Abstract: A measuring device is provided for determining a position of a piston contained within a hydraulic actuator as a function of a hydraulic fluid flow. The measuring device includes a bi-directional flow sensor positioned inline with the hydraulic fluid flow and a piston position module. The flow sensor is configured to produce a flow rate signal that is indicative flow rate of the hydraulic fluid flow into and out of a first cavity. The piston position module is configured to receive the flow rate signal from the flow sensor and produce a piston position signal that is indicative of the position of the piston within the hydraulic actuator as a function of the flow rate signal.

Abstract: This invention provides a bus interface to connect SONET/SDH termination devices with payload processing devices while utilizing a minimum number of signals. The bus interface of this invention can scale with future advances in bandwidth in serial link technology.

Abstract: An aircraft 1 comprising interchangeable wings 5 detachedly connected to a fuselage 3, each wing 5 containing the fuel and flight systems 13,15 for engines 7 mounted to the wings 5, so that the fuselage 3 need contain no flight systems, simply a “bus” 23 for communication and the transfer of data between the wings.

Abstract: The present application discloses a flying insect trapping device configured to be used with a fuel supply containing combustible fuel. One aspect of the invention provides a fuel regulator for controlling fuel flow in intermittent pulses and another aspect provides a valve for enabling flushing of the combustion device.

Abstract: To determine the uniformity of an optical component, a light beam is directed to impinge on a surface of an optical component at each of multiple points. A characteristic of the light beam impinging on the optical component surface at each of the multiple points is modified so as to have multiple different values. Light from the impinging light beam that passes through the optical component at each of the multiple points, with the light beam characteristic at each of the multiple different values, is detected. The non-uniformity of the optical component is determined based on the detected passing light.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling force applied to and for manipulation of medical instruments. An elongated member of a medical instrument can be sensed, and an actuator can be used to apply force to the medical instrument for control and manipulation of the instrument. Via use of the applied forces, the instrument can be moved to a desired position in a working channel, haptic indications of position can be output to the user, and/or user control over the instrument can be enhanced.

Abstract: A process for forming an oriented orthopaedic implant prosthesis bearing, net-shape bearing, or near net-shape bearing includes the step of placing an irradiated UHMWPE preform or puck of a volume sufficient to accommodate the bearing in a compression mold and compression molding the irradiated preform. The molding is accomplished by applying heat and pressure to form the preform into a desired shape. The compression molding induces biaxial orientation in the formed bearing.

Abstract: Positioning errors of a numerically controlled machine and a fixture are related through a mathematical model to the statistical total error in the position of the machine tool, and maximum allowable amounts are assigned for each of the individual contributing factors to the total error. The relationship between the machine and fixture is checked by a probe mounted in the machine spindle. Functioning and alignment of the probe are checked with the probe. Global positioning accuracy of the machine is checked throughout a working envelope of the machine using a laser measuring instrument. A master coordinate system relative to the ways of the machine is created within the laser instrument by calculating a linear fit of machine position coordinates acquired as the machine is moved along each of two perpendicular axes of the machine, and the master coordinate system is used for the global accuracy and fixture accuracy checks.

Abstract: An enhanced dynamic range wavefront sensing system includes a light source disposed on a first side of an optically transmissive device, a wavefront sensor disposed on a second side of an optically transmissive device, a relay imaging system disposed between the optically transmissive device and the wavefront sensor, and means for adjusting a distance between the light source and the optically transmissive device. Beneficially, the relay imaging system includes a range-limiting aperture to insure that the wavefront sensor never goes out of range so that a feedback system can be employed to move the light source one focal length away from the optically transmissive device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for audio processing. For example, the present invention provides systems and methods for receiving live speech, converting the speech to text, and transferring the text to a user. As desired, the speech or text can be translated into one or more different languages. Systems and methods for real-time conversion and transmission of speech and text are provided. The present invention further provides a means of displaying, accumulating, and manipulating transmitted text within a distinct viewing field on a receiving device such as a computer, and a means of transmitting software faciliated the transmission, display, accumulation, and manipulation of text.

Abstract: A surface treating article including a surface treating member and a fastener including a fiducial. The present invention also provides a preferred method of making a surface treating article that includes to a method of sensing the location of a fasteners on a surface treating web and thereafter cutting the surface treating web around the fastener to provide a surface treating article.

Abstract: A pulmonary therapy apparatus including a proning device for turning a patient, a chest binding and compression device, or an oscillatory motion patient support.

Abstract: Structural element for an aircraft, especially an aircraft door, in a single-piece, integral cast embodiment consisting of an aluminum or magnesium alloy.

Abstract: Each flight attendant would carry a small portable receiver/transmitter device, similar in size to a pager, and a central receiver/transmitter located in the cockpit. Each portable receiver/transmitter has a numerical designation (1, 2, 3, etc.) which is unique to that one device. The portable receiver/transmitter has two buttons (yellow alert and red alert), a numerical display, indicator lights, and a vibrator. In a developing situation, a nearby flight attendant presses either the yellow or red alert button (depending on the severity of the situation), producing a radio frequency (RF) signal. The central receiver/transmitter receives, processes, and re-broadcasts the signal to all other portable receiver/transmitters worn by flight attendants. The portable receiver/transmitters vibrate to alert the wearers to the situation. A light (either red or yellow) illuminates on all portable receiver/transmitters, and the numerical designation of the sending receiver/transmitter appears on the displays.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for defrosting an evaporator of a refrigeration sealed system is described. The system includes a controller operatively coupled to an evaporator fan, a condenser fan and a defrost heater, and the method includes operating the sealed system until a selected time till defrost interval expires, initiating a defrost cycle when the time till defrost interval expires, and selectively operating the sealed system to raise a temperature of the evaporator while the defrost heater is inactivated.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the identification of a novel class of glutamate transporters. In particular, this invention pertains to the discovery that proteins originally considered to perform an entirely different function (BNPI, DNPI, etc.), in fact, transport glutamate into synaptic vesicles. Designated VGLUT glutamate transporters, the transporters provide good targets with which to screen for modulators of glutamate uptake into synaptic vesicles.

Abstract: A structure and method for constructing a non-oil-filled towed array providing a single cable entry point for each channel regardless of the number of hydrophones used to make up a hydrophone group or array is described. The method and apparatus enables uniform buoyancy of the hydrophone array and the primary cable around which the hydrophone array is wound. Uniform buoyancy is achieved through the addition of hollow micro-spheres into a Reaction Injection Molded (RIM) polyurethane material used to mold the hydrophones. Additional buoyancy may be desired adjacent heavier cable sections where connectors and telemetry modules are located. An embodiment enables precise adjustment of hydrophone cable buoyancy by providing precise adjustment of the concentration of hollow glass micro-spheres in areas where more or less buoyancy is desired.

Abstract: A device which simultaneously maximizes light reflectivity from one side of the device while maximizing light transmissivity from the opposite side of the device. The device is configured with distinct regions of transparency and reflectivity including a plurality of reflective structures. The structures are generally smaller towards a light transmitting side of the device and larger towards a light reflective side of the device.

Abstract: A recirculating liquid jet pump for moving a wide variety of materials is described. The pump is preferably equipped with an intermediate collection reservoir enabling the placement of material to be suctioned into the collection reservoir without bringing together the material to be suctioned with the motive fluid of the liquid jet pump. The collection reservoir may also be connected to a separate container for de-watering solid-liquid mixtures to enable mixture liquid to be separated from the solids without bringing the separated liquid into contact with the motive fluid of the jet pump and without the use of excessive amounts of jet pump motive fluid.