Abstract: A pressure electrolyzer having a pressure reservoir, an electrolytic cell block containing a number of electrolytic cells and positioned in the pressure reservoir, the electrolytic cells each containing anodes and cathodes, and an electrolyte circulatory system for supplying electrolyte to the anodes and cathodes. The circulatory system includes an oxygen separator operative to separate gaseous oxygen formed during operation of the pressure electrolyzer and a hydrogen separator operative to separate gaseous hydrogen formed during operation of the pressure electrolyzer, and a store of an inert gas, to inert the pressure electrolyzer when it is switched off. The store of inert gas is supplied to the oxygen separator. The electrolyte circulatory system further includes a connecting line arranged so that a part of the electrolyte can be pushed out of the hydrogen separator when the inert gas is applied to the oxygen separator so as to displace the gaseous hydrogen.

Abstract: A method for the torque-oriented control of an internal combustion engine in which a set torque is computed from an input variable that represents the desired power, and the set torque is limited to an air mass-dependent maximum torque.

Abstract: A wheeled walker with wheels that are at least seven inches in diameter while having a seat with its top surface less than 20 inches high and accommodating a full size basket by using an inverted “u” shaped lower cross member with spacers that cushion the basket. Spacers carried on a rear upper cross member cushion the seat. The basket includes a pair of opposing vertical wires of substantially greater thickness than adjacent vertical metal wires and which extend upwardly into hooks that support the basket on a front upper cross member. A tubular seat back bears a tubular cushion having a radius of curvature such that the rearmost depth is about 3 to 8 inches, preferably 4 to 7 inches, most preferably 6½ inches, and the arc angle is about 110 to 120 degrees, preferably about 112 to 116 degrees, most preferably about 114 degrees.

Abstract: A generally impermeable mattress cover having expandable sidewalls is provided to enclose a mattress to provide protection against allergens, dust mites, fluids, and other spills and spoils. The cover comprises generally impermeable top and bottom walls, and sidewalls connected at edges between the top and bottom walls. The sidewalls are formed of a double wall construction comprising a generally impermeable inner wall of a fixed height joined at edges to an elastic outer wall. The outer wall stretches and the inner wall extends to accommodate mattresses of different thicknesses. The outer wall can be relaxed and the inner wall retained neatly against the mattress and by the outer wall. An aperture can be provided in the bottom wall for allowing insertion and removal of a mattress and a fastener can be used to close the aperture.

Abstract: A fiber optic probe device having a sampling end positionable over optical fibers is provided. The sleeve could be releasably attached to the fiber optic probe device. The sampling end can be discarded after use, or re-used. A sample chamber including a reflective surface can be formed at the distal end of the sampling end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring material properties using guided-wave THz spectroscopy to measure the complex dielectric functions of materials. A high frequency wave is created and launched along a waveguide positioned in close proximity to a material under test. The wave is sampled initially, allowed to propagate, and sampled again. The samples are processed to derive information, such as resistivity, of the wafer. The method and apparatus of the present invention not only allows one to obtain information about the DC conductivity of metals, but also provides information about the high frequency behavior of materials—metals, and dielectrics as well—which is becoming particularly useful at the time when processor clocks are running at frequencies approaching GHz levels. The present invention provides for non-contact, non-destructive, non-contaminating testing.

Abstract: A process directed to preparing surfactant-polycrystalline inorganic nanostructured materials having designed microscopic patterns. The process includes forming a polycrystalline inorganic substrate having a flat surface and placing in contact with the flat surface of the substrate a surface having a predetermined microscopic pattern. An acidified aqueous reacting solution is then placed in contact with an edge of the surface having the predetermined microscopic pattern. The solution wicks into the microscopic pattern by capillary action. The reacting solution has an effective amount of a silica source and an effective amount of a surfactant to produce a mesoscopic silica film upon contact of the reacting solution with the flat surface of the polycrystalline inorganic substrate and absorption of the surfactant into the surface. Subsequently an electric field is applied tangentially directed to the surface within the microscopic pattern.

