Abstract: A method and apparatus for diamond wire cutting of metal structures, such as nuclear reactor vessels, is provided. A diamond wire saw having a plurality of diamond beads with beveled or chamfered edges is provided for sawing into the walls of the metal structure. The diamond wire is guided by a plurality of support structures allowing for a multitude of different cuts. The diamond wire is cleaned and cooled by CO2 during the cutting process to prevent breakage of the wire and provide efficient cutting. Concrete can be provided within the metal structure to enhance cutting efficiency and reduce airborne contaminants. The invention can be remotely controlled to reduce exposure of workers to radioactivity and other hazards.

Abstract: A glow plasma discharge device having an electrode (20, 40) covered with perforated dielectric (30) is disclose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI) and jamming in Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers operating on rolling or spinning platforms and/or environments is provided. An antenna system having a pair of diametrically-mounted elements provides interferometric cancellation for spatial and polarization nulling of interference signals. The antenna system, operating in conjunction with multiplexing and anti-jamming electronics, provides interference suppression for a GPS receiver connected thereto. Interference cancellation is provided in jamming and non-jamming environments by selectively employing spatial or polarization nulling of the interference signal.

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 lifting apparatus having a stabilizer for providing support and stabilization during lifting of an object is provided. A conventional lifting mechanism, such as a hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical jack, provides force for lifting an object and is attached at a top end to the stabilizer. The stabilizer comprises an upright portion including a shoulder for attaching the stabilizer to the lifting mechanism, a toe portion near the bottom end of the upright portion, an adjustable stabilizing arm for providing support and stabilization, and a mechanism for adjusting the upright arm. The toe portion can be positioned underneath the object to be moved, and the upright arm moved against the side of the object. Support and stabilization of the lifting apparatus and the object is provided by the stabilizer during lifting and when the object is suspended above the floor.

Abstract: An automated prescription transcription and dispatch service using voice recognition and a customizable, user-friendly telephony interface is provided. A doctor or other medical personnel can call a prescription services system, and provide spoken prescription information. The call can be placed directly to the prescription services system using the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or Voice-over-IP (VoIP) connection, or can be forwarded to the prescription services system from a telephone number corresponding to a pharmacy. The system prompts the user through audible menus to provide prescription and patient information. The spoken information is digitized, recorded, and stored in the prescription services system, and then transcribed into textual format. The transcribed prescriptions are then transmitted to the doctor or medical personnel via variety of communication methodologies, such as fax, e-mail, XML, and electronic data interchange, for confirmation, review, and record keeping purposes.

Abstract: Highly reactive, stable tetramanganese-oxo cubane complexes, their synthesis and their use as a functional catalyst for in vitro O2 production. Preferred complexes are i) a tetramanganese-oxo cubane complex having the formula L6Mn4O4, wherein Mn4O4, is a cubane core and L6 are six facially-capping bidentate ligands bridging between the Mn atoms; ii) a manganese-oxo-pyramid complex having the formula L6Mn4O3, wherein Mn4O3, is a pyramidal core and L6 are six bidentate ligands bridging between the Mn atoms; and iii) a manganese-oxo-butterfly complex having the formula L6Mn4O2 or L5Mn4O2, wherein Mn4O2, is a butterfly core and L6 or L5 are six or five bidentate ligands bridging between the Mn atoms. Preferred ligands are carboxylate, phosphinate or diphenylphosphinate ligands. These catalysts may be used for the oxidation of water to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide and may also be used to catalyze the oxidation of chloride and simple chloride compounds to chlorine gas.

Abstract: A flowmeter is provided for measuring the flow rate of liquids, particularly liquids with solids suspended therein, or corrosive liquids, by measuring a flow without any contact between the sensing elements of the flowmeter and the liquid. The flowmeter is connected to upstream piping and downstream piping. Interconnected with the upstream piping is a first expansion joint, a tapered nozzle and a second expansion joint of smaller diameter. Extending from the second expansion joint is a reversed tapered nozzle connected to the downstream piping. One or more strain gauges, or a strain gauge assembly, is interconnected with the second expansion joint. The force of flow on the tapered nozzle creates a higher velocity flow within the tapered nozzle and then an expansion thereafter. This tends to urge the expansion nozzle, and the second expansion joint connected thereto, towards the upstream piping. Such movement is measured by th7e strain gauges.

Abstract: A connector is provided for the electrical and mechanical connection of components of a system. The connector includes plug and receptacle components. The plug has a central pin surrounded by a plurality of lamellae. An actuator is positioned about the lamellae for controlling the movement thereof. The receptacle has a pin housing corresponding to the central pin of the plug. Additionally, the receptacle includes a plurality of lamellae for mating with the plug lamellae. Like the plug, the receptacle includes an actuator for controlling movement of the receptacle lamellae. The plug lamellae and the receptacle lamellae have corresponding shoulders at the free ends thereof for engagement for interconnecting the plug and the receptacle. The actuators about the plug lamellae and receptacle lamellae control movement thereof and can be engaged to allow for the disconnection of the plug and the receptacle.

Abstract: The tobacco substitute composition according to the present invention is comprised of 80-90 weight percent of eucommia ulmoides, 1-10 weight percent of glycyrrhiza glabra, and 1-10 weight percent of periila frutescens. In the present invention, a flavoring material which is generally added to the composition of a tobacco such as a sodium chloride, glycerol, sweetener, spices, etc. may be added.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an X-ray source (112), a monochromator (118), a goniometer (170), a position sensitive detector (150), a mechanism to rock or rotate the sample or the X-ray source and computer means (160) for interpreting the data obtained at the position sensitive detector. The method of the present invention includes the steps of generating an X-ray; narrowing the wavelength of the X-ray beam; allowing the particles to diffract the beam; detecting the diffracted beam with a position sensitive detector, collecting the diffraction data from individual particles; rocking or rotating the specimen or the X-ray source for successive times to cover the angular range of reflection of the particles; compilation of the diffraction data in the computer memory to construct the intensity profile for the individual particles; and interpreting the data to determine particle size and particle size distribution.

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 p channel thin-film transistor (TFT) made of directly deposited microcrystalline silicon (uc-Si). The p TFT is integrated with its n channel counterpart on a single uc-Si film, to form a complementary metal-silicon oxide-silicon (CMOS) inverter of deposited uc-Si. The uc-Si channel material can be grown at lower temperatures by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition in a process similar to the deposition. The p and n channels share the same uc-Si layer. The Figure shows the processing steps of manufacturing the TFT, where (12) represents the uc-Si layer of the device.

Abstract: A backpack entertainment system with detachable speaker pockets is provided. The speaker pockets can be detached from the backpack and positioned separately therefrom to provide an enhanced stereo sound quality and/or ambience. Audio equipment within the backpack is connected to the speakers. The speaker pockets preferably comprise canvas or other like material, and can be quickly and easily attached to and detached from the backpack by zippers or other similar means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for detecting and locating leaks in a pipeline. Pattern match filtering is used to reduce false alarm rate, increase sensitivity and improve leak location accuracy, while quickly detecting leaks by the acoustic signal generated from a leak event in pipelines containing gas or liquid under pressure. The pattern match filter technique detects a pressure wave generated by a leak, but discriminates against background noise and pressure disturbance generated by other non-leak sources that might otherwise be detected as a leak. The pattern match filter derives a sharp peaked output from the signal of the expansion wave which allows for a distinctive point of reference for a time stamp. This provides for improved accuracy in leak location calculations. The pattern match filter is incorporated into site processors located at multiple points along a pipeline, and at a central node processor which receives data from all site processors.