Abstract: Improvements in present day fire hydrants are presented. The improvement relates to a fire hydrant where the above ground structure is essentially removed and is replaced with an adaptable connection. The connection uses the same mounting hole pattern as used in the above ground hydrant. In operation, the adaptable connection is protected by a hinged cover that is opened to provide access to the adaptable connection. The adaptable connection includes a bayonet type connection where a portable fire hydrant is secured and rotated to start the flow of water. The adapter includes an electronic communication device that transmits real-time information on connection and flow characteristics. The adaptable fire connection eliminates the appearance of the fire hydrant, the potential of a vehicle hitting a fire hydrant and the material cost associated with above ground fire hydrants.

Abstract: Improvements in present day fire hydrants are presented. The improvement relates to a fire hydrant where the above ground structure is essentially removed and is replaced with an adaptable connection. The connection uses the same mounting hole pattern as used in the above ground hydrant. In operation, the adaptable connection is protected by a hinged cover that is opened to provide access to the adaptable connection. The adaptable connection includes a bayonet type connection where a portable fire hydrant is secured and rotated to start the flow of water. The adaptable fire connection eliminates the appearance of the fire hydrant, the potential of a vehicle hitting a fire hydrant and the material cost associated with above ground fire hydrants.

Abstract: Improvements in present day fire hydrants are presented. The improvement relates to a fire hydrant where the above ground structure is essentially removed and is replaced with an adaptable connection. The connection uses the same mounting hole pattern as used in the above ground hydrant. In operation, the adaptable connection is protected by a hinged cover that is opened to provide access to the adaptable connection. The adaptable connection includes a bayonet type connection where a portable fire hydrant is secured and rotated to start the flow of water.

Abstract: A convex shell structure for enhanced aerodynamic performance and/or reduced heat transfer requirements for a space vehicle that re-enters an atmosphere. The structure has a fore-body, an aft-body, a longitudinal axis and a transverse cross sectional shape, projected on a plane containing the longitudinal axis, that includes: first and second linear segments, smoothly joined at a first end of each the first and second linear segments to an end of a third linear segment by respective first and second curvilinear segments; and a fourth linear segment, joined to a second end of each of the first and second segments by curvilinear segments, including first and second ellipses having unequal ellipse parameters. The cross sectional shape is non-symmetric about the longitudinal axis. The fourth linear segment can be replaced by a sum of one or more polynomials, trigonometric functions or other functions satisfying certain constraints.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions useful in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune diseases. In particular, the present invention provides improved methods and compositions for the diagnosis and management of Graves' disease. The methods of the present invention not only avoids the need for radioactivity and are much simpler, economical, and rapid than methods traditionally used for the diagnosis of Graves' disease, but also improve upon the sensitivity and detection abilities of previous luciferase-based autoantibody detection assays.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the in situ growth, freezing and testing of cultured cells. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the long-term preservation of cells in ready-to-use formats for testing. In addition, the present invention provides rapid and easy to use means to diagnose viral and other infections. Furthermore, the present invention provides easy to use means to grow and store cells in situ for testing methods. Indeed, the present invention makes viral, chlamydial and other diagnostic methods accessible to small laboratories, including those without cell culture capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions useful in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune diseases. In particular, the present invention provides improved methods and compositions for the diagnosis and management of Graves' disease. The methods of the present invention avoid the need for radioactivity and are much simpler, economical, and rapid than methods traditionally used for the diagnosis of Graves' disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the in situ growth, freezing and testing of cultured cells. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the long-term preservation of cells in ready-to-use formats for testing. In addition, the present invention provides rapid and easy to use means to diagnose viral and other infections. Furthermore, the present invention provides easy to use means to grow and store cells in situ for testing methods. Indeed, the present invention makes viral, chlamydial and other diagnostic methods accessible to small laboratories, including those without cell culture capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the in situ growth, freezing and testing of cultured cells. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the long-term preservation of cells in ready-to-use formats for testing. In addition, the present invention provides rapid and easy to use means to diagnose viral and other infections. Furthermore, the present invention provides easy to use means to grow and store cells in situ for testing methods. Indeed, the present invention makes viral, chlamydial and other diagnostic methods accessible to small laboratories, including those without cell culture capabilities.

Abstract: A sealing method and apparatus involves positioning sealant carriers in a gap between first and second components to be sealed. Sealant is applied to a first major surface of the sealant carriers. As the first and second components are tightened together, the carriers are compressed and cause sealant to travel from the first major surface and through the carriers to a second major surface which is opposed to the first major surface. The sealant carriers may be positioned on respective carrier supports while sealant is being applied to the first major surface of the sealant carriers. The supports are used in initially positioning the sealant carriers in place and then are removed prior to tightening the first and second components together. The supports may include alignment mechanisms for use in aligning the sealant carriers with one of the first and second components. The sealant adheres the sealant carriers to such one of the first and second components following removal of the supports.

