of the effects of electrocatalyst poison on stack performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for managing battery packs by measuring and monitoring the operating capacity of individual battery modules in a battery pack. A programmable logic controller directs the selective closing of relays to allow individual battery modules to be load-tested using a variable discharge load unit, without compromising useful battery pack capacity. A battery module whose useful capacity falls below a predefined threshold may be connected to a battery charger for replenishment and then electrically realigned with the remaining modules in the pack for continued operation. Alternatively, an alarm may be triggered which alerts the user that the module is due for replacement. This sequence of events is performed on all cells in the pack at a predetermined interval.

Abstract: A multiple stage laser system that produces coherent light in the ultraviolet range using phase conjugated Stimulated Raman Scattering and harmonic generation. The system uses a pump laser producing an input beam that is frequency shifted via phase conjugating Stimulated Raman Scattering. The Raman shifted beam is passed through a harmonic generation stage that produces the desired output beam by generating the required harmonic of the Raman shifted beam.

Abstract: A building module, modular building constructions and methods for erected same are disclosed. The module is of deep U-shape configuration, defining a space which is able to enclose various facilities within a building structure. A typical module includes a raceway and internal conduit system for power and/or communications system etc. Preset-levelling and self-centering device provide for quick erection of the modules in a wide variety of arrays and configurations to provide exterior walls and to enclose and define interior space.

Abstract: The invention provides ESD protection for IC's while isolating the different power supplies from one another. A network in the IC has a plurality of circuit cells through which the IC receives power. Each circuit cell provides localized electrostatic discharge protection. With each circuit cell coupled to a global node through a dual current direction coupling network and with portions of the global node physically separating the circuit cells, any noise, interference, or stray ESD current generated by a circuit cell is shunted away from other circuit cells to the global node. An off-chip ground connection coupled to the global node provides a destination for this noise or interference.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for restoring digital pulses within a data transmission system which have degraded due to the attenuation and distortion inherent in a data transmission medium. The apparatus comprises an adaptive equalizer which receives signals from the data transmission medium, while the method by which the digital pulses are restored comprises: storing plural equalizer transfer function control values in a memory, passing the signal through an equalizer having a controllable transfer function, comparing a characteristic of the output signal of the equalizer with a reference signal and producing a difference signal, using the difference signal to select a set of stored transfer function control values from the memory, controlling the equalizer from the selected transfer function control values so as to minimize their difference from the reference signal. This apparatus and method are suitable for high-speed applications such as T1 and E1, requiring minimal configuration by the user.

Abstract: A reliable gaseous hydrogen detection and measuring device which is simple, easy to use, does not require any reference gas supply, and which can be of reasonably rugged construction. The device utilizes a disc comprising a solid state ceramic hydronium conductor of the general formula Na(H3O)Zr2SixP(3−x)O12 Na(H3O)xZr2SixP(3−x)O12 together with a silver based electrode system on one side, and a catalytic noble metal electrode, such as platinum, on the other. By measurement of the output voltage across the electrodes, both the presence, and the amount, of hydrogen in a gaseous system can be determined.