Abstract: A system includes an ultraviolet light source, a light-receiving apparatus, and a performance detector. The ultraviolet light source is configured to expose a surface to ultraviolet light. The surface includes a surface coating and a fluorescence layer beneath the surface coating. The light-receiving apparatus is configured to measure a fluorescence response to the ultraviolet light of the surface by detecting light in a predetermined frequency range within the visible light spectrum light. The performance detector is communicatively coupled to the light-receiving apparatus. The performance detector is configured to determine a proportion of the surface comprising the surface coating disposed over the fluorescence layer based on the measured fluorescence response. The performance detector is further configured to compare the determined proportion to a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for determining the physical location of a vehicle being guided with an onboard navigational positioning system capable of detecting and generating a positioning location vector for the vehicle. The method includes the steps of detecting and receiving a plurality of electromagnetic radiation signals. A plurality of ambient parameter measurements is also received. A confirming location position is calculated from the plurality of electromagnetic radiation signals and the plurality of ambient parameter measurements. The confirming location position is compared to the positioning location vector generated by the onboard system to create a differential vector. If the confirmation location position and the positioning location vector are greater than a predetermined value, the positioning location vector generated by the onboard navigational positioning system is prevented from being used in directing the movement of the vehicle until the position differential is below a predetermined error value.

Abstract: A method for determining the physical location of a vehicle being guided with an onboard navigational positioning system capable of detecting and generating a positioning location vector for the vehicle. The method includes the steps of detecting and receiving a plurality of electromagnetic radiation signals. A plurality of ambient parameter measurements is also received. A confirming location position is calculated from the plurality of electromagnetic radiation signals and the plurality of ambient parameter measurements. The confirming location position is compared to the positioning location vector generated by the onboard system to create a differential vector. If the confirmation location position and the positioning location vector are greater than a predetermined value, the positioning location vector generated by the onboard navigational positioning system is prevented from being used in directing the movement of the vehicle until the position differential is below a predetermined error value.

Abstract: An appliqué having anti-corrosive adhesive is provided by embodiments of the present invention. This appliqué includes a thin polymer film and a pressure sensitive adhesive. The pressure sensitive adhesive hacks the thin polymer film and includes corrosion-inhibiting additives. These corrosion-inhibiting additives reduce or eliminate the need for a chromated primer layer beneath the appliqué. Elimination of a chromated primer layer has environmental advantages as well as cost benefits through the elimination of a processing step. Additionally, environmental benefits are realized by eliminating the toxic effects often associated with the use of chromated primers.

Abstract: A method of operating an air conditioning system includes changing output of the compressor based on a temperature limit of the evaporator. The temperature limit is one of a predetermined fixed temperature limit and a variable temperature limit. The method also includes determining the variable temperature limit by determining a target air outlet temperature for conditioned air in a control space, detecting an actual evaporator temperature, calculating a difference between the target air outlet temperature and the actual evaporator temperature, finding a predetermined first temperature adjustment that correlates to the difference, finding a predetermined second temperature adjustment that correlates to another condition, and calculating the variable temperature limit by adjusting the fixed temperature limit by one of the first and second temperature adjustments.

Abstract: An improved speaker in which a single electro-acoustic driver is mounted in a sound emitter cabinet with a spheroidal rear acoustic emitter wall, with the driver face exposed and mounted on a driver-mounting face of the cabinet and the driver body enclosed in the spheroid cabinet. The spheroidal rear emitter wall is spaced from and surrounds the driver body to receive the back wave and to responsively emit audible, clear sound from the cabinet wall to the surrounding listening area in complement to the primary sound wave from the driver face. The speaker cabinet is rigidly supported via the driver-mounting face such that the spheroidal rear emitter wall is suspended in air out of contact with surrounding surfaces.

Abstract: A method of operating an air conditioning system includes changing output of the compressor based on a temperature limit of the evaporator. The temperature limit is one of a predetermined fixed temperature limit and a variable temperature limit. The method also includes determining the variable temperature limit by determining a target air outlet temperature for conditioned air in a control space, detecting an actual evaporator temperature, calculating a difference between the target air outlet temperature and the actual evaporator temperature, finding a predetermined first temperature adjustment that correlates to the difference, finding a predetermined second temperature adjustment that correlates to another condition, and calculating the variable temperature limit by adjusting the fixed temperature limit by one of the first and second temperature adjustments.

Abstract: An agitated and pressurized paint pot that is mounted directly to a paint spray dispenser uses a small volume pressurized pot with constant agitation. This design prevents the settling of material and ensures that the materials are applied through the system at a consistent feed rate to meet the specific needs of applying radar absorbing materials.

