Abstract: A compiler (or interpreter) detects source language instructions performing arithmetic operations using a fixed point format (preferably packed decimal). Where the operation can be performed without loss of precision or violation of other constraints of the source language, the compiler automatically converts the operands to a floating point format (preferably Decimal Floating Point (DFP)) having hardware support, and re-converts results to the original fixed point format. Preferably, the compiler may combine multiple operations and instructions in an expression tree, analyze the tree, and selectively convert where possible. The compiler preferably performs a heuristic cost judgment in determining whether to use a particular conversion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating hazardous materials are disclosed. One exemplary implementation provides a system for rendering chemical weapons materiel less hazardous. This system includes a detonation chamber, an expansion chamber, and an emission treater adapted to treat gas from detonation of the chemical weapons materiel. The emission treater yields a substantially dry residual waste stream and a treated gas suitable for venting to atmosphere. The emission treater may treat the gas with an alkaline powder that interacts with the gas, producing the residual waste stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring the performance of a provider of communications service are described. A plurality of mobile communications devices measure average power received, signal to noise ratio, voice quality, blocked and dropped calls, or any combinations of such measurements. The device may also receive a set of data identifying the location of the device. The device may transmit one or more communications signals to a server computer system with such measurements and location data. The measurements and location data may be stored in a database, and new data may be created and transmitted illustrating a subset of the measurements and location data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for dosing a fuel with a fuel additive comprising (i) passing the fuel from a fuel container through a dosing apparatus (ii) dosing the fuel with additive in an amount based on the fuel passing through the dosing apparatus and independently of the concentration of the additive in the fuel (iii) returning a portion of the fuel to the container.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating hazardous materials are disclosed. One exemplary implementation provides a system for rendering chemical weapons materiel less hazardous. This system includes a detonation chamber, an expansion chamber, and an emission treater adapted to treat gas from detonation of the chemical weapons materiel. The emission treater yields a substantially dry residual waste stream and a treated gas suitable for venting to atmosphere. The emission treater may treat the gas with an alkaline powder that interacts with the gas, producing the residual waste stream.

Abstract: A lamp assembly for use in a pressure sensitive paint measuring system, such as for measuring pressure on a test air vehicle using pressure sensitive paint, is constructed and configured to provide (1) exceptional cooling for the various optical elements and the housing, (2) a combination of filters that minimizes heat load on the interference filter, yet provides a high beam intensity at the desired wavelength, (3) a mounting structure for the lamp assembly that allows the lamp assembly to be accurately aimed and positioned with little translation of the output aperture, and (4) easy access to the internal components, including the bulb-reflector assembly and optical elements.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for purging an airlock cavity created between the airlock access door and the primary explosion chamber opening sealing mechanism. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an airlock device is used to ensure that, in the event toxins are released from the primary explosion chamber opening sealing means, the toxins are properly handled and are not inadvertently released into the atmosphere. In one embodiment, negative pressure is used to vacuum the entrained air within the airlock cavity subsequent to an explosion. To facilitate the sweeping and exhausting of the cavity, an orifice in the access door may be operable to allow the flow of ambient air through the airlock access door.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for dosing a fuel with a fuel additive comprising (i) passing the fuel from a fuel container through a dosing apparatus (ii) dosing the fuel with additive in an amount based on the fuel passing through the dosing apparatus and independently of the concentration of the additive in the fuel (iii) returning a portion of the fuel to the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to hermetically seal openings in an explosion suppression chamber. The present invention utilizes an air lock device to ensure that, in the event toxins are released from the primary explosion chamber opening closing means, the toxins are properly handled and are not inadvertently released into the atmosphere. The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses negative pressure to vacuum the entrained air within the airlock cavity subsequent to an explosion. An alternate embodiment of the present invention uses positive pressure within the air lock cavity to force air through integral filter membranes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to record and process operations information from aircraft for the purpose of improving maintenance processes, improving security, and accident investigation is described. Information recorded from aircraft operations includes equipment operational data, images of people and equipment, and sound information. This digital information that is recorded is a result of, in some cases, sampling an analog signal. In other cases, the digital information is a result of many information processing steps to improve the usefulness of the information while using a minimum quantity of data. This invention includes steps to compress the quantity of data while producing the most useful information. The digital information may be recorded aboard the aircraft in any of several data storage media, or the information may be transmitted from the aircraft, or a combination of storage aboard the aircraft and transmission may be used.

