Abstract: An apparatus examines the internal structure of an object disposed substantially in a medium such as air, which essentially totally reflects acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range. The apparatus has an acoustic transducer that emits and receives acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range and an acoustic coupler that acoustically couples the acoustic transducer to the object. The acoustic coupler is adapted to essentially retain a body of fluid such as water between a section of the surface of the object and the acoustic transducer. The fluid carries acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range between the acoustic transducer and the object.

Abstract: A nozzle is provided for use in a dynamic electrostatic air filter, in which the nozzle includes an internal electrode that charges a semiconductive liquid, and includes an external electrode that assists in breaking the liquid into droplets in a predetermined direction. Banks of multiple nozzles are also disclosed, which are separated by a charged “separation electrode” to prevent interference with spray patterns between adjacent banks. An electrostatic fountain is also disclosed which discharges a fragrance, or an inhalable medicine.

Abstract: A system uses reflection mode acoustical scanning of an object to examine the internal characteristics of the object. The system includes a controller and a jig removably attached to the object. The jig includes an acoustic transducer assembly that is in communication with the controller, which controls the positioning of the acoustic transducer assembly. The jig is adapted to enable the controller to scan the acoustic transducer assembly over the object and to adjust the position of the acoustic transducer assembly during the scan to compensate for the contour of the scanned portion of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus examines the internal structure of an object disposed substantially in a medium such as air, which essentially totally reflects acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range. The apparatus has an acoustic transducer that emits and receives acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range and an acoustic coupler that acoustically couples the acoustic transducer to the object. The acoustic coupler is adapted to essentially retain a body of fluid such as water between a section of the surface of the object and the acoustic transducer for carrying acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range between the acoustic transducer and the object.

Abstract: An apparatus examines the internal structure of an object disposed substantially in a medium such as air, which essentially totally reflects acoustic signals in the 1–200 MHz frequency range. The apparatus has an acoustic transducer that emits and receives acoustic signals in the 1–200 MHz frequency range and an acoustic coupler that acoustically couples the acoustic transducer to the object. The acoustic coupler is adapted to receive a fluid stream and emit a fluid stream that carries acoustic signals in the 1–200 MHz frequency range between the acoustic transducer and the object.

Abstract: An apparatus examines the internal structure of an object disposed substantially in a medium such as air, which essentially totally reflects acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range. The apparatus has an acoustic transducer that emits and receives acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range and an acoustic coupler that acoustically couples the acoustic transducer to the object. The acoustic coupler has a first end adapted to couple to the acoustic transducer and a second end adapted to make contact with a section of a surface of the object. The acoustic coupler carries acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range between the acoustic transducer and the contacted section of the surface of the object. In operation, the apparatus examines the internal structure of the object using reflection mode acoustic microscopy, wherein emitted and reflected signals are carried between the acoustic transducer and the object by acoustic coupler.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a portable apparatus adapted to be battery powered is used to scan an object in situ with x-rays and measure the intensity of the diffracted x-rays. The apparatus includes a scanning head having an x-ray source that is battery powered and an x-ray detector. The x-ray source and the x-ray detector are aligned in one of a plurality of predetermined alignments such that x-rays from the x-ray source are incident upon an object at a specific angle and the x-ray detector is aligned to detect x-rays that are diffracted at a specific angle, wherein the specific angle is a Bragg angle for a particular plane of atoms in the object.

Abstract: A method of making composite discs continuously, including forming for each disc a first, a second layer, and a third support layer, each support layer being disc shaped and having a first surface with information indicia. An information layer is added to each support layers respectively. The said first and third support layers are positioned in a facing relationship, with the first and third information layers being adjacent. The third support layer is then separated from the third information layer, which thus remains attached to the first support layer. The first and second support layers are then joined. These steps are performed on a manufacturing line with conveyor belts transferring the support layers from station to station.

