Abstract: A system and method for optimizing data transmission and storage of minimal sets of position, time, and residual information required for differential global positioning involving at least two GPS receiving stations, one of which may be stationary and at least one of which is mobile, with increased accuracy and compactness. The method includes sending or storing minimal and enhanced combinations of information. If the indicated values are stored rather than immediately transmitted, they may be retrieved for subsequent combination with values established at another station which may be stationary or mobile. The invention relates particularly to the enablement and performance of compacted storage and transmission of position-oriented and residual information for GPS systems and methods.

Abstract: Design forms are disclosed for infrared imaging systems that can operate at hyper-hemispherical fields of view (e.g., up to 270.degree.) and at wide relative apertures (e.g., up to f/0.7) to produce images having low distortion--typically no more than 20% greater than the distortion resulting when the image size is proportional to the field angle.

Abstract: Lens systems (68, 78, 88, 98, 108, 118) with first and second rigid lens elements (70,71;80,81;90,91;100,101;110,111;120,121) and a liquid lens element (76, 86, 96, 106, 116, 126) therebetween are provided. The first and second rigid lens elements and the liquid lens elements co-act with each other to cause the lens system to have substantially diffraction limited performance over a continuous infrared wavelength band, wherein the first and second rigid lens elements and the liquid lens element are configured and positioned with respect to each other according to a selection of particular designs and design forms.

Abstract: A computer-based information exchange system permits customers to request and receive different types of information from various sources. The operation of the system is controlled by an application created using object oriented techniques. These techniques permit simple and straightforward creation and modification of complex automation tasks involving numerous action-object pairs.

Abstract: An interconnection arrangement and technique for a single semiconductor chip containing incomplete electric circuitry and having electric surface terminations permitting said incomplete electric circuitry to be externally interconnected, the interconnection arrangement being mountable on the semiconductor chip and capable of electically communicating with the semiconductor chip through electric surface terminations on the top surface of the semiconductor chip and on the bottom surface of the interconnection arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus [10] for providing an automatic lateral scrubbing motion when a test membrane [22] engages a device under test (DUT) (not shown). Included are a fixed length flexure pivot assembly [30] and a pair of variable length flexure pivot assemblies [38]. Signal traces, signal trace terminals, and contact bumps [23, 25, 60] are formed for communicating electrical signals between the apparatus [10] and the DUT. A membrane [22] is stretched and configured for carrying the signal traces, signal trace terminals, and contact bumps [23, 25 and 60]. A hexagonal translation stage [28] is formed with an upper surface [29] disposed for being coupled to at lesat one of the fixed and variable length flexure pivot assemblies [30 and 38], and formed with a lower surface [54]. Surface [54] is formed to define an aperture [51] through itself, formed for securing over itself the membrane [22] when stretched; it is disposed for being coupled to membrane [22].

Abstract: A pipette assembly for automatic pipetting machines including a pipette tip and a pipette tip holder having a mandrel and a seal. The mandrel includes a plug portion which is adapted to engage a top end portion of the pipette tip, and a cylindrical seat portion proximate its bottom end. The seal is a unitary, resilient member having a cylindrical base portion, an upwardly flaring skirt portion, and an opening receptive to the seat portion of the mandrel. An inner surface of the base portion of the seal is provided with a pair of sealing ribs, one of which serves as a pivot for the skirt portion.

Abstract: A particle separation for use as an interface between a liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer comprises a vacuum chamber, an inlet nozzle for the chamber, a conical skimmer, and a vacuum exhaust port. The nozzle admits a stream of gas containing desolvated particles into a vacuum chamber as a supersonic jet. Heavier particles tend to concentrate near the central axis of the jet with lighter gas and vapor further from the axis. On entering the vacuum chamber, the jet forms a standing barrel shock wave extending from the nozzle to an aperture in the apex of the skimmer. The exterior angle formed by the conical surface of the skimmer is set so that the standing barrel shock wave attaches to the conical surface. The distance between the nozzle and the aperture is selected so that the skimmer pierces the downstream Mach disk of the shock wave so that the central particle beam enters the aperture without being perturbed by the mach disk.

