Abstract: An apparatus and system for dissipating water wave energy and for shoreline control including a module with a generally hollow body, a pair of opposed flanges attached to adjacent corners of the body, a pair of axially aligned mounting apertures in the flanges for connecting the body to similar bodies for forming a wave energy dissipation system, and a recess disposed between the flanges. Each recess contains a plurality of boundary layer interrupting projections for substantially disrupting any laminar flow of water past the surface and creating turbulent flow.

Abstract: We report an optical pulse-compression technique based on quadratic nonlinear media. Negative nonlinear phase shifts are generated via phase-mismatched second-harmonic generation, and the phase-modulated pulses are then compressed by propagation through materials with normal dispersion. Millijoule-energy pulses from a Ti:sapphire amplifier are compressed from 120 to 30 fs, and calculations indicate that compression ratios>10 are realistically achievable using this approach with optimal materials. The insertion loss of the compressor can be less than 10% of the pulse energy, and scaling to higher pulse energies will be straightforward.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a puffable food product suitable for cooking by microwaving, deep fat frying and hot air cooking are disclosed. The methods include mixing a starch with water at a temperature and for a time sufficient to at least partially gelatinize the starch, forming the mixture into a sheet and subjecting the sheet to a steam treatment to fully gelatinize the starch. The sheet is then cooled and cut into pellets of a desired shape and the pellets are dried. The inclusion of flavoring ingredients to improve the puffability is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fault tolerant network switch includes two or more switches units and a highly reliable (i.e., one with no single point of failure) interconnect unit so that during normal operation both switches are actively handling network packets and upon the failure of one of the switch units, another switch unit takes over, ensuring continued normal network operation, with somewhat reduced performance. The failed switch unit can then be replaced and the network returned to its original performance without disturbance to the other switch or the network cable connections.

Abstract: A display having a two-stage optical process is disclosed. This two-stage system enables a relatively compact and inexpensive display. A display screen projects an image that passes through a first lens or lens system. The collimated light is then diffused by one of several methods so as to increase the ultimate viewer's eyebox. The diffused image then undergoes a magnification process involving total internal reflection within a second lens. The light exiting the second lens is magnified to the level desired at a low cost and a small size.

Abstract: A coupler (11) for connecting a dipper arm (3) of an excavator to a bucket (1) without need for the operator of the excavator to leave the cab of the excavator, the coupler (11) having a device for connecting it to the end of the dipper arm (3), and a latching hook (17) for connecting it to a bucket (1), wherein the latching hook (17) has a special internal profile (56, 57, 61) so that when it is supporting the weight of a bucket (1), it will tend to move to a latching position, not to an unlatching position.

Abstract: Ultrafast pulse beams of light are used to direct-write three-dimensional index profiles in materials using the unique material changing capabilities of ultra-short (i.e. <10 picosecond) laser pulses. An existing waveguide or waveguide circuit fabricated by some technique (for example but not limited to photolithography, flame hydrolysis deposition, modified chemical vapor deposition, or ultra-fast laser pulse direct writing) is modified by altering the index of refraction (index trimming) in a localized region or different local regions of the waveguide structure. Index trimming is accomplished through the action of a focused laser beam (or multiple focused beams) consisting of one or more ultra-short laser pulses and is generally performed at a wavelength in which the material is transparent or weakly absorbing, to the fundamental wavelength of the beam of light. The trimmed index pattern is generated by, but not limited to, moving the focal position of the beam or by moving the sample (i.e.

Abstract: A catheter for retrograde orientation in a blood flow is used to determine the blood flow rate by thermodilution measurements. The determination of the blood flow rate accommodates injectate induced thermal influences on a dilution thermal sensor, wherein the thermal influences can occur prior to introduction of the injectate into the blood flow.

Abstract: A method for fabricating electrically conductive silicon carbide articles by doping and sintering submicron silicon carbide particles using sub-micron alumina as the dopant source. Submicron alumina particles are made by milling aluminum powder. Despite the ductility of metallic aluminum, it is successfully ball milled in an aqueous medium through the creation and abrasion of successive layers of an alumina skin to yield alumina particles as small as 0.01 &mgr;m across. When suitably composed mixtures of the silicon carbide and alumina are molded into a green body and heated sufficiently in a non-oxidizing furnace atmosphere, the alumina breaks down to metallic aluminum which diffuses into the silicon carbide. The small particle sizes and the presence of a sintering aid enable rapid processing kinetics which favor saturation of the silicon carbide by the aluminum and inhibit grain growth.

