Abstract: A fixed broadband wireless data access service providing shared wide-band packet-switched data transport for high speed data access in areas where conventional ADSL service and fiber optic service are unavailable. The wireless data access service is a point-to-multipoint cellular-type network that connects customers to data service providers through the ATM backbone of an existing network. Customers connect to the ATM backbone and data service provider through a cellular grid in which a wireless base station in each cell communicates with the individual customer wireless equipment within its cell site coverage area. The base stations are connected to an ATM backbone switch through wireless and wireline backhaul links. The upstream and downstream bandwidths of the wireless broadband network are engineered in various symmetric and asymmetric configurations to provide a shared packet-switched connection that emulates an uninterrupted, direct wireline ADSL connection.

Abstract: An emergency ejection seat adjustable along two independent axes: vertical adjustment (up and down) and horizontal adjustment (fore and aft). The ejection seat adjusts to accommodate all aircrew sizes, sitting shoulder heights, buttock-knee lengths, and functional limb reaches and is constructed of modular components which are easily removed and replaced. The ejection seat comprises a seat bucket structure, a seat insert, a linkage assembly and equipment bays. The linkage assembly interfaces between the ejection seat bucket structure and seat insert to allow both vertical and horizontal adjustment.

Abstract: A system and method for addressing the paradoxes and problems associated with the Knowledge Economy, and the transition to it. The system and method of the present invention create a unified experience of work that scales from individual thought processes to the building and using of a global system of commerce. Described in several levels of recursion, the system and method of the present invention integrate, into a single system and method several discrete Sub-Systems and methods that comprise a myriad of now unintegrated tools and processes that are conducted across contradictory and non-collaborative environments.

Abstract: A three-point passenger restraint system for a passenger seat including a lap belt having a first end connected to a lap belt retractor and a second end. A torso belt having a first end connected to the second end of the lap belt and a second end. The second end of the torso belt is attached to an anchor arm that is pivotally mounted to a passenger seat or vehicle side structure, wherein the anchor arm is rotationally biased to remove slack in the torso belt. The anchor arm rotates and thus functions (i) as the upper height adjusting anchor point for the three-point restraining system and (ii) to adjust belt length to comfortably accommodate passenger sizes in the range of a 5th percentile female to a 95th percentile male.

Abstract: A thermal printhead according to the present invention includes a substrate, a plurality of heating elements formed on the substrate, at least one drive IC for driving the heating elements, and a sealing portion for sealing the drive IC. The sealing portion contains a resin material and a granular filler having an average grain size not greater than 10 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A sample and a scanning probe microscope system are used as the detector for an infrared spectrometer to circumvent the diffraction limit of conventional infrared microscopy, and to provide spectroscopic images with a greatly improved spatial resolution, potentially as low as a few tens of nanometers. The beam from an infrared spectrometer is directed at the sample. The sample is heated to the extent that it absorbs infrared radiation. Thus the resulting temperature rise of an individual region depends upon the particular molecular species present, as well as the range of wavelengths of the infrared beam. These individual temperature differences are detected by a miniature thermal probe. The thermal probe is mounted in a scanning thermal microscope. The scanning thermal microscope is then operated used to produce multiple surface and sub-surface images of the sample, such that the image contrast corresponds to variations in either thermal diffusivity, surface topography or chemical composition.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for cleaning exhaust gas includes a heat-resistant support, and a catalytic coating formed on the heat-resistant support. The catalytic coating contains Pd-carrying particles of a cerium complex oxide, Pt & Rh-carrying particles of zirconium complex oxide, and particles of a heat-resistant inorganic oxide.

Abstract: A surface mounting type electronic component such as a solid electrolytic capacitor is provided which comprises an electronic element, a safety fuse wire having a base end electrically connected to the electronic element, and a resin package enclosing the electronic element together with the fuse wire. The fuse wire also has a tip end which is exposed at a face of the resin package, and the face of the resin package is formed with a layer-like terminal in electrical connection with the tip end of the fuse wire.

Abstract: An extrudable urea-extended thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer is formed from at least one aliphatic diisocyanate, at least one polyester glycol or polyether glycol, and at least one diamine curing agent. At least one second diamine curing agent and/or at least one extrusion processing aid may be included. The polyurethane has high-temperature-resistance and is thus extrudable at high temperatures. The polyurethane is also strong and durable. The polyurethane can be liquid-cast, transfer-molded, sprayed, and extruded without changing either the chemistry or stoichiometry of the polyurethane. The polyurethane may be used for making vehicle air bags or other any application for thermoplastic urethanes which requires increased thermal stability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that produces shaped and laminate articles and recovers the excess material or flash as a part of the manufacturing process. The apparatus uses a combination of rotary die and anvil roller assemblies in successive multiple stations to cut and separate each raw material into final product portions and recyclable flash portions as each raw material enters the apparatus. The apparatus separately reclaims each raw material flash portion and delivers the flash of each material in a recyclable form to an auxiliary recycling operation. In recovering the flash, the apparatus does not adversely affect the speed or quality of production of the final shaped or laminated product. To ease removal of the flash, the apparatus applies lubricant to the blades of the rotary die. To avoid damage to web material, the apparatus uses vacuum belts to convey the web material and web product through the apparatus.

