Abstract: A compact long-life smart card reader consisting of a housing with a tapered card opening, a card receiving area, a plurality of contacts located above the card receiving area connected to an integral printed circuit board which is mounted in a carrier on a pivot characterized by an actuating tab on each arm of said pivot that, when contacted by a smart card's leading edge, causes the pivot element to move the contacts through apertures in the bottom housing into the card receiving area, making connection with the smart card's respective contact pads, after which the front edge of the card activates a card seated switch via a switch lever. The compact long-life smart card reader's housing contains either through holes, or threaded inserts that are used for mounting the reader to an enclosure, or terminal housing without the requirement of other compact smart card readers that require an external printed circuit board for electrical connection and mounting of the smart card readers' housing.

Abstract: Slide-rule type devices for music study. Requires two printed parts that slide relative to each other; or three parts in the special case of a device for studying violin. Information on one of the parts is viewed through the other part. When employed together, the two parts reveal information most relevant in a particular musical scale or key, and obscure the information not normally used in that key. Multiple embodiments are possible, allowing a device to be constructed specific to a given instrument such as a violin or guitar, but the concept is not limited to stringed instruments, or any instrument. Similar devices could be made to facilitate music study for voice students, songwriters and arrangers. One of the sliding pieces is printed with all the available notes or tones, say, in the range of an instrument like a guitar. In the most likely embodiment, the other piece contains a transparent window printed with a series of geometric shapes of varying colors.

Abstract: An ORing element for use in a power supply and/or power system. The ORing element may include a field effect transistor (FET), a first bi-polar transistor and a second bi-polar transistor. The FET may be electrically connected between an input and an output. The first bipolar transistor may have an emitter electrically connected to the source of the FET and a collector electrically connected to a gate of the FET. The second bi-polar transistor may be diode connected, with its emitter electrically connected to its base. The emitter of the second bi-polar transistor may also be electrically connected to the base of the first bi-polar transistor. The collector of the second bi-polar transistor may be electrically connected to the drain of the FET.

Abstract: An ORing element for use in a power supply and/or power system. The ORing element may include a field effect transistor (FET), a first bi-polar transistor and a second bi-polar transistor. The FET may be electrically connected between an input and an output. The first bipolar transistor may have an emitter electrically connected to the source of the FET and a collector electrically connected to a gate of the FET. The second bi-polar transistor may be diode connected, with its emitter electrically connected to its base. The emitter of the second bi-polar transistor may also be electrically connected to the base of the first bi-polar transistor. The collector of the second bi-polar transistor may be electrically connected to the drain of the FET.

Abstract: A reporting regulator for use in a gas transportation system includes an electrical interconnection that couples a plurality of input ports to a processor and a memory. Sensor data is received at the input ports and the data is stored into the memory. The reporting regulator is assigned a unique identification number such as a MAC address. The reporting regulator marks the received sensor data with attributes such as an identification number, a time stamp or a date stamp. After marking the data, the data is transmitted to a database location. The marked data can be reassembled in time and space by a central computer using the attributes. A processor can utilize this data to monitor, characterize and control an entire gas transportation system. System events can be pinpointed in time and space using the marked data. Further, system characterization and performance metrics can be utilized to improve system efficiency, emergency management, scheduling of preventive maintenance, and billing methods.

Abstract: A flow measurement module is adapted to operate in conjunction with a control valve assembly to measure a flow rate of a fluid though a flow passage regulated by the control valve assembly. The flow measurement module is communicatively coupled to an intelligent positioner within the control valve assembly to receive data pertaining to the position of the throttling element within the flow passage. The position of the throttling element is used to identify at least one associated valve sizing coefficient. The flow measurement module determines the flow rate of the fluid through the flow passage based on a sensed upstream pressure, a sensed downstream pressure and the valve sizing coefficient associated with the position of the throttling element within the flow passage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new cyclic heptapeptide, trunkamide A, with antitumor activity. The compound trunkamide A has been isolated from a Lissoclinum sp. collected on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

Abstract: A releasable brake pedal system 10 for a vehicle includes a pedal assembly 12 operatively engageable by the driver of the vehicle and a hydraulic actuator assembly 20 for generating pressurized hydraulic fluid for actuating one or more brakes 44A-44D. The pedal system 10 further includes a pressure release valve 30 or 30′ coupled in fluid communication with the pressurized hydraulic fluid. The pressure release valve 30 or 30′ is operative to reduce the amount of pressure applied to the brakes 44A-44D during a detected vehicle deceleration indicative of a collision event. The pressure release valve 30 is responsive to a deceleration sensor 40 according to one embodiment, and valve 30′ employs a deceleration sensitive inertial mass 76 according to another embodiment. Accordingly, the pedal system 10 reduces forces that may otherwise be transferred to the pedal assembly 12 during a collision.

