Abstract: An apparatus for converting an input optical serial data pulse stream into output optical parallel pulse streams comprises a waveguide that provides optical parallel pulse streams resulting from second-harmonic radiation generated by colliding a timing pulse against each data pulse of an optical serial data pulse stream input into the waveguide. The waveguide comprises a first reflector positioned at a location substantially opposing the waveguide's output. The first reflector reflects substantially all of the component of the second-harmonic radiation propagating in a direction away from the waveguide's output. The waveguide further comprises a second reflector opposing the first reflector and positioned between the first reflector and the waveguide's output to selectively reflect a portion of the component of the second-harmonic radiation propagating in a direction toward the waveguide's output.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes several disadvantages in conventional tile installation by providing tile regulators and a method of using them that provide both the proper grout spacing between tiles and vertical and horizontal plumb levels of the tiles, which regulators enhance the ease of installing the tiles and the final appearance of the newly laid tile. The present tile regulators are designed to compensate for the existing limiting conditions associated with conventional regulating products.

Abstract: A technique for building touch-sensitive panels which permits construction of large, low-cost electronic whiteboards with improved feel. The electronic whiteboards are of the resistive membrane type, in which a touch on a flexible membrane causes the membrane to come into contact with a surface and that in turn changes the resistances across the membrane and the surface, permitting determination of the location of the touch. A gap between the flexible membrane and the surface is maintained primarily by the use of relatively large spacing structures located between the membrane and the surface, instead of by tension on the membrane. The use of large spacing structures permits the surface to be made using relatively irregular and therefore low-cost material. The spacing structures are backed by an elastic layer, which permits the spacing structures to yield to a touch on the screen.

Abstract: An eraser for use on an electronic whiteboard with a protrusion area on the erasing surface forming a convex area on the erasing surface for establishing a positive point of contact with the whiteboard; an electronic whiteboard system including such an eraser, a controller for storing data relating to information written on and erased from the whiteboard data, and a filter for preventing the storage of digital data relating to contacts with the whiteboard not attributable to normal writing or erasing actions.

Abstract: An improved dry ice pelletizer and method for significantly increased pellet production. The improvement consists of multiple injection ports used for the timed introduction of liquid carbon dioxide into a dry ice extrusion cylinder so that the cylinder can be more completely filled with carbon dioxide snow before extrusion takes place. Part of the improvement stems from the use of a solid mass of carbon dioxide, called a puck, which is chamfered and serves to capture carbon dioxide vapor and snow within the compression cylinder. The resulting improvement in carbon dioxide pellet output is roughly 400% over that achieved by conventional methods. The inventive improvement may also be installed as a retrofit to conventional dry ice pellet extrusion machines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pre-cut wrapping paper having peel-and-stick adhesive strips, which wrapping paper can be sized and cut to foldably wrap a variety of packages while limiting waste wrap. The paper can be used to cover and prepare boxed and unboxed items for presentation. The peel-and-stick adhesive strips secure the sheet to the gift, thus removing the need for a roll of tape.

Abstract: This invention is a trailer-tractor rig coupling that prevents jackknifing. It performs like a standard coupling in all normal cases, but if on icy roads, the semi slips and turns opposite to the steering wheel, the coupling brake locks the semi to the tractor. Then when the semi responds to the front wheels again, the brake releases and operates in a normal way.

Abstract: A multi-point float valve with adjustable high and low level settings, the float valve capable of both providing a tight seal as between an inlet and outlet, and operating in a wide range of flow pressure environments.

Abstract: The invention comprises a full-fashioned weaving process for the production of a woven garment which can accommodate and include sleeves. The garment is made of only one, single integrated fabric and has no discontinuities or seams. Additionally, the garment can include intelligence capability, such as the ability to monitor one or more body vital signs, or garment penetration, or both, by including a selected sensing component or components in the weave of the garment.

Abstract: A laminated matrix composite made of a reinforcement phase and coated with several layers of a metallic, ceramic, or polymeric matrix material, the average thickness of the layers of matrix material being between 0.005 and 5 &mgr;m thick.

Abstract: A pipe clip comprising an annular clip body which is made from metal and has adjacent clip-body ends which, between them, form an opening for positioning a pipe around which the pipe clip is to be placed and which can be joined together, which pipe clip furthermore comprises a female fastening element which is fixed to the metal clip body and has an axial bore provided with an internal screw thread for a male fastening element which is provided with an external screw thread and connects the pipe clip to a wall, ceiling or other support.

