Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring for Red Fail faults in a traffic signal control system. Traffic control signals generated by a traffic control unit are grouped into channels. Certain channels are specified for Red Fail testing in which all lights in a given channel are inactive at the same time. Channels which are not specified are not subject to Red Fail testing, but other conflict testing can still be performed on these unselected channels.

Abstract: A method for passivating sulfidic iron-containing rock comprising: contacting sulfidic iron-containing rock with a magnesium-containing substance, a manganese-containing substance, and a calcium-containing substance; and adjusting the pH of the system to below about 11, is provided. The method can be used to prevent acid rock drainage of metal-bearing rocks or to produce a pretreated ore or rock which can be contacted with a lixiviating agent to extract metals from the pretreated ore or rock.

Abstract: Novel magnetorheological elastomer compositions are provided. The magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) may have aligned or randomly arranged magnetizable particles in a thermoset or thermoplastic matrix. The magnetizable particles may be coated to reduce corrosion and/or improve bonding between the particle and the matrix. The magnetizable particles may be flake-shaped. The MREs may have matrices selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated nitrile rubbers, butyl rubbers, ethylene-propylene copolymers and terpolymers, ethylene-acrylic copolymers, fluorinated elastomers, silphenylene-siloxanes, silarylene-siloxanes, poly(carborane-siloxane-acetylene)s and blends thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of reducing and fixating bone fragments during osteosynthesis is disclosed. An internal fixation plate has first and second arms forming an acute angle. Attachment locations adapted to secure the plate to bone are located at distal portions of the respective arms. A third attachment location is located intermediate the first and second attachment locations. The arms have both a rigid retainer portion to assist in aligning opposing bone fragments and a flexible portion that desirably conforms to the surface of the bone to which it is to be fastened without requiring a surgeon to attempt to bend the plate prior to fastening it to the bone. A method is described for using the plate in combination with a tension-wire method that uses monocortical screws with stainless-steel wire to reduce and fixate a fracture.

Abstract: A multi-sheath multi-conductor cable for use as an oscillator loop. The cable has a plurality of inner wires each having an insulative jacket. An inner electrically insulative flexible sheath surrounds the jacketed wires. A water blocking compound occupies the voids in the volume defined by the inner sheath. A first outer sheath surrounds the inner sheath. A second outer sheath surrounds the first outer sheath. Both outer sheaths are electrically insulative and sufficiently flexible to enable the cable to be formed into a loop having angled corners.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method for making unsubstituted carborane anions and monosubstituted carborane anions of formula: (R—CBn—Hm?)? where n is an integer ranging from 5 to about 11 and m? is an integer ranging from 5 to 16 where the relative values of n and m? depend upon the exact structure of the carborane and the presence of a non-hydrogen substituent. m as used herein is an integer ranging from 5 to 16. When R is hydrogen the anion is unsubstituted. When R is a halogen, a phenyl, a substituted phenyl group, such as fluorophenyl group, or any other substituent, the carborane is substituted. The method is particularly useful for preparation of twelve-vertex carborane anions R—CB11H11?, where R is a defined above, and is specifically useful for preparation of the unsubstituted carborane CB11H12-??, where R is H.

Abstract: A vehicle detector system having a number of individual vehicle detectors each capable of sampling a plurality of vehicle loops in mutual synchronization. One detector operates as a master detector for synchronization purposes; the other detectors are operated as slave detectors. The system can be configured for series or parallel synchronous operation. The system is particularly advantageous in installations requiring a large number of closely spaced vehicle loops each operated by a detector set to high sensitivity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring for Red Fail faults in a traffic signal control system. Traffic control signals generated by a traffic control unit are grouped into channels. A parent-child relationship is established between some channels. When testing for a Red Fail fault, the control signals in both the parent channel and the child channel are examined. A Red Fail fault will occur only if all the control signals examined in both the parent and the child channel are inactive. The control signals examined in the child channel can be limited to the Green and Walk signals; or may include the Yellow signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically testing the integrity of an inductive loop in a vehicle detector system. A check loop is placed adjacent each inductive loop in a multi-channel vehicle detector system. Each check loop is periodically activated by the vehicle detector to simulate a vehicle load on the associated inductive loop. Samples representing loop inductance at different activation periods are compared with a standard. When the result exceeds the standard, the inductive loop is subjected to additional sample testing with decreasing time intervals between sampling. After a number of additional samples exceed the standard, the inductive loop is deemed failed.

