Abstract: Mower blades are provided having a hexagonal central aperture configured such that a variety of retaining plates can pass through the aperture. This allows the mower blade to function with replaceable-blade mower systems having any of a variety of retaining-plate shapes, including both symmetric and asymmetric retaining-plate shapes, including S-shaped retaining plates.

Abstract: A pipeline pig signal includes sealing means located within a lower end of the trigger cavity of the signal which prevents pipeline debris from entering the trigger cavity. The sealing means moves between a first sealing position and a second sealing position in response to the trigger moving between a non-triggered and triggered position. The sealing means may be a polymer boot, a filter arrangement, a sliding piston arrangement, or a sliding shelf arrangement.

Abstract: A pipeline pig signal includes sealing means located within a lower end of the trigger cavity of the signal which prevents pipeline debris from entering the trigger cavity. The sealing means moves between a first sealing position and a second sealing position in response to the trigger moving between a non-triggered and triggered position. The sealing means may be a polymer boot, a filter arrangement, a sliding piston arrangement, or a sliding shelf arrangement.

Abstract: A pipeline pig signal includes sealing means located within a lower end of the trigger cavity of the signal which prevents pipeline debris from entering the trigger cavity. The sealing means moves between a first sealing position and a second sealing position in response to the trigger moving between a non-triggered and triggered position. The sealing means may be a polymer boot, a filter arrangement, a sliding piston arrangement, or a sliding shelf arrangement.

Abstract: A system for processing a multiband image, including digital computer memory for storing a multiband image having multiple bands of image data; and processing circuitry for processing the multiband image, wherein the processing circuitry (a) determines pixel locations in the bands of the multiband image having values above the band-specific white value threshold for each of the bands of the multiband image, (b) determines a band-specific correction factor for each of plural bands of the multiband image based on the determined pixel locations, and (c) applies the corresponding band-specific correction factor to the respective plural bands of the multiband image to produce a corrected image.

Abstract: A system for processing a multiband image, including digital computer memory for storing a multiband image having multiple bands of image data; and processing circuitry for processing the multiband image, wherein the processing circuitry (a) determines pixel locations in the bands of the multiband image having values above the band-specific white value threshold for each of the bands of the multiband image, (b) determines a band-specific correction factor for each of plural bands of the multiband image based on the determined pixel locations, and (c) applies the corresponding band-specific correction factor to the respective plural bands of the multiband image to produce a corrected image.

Abstract: A system for processing a multiband image, including digital computer memory for storing a multiband image having multiple bands of image data; and processing circuitry for processing the multiband image, wherein the processing circuitry (a) determines pixel locations in the bands of the multiband image having values above the band-specific white value threshold for each of the bands of the multiband image, (b) determines a band-specific correction factor for each of plural bands of the multiband image based on the determined pixel locations, and (c) applies the corresponding band-specific correction factor to the respective plural bands of the multiband image to produce a corrected image.

Abstract: A pipeline pig signal includes sealing means located within a lower end of the trigger cavity of the signal which prevents pipeline debris from entering the trigger cavity. The sealing means moves between a first sealing position and a second sealing position in response to the trigger moving between a non-triggered and triggered position. The sealing means may be a polymer boot, a filter arrangement, a sliding piston arrangement, or a sliding shelf arrangement.

Abstract: A system for processing a multiband image, including digital computer memory for storing a multiband image having multiple bands of image data; and processing circuitry for processing the multiband image, wherein the processing circuitry (a) determines pixel locations in the bands of the multiband image having values above the band-specific white value threshold for each of the bands of the multiband image, (b) determines a band-specific correction factor for each of plural bands of the multiband image based on the determined pixel locations, and (c) applies the corresponding band-specific correction factor to the respective plural bands of the multiband image to produce a corrected image.

Abstract: A semi-transparent time division multiplexer/demultiplexer that transmits low rate tributaries from one location to another using a high rate aggregate connection, while preserving substantially all of the TOH and payload for each tributary signal. Transparency of the tributary TOH is accomplished by interleaving both the TOH and the Payload of each tributary into the high rate aggregate signal. Some TOH bytes may be tunneled or re-mapped into unused/undefined TOH locations in the aggregate signal to allow transparency of the TOH without corrupting the aggregate. Errors may be handled by tunneling BIP bytes into unused/undefined aggregate locations and updating the tunneled bytes with error masks calculated at each network elements. Alternatively errors may be forwarded by using an error mask generated from the tributary BIP locations and inserting the mask into the associated aggregate BIP locations. The mask in the aggregate BIP is updated with error masks calculated at each network elements.

Abstract: Self-setting, bioactive, absorbable, polymeric cyanoacrylate composites include at least 20 percent weight/volume of inorganic phosphate microparticulate fillers and are capable of the controlled release of bone mineralizing ions, antimicrobials, and bone growth promoters. Such composites are useful as bone cements, fillers, and/or substitutes.

Abstract: A semi-transparent time division multiplexer/demultiplexer that transmits low rate tributaries from one location to another using a high rate aggregate connection, while preserving substantially all of the TOH and payload for each tributary signal. Transparency of the tributary TOH is accomplished by interleaving both the TOH and the Payload of each tributary into the high rate aggregate signal. Some TOH bytes may be tunneled or re-mapped into unused/undefined TOH locations in the aggregate signal to allow transparency of the TOH without corrupting the aggregate. Errors may be handled by tunneling BIP bytes into unused/undefined aggregate locations and updating the tunneled bytes with error masks calculated at each network elements. Alternatively errors may be forwarded by using an error mask generated from the tributary BIP locations and inserting the mask into the associated aggregate BIP locations. The mask in the aggregate BIP is updated with error masks calculated at each network elements.

Abstract: A semi-transparent time division multiplexer/demultiplexer that transmits low rate tributaries from one location to another using a high rate aggregate connection, while preserving substantially all of the TOH and payload for each tributary signal. Transparency of the tributary TOH is accomplished by interleaving both the TOH and the Payload of each tributary into the high rate aggregate signal. Some TOH bytes may be tunneled or re-mapped into unused/undefined TOH locations in the aggregate signal to allow transparency of the TOH without corrupting the aggregate. Errors may be handled by tunneling BIP bytes into unused/undefined aggregate locations and updating the tunneled bytes with error masks calculated at each network elements. Alternatively errors may be forwarded by using an error mask generated from the tributary BIP locations and inserting the mask into the associated aggregate BIP locations. The mask in the aggregate BIP is updated with error masks calculated at each network elements.

Abstract: An improvement for a stretch blow molding apparatus, including a cryogenic liquid pulse pump disposed in sealed fluid connection between a cryogenic liquid reservoir and a stretch blow molding machine, a subcooler connected between the reservoir and the pulse pump for supplying cryogenic liquid at a preselected temperature, a vacuum jacket casing disposed generally surrounding a stretch blow rod, the reservoir, and the pulse pump for preventing vaporization of cryogenic liquid prior to delivery into a container, and control means for controlling the pulse pump to deliver a preselected amount of cryogenic liquid into the container through the stretch rod during a predetermined time interval beginning at a preselected time after formation of the container.

Abstract: An automatic alignment vise capable of automatically precisely positioning a workpiece to be machined. The vise can provide precise three dimensional positioning in response to data signals provided by a robotic device, a vertical milling machine or other machining device. The vise allows precise machining of all faces of the workpiece.