Abstract: An apparatus examines the internal structure of an object disposed substantially in a medium such as air, which essentially totally reflects acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range. The apparatus has an acoustic transducer that emits and receives acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range and an acoustic coupler that acoustically couples the acoustic transducer to the object. The acoustic coupler is adapted to essentially retain a body of fluid such as water between a section of the surface of the object and the acoustic transducer for carrying acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range between the acoustic transducer and the object.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a portable apparatus adapted to be battery powered is used to scan an object in situ with x-rays and measure the intensity of the diffracted x-rays. The apparatus includes a scanning head having an x-ray source that is battery powered and an x-ray detector. The x-ray source and the x-ray detector are aligned in one of a plurality of predetermined alignments such that x-rays from the x-ray source are incident upon an object at a specific angle and the x-ray detector is aligned to detect x-rays that are diffracted at a specific angle, wherein the specific angle is a Bragg angle for a particular plane of atoms in the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for presenting data such as CAD data and three-dimensional graphic design data. The presentation method includes a set of one or more pages upon which objects are arranged. The objects may be associated with models, images, text, or buttons. For example, an object may be a walkthrough object associated with a three-dimensional model. The method also includes a means for synchronizing data sets. For example, a two-dimensional floor plan may be synchronized with a three-dimensional walkthrough. Further, the system includes a means for determining collisions and climbing of an actor in a first person walkthrough object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for presenting data such as CAD data and three-dimensional graphic design data. The presentation method includes a set of one or more pages upon which objects are arranged. The objects may be associated with models, images, text, or buttons. For example, an object may be a walkthrough object associated with a three-dimensional model. The method also includes a means for synchronizing data sets. For example, a two-dimensional floor plan may be synchronized with a three-dimensional walkthrough. Further, the system includes a means for determining collisions and climbing of an actor in a first person walkthrough object.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a portable apparatus adapted to be battery powered is used to scan an object in situ with x-rays and measure the intensity of the diffracted x-rays. The apparatus includes a scanning head having an x-ray source that is battery powered and an x-ray detector. The x-ray source and the x-ray detector are aligned in one of a plurality of predetermined alignments such that x-rays from the x-ray source are incident upon an object at a specific angle and the x-ray detector is aligned to detect x-rays that are diffracted at a specific angle, wherein the specific angle is a Bragg angle for a particular plane of atoms in the object.

Abstract: An apparatus examines the internal structure of an object disposed substantially in a medium such as air, which essentially totally reflects acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range. The apparatus has an acoustic transducer that emits and receives acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range and an acoustic coupler that acoustically couples the acoustic transducer to the object. The acoustic coupler has a first end adapted to couple to the acoustic transducer and a second end adapted to make contact with a section of a surface of the object. The acoustic coupler carries acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range between the acoustic transducer and the contacted section of the surface of the object. In operation, the apparatus examines the internal structure of the object using reflection mode acoustic microscopy, wherein emitted and reflected signals are carried between the acoustic transducer and the object by acoustic coupler.

Abstract: An apparatus examines the internal structure of an object disposed substantially in a medium such as air, which essentially totally reflects acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range. The apparatus has an acoustic transducer that emits and receives acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range and an acoustic coupler that acoustically couples the acoustic transducer to the object. The acoustic coupler is adapted to essentially retain a body of fluid such as water between a section of the surface of the object and the acoustic transducer. The fluid carries acoustic signals in the 1-200 MHz frequency range between the acoustic transducer and the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum assisted venting of an injection mold. The apparatus includes a main body structured to be mounted around an outer circumference of the injection mold and configured to facilitate application of a vacuum pressure therein. The method and apparatus are particularly directed towards preventing the accumulation of residual material inside an injection mold and reducing the frequency of disassembly and cleaning required for the injection mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum assisted venting of an injection mold. The apparatus includes a main body structured to be mounted around an outer circumference of the injection mold and configured to facilitate application of a vacuum pressure therein. The method and apparatus are particularly directed towards preventing the accumulation of residual material inside an injection mold and reducing the frequency of disassembly and cleaning required for the injection mold.

Abstract: A protective layer is applied to the surface of a compact disc precursor that must be protected from dust during manufacture. The layer is removable and preferably made of ethylene vinyl acetate.

Abstract: An axial and radial locking release collar adapted to be axially received on and to be removably fixed at any selected location along the length of an elongated shaft and radially locked in at least one direction around the shaft. The release collar includes an axially movable sleeve. Moveable balls are cammed into frictional engagement with the shaft. A tension ring includes angled segments removed from the inner surface thereof such that said movable balls are held in the angled segments to prevent radially movement around the shaft. The release collar may also be easily slid onto a threaded shaft and locked into place.

Abstract: An in-line system for fabricating a double sided compact discs by bonding together an information bearing surface and another surface, has a prestressing station with means for deforming at least one of the surfaces in such away as to not disturb any of the data. It employs an adjustable spacer for maintaining an adjustable separation between symmetrical arcuate portions of the outer circumference of the information bearing surfaces in the bonding station. This adjustable spacer comprises two spacer arms that comprise wedge shaped portions for entry between the edges of said discs and maintaining a displacement of at least the outermost edges of said discs. There is also disc displacement means for bringing together the two information bearing surfaces by displacement of at least one of said information bearing surfaces orthogonal to the plane of the surfaces.