Abstract: A night vision device having a power supply which delivers a high voltage level to its microchannel plate (MCP) through a variable resistance device. The voltage to the MCP is monitored and used to control the resistance to the variable resistance device such that the voltage on the MCP remains substantially at an established level, notwithstanding variations in the current being drawn by the MCP.

Abstract: An automotive fluid service machine for changing fluids such as automatic transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and engine coolant, includes a cabinet with a unitary integral fluid reservoir defined by a lower portion of the machine cabinet. This lower cabinet portion which integrally defines the fluid reservoir also provides a machinery deck to which the components of the machines are mounted. A cap portion of the cabinet provides a cavity for protecting the components mounted to the machinery deck and also provides a control panel for the machine in addition to providing fluid fill and drainage basins improving the convenience and safety of use for the machine. The safety of a service area is improved by the machine because a very low center of gravity for the machine reduces the risk of tipping of a machine and of spilling fluids. Thus, environmental concerns from such spills as well as the risk of personnel slips and falls on spilled fluids are reduced.

Abstract: A flexible double-walled plastic tubing product includes a helically wound support bead between inner and outer walls, and an helically wrapped electrical resistance heating conductor is disposed adjacent to the inner wall in good heat transfer relation to fluid flow within the tubing product. Fluid flow within the tubing product is insulated against heat loss to ambient by the helical support bead and a trapped "dead-air" space between the walls of the tubing product. Apparatus and method for making the tubing product are disclosed.

Abstract: A versatile weather-resistant, ventilated, and protective garment particularly for wear by operators, occupants, and passengers of motor-sports vehicles, such as motorcycles, other vehicles, and some open aircraft, includes a water-proof garment shell provided with a vent opening. The vent opening may be secured open or closed in a fair-weather configuration. for foul weather, the vent opening also includes a labyrinth seal structure in combination with a generally vertically-extending water-gutter structure so that wind-blown rain water and traffic mist, for example, will be blocked from entry into the garment. Water which does enter an outer portion of the vent openings, will be drained by the water-gutter structure. The garment also includes a cargo storage system having a storage area with plural pockets allowing the wearer to carry along small personal items in the garment. An opening of the ventilation structure also provides access to the cargo storage area.

Abstract: A storage and dispensing apparatus for a springy guide wire used in medical procedures includes a coiled tubular portion defined by elongate tubing with a bore for receiving the guide wire. A ring section includes a tangential portion of the tubing defining an open end from which the guide wire may be dispensed. Adjacent to the tangential portion, the tubing defines a pair of spaced apart openings from which the guide wire respectively exits and reenters the tubing. Intermediate the pair of openings the tubing defines a curved external surface across which the guide wire runs externally of the tubing and is manually accessible for advancing and retracting movements impelled by a user's thumb, for example. The guide wire defines a pair of gentle S-shaped bends adjacent to the ends of the externally-exposed curved section, which bends cause the guide wire to engage sufficiently with the storage and dispensing apparatus to resist self-ejection.

Abstract: A prosthetic mechanical valve includes a base portion defining a through blood flow pathway closed by at least a pair of valve leaflets. The valve leaflets are pivotally carried by the base portion and movable in response to dynamic blood fluid pressures between a first position at which the leaflets close blood flow through the pathway and a second open position allowing blood flow in the pathway. A pair of confronting magnets are carried one to each of the pair of valve leaflets and attract one another. The magnetic forces of attraction between the pair of magnets imparts a biasing torque to the valve leaflets which tends to synchronize pivotal movements of the leaflets, cushions their sealing contact, quiets valve operation, and biases the leaflets toward a third partially open position. As a result, under conditions of nearly balanced blood fluid pressures across the pair of valve leaflet they anticipatorily open toward their third position to improve pumping effectiveness.

