Abstract: A bow mounted gaseous fluid vessel propulsion system provides for the introduction of gaseous fluids, e.g. ambient air and/or exhaust fluid gas from the vessel's engine, into the enclosure or duct which houses or circumscribes the propeller. Air and other fluid gases are drawn down into the upper section of the enclosure or duct to allow the propeller to operate in a half submerged, or water surface-piercing condition, while the vessel is moving forward through the water. The beneficial effects of water surface-piercing propeller operation is thereby obtained within a self-contained unit which continually maintains the top of the propeller out of the water during normal forward vessel operation.

Abstract: An atmospheric bioremediation system and method uses preformed gel-like agar sheets or equivalent biological growth medium, composed to selectively enhance the growth of microalgae in defined environmental conditions. Agar is heated and liquefied and soluble iron is added to the agar in predetermined proportions. The agar solution is also modified for salinity concentration and ph in order to conform to the levels found in the marine environment to which the agar sheets are to be introduced. This is done in order to provide a slow-time release of the iron to prevent premature precipitation. Also, the osmotic variance needs to be equalized by salinity concentration and ph adjustment to prevent premature osmotic migration of the iron molecules when in gel form. Once formed, the gel sheets are transported to defined bodies of water, e.g.

Abstract: A bow mounted vessel propulsion system is designed to exploit the characteristics of a self-producing vessel lubricating boundary layer of air or air bubbles formed during water surface interaction by the vessel's hull during vessel movement. This boundary layer of air/air bubbles will be produced at the bow of the vessel and, during forward motion, is superimposed upon the surface of the water as the vessel's hull passes over, reducing the frictional drag of the hull as it moves across and through the water. The system has a propulsion means such as a water surface-piercing propeller or water jet nozzles, which will propel the vessel forward and, at the same time, by action of propeller rotation (drawing air into and intermixing) in the water or water jet movement, will create the air bubbles which produce the hull-lubricating phenomenon. The hull is a substantially flat-bottomed planning hull with two linear rails on each lengthwise outer edge of the bottom surface of the hull.

Abstract: A disposable, single use syringe comprised of a hollow body, a retractable needle assembly positioned in the hollow body, and a plunger assembly in the hollow body. The plunger assembly includes an elongated frame portion including at least one guide track between its ends. A retraction member is releasably secured to one end of the frame and a catch member, including a catch element, is positioned with a guide configured to travel in the plunger frame guide track. An elastic member extends between the retraction member and the catch member. A retention assembly depends from the opposite end of the plunger frame and is configured to receive and secure the catch element and thereby tension the elastic member. The needle assembly and the retraction member have complimentary mating members, whereby the tension on the elastic member is released and the injection means is drawn into the hollow body after the needle assembly and the retraction member mate. A method of manufacture is also provided.

Abstract: A disposable, single use syringe comprised of a hollow body, a retractable needle assembly positioned in the hollow body, and a plunger assembly in the hollow body. The plunger assembly includes an elongated frame portion including at least one guide track between its ends. A retraction member is releasably secured to one end of the frame and a catch member, including a catch element, is positioned with a guide configured to travel in the plunger frame guide track. An elastic member extends between the retraction member and the catch member. A retention assembly depends from the opposite end of the plunger frame and is configured to receive and secure the catch element and thereby tension the elastic member. The needle assembly and the retraction member have complimentary mating members, whereby the tension on the elastic member is released and the injection means is drawn into the hollow body after the needle assembly and the retraction member mate. A method of manufacture is also provided.

Abstract: A logic gate is provided that comprises a sensing circuit coupled to a test output and to an internal node of the logic gate. The sensing circuit is adapted to sense a voltage on the internal node and to output a signal indicating a level of the voltage. The sensing circuit is not used during normal operation of the logic gate and preferably comprises only a single FET that is directly coupled to both the internal node and to the test output. The logic gate also preferably comprises a pre-charge circuit for pre-charging the test output to a predetermined voltage level prior to testing. An IC chip may be formed from a plurality of the logic gates wherein each logic gate comprises a sensing circuit coupled to a test output and to an internal node of the logic gate. Each sensing circuit may be coupled to the same test output or to a unique test output for the sensing circuit's logic gate. The sensing circuits are not used during normal operation of the IC chip.

Abstract: An improved syringe of the type having a hollow body which is closed at one end by an injection means and is open at the other end, the open end receives an elongated plunger means which moves through the hollow body and forces the contents of the body through the injection means. The improvement is comprised of an elastic member which retracts the injection means into a protective covering.

Abstract: A line connector lock is used with intravenous (IV) or feeding tube connections to prevent inadvertent disconnections or fluid contamination. The line connector lock has a hollow body and a tensioning element attached to the body. The body fits over an insertion tube and is forced against a line connection through the tensioning element. Installation and removal of the line connector lock is possible on existing tube connections. The two ends of the line connector lock are preferably of different diameters to accommodate various types and sizes of connections.

