Abstract: An adjustable weight-lifting bench is disclosed adapted such that it can be converted from a flat to a sitting position with little or no displacement of the user's head and shoulders in relation to the stationary upright barbell supports. The bench seat frame is pivotally connected to the back frame, a second end of the seat frame is pivotally connected to one end of a support arm, and the second end of the support arm is pivotally connected to a base frame, together with means for releasably connecting the support arm to the back frame at different locations along the length of the support arm.

Abstract: A transmit focus generator circuit for pulsing an array of transducers in an ultrasound pulse echo imaging system for transmission of a focused beam of coherent ultrasound energy. A system clock is separated into eight phases. Focusing is achieved by controlling the clock phase delay and burst delay of transmission from each transducer element. Precalculated waveform parameters are stored in a system memory. For each line scan, registers in a transmit focus block for each transducer driver circuit are loaded with the waveform parameters. For each transducer element within the aperture for a particular line scan, the circuit controls the output of pulses to achieve a focused wavefront.

Abstract: An apodization attenuation circuit to achieve a selected percent Gaussian apodization of a focused ultrasound wavefront when transmitted from a linear or phased array. The circuit uses a string of resistors, one resistor positioned between the drivers of each element in the transducer array. Each node of the resistor string functions as the reference potential input for one driver. Each node includes a pair of normally open switches, one of which may be closed to common and one of which may be closed to full reference potential. By closing four switches, two to common and two to full reference potential, a profile of potential of a selected percent Gaussian apodization can be achieved such that the output pulse magnitude of each transducer element in an aperture varies as a Gaussian function of its distance from the center of the aperture.

Abstract: A high voltage power driven circuit for producing variable power pulses is responsive to a fixed low amplitude voltage input pulse train for determining the timing of the variable pulses, and to a variable control voltage power source for determining the power level of the pulse. In one embodiment the circuit is used in conjunction with associated circuits for transmitting an apodized and focussed beam of coherent ultrasound from an ultrasonic transducer array.

Abstract: Constant volume and therefore constant flow rate apparatus is provided for removing bubbles of gas from a process liquid that is used in the manufacture of a product where the presence of such bubbles has a detrimental effect on the quality of the finished product. Gas bubbles are removed from a liquid by passing the liquid through a bubble coalescing baffle, in a generally upward direction, and into a chamber situated directly above the baffle, the chamber having an upward sloping upper surface, and a gas vent at the upper portion thereof, that is laterally displaced a substantial distance in the direction of liquid flow from the center of upward liquid flow, for the purpose of continuously venting gas bubbles that have separated from the liquid without allowing a significant volume of gas to accumulate in the chamber and without allowing the liquid to exit through the gas vent.