Abstract: A cryogenic liquid conditioning system with flow driven by head pressure of liquid contained in a cryogenic storage tank, and a cryogenic liquid delivery system with flow driven by pressure in the vapor space of the cryogenic storage tank. A heat exchanger, coupled to the cryogenic storage tank located below the liquid level of the tank, operates as a portion of both the conditioning system and delivery system. A piping system moves cryogenic liquid to the heat exchanger where it is vaporized, and then moves vaporized liquid to the vapor space of the cryogenic tank and an application. The piping system includes a controller and valve(s) for controlling flow through the system. A sensor for measuring the saturated pressure of cryogenic liquid is coupled to the storage tank or piping system, and is in communication with the flow controller.

Abstract: A system for detecting contamination of a window of an optical system includes a polarizing beamsplitter, a quarter waveplate, a photodetector, and a processor. The polarizing beamsplitter is configured to receive a laser beam having a first polarization and reflect the laser beam having the first polarization to the window. The photodetector is configured to sense a magnitude of reflections of the laser beam from the window having a second polarization, wherein the polarizing beamsplitter passes the reflections of the laser beam from the window having the second polarization to the photodetector. The processor is configured to determine a contamination level of the window based upon the magnitude of the reflections of the laser beam from the window.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention is a magnetic pickup for a stringed musical instrument. The aspect includes a bobbin wherein the bobbin includes a magnetic pole piece and a winding of wire configured to be wound thereabout the bobbin, a magnetic material disposed adjacent to the bobbin; a base plate adjacent the magnetic material and wherein the winding of wire is comprised of a silver material.

Abstract: An adjustable air conditioner curb includes a curb base having reinforcement members connected thereto and a curb frame adjustably positionable relative to the curb base and positionable between the curb base and the reinforcement members and connected thereto to maintain the curb frame in fixed position.

Abstract: A cryogenic liquid conditioning system with flow driven by head pressure of liquid contained in a cryogenic storage tank, and a cryogenic liquid delivery system with flow driven by pressure in the vapor space of said cryogenic storage tank. A heat exchanger, coupled to the cryogenic storage tank located below the liquid level of said tank, operates as a portion of both the conditioning system and delivery system. A piping system moves cryogenic liquid to the heat exchanger where it is vaporized, and then moves vaporized liquid to the vapor space of the cryogenic tank and an application. The piping system includes a means for controlling flow through the system. A means for measuring the saturated pressure of cryogenic liquid is coupled to the storage tank or piping system, and is in communication with the means for controlling flow.

Abstract: A double walled vacuum insulated cryogenic vessel including a support system for the inner vessel that comprises an inner vessel support, a support bushing, and an outer vessel support. The inner vessel support is affixed to the inner vessel and the outer vessel support is affixed to the outer vessel. Between the two supports is a support bushing which is not affixed to the inner vessel support, the outer vessel support, the inner vessel, nor the outer vessel. Anti-rotational support is provided either by mechanical means, shapes, or secondary support structures.

Abstract: A hold-down bracket employed to secure an air conditioner to a roof mounted air conditioner support includes two bracket members which are adjustable relative to one another, one bracket member secured to the frame of the support and the other bracket member secured to the air conditioner.

Abstract: A system and method for securely streaming media. The system includes a gateway server that receives requests for access to a secured data resource from an end users. The request include an authorization ticket and a referring website. The gateway server validates the authorization ticket using a secret key shared with the referring website, and validates the referring website by verifying that referring website is on a white-list for the secured data resource. The gateway server selects a data server to service the request, and formats a data server access request containing the data server location and data server request parameter data and transmits the data server access request to the end users. When end users transmit the data server access requests to a data server, the data server validates the request and transmits it to the end user.

Abstract: A system for providing supplemental or auxiliary heat to a crude oil separator is provided. The system includes a primary circuit carrying a fluid heated by a solar panel and a secondary circuit carrying a fluid heated by heat exchangers engaged with the primary circuit. The secondary circuit includes heat exchangers engaging the separator to provide auxiliary heat. The system may also include a source of off-grid electrical energy, such as a wind turbine and/or photoelectric cell.

Abstract: A system for providing supplemental or auxiliary heat to a crude oil separator is provided. The system includes a primary circuit carrying a fluid heated by a solar panel and a secondary circuit carrying a fluid heated by heat exchangers engaged with the primary circuit. The secondary circuit includes heat exchangers engaging the separator to provide auxiliary heat. The system may also include a source of off-grid electrical energy, such as a wind turbine and/or photoelectric cell.

Abstract: A system and method for securely streaming media. The system includes a gateway server that receives requests for access to a secured data resource from an end users. The request include an authorization ticket and a referring website. The gateway server validates the authorization ticket using a secret key shared with the referring website, and validates the referring website by verifying that referring website is on a white-list for the secured data resource. The gateway server selects a data server to service the request, and formats a data server access request containing the data server location and data server request parameter data and transmits the data server access request to the end users. When end users transmit the data server access requests to a data server, the data server validates the request and transmits it to the end user.

