Abstract: An airbag inflator assembly is disclosed that includes a container containing a charge of pressurized gas and having a peripheral surface surrounding an opening in the container. A burst disc member has one side capacitive discharge welded to the peripheral surface of the container to seal the opening and thus confine the pressurized gas within the container. An ignitor assembly includes an ignitor assembly housing and ignition elements constructed and arranged to generate sufficient force to break the seal formed by the burst disc member and release the pressurized gas from the container. The ignitor elements are disposed substantially within the ignitor assembly housing. The ignitor assembly housing is an integrally formed unitary construction capacitive discharge welded to a side of the burst disc member opposite to the one side.

Abstract: An optical docking station comprises an optical frame and a detachable virtual image display module. The display module comprises a low power light source such as a light emitting diode, one or more beam splitters, polarizers, a liquid crystal display panel and an imaging lens. When the display module is detached from the optical frame, the light emitting diode provides the primary illumination for the image formed by the liquid crystal display panel. The image thus formed is a magnified virtual image of the liquid crystal display panel. When the display module is attached to the projector frame, however, a more powerful light source mounted to the optical frame provides the primary illumination. The more powerful light source forms a real image of the liquid crystal display module, which is capable of being projected onto a screen.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting thrombin generation and of inhibiting complement activation by using a dermatan sulfate having at least 2 sulfate groups per disaccharide obtained by chemical sulfation of native dermatan sulfate. The resulting dermatan sulfate having an average molecular weight from about 5000 to 35000 Daltons is characterized by (i) a high content of L-iduronic->4,6-di-O-sulfated N-acetyl-D-galactosamine residues, and (ii) a specific heparin cofactor II-mediated anti-thrombin activity, depending on average molecular weight, between about 25 to 125 U/mg.

Abstract: A display stand tray for displaying product for sale includes a bottom support panel to support the product for sale and a pair of upstanding end walls and a back wall integral with the bottom support panel for retaining the product in the display stand tray. The display stand tray has at least one divider tab, integral to and die-cut from the back wall, wherein the tab is movable from a first non-engageable position flush with the back wall to a second engaging position wherein the divider tab lies in a vertical plane substantially parallel to the end walls and positioned for separating rows of product on display.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an airbag inflator assembly comprising placing a container, burst disc member, and housing for the ignitor assembly in a chamber; pressurizing the chamber to an appropriate pressure based upon a desired pressure to be contained within the container; applying force i) to urge a surface portion on one side of the burst disc member and the peripheral surface surrounding the opening in the container into forcible engagement with one another, and ii) to urge a surface portion on an opposite side of the burst disc member and an associated surface portion of the ignitor assembly housing into forcible engagement with one another; applying pulses of electrical discharge energy i) in the vicinity of the forcible engagement between the surface portion on one side of the burst disc member and the peripheral surface surrounding the opening in the container so that the surface portion on one side of the burst disc member and the peripheral surface surrounding the opening in the container are seali

Abstract: An alarm system for indicating the removal of a plug from a receptacle including an alarm adapted to actuate upon the receipt of an activation signal. Further provided is an actuation mechanism coupled between a power source and the alarm having a first orientation when a conventional plug is properly inserted within associated prong apertures of the electrical receptacle for precluding the transmission of the activation signal. The actuation mechanism further has a second orientation when a conventional plug is removed from the associated prong apertures of the electrical receptacle for allowing the transmission of the activation signal.

Abstract: A vehicle safety apparatus (10) includes a seat (12) having a frame (20). A cushion (24) is supported by the frame (20) and is surrounded by a seat cover (32). The seat cover (32) has a first opening (36). The cushion (24) has a chamber (28). An air bag module (40) having an air bag (60) and a module deployment door (78) is disposed within the chamber (28). A frame member (100) having a second opening (116) is fastened to the air bag module (40). The frame member (100) clamps the seat cover (32) and the module deployment door (78) together. The air bag (60), when inflated, inflates through the first and second openings (36) and (116).

