Abstract: A system and method for estimating a ship's far-field acoustic characteristics includes at least one reference hydrophone and at least one movable hydrophone, both of which are disposed in the water closely adjacent the ship. The movable hydrophone senses acoustic tonals at a plurality of points on the surface of an imaginary prolate spheroid surrounding the ship, the major and minor axes of which are roughly equal to one-half the length of the ship and the beam of the ship, respectively. The phase difference in the signals from the movable hydrophone and reference hydrophone are compared to generate a near-field data set. A computer is used to estimate a far-field data set representative of the ship's acoustic characteristics based on the near-field data set. Thus actual far-field measurements are not required.

Abstract: A smokeless cigarette filter device has a barrel fabricated out of molded, heat resistant durable material. A structure on a first end of the barrel is for covering the mouth and nose of a smoker. An element is provided for holding a cigarette within the barrel, so that a butt end of the cigarette can enter the mouth and nose covering structure. A component is provided for lighting a distal end of the cigarette within the barrel when the smoker inhales. An assembly is on a second end of the barrel, for filtering harmful first and second hand smoke coming from the lit cigarette and the smoker, so as to prevent the smoke from ever reaching the outside air. An apparatus is provided for extinguishing the cigarette within the barrel, when the smoker is done smoking the cigarette.

Abstract: A communications system is provided having SONET communications channels extending between first and second locations. The channels include pairs of forward and reverse channels for carrying traffic in normal operation between first and second locations and a protection channel for carrying traffic of one channel in the event of a fault. Each pair of forward and reverse channels is provided on a shelf at each location, the shelves having the same relative position at both locations and the protection channel is provided on a protection shelf. The protection channel includes, between the first and second locations, a forward optical link and a reverse optical link and at each of the first and second locations, a single protection loop, coupling the forward and reverse optical links, that forms the protection channel.

Abstract: Liquid or gel bleaching compositions, preferably for laundry use, containing amidoperoxyacid bleach and selected perfume ingredients having good stability when in direct contact with the bleach.

Abstract: A system for demonstrating financial and financially related concepts and displaying financial and financially related information is provided. The system includes a central processing unit for processing financial information and for creating graphic displays from numerical data, a demonstrator station and at least one viewer station. Both demonstrator and viewer stations include display means for displaying financial information in graphic and textual form. The demonstrator station further comprises data entry means for entering alphanumeric data, and input means for inputting signals to direct the display of information on the display means of both the demonstrator station and the viewer station or stations. The graphic information displayed on the viewer station display means is a subset of the information displayed on the demonstrator station displaying means. The system also includes means for generating graphic displays based on entered data.

Abstract: A highway marker manipulating apparatus comprising a pair of gripper wheels spaced apart to engage and apply pressure onto the side edges of the base flange of a highway marker. The wheels are spaced apart by a loading magazine between the wheels and directing the marker flanges into gripped engagement with the gripping faces of the opposing wheels; and a guide panel between the outer portions of the wheels to guide the flanges of the markers being retrieved off the pavement. A stripper guide is provided between the wheels for urging the flanges of the markers toward the outer periphery of the wheels as the flanges are also engaging the peripherally extending guide panels as to turn the markers and move the markers along the stripper bars which carry the markers to the upper periphery of the wheels. Stabilizing guides or runners are provided to be removably mounted at the lower portion of the gripper wheels to receive the flanges of dispensed markers therebeneath for stabilizing the markers on the pavement.

Abstract: A power operated linear actuator for remote operation of a machine. A cylinder frame containing a motor and a step-down gear train, a push-pull rod connected with a threaded nut movable along a high-pitch screw threaded shaft in the cylinder frame and an electromagnet clutch between the gear train and the screw shaft.

Abstract: A transmission system comprises nodes coupled in a ring via two multiplexed transmission paths having opposite transmission directions. The two paths can be time, space, or wavelength division multiplexed. Bidirectional communications between any two nodes are provided in normal operation using both paths around a first, most direct, part of the ring. In the event of a fault affecting such communications, a protection switch is made to maintain bidirectional communications between the two nodes using both paths around a second, remaining, part of the ring. In this manner, each path can simultaneously carry both normal and protection switched signals. In an embodiment of the invention, only the two nodes adjacent a fault need be aware of the fault, each of these nodes effecting a protection switch for signals terminated at the node and effecting a protective loopback for other signals needing protection. The invention enhances the total capacity of the paths for carrying normal and protection switched signals.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of making hollow polymer latex particles without the use of acid in the swellable polymer core; the latexes are useful as opacifying plastic pigments for various coatings and particularly as gloss-enhancing plastic pigments for paper and paperboard coatings. Known methods for preparing hollow latexes require cores containing acid or acidic monomers to enable swelling to core at room temperature. The existence of acid in the polymer disadvantageously increases the polymer's affinity to water. Applicants have discovered that non-carboxylated latexes having a variety of T.sub.g 's will also swell at higher temperatures. The mechanism entails the use of acrylate and methacrylate ester monomers which are hydrolyzable and swellable at higher temperatures in alkaline environments. Such mechanisms for making swollen latexes provide for a wide variety of potential end-uses as well as a wide variety of potential latexes.

Abstract: The invention is a porous gas diffusion electrode suitable for manufacturing hydrogen peroxide by the reduction of oxygen in an alkaline electrolyte and of a process for fabricating the electrode.

Abstract: A guidewire straightener that is adapted to fit on the end of a protective tube containing a guidewire used for introducing a catheter into a patient's bloodvessel. The guidewire straightener has a flexible end that flexes inwardly to grasp the guidewire when the guidewire is inserted into the end of the protective tube. The guidewire is thus prevented from migrating with respect to the protective tube during packaging, shipping and handling.

