Abstract: A multi-cyclone sediment filter having a sediment bowl with a hemispherical bottom and a sump for collecting sediment, a cylindrical cyclone housing disposed above and sealingly connected to the sediment bowl, a removable and replaceable cyclone cartridge inserted into the cyclone housing, a diffuser plate sealingly connected to the cyclone cartridge and cyclone housing, a fluid inlet for introducing fluid into the cyclone housing, and a fluid outlet for discharging fluid from the cyclone housing. The cyclone cartridge inserted in the cyclone housing includes a plurality of vertically disposed inverted cone-shaped fluid cyclones, each having a small opening at a lower end and larger opening at an upper end. The cartridge has a plurality of fluid flow paths that direct fluid to the cyclones where a vortex is induced in the moving fluid.

Abstract: A differential resonant ring oscillator (“DRRO*) circuit using a ring oscillator topology to electronically tune the oscillator over multi-octave bandwidths. The oscillator tuning is substantially linear, because the oscillator frequency is related to the magnetic tuning of a YIG sphere, which has a resonant frequency equal to a fundamental constant multiplied by the DC magnetic field. The simple circuit topology uses half turn or multiple half turn loops magnetic coupling methods connecting a differential pair of amplifiers into a feedback loop configuration having a four port YIG tuned filter, thus creating a closed loop ring oscillator. The oscillator may use SiGe bipolar junction transistor technology and amplifiers employing heterojunction bipolar transistor technology SiGe is the preferred transitor material as it keeps the transistor's 1/f noise to an absolute minimum in order to achieve minimum RF phase noise.

Abstract: A quick release apparatus for rapid disconnection of a worker's waist belt from a self-contained breathing apparatus support frame. The apparatus includes a frame-connecting lumbar support pad that attaches to the interior side of the SCBA unit lower lumbar support plate and includes a front side and a rear side. The apparatus further includes a belt-capturing element disposed on the front side of the lumbar support pad and at least one frame connector disposed on the rear side. A rapid release member is slidably inserted through a portion of either one or both of the lumbar support pad or the belt-capturing member, such that pulling the rapid release member away from the lower lumbar support pad effects a rapid release of said apparatus from the SCBA support frame.

Abstract: A self-balancing Wheatstone bridge that provides frequency and power information. The frequency information obtained can be applied to correct the power measurement to provide excellent match, excellent frequency insensitivity, good dynamic range, good frequency range, and adequate frequency accuracy. The system is highly responsive, simple, and cost effective.

Abstract: A service provider interface protocol, when embedded into a network-capable device, can automatically connect the device to a wired or wireless network. This automatic device connectivity can include automatic logging on, automatic authentication and seamless, automatic data upload to, or download from, another location on the network. Configuration parameters for the automatic authentication, upload and download locations and other related device configurations can be stored within the network server-side management system.

Abstract: A quick release apparatus for rapid disconnection of a rescue worker's waist belt from a self-contained breathing apparatus support frame. The apparatus includes a belt connection apparatus for connection to a wearer's waist belt, an SCBA frame connection apparatus connected to the SCBA frame, and a coupling apparatus including at least one pullable rapid release member that moves in a first direction to couple the belt connection apparatus to the SCBA frame connection apparatus and in a second direction to rapidly decouple the belt connection apparatus from the SCBA frame connection apparatus in such a manner that the SCBA frame is disconnected from the waist belt and the wearer can entirely remove the SCBA from his or her body while leaving the waist belt and any accoutrements attached thereto in place and on his or her person.

Abstract: An intrinsically safe accurate location information network for personnel and assets in underground mines, including wireless access points and subnetwork controllers, active wireless locator/messenger tags, network controller(s), and enterprise servers running application control software. The wireless access points are installed in mine entries and crosscuts and track the active wireless locator/messenger tags. The active tags may be worn by mine personnel or installed in mining equipment. The network subsystems form relay networks that wirelessly carry telemetry and control data without the need to penetrate the earth. The subsystems determine the location of persons and assets underground and monitor safety-related information, which can be used for disaster avoidance, early warning of impending disaster, and improved rescue effectiveness.

Abstract: A sectionalized sports board including a plurality of board sections and a post-tensioning apparatus incorporated into a board stringer and operatively disposed between the sections along the longitudinal axis of each section. The post-tensioning apparatus includes a post-tensioning cable slidably inserted into a cable chase disposed in each of the board sections, and a cable tension adjustment for selectively coupling the sections into a configuration for use of the board or for separating the board sections so that they can be folded into a compact collapsed configuration. The post-tensioning cable is permanently anchored at its ends, and when the post-tensioning cable is in a stressed condition, the board sections are abutted to provide a useable and rigid board configuration, and when the post-tensioning cable is unstressed, the board sections may be folded into a compact collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A solar panel tracking system that can simultaneously rotate large arrays of solar panels position in multiple rows utilizing a single drive system. The drive system comprises a single actuation device that drives multiple rotational translation stages at each solar array row for tilting the panels to the correct position. A dual beam structure within each row insure appropriate panel support during rotation and provide the framework for simplified installation and maintenance.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus having a waste heat recovery system for incorporation into broilers, ovens, and toasters, the apparatus including a cooking chamber having a cooking platform, at least one air plenum disposed in the upper portion of the cooking chamber and having a plurality of air outlets for producing a focused forced air, a low pressure air source connected to the air plenums, a heating element or burner disposed under each of said air plenums, such that said curtain of focused forced air guides and directs heat from said heating element toward food product being cooked, and heat exchange pipes disposed between at least two of said air plenums. Radiant heat generated from the heating elements or burners rises in the cooking chamber and is retained between the air plenums to maximize heat transfer from the heated air to the heat transfer pipes, and thus to the low pressure air in the low pressure air system. The recycled heat enhances cooking.

