Abstract: A side thruster comprises a valve, a first water passageway, a second water passageway, a third passageway, a fourth passageway and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The valve housing includes a first, second, third and fourth ports and a two-position barrier situated within the housing. When in the first position, the barrier connects the first port with the second port and the third port with the fourth port. When in the second position, the barrier connects the second port with the third port and the fourth port with the first port. The first passageway extends between the first port and a first side opening on a first side of the boat. The second passageway extends between the third port and a second side opening on a second side of the boat. The third water passageway extends between the second port and the pump outlet. The fourth water passageway extends between the pump inlet and the fourth port.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for upgrading an existing personal control system. The upgrade is achieved by replacing the personnel data input unit of an existing personal control system with a biometric interface device capable of reading physical characteristic and an access control signal in the format of the existing personnel control system.

Abstract: A biometric time and attendance device for scanning an epidermal portion of a human body, generating an epidermal topographical pattern and transmitting the epidermal topographical pattern to a host computer for determining access privileges and for updating epidermal topographical database.

Abstract: Start of fuel delivery for a fuel-injected engine having separate unit injectors is adjusted by effecting a positional adjustment of camshaft lobes on a camshaft. The camshaft is used to operate the unit injectors, as well as control exhaust valve operations. By separately controlling the position of the cam lobes which operate the unit fuel injectors, a change it start of fuel delivery is effected. A change in relative position of the cam lobes is accomplished by shifting a guide rod within a hollow body of the camshaft. The change in position of the guide rod, in turn, effects a change in position of the cam lobes which are connected to the guide rod.

Abstract: A novel texture for providing improved gripping of bare skin on wet surfaces is disclosed. In one embodiment, the novel texture is employed on a swimming pool touchpad assembly (10) at a start/finish end wall (12) of a swimming pool (14). The texture includes distributed ultra-fine particles (44) having a dimension of less than 100 microns and, preferably, less than 50 microns, and provides an unexpected "dry" feeling for enhanced slip resistance.

Abstract: An electronic timing system for controlling the injection angle of a fuel pump, comprising an input sleeve (12), an output drum (36), an intermediate drive sleeve (30), a drive plate (60), a drive yoke (76), and a stepper motor (90). Drive sleeve (30) includes a pair of radially inwardly and outwardly projecting drive pins (32), and drum (36) and input sleeve (12) both include helical slots (38) and (16), respectively, through which pins (32) project. Vertical movement of yoke (76) causes axial movement of drive plate (60) and drive sleeve (30), which causes a relative rotational adjustment of angle between input sleeve (12) and output drum (36), for retarding and advancing the timing of the fuel injection system.

Abstract: A computer architecture having a main memory suitable for the storage of programs and data accessible within a predefined memory address space, a central processor capable of accessing the memory address space and a modified disk operating system program capable of execution from ROM or in a diskless environment. The operating system, upon execution by the processor, provides for the reservation of a first portion of the memory address space for support and application programs, preferably in a disk paradigm, a second portion for dynamic allocation and recovery by the operating system as necessary for the execution of support and application programs, and a third portion, located within said second portion, for the static storage, at predefined addresses, of the executable code segments of the support and application programs. Each support and application program includes an address reference to its corresponding executable code segment, in the third portion of the memory address space.

Abstract: A software architecture is implemented through the execution of instructions by a processor. The software architecture provides a first task for performing a first function in response to the occurrence of an interrupt. The first task is assigned a first priority level that is one of a predetermined set of priority levels. A server task is provided to perform a second function in response to the occurrence of the interrupt. The server task is assigned a second priority level that is between predetermined ones of the priority levels of the predetermined set of priority levels. The second priority level is alternately set higher than the first priority level. The operating system kernel includes a scheduler that selects tasks for execution based on relative task priority level. The kernel includes an interrupt handler that provides for setting the server task in a schedulable state in response to the occurrence of the interrupt.

Abstract: A system for producing spectrally pure optical pumping light at a resonant frequency is disclosed for molecular species and atomic isotopes. A Faraday filter is used as a transmission filter, and the frequency overlap between the output of a light source containing the atomic or molecular material and the spectrum of the Faraday filter allows optically pure pumping light to emanate from the filter. Cross-polarizers are used to further reduce background noise.