Abstract: A system and method for the delivery of a portion of a library of data to an end user. The system includes a plurality of data servers and at least one gateway server operatively connected to the end user. When the gateway server receives request from the end user for delivery of at least a portion of the library of data, the gateway server selects one of the plurality of data servers using a stateless addressing method and transmits instructions to the end user which enable the end user to issue a second request to the selected data servers for delivery the data to the end user. When the selected data server receives the second request, the server transmits the requested data to the end user.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for communicating optical signals in a multipath optical network, such as ring network architecture. The system and methods provided are operable to bypass a faulty node in the optical network under various conditions. Faulty nodes may be associated with various failures, such as equipment failure, power failure, etc. The system and methods utilize an apparatus for communicating optical signals to adjacent nodes, bypassing the failed node, when a certain amount of power is provided to the node or apparatus. The system and methods utilize an apparatus for communicating optical signals to equipment located at an associated node when an amount of power is not provided to the node or apparatus.

Abstract: A method of generating a fast-rise time voltage step to produce an overvoltage condition for a dielectric barrier plasma discharge involves providing a pair of electrodes spaced apart by an electrode gap and at least one dielectric disposed in the gap; generating fast-rise time voltage step such that the rise time to achieve said overvoltage condition is equal to or less than the time required to generate the plasma thereby establishing the overvoltage condition prior to current flow across said electrode gap. Power from storage capacitor banks discharge into the electrode gap through a switch. The switch is capable of standing-off voltage sufficient to create the overvoltage condition when the switch is open. The discharge current pulse across the said electrode gap is terminated by charging properties of the said dielectric(s) in the said electrode gap. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A dielectric barrier plasma discharge device consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention has a pair of electrodes spaced apart by an electrode gap. A dielectric is disposed between the electrodes. The electrode gap is provided with a gas at a specified pressure. A rapid rise time voltage pulse generator produces a voltage pulse across the electrodes to cause an extreme overvoltage condition, wherein the rapid rise time is less than a plasma generation time so that the extreme overvoltage condition occurs prior to current flow across the electrode gap. Due to the high voltages and high current densities, the product yields an extremely high instantaneous power density. This extreme overvoltage condition is also believed to lead to production of shock waves and runaway free electrons. The resulting plasma can be utilized to carry out many potential tasks including, but not limited to etching, deposition, and sterilization.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating post-surgical articular or incisional pain and/or discomfort in a patient. The invention further provides improved surgical methods and controlled release formulations for treating an articular injury of a joint in a patient, in which a collagen formulation is used in conjunction with a surgical procedure to treat the articular injury or the side effects of the surgical procedure. Collagen formulations of the invention and their use, in addition to the surgical procedure, may provide at least one or more of the following benefits: reduced patient pain, shortened recovery time and/or improved joint condition (including treatment of the underlying articular injury). Moreover, the methods and compositions of the invention can be used in conjunction with essentially any surgical procedure used to treat an articular injury.

Abstract: A method of laser scanning a perimeter zone of a target site for the detection of potential threats comprises: scanning a pulsed laser beam across the perimeter zone; receiving echoes from the pulsed laser beam during the perimeter zone scan; deriving range data corresponding to the received echoes; determining position data of the received echoes in the perimeter zone; forming a scene image of a scan of the perimeter zone based on the range and position data of the received echoes thereof; repeating the steps of scanning, receiving, deriving, determining and forming for a plurality of perimeter zone scans to form scene images of each scan of the plurality; and comparing scene images of the plurality to detect a potential threat in the perimeter zone.

Abstract: A method of identifying an object in a laser beam illuminated scene based on material types comprises the steps of: emitting a pulsed beam of laser energy, each beam pulse comprising a plurality of different discrete wavelength emission components; illuminating a predetermined scene with the pulsed beam; receiving return laser pulses from objects within the illuminated scene, each return laser pulse comprising return components corresponding to the plurality of different discrete wavelength emission components; determining spectral reflectance values for the plurality of return components of each return laser pulse; determining a material type for each return laser pulse of the illuminated scene based on the plurality of reflectance values of the corresponding return pulse; indexing each determined material type to a position in the illuminated scene; and identifying an object in the illuminated scene based on material types and indexed positions thereof in the scene.

Abstract: Mark R. Haley has procedures and technology, which would prevent hijacking of aircraft. This system would include a password protected autopilot system, which is automatically engaged if the pilot opens the cockpit door after takeoff or if the cockpit door is forcibly opened. The password-protected autopilot could only be overridden by the pilot (or co pilot who has the password), or by a ground controller in case of emergency. Then a hijacking could not take control of the aircraft. “911 Autopilot” is a low cost variation, which simply delays disengagement of autopilot until a military escort arrives. The military escort could remotely control the release of the autopilot or a simple time delay could release autopilot. In either case, the hijacked plane would be under military escort and therefore it would be unable to be used to ram buildings.

Abstract: An applicator (1) for applying a liquid stored in a container (10) to a work surface, said applicator comprising: an applicator portion (2); a catchment cup (3) connected to and fluidly communicating with the applicator portion (2); and a connector portion (4) connectable to and fluidly communicating with the container (10) and the catchment cup (3).