Abstract: A low-cost floating drifter adapted to accurately follow near-surface ocean currents and transmit periodically to monitoring satellites data and position-determining information. Global tracking of ocean currents is made economically and scientifically feasible by the use of large numbers of such drifters. The drifter includes a floating surface buoy in the approximate shape of an oblate spheroid and containing an electronic system, a slotted plane antenna, transmitter, sunrise and sunset detector, environmental sensors, buoy hull strain sensor and battery power supply. The surface buoy is stabilized and induced to follow ocean currents by a drogue suspended from the bottom center surface. The drogue includes a wire-cored buoyant rope of up to hundreds of meters in length and weighted to a slight negative buoyancy. The drogue may also include an elongated cylindrical sock of substantially greater diameter than the rope.

Abstract: The present invention is a magnetic field measuring system and method for generating a magnetic field signal representative of the Earth's undistorted magnetic field at any given spatial location over a measurement period. The measured undistorted magnetic field is substantially independent of distortions due to any magnetically susceptible material within the measuring system and is substantially independent of internal magnetic fields generated by magnetic field sources within the system.

Abstract: A directable stylet for naso and oroendotracheal intubation including hand operated lever bar and grip support for applying high force to an articulating wire that produces a first curvature and a reverse curve to facilitate intubation. The stylet is covered with a plastic jacket to enable the stylet to be sterilized and therefore reused. The plurality of U-shaped links and a crossover link and a terminal link permits reverse curvature to be achieved during intubation.

Abstract: A family of catoptric lens arrangements is provided for focusing a maximum mount of light from an omnidirectional source into a parallel or conical beam. A rear spherical-curvature reflector is inserted into a conventional forward spherical plus rear parabolic reflector arrangement, with its center of curvature and the light source both at the focal point of the parabolic reflector. In addition, a forward collimating lens is substituted for the central portion of the forward reflector. The theoretical 100% efficiency achieved by this arrangement is independent of the diameters of the forward and rear reflectors provided, of course, that the positions and curvatures are suitably compensated.