Abstract: Optimizations are provided in the design and fabrication of a parabolic antenna reflector. In particular, a parabolic antenna reflector comprises an inner reflective face being formed in a parabolic shape and a first outer circumferential portion. The parabolic antenna also includes an outer face being formed in a different parabolic shape and a second circumferential portion. The first outer circumferential portion is coupled to the second outer circumferential portion to form an inner body between the inner reflective face and the outer face. This inner body includes a monopulse comparator waveguide. As a result, the monopulse comparator waveguide is embedded between the inner reflective face and the outer face. In some instances, this waveguide includes one or more bends. Additionally, in some instances, the parabolic antenna reflector is fabricated using additive manufacturing techniques such that the parabolic antenna reflector is a single printed unit.

Abstract: An electronic assembly can include a support structure, a circuit substrate coupled to a first portion of the support structure, and a composite material panel coupled to a second portion of the support structure. An electronic device can be coupled to a mounting surface of the circuit substrate and disposed within a space enclosed by walls of the support structure. The panel can include contiguous sections inner surfaces of which can be oriented within twenty-five degrees of parallel to said mounting surface. Each section can be significantly more thermally conductive generally parallel to the inner surface of the section than generally perpendicular to the inner surface.

Abstract: A panel-mounted electrical connector pair (12,36) has a recessed electrical connector (12) having a socket portion (18) with a first flange (26) proximate an open end (20) thereof, a first distal web (22) and a first type of electrical terminal (24a) protruding through said first distal web (22). The socket portion (18) is extendable through a first opening (64) in a first panel (62), with the first flange (26) abutting against the first panel (62). The connector pair (12, 36) includes a protruding connector (36) with a plug portion (38). The protruding connector (36) has a proximal end plate (42), a second distal web (44) spaced from the proximal end plate (42), a second flange (48) disposed on the protruding connector (36) proximate to the second distal web (44), and a second type of electrical terminal (46a) protruding through the second distal web (44) toward the proximal end plate (42). The proximal end plate (42) has an opening (94a) therein aligned with the second type of electrical terminal (46a).

Abstract: A communications network is capable of using time division multiple access (TDMA) techniques, code division multiple access (CDMA) techniques, or a combination of both. A subscriber unit (30) makes a request for a traffic channel over a CDMA pilot channel or a TDMA broadcast channel. A satellite (20) or a base station (40) receives the request and determines whether to assign a TDMA or CDMA traffic channel. The downlink and uplink can have the same access scheme (e.g., TDMA) or different access schemes (e.g., TDMA on the uplink and CDMA on the downlink).

Abstract: A space vehicle uses a signal received from a global positioning system (GPS) satellite (51, FIG. 1) to determine the attitude of a space vehicle. The signal is received through a pair of antennas (10, 11) and converted to sum and difference outputs by a sum and difference circuit (30). These outputs are then conveyed to down converter/correlators (55), and then to envelope detectors (60). The outputs of the envelope detectors (60) are then converted to a digital format by an analog to digital converter (70). The digitally formatted sum and difference amplitudes are then used by a processor (80) to calculate the required attitude adjustment to the space vehicle.

Abstract: A device including a disk shaped base having a cylindrical projection thereon about which a resilient sleeve is disposed. The sleeve is subject to partial compression during constriction of the vaginal sphincter muscle with repeated constriction serving to restore muscle tone and strength.

Abstract: A cable harness for managing cables originating from devices supported by an office work surface and from external power and telecommunication sources is disclosed. The harness comprises a stationary plate and a carrier plate. The stationary plate has an upper edge portion and a front surface adapted for fixed attachment with an upright wall of a furniture system. The carrier plate has a front surface, an opposing rear surface, and a lower edge portion pivotally interconnected with the stationary plate upper edge portion. The carrier plate includes a first plurality of apertures configured to receive electrical power receptacles serially aligned in a first lower row, and further includes a second plurality of apertures configured to receive electronic cable connectors serially aligned in a second upper row. The first lower row is located between the carrier plate lower edge portion and the second upper row.

Abstract: A mounting structure for mounting to a vehicle body having oppositely disposed strut towers. The mounting structure includes right and left suspension assemblies, a cradle operatively connected therebetween, a vehicle engine and transmission mounted on the cradle and guide pins provided on each of the suspension assemblies. The mounting structure is adapted to being mounted as a unit into the vehicle body with the guide pins guiding the suspension assemblies into engagement with the respective oppositely disposed strut towers, and suitable fasteners for securing the suspension assemblies to the strut towers. Each strut tower includes outer and inner interconnected, spaced apart wall members separated by support spacers, with a plurality of aligned openings formed through the outer and inner spaced apart wall members, a pair of guide openings formed in the inner wall member, and an opening formed through the outer and inner wall members' central portion.

Abstract: A mounting structure for mounting to a vehicle body having oppositely disposed strut towers includes right and left suspension assemblies, a cradle operatively connected therebetween, a vehicle engine and transmission mounted on the cradle and guide means provided on each of the suspension assemblies. The mounting structure is adapted to being mounted as a unit into the vehicle body with the guide means guiding the suspension assemblies into engagement with the respective oppositely disposed strut towers, and suitable fasteners for securing the suspension assemblies to the strut towers. Each strut tower includes outer and inner interconnected, spaced apart wall members separated by support spacers, with a plurality of aligned openings formed through the outer and inner spaced apart wall members, a pair of guide openings formed in the inner wall member, and an opening formed through the outer and inner wall members' central portion.