Abstract: A method of suppressing shrapnel ejection inherent with fragmentary and shrapnel munition destruction. The present invention utilizes a method of imploding an initiating explosive onto the munition device whereby the munition device is exploded. The method has the counterbalancing effect between the explosion and the implosion, thus controlling and drastically decreasing the quantity, velocity, and kinetic energy of the resultant shrapnel ejection. An alternate embodiment of the present invention utilizes a combination of a cylindrical container with the wrapped munition device. The munition device to be destroyed is wrapped with flexible explosive material and placed into the cylindrical container and the resultant void space between the container walls and the munition is filled with pourable or fluid explosive material. Upon detonation of the flexible explosive material and fluid explosive material, an implosion and simultaneous chain reaction occurs whereby detonating the munition device itself.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to hermetically seal openings in an explosion suppression chamber. The present invention utilizes an air lock device to ensure that, in the event toxins are released from the primary explosion chamber opening closing means, the toxins are properly handled and are not inadvertently released into the atmosphere. The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses negative pressure to vacuum the entrained air within the airlock cavity subsequent to an explosion. An alternate embodiment of the present invention uses positive pressure within the air lock cavity to force air through integral filter membranes.

Abstract: A method of suppressing shrapnel ejection inherent with fragmentary and shrapnel munition destruction. The present invention utilizes a method of imploding an initiating explosive onto the munition device whereby the munition device is exploded. The method has the counterbalancing effect between the explosion and the implosion, thus controlling and drastically decreasing the quantity, velocity, and kinetic energy of the resultant shrapnel ejection. An alternate embodiment of the present invention utilizes a combination of a cylindrical container with the wrapped munition device. The munition device to be destroyed is wrapped with flexible explosive material and placed into the cylindrical container and the resultant void space between the container walls and the munition is filled with pourable or fluid explosive material. Upon detonation of the flexible explosive material and fluid explosive material, an implosion and simultaneous chain reaction occurs whereby detonating the munition device itself.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to protect the interior surfaces of an explosion suppression and containment chamber. The present invention uses a plurality of modular armor tile plates fixedly attached to the interior surfaces of the chamber. The present invention also uses a shield armor plate to protect all interior exhaust orifices from potential shrapnel damage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fixedly attaching modular tiles. The present invention uses a combination of a surface to be covered, a modular tile, a mounting plate, a peg and a wedge. Alternately, the present invention can also be used without the mounting plate. The present invention first securely fastens the peg to the surface to be covered. Next, the modular tile, with an aperture matching the peg, is placed over the peg and is seated flush against the surface. Next, the mounting plate, with an aperture matching the peg, is placed over the peg and is seated flush against the modular tile. A wedge is then securely placed into an aperture located on the peg, thus compressing the underlying components and securely locking them in place.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a solderable aluminum alloy having an aluminum alloy which is formable into a substrate. The aluminum alloy has 0.05-4.5% by weight of tin added to the aluminum alloy to be formed into the substrate. The invention is also directed to a process for preparing a solderable aluminum substrate. The process includes preparing an aluminum slug with 0.05-4.5% of tin added to the aluminum slug; then rolling the aluminum slug to the desired thickness for the substrate; finally forming the rolled slug into the final shaped of the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method are provided for defining visibility boundaries in compiled code of an optimizing compiler used with a digital computer for converting a source program to an object code. The source program is received and a first intermediate representation of the source program is generated. A pseudo operation representing a predetermined event is inserted in the first intermediate representation. Sequential operations of the first intermediate representation including the inserted pseudo operations are processed for defining an internal data structure of the source program. A visibility boundary for a selected variable is identified responsive to identifying a pseudo operation in the first intermediate representation.

Abstract: A compiler and method of compiling provide enhanced performance by inlining one or more frequently executed paths through a child procedure into a parent procedure without inlining the entire child procedure. Accordingly, a substantial improvement in speed of execution of the program can be achieved by reducing procedure call overhead, with reduced expense in terms of program size as compared to traditional inlining. Various criteria for determining whether to inline particular child procedures are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus allows a compiler to optimize code in the presence of exception handlers. According to a first embodiment, arcs are added to a control flow graph, prior to performing global optimizations, to account for exception handling code. According to the second embodiment, information relating to control flow to exception handlers is provided in pseudo-references in the code, which allows the compiler to determine how to appropriately optimize the code.

Abstract: A label comprises a plurality of separate first indicia printed on one side thereof with each camouflaged by an opaque layer. The indicia representing numbers are segregated in a grid pattern. The first indicia represent possible chip positions when betting on a game of roulette. The label also has second indicia comprising a perspective view of a roulette wheel and a predetermined number of first indicia representing the equivalent or bets. To play, the label is cut or torn for removal from the exterior of a container to expose the first and second indicia, enabling a player to remove desired portions of the camouflaged layer to reveal first indicia numbers corresponding to the second indicia numbers.