Abstract: An apparatus for timing of water-based activities or events, such as, sailboarding, yachting, motorboating and swimming. The apparatus comprises a rigid horizontal support bar, two vertical members attached to the ends of the support bar, buoyant floats attached to the vertical members and a transmitter/receiver package disposed on the vertical members. The apparatus acts as a gate which individuals or water-vehicles passing therethrough are detected or timed by the transmitter/receiver package contained thereon. The apparatus is kept stabilized by being secured to any nearby stationary object and by adapting the submerged portion of the apparatus to provide negative buoyancy.

Abstract: A variable oscillator is disclosed which is adjustable by a user to a desired frequency. A variable reactance element is inserted in series with a crystal resonator, the variable reactance element having characteristics which are dependent upon the conditions of acceleration. The characteristics of the element which is a compensator are substantially complementary to the characteristics of the crystal resonator to balance out said variation of the crystal resonator during conditions of acceleration. There is also provided a variable reactance network connected to the oscillator to adjust the operating frequency of said oscillator.

Abstract: An assembly for a quartz crystal oscillator housed within a can is set forth in which the oven assembly for the crystal is partially formed with metallized circuit boards to which the components for the electrical circuits for controlling the crystal oscillator are connected. A control transistor is directly mounted to one wall of the oven to further provide the major source of heat for the oven while reducing consumption of power.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for examining the response in atomic and molecular resonators to identify and select the maximum resonant peak and the voltage used to cause said peak to be produced. The system is fabricated of modular elements electrically connected to a circuit board to facilitate its construction and transportation with the resonator. A microprocessor is utilized to perform the analysis and to generate information to select the maximum resonant peak, and the system includes means to compare the value of successively generated resonator outputs and to select the output with the maximum peak.

Abstract: A modular display system having a plurality of display modules, a plurality of display signs, a plurality of insertable digit panels, a plurality of insertable spacer panels, and one or a plurality of insertable colon panels. The display system is mounted to a wall and can be reconfigured as different predetermined configurations both as to the number of signs and modules. Each module can be changed to a variety of predetermined configurations. A thumbwheel switch is provided on each module so that with each different configuration, a different setting is entered on the thumbwheel switch thereby reconfiguring control information to display the data properly on each module.

Abstract: The encoded angular position of a rotating object is produced by an electronic digital counter that is clocked by a programmable frequency source. The source frequency is adjusted as necessary by a processor so that the number of counts registered by the counter is the same for each revolution of the rotating object. A sensor provides a signal once during each revolution of the rotating object when it passes some reference angular position. The signal strobes the current count into an output buffer register, resets the counter to zero, and then activates the processor. The processor in turn, checks if the count in the output buffer register is within a given tolerance of the desired count for one revolution, and then, if necessary, programs the source to the correct frequency. Thus, the number of counts for each revolution will remain approximately constant, independent of the angular velocity.

Abstract: The timer is adapted to be attached to a toggle light switch and comprises a body having a trip slide mounted in the body, with the slide having means for receiving and engaging the switch handle for tripping same to operate the lights. Spring means is provided in the body engageable with the slide for urging the slide to turn the lights off. When the slide is moved to compress the spring the lights are turned on. With the lights on, a latch carried by the slide engages the body to maintain the slide latched with the spring compressed. Fluid responsive timing means, located within the body, is engageable with the latch to operate and release the latch from engagement with the body after expiration of a predetermined time interval. Thereafter the compressed spring means moves the slide in a direction to trip the switch handle, thus turning the lights off.

Abstract: An atomic beam tube provides a single sealed envelope structure that serves both as vacuum envelope and as structural member to which the operative components are attached. The envelope is composed of a heavy and relatively rigid frame and a relatively thin and flexible cover sealed to the frame. The operative elements are separately assembled in independent subassembly units which are secured to the frame at a minimum of locations to provide fixed alignment and thermal isolation of the operative elements, and easy disassembly of the tube.