All The Claims

1. An apparatus for maintaining the privacy of a plaintext message transmitted over a non-secure channel between a transmitting party and a receiving party without cryptographic key exchange between said parties, comprising:
(a) first transformation means for embodying the plaintext message in a non-reversible first output;
(b) second transformation means for generating a second output which is a reversible second transformation of said first output, such that said second output is non-reversible;
(c) first transmitting means for transmitting said second output from the transmitting party to the receiving party;
(d) third transformation means for generating a third output which is a reversible third transformation of said second output, such that said third output is non-reversible;
(e) second transmitting means for transmitting said third output from the receiving party to the transmitting party;
(f) reverse second transformation means for generating a fourth output through reversal of the second transformation applied to said third output, such that said fourth output is non-reversible;
(g) third transmitting means for transmitting said fourth output from the transmitting party to the receiving party;
(h) reverse third transformation means for generating said first output through reversal of the third transformation applied to said fourth output; and
(i) extracting means for extracting the plaintext message from said first output in the possession of the receiving party.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first transmitting means is also said third transmitting means.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
(a) said first transformation means comprises a first mathematical function creating an embodiment of the plaintext message in a non-invertible first output;
(b) said second transformation means comprises an invertible second mathematical function;
(c) said third transformation means comprises an invertible third mathematical function;
(d) said reverse second transformation means comprises the inverse of said second mathematical function; and
(e) said reverse third transformation means comprises the inverse of said third mathematical function.
4. A method for securely transmitting a plaintext message from a transmitting party to a receiving party over a non-secure channel, comprising the steps of:
(a) generating a first transformation of the plaintext message such that the plaintext message is embodied in a first output of said first transformation and said first output of said first transformation is non-reversible;
(b) generating a reversible second transformation of said first output of said first transformation such that a second output of said second transformation is non-reversible;
(c) transmitting said second output of said second transformation from the transmitting party to the receiving party;
(d) generating a reversible third transformation of said second output of said second transformation such that a third output of said third transformation is non-reversible;
(e) transmitting said third output of said third transformation from the receiving party to the transmitting party;
(f) reversing said second transformation on said third output of said third transformation such that a fourth output of said reversal of the second transformation is non-reversible;
(g) transmitting said fourth output of said reversal of the second transformation from the transmitting party to the receiving party;
(h) reversing said third transformation on said fourth output to yield said first output of said first transformation; and
(i) extracting the plaintext message from said first output.
5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said first transmitting means is also said third transmitting means.
6. A method according to claim 4, wherein:
(a) said first transformation comprises a first mathematical function creating an embodiment of the plaintext message in a non-invertible first output;
(b) said second transformation comprises an invertible second mathematical function;
(c) said third transformation comprises an invertible third mathematical function;
(d) said reverse second transformation comprises the inverse of said second mathematical function; and
(e) said reverse third transformation comprises the inverse of said third mathematical function.
7. An apparatus for maintaining the privacy of a plaintext message conveyed over a non-secure channel between a transmitting party and a receiving party wherein:
(a) the transmitting party neither possesses nor uses any cryptographic key that was created by the receiving party;
(b) the receiving party neither possesses nor uses any cryptographic key, that was created by the transmitting party;
(c) neither the transmitting party nor the receiving party exchanged a cryptographic key with the other party, and
(d) the plaintext message is transmitted to and understood by the receiving party, but cannot be understood by any third party who was privy to all transmissions between the transmitting party and the receiving party.
8. A method for maintaining the privacy of a plaintext message conveyed over a non-secure channel between a transmitting party and a receiving party wherein:
(a) the transmitting party neither possesses nor uses any cryptographic key, that was created by the receiving party;
(b) the receiving party neither possesses nor uses any cryptographic key, that was created by the transmitting party;
(c) neither the transmitting party nor the receiving party exchanged a cryptographic key, with the other party and
(d) the plaintext message is transmitted to and understood by the receiving party, but cannot be understood by any third party who was privy to all transmissions between the transmitting party and the receiving party.
