Selected U.S. Patent Abstracts

Abstract: An animal-containment device that enables quick and easy containment, such as bathing, of a household pet. The device includes a basin that may be easily manufactured in a unitary piece. The basin includes at least one adjustable strap attached between the sides of the basin. The strap is secured in elongated slots along the sides of the basin over the back of the pet being bathed. A central hump is formed on the basin floor that conforms substantially to the underbelly of the pet. The hump prevents the pet from sitting down during the bathing process. An adjustable collar restraint strap is attached to an additional slot. The collar restraint strap is attachable to a standard pet collar. The pet is immobilized by way of the hump and adjustable straps. A drain with a removable plug is included at the bottom of the basin that is attachable to a standard garden hose for removal of bath water. Assorted bathing accessories are also included for attachment around the lip of the basin.

Abstract: A cold-steam atomizer designed to use ultrasonics to produce mist to be mixed with a combustible fluid. The device is designed to transfer that mist/combustible fluid mixture into a combustion system in order to enhance internal and external combustion. The mist generator utilizes an immersed vibrating element to atomize a liquid such as water to create the mist. The atomizer is housed in a chamber having a baffle that is designed to prevent large droplets of the liquid from entering the combustion chamber. The system alternatively includes a tank for storing the liquid prior to atomization.

Abstract: A shoulder-strap retainer attachable to a shoulder strap for preventing a shoulder strap from slipping off the user's shoulder. The shoulder strap retainer includes a main retainer body, a first retainer end, and a second retainer end. The first retainer end is axially connected to one end of the main retainer body and includes a first tongue end operatively associated with a first securing means. The second retainer end is axially connected to a second end of the main retainer body and includes a second tongue end operatively associated with a second securing means. The first retainer end is attached to one leg of the shoulder strap and the second retainer end is attached to a second leg of the shoulder strap. The shoulder-strap retainer is used such that the shoulder strap is placed on top of the shoulder while the shoulder-strap retainer is positioned underneath the arm and adjusted to securely fit the shoulder strap to the shoulder.

Abstract: A sled-like container designed to be dragged over a variety of terrain. The sled-like container includes a cylindrically-shaped sled body, a tapered front portion forming one end of the sled body, and an access port for inserting or removing materiel in a storage space defined by the interior of the sled body. When in use, the sled body is completely closed so as to protect equipment, etc., in the storage space. The tapered front end of the sled body may be openable for additional access. The sled body may be smooth or it may include a ribbed configuration. An optional releasable pulling attachment may be used to connect the sled to the person pulling the sled.

Abstract: Device for protecting against circuit-damaging voltage spikes at input nodes and output nodes of electrical circuits and between high- and low-potential power rails. The voltage spikes are of the type identified generally as electrostatic discharges. The device includes a plurality of semiconductor elements, which are preferably bipolar transistors, coupled to the power rails and an input node or an output node of the circuit such that all types of electrostatic discharges can be diverted using the single device of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the transistors have a common collector, their bases are open, and they are configured so that the emitter of one transistor is coupled to the high-potential power rail, the emitter of a second transistor is coupled to the low-potential power rail, and the emitter of a third transistor is coupled to the node to be protected. Various combinations of the breakdown characteristics of the several coupled transistors operate to divert all types of voltage spikes, including positive and negative spikes at the node, and positive and negative spikes between the power rails. The device of the present invention is smaller and faster than prior electrostatic discharge protection devices, with sufficient capacity to handle expected transient voltage levels.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging device including a bearingless levitating rotor for rotating a reflective mirror. The device may be used to image from within a hollow object and is particularly suited for use in intravascular imaging. The levitation of the rotor is achieved by forming the rotor as a permanent magnet structure having three distinct magnet regions, two having opposing dipole moments axial to the rotor orientation and one having a dipole moment transverse to the rotor orientation, the transverse magnetic region lying between the first and third magnetic regions. The rotor is radially centered within a housing using passive magnetic suspension elements, including permanent magnet stators at opposite ends of the housing. The rotor is axially positioned within the housing with an active servo feedback controller. Position-drive and sense coils are used to move and detect the positioning of the rotor. Rotation drive coils operate on the transverse magnetic region to cause the rotor to spin. The combination of the magnetic components and the coil detection, positioning, and rotation mechanism yields an imaging device with a rotor having no direct mechanical linkages.

