Abstract: An electro-mechanical brake assembly comprising a brake disk stack having a center axis; and a plurality electro-mechanical actuators for applying braking pressure to the brake disk stack. The actuators are circumferentially arranged around the center axis, and each actuator includes a housing, a linearly movable ram, a screw for linearly moving the ram, a nut mounted for rotation in the housing and operatively engaged with the screw such that rotation of the nut effects linear movement of the screw for urging the ram into forceful engagement with the brake disk stack, an electric motor for rotating the nut, and an anti-rotation device for preventing rotation of the screw relative to the housing when the nut is rotated to effect linear movement of the screw. The foregoing arrangement provides for greater stroke than prior art actuators without sacrificing durability and performance.

Abstract: An imaging optical system includes a first imaging structure having a first optical axis and a first field of view, wherein the first imaging structure forms an image on a common focal plane, and a second imaging structure having a second optical axis parallel to the first optical axis and a second field of view different from the first field of view, wherein the second imaging structure forms an image on the common focal plane. The imaging structures preferably contain identical lens modules, most preferably identical Petzval lenses, and achromatic or apochromatic prisms of different spatial orientations. A planar sensor structure lies in the common focal plane, wherein the first optical axis and the second optical axis pass through the planar sensor structure.

Abstract: A tissue ablation probe is provided. The probe comprises a proximal electrode element, which includes a proximal electrode stem and a deployable proximal electrode array, and a distal electrode element, which includes a distal electrode stem and a deployable distal electrode array. The probe is configured, such that a majority of electrical energy conveyed between the proximal and distal electrode elements is conveyed between distal termini of the electrode arrays, whereas a relatively small amount of the electrical energy is conveyed between the electrode stems. One or more of the electrodes on the arrays may be optionally insulated to further enhance the electrical characteristics of the arrays.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are described for receiving, storing, and recovering from storage one or more television program while maintaining proper audio to video synchronization or lip sync when the program is displayed. Preferably the audio and video portions are in digital form and may be compressed or uncompressed. The audio and video may be recorded on a physical storage medium such as tape, an optical or magnetic computer disk, or solid state memory or other such device providing user control functions including start, stop, record, play and search, with increased reproduction capability of such stored programs being facilitated by the present invention. Timing information is recovered from the audio and video to be displayed utilized to alter the time duration of a contiguous signal block (the alpha length) of the audio and/or video to correct for any timing errors therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for converting an input signal having frequency related information sustained over a first duration of time into an output signal sustained over a second duration of time at substantially the same first frequency by adding or subtracting to the effective wave length of the output signal. Preferably, the signals are converted in digital form with samples added or subtracted to frequency convert the signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in program viewing apparatus and methods, some of which are now commonly referred to as personal video recorder (PVR) and program guide features in television sets, set top boxes and other video devices. The invention provides for a user display such as a flat panel program display device, a user remote for the user to control operations and features, program data storage for storing programs and related information, removable data storage for storing programs and related information on removable storage media. Also included is a data manager which functions include response to the user's desires via the user remote to control receiving and storing programs and select received or stored programs to be displayed on the user display device. The data manager may also be responsive to receive, store and display other services such as programming guide services to provide enhanced program viewing and storage management as directed by the user.

Abstract: An integrated audio, lighting and surveillance system having a base, a support structure mounted to the base, and a component enclosure mounted on the support structure. The component enclosure includes a series of mounting locations, each configured to receive a modular component usable for supporting a gaming table. The integrated audio, lighting and surveillance system may also include a game tracking system as well as a dealer calling system.

Abstract: A medical probe kit and method of treating abnormal tissue within a patient is provided. The kit comprises a cannula having a shaft, a lumen extending through the cannula shaft, and a first ablation electrode disposed on the distal end of the cannula shaft. The cannula may have a handle mounted to the proximal end of the cannula shaft, and an optional fluid delivery port on the handle in fluid communication with the cannula lumen. The kit further comprises an ablation probe configured to be removably disposed within the delivery cannula lumen. The ablation probe has a shaft and a second ablation electrode disposed on a distal end of the probe shaft, wherein the first and second ablation electrodes are arranged in a bipolar configuration. Preferably, the ablation probe is slidable relative to the delivery cannula, whereby the distance between the first and second ablation electrodes can be adjusted.

Abstract: A small, compact optical scanning system with small aperture size requirements, wide field-of-regard and minimal color dispersion characteristics. The inventive scanning system and method provides for optical beam steering over a broad spectral band and over a wide field-of-regard. The inventive system includes a novel device for receiving an input wavefront of electromagnetic energy along a first axis and refracting the wavefront as an output wavefront along a second axis. The device is a unique form of a multi-channel liquid crystal array in which each channel has a length parallel to the first axis. By applying signals to change the refractive index of each channel, the incident wavefront can be steered at an angle with respect to the first axis and otherwise manipulated according to the index variant pattern induced in the array. Accordingly, the output beam is steered in response to the applied signals.

