Abstract: A conformal phased array antenna and associated method of repairing the antenna are provided. The antenna has individual subassemblies or line replaceable units such that the antenna can be repaired without completely removing the entire antenna. The antenna generally includes a planar antenna subassembly including an array of RF modules disposed in a reference plane. The antenna also typically has a contoured waveguide subassembly including a contoured aperture honeycomb structure. The contoured aperture honeycomb structure defines a number of passages that are in communication with respective RF modules. The exterior surface of the contoured aperture honeycomb structure that faces away from the planar antenna subassembly is contoured such that at least portions of this surface are at an oblique angle with respect to the reference plane. This contoured surface may advantageously be shaped to match the contour of the surface of the structure to which the antenna is mounted.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and method are provided for the dispensing of particulate material from the gravitationally bottom discharge mouth of a hopper. In a presently preferred form, the particulate material moves downwardly first through a conically sided zone to a toroidally-configured aperture, and, after passage therethrough, moves downwardly through a cavity that preferably has a cross-sectionally circular perimeter. Centrally upstanding in the cavity is a body with preferably conically diverging sides over which the particulate material moves downwardly to a cover plate or deck which has a circumferentially extending discharge opening through which the particulate material is discharged. Most preferably, the body also extends upwardly through the aperture and through the conically sided zone. Particulate material downward movement and discharge is produced by shaking, preferably vibration, of the deck. A presently preferred particulate material is fish feed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a syringe sterilization and disposal unit which utilizes a micro-processor controlled artificial intelligence for operation of the necessary functions to render a used syringe safe for disposal. The syringe sterilization unit includes an "opto-sensor" for signaling the positioning of the syringe for further clamping and processing operations. The lure of a syringe to be processed is exposed to heat from the heat heads to effect separation of the needle. The needle tip gripper jaw heads extract the syringe needle from the syringe body. The heat heads are further used to compress the lure of the syringe body to seal the syringe cavity. The extracted needle is then heated by a needle tip contactor for sterilization whereupon the needle and the sealed syringe cavity are then positioned into an appropriate bin for disposal and/or recycling.

Abstract: An improved wastewater treatment process is provided which utilizes a rotating biological contactor (RBC) containing at least two stages as the secondary treatment phase. In such RBC, biological oxidation of carbonaceous and nitrogenous matter is accomplished simultaneously in a partially submerged aerated RBC arranged for multiple stage treatment. Wastewater being charged to the RBC is preliminarily subjected to particulate separation and admixing with biologically treated and the clarified effluent from the RBC at a rate sufficient to produce a wastewater feed to the RBC system which has approximately acceptable standards of SBOD.sub.5 and NH.sub.3 -N. The process also features a high flow rate of the diluted wastewater through the RBC.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting eggs with injection liquid includes arranging a plurality of eggs in an egg tray, moving the egg-filled tray to an injection station, injecting liquid into the eggs by effecting relative movement between the tray and a plurality of injection needles such that a needle pierces each egg and by forcing injection liquid through each needle into the respective egg, heat-sealing the injection hole in each egg by effecting relative movement between the tray and a plurality of heating devices which apply sufficient heat at the location of the injection hole in each egg to solidify albumin at the hole, applying a coating of liquid hardenable sealing material to the exterior of each egg shell at the location of the injection hole by effecting relative movement between the tray and a source of the sealing material.

Abstract: A method for determining the phase delay of microwave energy passing through a dielectric material, and for determining values related to the dielectric constant for microwave circuit boards. Phase delay is determined by positioning a pair of transducers adjacent different surfaces of the dielectric material, and injecting microwave energy at a certain frequency along a path through the material from the first transducer to the second transducer. The frequency of microwave radiation is that frequency at which S.sub.11 and S.sub.22 for the transducers are both less than a selected amount. Where the dielectric material is a conductively surfaced microwave circuit board, the path through the material is from one edge of the board to another edge through the plane of the board.

Abstract: A fixed pitch wind turbine rotor (18) is teeter mounted (76, 78, 80) onto a low speed input shaft (44) which is connected to the input (58) of a step-up transmission (46). The output (48) of the transmission (46) is connected to a rotary pole amplitude modulated induction machine (42) which is operable as a generator at a plurality of discreet speeds of rotation and is also operable as a startup motor for the rotor. A switch (45) responsive to the rotational speed of the wind turbine rotor switches the generator from one speed of operation to the other. The rotor hub (72) and the inner body portions (71) of two blades (68, 70), which extend radially outwardly in opposite directions from the hub (72), are constructed from steel. The outer end portions (73) of the blade (68, 70) are constructed from a lighter material, such as wood, and are both thinner and narrower than the remainder of the rotor.