Abstract: A flow measurement module is adapted to operate in conjunction with a control valve assembly to measure a flow rate of a fluid though a flow passage regulated by the control valve assembly. The flow measurement module is communicatively coupled to an intelligent positioner within the control valve assembly to receive data pertaining to the position of the throttling element within the flow passage. The position of the throttling element is used to identify at least one associated valve sizing coefficient. The flow measurement module determines the flow rate of the fluid through the flow passage based on a sensed upstream pressure, a sensed downstream pressure and the valve sizing coefficient associated with the position of the throttling element within the flow passage.

Abstract: A releasable brake pedal system 10 for a vehicle includes a pedal assembly 12 operatively engageable by the driver of the vehicle and a hydraulic actuator assembly 20 for generating pressurized hydraulic fluid for actuating one or more brakes 44A-44D. The pedal system 10 further includes a pressure release valve 30 or 30´ coupled in fluid communication with the pressurized hydraulic fluid. The pressure release valve 30 or 30´ is operative to reduce the amount of pressure applied to the brakes 44A-44D during a detected vehicle deceleration indicative of a collision event. The pressure release valve 30 is responsive to a deceleration sensor 40 according to one embodiment, and valve 30´ employs a deceleration sensitive inertial mass 76 according to another embodiment. Accordingly, the pedal system 10 reduces forces that may otherwise be transferred to the pedal assembly 12 during a collision.

Abstract: A releasable brake pedal system 10 for a vehicle includes a pedal assembly 12 operatively engageable by the driver of the vehicle and a hydraulic actuator assembly 20 for generating pressurized hydraulic fluid for actuating one or more brakes 44A-44D. The pedal system 10 further includes a pressure release valve 30 or 30′ coupled in fluid communication with the pressurized hydraulic fluid. The pressure release valve 30 or 30′ is operative to reduce the amount of pressure applied to the brakes 44A-44D during a detected vehicle deceleration indicative of a collision event. The pressure release valve 30 is responsive to a deceleration sensor 40 according to one embodiment, and valve 30′ employs a deceleration sensitive inertial mass 76 according to another embodiment. Accordingly, the pedal system 10 reduces forces that may otherwise be transferred to the pedal assembly 12 during a collision.

Abstract: A reporting regulator for use in a gas transportation system includes an electrical interconnection that couples a plurality of input ports to a processor and a memory. Sensor data is received at the input ports and the data is stored into the memory. The reporting regulator is assigned a unique identification number such as a MAC address. The reporting regulator marks the received sensor data with attributes such as an identification number, a time stamp or a date stamp. After marking the data, the data is transmitted to a database location. The marked data can be reassembled in time and space by a central computer using the attributes. A processor can utilize this data to monitor, characterize and control an entire gas transportation system. System events can be pinpointed in time and space using the marked data. Further, system characterization and performance metrics can be utilized to improve system efficiency, emergency management, scheduling of preventive maintenance, and billing methods.

Abstract: A crash control system for vehicles employs pre-crash surrogate signals to predict a potential crash. The predictive signals may be generated by activation of the vehicle's anti-lock brakes, or by a sensor that detects rate of brake pedal travel indicating panic braking or by advanced radar systems. The pre-crash signals may be used to ready various safety systems on the vehicle, such as chassis and suspension systems, dynamic body systems, interior occupant protection systems and other systems that function to improve vehicle's crash worthiness or assist in improving vehicle stability or control. The pre-crash signals may also be used to modify the normal trigger points of safety systems to improve the timing of their response.

Abstract: A new cyclic heptapeptide, trunkamide A, with antitumor activity has been isolated from a Lissoclinium sp. collected on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

Abstract: A first-in first-out buffer memory with improved status flags to indicate not only memory empty and memory full conditions, but to further indicate conditions such as almost empty, almost full and half-full is disclosed. To generate the flags, counters continuously count the number of write and read operations, with a subtractor coupled thereto providing as an output the difference between the two counts. Time delay circuits initiated by write or read operations provide time delays sufficient to enable the counters and the subtractor to settle before clocking the result into a latch. The output of the latch is decoded, with a further time delay circuit clocking the decoder output thereinto to provide output signals for the foregoing status flags. The use of the time delay circuits and the clocking of status flags avoids any significant flag invalid time, making the flag signals constantly monitorable without regard to the timing of read and write operations.

Abstract: A fast EPROM programmable logic array cell utilizing a MOSFET to drive the output of the EPROM array cell which is coupled to a product term. The MOSFET has a current path which is coupled to the product term to modulate the binary status of the product term under control of an MOS EPROM field effect transistor which is coupled to the MOSFET. The MOSFET is other than an EPROM field effect transistor.

Abstract: A depletion load element for connection between a supply line V.sub.CC and a node 10 includes an enhancement mode field effect transistor 12 having a source 14 connected to the node 10, a gate 15 connected to the supply line, and a drain 25 connected to a second node; and a depletion mode field effect transistor 20 having a drain 21 connected to the supply line V.sub.CC and having a source 23 connected to the second node. The gate 22 is connected to one of the first or second nodes.