Abstract: An article diverter is oriented between two belt conveyors and has several pivoted carriages, each mounting two flat powererd diverter belts. A drive belt powers the diverter belts of each carriage from a common drive roller slaved to a power take off from the upstream conveyor, which also drives the next downstream conveyor. The diverter carriages are pivoted by a draw bar, which is selectively reciprocated by a rotary actuator, to divert articles from an initial conveyed direction to or toward another diverging direction at a divert or sort location, diverging conveyor, spur line, orient station or the like. The upstream and downstream conveyors on either side of the diverter can be of different conveyor types, and driven at different speeds. The carriages are vertically and angularly adjustable in incline for tuning the diverter to a wide range of articles and conveying speeds.

Abstract: A system used for determining and recording the location of a vehicle during the occurence of predetermined events. The vehicle is equipped with a sensor or sensors which respond to the occurrence of the predetermined events. The sensors are connected to a navigational system which receive positional information from a navigational transmitter. The navigational system then computes the positional information, such as latitude and longitude of the vehicle, and stores this information in a data collector on the vehicle. The date and time of day of the occurrence of the events may also be stored along with the positional information.

Abstract: An anti-corrosion sealing assembly for use between a protective casement sleeve and a pipe to be protected is disclosed. The pipe extends through the protective casement sleeve such that an annular casement cavity is formed therebetween. The sealing assembly includes a muff arrangement secured between outer surface portions of the casement sleeve and the pipe at each end of the casement sleeve. More particularly, inner and outer muffs are secured about outer perimeter portions of the pipe and the casement sleeve at each end of the casement sleeve such that the outer muff totally encompasses the inner muff thereby forming a mold cavity therebetween. Each outer muff further includes a pouring spout into which a sealing compound may be poured. Furthermore, an injection tube extends through the inner and outer muffs and opens into the annular casement cavity to permit a corrosion inhibitor to be injected therein.

Abstract: A pipe support system comprises a pipe fitting and a pipe support. The pipe fitting is any standard fitting with the addition of two lugs added to the outside surface of the fitting so that they are diagonally opposite each other. The support has two arms joined together at the base and shaped so that they partially wrap around the fitting after installation. The inside surface of each arms is shaped to have a socket, the walls of which fit snugly against the respective lug after installation. The arms are fabricated of a stiff, elastic material so as to allow sufficient flexation of the arms during the installation of the fitting so that the fitting can pass between the tops ends of the arms without the support becoming permanently distorted.

Abstract: Pourable, fluid, non sedimenting, laundry detergent composition, comprising water, surfactant, builder, a surfactant desolubilizing electrolyte and, optionally, the usual minor ingredients, consist essentially of: at least one predominantly aqueous liguid phase which is separable into a distinct layer by centrifuging the composition at 800 times normal earth gravity at 25.degree. C. for 17 hours, and which contains at least part of the electrolyte and less than 75% by weight, preferalby less than 10% by weight, of the surfactant, and one or more other phases which together contain at least part of the builder as solid particles dispersed in the composition and at least part of the surfactant, preferably either as a network of solid surfactant hydrate, or as a "G" phase liquid crystal which may be associated with an "L" phase, micellar solution.

Abstract: An improved lever arm for a tilt tray sortation conveyor has formula defined unlatching and tipping cam sections. The tipping cam section imparts a constant angular acceleration of about 20 radians/sec..sup.2 to the tray during positive tipping. Such angular acceleration produces a maximum tangential acceleration for any article on the tray, approximately equal to or less than the acceleration of a free-falling body. An improved tray latch or index plate has an inclined cam resisting rebound of the tray after initial tipping. Integral shock absorbers disperse impact forces in tray tip-up apparatus and resist elongation of tip-up mounting pin holes. Methods are claimed.

Abstract: A binary data signal is regenerated with respect to three threshold levels, one of which is derived from and lies between the other two so that it is an optimum level for producing a regenerated output signal. Two control loops are used to produce the other two threshold levels to produce regenerated signals with predetermined error rates, the errors occurring on the two control loops for the two respective states of the binary data signal, whereby the optimum threshold level is maintained regardless of the nature of signal degradation. The arrangement provides rapid performance monitoring which can also be used to adjust other parameters, such as detector bias, equalizer tuning, and clock phase, for optimum performance in an active and ongoing manner.

Abstract: Pourable, fluid, non sedimenting, laundry detergent composition, comprising water, surfactant, builder, a surfactant desolubilizing electrolyte and, optionally, the usual minor ingredients, consist essentially of: at least one predominantly aqueous liquid phase which is separable into a distinct layer by centrifuging the composition at 800 times normal earth gravity at 25.degree. C. for 17 hours, and which contains at least part of the electrolyte and less than 75% by weight, preferably less than 10% by weight, of the surfactant, and one or more other phases which together contain at least part of the builder as solid particles dispersed in the composition and at least part of the surfactant, preferably either as a network of solid surfactant hydrate, or as a "G" phase liquid crystal which may be associated with an "L" phase, micellar solution.

Abstract: A hair conditioning composition particularly useful in conjunction with hair waving having a pH value of about 4-9 and containing water having dissolved therein about 0.05-5 weight percent quaternary nitrogen-containing conditioning polymer having a molecular weight of about 10,000-10,000,000, and about 0.5-10 weight percent of a water-soluble disulfide-containing polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof, as well as methods for its use and preparation are disclosed.