Abstract: Arthropod containment devices are provided comprising a base plate having a first face, a second face opposite the first face, an outer edge between the first face and the second face; and a containment ridge protruding from the first face along at least a portion of the outer edge, the containment ridge defining a containment region proximate the first face. Also provided are arthropod containment devices comprising a base plate having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, a plurality of guide ridges that protrude from the first face and define at least one containment region, and an arthropod toxicant coated upon or positioned within the containment region.

Abstract: Methods for and preforms for making fiber reinforced composites are disclosed. According to the invention, preforms which allow composites to be machined are provided. Also, preforms with a uniform debulking ratio are provided with non-uniform fiber placement. In addition, methods of forming composites have less material waste and allow more than one composite to be consolidated at one time.

Abstract: The improved manhole cover of this invention provides a strong yet lightweight access cover structure made from a series of radially staggered ply layers bonded above and below a homogenous frusto-conical core portion with resin, each ply layer made from an array of radially staggered unidirectional fiber tape.

Abstract: Methods for and preforms for making fiber reinforced composites are disclosed. According to the invention, preforms which allow composites to be machined are provided. Also, preforms with a uniform debulking ratio are provided with non-uniform fiber placement. In addition, methods of forming composites have less material waste and allow more than one composite to be consolidated at one time.

Abstract: A variable power resistor includes a heat sink having a front face and a back face with an electrically insulating, thermally conductive ceramic coating bonded directly onto the front face such that the ceramic coating is in direct thermal contact with the heat sink. A plurality of discrete thick film conductive circuit pads are positioned on the electrically insulating, thermally conductive ceramic coating and a thick film resistive layer is positioned over portions of the conductive circuit pads such that the pads are electrically connected in series. The variable power resistor also includes a moveable contactor capable of contacting the circuit pads in order to vary the resistance of the resistor and an electrical connection between the resistor and an electrical circuit. The electrically insulating, thermally conductive ceramic coating may be plasma sprayed onto the heat sink, while the resistive circuit may be screen printed onto the ceramic coating.

Abstract: A variable power resistor includes a heat sink having a front face and a back face with an electrically insulating, thermally conductive ceramic coating bonded directly onto the front face such that the ceramic coating is in direct thermal contact with the heat sink. A plurality of discrete thick film conductive circuit pads are positioned on the electrically insulating, thermally conductive ceramic coating and a thick film resistive layer is positioned over portions of the conductive circuit pads such that the pads are electrically connected in series. The variable power resistor also includes a moveable contactor capable of contacting the circuit pads in order to vary the resistance of the resistor and an electrical connection between the resistor and an electrical circuit. The electrically insulating, thermally conductive ceramic coating may be plasma sprayed onto the heat sink, while the resistive circuit may be screen printed onto the ceramic coating.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a heat transfer surface and the surface so manufactured. The porous surface is produced by flame spraying a metal substrate with a mixture of metallic and nonmetallic powder particles. The surface is then heated, causing the nonmetallic powder particles to oxidize into gases which diffuse from the surface, leaving voids where the nonmetallic powder particles were located. The voids provide nucleate boiling sites for a liquid being heated by the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for calibrating an ultrasonic inspection system having a plurality of transducers (12a, 12b, 12c) coupled by a common amplifier (16) to a distance-amplitude correction (D-AC) circuit comprised of a multiplying digital-to-analog converter (26') which receives, as a function of the transit time of an ultrasonic signal measured by a clock counter (34), a D-AC correction stored in a look-up table in a random access memory (24'). The D-AC correction function stored in the look-up table for each transducer is the inverse of a return signal response curve determined by measuring the peak amplitude of return signals from calibration holes at known depths in a test block (10) while in a calibrate mode, i.e., with a switch (SW) in a state to bypass the MDAC.

Abstract: A salt dispenser includes a container with the top having a pouring aperture and a plurality of sifting apertures disposed thereabout. A spout is pivotably secured to the top of the container so that when the sifting apertures are open the pouring aperture is sealed off, and when the pouring aperture is open the sifting apertures are sealed off. More particularly, the spout contains a front piece located outside the container and an integral flange extending therein. When the flange is aligned with the sifting apertures, thus sealing them off, the front piece is in an upright position relative to the pouring aperture, thereby permitting salt to pour out. When the front piece is pivoted to a closed position, thereby sealing the pouring aperture, the flange inside the container is brought out of alignment with the sifting apertures, thus opening them up.