Abstract: A Terahertz Optical Asymmetric Demultiplexer (TOAD) having preferably two non-linear elements (NLES) in which the extinction ratio is enhanced by saturating both NLEs when closing a switching window. A data signal input on one port of the TOAD is split onto two optical paths, each including one NLE. The optical paths converge at an output port. To start a switching window, a first control signal is input on an optical path that includes only one of the two NLEs. To close a switching window, one or more control signals are input such that both NLEs receive a control signal at a predetermined time after the first control signal is received by one of the NLEs. Only data signals passing through the first NLE during the switching window are output on the output port. Since both NLEs receive a second control signal at the same time, they decay together and thus avoid creation of unintended switching windows.

Abstract: A method of fabricating low dark current photodiodes is provided. A multi-layer epitaxial structure is provided, wherein a contact epilayer forms the top-most layer of the structure. A diffusion mask is deposited on top of the contact layer, and at least one hole formed therein. Dopant is diffused through the hole and into both the contact epilayer and the underlying epitaxial structure, forming a doped region. A contact mask is then deposited, covering both the diffusion mask and the holes formed therein. The contact mask and contact epilayer are selectively etched, forming contact mesas and exposing portions of the underlying layers. A passivation coating, also serving as an anti-reflective coating and having uniform thickness, is deposited on top of the contact mesa and the exposed portions. Contacts and bond pads are then deposited, forming a complete photodiode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bra that can be worn under a tank top, tube top, tank dress, tube dress, halter top or any other article of minimal, revealing or skimpy clothing, which would normally expose bra straps. The bra has straps that resemble an article of clothing or match an article of clothing. In one aspect of the invention, a bra has straps that look like an article of clothing. The straps can be formed of a uniform material composition along the entire length, i.e. no portion made entirely of elastic. The straps could be wider or thinner than a normal bra strap. In another aspect of the invention, a bra has straps that match an article of clothing, i.e. have the same color or a color that plays off of the color of an article of clothing, and/or contains a design that is identical to or plays off of the color or design of an article of clothing. Also, the straps may look like an article of clothing as opposed to a conventional bra strap.

Abstract: A plastically deformable aqueous ceramic slurry wherein the ceramic particles have on the surfaces thereof a closely-packed anionic surfactant bilayer or an anionic/nonionic surfactant bilayer. Such slurries are produced by: a) dispersing an amount of ceramic particles in an amount of water to form an aqueous ceramic slurry; b) adding an amount of an anionic surfactant or a mixture of an anionic surfactant and nonionic surfactant to such slurry; c) adjusting the pH value of such slurry to adsorb on the ceramic particle surfaces a closely-packed anionic surfactant bilayer or anionic/nonionic surfactant bilayer. Preferably a mixture of surfactants is used, with a mixture of anionic and nonionic surfactants being highly preferred. Examples of preferred combinations are mixtures of the anionic surfactant SDS and a nonionic surfactant selected from octylphenol polyether alcohols (OPE), in particular C8H15Ph(EO)Rwherein R was 3, 5, 9.5 and 12.5.

Abstract: A central station is provided to which the pharmacy can forward calls at the convenience of the pharmacy. A caller will call in to the pharmacy to request a refill and the call will be automatically routed to the central facility unbeknownst to the caller. The central station will obtain the refill information required, preferably by means of an automated computer system as is known in the art. This information can then be transferred to the pharmacist in a number of ways, such as by periodically faxing the information to the pharmacy. Voice messages could be flagged and the pharmacist would have to call into the central facility to obtain the voice mail message. Alternatively, a PC could be installed in the pharmacy having a reduced version of a complete, stand-alone program. The refill information can then be sent to the pharmacy by modem and the pharmacist could see a computer display of the refill orders and could hear voice messages. Alternatively, the information could be e-mailed to the pharmacy.

Abstract: A method of protecting a cementitious mixture from freeze damage is provided. The method consists of incorporating an entrainment air composition into the cementitious mixture to form air voids in the concrete, and further adding an effective agent for nucleating ice, preferably, in the air voids, such that upon the freezing of concrete formed from the cementitious mixture, ice is nucleated in the air voids. In one embodiment, the air entrainment composition includes ceramic shells, which could be impregnated with an agent for nucleating ice such as metaldehyde.

