Abstract: A low profile dolly trailer pulled by a cab trailer for hauling large concrete, steel trusses and other material masses. The trailer includes a first frame and second frame. The first frame is supported at one end by the cab trailer and at its other end with an axle assembly. The second frame is pivotally connected adjacent one end to the first frame between the axle assembly and the first trailer, and is connected to a second trailer at its other end. The axle assembly has a wheeled axle that extends through an opening in the second frame to reduce the dolly trailer's profile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing traffic citations or the like. An impact printer is supplied which prints with a print head onto an approximately 3.25" wide paper strips and senses the movement of the paper through the printer. A plate is provided to guide paper over the print head. The sensors are removed from the printer. The plate is widened with by attaching material along the plates side to accommodate 4.5" paper. The material is shaped to prevent the paper from squirreling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing and/or grasping lesions or incisions of luminal tissue is provided. The apparatus has a generally tubular assembly with portions which expand away from each other. The apparatus is inserted into the lumen of a tissue and placed adjacent the area to be sealed. The portions expand to contact the inner wall of the luminal tissue. Energy is delivered with a media through the expanded tubular assembly to heat the tissue to a nondestructive range where the tissue forms a denatured proteinaceous substance. The media delivering the energy is rotated in the expanded tubular assembly to heat different areas of the tissue without moving the tubular assembly itself. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, tubular portions of the assembly are provided which have side edges that slide toward and away from each other. The assembly is placed in the lumen and the tissue edges are inserted into the assembly between the side edge.

Abstract: A predistortion circuit for an optical communications system includes a main path and a predistortion path for an RF modulating signal which are independently level adjusted and impedance matched to a laser diode. The distortion path includes a distortion generator which generates a distortion signal which is substantially the same as the distortion generated by the modulation of the transmission system. The distortion path further includes an in phase adjustment leg for overall amplitude adjustment and amplitude adjustment as a function of frequency and a quadrature adjustment leg for phase adjustment as a function of frequency. Temperature compensation is provided to the adjustment networks to stabilize the gain elements of each for ambient temperature changes.

Abstract: A near video on demand time shifting feature for a subscriber terminal emulates the video cassette recorder functions of pause, fast forward, and rewind for a NVOD service subscription. The subscriber terminal stores global transactions concerning NVOD events in an event portion of memory. The subscriber terminal provides an on screen display feature for assisting in ordering the NVOD service and a user interface which provides the functions of pause, fast forward and rewind. When viewing a NVOD event, if the subscriber selects the pause function, the subscriber terminal causes a pause on screen display to be viewed for one time increment. After the elapse of the time increment, the subscriber terminal will tune the channel of the next showing which is one time increment earlier than that presently viewed. If the subscriber selects the rewind function, the subscriber terminal will tune the channel of the next showing which is one time increment earlier than that presently viewed.

Abstract: A laser heating system projects a beam of optical radiation on a region to be heated. A sensor detects changes in temperature of the region by sensing the black body radiation of the heated region. A control circuit then controls the intensity of the beam as a function of the sensed black body radiation. In another embodiment, the beam is moved among the region and the light intensity of the beam is dynamically controlled.

Abstract: A water ski fin extends through the rear of a water ski. Pivotally connected to a lower portion of the fin is a wing extending substantially perpendicularly from the fin. A linkage is connected to the wing that permits the wing from pivoting until the speed of the fin through the water exceeds a predetermined velocity to pivot and change its angle of attack in response to the speed of the fin through the water exceeding the predetermined velocity.