Abstract: A cutter unit for cutting vegetation is raised from and lowered to the ground by a lift arm of a utility vehicle. The cutter unit includes a motor for driving a cutting blade. A mechanism on the cutter unit cooperates with the lift arm to stop the motor when the cutter unit is raised from the ground.

Abstract: A vegetation cutter to be mounted on a support vehicle for transport and deployment, has a housing with a rotating blade therein. The housing has a roller mounted for rotation forming the bottom edge of a side of the housing. The roller supports the cutter, allowing the cutter to slide along the ground when moved in a forward direction. When the support vehicle changes direction, the roller rotates, reducing the required force for turning the vehicle and cutter.

Abstract: The invention consists of a method for assisting educators in the process of evaluating, grading and recording any task-based assignment utilizing a voice recognition front-end.

Abstract: An exhaust filter having a pleated filter media mounted between end caps is disclosed herein. The filter has a construction suitable for high temperature environments such as engine exhaust systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure teaches a method and apparatus for allowing a user to select and view one or multiple programs at random whenever he desires and to suspend viewing in the middle of a program to accommodate an interruption and to continue viewing after the interruption without missing any of the program. In addition, previously stored programs may be viewed at accelerated or decelerated speed, or repeated or portions reviewed, to allow the user to review such in other than real time.

Abstract: A medical probe assembly, tissue treatment system, and method are provided for ablating tissue. The probe assembly comprises an elongated member and electrode elements mechanically coupled to the distal end of the elongated member. The electrode elements are configurable as two bipolar electrode pairs with a common electrode element. At least one of the electrode elements comprises a plurality of electrodes (such as, e.g., needle electrodes) radially extendable from the elongated member. An ablation source, such as a radio frequency source, can be connected to the probe assembly in order to convey ablation energy to the electrode pairs, either simultaneously or sequentially.

Abstract: The present disclosure teaches a method and apparatus for allowing a user to select and view one or multiple programs at random whenever he desires and to suspend viewing in the middle of a program to accommodate an interruption and to continue viewing after the interruption without missing any of the program. In addition, previously stored programs may be viewed at accelerated or decelerated speed, or repeated or portions reviewed, to allow the user to review such in other than real time.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a target site within a body includes an outer tubular body, an inner tubular body slidably disposed within the outer tubular body, a substance delivery port located on the inner tubular body, and an electrode secured to the outer tubular body. The delivery port can be used to deliver a medical substance to the target site, and the electrode can be used to seal an access channel leading to the treatment site, thereby substantially preventing migration of material from the delivery site. In order to minimize the profile of the apparatus, a braided conductor can extend through the wall of the outer tubular body, thereby providing a means for delivering electrical energy to the electrode, while strengthening the wall of the outer tubular body to minimize the risk of rupture during delivery of the substance.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for flatproofing a tire and wheel assembly with a flexible, lightweight foam-fill by supplying at least two polyurethane reactive materials to a static mixer. The static mixer mixes the reactants, and a nucleating gas is supplied to the mixed reactants in the static mixer to form a liquid reactant mixture with entrained gas. The reactant mixture is injected into the tire and wheel assembly where the mixture reacts and foams replacing the air in the tire with a flexible, lightweight semi-open cell foam-fill. The resulting foam-filled tire and wheel assembly is then allowed to cure.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for flatproofing a tire and wheel assembly with a flexible, lightweight foam-fill by supplying at least two polyurethane reactive materials to a static mixer. The static mixer mixes the reactants, and a nucleating gas is supplied to the mixed reactants in the static mixer to form a liquid reactant mixture with entrained gas. The reactant mixture is injected into the tire and wheel assembly where the mixture reacts and foams replacing the air in the tire with a flexible, lightweight semi-open cell foam-fill. The foam-filled tire and wheel assembly is then allowed to cure.

Abstract: A small, compact optical scanning system with small aperture size requirements, wide field-of-regard and minimal color dispersion characteristics. The inventive scanning system and method provides for optical beam steering over a broad spectral band and over a wide field-of-regard. The inventive system includes a novel device for receiving an input wavefront of electromagnetic energy along a first axis and refracting the wavefront as an output wavefront along a second axis. The device is a unique form of a multi-channel liquid crystal array in which each channel has a length parallel to the first axis. By applying signals to change the refractive index of each channel, the incident wavefront can be steered at an angle with respect to the first axis and otherwise manipulated according to the index variant pattern induced in the array. Accordingly, the output beam is steered in response to the applied signals.