Abstract: To fill bags, a hopper is used to stored fill material. Bag holders are mounted on a transport mechanism. At one or more operator stations, an operator attaches a bag to one of the bag holders. At one or more fill stations, fill material from the hopper is used to fill a bag attached to a bag holder. A conveyer mechanism conveys the bag, after it has been filled, away from the transport mechanism. The transport mechanism transports the bag holder with the attached bag from an operator station to a fill station. The transport mechanism also transports the bag holder from a fill station to an operator station.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thin film structural system including a thin film structure includes depositing a reinforcing material in a liquid form in a predefined pattern on a thin film membrane, and transforming the reinforcing material in the predefined pattern to form a reinforcing element connected to the thin film membrane. The reinforcing material may be deposited in a melted form and solidified by cooling, may be transformed by a light or laser induced chemical reaction, or may be deposited and solidified such that the reinforcing element is at least partially embedded in the thin film membrane. The predefined pattern may redistribute loads around a damaged portion of the thin film structure, or define a hinge, a folding line, a stiffening feature. The reinforcing element may be electrically, optically or thermally conductive, to communicate with a device included in the system. The system may be a space structure.

Abstract: A front elevated stationary bicycle. The present system includes a front support member, a rear support member, a central member extending therebetween. A seat is secured on the central member facing the front support member. A pedaling mechanism having a flywheel and a pair of pedals rotatably attached thereto is secured to the central member between the seat and the front end of the central member. The front end of the central member is configured so that it can be vertically adjusted relative to the front support member, such that the pedals can be positioned above the seat.

Abstract: A guide arm machine includes a guide arm and an equipment holder attached to the guide arm. The equipment holder is optimized to hold a sports equipment item. The guide arm is attached to a shaft so that the shaft defines a rotation axis around which the guide arm rotates. An adjustable main beam whose position is adjustable with respect to a stationary anchor, so that when the sports equipment item is held by the equipment holder and a position of the adjustable main beam is appropriately adjusted, rotation of the guide arm around the guide arm guides an athlete holding the equipment holder item into a desired motion that trains the athlete in efficient use of the sports equipment item.

Abstract: A guide arm machine includes a guide arm and an equipment holder attached to the guide arm. The equipment holder is optimized to hold a sports equipment item. The guide arm is attached to a shaft so that the shaft defines a rotation axis around which the guide arm rotates. An adjustable main beam whose position is adjustable with respect to a stationary anchor, so that when the sports equipment item is held by the equipment holder and a position of the adjustable main beam is appropriately adjusted, rotation of the guide arm around the guide arm guides an athlete holding the equipment holder item into a desired motion that trains the athlete in efficient use of the sports equipment item.

Abstract: To fill bags, a hopper is used to stored fill material. Bag holders are mounted on a transport mechanism. At one or more operator stations, an operator attaches a bag to one of the bag holders. At one or more fill stations, fill material from the hopper is used to fill a bag attached to a bag holder. A conveyer mechanism conveys the bag, after it has been filled, away from the transport mechanism. The transport mechanism transports the bag holder with the attached bag from an operator station to a fill station. The transport mechanism also transports the bag holder from a fill station to an operator station.

Abstract: A power distribution protection system and method uses communications to coordinate operation of fault protection devices. Communications may be prioritized wherein messages of a lower priority are held or discarded in favor of messages of a higher priority, for example, messages indicating a fault condition. The devices may use multiple channel access schemes in accordance with a priority of a message to be communicated.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thin film structural system including a thin film structure includes depositing a reinforcing material in a liquid form in a predefined pattern on a thin film membrane, and transforming the reinforcing material in the predefined pattern to form a reinforcing element connected to the thin film membrane. The reinforcing material may be deposited in a melted form and solidified by cooling, may be transformed by a light or laser induced chemical reaction, or may be deposited and solidified such that the reinforcing element is at least partially embedded in the thin film membrane. The predefined pattern may redistribute loads around a damaged portion of the thin film structure, or define a hinge, a folding line, a stiffening feature. The reinforcing element may be electrically, optically or thermally conductive, to communicate with a device included in the system. The system may be a space structure.

Abstract: A power distribution protection system and method uses communications to coordinate operation of fault protection devices. Communications may be prioritized wherein messages of a lower priority are held or discarded in favor of messages of a higher priority, for example, messages indicating a fault condition. The devices may use multiple channel access schemes in accordance with a priority of a message to be communicated.

Abstract: A method and system to use compressed fluids to generate electrical energy or an equivalent useful form of energy. A first embodiment uses pressurized air that can be stored to selectively and directly generate energy as required. A second embodiment uses a pressurized working fluid that can be stored to selectively and directly generate energy as required. A third embodiment uses at least one compressible floor module to compress at least one working fluid that can be stored to selectively and directly generate energy as required. The working fluid in various embodiments of the invention can be air, steam, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, commercially available Freons, carbon dioxide, methane, ethane, propane, butane, various types of natural gas, ammonia, an equivalent type of gas, or an appropriate liquid.

Abstract: The system and method for standoff detection of human carried explosives (HCE) automatically detects HCE (112) up to a range of (200) meters and within seconds alerts an operator to HCE (112) threats. The system (100) has radar only, or both radar and video sensors, a multi-sensor processor (102), an operator console (120), handheld displays (122), and a wideband wireless communications link. The processor (102) receives radar and video feeds and automatically tracks and detects all humans (110) in the field of view. Track data continuously cues the narrow beam radar (118) to a subject of interest (110), (112) the radar (106), (108) repeatedly interrogating cued objects (110), (112), producing a multi-polarity radar range profile for each interrogation event. Range profiles and associated features are automatically fused over time until sufficient evidence is accrued to support a threat/non-threat declaration hypothesis.