Abstract: A manual assist apparatus and method for obtaining hemostasis of a wound on luminal tissue, such as a femoral artery puncture, after a cannulated procedure such as angioplasty. This apparatus has a substantially cylindrically shaped handle with a rod extending downward into a sterile disposable disk member. The disk member is placed just above the catheter insertion site with catheter inside a notch of the disk member for proper pressure point for compression of artery, as the catheter is inside of the artery. The catheter is then removed from artery and pressure applied to the handle in downward direction to force the disk member to compress the artery for the purpose of controlling arterial bleeding and to obtain hemostasis. The weight of the cylindrically shaped handle assists the practitioner with above mentioned compression task. The disk member may then be discarded after use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying optical or other thermal energy to tissue using a clamp. The energy is supplied at a frequency which biologically welds or fuses tissue. A material that is transmissive to the energy treatment frequency is embedded in one or more jaws of the clamp and engage the tissue during the tissue fusion process. The transmissive material has a thickness selected to insure that the energy source is spaced at the proper distance from the tissue so that the tissue receives the proper amount of energy for sealing. The transmissive material holds the tissue in the jaw to maintain the edges of the tissue in tight approximation. The energy may be coupled to the clamp by one or more optical fibers. These fibers are recessed in or placed adjacent to the jaw at a specified distance from the surface of the transmissive material and directs treatment energy through the transmissive material to weld the edges of the tissue together.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing approximated edges of tissue with thermal energy includes a clamp having members which grasp and hold tissue. A transmissive material is supported by at least one of the members. The members pivot to pull the tissue edges in tight approximation against the transmissive material to form a seam. Thermal energy is then directed at the tissue through the transmissive material and at the seam with sufficient intensity and duration to heat the tissue to an adhesive proteinaceous substance to seal the seam. The approximated seam is held against the transmissive material with an appropriate pressure to avoid over inverted or over everted tissue approximation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing luminal tissue is disclosed. The apparatus is inserted into the lumen of the organ and positioned adjacent an area on the organ to be sealed. Energy sufficient to heat tissue to form a denatured proteinaceous substance is delivered through the lumen to the apparatus. The apparatus then directs the energy at the area to be sealed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting a hole in a liner installed in a conduit. Included in the apparatus is a carriage and a cutting head that are rotated to cut the liner. A lateral axis extends through the carriage. A skid constrains the carriage and the cutting head. The cutting head is substantially positioned over the center of gravity of the carriage to provide stability during cutting. The cutting head moves vertically with the use of a cam. The cutter also moves laterally and may rotate about the axis when cutting the hole. Prior to cutting the hole, the skid extends outward to hold the carriage in place. The apparatus also includes a specialized cutter having cutting bars along its outside perimeter and along its top surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking up or removing objects and the like, expressly animal excrement, comprising a receiver portion formed of a relatively rigid material having an accordion portion that collapses and expands. The accordion portion is partially enclosed in a sheath. The sheath has an open end in which the hand of the operator can be inserted to engage the reinforcement portion through the sheath. The objects are then picked up and the reinforcement portion is then folded inside out and closed. The accordion portion acts as a barrier between the object and the sheath to prevent leakage or the object from perforating the sheath.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for submerged arc welding with four electrodes positioned along a line from front to rear. The first of the electrodes is supplied with direct current, and the remaining three electrodes are supplied with alternating current. The direct current electrode generate an arc that penetrates the base metal and initiates a weld. The other electrodes are supplied with alternating current having a 90.degree..+-.15.degree. current separation between the leading and trailing AC electrodes, and the trailing and middle AC electrodes. Alternating current is supplied between electrodes the trailing and middle AC electrode, having a 180.degree..+-.30.degree. current separation. The AC electrodes combine to generate an arc that deposits a filler and shapes the weld.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the invention use a beam of laser emitted optical energy to effect wound closure and reconstruction of biological tissue. In response to input as to tissue type and thickness, a computer determines the output power, exposure time and spot diameter of the emitted beam to control the application of optical energy to produce thermal heating of biological tissue to a degree suitable for denaturing the tissue proteins such that the collagenous elements of the tissue form a "biological glue" to seal immediately and/or to reconstruct the tissue being heated. In a given embodiment, the computer directly controls output power of the laser by regulating the laser's input current, and limits exposure time by deactivating a shutter mechansim when the determined time is reached. Beam diameter is manually set in response to a displayed value for a sliding scale that controls the working distance between the end of a fiber optic beam guide and the tissue site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for submerged arc welding using five-electrodes having direct current (DC) connected to one electrode and alternating current (AC) connected to the other four electrodes. The electrodes are aligned in a row with predetermined angles to the direction of the weld. Alternating current is supplied to the electrodes so that a 90.degree. phase difference is applied to adjacent electrodes and a 180.degree. phase difference is applied between alternating electrodes. With such power application and the electrical connections of the electrodes, the welding process has a more stable weld puddle that suppresses welding defects at higher speeds than previously achievable.

Abstract: A laser soldering system wherein a plurality of laser beams are simultaneously directed to a plurality of spatially separate locations on a printed circuit board for simultaneously soldering. Each of the laser beams is formed by combining the outputs of a plurality of fiber cables, each of which is connected to an individual laser diode.

Abstract: An ultrasonic grade and auger control for use on a road paving machine to compensate for uneven road surfaces is described. As the road paving machine travels, asphalt is centrally deposited along the road bed. An auger is connected to the back of the road paving machine and contains a series of spiral blades which moves the asphalt away from the center of the road bed toward its outer edges. The ultrasonic auger control apparatus detects the height of the asphalt positioned at the outer edges of the paving machine and regulates the speed of the auger to provide even distribution of the asphalt. A screed is located behind the auger to uniformly place and pack the paving material. The ultrasonic grade control apparatus regulates hydraulic actuators which control the thickness of the new road surface by adjusting the height of the screed.