9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plaintext message comprises a cryptographic key.
10. A method according to claim 4, wherein said plaintext message comprises a cryptographic key.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A bird fountain comprising:
a fluid reservoir for containing a fluid suitable to be consumed by birds;
a canopy positioned above the reservoir, the canopy having a solar panel for converting daylight element into electrical energy, a recharge able power source for storing electrical energy, and a light element illuminated by electrical energy;
wherein the light element illuminates the fluid reservoir.
2. The bird fountain according to claim 1 wherein the fluid reservoir is translucent such that illumination from the light element is reflected by any fluid in the fluid reservoir.
3. The bird fountain according to claim 1 wherein the fluid reservoir is transparent such that illumination from the light element is reflected by any fluid in the fluid reservoir.
4. The bird fountain according to claim 1 further comprising a photo resistor conducively coupled to the recharge able power source for activating and deactivating the recharge able electrical power source depending upon the amount of light element hitting the photo resistor, which automatically control the light element to turn on at dusk and off at dawn.
5. The bird fountain according to claim 1 further comprising a diffuser covering the light element.
6. The bird fountain according to claim 1 further comprising a hanger connected to the canopy by a canopy chain.
7. The bird fountain according to claim 1 further comprising a drinking station in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir.
8. The bird fountain according to claim 1 further comprising a stake supporting fluid the fluid reservoir.
9. A bird fountain comprising:
a hanger having a canopy chain attached;
a canopy attached to a lower end of the canopy chain, the canopy housing a solar panel, photo resistor, and a light element,
reservoir wires attached to the canopy,
a fluid reservoir attached to a lower end of the reservoir wires and thereby suspended below the canopy such that the light element illuminates the fluid reservoir.
10. The bird fountain according to claim 9 further comprising fluid in the fluid reservoir such that when the light element illuminates the fluid reservoir the fluid is illuminated as well and the level of the fluid may be discerned in low light element conditions.
11. The bird fountain according to claim 9 wherein the fluid reservoir is transparent.
12. The bird fountain according to claim 9 wherein the fluid reservoir is translucent.
13. A bird fountain comprising:
a canopy having a solar panel, and a recharge able power source;
an enclosed fluid reservoir suspended below the canopy, the fluid reservoir having a top surface and plug securely fitted to the top surface;
wherein a light element is positioned within the plug and in electrical communication with the recharge able power source such that the light element illuminates the fluid reservoir.
14. The bird fountain according to claim 13 further comprising additional light elements on the canopy for further illumination of the fluid reservoir.
15. The bird fountain according to claim 13 further comprising additional lights on the fluid reservoir for further illumination of the bird fountain.
16. The bird fountain according to claim 13 wherein the enclosed reservoir further comprises drinking stations positioned on the top surface.
17. The bird fountain of claim 13 further comprising a photo resistor in electrical communication with the recharge able power source.

1. A wear resistant coating for protecting a surface, the wear resistant coating applied by high velocity oxygen-fuel deposition of a powder, the powder comprising a blend of:
about 18 13 wt. % to about 35 43 wt. % of a nickel-chromium alloy;
about 35 25 wt. % to about 53 64 wt. % chromium carbide; and
about 15 wt. % to about 50 wt. % molybdenum,
wherein chromium from the nickel-chromium alloy is at least 7.2 wt. % of the blend.
2. The wear resistant coating of claim 1, wherein the powder comprises a blend of:
about 28 wt. % of the nickel-chromium alloy;
about 42 wt. % chromium carbide; and
about 30 wt. % molybdenum.
3. The wear resistant coating of claim 1, wherein the powder comprises a pre-alloyed blend of nickel-chromium alloy and chromium carbide.
4. The wear resistant coating of claim 1, wherein the chromium carbide component of the powder comprises Cr7C3 and Cr23C6.