Abstract: An acoustic resonance chamber in an underwater pinger is designed to enhance the acoustic emission from the pinger. An electro-acoustic transducer of the pinger is positioned away from a reflective surface of the pinger housing by a distance chosen in proportion to the wavelength of the fundamental frequency of the acoustic emission. This creates a resonant condition at the transducer, maximizing the acoustic output. This design also causes a maximum transfer of the acoustic wave through the pinger housing and into the surrounding water.

Abstract: A dynamic controller for quantitative rapid-pulse flow control over a wide dynamic range (1000-to-1) forms a fluid path from a pressurized source to a sink. The fluid path travels, typically in a disposable cassette, from the pressure source via a fast (one millisecond) on-off source control valve into a volume-displacement interface area, thence to a fast on-off load control valve and on to the sink. The load control valve may be replaced by a passive flow restrictor where less dynamic range is required. From the reusable controller side, fast actuators are energized to open the normally-closed valves. A volume sensor mates with the volume-displacement interface area. This sensor uses an incompressible transfer fluid, typically different than and isolated from the deliverable fluid by membranes, to transmit volume displacement change into a transducer area for conversion from volume to a measurable electrical signal, typically a frequency. A known pressure/volume curve for the volume sensor allows pressure monitoring during operation, yielding knowledge of fluid source and load conditions.

A flow control method relies on a combination of very short, variable valve-open pulses and design with comparatively large-diameter fluid passageways into the fluid capacitance of the volume sensor, to achieve flow limited more by inertia than viscosity. Distinct high-flow and low-flow control regimes are used. For high flow, bolus volume is maximized by pulsing for one-half the fluid oscillation period determined by the volume sensor fluid capacitance and the flow inertia of the fluid passageway, shutting off at flow reversal. For low flow, pulses typically below 10% of the high-flow pulse width yield small bolus volumes varying as the square of pulse width, providing control over a wide dynamic range of bolus sizes down to fractions of a microliter, permitting moderately high pulse frequencies even at very low average rates, achieving nearly continuous flow. Design with normally-closed, energize-to-open valves assures flow stop if power is lost. In this context, the large fluid passageways lead to a prescribed volume transfer at low valve-open duty cycle, conserving energy and making battery operation practical.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift system enabling wheelchair accessibility between stair levels for persons incapable of traversing stairs under their own power. The key of the invention is a free-rolling, wheeled platform suspended between two arcuate tracks which are lifted and lowered by synchronized, reversible, worm-gear drive mechanisms. The platform and tracks are mounted on a frame in which also resides peripheral equipment needed to raise and lower the system. A seven-foot-high portal frame supports the drive mechanism which comprises pivoting, worm-gear type drive motors, turning long worm-gears extending vertically downward from the top of the frame to the floor and engaging pivoting worm-gear heads that are attached to the arcuate tracks, while allowing normal access to the stairs.

Abstract: A portable boat for all commercial and recreational uses, with particular application to shallow water situations. The boat comprises a multi-tube flotation perimeter hull constructed of connected, epoxy-laminated foam cores and totally encased with a vinyl polyester fabric; a reinforced floor portion and, a full rear transom means. This water craft is strong, yet flexible, unsinkable and virtually impervious to punctures and abrasion damage. These positive benefits are accomplished without sacrificing the advantages of lightweight construction and ease of transportation.

Abstract: A power-up circuit with hysteretic characteristics for regulating the activation of one or more output buffers of an extended logic circuit. The hysteresis of the power-up circuit of the invention permits turn on of a switching transistor of the circuit at one threshold voltage level and maintains the active state of that switching transistor until a second lower threshold voltage level. The hysteresis is achieved by providing two separate and electrically isolated control paths that are connected to the control node of the switching transistor. The first control path includes a plurality of diode devices designed to regulate the power supply level required to turn on the switching transistor. The second control path also includes diode devices but in lesser numbers so that, once the switching transistor is turned on by the first control path, it remains on in spite of fluctuations at the power supply rail.

