Abstract: An audio/visual surveillance system for use in mobile vehicles such as patrol cars includes two video cameras producing video signals and four audio sources producing audio signals. The signals are MPEG-2 compressed and streamed in real time with geographic and time data to a digital cartridge-type tape recorder located in the vehicle. A full patrol car shift is recorded on a single tape and, at the end of the shift, the tape is placed in a master sled bay. An MD5 hash authenticates the data for court use. Up to four videos can be synchronized frame-by-frame for simultaneous monitoring. An MPEG-1 stream is sent via wireless to headquarters in real time. One camera captures data external to the vehicle, while the other captures data internal to the vehicle. One audio source captures audio inside the vehicle and another captures dispatcher communications. The other two audio sources are carried by officers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for magnetically generating an underwater high pressure pulse of sufficient strength to destroy underwater threats utilizes a pair of electrically conductive elements. The electrically conductive elements are arranged substantially parallel with each other and are separated by a gap. A pulse generator supplies an electrical pulse to at least one of the electrically conductive elements, which causes the generation of a magnetic repulsion force between the elements. The magnetic repulsion force causes one the electrically conductive elements to be displaced, thereby inducing a high pressure pulse in the liquid in which the pair of electrically conductive elements is submerged.

Abstract: Diketo- and pyridine-containing chiral crown ligands having at least two chiral bulky groups attached to two different chiral carbon atoms of the crown that are covalently bonded to or coated on suitable solid supports, and further coated by hydrophobic organic solvents are disclosed. These compositions and associated methods are characterized by selectivity of several target amine or amino acid enantiomers over their counter-enantiomers and derivatives. The composition preferably has an ?-value greater than or equal to 4. This allows for the separation of such enantiomers with non-chromatographic resin bed separations of three separation stages or less.

Abstract: An electrostatic fluid acceleration and method of operation thereof includes at least two synchronously powered stages with final or rear-most electrodes of one stage maintained at substantially the same instantaneous voltage as the immediately adjacent initial or forward-most electrodes of a next stage in an airflow direction. A single power supply or synchronized and phase controlled power supplies provide high voltage power to each of the stages such that both the phase and amplitude of the electric power applied to the corresponding electrodes are aligned in time. The frequency and phase control allows neighboring stages to be closely spaced at a distance of from 1 to 2 times an inter-electrode distance within a stage, and, in any case, minimizing or avoiding production of a back corona current from a corona discharge electrode of one stage to an electrode of a neighboring stage.

Abstract: A method of operating a corona discharge device includes producing a high-intensity electric field in an immediate vicinity of at least one corona electrode and continuously or periodically heating the corona electrode to a temperature sufficient to mitigate an undesirable effect of an impurity, such as an oxide layer, formed on the corona electrode.

Abstract: An electrostatic air cleaning device includes an array of electrodes. The electrodes include corona electrodes connected to a suitable source of high voltage so as to generate a corona discharge. Laterally displaced collecting electrodes include one or more bulges that have aerodynamic frontal “upwind” surfaces and airflow disrupting tailing edges downwind that create quite zones for the collection of particulates removed from the air. The bulges may be formed as rounded leading edges on the collecting electrodes and/or as ramped surfaces located, for example, along a midsection of the electrodes. Repelling electrodes positioned between pairs of the collecting electrodes may include similar bulges such as cylindrical or semi-cylindrical leading and/or trailing edges.

Abstract: A device for handling a fluid includes a corona discharge device and an electric power supply. The corona discharge device includes at least one corona discharge electrode and at least one collector electrode positioned proximate each other so as to provide a total inter-electrode capacitance within a predetermined range. The electric power supply is connected to supply an electric power signal to said corona discharge and collector electrodes so as to cause a corona current to flow between the corona discharge and collector electrodes. An amplitude of an alternating component of the voltage of the electric power signal generated is no greater than one-tenth that of an amplitude of a constant component of the voltage of the electric power signal.

Abstract: An axial vane rotary device includes members defining an outer wing and an inner wing, both of which are affixed to the rotor for rotation therewith. The outer wing defines a surface that carries the radially outer ends of the vanes for axial movement thereon. The outer wing forms a seal between the radially outer end of the vanes and the inner face of the annular outer wall of the stator. In addition frictional wear of the vanes is substantially reduced by elimination of sliding contact between the radially outer ends of the vanes and the stationary annular outer wall of the stator. The inner wing axially slidably carries the radially inner ends of the vanes. In this manner, excessive wear on the radially outer and radially inner ends of the vanes is substantially reduced since the only frictional wear experienced by the ends of the vanes is due to the axial movement of the vanes in the rotor slots. Leakage between the inner housing and the rotor is essentially eliminated by the inner wing.

Abstract: An improved vane for axial vane rotary devices such as pumps, compressors and expanders comprising at a pair of axially movable inner housing seal pieces defining and upper camming surface and a lower edge. The vanes are provided with spaces for receiving the seal pieces and the spaces have at least one edge corresponding to the camming surface of the seal piece. In one embodiment a median portion of a single piece vane is cut away to define a space in which the seal pieces are received. In another embodiment the vane is divided into two axially slidable sections and a corner portion of each section is cut away to provide a space for receiving a seal piece. During operation the seal pieces are cammed radially downward during axial movement to bring the lower edge of the seal piece into contact with the inner housing of the device rotor to improve sealing and reduce leakage of pressurized fluid between the vane and the inner housing.