Abstract: A front wheel suspension for a front wheel drive vehicle incorporating dual shock absorber struts arranged in tandem. Each fore and aft strut has its cylindrical casing lower end pivotally connected to an associated one of a lower control arm bifurcated leg portion for rotational movement about a longitudinal extending strut lower pivot axis. Each strut casing upper end is pivotally connected by a pintle pin for rotating movement about a longitudinal extending strut upper pivot axis to the inboard end of a swingable upper control arm. The lower control arm leg portions have their inboard ends pivotally connected to a sub-frame engine cradle for rotational movement about an axis parallel to the strut upper and lower pivot axes. An intermediate portion of a drive half shaft assembly is positioned in the space between the fore and aft struts. A transverse leaf spring has each outboard end supported on an associated lower control arm.

Abstract: In a coal or coal char gasification system using hot recycled inert heat transfer medium (IHTM) solids, the heat transfer medium and some of the unreacted or ungasified char are passed through a spouted-bed reactor. In the spouted-bed reactor, the unreacted char is burned in a way that more efficiently reheats the heat transfer medium and reduces fusion, agglomeration, plugging, fouling and erosion problems. These advantages are provided by the fact that only a central spout of solids is fluidized and the fact the solids undergo a systematic cyclic mechanism where there is greater contact between the hot char and IHTM solids. The spouted-bed produces a hydrodynamic system which is substantially different from conventional gas-solid combustor configurations, especially fluidized combustors.

Abstract: A rectangular barrel-like structure having four wooden stave sides and two wooden stave head sections, joined together by specially designed triangular corner members. Each of the staves used in making the side walls and in making the head sections are of white oak and are of tongue-and-groove construction. Additionally, each of the staves utilized in the wall sections contains a croze at the top and at the bottom for snug engagement with the staves forming the head sections. Each of the triangular corner members is truncated at the junction of the leg and the base of the triangle so as to form a planar section equal in width to the width of the wall section stave. The truncated planar section contains a projecting tongue on one side for engagement with a complementary groove of a wall stave of one side section and a complementary groove on the other for engagement with a projecting tongue of one of the wall staves of the other wall section.

Abstract: A process for separating crude oil from a mixture comprising crude oil, finely divided organic solids and water by contacting the mixture with a solvent and a solvent vapor stream in a first contacting zone to heat the mixture and produce a vaporous stream containing at least a major portion of the water and a crude oil laden solvent and inorganic solids mixture which is thereafter separated into a crude oil laden solvent stream and an inorganic solids stream with the inorganic solids stream being thereafter contacted with additional solvent to remove additional quantities of crude oil from the inorganic solids. Crude oil is recovered from a crude oil laden solvent stream.

Abstract: This invention concerns an efficient, high recovery, single product, multiple-stage process for producing high BTU methane from a low BTU feed gas containing carbon monoxide, hydrogen, nitrogen and other materials. In the process, impurities like hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are removed at the appropriate point. The carbon monoxide is removed and split into two streams. One stream is reacted with steam to provide additional hydrogen which is mixed with the other carbon monoxide stream and passed to a methanator. The hydrogen in the feed gas is recovered in an especially efficient two stage manner which is suitable for use with standard cooling water and which reduces metallurgical problems, compression requirements and heat requirements. In the first stage, metal hydrides are formed, thereby separating the hydrogen in the feed gas from nitrogen and the nitrogen exits and is removed.

Abstract: The physical and chemical fixation and stabilization of waste products from a sulfur-fuel burning unit through controlled crystallization of dissolved calcium sulfite. A low pH calcium sulfite solution is added to the waste containing aqueous sludge produced by a gas desulfurization unit thereby raising the pH of the calcium sulfite to crystalize the calcium sulfite and bind and encapsulate the waste products into a solid mass.

Abstract: A spherical valve member is moved within a housing between operative positions by direct application of supply pressure and operation of a solenoid arranged to maximize mechanical force imposed on the valve member while minimizing solenoid size and eliminating the use of movable close fitting cylindrical parts which can be subject to sticking in the presence of solid contaminants.

Abstract: Low BTU feed gas formed by gasification of carbonaceous materials with air is converted to high BTU gas by partial carbon monoxide separation and by using the reducing characteristic of the remaining feed gas in the iron reduction unit of a standard iron-steam process for manufacturing hydrogen. The hydrogen manufacturing stage also removes nitrogen which is a primary cause of low heat value in upgraded gases. The separated CO and the manufactured H.sub.2 are converted to a high quality methane. In the process, other undesirable impurities and diluents like hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide may be removed first.

Abstract: A method of denitrogenating an oil containing a relatively high concentration of nitrogenous compounds characterized by, first, extracting the nitrogenous compounds from the oil with an operable acid solvent to produce a raffinate of low nitrogen content oil and a bottoms of high nitrogen content oil; then recovering the acid solvent from the bottoms, simultaneously producing a small volumeteric flow rate stream of oil containing high content of nitrogenous compounds; depending upon the volumeteric rate of the high nitrogen content oil stream and upon demand, sending it to a hydrogen producing plant for supplying hydrogen for hydrogenation; and recycling the acid solvent. Preferred acid solvents comprise phosphoric acid, formic acid or the monoammonium salt of phosphoric acid. The recovery of the solvent may be by neutralization or by distillation.

Abstract: The thermal cracking of retort oil vapors in an elongated reactor is improved by passing the effluent oil vapors and gases from a retort to a thermal cracking unit before the temperature of the retort effluent falls below 680.degree. F. This encourages the more desirable cracking reactions, increases the thermal efficiency of the process, and avoids preheater coking.