Abstract: A light socket adapter designed for use with fluorescent tubular lamps. The light socket adapter includes a lamp socket, an adjustable support element, and an adjusting device. The adjusting device includes a first adjusting component connected to the lamp socket and a second adjusting component connected to the support element. The first adjusting component is detachably and rotatably connected to the second adjusting component allowing the positioning of the lamp socket at any desired angle relative to the second adjusting component. The light socket adapter optionally includes a middle connecting component for use between the first adjusting component and the second adjusting component. The middle connecting component allows positioning of the lamp socket at any desired angle relative to the support element.

Abstract: A heat pump system dehumidifies air in an enclosure containing a source of humidity such as a swimming pool. The heat pump system invention transfers rejection heat from the primary refrigerant loop to a secondary water loop. The secondary water loop is coupled in heat exchange relationship to the primary condenser of the primary refrigerant loop for receiving the rejection heat including the latent heat and sensible heat from the refrigerant. The secondary water loop incorporates a circulating water pump and a storage tank and affords a substantially uniform load on the compressor, condenser and refrigerant of the refrigerant loop. The secondary water loop then provides versatility and flexibility in meeting variable load demand such as conditioning the enclosure air, heating water in open receptacles such as pools, dumping heat outside the enclosure, or adding heat to the enclosure. The secondary water loop displaces the variable load requirements from direct impact on the primary refrigerant loop. The invention is applicable for example to pools, natatoria, hot tubs, whirlpool baths, spas, fountains, fish tanks, locker rooms, showers, etc.

Abstract: Solvent formulations used in thinning oil-based resins and in cleaning equipment contaminated with oil-based resins include mixtures of constituents with low-, or no-toxicity and flash points generally considered to be above flammability levels. The formulations are compatible with such resins and further have drying characteristics suitable for most users. The solvating power and drying characteristics of these formulations are equivalent to turpentine and mineral spirits, but without the safety concerns associated with those thinners. The formulation components of the present invention include propylene glycol ethers comprising no more than 60% by weight of the solvent mixture, no more than 10% by weight of an isoalkane compound, and no more than 30% by weight of an oxidizing oil, and no more than 30% by weight of an odor-masking compound, preferably d-limonene. Further optional constituents include no more than 15% by weight of propylene glycol, no more than 20% by weight of isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol, and no more than 10% by weight of an isoalkane compound.

Abstract: A positioning device for people in hospital beds is disclosed. The device includes a sheet which is placed under the patient. This is connected by rope to an apparatus on the headboard of the bed. Either by the bed's existing motor, or an independent motor, the patient is moved up in bed towards the headboard. This action eliminates the need for two or more people for the job of positioning a person in bed. The chance of an on-the-job injury is also greatly reduced with this positioning aid.

Abstract: An error-limiting circuit for regulating the time required to bring the output signal of a control system such as a phase-locked loop device into conformance with a reference input signal. For a phase-locked loop system the error-limiting circuit is a phase-error-limiting circuit that provides for a gradual changing of the signal frequency of a voltage-controlled oscillator of the phase-locked loop device so that frequency synchronization of subsequent devices coupled to the phase-locked loop with the reference signal is ensured. The phase-error-limiting circuit forms part of the phase-frequency detector that is coupled to a charge pump that outputs current to a loop filter that in turn effectively controls the voltage-controlled oscillator. The phase-error-limiting circuit acts to assert or de-assert as required an error-correcting UP or DOWN signal to the charge pump. While the charge supplied by the charge pump is normally dependent only on the phase difference between the reference signal and the VCO signal, the phase-error-limiting circuit cuts in to control the UP or DOWN signal duration when the phase difference exceeds some pre-selected value. The phase-error-limiting circuit thereby clips the charge that can be supplied by the charge pump and thereby slows the move of the voltage-controlled oscillator frequency to the reference signal frequency.