Abstract: The modular molding system of the present invention comprises a plurality of modular molding sections for covering the joint formed between a vertical wall and a ceiling to create a crown molding. The sections, preferably formed of a thin plastic vacuum-molded material, include an angled faced portion and a horizontal alignment portion interconnected with the angled face portion. The molding sections include a first straight end and a second angled end. The angled ends are used for forming coped corner moldings, the angled end of one section contacting the face of another section at a right angle. A desired length of linear molding is formed by overlapping the straight end of a first section over the angled end of a second section. This process can be repeated to form a molding of desired length. The molding sections are flexible to abut to an uneven surface of a vertical wall. The horizontal alignment portion carries an adhesive which allows the molding to be adhered to a ceiling.

Abstract: A refreshment stand is provided for a swimming pool for providing cold beverages to swimmers in a convenient location wherein swimmers do not have to leave the water to get a beverage. The refreshment stand includes a table which may include cup holders, an umbrella interconnected with the table for providing shade to the refreshment stand, and a cooler interconnected with the table, and accessed through the top of the table for storing cold beverages. The refreshment stand is interconnected to the side of a pool by a support system. For an above-ground swimming pool, the support system includes a supporting arm for supporting the refreshment stand against the outside wall of the pool, and a retaining arm for retaining the refreshment stand on the upper edge of the pool. For an in-ground swimming pool, the refreshment stand can be supported on legs with bases in position along side the edge of the pool.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a filter that works on an algorithm that filters out multiuser and multi-path interference. The algorithm is programmed into the DSP processors of receiver handsets and base stations in cellular and multihop wireless radio networks which use the CDMA technology. It can also be implemented in hardware. Additionally, the invention works in a blind manner such that it learns without requiring training samples. The algorithm can be expressed as updating the receiver parameter vector f(n) as: f(n+1)=[I−C(CHC)−1CH][f(n)−mfy(n)yH(n)f(n)]+C(CHC)−1g(n) wherein y(n) is a data vector for each transmitted bit W1(n) from user 1, the receiver will estimate that bit by filtering y(n), i.e. w1(n)=fH(n)y(h), where H denotes Hermitian; g(n) corresponds to the multipath parameters and is updated by a separate revision; and C is a matrix constructed from elements of the desired user's spreading code.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a decorative, resilient, wood product from an engineered structural wood product. The invention includes utilizing a sheet of engineered structural wood product, cutting the sheet lengthwise into planks, stacking the planks and adhering the planks together and slicing the edge grain off the adhered planks and placing the slices side-by-side to form large areas of exposed side grain. The slices can be attached to a substrate, and the slices can be further treated to produce a decorative wood product.

Abstract: An adjustable measuring and marking device is provided. The device has a lower portion with a bottom end and an upper end and an upper portion with a bottom end and an upper end. The upper portion telescopically interconnects with the lower portion. Measurement intervals, such as inches, are marked along the upper and lower sections so that one can use the device as a measuring apparatus. Measurements can be read at the upper end of the bottom portion, off the top portion, in inches, as well as in feet and inches. A friction fit exists between the upper and lower sections so that a measurement obtained by extending the upper section from the lower section so that the entire device is positioned between two points, can easily be transferred to another location, as the relative position of the upper and lower sections are maintained by the friction fit. Overextending the upper portion out of the lower portion is prevented by a locking pin device.

Abstract: A pressure controller is provided for a pressure regulator. The pressure controller controls a pressure regulator to deliver process fluid at a regulated pressure from a variable supply. The pressure controller includes a control pressure source independent of the process fluid. One such pressure source could be compressed air which enters the controller through a restriction. The control pressure passes through the controller to the regulator where it exerts pressure on the pressure regulator. The controller is interconnected with the process fluid line at a point of regulation and senses pressure in a diaphragm chamber of the controller. A valve rides on the diaphragm and a bias is exerted against the valve to oppose pressure on the diaphragm. The bias tends to move the valve to a closed position. The bias means is adjustable. The process fluid pressure in the diaphragm chamber exerts a force on the diaphragm and valve, against the bias, to open the valve.

Abstract: A method of sterilization of a container is provided whereby a cold plasma is caused to be disposed near a surface to be sterilized, and the cold plasma is then subjected to a pulsed voltage differential for producing energized ions in the plasma. Those energized ions then operate to achieve spore destruction on the surface to be sterilized. Further, a system for sterilization of a container which includes a conductive or non-conductive container, a cold plasma in proximity to the container, and a high voltage source for delivering a pulsed voltage differential between an electrode and the container and across the cold plasma, is provided.