Abstract: A method and system for determining the homogeneity of one or more components of a mixture of ingredients, especially, is presented. Most importantly, it can be used to determine homogeneity of a tabletted mixture of the produced pharmaceuticals, including active and inactive ingredients. The method and system monitor the pharmaceutical material during tablet manufacture as a powder mix, granular mix and compressed tablets. This system uses near infrared technology for analyzing the uniformity and mass balance of the pharmaceutical mixture to control the tablet manufacturing process. As part of the system and method, a NIR spectral library, consisting of a pharmaceutical materials spanning the normal process range for is developed. Assessment of uniformity is accomplished by comparison of future production with the library of acceptable material.

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint such as an air bag (80) includes an inflator (90) having an axis (30) and first and second spaced end portions (92, 94). A housing (12) has first and second spaced apart side walls (20, 22) at least partially defining a chamber (26) which receives the inflator (90). The apparatus includes means (96, 98) for securing the first end portion (92) of the inflator (90) to the first side wall (20). Means for securing the second end portion (94) of the inflator (90) to the second side wall (22) comprises an adaptor (140). The adaptor (140) has a first portion (142) engaging the second side wall (22) and a second portion (160) engaging and supporting the inflator (90) at a location in the chamber (26) spaced inward from the housing second side wall (22).

Abstract: An optical sensing device for uranyl and other substances, a method for making an optical sensing device and a method for chemically binding uranyl and other indicators to glass, quartz, cellulose and similar substrates. The indicator, such as arsenazo III, is immobilized on the substrate using a chemical binding process. The immobilized arsenazo III causes uranyl from a fluid sample to bind irreversibly to the substrate at its active sites, thus causing absorption of a portion of light transmitted through the substrate. Determination of the amount of light absorbed, using conventional means, yields the concentration of uranyl present in the sample fluid. The binding of uranyl on the substrate can be reversed by subsequent exposure of the substrate to a solution of 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid. The chemical binding process is suitable for similarly binding other indicators, such as bromocresol green.

Abstract: A method for validating a process stream for the presence or absence of a substance of interest such as a chemical warfare agent; that is, for verifying that a chemical warfare agent is present in an input line for feeding the agent into a reaction vessel for destruction, or, in a facility for producing commercial chemical products, that a constituent of the chemical warfare agent has not been substituted for the proper chemical compound. The method includes the steps of transmitting light through a sensor positioned in the feed line just before the chemical constituent in the input line enters the reaction vessel, measuring an optical spectrum of the chemical constituent from the light beam transmitted through it, and comparing the measured spectrum to a reference spectrum of the chemical agent and preferably also reference spectra of surrogates.

Abstract: A method of improving the erosion resistance of the surface of a metal substrate by the technique of applying a dense and adherent alloy coating comprised of niobium carbide in a ductile matrix such as cobalt-chromium to the substrate surface using a hypersonic flame spray gun.

Abstract: A double block and vent valve comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet for introducing and discharging fluid to and from the valve and is defined at its ends by a first portion and an opposite second portion. The valve includes a flow directing throat disposed within the housing and interposed between the inlet and the outlet for communicating fluid therethrough and has a means for venting leached or trapped fluid externally of it. The flow directing throat has a flow discharging end portion associated with the housing first portion and has an opposite flow receiving end portion associated with the housing second portion. The flow receiving end portion and the discharging end portion of the flow directing throat are sized diametrically differently relative to one another such that fluid flow passing through the flow directing throat from the inlet to the outlet does so without substantially impeding its flow path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a chemical substance by exposing an optic fiber having a core and a cladding to the chemical substance so that the chemical substance can be adsorbed onto the surface of the cladding. The optic fiber is coiled inside a container having a pair of valves for controlling the entrance and exit of the substance. Light from a light source is received by one end of the optic fiber, preferably external to the container, and carried by the core of the fiber. Adsorbed substance changes the transmissivity of the fiber as measured by a spectrophotometer at the other end, also preferably external to the container. Hydrogen is detected by the absorption of infrared light carried by an optic fiber with a silica cladding. Since the adsorption is reversible, a sensor according to the present invention can be used repeatedly.

Abstract: A fishing lure, the combination comprising a lure head and a lure tail spaced apart longitudinally, the tail being longitudinally elongated; the head having a front edge, and two laterally spaced, elongated edges tapering rearwardly and toward the tail, the head having opposed faces with spacing therebetween substantially less than the length dimension of each the elongated edges, the head having weight substantially greater than the weight of the lure tail; and there being means to connect a fishing line to the fishing lure so that the line approaches a mid-portion of one of the head faces.