Abstract: A stabilized quadrature RC/CR phase shifting network for generating quadrature RF and microwave signals. The network uses offset biasing of postamplifiers following the phaseshifter to fine tune quadrature-phase, and further uses an output quadrature-phase detector to stabilize quadrature-phase with negative feedback by using the quadrature-phase error signal to drive the quadrature-phase fine tuning control. In an alternative embodiment, the stability of quadrature-phase can be enhanced without the output quadrature-phase detector by making the quadrature-phase fine tuning control dependent upon the amplitude-difference negative feedback error signal.

Abstract: An adjustable tilt solar panel support system including a support post, a pivot bracket attached to the support post in a generally upright orientation and having a pivot pin hole for accommodating a pivot pin, and further having at least one adjustment opening; a rotational support cradle having a pivot pin hole in alignment with the pivot pin hole of the pivot bracket, such that the support cradle is pivotally attached to the pivot bracket, the support cradle further including at least one adjustment opening which aligns with the adjustment opening of the pivot bracket. An adjustment pin is selectively inserted into and through the adjustment openings of the support cradle and pivot bracket to secure the support cradle at a selected angle, and wherein the removal of the adjustment pin permits the rotational support cradle to pivot on the pivot bracket about the pivot pin. Beam holders for securing support beams are disposed atop the rotational support cradle.

Abstract: The present invention is a flexible, fillable and/or inflatable breach bag (aqua ram) with a planar body and at least one fillable water chamber for use in breaching locked or barricaded doors or penetrating surfaces with explosive charges. The breach bag may conform to a variety of shapes, depending on the application. The bag generally includes a generally planar panel of flexible material and at least one water chamber disposed on the material layer with a fluid inlet for the selective introduction of fill material, generally in the field. Additionally, the bags include means to suspend the breach bag against structures to be breached.

Abstract: A cup-shaped receptacle designed to engage the neck of a bottle and rigidly support it in a near horizontal position. The receptacle can be incorporated into many common building materials, so an array of the receptacles permits an attractive display of bottles. Bottles are held in place through the force of gravity and by resilient rings or gaskets disposed in the interior of the receptacle that limit vertical and horizontal migration of bottles. The rings also protect foil caps from damage.

Abstract: A system and method for a block based differencing algorithm which includes the ability to limit memory requirements regardless of source file sizes by splitting the source file into optimally sized blocks. The invention allows the blocks to be processed in any order allowing in-place operation. Further, the present invention allows a second stage compressor to match the compressor blocks to those used by the differencing algorithm to optimize compressor and decompressor performance.

Abstract: A device and technique for the performance of distraction osteogenesis of bone with controlled drug delivery using a bead chain consisting of two bands and a series of drug delivery capsules placed in a precise manner such that the relative motion of the bone segments brings the wires, pins, or screws into contact with the capsules and divides them. This action sequentially delivers the drug to the distraction zone throughout the distraction osteogenesis process.

Abstract: A method to efficiently detect, store, modify, and recreate fully or partially duplicate file forks is described. During archive creation or modification, sets of fully or partially duplicate forks are detected and a reduced number of transformed forks or fork segments are stored. During archive expansion, one or more forks are recreated from each full or partial copy.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mounting and locating untethered embedded antenna elements in the dielectric cover of electric utility meters configured for but not limited to wireless remote one way or two way radio communications for automated metering applications such as remote meter reading, remote connect/disconnect, home area networking, meter equipment firmware downloads, load management or locations based services. A multiplicity of untethered integral antenna elements and topologies may be located within a replacement dielectric cover for a direct-connect cable free or cable connection to a radio or microwave modem. Also described is a method and apparatus for retro-fitting the antenna elements on the inner face of an existing utility meter dielectric cover.

Abstract: A seed germination device for use in connection with a drip irrigation system, which includes a drip irrigation emitter having a water inlet tube for connection to a water source, an emitter housing having a base and a perimeter wall that define a partially enclosed interior space, an open end, and a water outlet, and a cellulosic seed packet disposed within the enclosed interior space and over said water outlet tube. When the emitter housing is disposed on or under soil and the water turned on, the seed packet dissolves and the germination commences.