Abstract: The system and method for standoff detection of human carried explosives (HCE) automatically detects HCE (112) up to a range of (200) meters and within seconds alerts an operator to HCE (112) threats. The system (100) has radar only, or both radar and video sensors, a multi-sensor processor (102), an operator console (120), handheld displays (122), and a wideband wireless communications link. The processor (102) receives radar and video feeds and automatically tracks and detects all humans (110) in the field of view. Track data continuously cues the narrow beam radar (118) to a subject of interest (110), (112) the radar (106), (108) repeatedly interrogating cued objects (110), (112), producing a multi-polarity radar range profile for each interrogation event. Range profiles and associated features are automatically fused over time until sufficient evidence is accrued to support a threat/non-threat declaration hypothesis.

Abstract: A decomposed original video sequence includes one or more original camera-motion layers and zero or more original fixed-frame layers decomposed from an original video sequence. The decomposed original video sequence is edited by editing at least one of the original camera-motion layers to obtain modified camera-motion layers such that each frame of a composite modified video sequence composed from the modified camera-motion layers and the original fixed-frame layers is obtained without editing each frame of said original video sequence. The editing comprises performing an edge operation to one of said original camera-motion layers.

Abstract: The system and method for standoff detection of human carried explosives (HCE) is a portable system that automatically detects HCE up to a range of 200 meters and within seconds alerts an operator to HCE threats. The system has radar only, or both radar and video sensors, a multi-sensor processor, an operator console, handheld displays, and a wideband wireless communications link. The processor receives radar and video feeds and automatically tracks and detects all humans in the field of view. Track data continuously cues the narrow beam radar to a subject of interest, the radar repeatedly interrogating cued objects, producing a multi-polarity radar range profile for each interrogation event. Range profiles and associated features are automatically fused over time until sufficient evidence is accrued to support a threat/non-threat declaration hypothesis. Once a determination is made, the system alerts operators through a handheld display and mitigates the threat if desired.

Abstract: A mobile recovery system is disclosed, for the collection, separation and disposable of wet solid, oily and/or watery waste, which includes a novel form of container for receiving the liquid elements for processing. The container may comprise a conventional 55 gallon drum with an open top. A processing cover is provided, which mounts a structural column, preferably an elongated tube, which extends between the upper and lower ends, when the processing cover is installed in position. The structural column enables the closed drum to withstand partial evacuation during processing operations. The processing cover also carries the necessary fluid inlet and outlet openings for accessing the container during processing. After processing, the container may be closed and sealed by a conventional cover.

Abstract: A system is provided for handling of watery, oily waste which constitutes a closed vessel divided into two chambers by a dividing wall, such that lower chamber portions are in fluid communication. The vessel contains an inlet for flowing fluid into the upper portion of one chamber, an upper outlet for the other chamber, an air passage connecting upper portions of the chambers and effective for maintaining normal liquid levels in the two chambers, a sensing device in the one chamber and a discharge conduit for the first chamber which is controlled selectively by the sensing device.

Abstract: CCMAS is an integrated construction cost generator which may be used to develop costs for construction projects; to analyze and estimate facilities associated with major weapons programs; for administrative, medical and support facilities as well as runway/taxiways; and for developing the life cycle costs for various construction projects. Its uses parametric estimating techniques with a finite field of both codified and unstructured data elements in a unique process which may be accomplished with or without detailed plans or specifications. The system contains more than 900 types of Air Force facilities as well as the quantities of each product required to complete each building type. Estimating tools used include direct costs, life cycle costs and modifiers. Direct costs are further broken down into generic models, a comparative system, and a quantity takeoff (QTO) system. CCMAS has been found to be three times more accurate than conventional architectural and engineering costing techniques.

Abstract: A solar oven includes an oven chamber having an open end and an interior cooking chamber. A collapsible reflector assembly, having a plurality of hinged reflective panels, can be folded to a collapsed position for storage or transport, or opened during use to reflect additional sunlight through the open end and into the interior cooking chamber. A transparent door mounted over the open end retains heat within the interior cooking chamber, and a portable frame assembly supports the oven chamber for pivotal movement around a horizontal pivot axis. A ratchet mechanism retains the oven chamber in selected positions around the pivot axis, and a free-swinging, self-leveling tray keeps foodstuffs or cooking utensils level within the interior cooking chamber as the oven chamber is positioned around the pivot axis so as to utilize best the available sunlight.

Abstract: A system is provided which employs a modified gamma thermometer for determining the liquid coolant level within a nuclear reactor core. The gamma thermometer which normally is employed to monitor local core heat generation rate (reactor power), is modified by thermocouple junctions and leads to obtain an unambiguous indication of the presence or absence of coolant liquid at the gamma thermometer location. A signal processor generates a signal based on the thermometer surface heat transfer coefficient by comparing the signals from the thermocouples at the thermometer location. The generated signal is a direct indication of loss of coolant due to the change in surface heat transfer when coolant liquid drops below the thermometer location. The loss of coolant indication is independent of reactor power at the thermometer location. Further, the same thermometer may still be used for the normal power monitoring function.