Abstract: A spark plug assembly (22) includes a center electrode (34) having a high performance metal sleeve (50) attached at its sparking end. The sleeve (50) is fitted to a tenon on the end of the center electrode (34) and fixed in place by a weld line (58) produced by laser beam pulses (56). The weld line (58) is applied by overlapping a plurality of spaced-apart beads in a single, continuous circumscribing line. The sleeve (50) is permitted to expand and contract under the influence of thermal cycling without constraint except for the fixation weld line (58). Therefore, the sleeve (50) does not experience stress build-ups resulting from differing rates of thermal expansion relative to the center electrode (34), which is preferably made from a nickel or other composition dissimilar to that of the high performance metal sleeve (50). Various ground electrode (30, 60) configurations are possible.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating an aqueous medium containing microorganisms comprises an intake for receiving the aqueous medium containing microorganisms. A pressure differential inducer is associated to the intake so as to receive the aqueous medium containing microorganisms with a desired level of gas saturation. The pressure differential inducer is actuatable to expose the aqueous medium containing microorganisms with a desired level of gas saturation to accelerations so as to cause cell wall rupture of the microorganisms. An outlet is associated with the pressure differential inducer for outletting the treated aqueous medium containing ruptured microorganism cells and contents. The treated aqueous medium containing ruptured cell wall of the microorganisms is disposed of and/or recycled.

Abstract: A system for preventing accurate disassembly of computer code. Such code masking, referred to as “obfuscation,” is useful to prevent unwanted parties from making copies of an original author's software, obtaining valuable information from the software for purposes of breaking into a program, stealing secrets, making derivative works, etc. The present invention uses assembly-language instructions so as to confuse the disassembler to produce results that are not an accurate representation of the original assembly code. In one embodiment, a method is provided where an interrupt, or software exception instruction, is used to mask several subsequent instructions. The instruction used can be any instruction that causes the disassembler to assume that one or more subsequent words, or bytes, are associated with the instruction. The method, instead, jumps directly to the bytes assumed associated with the instruction and executes those bytes for a different purpose.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine, such as a spark plug, includes two fine wire, rectangular cross-section, noble metal ground electrodes and a center electrode having a fine wire, rectangular cross-section, noble metal firing tip. The ignition device includes a metal housing and an insulator secured within the metal housing which has an exposed electrode end at an opening in the housing. The insulator houses a center electrode having an electrode base mounted in the insulator and extending through the insulator at the electrode end. The electrode base has an axial bore in an end proximate the electrode end of the insulator. The noble metal firing tip is located partly within the axial bore and is metallurgically bonded to the electrode base.

Abstract: A system for preventing accurate disassembly of computer code. Such code masking, referred to as “obfuscation,” is useful to prevent unwanted parties from making copies of an original author's software, obtaining valuable information from the software for purposes of breaking into a program, stealing secrets, making derivative works, etc. The present invention uses assembly-language instructions so as to confuse the disassembler to produce results that are not an accurate representation of the original assembly code. In one embodiment, a method is provided where an interrupt, or software exception instruction, is used to mask several subsequent instructions. The instruction used can be any instruction that causes the disassembler to assume that one or more subsequent words, or bytes, are associated with the instruction. The method, instead, jumps directly to the bytes assumed associated with the instruction and executes those bytes for a different purpose.

Abstract: A low-profile antenna system to be mounted to a moving vehicle for receiving signals, such as from a Digital Broadcast Satellite, includes a base for mounting to the surface of the vehicle, a platen mounted to the base for rotation, an azimuth drive motor for rotating the platen, an array of half-cylinder antenna elements mounted to the platen, an elevation drive motor for pivoting the antenna elements individually about their axes to change the elevation at which the antenna elements are pointing, and a cover. The azimuth drive motor and the elevation drive motor together allow the array of antenna elements to be pointed at a satellite over a wide range of vehicle orientations.

Abstract: A spark plug includes an electrode which during assembly is inserted into a vertical bore of a ceramic insulator from beneath. The electrode has an expanded firing end protruding from the insulator bottom. Tabs at an upper end of the electrode are expanded inside the bore to engage the insulator, and this is done using a removable expanding tool inserted into the insulator. A conductive glass in granular form is poured into the bore and envelops the expanded upper end of the electrode. A sacrificial conductive push pin inserts into the upper bore over the glass granules. The sub-assembly is heated to melt the glass and the push pin is pressed down into the melted glass. Upon cooling, the glass within the insulator fuses forming a seal which further strengthens the flared engagement of the electrode to the insulator.

Abstract: A gas-fired, infrared, food warmer having a gas-fired, infrared, burner adjustably mounted above a surface for supporting food. A reflector encloses the burner and is open at the bottom to expose the food supporting surface to the infrared heat directly from the burner and indirectly from the reflector. A heat shield surrounds the top, sides and ends of the reflector in spaced relation and a perforated protective cover surrounds the top, sides and ends of the heat shield in spaced relation thereto. A gas canister is exchangeably mounted in a housing on the warmer for portability therewith in supplying gas to the burner.

