Abstract: A reverse osmosis method includes a sediment filter which cleans feed water from a source and from which that feed water is fed to a reverse osmosis membrane filter. Permeate from the latter is fed to a bladder within a storage tank. Concentrate from the membrane filter is fed to and used within the storage tank as squeeze water for the bladder. When a faucet that delivers permeate to the user is open, squeeze water is used to cause permeate to flow out of the storage tank through an impurity filter to supply the faucet. A valve unit is included to control the amount of squeeze water fed to the storage tank and to regulate permeate flow so that the water outletted from the faucet remains at a constant pressure and provides relief as against overpressure in the system. A proportioning valve within the valve unit serves to maintain at all times a constant ratio of concentrate to permeate flow through the membrane filter for adequate cleansing of the membrane.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for simulating a highly interconnected neural network is disclosed as including a spatial light modulator (SLM), an inputting device, a laser, a detecting device, and a page-oriented holographic component. The inputting device applies input signals to the SLM. The holographic component optically interconnects N.sup.2 pixels defined on the spatial light modulator to N.sup.2 pixels defined on a detecting surface of the detecting device. The interconnections are made by N.sup.2 patterns of up to N.sup.2 interconnection weight encoded beams projected by N.sup.2 planar, or essentially two-dimensional, holograms arranged in a spatially localized array within the holographic component. The SLM modulates the encoded beams and directs them onto the detecting surface wherein a parameter of the beams is evaluated at each pixel thereof.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system includes a sediment filter which cleans feed water from a source and from which that feed water is fed to a reverse osmosis membrane filter. Permeate from the latter is fed to a bladder within a storage tank. Concentrate from the membrane filter is fed to and used within the storage tank as squeeze water for the bladder. When a faucet that delivers permeate to the user is open, squeeze water is used to cause permeate to flow out of the storage tank through an impurity filter to supply the faucet. A valve unit is included to control the amount of squeeze water fed to the storage tank and to regulate permeate flow so that the water outletted from the faucet remains at a constant pressure and provides relief as against overpressure in the system. A proportioning valve within the valve unit serves to maintain at all times a constant ratio of concentrate to permeate flow through the membrane filter for adequate cleansing of the membrane.

Abstract: An adjustable cable clamp assembly for use in positioning ignition leads relative to spark plugs in an aviation engine. A first clamping member is attached to a cable lead, and a second clamping member is attached to an ignition lead assembly. The two clamping members are held at an adjustable pre-selected angle to each other.

Abstract: High strength titanium alloys containing about 45-55% by weight of titanium, about 25-45% by weight of vanadium and 10-20% by weight chromium alloys are disclosed.These latter two components are first alloyed into a master alloy before addition to the titanium resulting in reduced inclusions of vanadium.

Abstract: A barbeque tray designed to support cooked foods has a peripheral drippings groove leading to a basin at one end of the tray, a handle extending from the opposite end of the tray, and a recessed bottom providing a lip at the end opposite the handle. While the handle is held with one hand, the lip is hooked over the rim of the grill, to stabilize the tray while food is transferred to it. The lip also provides a convenient grip for the other hand when carrying food away from the grill.

Abstract: A process for producing a fine grain forged superalloy article having a high yield strength at intermediate temperatures. A preferred starting composition comprises, by weight, 15% Cr, 13.6% Co, 4.1% Mo, 4.6% Ti, 2.2% Al, 0.01% C, 0.007% B, 0.07% Zr, balance Ni. This material is forged at a temperature above the gamma prime solvus and at a true strain of at least 0.5. Alternately, the material may be forged below the gamma prime solvus temperature with intermediate super solvus anneals. The overaged material is then worked at a temperature below the gamma prime solvus. The resultant fine grain material is then heat treated or can be further isothermally forged prior to heat treatment to produce complex shapes.