Abstract: A handicapped artist's easel is constructed with a horizontal baseboard and an easel board pivotally mounted at the front end of the baseboard for rotation through substantially 180 deg. relative to the baseboard. At least one extendable and retractable arm is coupled between the easel board and the baseboard for varying the angle of the easel board relative to the baseboard from an acute angle to an obtuse angle great enough for presenting the front side of the easel board over the face of an artist painting or sketching with mouth held instruments and confined to a bed or wheelchair. The desired angle can be set by the telescoping arm. An appropriate support structure is provided for holding the weight of the cantilevered easel board at an obtuse angle without interfering in handicapped artist access to the easel board. Multiple uses of the adjustable easel are described.

Abstract: A system and method for making an impression of a foot, an ankle, and a lower leg to be used in the fabrication of custom-made shoes. The system has a molding component made of a compressible foam or a combination of compressible foams made into prefabricated pieces, and a protective component made of plastic, cardboard, or other disposable material enclosing the molding component. The protective component may be securely affixed to the molding component and is designed to be used for mailing or storing the foot-ankle-lower leg impression.

Abstract: A BiCMOS power-up circuit for delaying the operation of an extended circuit until the voltage available to the high-potential power rail of the extended circuit is sufficiently high that all elements of the extended circuit will be powered at a high enough voltage to function correctly. The power-up circuit of the present invention has its most direct application to three-state output buffers connected to a common bus, and in this context this circuit can maintain the output buffers in their high-Z, inactive state until the voltage available from the circuit-energizing power-supply has risen high enough that all of the stages of the buffers will operate correctly, and in particular will not be current-sourcing and current-sinking simultaneously. By the use of a primary control path and a secondary control path, the circuit of the present invention is able to manifest a hysteresis wherein during power-up the circuit of the present invention cedes control of the extended circuit at a power-supply threshold voltage V(ThU) which is higher than the threshold voltage V(ThD) at which the circuit re-asserts control during power-down. This avoids unnecessary turn-offs of the extended circuit occasioned by load-, noise-, and temperature-induced fluctuations in the high-potential power rail voltage, while allowing V(ThU) to be set quite high. By using bipolar and MOS transistors, the circuit of the present invention is able to make use of the specific advantages of each type of device.

Abstract: A pointer processor circuit substantially eliminates the pointer gap during justification of an outgoing SONET/SDH frame relative to an incoming SONET/SDH frame. The pointer interpreter circuit PI is constructed to receive an incoming frame, interpret the pointer H1H2, and write data payload bytes of the incoming frame into a FIFO memory. An input clock CLK1 controls the writing of data payload bytes into the FIFO. The FIFO stores only data bytes. A pointer generator circuit PG is coupled to the FIFO and is constructed to read out data payload bytes from the FIFO, create an outgoing frame, and calculate a new pointer. An output clock CLK2 controls reading of data from the FIFO to form an outgoing frame. The PI, FIFO and PG cooperate for justification of the outgoing frame relative to the incoming frame. The PG is constructed to determine the time X between justifications, to count justifications, and to determine the occurrence of N justifications corresponding to a row N data payload bytes of the SONET/SDH frame in the time (N-1)X adjacent to a pointer gap time interval (R+1)X of no justifications corresponding to R transport overhead bytes of the row. The PG is also constructed to average approximately and spread out the justifications over the interval X (N+R) by spacing the justifications to occur at intervals of approximately X (1+R/N), thereby substantially eliminating the pointer gap. Whole integer approximations are typically used for spacing the justifications during justification steps along a row of the SONET/SDH frame.

Abstract: A computer aided routing system (CARS) determines a travel route between a user selected travel origin and travel destination following user selected waypoints along the way. A CARS database incorporates travel information selected from a range of multimedia sources about the transportation routes, waypoints, and geographically locatable points of interest (POIs) selected by the user along the travel route. The CARS software permits user selection of specified POI types within a user defined region of interest and user selection of particular POIs from the selected types within the region of interest. The transportation routes, waypoints, POIs and region of interest are identified in the computer by coordinate locations of a selected geographical coordinate system. The CARS software is constructed to present a user customized travelog for preview on the computer display of the user defined travel route. The travel planner can preview on the computer display a multimedia travelog particularly customized for the user defined travel route including multimedia information on the transportation routes, waypoints, and POIs selected by the user. The user can engage in an iterative trip planning process of revising the route and previewing travelogs of revised travel routes until a satisfactory travel route is determined.

