Abstract: The present invention is directed to an AOA (angle of attack) vertical control function for an AFCS (automated flight control system) for an aircraft. The AOA vertical control function of the AFCS causes the aircraft to climb or descend while maintaining the aircraft at a constant AOA. The AFCS may maintain the constant AOA despite changing air data parameters by increasing or decreasing the thrust of the aircraft, the pitch angle of the aircraft, or the angle of incidence of the aircraft wing. By utilizing AOA, an aircraft can be safely directed to automatically climb or descend to any altitude the aircraft is capable of reaching without the risk of stall (unlike Vertical Speed Mode) or the irritation of the FLCH (Flight Level Change) Mode erratic climb.

Abstract: A system and method identify hydrocarbon productive reservoir zones using Monte Carlo numerical analysis to account for uncertainties in log measurements and petrophysical parameters. Random errors in logging tool responses and core measurements, as well as reservoir heterogeneity, are incorporated in a Monte Carlo simulation to output appropriate petrophysical models to calculate statistical distributions for saturation and permeability to define productive zones, non-productive zones and zones of undetermined productivity as a basis of deciding whether additional logging, core sampling or well test data are needed to reclassify the undetermined zones as either productive or non-productive. As uncertainties are quantified in the analysis, the degree of certainty in determining productive and non-productive zones is known and can be used to decide whether to further test, stimulate or abandon reservoir zones.

Abstract: Bulk material measurement packages are described including the preferred embodiment of an automated instrument package (AIP) suited to mount on the inside ceiling of a large silo. The gimbaled AIP vertical mounting bracket rotates in an approximate 360° azimuth. An instrument housing is mounted to the vertical mounting bracket, and it rotates approximately 190° in a vertical plane. The instrument housing has at least one range finding sensor such as a scanning laser to measure the top surface contours of the bulk material. The instrument housing can also contains other sensors such as air and quality instruments including temperature, humidity, spectral recognition sensor to detect grain/material type and/or flow rate, gas detectors for sniffing off-odors/spoilage/or safety problems, and live video. Optionally grain penetrating radar (GPR), time domain reflectometry (TDR), ultrasonics, and portable sensors are taught as well as alternate packaging.

Abstract: Bulk material measurement packages are described including the preferred embodiment of an automated instrument package (AIP) suited to mount on the inside ceiling of a large silo. The gimbaled AIP vertical mounting bracket rotates in an approximate 360° azimuth. An instrument housing is mounted to the vertical mounting bracket, and it rotates approximately 190° in a vertical plane. The instrument housing has at least one range finding sensor such as a scanning laser to measure the top surface contours of the bulk material. The instrument housing can also contains other sensors such as air and quality instruments including temperature, humidity, spectral recognition sensor to detect grain/material type and/or flow rate, gas detectors for sniffing off-odors/spoilage/or safety problems, and live video. Optionally grain penetrating radar (GPR), time domain reflectometry (TDR), ultrasonics, and portable sensors are taught as well as alternate packaging.

Abstract: An enhanced electronic encyclopedia is provided. The encyclopedia includes a database of articles stored in one or more memories. The database of articles includes base articles with article titles, article text and an objective rating. The database of articles also includes supplemental articles corresponding to base articles with a selected objective rating. Each supplemental article has an icon which identifies characteristics of the supplemental article. The encyclopedia also includes a processor, an input device and an output device. A method for creating an enhanced electronic encyclopedia is also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides an interactive educational apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a memory which has a reference database having plural topics, an objective rating for each topic relative to the other topics, and at least one question for selected topics. The memory also includes an educational module configured for interface between the user and the reference database. The apparatus also has a processor for executing the module, a display for displaying the questions for selected topics, and an input device for communicating to the processor user responses to questions. This invention also provides an interactive educational method for creating and using the apparatus.

Abstract: An enhanced electronic reference having a memory with a database of entries. The database of entries includes general entries and topic entries. Each general entry has a general word, a general definition and a tag identifying each definition as general. Each topic entry has a topic word, a topic definition and a topic tag which identifies the topic from which the topic word is selected. The memory also includes a series of commands to retrieve and communicate the general and topic definitions. The enhanced electronic reference also includes an input device for receiving a selected topic and a selected word, an output device for communicating general and topic definitions and a processor for executing the commands.

Abstract: An environmental evaporation chamber for preparing analytical samples is constructed of a plurality of separable, preferably glass, components especially designed for ease of use and low-cost manufacture. The chamber comprises an open-ended cylindrical body portion with a plurality of legs on one end thereof, a bottom tray on which the body portion is placed with the legs resting thereon to provide a gap for the exhaust of a purge gas, and a top cover which fits snugly on the upper edge of the body portion. A purge gas is introduced via a gas inlet adjacent the upper edge of the body portion and flows therethrough and exits through the gap at the lower edge of the body portion. A sample support may be provided in the body portion to raise the height of the sample into closer proximity to a heating element disposed above the top cover. A method of using the evaporation chamber involves removal and replacement of only the top cover component without the need to move the other components.

Abstract: An enhanced electronic encyclopedia is provided. The encyclopedia includes a database of articles stored in one or more memories. The database of articles includes base articles with article titles, article text and an objective rating. The database of articles also includes supplemental articles corresponding to base articles with a selected objective rating. Each supplemental article has an icon which identifies characteristics of the supplemental article. The encyclopedia also includes a processor, an input device and an output device. A method for creating an enhanced electronic encyclopedia is also provided.

Abstract: A printer accurately controls the passage of print media therethrough and maintains the print media taut as the print media passes through a printing zone while the media is printed by an ink jet printer. The print media sheet is preferably carried by a rotating drum in a first direction through the printing zone, with the drum being reversed to cause the exiting of the print media sheet from the printer. A pressure fixing or fusing apparatus may be positioned to flatten ink spots on the print media as the print media exits from the printer. The pressure fixing or fusing mechanism is preferably used in the case of a hot-melt or phase-change ink jet printer.