Abstract: The present invention features a vibration attenuation assembly designed for the protection of single axis instruments such as accelerometers. The assembly includes an inner cylinder housing one or more single axis accelerometers co-aligned with a principle axis of the cylinder. The inner cylinder is suspended by three or more equally spaced springs at each end. In one embodiment, damping fluid is maintained between the inner cylindrical surface of the housing and the suspended cylinder to provide damping and a thermal path. The springs also function as electrical conductors for transmitting power and signals to the accelerometer. Damping fluid retention between the inner and outer cylinder can be accomplished by use of a diaphragm or bellows as a physical barrier. Alternatively, retention of the damping fluid can be accomplished without a physical barrier by use of fluid adhesion which has particular applicability in low gravity environments such as space.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling equipment for operating a spa, provide electrical controls for controlling such equipment, a manual stationary control for manual user operation of these electrical controls, and a manual remote control including a hand-held wireless remote control unit for manual user operation, at least from inside the spa, of the electrical controls operable by the manual stationary control. The manual stationary control is maintained activated for continued manual user operation of the equipment through the electrical controls manually from a control location while the manual remote control remains activated for manual user operation of the equipment through the electrical controls interchangeably with the manual stationary control from the control location and with the hand-held wireless remote control unit at least from inside the spa.

Abstract: A tethered surveillance balloon having a relatively low lift-to-weight ratio (e.g., 1.1) and an aerodynamic device to help maintain the surveillance balloon elevation when subject to high velocity wind conditions at an altitude which is a high percentage of the altitude the surveillance balloon would assume if there was zero wind velocity and all other conditions were the same (e.g. temperature, air density). The surveillance balloon also includes a sensing device such as a TV detector for detecting objects and relaying information to a ground station and with possibly a target designation device, if so desired. The balloon is formed of a material which is virtually, if not entirely, radar and visibly transparent.

Abstract: This invention discloses apparatus and methods for increasing the duty cycle of forward converters up to 90 percent by adding a quasi-resonant network to the primary circuit. The quasi-resonant network removes the parasitic energy from the primary winding of the transformer during the OFF period of the forward converter. The parasitic energy is stored in a capacitor in the quasi-resonant network. A portion of the stored energy is recovered and transferred back to the input energy source. The increased duty cycle enables the forward converter to maintain a substantially constant output voltage over a wide range of input voltages. In addition, the invention requires less parts and is thus more reliable than previous energy recovery networks. It contains no resistors, which accounts for less loss. It also causes less electromagnetic interference than other methods.

Abstract: A binderless coating comprising substantially pure zirconium oxide suspended in an aqueous zirconyl nitrate and ammonium hydroxide gel.

Abstract: A water filter cartridge has a cylindrical shell. A conduit runs between closing end walls and is disposed within a filtration material. There are additional openings in the respective end walls for communicating the flow of water through the material. A water filtration element of a porous medium is shaped to nest within a portion of the shell encircling a corresponding portion of the filtration material and defining space between the medium and the inner side wall of the shell with that space being in the water flow path from one of the end walls and the material through the medium. A reference color is exhibited over a portion of the exterior side wall of the shell adjacent to the location of the medium inside the shell, and the medium exhibits a given color upon beginning of usage but changes color with continued usage in response to its entrapment of matter in the water. The shell is transparent over the medium to enable the user to compare the medium color to the reference color.

Abstract: A method for joining two or more superconducting wires each comprising a bundle of filaments of tin (Sn) and niobium (Nb) contained within a binder metal with a superconducting joint. The filaments on the ends of the wires to be joined are first exposed by etching the binder metal away with acid and then the exposed filaments are intertwined. The exposed filaments are then sealed in a copper-enriched chamber and heated to a temperature and for a time sufficient for the Sn and Nb to diffuse together and form Nb.sub.3 Sn at their interface. Preferably, the filaments are sealed by forming a tubular jacket, placing the tubular jacket over the exposed filaments and the wire ends adjacent thereto, and swaging the ends of the tubular jacket to the wire ends adjacent the exposed filaments.