Abstract: A surface imaging skin friction instrument allowing 2D resolution of spatial image by a 2D Hilbert transform and 2D inverse thin-oil film solver, providing an innovation over prior art single point approaches. Incoherent, monochromatic light source can be used. The invention provides accurate, easy to use, economical measurement of larger regions of surface shear stress in a single test.

Abstract: An automatic side view mirror tracking and control system enables drivers of articulated vehicles such as tractor trailers to keep visual contact with the side and rear of the trailer throughout a turn while backing the vehicle. This is accomplished without driver intervention through the use of a microprocessor receiving the outputs of either a plurality of ultrasonic transducers or a pair of fluxgate compasses. The microprocessor uses the aforementioned outputs to determine the rotational angle between the trailer and the tractor. Based upon these determinations, the mirror is moved to a position commensurate with the subject angle so that the driver of the vehicle is able to view the side and rear corner of the vehicle. A software filter prevents the mirror from being moved unless a predetermined change in the vehicle angle is detected.

Abstract: This invention is a new designed configuration of a laminated folding navigation chart. This said chart is intended for pilots and navigators of small planes and watercraft. This said navigation chart consists of a plurality of (preferably 10) panels that are flexibly coupled together at their contiguous edges. The said transparent flexible couplings herein described allow epicycle multiplicity folding of said panels relative to each other. This said epicycle multiplicity folding of panels allows the chart to be viewed clearly while in the fully open position, partial open position or in a single panel closed position.

Abstract: Disclosed in an apparatus and method for effecting timed-do-not-disturb services in telephone networks. An adjunct computer is associated with the Remote Memory Administration System (RMAS) for switches which include a facility for providing call forwarding services. The adjunct computer is inserted between the RMAS and the switches which it controls. The adjunct includes a processor responsive to subscriber identification and stored class of service information to recognize that timed-do-not-disturb service is to be provided to an identified subscriber station. The processor receives requests for timed-to-not-disturb service via a multiline hunt group associated with a do-not-disturb access number associated with a voice response unit which feeds request signals to the processor and voice prompts to the caller.

Abstract: A two-piece bracket assembly for use in cabinetry as a drawer slide rear mounting include one piece to receive the rear end of a drawer slide. The other piece is fastened to the inside of the cabinet back. The first piece is pushed into the second piece and retained by spring-clip detent action. Horizontal sliding movement of the clipped portion of the second piece in the first piece is possible when needed for adjustment of the slides to establish parallelism of the drawer front with the cabinet front, without adjustment of the piece fastened to the cabinet back.

Abstract: A two-piece bracket assembly for use in cabinetry as a drawer slide rear mounting include one piece to receive the rear end of a drawer slide. The other piece is fastened to the inside of the cabinet back. The first piece is pushed into the second piece and retained by spring-clip detent action. Horizontal sliding movement of the clipped portion of the second piece in the first piece is possible when needed for adjustment of the slides to establish parallelism of the drawer front with the cabinet front, without adjustment of the piece fastened to the cabinet back.

Abstract: A three-dimensional laser Doppler velocimeter (10) has laser optics (12) for a first channel positioned to create a probe volume (18) in space, and laser optics (14) and (16) for second and third channels, respectively, positioned to create entirely overlapping probe volumes (20) in space. The probe volumes (18) and (20) overlap partially in space. Photodetector (22) is positioned to receive light scattered by a particle present in the probe volume (18), while photodetectors (24) and (26)are positioned to receive light scattered by a particle present in the probe volume (20). The photodetector (22) for the first channel is directly connected to provide a first channel analog signal (23) to frequency measuring circuits 28. The first channel is therefore a primary channel for the system.

Abstract: An Laser Doppler Velocimeter multiplexer interface (20) includes an event pulse synchronizer (162), which synchronizes data pulses from events A, B and C. Clock control (164) is connected to receive timing information on the data pulses from the synchronizer (162). Displays (24, 26, 28) are connected to receive clock signals from the clock control (164) for indicating a data rate for each of the measured events A, B and C. Display (30) is connected to receive clock signals from the clock control (164) to indicate a coincidence rate between data pulses for any selected combination of the measured events A, B and C. A multiplexer (156) receives the data pulses from the events A, B and C and rate data from the clock control (164). Multiplexer (156) has output (180) for supplying the data pulses and rate data to a single input of a data processing system.

Abstract: A universal gate array is illustrated using a specific pattern of CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Silicon) Transistors in an array which provides a high degree of board utilization in the layout of small runs of integrated circuits where the high cost of completely customized boards is unacceptable. The array comprises a continuing pattern of two sets of three (3) series connected transistors in a cell surrounded on all four sides by cells each containing two single transistor gates of each channel type.

Abstract: The present comparator circuit uses a multiplexing operation in a feedback arrangement for balancing the current flow in one-half of a comparator circuit so that its effect is identical to the other half of the comparator circuit for a grounded input. In between the adjustment or "trim" operation, the same comparator and output circuitry are utilized to provide an indication of which of two input signals are greater. As designed, the circuit substantially eliminates unbalance problems due to temperature, device parameter variations due to processing, aging of these parameters and load unbalance conditions, as well as minimizing transistor noise in the output.