Abstract: A decorative window surround sealing system includes a plurality of seals adapted to be mounted on a vehicle body for sealing a movable window panel in a window opening, each of the seals having an exterior surface, at least one fitting on at least one of the plurality of seals, a one piece surround cap having at least one cooperative fitting compatible with at least one fitting on the at least one of the plurality of seals for attaching the surround cap to the at least one fitting, the decorative surround cap covering a substantial portion of the exterior surface of each of the plurality of seals.

Abstract: A system for handling effluent from a film processor. A transportable holding tank is attached to the film processor using quick-disconnect fittings, and accepts effluent discharged from the film processor by gravity. The holding tank is uncoupled from the film processor and coupled to a receiving station with quick-disconnect fittings similar to those on the film processor. The effluent is pumped into the receiving station. The system is designed to minimize exposure to film processing chemicals, and handles parallel segregated streams of silver-bearing and non silver-bearing effluent.

Abstract: A combination model train sensor and block signal includes a train proximity sensor, a red signal light, a green signal light, and a controller connected to the proximity sensor and the red and green signal lights and the controller turns on the green signal light and turns off the red signal light when the proximity sensor indicates the absence of a train, and turns on the red signal light and turning off the green signal light when the train proximity sensor indicates the presence of a train. A light source, preferably an infrared light source, and a light detector, preferably an infrared light detector, are arranged to reflect and detect from a passing train to indicate its presence. An output connected to the train proximity sensor for producing an output signal when the sensor indicates the presence of a train, which output can be used for controlling a remote block signal.

Abstract: A sealing profile for securing to a motor vehicle component, more particularly to a frame of a door in the region of the C-pillar includes an insert provided for preventing prohibitive deformations of the sealing profile. The insert has at least one elastically deformable detent for securing to the motor vehicle component and at least one supporting plate for stiffening the sealing profile, the supporting plate being formed integral with the detent in one piece.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the condition of an inkjet printhead. A test image is printed by the printhead and a second reference printhead. The density of ink dots in the test image is selected so that each dot just contacts adjacent dots while avoiding significant overlap. A defective nozzle can produce misplaced or undersized dots, creating abnormal spacing between adjacent dots. At the selected ink dot density, the abnormal spacing is most perceptible to the eye.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuselage Pitot-static tube comprising three groups of orifices for determining the total pressure (2), static pressure (3) and angle of attack (6, 7), and an axisymmetric body (1) and strut (5) for mounting an anti-icing system having, arranged between them, airways (10) and electric heating elements (8). The orifices for determining the angle of attack are arranged on the strut, whose cross section is constructed in the form of a subsonic aerodynamic profile with a rounded-off nose or a tapered nose, and are arranged between the nose of the profile and the position of its maximum thickness.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic display includes an image forming device and a substrate having alternating strips, where strips having a first optical property are separated by strips having a different optical property. This substrate may be composed of alternating strips of polarization film separated by clear, nonpolarizing strips. Alternately, this substrate may be composed of first alternating strips that retard a component of linearly polarized light by one-half wavelength, separated by second alternating strips that retard a component of linearly polarized light by one wavelength. A removable, separate polarizing substrate may be removably placed in front of the substrate containing the alternating strips. When the removable polarizing substrate is placed in front of the strips in a certain orientation, autostereoscopic imaging is viewed by the observer, and when this polarizing substrate is removed, 2D imaging is viewed.

Abstract: An insert assembly for a muffler of a high-performance motor cycle, having an insert with a filling of compressed heat-resistant, sound-absorbing material mounted on a removable hollow tube having an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the perforated core of the muffler. The filling includes a bulked-up continuous filamentary material. Once the insert has been introduced into the muffler by sliding the tube along the core, the tube is then withdrawn leaving the insert behind in the muffler. Removal of the tube allows the filling to relax towards its intended density. The first subsequent exposure to hot exhaust gases causes certain portions of the insert to degrade, allowing further relaxation of the filling to assume its intended density. Further, the tube precludes potential damage to the insert during its introduction into the muffler.

Abstract: A vandal and weather resistant sign is disclosed including a support plate having a plurality of regularly spaced rectangular openings and replaceable tiles carried by and fixed to the plate. The plate is adapted to be fixed to a mounting surface such as a utility pole or the like with the reverse face of the plate against the mounting surface. The tiles are fixed to the reverse face of the plate wherein indicia on the obverse face of the tile is visible through the plate openings. The edges of the tile are concealed and protected by the plate so as to make the tile edges less susceptible to attack by vandals.

Abstract: An instrument of process calibrator includes a housing, a traceable, controllable calibration source in the housing, the calibration source including memory for storing identifying information about the calibration source, a data connector coupled to the calibration source, a removable hand held computer preferably a PDA, attached to the housing, and connected to the data connector, the computer including user input means for receiving a control input user for controlling the calibration source, and output means, preferably graphical output means for displaying the identifying information and calibration results to the user.