Abstract: A fail-safe transmission service machine allows old ATF to be pumped out of a transmission while the vehicle engine runs, and responsively pumps a matching volume of new ATF into the transmission so that dry running of the transmission can not occur. If the supply of new ATF runs out or if power to the service machine is interrupted, the machine reverts to closed loop fluid circulation for the transmission. A hydraulic rectifier provides for universal connection of hoses between the transmission cooler fluid circulation loop of the vehicle and the service machine. An alternative embodiment of the machine allows for similarly fail-safe exchange of power steering fluid from a vehicle, and replacement of the old fluid with new power steering fluid.

Abstract: A multiple use needle-less hypodermic injection device for individual users comprising of a light weight, pocket sized, spring powered unit, and a multiple use, low cost, easily replaceable thermoplastic injection head. The present invention targets the single-patient-self-injection applications, such as insulin users, when risks of cross contamination between different patients are not present, therefore not requiring the parts containing the medicament dose, or the parts in contact with the delivery of the medicament dose, to be necessarily disposed and replaced after each injection.

Abstract: A device for storing a supply of emergency potable water includes a tank member which is especially configured to store unobtrusively in the home. The tank member is configured to connect into the domestic fresh cold water supply to an automatic clothes washer, and to sit alongside of the clothes washer, possibly in a gap defined between this washing machine and an adjacent clothes dryer machine. The tank member is configured to insure that a circulation of water occurs each time the washing machine draws fresh cold water during operation to wash clothing, and to insure that sediment does not collect in the tank member. Thus, a self-refreshing supply of potable water is provided which is of no significant inconvenience to store in the home. Further, the tank member, or a tray-like member nested atop this tank member, is configured to form a convenient adjunct and continuation of horizontal utility surfaces provided commonly at the top of clothes washers and dryers.

Abstract: Microchannel plates for use in image intensifiers and night vision devices having both improved gain and signal-to-noise ratio are provided. The microchannel plates disclosed herein provide an initial electron impact area having a surface electron-emissivity coefficient greater than one (1) that is not occluded by low electron-emissivity conductive coatings. In one embodiment angulated deposition of a coating material is used to provide a high electron-emissivity initial electron-impact area while in another embodiment nonmetallic electrodes provide increased amplification of a signal electron. Besides improving gain and sensitivity, the microchannel plates of the present invention provide a higher signal-to-noise ratio, better resolution, high open area ratios and are significantly more cost effective to produce.

Abstract: A self-adjusting linkable carrier for sample tubes, cuvettes, cells and the like comprising a longitudinally symmetrical vertically oriented polygonal body having two pairs of orthogonally disposed opposed vertical faces and a horizontal bottom sliding surface is disclosed. The top surface of the body is provided with a central bore opening into a vertical cavity adapted to releasably receive and retain a wide variety of sample tube configurations in a stable vertical orientation. Machine readable indicia may be provided on the external surface and vertical slots are provided in each external face to provide access to the central vertical cavity. A releasably locking horizontally aligned dovetail feature is provided to link adjacent carriers into conveniently handled racks or magazines which may be assembled and disassembled by machine. Additional horizontally sliding indexing elements are provided to facilitate the stable storage and transport of the carrier.

Abstract: A system for processing a specimen to which fluid must be added includes a fluid dispensing work station within a housing. The work station holds the fluids that are to be added to the specimen. A nozzle dispenses fluid at the work station. The system also includes a carrier that moves within the housing. The carrier operates in a first mode at the fluid dispensing work station. The carrier also operates in a second mode outside the work station to perform a different processing function. A coupling mechanism attaches the nozzle to the carrier when the carrier enters its first operational mode to transport the nozzle around the fluid dispensing station. The coupling mechanism releases the nozzle from the carrier when the carrier enters its second operational mode, thereby freeing the carrier for movement outside the work station out of association with the nozzle.

Abstract: A chemical analyzer (10) includes a fluid dispensing system (46) with a carrier member (18) and fluid dispensing head (72). The carrier member (18) includes a docking fixture (52) and the fluid dispensing head includes a docking receptacle (54). By engagement of the docking fixture and receptacle the carrier member carries the fluid dispensing head to a position above a recess (34) into which fluid is precisely dispensed. The carrier member also returns the fluid dispensing head to a storage location (64) substantially separating the fluids to be dispensed from the environment of the analyzer. When the fluid dispensing head is in its storage location the carrier member may disengage to perform other functions in the analyzer.

