Abstract: An improved inlet duct for a marine jet propulsion system is disclosed designed to allow the overall system to operate more efficiently. The inlet duct includes a hydraulically efficient inlet tunnel with a forward entrance opening integrally formed on the bottom of the hull of the watercraft, and a rear exit opening formed inside the hull of the watercraft adjacent to the pump. The inlet tunnel is longitudinally aligned and gently curves upward inside said hull following streamlines of generation and has cross-sectional area that progressively increases from the fore to the aft positions therein. Disposed over the front entrance opening of the inlet tunnel is an articulating structure designed to adjust its size according to the difference in hydraulic conditions that exist inside the inlet tunnel and the outside of the hull so that the velocity of the incoming water matches the velocity of the watercraft in the body of water.

Abstract: An insulative beam and method for its construction. The insulative beam includes two support channels formed from a sheet metal and a block of a plastic material shaped so that each of the two channels wraps at least partly around the block of plastic material. In some embodiments of the invention, the channels extend longitudinally beyond the block of plastic material. If desired to give additional strength to the ends of the insulative beam, the ends are reinforced with angles or channels that fit at the end of the block of plastic material and the angles or channels are welded to the support channels. In other embodiments, the reinforcement is supplied by vertical ribs formed in the web of the support channels. The location of the vertical ribs can be at the ends of the beam or at other areas that are otherwise weakened. Additional reinforcement can be provided by vertical supports within each of the channels.

Abstract: An improved discharge nozzle and method for operating a marine jet propulsion system are disclosed designed to allow the pump to operate more efficiently. The discharge nozzle includes an outer nozzle structure mounted immediately downstream of the pump diffuser vanes which progressively reduces in diameter towards its rear exit opening. A needle is mounted within the diffuser hub and travels in axial alignment within the outer nozzle structure to adjust the effective opening of the discharge nozzle according to a pump affinity relationship, so that the pump is always operating at the most efficient head and flow for its current shaft RPM, regardless of boat speed or pressure recovery in the inlet duct.

Abstract: An electrically actuated microelectromechanical television scanning device for television image scanning or related functions. The scanning device can be produced in forms having characteristic dimensions in the submillimeter range. The scanning device consists of an electrostatically actuated plate with two degrees of freedom. A photoemitter, photoreceptor or other suitable device may be located on the plate, facilitating operation of the device as a flying spot scanner, television image dissector or television display. The scanning device can be fabricated similarly to monolithic integrated circuits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting diffraction radiation from a charged particle beam in order to measure parameters that characterize the charged particle beam. The charged particle beam passes near one or more edges, apertures, or interfaces between media of different dielectric constants such that the beam is not intercepted. This generates forward diffraction radiation and reflected diffraction radiation at an angle relative to the direction of the beam. The radiation passes through a focusing system and onto a detector which measures a desired parameter.

Abstract: A transverse flow uniform droplet generator and method for its use. The droplet generator, such as is used with a gas laser system, produces singlet oxygen from a flow of droplets of liquid basic hydrogen peroxide (BHP) reacting with a transverse a flow of He/Cl.sub.2 gas mixture. The resulting flow of singlet oxygen travels in the same direction as the He/Cl.sub.2 gas mixture and the unreacted BHP is collected on the opposite of the reaction volume from which it enters. Very uniformly-size BEP droplets are formed by an injector which specific mechanical resonance characteristics and the flow of the BHP and the gas mixture in the generator volume is also carefully controlled.

Abstract: An improved water jet propulsion system for a jet propelled watercraft is disclosed designed to operate more efficiently. The improved propulsion system includes an adjustable water inlet duct, a larger pump, and an adjustable discharge nozzle. The inlet duct includes a hydraulically efficient inlet tunnel with an adjustable entrance opening which adjust in size according to the velocity of the water-craft in the body of water and the flow of water through the system. Using the inlet tunnel and the adjustable grate structure, the total dynamic head of the incoming water may be recovered at the pump. The pump is larger than typical pumps used on jet propulsion systems so that a greater flow of water at low head pressure may be delivered to the adjustable discharge nozzle. The adjustable feature on the discharge nozzle enables the flow through the system to be adjusted so that the hydraulic conditions on the pump are maintained at all boat speeds and all shaft rpm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the layout of an integrated circuit, in accordance with timing constraints, by means of sizing the buffers in the layout. A nominal netlist for the layout of the integrated circuit is used to determine critical paths through the circuit. The time-critical paths are determined and the instances of the buffers along the path are resized so that the time delays in the time-critical paths are either brought within the predetermined timing criteria, or no further improvement in any time-critical path is possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording sensor data. The analog and digital signals containing the sensor data are accompanied by a concurrent analog video signal. The analog signals are converted to digital form and highly redundant signals are compressed according to conventional compression techniques. The resulting compressed and uncompressed signals are encrypted and stored on a removable hard disk. The data stored on the removable hard disk can later be played back to reconstruct the original signals while assuring that the played back signals are correct reconstructions of the original signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stowing and unstowing an engine in a dinghy. The apparatus includes a bracket to which the engine is attached. The bracket is pivotally attached to the transom of the dinghy through a transfer plate having two substantially perpendicular horizontal pivotal axes. As installed in the dinghy, the pivotal axes are substantially horizontal when the engine is in its operative position over the dinghy transom. To stow the engine, a handle on the bracket is lifted about a first of the two pivotal axes until the engine clears the transom. The bracket is then pivoted forward about its second pivotal axis until the bracket can be attached to a surface in the dinghy. The engine is thereby stowed in a first storage attitude. The entire dinghy, with stowed engine, can then be stowed out of the water on a second boat by rotating the dinghy about an axis that is parallel to the dinghy's longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for independently adjusting the spacing between opposing magnet arrays in charged particle based light sources. Adjustment mechanisms between each of the magnet arrays and the supporting structure allow the gap between the two magnet arrays to be independently adjusted. In addition, spherical bearings in the linkages to the magnet arrays permit the transverse angular orientation of the magnet arrays to also be adjusted. The opposing magnet arrays can be supported above the ground by the structural support.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording sensor data. The analog and digital signals containing the sensor data are accompanied by a concurrent analog video signal. The analog signals are converted to digital form and highly redundant signals are compressed according to conventional compression techniques. The resulting compressed and uncompressed signals are encrypted and stored on a removable hard disk. The data stored on the removable hard disk can later be played back to reconstruct the original signals while assuring that the played back signals are correct reconstructions of the original signals.