Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a ceramic nanocomposite comprising a nanostructured carbon component inside a ceramic host. The ceramic nanocomposite may further comprise vapor grown carbon fibers. Such nanostructured carbon materials impart both structural and thermal barrier enhancements to the ceramic host. The present invention is also directed towards a method of making these ceramic nanocomposites and for methods of using them in various applications.

Abstract: An engine fuel injector includes an internal fuel passage in which pressure waves can develop upon opening and closing of an injection valve. A fuel pressure damper is associated with the fuel passage and operates to vary the internal volume of the fuel passage in a manner to reduce the amplitude of pressure variations and pressure waves in the fuel passage. A variety of fuel pressure damper embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device(s) for increasing the Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) user data rate between a mobile terminal and a basestation in a digital cellular mobile communications system. The method and device(s) use the same modulation scheme that is used for digital speech to encapsulate CDPD block data, specifically, the TIA/EIA-136 standard. The TIA/EIA-136 standard can accommodate more data than the GMSK modulation scheme that is typically used for CDPD block data. In order to encapsulate CDPD block data using the TIA/EIA-136 standard, an encoding step is performed on the sending end that includes constructing a CDPD block comprised of CDPD data, assembling an TIA/EIA-136 frame leaving the data fields of the frame empty, and placing CDPD block data in the data fields. The assembled TIA/EIA-136 frame is then sent using existing transmission code.

Abstract: A wireless communications system receiver classifies a received burst as a DTX-high state normal burst or a DTX-low state truncated burst with a high probability of success. D1, the Euclidean distance between the known CDVCC and the bit position of CDVCC in a normal burst, is determined by calculating a confidence-weighted correlation between the two bit patterns. In a high-noise environment, D2, the Euclidean distance between the known CDVCC and the bit position of CDVCC in a truncated burst, is calculated. The ratio D1/D2 is compared to a threshold to classify the DTX state of the received burst. D1 and D2 may be normalized by dividing by the maximum average RSSI over the received burst, plotted on a graph of normalized D1 vs. normalized D2, and compared to a predetermined thresholding function that minimizes the probability of false classification. The thresholding function may be a piece-wise linear curve.

Abstract: A novel durable prosthetic heart valve compatible with implantation in a human natural heart valve annulus. The prosthetic heart valve comprises a tubular heart valve which in function resembles a human heart valve, but which is formed of either synthetic or biologic material. The present valve is capable of structurally complying with annular deformation during each heartbeat. Valve embodiments comprise aortic, mitral, tricuspid, and pulmonic implantable valves. Valves can be selectively impregnated with a group of biologically active substances consisting of antibiotics, bactericidal agents, anticoagulant medications, endothelial cells, genetic material, growth factors or other hormonal or biologically active substances. Use of non-thrombogenic biocompatible materials in the valve which mimics operation of a natural heart valve essentially eliminates the need for long term administration of anticoagulants.

Abstract: An engine fuel injector includes an internal fuel passage in which pressure waves can develop upon opening and closing of an injection valve. A fuel pressure damper is associated with the fuel passage and operates to vary the internal volume of the fuel passage in a manner to reduce the amplitude of pressure variations and pressure waves in the fuel passage. A variety of fuel pressure damper embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device(s) for increasing the Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) user data rate between a mobile terminal and a basestation in a digital cellular mobile communications system. The method and device(s) use the same modulation scheme that is used for digital speech to encapsulate CDPD block data, specifically, the TIA/EIA-136 standard. The TIA/EIA-136 standard can accommodate more data than the GMSK modulation scheme that is typically used for CDPD block data. In order to encapsulate CDPD block data using the TIA/EIA-136 standard, an encoding step is performed on the sending end that includes constructing a CDPD block comprised of CDPD data, assembling an TIA/EIA-136 frame leaving the data fields of the frame empty, and placing CDPD block data in the data fields. The assembled TIA/EIA-136 frame is then sent using existing transmission code.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for distributing traffic in a wireless packet data network. A capacity flag which is sent on each RF data channel within a cell in a wireless packet data network is toggled between an asserted and an unasserted state according to the period of a timer. Transceiver terminals will only register for a channel while that channel's capacity flag is unasserted; therefore, transceiver terminals register with the various RF channels in a cell in a distributed fashion over time. The invention can be implemented by a computer program product or logic, or a combination of the two installed at the base station for a cell within a wireless data network such as a CDPD network.

Abstract: A paint roller frame with a 31 degree fixed forward angle with a 360 degree loop in the center of the angle that allow the user to directly apply paint materials to any surface with less effort and more control.

