Abstract: A measurement system including a machine tool stage having a first piece and a second piece that are movable with respect to one another. A digital scale is integrated in the first piece and a detector is integrated in the second piece at a position suitable to detect movement with respect to the digital scale. The detector creates a signal based upon relative movement between the digital scale and the detector. A display integrated in the second piece receives the signal from the detector and displays a reading of the relative movement thus measured.

Abstract: A hazard mitigation system to detect an object in a highway-railway grade crossing. A structure is provided that includes a fixed foundation and a surface layer that is cushionably placed above the foundation, such that the structure is located between tracks at the crossing. At least one sensor is mounted between the surface layer and the foundation. This sensor senses the weight of the object upon the surface layer and provides a sensor signal representative of that weight. A control unit receives the sensor signal, processes it to determine whether the object represents a potential hazard, and, if so generates a warning signal. The sensor can particularly include a pressure or strain gage, or a fiber optic sensor. When a fiber optic sensor is employed, it can particularly include a fiber Bragg grating.

Abstract: An a thermal fiber Bragg grating assembly. A platform provides two attachment locations and has a first coefficient of thermal expansion. A stick provides two ends and has a second coefficient of thermal expansion. A fiber Bragg grating provides two ends and has effective third coefficient of thermal expansion. One stick end is fixed to one grating end, the other stick end is fixed to one attachment location, and the other grating end is fixed to the other attachment location. The stick has a same cross-section area along its length that is equal to or less than the cross-section area of the grating. And the coefficients and lengths between respective locations and ends are such that the assembly exhibits an effective overall coefficient of thermal expansion approaching zero.

Abstract: A hazard mitigation system to detect intrusion by an object into a track zone at a train station platform. A structure is provided that includes a fixed foundation and a surface layer that is cushionably placed above the foundation, such that the structure is located in the track zone. At least one sensor is mounted between the surface layer and the foundation. This sensor senses the weight of the object upon the surface layer and provides a sensor signal representative of that weight. A control unit receives the sensor signal, processes it to determine whether the object represents a potential hazard, and, if so generates a warning signal. The sensor can particularly include a strain or pressure gage, or a fiber optic sensor. When a fiber optic sensor is employed, it can particularly include a fiber Bragg grating.

Abstract: A metering module, or a system employing such, for monitoring fluid flow with a laser light source, a light detector and a processor, wherein the fluid may be a gas or liquid. A valve section and a grating section including a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) are provided. The valve section applies strain on the FBG that is representative of the flow of the fluid. An optical fiber couples a probing laser signal to the FBG and the FBG reflects a portion back as a return laser signal that the optical fiber couples to the light detector for detection and processing.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and products created by the methods that create a photo-magnetic image of an object in photo-magnetic stock. A source provides a data signal that is representative of a digital image. The source may particularly include a lens and digital sensor in the manner of a digital camera, or may particularly include an interface to receive the data signal from an external system where it has been captured, stored, or generated. A first coding unit then optically writes the data signal into the photo-magnetic stock and a second coding unit magnetically writes the data signal into the photo-magnetic stock.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in rotational measurement. A rotational assembly is provided that is rotationally movable about a rotational axis. At least two interferometers are provided that are each able to receive a respective light beam, separate it into both reference and measuring beams and direct their respective measuring beam to and receive it back from the rotational assembly. The said rotational assembly includes a plurality of cube corners mounted so that at least one is able to receive from and reflect back to one of the interferometers its measuring beam as the rotational assembly rotates. The interferometers combine their reference and measuring beams into respective detection beams, wherein at least one such detection beam includes an interference signal that is process able to determine any rotational measurement of the rotational assembly and any work piece target attached to it.

Abstract: A data distribution system (10) including an information card (12) and a reader (14). The information card (12) includes visible indicia (20) on its front and stripe zones (34) and a ring zone (36) on its back. The zones (34, 36) are suitable for magnetically recording data, and optional characteristics for such data. The reader (14) may be a linear reader (14a), a rotary reader (14b), or a card-stationary reader (14c, 14d) and may optionally act automatically in response to reading one or more of the optional data characteristics. If the reader (14) is a rotary reader (14b) the information card (12) may particularly be loaded into a cartridge (16) which is loaded into the rotary reader (14b).

Abstract: A car wash device includes a vessel, pump, brush, hose, flow control device and fittings. The brush has a nozzle. The hose is matable to the brush and to the vessel. The brush is matable to both the hose for the vessel and a high pressure water source. A flow control device has a low pressure position for use when the brush is mated to the vessel and a high pressure position when the brush is mated to the high pressure water source. Liquid may be pressurized by the pump and flow from the vessel and through the nozzle for use when the flow control device is in the low pressure position. Alternatively, water flows from the high pressure water source through the nozzle for use when the flow control device is in the high pressure position. A brush for the car wash device is also provided.

