Abstract: A cooling assembly for removing heat form an enclosed environment containing a gimbal device. The assembly comprises an exhaust bellows equipped with a device to draw heated air from the heat source to the outer environment an inlet bellows through which cool, outside air enters to displace the heated air.

Abstract: A modeling method modifies a nominal model for a coaxial standard to provide an enhanced model for the coaxial standard. The nominal model is a nominal reflection coefficient that is phase rotated and impedance transformed to provide an enhanced reflection coefficient that represents the enhanced model. Alternatively, a transmission matrix for the coaxial standard is established and converted to an S-parameter matrix. The enhanced model is then extracted from the nominal model and the S-parameter matrix using network analysis techniques.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for financing and/or valuing participants in a supply chain. By aggregating borrowing needs of the supply chain, an individual participant in that supply chain may be able to obtain more favorable financing than if the borrower sought financing alone. This financing method may include credit scoring, credit enhancement techniques, and asset-backed securitization. A larger/stronger participant in the supply chain, which may even be the original equipment manufacturer itself, may support credit enhancement techniques. In return for such support, that larger/stronger participant may receive financial advantages and/or information as to how the participants operate and thereby be able to assist in managing the chain as a whole in a more efficient manner and thereby provide benefits to all participants in that chain.

Abstract: An infrared-transparent structure includes a first infrared-transparent element that is transparent to infrared radiation in the 3.6-7 micrometer wavelength range, preferably coated with a zinc-sulfide antireflective coating, and a layer of a solvent-free, infrared-transparent polymer transparent on the first infrared-transparent element. The polymer is formed of an addition-cured silicone, such as addition-cured dimethyl silicone, and a small amount of an adhesion promoter, such as 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane. The polymer layer may either be a surface layer, or it may be used as an adhesive between the first infrared-transparent element and a second infrared-transparent element.

Abstract: A blur film is made of a polymeric film material transmissive to infrared energy of a selected waveband, which is affixed to a surface of a substrate transmissive to energy of the same selected infrared waveband. The blur film has a texture or a plurality of lenslets thereon, where the surface of each lenslet is a surface of revolution. In a spatial-filter wheel application, the blur film and substrate are affixed to a support, which in turn is rotatably mounted on a drive. The support is structured such that a portion of its circumference is covered by the blur film and a portion of its circumference is not covered by the blur film. The spatial-filter wheel is rotated in front of a detector to produce alternating blurred and direct images on the detector.

Abstract: An air spring having a flexible sleeve is mounted between a pair of movable support components to maintain the components in a spaced relationship. The flexible sleeve has a hollow interior which forms an internal fluid chamber. A connector is mounted in one end of the sleeve and receives a tube for controlling the flow of fluid into and out of the chamber. The connector has a main body molded into the sleeve end and a collet member telescopically rotatably mounted in a hollow interior of the main body. The collet member has a plurality of flexible fingers which grip the end of a tube when inserted therein and have one-way barbs which grip to tube to prevent it from being pulled out once it is inserted within the connector. An elastomeric seal is mounted within the body to provide a fluid seal between the tube and body interior.

Abstract: A blur film is made of a polymeric film material transmissive to infrared energy of a selected waveband, which is affixed to a surface of a substrate transmissive to energy of the same selected infrared waveband. The blur film has a texture or a plurality of lenslets thereon, where the surface of each lenslet is a surface of revolution. In a spatial-filter wheel application, the blur film and substrate are affixed to a support, which in turn is rotatably mounted on a drive. The support is structured such that a portion of its circumference is covered by the blur film and a portion of its circumference is not covered by the blur film. The spatial-filter wheel is rotated in front of a detector to produce alternating blurred and direct images on the detector.

Abstract: A magnetic utility lamp has a housing that is polyhedral or prismatic in shape (having a member of flat faces), a handle, and a hook, all of which are magnetized. The magnetization of the combined housing, handle and hook is preferably done in such a way as to make one common magnetic polarity extending along the major axis of the lamp. In another embodiment, an even number of magnetic polarities may be made, alternating in the senses of their magnetic poles. The combination of polyhedral shape and magnetization provides versatile positioning of the lamp. Within the magnetic housing is a unique polyhedral reflector, which is easily re-oriented by the user to direct light from the lamp bulb in a desired direction. The interior surface of the utility lamp housing is adapted to hold the polyhedral reflector adjustably in a number of discrete aiming directions.

Abstract: A tool for the tapping of a bone hole and installation of an implant in dentistry has a knob manually rotatable externally of a patient's mouth on one end of an arm and a bit, releasably secured on a sprocket, rotatable inside the patient's mouth in response to rotation of the knob. A chain connects the bit sprocket to a sprocket attached to the knob, so that the bit rotates about an axis parallel to, but laterally offset by the arm from, the axis of rotation of the knob. For bone tapping purposes, a tapping bit is used and a "T"-shaped handle attaches to the knob to increase the lever arm for torque application. For screwing implant components together or into the tapped bone, a screwing bit is used. A resilient elastomer sleeve is releasably stretched over the implant component and over the screwing bit for initial positioning. Multiple, interchangeable bits are provided to match different-sized implant components.

Abstract: A marine propeller theft deterrent system is designed for use on a conventional propeller assembly. The system comprises an annular ring component which fits onto an end portion of the propeller's drive shaft and abuts against a hub of the propeller assembly. The annular ring component has an annular groove around an outer periphery of its inside face and a set of upstanding cantilevered springs spaced thereon inside of the annular groove. A rounded cover component has an open end dimensioned to fit over the cantilevered springs and an end wall dimensioned to fit into the annular groove of the annular ring component. When properly positioned, the rounded cover component is in locking engagement with the annular ring component. As such, a retaining nut for the propeller hub is concealed and access to it rendered difficult.

Abstract: A water ski brake apparatus includes a water ski having a tip, a tail, and a top and bottom, and having a vane attached to the bottom of the water ski. The water ski has a ski boot having a toe and heel with the front of the heel being hingedly attached to the top of the water ski. A drag inducing foil is movably attached to the vane in a predetermined position thereon and is shiftable between first and second angular positions. A linkage is attached to the boot heel at one end and to the drag inducing foil at the other end and is shiftable between a first and second position responsible to movement of the boot heel on the boot hinged to shift the drag inducing foil between first and second positions to thereby brake the water ski by increasing the drag when the drag inducing foil is shifted to a second position in the water at the control of the skier by varying his weight distribution in the heel portion of the boot.

Abstract: A fiber optic canister includes a generally cylindrical bobbin and an optical fiber pack wound thereupon. The bobbin is formed at least in part from a material having orthotropic coefficient of expansion characteristics, arranged so that the coefficients of thermal expansion of the bobbin are matched to those of the overlying optical fiber pack. The optical fibers have a small longitudinal coefficient of thermal expansion and a larger transverse coefficient of thermal expansion. The orthotropic material of the bobbin is arranged so that the circumferential coefficient of thermal expansion of the bobbin is near zero, and the axial coefficient of thermal expansion is matched to that of the transverse coefficient of thermal expansion of the optical fiber pack. The bobbin therefore expands and contracts with changes in temperature at a rate approximating that of the overlying fiber pack.