Abstract: The present invention provides a device for testing the abrasiveness of paper and other sheet materials. The device comprises a punching module, a feed module for moving the material, a holding module that holds the material while the punching module penetrated the material, and an instrument that records and analyzes the amount of force needed to punch through the material and then calculates the abrasive properties of the material. The punching module comprises a punching instrument for punching the material, a driving mechanism for operating the punching instrument, and a measurement system that measures the amount of the force required to punch the material. A method for using the device is also provided.

Abstract: A bandpass analog to digital converter includes M single channel delta sigma modulators having N-bit quantizer outputs arranged in a parallel configuration and operated at a predetermined sample frequency (fs). The modulator outputs are time interleaved and digitally combined in a manner that provides performance characteristics comparable to a modulator with a sample frequency of Mfs. Thus, bandpass center frequencies that are much higher than conventional single channel architectures are achievable. Single channel first order modulator bandpass center frequencies are restricted to fc=fs/4. However, a range of center frequencies approaching Mfs/2 is supported. This increased frequency capability is obtained while maintaining the delta sigma noise shaping near the higher bandpass center frequencies to reduce the effects of quantization noise. This results in a high signal to noise ratio with a corresponding high resolution at the much higher center frequencies.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus change speeds between a drive shaft and a driven shaft during power transmission between the shafts. Fixed diameter drive and driven wheels are secured to the shafts and a continuous elastic belt interconnects the drive wheel and the driven wheel. As power is transmitted between the shafts, one side of the elastic belt extending between the wheels is placed in tension and elongated in proportion to the tension while the other side of the elastic belt is untensioned and not elongated. The elongated portion of the belt remains elongated as it passes around the wheel which is driving and the slack portion of the belt remains relaxed as it passes around the wheel which is being driven. To accommodate the elongated state of the belt, the driving wheel must go faster than the driven wheel with the speed difference being dependent upon the amount of power being transmitted between the wheels and hence the amount of elongation of the elongated portion of the belt.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing polycrystalline superconductor materials which utilizes a zdense and non-polluting 211 substrate which has been pre-sintered prior to melt processing with a 123 superconducting material. The resulting melt-processed material may be fabricated into a 123 superconductor having a single crystal size of up to 60 mm long which can carry very high current of up to about 1,500 A at 1 .mu.V/cm criterion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the measurement of structural width and density with a CT scanner. The density of a particular structure is determined by establishing a radial density profile of a structure, identifying a peak density value along said density profile, interpolating a first curve of density versus width from a point defined by the structural width and the peak density value, and identifying a maximum density value of said first curve to establish a structural density value. The width of the structure is determined by identifying first and second radial positions corresponding to respective points on said radial density profile where the profile rises above and falls below first and second threshold values, measuring a difference between said first radial position and said second radial position, and determining the width of the structure as a function of the measured difference.

Abstract: This invention includes a computed tomography (CT) system which has the ability to quantitate cortical bone. Based on a series of specialized phantom measurements, the characteristics of the CT scanner with respect to the evaluation of cortical bone are established. The resulting characteristics provide the input to a specific algorithm that analyzes cross-sectional images containing cortical bone.

Abstract: A process is provided for creating a high resolution copy of a target video frame selected from a sequence of video frames, wherein each video frame comprises two interlaced fields.

Abstract: A heat pipe is disclosed for use in a vapor-absorption heat pump to provide high efficiency heat transfer between first and second fluids in contact with opposing first and second faces of the heat pipe. Although preferably disk-shaped and adapted for rotation for use in compact heat pumps, the heat pipe may be used in heat pump applications requiring other shapes, and may be either fixed or moving. In a further aspect of the invention, a vapor-absorption heat pump is provided incorporating at least one such heat pipe in at least one component thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus operate an optical memory to perform bit-slice associative memory operations by storing a plurality of keywords to define a keyword database and accessing the database by means of one of the keywords. Preferably, the plurality of keywords are unique and are used to retrieve data which corresponds individually to the keywords. Operation of the memory is by identification of a keyword, the location of which is to be determined within the memory, for example for data retrieval. The identified keyword is then used effectively as a retrieval mask to access the plurality of keywords. The keyword database and its complement are stored in an optical device with the keyword to be retrieved and its complement being stored in recall optical devices. The keyword database or its complement is repetitively swept by shifting output columnar vectors by one bit position until all bit positions have been swept.

Abstract: A temperature regulation system for the human body is provided which uses heat pipes to distribute energy to and from portions of a body to provide heating or cooling by redistributing body heat. The heat pipes are incorporated into a garment, a blanket and a pad which may be used for medical treatment or activities or for activities in environments having extreme temperatures. Supplemental means for heating and cooling are included to improve heating or cooling to a body, and to provide heating or cooling to limited areas of a body.

