Abstract: A position tracking system for determining a position of a vehicle. The position tracking system invention includes at least two position-enabled mesh nodes mounted to the vehicle and a mesh network operatively associated with the at least two position-enabled mesh nodes mounted to the vehicle. The mesh network is configured to determine a position of the vehicle based on signals received from the at least two position-enabled mesh nodes mounted to the vehicle. The position tracking system also includes a display system, which is operatively associated with the mesh network and which displays the position of the vehicle.

Abstract: A position tracking system for determining a position of a vehicle. The position tracking system invention includes at least two position-enabled mesh nodes mounted to the vehicle and a mesh network operatively associated with the at least two position-enabled mesh nodes mounted the vehicle. The mesh network is configured to determine a position of the vehicle based on signals received from the at least two position-enabled mesh nodes mounted to the vehicle. The position tracking system also includes a display system, which is operatively associated with the mesh network and which displays the position of the vehicle.

Abstract: A muffler for an internal combustion engine has a casing forming an expansion chamber therein. An inlet duct is connected to the casing and projects into the expansion chamber and discharges exhaust fluid into the expansion chamber. The casing tapers in an upstream direction to form a pocket for receiving reverse flow of the exhaust gases and to minimize reverse flow from flowing back into the inlet duct in an upstream direction. In the discharge end of the inlet duct are a set of primary vanes and a set of secondary vanes. The vanes are secured to the walls of the duct and extend radially toward the central area of the duct. The vanes are angled in order to deflect the exhaust fluid flow into a swirling movement as it is discharged into the expansion chamber and maintains that swirling movement while passing out of the casing through the outlet duct.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a dual polarization reception system (200) that utilizes the energy available in orthogonal polarizations to effectively increase link margin, thereby allowing for adequate signal quality reception in difficult environments. A co-polarized and a cross-polarized signal are separately downconverted and demultiplexed. The signals from each demultiplexed output are then sampled and weighted. The weighted samples for each polarity are combined in soft decision combining/decoding circuitry (255, 360), and this circuitry determines the most likely state of a received symbol's transmitted value.

Abstract: A method for making an all natural bait, for trap fishing of crustaceans, in the form of dried virus free bait cakes having ground fish parts and a binder of a high bloom number gelatin blended in hot water, which gelatin acts as a binding agent for a dry bait with a finished internal and surface hardness for insertion in a bait bag. The bait, when fished in crustacean-bearing waters, results in a naturally eroding virus free bait which provides a slow release of small fish particles for chumming purposes, while larger rehydrated fish pieces remain contained in the bait bag.

Abstract: A communications unit determines that a wireless link between itself and a first communications network has degraded beyond acceptable limits (FIG. 2, 200). The communications unit signals a second, unsynchronized, communications network during a pause in outgoing voice (230) in order to acquire a channel and continue the call using the second network. When the second communications network indicates that sufficient resources are available, the communications unit transmits a Handover Trigger to the second network (FIG. 4, 400). In response to the Handover Trigger, the first and second communications network establish a connection between each other (460, 470). When the connection has been established, the communications unit receives a channel assignment (500) and continues the call using the resources of the second communications network.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a dual polarization reception system (200) that utilizes the energy available in orthogonal polarizations to effectively increase link margin, thereby allowing for adequate signal quality reception in difficult environments. A co-polarized and a cross-polarized signal are separately downconverted and demultiplexed. The signals from each demultiplexed output are then sampled and weighted. The weighted samples for each polarity are combined in soft decision combining/decoding circuitry (255, 360), and this circuitry determines the most likely state of a received symbol's transmitted value.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a dual polarization reception system (200) that utilizes the energy available in orthogonal polarizations to effectively increase link margin, thereby allowing for adequate signal quality reception in difficult environments. A co-polarized and a cross-polarized signal are separately downconverted and demultiplexed. The signals from each demultiplexed output are then sampled and weighted. The weighted samples for each polarity are combined in soft decision combining/decoding circuitry (255, 360), and this circuitry determines the most likely state of a received symbol's transmitted value.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and all natural bait for trap fishing of crustaceans in the form of dried virus free bait cakes having ground fish parts and a binder of a high bloom number gelatin blended in hot water, which gelatin acts as a binding agent for a dry bait with a finished internal and surface hardness for insertion in a trap bait bag. This bait—when fished in crustacean-bearing waters—results in a naturally eroding virus free bait which provides a slow release of small fish particles for chumming purposes, while larger rehydrated fish pieces remain contained in the bait bag.

Abstract: A method of protecting the finish on a vehicle employs the immersing of a sheet of waste cellulose fiber material in an aqueous bath to render the sheet of cellulose fiber material pliable. A form in the shape of a portion of the vehicle to be protected is provided and the sheet of pliable material is placed over the form. The pliable cellulose material is dried to add rigidity to the same in the form of a shield. The finished shield is then placed on a vehicle to protect the finish characteristics such as exterior paint, trim, glass, and the like.

Abstract: In order to provide an indication of the extent to which creosote has built up in a chimney, an accumulator on which creosote will also build up is held suspended in a chimney in a zone where a major creosote buildup is anticipated. The accumulator is so connected to a normally open switch in a signal circuit that its weight and that of a predetermined creosote deposit thereon will close the switch, a signal is then energized to warn that the chimney should be cleaned or at least inspected.