Abstract: A tunable vibration isolation device comprising a magneto-rheological elastomer (MRE), and methods of using such a device, are provided. By manipulating a magnetic field within the MRE the device's stiffness is controlled. The vibration isolator can be constructed to provide shock absorption in one, two and three dimensions. Coupling the tunable device to a sensor feedback and a control system provides fast and accurate vibration isolation and energy dissipation for shock events in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A control program controls a digital storage device which stores images from digital camera streams. The control program monitors the status of the digital storage device. When the storage device (or portion thereof allocated for image storage) becomes fall and new information needs to be stored therein, the control program directs the storage device to delete information therein to make room for the new information. This is done based on various data parameters, such as the priority of individual messages or data units, the age of each message or data unit, and the like. For example, when information needs to be deleted from a digital storage device to make room for new information, older data of high priority cameras may be saved instead of newer data of low priority cameras. In this way, efficient use of the digital storage system can be made.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing data collection within a device is disclosed. A device steers a scanning probe in a continuous, non-raster pattern across a specimen. The specimen is supported by a stage, and data is collected in response to interaction between the probe and the specimen to form a data set. Spiral scanning patterns without turnaround regions are utilized in embodiments of the present invention, both with and without rounded corners in the scanning patterns.

Abstract: The disclosed device is directed toward magneto-rheological fluid encasement device. The magneto-rheological fluid encasement device comprises a body having at least one containment element defining an interior and an exterior. A magneto-rheological fluid is disposed in the interior of the at least one containment element. At least one magnetic field is in operative communication with the magneto-rheological fluid.

Abstract: A m thod and apparatus for monitoring for Red Fail faults in a traffic signal control system. Traffic control signals generated by a traffic control unit are grouped into channels. Certain channels are specified for Red Fail testing in which all lights in a given channel are inactive at the same time. Channels which are not specified are not subject to Red Fail testing, but other conflict testing can still be performed on these unselected channels.

Abstract: A malfunction management method and apparatus for monitoring the levels of D.C. voltage supply signals from power supplies used to power associated traffic control equipment. A D.C. voltage from each power supply is checked against a reference threshold value in the malfunction management unit. If either voltage drops below the threshold value for a minimum time period, a fault signal is generated and the operation of the traffic control equipment is overridden. The threshold value used to test the D.C. voltage levels is selectable between the same level for all inputs or different levels for different inputs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically testing the integrity of an inductive loop in a vehicle detector system. A check loop is placed adjacent each inductive loop in a multi-channel vehicle detector system. Each check loop is periodically activated by the vehicle detector to simulate a vehicle load on the associated inductive loop. Samples representing loop inductance at different activation periods are compared with a standard. When the result exceeds the standard, the inductive loop is subjected to additional sample testing with decreasing time intervals between sampling. After a number of additional samples exceed the standard, the inductive loop is deemed failed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring for Red Fail faults in a traffic signal control system. Traffic control signals generated by a traffic control unit are grouped into channels. A parent-child relationship is established between some channels. When testing for a Red Fail fault, the control signals in both the parent channel and the child channel are examined. A Red Fail fault will occur only if all the control signals examined in both the parent and the child channel are inactive. The control signals examined in the child channel can be limited to the Green and Walk signals; or may include the Yellow signals.

Abstract: A vehicle detector system having a number of individual vehicle detectors each capable of sampling a plurality of vehicle loops in mutual synchronization. One detector operates as a master detector for synchronization purposes; the other detectors are operated as slave detectors. The system can be configured for series or parallel synchronous operation. The system is particularly advantageous in installations requiring a large number of closely spaced vehicle loops each operated by a detector set to high sensitivity.

Abstract: A malfunction management method and apparatus for monitoring for conflicts between pedestrian advisory sign control signals and vehicle Ian signal head control signals generated by a traffic control unit. Continuously activated (solid) control signals for pedestrian advisory signs and vehicle lane signal heads are monitored for conflicts between WALK pedestrian signals and GREEN and YELLOW vehicle signals for vehicle lanes potentially conflicting with the pedestrian walk way. Flashing DON'T WALK pedestrian signals and continuously activated Green and YELLOW vehicle signals for potentially conflicting vehicle lanes are also monitored for conflicts. A display indicates which input signal channels are enabled for monitoring in the flashing DON'T WALK mode.