5. A piston ring comprising an annular body having an outer radial periphery, the outer radial periphery having a wear resistant coating applied by high velocity oxygen-fuel deposition of a powder, the powder comprising a blend of:
about 18 wt. % to about 35 wt. % of a nickel-chromium alloy;
about 35 wt. % to about 53 wt. % chromium carbide; and about 15 wt. % to about 50 wt. % molybdenum,
wherein chromium from the nickel-chromium alloy is at least 7.2 wt. % of the blend.
6. The piston ring of claim 5, wherein the powder comprises a blend of:
about 28 wt. % of the nickel-chromium alloy;
about 42 wt. % chromium carbide; and
about 30 wt. % molybdenum.
7. The piston ring of claim 5, wherein the powder comprises a pre-alloyed blend of nickel-chromium alloy and chromium carbide.
8. The piston ring of claim 5, wherein the chromium carbide component of the powder comprises Cr7C3 and Cr23C6.
9. A wear resistant coating for protecting a surface, the wear resistant coating applied by high velocity oxygen-fuel deposition of a powder, the powder comprising a blend of:
about 28 wt. % of a nickel-chromium alloy;
about 42 wt. % chromium carbide; and
about 30 wt. % molybdenum.
10. A piston ring comprising an annular body having an outer radial periphery, the outer radial periphery having a wear resistant coating applied by high velocity oxygen-fuel deposition of a powder, the powder comprising a blend of:
about 28 wt. % of a nickel-chromium alloy;
about 42 wt. % chromium carbide; and
about 30 wt. % molybdenum.
11. The piston ring of claim 1, wherein there is about 18 wt % to about 35 wt. % of a nickel-chromium alloy.
12. The piston ring of claim 1, wherein there is about 35 wt % to about 53 wt. % of a chromium carbide.
13. The piston ring of claim 1, wherein there is about 18 wt % to about 35 wt. % of a nickel-chromium alloy and about 35 wt % to about 53 wt. % of a chromium carbide.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An apparatus for detecting substantially monochromatic fluorescent x-rays in a wavelength dispersive system in which substantially divergent x-rays produced by an x-ray source are focused toward a sample using a focusing x-ray optic, comprising:
a semiconductor-type x-ray detector having an uncooled detector active area, said active area for directly detecting said fluorescent x-rays; and
means for focusing at least some of the x-ray fluorescence on the semiconductor-type x-ray detector.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for focusing the at least some of the x-ray fluorescence includes a capillary-type x-ray optic or a curved optic.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, adapted to operate the detector active area at a temperature greater than about 0 degrees centigrade.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, adapted to operate the detector active area at a temperature between about 10 degrees centigrade and about 30 degrees centigrade.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the x-ray detector active area is air-cooled.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 in combination with an apparatus for analyzing a fluid using x-rays, the apparatus comprising:
means for exposing the fluid to focused x-rays to cause at least one component of the fluid to x-ray fluoresce; and
means for analyzing the x-ray fluorescence from the fluid to determine at least one characteristic of the fluid.
7. The combination of claim 6, wherein the at least one characteristic of the fluid comprises a concentration of at least one component in the fluid.
8. The combination of claim 7, wherein the fluid is fuel, and the at least one characteristic is the concentration of sulfur in the fuel.
9. The combination of claim 6, further comprising means for delivering a substantially continuous fluid stream to the means for exposing, and wherein the means for analyzing operates in a substantially continuous manner.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for focusing includes a focusing monochromator.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the focusing monoebromator is a point-focusing monochromator.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detector has no protective window.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, in combination with:
a means for exposing the sample to focused x-rays, comprising the x-ray optic for focusing x-rays onto the sample.
14. The combination of claim 13, wherein the means for exposing the sample to x-rays comprises at least one x-ray exposure chamber having an aperture.
15. The combination of claim 14, wherein the x-ray exposure aperture is less than about 10 mm in diameter.
16. The combination of claim 15, wherein the x-ray exposure aperture is less than about 5 mm in diameter.
17. The combination of claim 16 wherein the sample is a continuous fluid flow under pressure.
18. The combination of claims 15 wherein the sample is a continuous fluid flow under pressure.
19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the means for exposing the sample to x-rays is enclosed in a chamber held under vacuum.