Abstract: A memory Array Built-In Self-Test (ABIST) circuit is disclosed that will test a multi-port memory array. A programmable pattern generator for the ABIST circuit allows for different R/W data operations to be performed at the same or adjacent address locations within a multi-port memory array. The programmable pattern generator comprises a data generator, a read/write controller, and an address counter, each having the same number of outputs as ports of the multi-port memory array. The programmable pattern generator also comprises a frequency controller. The data generator is programmed with the appropriate data patterns for the memory array, and the read/write controller is programmed with the appropriate read/write patterns for the memory array. The address counter is to provide the same or different addresses on each port of the multi-port array, and the frequency controller is programmed with the appropriate frequency information to determine the number of read/write operations per cell in the memory array.

Abstract: A topology for arranging a plurality of transistors between a signal source and an off-chip receiver, using a single power supply voltage. A pass through NFET has a gate controlled by a network comprised of two transistors arrayed between the power supply voltage and the drain of the NFET, which limits overshoots to the power supply voltage and reduces undershoots. Further reduction of undershoots is accomplished by an additional network of transistors, optimally including a PFET in series with the pass through NFET.

Abstract: An improved syringe of the type having a hollow body which is closed at one end by an injection means and is open at the other end, the open end receives an elongated plunger means which moves through the hollow body and forces the contents of the body through the injection means. The improvement is comprised of an elastic member which retracts the injection means into a protective covering.

Abstract: An associated memory structure having a plurality of memories amenable for testing and a method of testing the memories is provided. First and second memories are formed, wherein data in the first memory provides a basis for at least a portion of the input to the second memory during functional operation of two memories. Preferably, an output latch for receiving the output test data from the first memory is provided. Means are provided for loading the first memory with data which is utilized as a basis for providing at least a portion of the input to the second memory. An access path from the output port of the first memory to the input port of the second memory allows use of the data in the first memory to generate at least a portion of the input to the second memory. The first memory is first tested independently of the second memory. Thereafter, the first memory is loaded with preconditioned data that is used as a basis for inputs to the second memory during testing of the second memory.

Abstract: The present invention, provides a single BIST which can test various memories of different sizes, types and characteristics by using a state machine to select and generate all patterns required for testing all of the memories on the chip, and impressing all of the data, including expected data, and address information on all of the memories simultaneously. The BIST also generates unique (separate) control signals for the various memories and impresses these control signals on the various memories. The BIST selectively asserts the various control signals so as to apply (write) the data and to read and capture (load result) failure information only to/from those memories whose unique controls are asserted.

Abstract: An improved syringe of the type having a hollow body which is closed at one end by an injection means and is open at the other end, the open end receives an elongated plunger means which moves through the hollow body and forces the contents of the body through the injection means. The improvement is comprised of a resilient compressive member which retracts the injection means into a protective covering.

Abstract: A redundancy system formed on a semiconductor chip is provided which includes circuits for testing a memory array to locate a faulty element therein, a register for storing an address of the faulty element and electrical fuses blown in response to binary digits of the address stored in the register upon application of an enable signal from a single input to the semiconductor chip. The enable signal passes through logic circuits on the chip such that the fuses cannot be programmed or blown unless the enable signal is present. An address decoder coupled to outputs from the fuses substitutes a redundant element for the faulty element.

Abstract: A CMOS off-chip driver circuit is provided which includes a first P-channel field effect transistor arranged in series with a second or pull-up P-channel transistor and a third P-channel transistor connected from the common point between the first and second transistors and the gate electrode of the first transistor. The first and second transistors are disposed between a data output terminal and a first voltage source having a supply voltage of a given magnitude, with the data output terminal also being connected to a circuit or system including a second voltage source having a supply voltage of a magnitude significantly greater than that of the given magnitude. In a more specific aspect of this invention, a fourth P-channel transistor, disposed in a common N-well with the other P-channel transistors, is connected at its source to the first voltage source and at its drain to the common N-well, with its gate electrode being connected to the data output terminal.

Abstract: In a catheter (10) with wings (26,27) which are brought into a retaining disposition by pulling on a distal tip insert (11) with an actuating means (16) manipulated from the proximal end of the catheter, the retaining surfaces (10B,31) move freely into their co-operative holding disposition from a transport disposition because they are spaced from one another in the transport disposition. The actuating means (16) is preferably a trocar and has a sleeve (19) which not only drives the catheter into position but also controls liquid flow down the catheter tube. Stop surfaces (29,10C) prevent "overshoot" of the wings past the desired retaining disposition and make more positive the disengagement of latching surfaces (22,23) between the tip element (11) and the trocar (16).