Abstract: An appliqué having anti-corrosive adhesive is provided by embodiments of the present invention. This appliqué includes a thin polymer film and a pressure sensitive adhesive. The pressure sensitive adhesive backs the thin polymer film and includes corrosion-inhibiting additives. These corrosion-inhibiting additives reduce or eliminate the need for a chromated primer layer beneath the appliqué. Elimination of a chromated primer layer has environmental advantages as well as cost benefits through the elimination of a processing step. Additionally, environmental benefits are realized by eliminating the toxic effects often associated with the use of chromated primers.

Abstract: An agitated and pressurized paint pot that is mounted directly to a paint spray dispenser uses a small volume pressurized pot with constant agitation. This design prevents the settling of material and ensures that the materials are applied through the system at a consistent feed rate to meet the specific needs of applying radar absorbing materials.

Abstract: A system passively identifies objects at large distances with an integrated two-dimensional pattern, spectral tailoring, and an imaging system. Encoded information allows objects of various origin and configuration to be easily and rapidly identified by optical means, but is invisible to the naked eye. The devices used for detecting the objects may be ground-based, airborne, or even satellite-based, and can track engagements of such marked objects in real-time. A tailored reflective surface at a specific wavelength band is applied to the exteriors of the objects to form a unique signature. A scanning system passively records the light emanating from the signature in the specific band, and recognizes the signature to discern what the object is based on a database of information.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing iron from hydrogen peroxide by contacting the hydrogen peroxide with .alpha.-zirconium phosphate for up to 5 minutes at less than 35.degree. C.

Abstract: A hydroponic growth system comprising a wicking layer of beaded polystyrene foam to transport water to the bottom of containers on the top surface of the foam, preferably with a heating means under the foam.

Abstract: A disposable camera having an erectable bellows. A plastic bellows includes a series of truncated, conical walls, interspaced between a second set of truncated, conical walls, all of which form equal included angles with the camera longitudinal axis. The bellows has a proximal end integrally connected to a camera box having a self-developing film packet therein. A pair of rollers apply pressure to exiting exposed film spreading development medium thereacross. A lens and shutter mechanism are affixed to the distal end of the bellows.

Abstract: A controller for controlling the slope of a screed supported by support arms wherein the screed is moved over a distance includes a first slope sensor which develops a first sensor signal representing the slope of the screed, a second slope sensor which develops a second sensor signal representing the slope of the support arms and a first summer which sums the first sensor signal and command signal indicative of a particular screed slope to develop a first error signal. An integrator integrates the error signal over distance to develop an integrated first error signal. A second summer sums the integrated first error signal with the second sensor signal to develop a second error signal which is utilized to control actuators which adjust the slope of the support arms.

Abstract: Machines having a boom or arm pivotally disposed thereon wherein the length of the boom or arm and the angle thereof with respect to a reference plane are adjustable by means of actuators are well known. However, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to simultaneously control the actuators in a coordinated fashion to move the end of the boom or arm in a straight line path. In order to overcome this problem, a boom control system for a boom according to the present invention controls the actuators in either of two modes of operation, the first mode of operation comprising independent control over each actuator to afford polar coordinate operation and the second mode of operation comprising synchronized control over the actuators so that the end of the member may be moved in a straight line. Means are provided for manually selecting one of the two modes of operation. Means may be provided for calculating the amount of remaining horizontal throw of the boom or arm when a command to move same is issued.

Abstract: A disposable camera constructed to produce a single photograph and to collapse to a stored position. A top wall and bottom wall are spaced apart by a pair of inwardly folding side walls and a pair of outwardly folding side walls. A negative and associated photographic paper is slidably mounted in the camera. An externally located pair of pressure jaws receive the film and paper to break a packet of development material mounted to the paper and negative and subsequently apply the material onto the paper. The camera is disposable after one exposure whereas the jaws are retained for use with the next camera. A shutter is moveable across an aperture in the front wall to allow light to pass to the negative.

Abstract: A caddy for pulling a trailer. A wheel is rotatably mounted to an axle which in turn is fixedly secured to an upright post into which a downwardly extending member on the trailer hitch is positionable. A handle is pivotally mounted to the axle and may be pulled to pull the trailer forwardly.

Abstract: A disposable camera constructed to produce a single photograph and to collapse to a stored position. A top wall and bottom wall are spaced apart by a pair of inwardly folding side walls and a pair of outwardly folding side walls. A negative is slidably mounted adjacent the back wall and is alignable with a photographic paper slidably mounted against one side wall and to the top wall. A shutter is moveable across an aperture in the front wall to allow light to pass to the negative. A pair of rollers are mounted to the camera box with the photographic paper and negative moving therebetween developing the photograph on the paper.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a monolith extrusion die is formed by separately drilling matching feed holes for extruded material in each of two plates. In one plate the feed holes are shallow and carefully drilled for accurate alignment with the extrusion slots of the die. In the other plate, the holes are accurately located at the drill entry point, but thereafter rapidly drilled without regard to drift. The plates are then bonded together to form my die.Other methods of forming an extrusion die using two plates are disclosed.