20. The combination of claim 13, wherein the detector has no protective window.
21. The apparatus of claim 1, in combination with:
an x-ray source including an x-ray tube for generating the x-rays; and
a thermally-conductive, dielectric material thermally coupled to the x-ray tube for removing heat generated by the x-ray tube.
22. The apparatus of claim 1, in combination with:
an x-ray tube having an anode for generating x-rays;
an optic for collecting x-rays generated by the anode; and
a control system for controlling x-ray output intensity of the optic, wherein the control system maintains x-ray output intensity notwithstanding a change in at least one operating condition of the apparatus.
23. The combination of claim 22, wherein the control system further includes a sensor for monitoring x-ray output intensity of the optic and a controller for controlling position of at least one of the anode and the optic using monitored x-ray output intensity.
24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for focusing comprises a polycapillary focusing optic.
25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for focusing comprises a curved crystal monochromating optic.
26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for focusing comprises a doubly curved crystal monochromating optic.
27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a silicon x-ray detector.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the detector comprises a silicon-PIN-diode x-ray detector.
29. An apparatus for detecting substantially monochromatic fluorescent x-rays in a wavelength dispersive system in which source x-rays are directed toward a sample, comprising:
a semiconductor-type x-ray detector having an uncooled detector active area, said active area for directly detecting said fluorescent x-rays; and
means for focusing at least some of the x-ray fluorescence on the semiconductor-type x-ray detector,
wherein the detector comprises a PIN-diode type x-ray detector, the detector active area having an area less than about 10 square millimeters.
30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the detector active area has an area less than about 6 square millimeters.
31. A method for detecting substantially monochromatic fluorescent x-rays in a wavelength dispersive system, comprising:
generating substantially divergent x-rays from an x-ray source;
focusing said substantially divergent x-rays from the source toward a sample using a focusing x-ray optic;
using a semiconductor-type x-ray detector having an uncooled detector active area, said active area for directly detecting said fluorescent x-rays; and
focusing at least some of the x-ray fluorescence on the semiconductor-type x-ray detector.
32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:
operating the detector active area at a temperature greater than about 0 degrees centigrade.
33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:
operating the detector active area at a temperature between about 10 degrees centigrade and about 30 degrees centigrade.
34. The method of claim 31, wherein the detector has no protective window.
35. The method of claim 31, wherein said focusing comprises using a curved crystal monochromating optic.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein said optic is a doubly curved crystal monochromating optic.
37. The method of claim 31, wherein the detector comprises a silicon x-ray detector.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the detector comprises a silicon-PIN-diode x-ray detector.
39. A method for detecting substantially monochromatic fluorescent x-rays in a wavelength dispersive system, comprising:
directing source energy toward a sample;
using semiconductor-type x-ray detector having an uncooled detector active area, said active area for directly said fluorescent x-rays; and
focusing at least some of the x-ray fluorescence on the semiconductor-type x-ray detector,
wherein the detector comprises a PIN-diode type x-ray detector, the detector active area having an area less than about 10 square millimeters.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the detector active area has an area less than about 6 square millimeters.
41. An apparatus for detecting substantially monochromatic fluorescent x-rays in a wavelength dispersive system, comprising:
means for focusing substantially divergent x-rays from a source toward a sample using an x-ray optic;
a semiconductor-type x-ray detector having an uncooled detector active area, said active area for directly detecting said fluorescent x-rays; and
means for focusing at least some of the x-ray fluorescence on the semiconductor-type x-ray detector.
42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein at least one of the means for directing and means for focusing comprises a monochromating optic.
43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the monochromating optic comprises a curved crystal optic.
44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the monochromating optic comprises a doubly curved crystal optic.
45. The apparatus of claim 41, adapted to operate the detector active area at a temperature greater than about 0 degrees centigrade.
46. The apparatus of claim 45, adapted to operate the detector active area at a temperature between about 10 degrees centigrade and about 30 degrees centigrade.
47. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the detector comprises a silicon x-ray detector.
48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the detector comprises a silicon-PIN-diode x-ray detector.