Abstract: A combination mouse pad and writing pad comprised of a plurality of sheets of paper secured together and further secured to a base, with each of the sheets of paper having a textured surface with a large number of “micro-bumps” screen printed thereon and spaced apart between 0.005 ″ and 0.100″. The sheets of paper are secured together along at least one side edge and to the base which has a non-skid backing. Furthermore, each of the plurality of sheets of paper include a scent element provided in the textured surface which is formed in a screen printing process, providing a pleasant aroma to its approximate surroundings.

Abstract: A spring clip assembly for connecting a fuel injector to a fuel rail in an internal combustion engine comprises a substantially circular ring having a circumferential outer surface, to which are attached a first and a second plurality of elongate fingers. The first plurality of elongate fingers extends in a first direction parallel to the axis of the ring and includes connecting means for attaching the ring to a fuel injector. The second plurality of elongate fingers extends in a second, opposite axial direction and includes connecting means for attaching the ring to the fuel rail. The spring clip assembly further comprises spring means held proximate a surface of the ring by either the first plurality or the second plurality of elongate fingers. The spring means provides a compressive load between the fuel injector and the fuel rail.

Abstract: A gastric-tube feeding system comprises a table-top stand with a loop that holds a feeding syringe aloft at an adjustable elevation. A funnel is used to simplify the filling of the feeding syringe with liquid food diet from a can.

Abstract: A formalin fluid recycler has a combination triple pipe nozzle for introducing dirty fluid into the recycler and for expelling concentrate and permeate fluid therefrom. Dirty fluid is pumped through a strainer, filtration module and charcoal filter to purify and clarify the dirty fluid. The formalin fluid can be recirculated in the system via the nozzle or be directed to a clean receptacle. Dirty formalin fluid is further cleansed by Ozone and ultraviolet light. Percent concentration and pH level of clean recycled formalin fluid is adjusted outside of the main recycling loop. Cleaning and preservative solutions are circulated through the recycler when necessary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correlating two signals representing a live image and a reference image are disclosed. The reference signal is processed to provide a polarity bit and mask bit for each pixel position in the reference image. The processed video signal is stored in a memory 20 and used in a convolver and summer section 18 in which the polarity bits between the reference and live images are gated by gate 17 and are used in generating a correlation output from summer 23. However, the polarity bits do not affect the correlation output if the logical output from gate 19 is of a given state which occurs if the associated mask bits indicate that the gradient value at the particular pixel position does not exceed certain minimum threshold values.

Abstract: A device attachable to either end of a vehicle is extendible while the vehicle is underway to effect streamlining at either or both ends of the vehicle.

Abstract: A fuel supply system supplies volatile fuel at a controlled rate to an air-fuel mixing chamber leading to a subatmospheric intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. Fuel is metered out by a metering gear pump supplied with fuel under pressure sufficient to maintain the fuel in its liquid state. An equalizer valve maintains the pressures on the two sides of the gear pump equal. This assures linearity of fuel rate as a function of pump speed. Pump speed is measured to provide a feedback signal to a controller. The controller compares the feedback with a control signal indicative of desired rate of fuel to develop driving power for application to the gear pump to drive the latter at the speed that supplies fuel at the desired rate.

Abstract: An auxiliary air control system controls the flow of air into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The system controls flow through a valve bypassing the main throttle valve to maintain an appropriate rate of air flow. A manifold pressure signal is fed back to a control circuit for comparison with a manifold pressure reference and development of a manifold pressure control signal for positioning the bypass valve to admit air at a rate maintaining the manifold pressure at the reference pressure and thus avoid low manifold pressures as cause excessive emissions of pollutants. A signal indicative of rate of air flow is fed back to the controller for comparison with an air flow reference and development of an air flow control signal for positioning the bypass valve to admit air at a rate maintaining total air flow at the reference rate, as for engine idle. The control signals are applied to admit air at the greater of the two rates.

Abstract: An air flow transducer for measuring rate of air flow into an engine having a propensity to backfire includes a rotor with vanes disposed to intercept the air flow. The vanes are formed of low density plastic and affixed to a rotor. The trailing edges of the vanes are shaped to direct forces occasioned by backfire pressure waves to hold the vanes to the hub.

Abstract: A carburetor for an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold includes a hollow air control valve, preferably conical, formed by outer and inner hollow valve members having mating surfaces of revolution about an axis. The inner valve member confines a coaxial internal mixing chamber having a cross section increasing in the direction away from the mating surfaces and terminating in an open end extending toward the intake manifold. The valve members are mounted to intercept air inflow into the intake manifold with the valve members being turnable relative to each other about the axis to change the overlap of respective openings and thereby vary the constriction of air flow at the overlaps to control the rate of air flow into the intake manifold. The respective openings are relatively disposed to direct air flow through each overlap with a transverse component of air flow offset from the direction toward the axis, thereby causing a swirling of air within the mixing chamber.