Abstract: A low-profile antenna system to be mounted to a moving vehicle for receiving signals, such as from a Digital Broadcast Satellite, includes a base for mounting to the surface of the vehicle, a platen mounted to the base for rotation, an azimuth drive motor for rotating the platen, an array of half-cylinder antenna elements mounted to the platen, an elevation drive motor for pivoting the antenna elements individually about their axes to change the elevation at which the antenna elements are pointing, and a cover. The azimuth drive motor and the elevation drive motor together allow the array of antenna elements to be pointed at a satellite over a wide range of vehicle orientations.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing optical fibres (11) in tubes or ducts (29). An optical fibre is fed from a reel (13) into a small diameter feed portion of duct (25), and compressed air is introduced into the duct. This advances the fibre, using viscous drag forces, into a main duct of larger diameter. There is a pressure drop at the intersection of the two ducts. Subsequently, the advancement of the fibre is continued by maintaining the air supply, and the viscous drag forces, acting on the increasing length of the fibre in the duct, advance it along the duct. Two or more fibres, which may be unsheathed primary coated fibres, may be installed simultaneously.

Abstract: A splice organiser comprises a tray having a plurality of formers (14, 15) which control the minimum bend radius of the fibres, a groove for retaining a splice, an enclosure into which coiled fibre loops are introduced and permitted to expand so that they are retained by the resilience of the fibre itself, and a plurality of guide tracks (23, 24, 25) which enable fibres to enter and exit the organiser at any corner of the tray.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining passage along an installation route of an advancing end of an optical fibre. A detector at the installation end detects when light is transmitted back along the fibre from a source at a predetermined location. The source may be a primary source or comprise a means for coupling to a light carrying fibre.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing optical fibres (11) in tubes or ducts (29). An optical fibre is fed from a reel (13) into a small diameter feed portion of duct (25), and compressed air is introduced into the duct. This advances the fibre, using viscous drag forces, into a main duct of larger diameter. There is a pressure drop at the intersection of the two ducts. Subsequently, the advancement of the fibre is continued by maintaining the air supply, and the viscous drag forces, acting on the increasing length of the fibre in the duct, advance it along the duct. Two or more fibres, which may be unsheathed primary coated fibres, may be installed simultaneously.

Abstract: A distribution arrangement for optical fibre comprising a branched coupling array (1) and a plurality of splice organizers (2) for storing splices associated with connections to the coupling array. Each fibre connected to the array passses through a manifold block (8) that is provided with a plurality of capillaries extending to the splice organizers. Fibres from other parts of the network also pass through the manifold and into the capillaries for conduction to the splice organizers where they are connected to a respective fibre from the coupling array. Preferably the array (1) has alternative winding routes for fibre tails extending from individual couplers within the array to facilitate multiple splice attempts. A preferred splice organizer comprises an enclosure into which coiled fibre loops are introduced and permitted to expand so that they are retained by the resilience of the fibre itself.

Abstract: A thermally independent dedicated servo disk drive where the temperature is kept within an acceptable range and temperature gradients that can cause differential thermal expansion are eliminated to minimize off tracking due to differential thermal expansion of thermally sensitive components. A novel isolated "box within a box" architecture is utilized to provide a thermal buffer to external temperature gradients and an inner HDA support structure is coupled to an outer housing with thermally insulative isolators which prevent the conductive transfer of heat from external sources where the outer housing and isolators create a thermal buffer to shield the inner HDA support structure from external heat sources. In addition, certain heat generating components not integrated into the symmetrical thermal "box within a box" design are isolated where possible.

Abstract: The propulsive force on an optical transmission line member moving through a tubular passageway can be varied so the line travels at or close to optimum speed without risk of damage to the line or associated apparatus. A curve is provided in a portion of the passageway such that a transmission line subject to unacceptable compressive forces buckles towards the outer side of the curve. A sensor detects the presence or absence of the line at this point and a control circuit varies the propulsive force. Excessive tension in the fibre may also be detected. A modified system uses deflectors to ensure that buckling occurs by bowing in the direction towards the sensor with the transmission line undeflected under correct tension. The invention finds particular application in a method of fibre blowing where an optical fibre transmission line is propelled along a tube by fluid drag.

Abstract: A device and process for stabilizing two coaxially joined flexible magnetic disks is disclosed. Two or more flexible magnetic disks are coaxially joined by a coaxially located spacer. One of the disks is juxtaposed to and rotated against a flat stable Bernoulli surface. A second disk spaced by the spacer from the first disk contains centrally located perforations into which air can flow. According to certain embodiments, a flexible interdisk wiper is positioned between the disks and aids in stabilization thereof. In other embodiments, top and bottom disk wipers are also included.

Abstract: A plurality of containers are interconnected in side by side generally parallel relationship by flexible substantially non-expandable belts so that such containers may be in abutting relationship when in stored position and may be spaced a predetermined distance apart when in use and such belts have limited axial movement while the axes remain substantially parallel with each other.

Abstract: Waxy, small granule starch of high spreadability, and waxy, large granule starch which is capable of forming an exceptionally clear and bright paste, are simultaneously produced by steeping waxy barley grain for a period of at least 12 hours in an aqueous solution containing sulfur dioxide at a temperature of 45.degree.-55.degree. C so as to swell the grain and extract soluble protein contained within said grain, water washing and milling said steeped grain, separating the starch from fibers and protein, suspending said starch in water to form a suspension containing less than 15% wt solids, permitting larger granules to settle for a period of at least 2 hours and recovering a larger granule fraction, said larger granules being characterized by an average particle size of greater than 10.mu., and breaking the remaining suspension and recovering therefrom a smaller granule fraction, said small granules being characterized by an average particle size of from 2.5 to 10.mu..