Abstract: A photodetection system and related circuitry designed to sense the intrusion of an opaque object in a light plane. Upon sensing the intrusion, the system quickly initiates a machine-stopping sequence prior to the opaque object coming into contact with the machine while that machine is operating. The system comprises a SYSTEM microcontroller and a WATCHDOG microcontroller, both of which operate an output control device of the light curtain switch of the invention, wherein the output control device comprises a plurality of electromechanical relays. Both microcontrollers also perform system hardware and software integrity checks. Furthermore, the WATCHDOG microcontroller evaluates the performance of the SYSTEM microcontroller by transmitting a false intrusion signal to a photosource, determining whether the false signal has been detected, and then verifying that the SYSTEM microcontroller has initiated the machine-stopping sequence. The machine-stopping sequence may be overridden by the WATCHDOG microcontroller, or it may be initiated if the false signal is not detected. The combination of electronic, mechanical, and optical modules of the present invention provides improved reliability and accuracy. In addition, the SYSTEM microcontroller and the WATCHDOG microcontroller are designed so as to reduce the system's sensitivity to spurious signals.

Abstract: A remotely-controlled system for the operation of the gas and brake pedals of a vehicle wherein a limited physical input is translated into desired vehicle acceleration and braking. A single joystick lever is linked electronically to mechanical components connected to the gas and brake pedals so as to operate those pedals in a fly-by-wire manner. The joystick lever is optionally tied to a feedback mechanism that permits the driver to adjust the resistance felt upon movement of the lever. In that way, the feel for the vehicle's operation can be experienced more readily. The control system of the present invention permits able-bodied operation of the vehicle without any interference.

Abstract: A laminating apparatus is disclosed which is particularly suited to mount holograms on plastic cards. The apparatus comprises a planar support supporting the work pieces to be laminated. A press stamp has a shape of a sector of a circular cylinder wall and is driven by means of a special gear to perform a hobbing motion along the to-be-laminated area.

Abstract: An improved Schottky transistor structure (6), including a bipolar transistor structure (7) and a Schottky diode structure (8), is formed by retrograde diffusing relatively fast diffusing atoms to form a localized retrograde diode well (9) as the substrate for the Schottky diode structure. An expanded buried collector layer (11) formed of relatively slow diffusing atoms underlies the base and collector regions of the bipolar transistor structure (7) and the retrograde diode well (9). A diode junction (10) is formed by expanding the base contact of the bipolar transistor structure to include the surface of the retrograde diode well. Preferably, the diode junction is a Platinum-Silicide junction. The improved Schottky transistor structure may be formed as part of a bipolar junction transistor fabrication process or a BICMOS integrated circuit fabrication process wherein the buried diode layer may be formed at the same time as the buried collector layer of the bipolar transistor structure and the retrograde diode well may be formed at the same time as the sub-emitter collector region of the bipolar transistor structure. The buried collector layer definition mask is also a buried diode layer definition mask, the sub-emitter collector region definition mask is also a retrograde diode well definition mask, and the bipolar contacts definition mask is also a diode junction contact definition mask.

Abstract: An ESD protection circuit for a BICMOS IC device protects NMOS transistors (Q2) of internal CMOS gates (G2) from ESD events at a high potential power rail (VCC). Specifically the ESD protection circuit protects NMOS pulldown transistors coupled between a pullup bipolar emitter follower transistor (Q5) and the low potential power rail (GND). A PMOS current control transistor (QPESD) is coupled with primary current path between the high potential power rail (VCC) and the bipolar emitter follower transistor (Q5) for controlling current flow through the emitter follower transistor. An RC time constant circuit (R10,C1) is coupled between the high potential power rail (VCC) and low potential power rail (GND). The RC time constant circuit is constructed with a time constant for following power up events but not for following the faster ESD events at the high potential power rail. An inverting gate (G2A) is coupled between the control gate node of the PMOS current control transistor (QPESD) and the RC time constant circuit (R10,C1) for turning off the PMOS current control transistor (QPESD) during an ESD event at the high potential power rail. The PMOS current control transistor (QPESD) thereby protects NMOS transistors (Q2) of internal CMOS gates (G2) coupled to the pullup emitter follower transistor (Q5).