Abstract: A method establishing a reference point for a machine tool with X-, Y-, and Z-stages. A YZ-plane is established by reflecting a light beam off an X-stage reflector to sense at a detector. The X-stage is moved while repositioning the head and reflector and maintaining sensing. An optical alignment module (OAM) is mounted optically perpendicular to the beam, with a bending mirror centered at the Z-axis. The Z-axis is established bending mirror deflecting the beam to the Z-axis, reflecting it off of a Z-stage reflector so it is sensed, and moving the Z-stage while repositioning the OAM relative to the X- and Y-axes to maintain sensing. An XY-plane is established by bending mirror deflecting the beam to the Y-axis, reflecting it off of a Y-stage reflector so it is sensed, and moving the Y-stage while repositioning the Y-reflector relative to the X- and Z-axes to maintain sensing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing a bioadhesive composition comprising the steps of preparing a solution of a solvent and a polymer mixture wherein the polymer mixture comprises at least one natural or synthetic polycarboxylated polymer and at least one polysaccharide; drying the solution to form a solid; and heat treating the solid to effect cross-linking and to form the bioadhesive composition.

Abstract: A dual-direction inflator has a tube and a cover mounted on the tube. A rod extends through the cover and is inserted in the tube. A piston is received in the tube and mounted on an end of the rod. The piston has an air-in chamber and an air-out chamber defined therein. A handle is mounted at the other end of the rod. The handle has an inlet and an outlet formed at a middle portion thereof. An inner tube is received in the rod and communicated with the inlet and with the air-in chamber. By a space defined between the inner tube and the rod, the air-out chamber is communicated with the outlet.

Abstract: A dual-direction inflator has a tube and a cover mounted on the tube. A rod extends through the cover and is inserted in the tube. A piston is received in the tube and mounted on an end of the rod. The piston has an air-in chamber and an air-out chamber defined therein. A handle is mounted at the other end of the rod. The handle has an inlet and an outlet formed at a middle portion thereof. An inner tube is received in the rod and communicated with the inlet and with the air-in chamber. By a space defined between the inner tube and the rod, the air-out chamber is communicated with the outlet.

Abstract: A plumbing device for a basin drainage includes a pushbutton, a spring, a positioning sleeve, a probe and a seal that is connected to the probe. The pushbutton is able to control the movement of the seal to selectively communicate the inlet and the valve receiving channel. A moving chamber is movably received in the pressure chamber to control the communication between the pressure release path and the passage of the cap. The accumulated pressure in the pressure chamber is able to be released by pushing the pushbutton so as to generate a large force into the drainage with the suction cup securely engaged with the periphery of the drainage.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing a bioadhesive composition comprising the steps of preparing a solution of a solvent and a polymer mixture wherein the polymer mixture comprises at least one natural or synthetic polycarboxylated polymer and at least one polysaccharide; drying the solution to form a solid; and heat treating the solid to effect cross-linking and to form the bioadhesive composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing a bioadhesive composition comprising the steps of preparing a solution of a solvent and a polymer mixture wherein the polymer mixture comprises at least one natural or synthetic polycarboxylated polymer and at least one polysaccharide; drying the solution to form a solid; and heat treating the solid to effect cross-linking and to form the bioadhesive composition.

Abstract: A zwitterionic monomer having amino-multicarboxylic acid functionality having Structure (I) wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of H, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R2 is (CH2)n where n is 2 to 12; R3 and R4 are independently an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R5 is (CH2)m where m is 2 or 3; R6 and R7 are independently selected from wherein R20 is selected from the group consisting of H, CH3, and COOY; R21 is selected from H or CH3; X is oxygen or nitrogen; A is a halide; and Y is independently a cation. The zwitterionic monomer is the reaction product of an amino-multicarboxylic acid and an amine containing monomer.

Abstract: An expanded shaped product with improved flexural compressibility and surface properties comprising starch and a hydrophobically modified acid anhydride or its acid hydrolyzed counterpart and the method of preparing such product by extrusion.

Abstract: An expanded shaped product with improved flexural compressibility and surface properties comprising starch and a hydrophobically modified acid anhydride or its acid hydrolyzed counterpart and the method of preparing such product by extrusion.

Abstract: The method of making paper wherein the use of a selected ether or ester modified, cationic starch as an additive in the papermaking wet end provides significantly improves retention and drainage properties particularly in alkaline microparticle containing systems.