Abstract: An electrostatic fluid acceleration and method of operation thereof includes at least two synchronously powered stages with final or rear-most electrodes of one stage maintained at substantially the same instantaneous voltage as the immediately adjacent initial or forward-most electrodes of a next stage in an airflow direction. A single power supply or synchronized and phase controlled power supplies provide high voltage power to each of the stages such that both the phase and amplitude of the electric power applied to the corresponding electrodes are aligned in time. The frequency and phase control allows neighboring stages to be closely spaced at a distance of from 1 to 2 times an inter-electrode distance within a stage, and, in any case, minimizing or avoiding production of a back corona current from a corona discharge electrode of one stage to an electrode of a neighboring stage.

Abstract: A microturbine for the generation of mechanical and electrical power comprising a positive displacement axial vane rotary compressor and an axial vane rotary expander. The compressor and expander are joined by a common shaft. The system further includes at least one combustor for heating a driving fluid prior to its entering the expander. The driving fluid, such as air, enters the compressor at ambient conditions of pressure and temperature and is compressed. The compressed driving fluid is preheated by the exhaust from the expander, then passes through a combustor to bring its temperature to a desired expander inlet temperature and then enters the expander where the expansion force of the hot driving fluid acting against the vanes of the expander is translated into rotation of the common shaft for driving both the compressor and a suitable power device such as an electrical generator.

Abstract: A non-explosive acoustic source utilizes the combustion of aluminum and water to generate an acoustic pulse. The operation of the non-explosive acoustic source relies on a water/aluminum reaction to generate a burst pressure. The source may be deployed as a single charge or as one element of a multiple charge array and is configurable to explode at variable depths with variable energy levels. The inherent safety of the non-explosive acoustic source obviates the necessity for auxiliary safety features or procedures to protect against inadvertent explosion. As a result, the non-explosive acoustic source facilitates the implementation of sonic detection systems and reduces the operational costs associated with such systems.

Abstract: A method for separating and purifying the active hematinic species (AHS) present in iron-saccharidic compositions, including AHS such as sodium ferric gluconate complex, ferric hydroxide-sucrose complex and ferric saccharate complex and others of similar form and function. The method separates the AHS from one or more excipients and, preferably, lyophilizes the separated AHS. Separation of the AHS permits its analytical quantification, further concentration, purification and/or lyophilization as well as preparation of new and useful products and pharmaceutical compositions, including those useful for the treatment of humans and animals.

Abstract: A device for handling a fluid includes a corona discharge device and an electric power supply. The corona discharge device includes at least one corona discharge electrode and at least one collector electrode positioned proximate each other so as to provide a total inter-electrode capacitance within a predetermined range. The electric power supply is connected to supply an electric power signal to said corona discharge and collector electrodes so as to cause a corona current to flow between the corona discharge and collector electrodes. An amplitude of an alternating component of the voltage of the electric power signal generated is no greater than one-tenth that of an amplitude of a constant component of the voltage of the electric power signal.

Abstract: A method for separating and purifying the active hematinic species present in iron-saccharidic complexes including sodium ferric gluconate complex in sucrose, ferric hydroxide-sucrose complex and ferric saccharate complex and others of similar form and function, based on separation of the iron-saccharidic complex from one or more excipients and, preferably, lyophilization. Separation of the iron-saccharidic complex permits its analytical quantification; further concentration or purification as a new and useful product; preparation of redesigned formulations for new and useful pharmaceuticals; and/or lyophilization.

Abstract: A spark management device includes a high voltage power source and a detector configured to monitor a parameter of an electric current provided to a load device. In response to the parameter, a pre-spark condition is identified. A switching circuit is responsive to identification of the pre-spark condition for controlling the electric current provided to the load device so as to manage sparking including, but not limited to, reducing, eliminating, regulating, timing, and/or controlling any intensity of arcs generated.

Abstract: A method for separating and purifying the active hematinic species (AHS) present in iron-saccharidic compositions, including AHS such as sodium ferric gluconate complex, ferric hydroxide-sucrose complex and ferric saccharate complex and others of similar form and function. The method separates the AHS from one or more excipients and, preferably, lyophilizes the separated AHS. Separation of the AHS permits its analytical quantification, further concentration, purification and/or lyophilization as well as preparation of new and useful products and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for measuring the internal refractive index of an optical fiber preform with high precision. The internal refractive index of an optical fiber preform (2) is measured from the state of bending of a light ray (4) passing across the optical fiber preform (2), so that the refractive index distribution of the optical fiber preform (2) is found on the basis of the angle of bending of the light ray calculated from a specific relation between a light ray start position (8) and a light ray detection position (9). The surface of a light source (1) is scanned by a knife-edge (6) and the light ray start position (8) on the light source is determined depending on the interception of the light ray (4) by the knife-edge (6) or the de-interception of the light ray, thereby learning the start position (8) of the detected light ray (4) on the light source (1).

Abstract: An electrostatic fluid accelerator includes a first number of corona electrodes and a second number of accelerating electrodes spaced apart from and parallel to adjacent ones of the corona electrodes. An electrical power source is connected to supply the corona and accelerating electrodes with an operating voltage to produce a high intensity electric field in an inter-electrode space between the corona electrodes and the accelerating electrodes. The accelerating electrodes may be made of a high electrical resistivity material, each of the electrodes having mutually perpendicular length and height dimension oriented transverse to a desired fluid flow direction and a width dimension oriented parallel to the desired fluid flow direction.

Abstract: An automated inspection system and method enables rapid, remote and non-contact inspection of large objects, utilizing non-destructive inspection techniques, that does not require continuous manual repositioning of the inspection equipment. The inspection system includes a remote controlled robotic vehicle including a sensor package capable of non-destructive inspection of a structure and a mechanism for locating the sensor package at a plurality of inspection sights on the structure; a positioning system for determining the location of the robotic vehicle with respect to the structure to be inspected; a control system for controlling the movement of the robotic vehicle around the structure to be inspected; and an analysis systems for analyzing data generated by the sensor platform.