Abstract: A lightweight armor having a durable spall cover for suppressing debris that would otherwise be ejected from the armor as a result of the impact of a projectile or missile on the lightweight armor. In addition, the invention allows a ceramic or ceramic-based composite armor panels to be dropped onto a concrete surface without sustaining any damage to the ceramic tile. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a laminate comprising a polymer sheet outer layer, a flexible foam sheet or flexible honeycomb inner layer, a ceramic-based armor plate, and a fiber-reinforced plastic laminate backing, as well as adhesive layers bonding each of the main layers to its adjacent layer or layers. When an object impacts the polymer sheet outer layer, the impact force is distributed by the polymer sheet outer layer to the flexible foam inner layer that in turn absorbs some of the kinetic energy.

Abstract: An apparatus provides a charging battery for variable currents. The apparatus comprises a first current sensor which transforms a current into a first signal; a controller which depends on the first signal to transform a power into a current in order to supply the variable currents to charge; a second current sensor which transforms the variable currents into second signals and passes the variable currents to charge up the charging battery; a detector which relies on the second signal and a third signal in response to the charging battery to trigger the controller to decide whether to disable from the controller or not.

Abstract: A secondary containment and drainage system for an above-ground storage tank is described, in which small quantities of leaked or overflowing liquid are temporarily stored in a housing above the internal storage tank. This fluid can be easily removed from the housing for re-use or at least removed without the time consuming process of emptying and cleaning the overfill dike that surrounds the tank. When greater quantities of liquid leak from the input port of the storage tank, the overflowing liquid is drained into the dike through a drainage pipe that extends from the housing, through the internal storage tank, and into the dike. The dike is enclosed by a roofing structure that forms a seal to prevent contamination when liquid is drained into the dike.

Abstract: A color image signal generator is provided for generating red, green and blue analog image signals based on first red, green and blue image data and on first brightness data. Each of the first red, green and blue image data has a predetermined first bit number, while the first brightness data has a predetermined second bit number. The color image signal generator includes a brightness data modifier for providing second brightness data based on the first brightness data, so that the second brightness data has a predetermined third bit number which is greater than the second bit number. The color image signal generator also includes a data multiplier arranged to multiply the second brightness data with the first red, green and blue image data. As a result of multiplication, second red, green and blue image data are output, so that each of the second image data has a fourth bit number which is greater than the first and the third bit numbers.

Abstract: A custom CMOS imager with integrated motion computation is described. The architecture is centered around a compact mixed-mode pixel with digital asynchronous self-signaling capabilities. An address-event communication channel with an external time-stamp protocol is used to compute image features velocities. The motion sensor could be used in applications such as self-guided vehicles, mobile robotics and smart surveillance systems.

Abstract: A rotary impacting apparatus is provided which comprises a housing, a rotor rotatably accommodated in the housing, a driving source for rotating the rotor about a rotation axis, a main reciprocative implement reciprocatively held by the housing, and an impact member eccentrically held by the rotor. The impact member exerts an impacting force for pressing the main reciprocative implement when the main reciprocative implement is advanced relative to the rotation axis. The main reciprocative implement is provided with a diametrically smaller portion and a diametrically greater portion connected to the diametrically smaller portion.

Abstract: A puncturing device according to the invention comprises a sleeve (1), a push element (2) mounted at one end of the sleeve (1), a piston (5) having a puncturing tip (7) slidably mounted in the sleeve (1), a drive spring (9) positioned between the face end of the push element (2) and the piston (5) and a return spring (10) positioned inside the said sleeve (1) between its bottom (3) with an opening (4) for the puncturing tip (7) and the said piston (5) characterized in that the sleeve (1) has wings (11) directed inwardly and the projection (12) of the piston (5) rests on the said wings (11).

Abstract: A footwear ventilation system that introduces fresh air into a shoe upper using an air displacement chamber actuated by the downward force of a foot. The ventilation system comprises a lasting board and a ventilation unit comprising a one-way inflow check valve, an air displacement chamber positioned in the heel area, a set of non-pinching tubular channels connecting the inflow valve to the displacement chamber, and a one-way outflow check valve that expels air from the displacement chamber to the atmosphere. The lasting board is placed on top of the ventilation unit to evenly distribute the deceleration force produced by the ventilation unit. As a shoe contacts the ground under the user's weight, the foot compresses the displacement chamber, forcing air out of the outflow valve and into the atmosphere.