Abstract: A chemical analyzer (10) includes a fluid dispensing system (46) with a carrier member (18) and fluid dispensing head (72). The carrier member (18) includes a docking fixture (52) and the fluid dispensing head includes a docking-receptacle (54). By engagement of the docking fixture and receptacle the carrier member carries the fluid dispensing head to a position above a recess (34) into which fluid is precisely dispensed. The carrier member also returns the fluid dispensing head to a storage location (64) substantially separating the fluids to be dispensed from the environment of the analyzer. When the fluid dispensing head is in its storage location the carrier member may disengage to perform other functions in the analyzer.

Abstract: A chemical analyzer (10) includes a fluid dispensing system (46) with a carrier member (18) and fluid dispensing head (72). The carrier member (18) includes a docking fixture (52) and the fluid dispensing head includes a docking receptacle (54). By engagement of the docking fixture and receptacle the carrier member carries the fluid dispensing head to a position above a recess (34) into which fluid is precisely dispensed. The carrier member also returns the fluid dispensing head to a storage location (64) substantially separating the fluids to be dispensed from the environment of the analyzer. When the fluid dispensing head is in its storage location the carrier member may disengage to perform other functions in the analyzer.

Abstract: A system for processing a specimen to which fluid must be added includes a fluid dispensing work station within a housing. The work station holds the fluids that are to be added to the specimen. A nozzle dispenses fluid at the work station. The system also includes a carrier that moves within the housing. The carrier operates in a first mode at the fluid dispensing work station. The carrier also operates in a second mode outside the work station to perform a different processing function. A coupling mechanism attaches the nozzle to the carrier when the carrier enters its first operational mode to transport the nozzle around the fluid dispensing station. The coupling mechanism releases the nozzle from the carrier when the carrier enters its second operational mode, thereby freeing the carrier for movement outside the work station out of association with the nozzle.

Abstract: A multifunction integrated power unit (MIPU) for use aboard aircraft provides the functions both of an auxiliary power unit and of an emergency power unit while being smaller, lighter, and less expensive than the two units it replaces. Additionally, the integration of both functions in a single unit allows elimination of duplicated service devices and a further reduction in size, cost, and weight in the aircraft itself. The MIPU includes two turbine engines operable under differing conditions, an integrating gear box receiving power from the two engines selectively, and a plurality of accessory devices receiving shaft power from either of the two engines via the gear box.

Abstract: A high temperature ceramic/metallic turbine engine includes a metallic housing which journals a rotor member of the turbine engine. A ceramic disk-like shroud portion of the engine is supported on the metallic housing portion and maintains a close running clearance with the rotor member. A ceramic spacer assembly maintains the close running clearance of the shroud portion and rotor member despite differential thermal movements between the shroud portion and metallic housing portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to secondary power system apparatus and method for use aboard aircraft in place of conventional auxiliary power units (APU's) and emergency power units (EPU's). The invention integrated power unit (IPU) performs the function of both an APU and an EPU, while avoiding the use of hazardous monofuels. The IPU includes a turbine engine operable on pressurized ambient air, or on pressurized stored air, along with jet engine fuel. The structure of a combustion chamber for the engine which is able to use pressurized air from two separate sources; of a control able to selectively operate the engine as an EPU, as an APU, and to effect operating transition from EPU to APU; and of a complete secondary power system with the IPU are all disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to secondary power system apparatus and method for use aboard aircraft in place of conventional auxiliary power units (APU's) and emergency power units (EPU's). The invention integrated power unit (IPU) performs the function of both an APU and an EPU, while avoiding the use of hazardous monofuels. The IPU includes a turbine engine operable on pressurized ambient air, or on pressurized stored air, along with jet engine fuel. The structure of a combustion chamber for the engine which is able to use pressurized air from two separate sources; of a control able to selectively operate the engine as an EPU, as and APU, and to effect operating transition from EPU to APU; and of a complete secondary power system with the IPU are all disclosed.