Abstract: The method of oxidizing the alkyl groups of alkylbenzenes using palladium phenanthroline acetate or a palladium acetate with modified phenanthroline ligand catalyst. The palladium acetate catalyst with modified phenanthroline has the following formula: wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, OH, and NO2 groups and halogen and hydrogen atoms with at least six of the R1 groups being hydrogen atoms in the ligand.

Abstract: A method and system for producing an animal bedding material from recycled waste paper, and including one or more chemical additives. The base material is fiberized, and the chemical additives may include: pesticides, disease immune additives (medicines), ammonia inhibitors, fire retardants, or other additives, depending on the characteristics desired of the final product. At least one of the additives is applied as a liquid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removal of coatings from surfaces utilizing UV energy. Preferably, the use of a laser-guided gas-embedded pinchlamp is utilized to remove paint coatings from aircraft surfaces. In a preferred form, the present invention provides a gas-embedded laser-guided pinchlamp device that, in operation, reduces toxic waste bi-products and can remove surface paint, in particular aircraft surface paint, or other coatings at a higher efficiency than all other alternative methods implemented or investigated to date. The present invention may preferably comprise eight distinct support systems; a plasma pinchlamp chamber, a power supply, a laser system, a gas supply system and coolant system, an optical reflector, a debris collection system for containing and catching toxic effluvients, an encasement device to contain effluvium in conjunction with the collection system, and a pinchlamp positioning system.

Abstract: A blender apparatus with a plurality of metering units, including at least one precision metering unit for precision metering of solid particulate materials at low flow rates, the apparatus including a common hopper for receiving metered individual ingredients from the plurality of individual ingredient metering units, the precision metering unit including an elongate tubular hopper for stabilizing the head pressure of material presented to the metering unit's auger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring impedance of grounding system wherein a transient electric current is injected at the ground system under test while measuring the a transient ground potential difference, as well as the injected electric current. The ground potential difference is measured with respect to several points on the earth's surface at small distances from the test system. These measurements are processed by computer software which filters noise, corrects voltage and current transducer errors, and estimates the test system ground potential rise with respect to remote earth. Correction algorithms are used to remove irregularities in the frequency response of the voltage and current transducers and analog filters. The filtered and corrected measurements are used to estimate the ground impedance as a function of frequency. For this purpose, a parameter estimation procedure is used which takes into consideration the geometric arrangement of the voltage and current probes.

Abstract: An automated yarn creeling method and apparatus for the textile industry. Preferably, the present yarn creeling system is used in the carpet tufting industry to automate, ultimately, the intelligent transfer of packages of yarn from the shipping pallets to the bullhorns of a creeler. The apparatus preferably comprises a service arm assembly, a vertical support, a base support, and automated weighing and control systems.

Abstract: A novel class of tripeptide &agr;-ketoamides useful for selectively inhibiting serine proteases, selectively inhibiting cysteine proteases, generally inhibiting all serine proteases, and generally inhibiting all cysteine proteases, having the formula M1—AA—AA—AA—CO—NR3R4.

Abstract: A filmless photographic printer for making 3D and/or animation pictures on lenticular print material. A video monitor is used to sequentially display the 2D images which are projected onto lenticular print material by a projection lens at different projection angles. The projection lens and print material are moved to different positions relative to the video monitor screen. The projection lens is maintained in proper focus on the monitor screen and print material during printing. The 2D images for composing the 3D photographs can be captured by an electronic camera or generated by computer.

Abstract: The present invention is a liquefied gas tank having a sealing partition positioned internally at approximately the eighty percent (80%) liquid volume level as measured from the bottom of the tank, and thus creating an approximately twenty percent (20%) vapor space in the upper portion of the tank. Carried by the partition is an excess flow valve positioned generally perpendicular to the partition in an upward direction such that any flow through the valve will be released into the approximately twenty percent (20%) vapor space. Attached to the top of the tank is a fill valve that allows the inputting and outputting of liquefied and vapor gases. A fill tube extends from the fill valve through the partition and into the liquid space wherein liquefied gas is pumped into the liquid space of the tank. When the liquid space is filled, the excess flow valve will open thereby allowing approximately 1 gal/min to flow into the vapor space.