Abstract: A protective composite liner for installation inside a vessel, such as a supertanker, is proposed with an outer layer of high strength fibers, a middle layer of flexible, high strength, resilient film material, and an inner chemical resistant layer. Means for anchoring the protective composite liner and sensor means for detecting a leak are further provided for use with the liner of the present invention.

Abstract: A heat pipe is disclosed for use in a vapor-absorption heat pump to provide high efficiency heat transfer between first and second fluids in contact with opposing first and second faces of the heat pipe. Although preferably disk-shaped and adapted for rotation for use in compact heat pumps, the heat pipe may be used in heat pump applications requiring other shapes, and may be either fixed or moving. In a further aspect of the invention, a vapor-absorption heat pump is provided incorporating at least one such heat pipe in at least one component thereof.

Abstract: A powered transfer and transport system is provided to permit disabled individuals increased mobility and freedom of movement. The powered system performs as a wheelchair in one configuration and as a bed in another, and provides powered mechanisms for variously positioning the seating surface which are operable by the occupant from the seating surface. The powered system includes mechanisms for laterally shifting, elevating, rotating, reclining and driving the seating surface. Enhanced mobility and freedom of movement for the individual results, improving the capability for independent living and expanding employment opportunities.

Abstract: A method of improving image resolution by interpolation combines the concept of convolution with a parameter-controlled mask, with the concept of adjustment of the mask based on edge information. In the method, first the edge information is extracted from the original image data, and then interpolated to the size to which the original image data will be interpolated. With the guidance of the interpolated edge information, the interpolation process will produce an image with high contrast but minimal artifacts. A spline-under-tension function is applied to generate interpolated values, the function being modified for image data points located close to edges.

Abstract: The multiple frequency impedance measurement system of the present invention permits noninvasive examination of living tissue at any one of a plurality of frequencies. Precise frequency control is provided by a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit which is adjustable among at least a plurality of frequencies by locking the loop to the output signal generated by a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) divided by a selectable divisor. By selecting the divisor of the output signal of the VCO, the frequency is changed and, due to the use of a PLL circuit, each selected frequency is stably maintained. Electrodes connecting the circuit to tissue to be monitored are driven by a high-Q filter and buffer amplifier which convert the square wave output from a voltage controlled clipper circuit to a sine wave signal. The clipper circuit receives the output signal from the VCO and is part of a feedback loop which maintains a constant examination current for the system.

Abstract: Optical computing cells or logic cells are constructed of two or more spatial light rebroadcasters (SLR's). Data or information images in the form of light are written into and read from the SLR's with the SLR's being controlled to process the data in a desired manner. The logic cells can be used generally to construct optical computers and are particularly adapted to the construction of optical subsystems for a digital optical computer. In addition, the logic cells can be used for performing masking, interface, intermediate storage and other operations within an optical computer. Cells made up of only SLR's can be used directly for many applications. The cells also can be modified by the internal or external addition of other optical elements for routing light between or among SLR's of the cells, processing and/or blocking light as the light passes between SLR's of the cells. Such modifications and adaptations complement cells made up only of SLR's to form a family of optical logic cells.

Abstract: A thermal management system includes micro heat pipes extending radially outward from a heat sink which surrounds a heat source, rapidly conducting thermal energy away from the heat source, improving significantly the storage of thermal energy in the heat sink, and providing a means for later dissipating thermal energy from the heat sink to an ultimate heat sink over a period of time.

Abstract: A modified tube and shell heat exchanger is comprised of a tube of heat sink material having micro heat pipes extending outward into the volume between the tube and shell to enable the rapid and efficient transfer and storage of thermal energy into the heat sink from a liquid or gas circulated through the volume. Several embodiments of the invention include modifications to the heat pipes. An alternative embodiment reverses the location of the heat sink to fill the volume between the shell and tube, adapting the tube for fluid flow, and orients heat pipes inward into the tubes and outward beyond the shell in various arrangements. The heat exchanger is further shown embodied in a system for the removal, transfer, storage and dissipation of thermal energy from a heat source for ground-based and space-based applications.

Abstract: A rotator cuff therapeutic exercise apparatus is provided which includes a stack of weights supported on a frame for movement along a working stroke from a rest position against gravitational force to a displaced position and an actuator mechanism on the frame adapted to be gripped and rotated by a hand of a user to move the weights along the working stroke. The actuator mechanism is positionable in either first or second configurations for permitting a corresponding rotational working motion of the one of the user's arms whose hand grips the actuator mechanism. For transmitting the rotational motion of the user's arm to move the weights, a ratchet-type mechanism is provided which is connected to the actuator mechanism and allows internal and external rotation of the arm and for accomplishing positive and negative work therewith.

Abstract: A method for the alleviation of both motion sickness and chemically-induced emesis is provided which includes the administration of a nontoxic, therapeutically effective amount of a composition which stimulates serotonin-1A receptors in a mammal in need of such treatment. The preferred compounds for use are buspirone and 8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propylamino)-tetralin (8-OH-DPAT).