Abstract: A forensic sample and tracking system includes a computer system which operates a data base and a read/write station. The assignment of an identifier in the data base and an identification code to be printed on a sample bottle label are coordinated by the computer. An identification code can then be read for verification after it is written. This permits automated verifying of identification codes in a heretofore unavailable manner. The read/write station makes use of an inexpensive, reliable and compact thermal ink jet print head so that a field computer and read/write station can be taken to sample collection sites. The effective linear resolution of the identification code is enhanced using a two-track bar code.

Abstract: An improved liquid chromatography/mass spectrometer apparatus is disclosed of the type wherein the liquid eluent from a chromatograph column is injected as a heated spray into an ionization chamber located between the chromatograph and the mass spectrometer to form ionized adducts containing solvent and the molecule to be analyzed which are then passed into the mass spectrometer through an exit port in the sidewall of the ionization chamber. The improvement comprises an acceleration electrode located in the sidewall of the ionization chamber at a position opposite the exit port into the mass spectrometer, an electron emission source located between the acceleration electrode and the point of injection of the heated spray into the chamber, and means for providing a positive voltage on the acceleration electrode with respect to the electron emission source in the ionization chamber.

Abstract: A flat display panel arrangement including crossed patterns of parallel electrode wires and a reflective layer for increasing panel luminous intensity.

Abstract: A distributed, spatially resolving optical fiber strain gauge in which the core of the optical fiber is written with periodic grating patterns effective for transmitting and reflecting light injected into the core. Spectral shifts in the transmitted and reflected light indicate the intensity of strain or temperature variations at positions of the grating corresponding to the associated wavelengths of injected light.

Abstract: A compact reflective head-up display incorporating first and second cooperative and converging mirror elements (34,18) one of which has a rear surface reflector (18), and the other of which (34) is partially transmissive and includes a central reflective portion (33), said first converging mirror (34) combining a remote image viewed by a pilot with a display image provided to said first converging mirror (34) by said second converging mirror (18).

Abstract: A method of establishing a dielectric periodic index of refraction phase grating upon the core of an optical waveguide by intense angled application of several transverse beams of ultraviolet light, enabling the establishment of a distributed, spatially resolving optical fiber strain gauge.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer (10) with a pointed piezoelectric element (11) mounted on an electrically conductive damping mass (12), having a conductive tip (33), the damping mass (12) and conductive tip (33) being electrically connected to opposite terminals in a coaxial line (14). The conductive tip (33) has a convex wear member (35) for contact with a surface to be measured. In one version, the tip (33) is in contact with a flexible conductive sheet (17') for environmental protection.

Abstract: In a magnetic modulator circuit (13) for a radar system, a switching reactor arrangement comprising a switching reactor (17) including input and output coils (respectively 16 and 36), the low side (16') of the input coil (16) being electrically connected to a capacitor (41) through reactor 39, said switching reactor effective for driving a pulse forming network (53), and said capacitor (41) being effective for resetting the switching reactor (17) into saturation with a linear inductor (15) spanning the input coil (16) of the switching reactor (17).

Abstract: A novel optical sensor for measuring the separation of remote optical sources includes first and second optical fibers which are characterized by non-optimum optical waveguiding such that refractive index of optical fiber cores are selected to be less than that of the optical fiber cladding. Optical detectors receive only optical signals presented within the narrow acceptance angle of the optical fibers and provide equivalent electrical signals.

Abstract: Self-scanned piezoelectric delay line effective for time multiplexing system sampled physical parameters, subject to frequency mixing of the product signals from a clocked RF signal generator passing through a plurality of electrodes in the delay line, and the signals of voltage controlled oscillators driven by sensor detectors linked to the physical system.

Abstract: A flue gas heat pump is provided for extracting heat from the discharged hot flue gas of a furnace. The heat pump includes a condenser at the inlet of the furnace cabinet in heat transfer relation with the flow of air to be conditioned, and an evaporator disposed at the outlet of the furnace heat exchanger for extracting heat therefrom. A compressor is provided for compressing a refrigerant and delivering it to the heat exchangers. The compressor is located in the flow path of the air to be conditioned so that the heat generated by the compressor is transferred thereto.

Abstract: A large bandwidth, tapped delay line (TDL) surface acoustic wave (SAW) adaptive processor arrangement, for processing a plurality of array values employed as tap weights in the TDL device. The weight quantities may be real or complex. In the complex case, no phase quadrature combiner is required as a result of the technique of offsetting the real and imaginary delay lines, or offset launching of the frequency waveforms to be mixed.