Abstract: A device for generating atmospheric pressure cold plasma inside a hand-held unit discharges cold plasma with simultaneously different rf wavelengths and their harmonics. The device includes an rf tuning network that is powered by a low-voltage power supply connected to a series of high-voltage coils and capacitors. The rf energy signal is transferred to a primary containment chamber and dispersed through an electrode plate network of various sizes and thicknesses to create multiple frequencies. Helium gas is introduced into the first primary containment chamber, where electron separation is initiated. The energized gas flows into a secondary magnetic compression chamber, where a balanced frequency network grid with capacitance creates the final electron separation, which is inverted magnetically and exits through an orifice with a nozzle. The cold plasma thus generated has been shown to be capable of accelerating a healing process in flesh wounds on animal laboratory specimens.

Abstract: An improved, polytetrafluoroethylene shaft sealing element, and a method to make the sealing element: The improved element is characterized by being manufactured as one piece of a selected polytetrafluoroethylene mixture (which is conventionally clamped in a conventional housing) that has a strategically placed circumferential groove and that preferably has hydrodynamic grooves that end at a selected distance from the toe end of the seal. Optionally, the improved seal may include a wiper lip as part of the one piece of a polytetrafluoroethylene mixture. Alternatively, the improved element may have the thickness of the part of the seal bearing on the shaft tapered in its thickness (not of uniform thickness). Adjustment of these properties optimizes the pressure distribution of the part of the seal that bears on the shaft with a resultant significant increase in the effective lifetime of the seal and significant improvement in the effectiveness of the seal.

Abstract: A packet-switch system utilizes a linecard-to-switch (LCS) protocol to integrate linecards with a switch core. Since the linecards include a majority of the buffering of the system and are located physically away from switch core, the size of the switch core can be reduced in size. The LCS protocol is a label-swapping, credit-based, flow-control, which enables the system to operate without requiring such information as the number of port modules available within a switch core or what Qualities of Service (QoS) or multicast flows are available. In addition, the LCS protocol enables the linecards to contain and manage the majority of the buffers in the system, and also to control the data drop policy within the system.

Abstract: A bumper subassembly includes first and second brackets which are removably attached to an impact beam by removable fasteners installed between the brackets and the beam. The brackets of the bumper subassembly are then subsequently welded to the frame rails so that the bumper subassembly becomes welded to the vehicle frame rails in the assembly plant but removal of the removable fasteners permits subsequent disassembly of the impact beam from the brackets to permit repair of the vehicle. The impact beam is preferably a closed tubular beam having a support wall, and first and second openings are provided in the support wall which receive reinforcing portions provided integrally on the brackets. Clearance holes are provided in the support wall to provide access to the bracket for making the spot weld between the bracket and the frame rail.

Abstract: A filtering system used in the tracking of a maneuvering target is provid A first filter estimates a partial system state at a time k in terms of target position measurements. A plurality of second filters are each provided with an acceleration model hypothesis from a prior time (k-1) free of position and velocity constraints. Each second filter generates an acceleration estimate at time k and a likelihood at time k that the acceleration model hypothesis is correct. The likelihoods from the second filters are summed to generate a probability vector at time k. A third interaction mixing filter generates the acceleration model hypotheses from prior time (k-1) using the probability vector from prior time (k-1) and the acceleration estimates from prior time (k-1). The third filter also provides an error covariance to the first filter to reflect the uncertainty in the acceleration model hypotheses from prior time (k-1).