Abstract: A fixed pitch wind turbine rotor (18) is teeter mounted (76, 78, 80) onto a low speed input shaft (44) which is connected to the input (58) of a step-up transmission (46). The output (48) of the transmission (46) is connected to a rotary pole amplitude modulated induction machine (42) which is operable as a generator at a plurality of discreet speeds of rotation and is also operable as a startup motor for the rotor. A switch (45) responsive to the rotational speed of the wind turbine rotor switches the generator from one speed of operation to the other. The rotor hub (72) and the inner body portions (71) of two blades (68, 70), which extend radially outwardly in opposite directions from the hub (72), are constructed from steel. The outer end portions (73) of the blade (68, 70) are constructed from a lighter material, such as wood, and are both thinner and narrower than the remainder of the rotor.

Abstract: A system for transmitting one or more blocks of information signals from the output of a low noise amplifier associated with a satellite antenna to a remote headend or terminal is disclosed. Block conversion is used to translate the signal spectrum from the satellite transmission band, typically 3.7-4.2 GHz, to a frequency range of 0.6-1.1 GHz. A wideband fiber optic link is used to extend the link length from a maximum of 300 feet when coaxial cable is used to approximately 1 km (3281 feet). The output of the optical receiver in the fiber optic link is converted to the original satellite transmission band so that a standard satellite receiver can be used to demodulate the signal. Alternatively, a satellite receiver which interfaces directly at the 0.6-1.1 GHz can be used. The system also may include means to synchronize frequency conversion at each end of the fiber optic link. The high quality of the system lends itself to application in television receive-only as well as date communications.

Abstract: An information distribution system is disclosed. The system is composed of hub distribution centers which are connected to a plurality of individual subscribers by fiber optic cable or bidirectional coaxial cable. The system is particularly suitable for CATV distribution but may also be adapted to provide telephone, mail, radio and other services to the subscribers through the same cable connection with the hub distribution center.

Abstract: An egg injection machine is provided which includes a needle assembly, a needle plate assembly, a solenoid assembly and an egg positioning assembly. The needle plate assembly is located above the egg positioning assembly and includes a movable plate (having up and down positions), a stationary plate and a spring located therebetween which is biased to push the movable plate away from the stationary plate. The solenoid assembly is connected to the movable plate and controls the movement of the movable plate. The needle assembly is fixedly attached to the movable plate such that it moves between a retracted position and an injection position as the movable plate moves. The egg positioning assembly also includes a second movable and a second stationary plate, between which the egg is positioned. A shock absorber and a speed controller are attached to one of those latter plates. In operation, the needle assembly rapidly decelerates towards the egg.

Abstract: A battery powered camera with a collapsible handgrip movable between a closed and an extended position is equipped with a battery checker that signals when the battery drops in capacity to a predetermined level. The battery checker is operable only during the period in which the handgrip is moved between the closed and extended position or vice versa. The battery powered camera further comprises means for signalling a switching state in which the main power switch remains closed. The signalling means is also operable only when the handgrip is being moved between closed and extended positions.

Abstract: Eggs are automatically inoculated with an antibiotic solution by a machine which heat-sterilizes a portion of the shell with a hot shoe, drives a square ended needle through the sterilized portion, injects the solution through the needle, withdraws the needle, heat-coagulates a portion of the egg albumin at the hole with the hot shoe and heat-sterilizes the needle before inoculating the next egg.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite plate shaped billet, useful in the fabrication of nuclear control rods, which comprises a core of stainless steel containing about 2% Boron 10, a thin coating of zirconia on the surfaces of said core, said core and said zirconia coating being completely encased in a jacket of mild steel, said composite having been hot rolled between about 1075.degree. and about 1165.degree.C.

Abstract: This invention relates to the art of reducing metallic bodies from a greater thickness to a substantially smaller thickness and has particular relationship to such reduction of stainless steel containing substantial quantities of boron, typically in the fabrication of sheets for nuclear reactor control rods.