Abstract: A vehicle having a suspension control system that is especially applicable to an aircargo transport loader which is adapted for storage in a cargo hold of an aircraft. The suspension control system utilizes sensors to monitor the clearance between the vehicle and an underlying or overlying surface such as the ramp leading into a cargo hold or the roof of the cargo hold. The sensors relay information concerning clearance to a central control where the necessary suspension adjustments are made to allow the vehicle to avoid a clearance problem once travel is continued after stopping for the suspension adjustment. The system allows for suspension adjustments to be made either automatically or manually. The invention also includes an under deck support system which allows for limited pitch, yaw, roll and side to side adjustments to be made to the deck with respect to the underlying base frame.

Abstract: An aerial gunnery target system having a visual augmenter release which includes a detention member that is moved to enable a spring biased rod to shift forward. The rod moves a pivoting contact member received within a bracket assembly extending from an end cap secured to the aft end of a towed forebody. The shifting of the rod causes the contact member to pivot so as to move the swivel connector of the visual augmenter from a position fixed within the bracket assembly to a position where the swivel connector is free to slide off. A deployment mechanism is also provided which includes a cutting assembly designed to cut a retention line extending about an end cap formed at the aft end of the forebody and about a two segment visual augmenter cover. A transient force absorbing adaptor is connected between the tow cable and forebody. A cone shaped ballast member redirects projectiles so as to protect the scoring sensor.

Abstract: For use with an oral irrigating appliance which provides a series of pulses of fluid through a flexible hose to a user-held handle, a subgingival delivery tip is in the form of an elongated hollow shank with a knob at one end thereof. Formed at the other end of the shank is an in-turned constriction which defines a passage more narrow than the inner width of the shank. A probe of resilient material has an outer cone-shaped portion projecting away from and with its base seated adjacent to the outer end of the constriction. That probe also has a necked-down central portion continuing centrally from its base through the passage and continuing into an enlarged button-shaped inner portion on the inner end of that central portion with that inner portion being received within the shank in a position seated adjacent to the innermost end of the passage. A channel is pierced centrally through the entirety of all of the different portions of the probe.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating a wire from niobium tin produced in situ in a filamentous structure capable of achieving the superconducting state which comprises overlapping a tin alloy core comprised of tin-magnesium eutectic alloy with alternating layers of copper and foraminous layers followed by drawing the thus-formed niobium filaments into wire, then heating the wire at sufficiently high temperature to cause the eutectic alloy to homogeneously diffuse through the length of the copper wire and rods to react with the Nb, forming the A-15 crystal structure of Nb.sub.3 Sn, characterized by refined grain structure therein and improved current carrying capability.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing a rigid-flex printed circuit wherein a rigid insulating layer supports one portion of the printed circuit and a flexible insulator supports another portion thereof to furnish flexible leads for connection the printed circuit to an operative device, a first assembly is provided comprising a curable prepreg insulator layer having an opening for the flexible leads. A flexible sheet spans the opening, and the assembly is pressed with one surface in contact with a smooth hard surface while the other surface is supported by a flowable curable prepreg layer. The insulator and flowable layers are a release layer which prevents bonding between the prepreg layers throughout most of the areas while permitting bonding along the edges. The assembly is maintained under heat and pressure to partially cure both prepreg layers and bond the flexible sheet to the edges of the opening and bond the edges of the prepregs together to form a flat rigid sandwich.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system includes a sediment filter which cleans feed water from a source and from which that feed water is fed to a reverse osmosis membrane filter. Permeate from the latter is fed to a bladder within a storage tank. Concentrate from the membrane filter is fed to and used within the storage tank as squeeze water for the bladder. When a faucet that delivers permeate to the user is open, squeeze water is used to cause permeate to flow out of the storage tank through an impurity filter to supply the faucet. A valve unit is included to control the amount of squeeze water fed to the storage tank and to regulate permeate flow so that the water outletted from the faucet remains at a constant pressure and provides relief as against overpressure in the system. A proportioning valve within the valve unit serves to maintain at all times a constant ratio of concentrate to permeate flow through the membrane filter for adequate cleansing of the membrane.