Abstract: A method of manufacturing a workpiece involves performing any one of various post-processing part modification steps on a workpiece that has been previously subjected to laser shock processing. In one step, material is removed from the compressive residual stress region of the processed workpiece. Alternately, the workpiece may be provided with oversized dimensions such that the removal process removes an amount of material sufficient to generate a processed workpiece having dimensions substantially conforming to design specifications. Alternately, the material removal process is adapted to establish a penetration depth for material removal that coincides with the depth at which the workpiece exhibits maximum compressive residual stress. Alternately, a first high-intensity laser shock processing treatment is performed on the workpiece, followed by the removal of material from the compressive residual stress region, and then a second low-intensity laser shock processing treatment is performed on the workpiece.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enforcing a vehicle code. The systems and methods employ wireless communication signals transmitted and received by mobile units, including mobile telephones, palm devices and base stations.

Abstract: A quick-connect coupling having a tubular tube support, a sleeve and a collet. The tubular tube support includes a tube support portion and a mounting flange joined to the tube support portion. The sleeve includes an inner surface diameter greater than an outer surface diameter of the tube and an outer surface engaging an inner wall of a bore. The collet includes an outer surface engaging the inner surface of the sleeve and an inner surface diameter greater than an outer surface diameter of the tubular tube support and slightly less than the outer surface diameter of the tube. The tube is frictionally retained between the collet and the tubular tube support when the tube is inserted into the coupling.

Abstract: Methods and devices for mixing fluids are described. One exemplary method includes producing hollow cylinders of fluid, flowing the cylinders toward one another along the surface of a cylinder, and colliding the cylinders head-on to produce a radial outflow of fluid and cavitation bubbles.

Abstract: A chlorinated rubber composition which is resistant to various fluids such as transmission fluids comprises a blend of a chlorinated polyethylene elastomer, an ethylene acrylic elastomer and/or polyacrylic rubbers, and optionally a chlorosulfonated polyethylene. The rubber composition has many uses such as a tube and generally contains various additives such as fillers, plasticizers, vulcanizing agents, and the like. A heat resistant rubber composition comprises a blend of a chlorinated polyethylene elastomer, an ethylene-acrylic elastomer and/or polyacrylic rubbers, an ethylene-octene copolymer, and an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer, and the same can be used as a cover or jacket as on the above chlorinated rubber tube.

Abstract: A pipe joint is provided that includes a first length of pipe having a first flange and a second length of pipe having a second flange. The first flange includes a ramp extending outwardly and away from a leading exterior surface and a first locking surface extending inwardly and away from the ramp. The second flange includes an interior portion sized to receive the first flange. The interior portion includes a second locking surface and an inwardly facing annular groove adapted to receive a resiliently expandable locking member. The second locking surface is positioned within the interior portion such that, upon insertion of the first flange into the second flange, the resiliently expandable locking member expands as it travels up the ramp and then contracts to become positioned between the first locking surface and the second locking surface to prevent withdrawal of the first flange from the second flange.

Abstract: A tube bender comprising a mandrel, a forming member connected to the mandrel for coaction with the mandrel to effectuate bending of a tube wherein the forming member has at least two bending positions defined thereon, a handle pivotally connected to said forming member, and a release member movable relative to said handle and configured to be secured in a locked position relative to said forming member when said handle is selectively moved to any of one said at least two bending positions thereby preventing relative movement between said handle and said forming member. The release member enables an operator to move the release member to an unlocked position to permit such operator to move the handle relative to the forming member between the at least two bending positions.

Abstract: A check valve includes a valve housing having a first housing portion including an inlet and a second housing portion having an outlet. A poppet valve is received in the housing and includes an outer surface having a diameter greater than the diameters of the inlet and outlet. A valve guide is also received in the valve housing and defines a variable volume pressure cavity and a fluid flow path. The valve guide is adapted to provide the variable volume pressure cavity in communication with the fluid flow path. A resiliently compressible member is adapted to bias the poppet valve toward a closed position against a flow of fluid through the check valve and a low pressure force created in the variable volume pressure cavity by virtue of the fluid flow through the valve guide.

Abstract: A stripper tool is provided for cutting an outer sheath of an electrical cable. Inside the sheath is parallel spaced apart insulation covered wires and a core member containing an uncovered ground wire between the insulation covered wires. The sheath has spaced apart curved sides conforming to the covered wires. The tool has spaced apart first and second jaw members adapted to be pressed together. The jaw members have cutting edges that receive a portion of the cable along its length. The cutting edges define an opening configured to cut the sheath and the core without significantly cutting the insulation on the wires or the unsheathed ground wire when the jaw members are pressed together to form the opening. The portion of the sheath is then removed in one continuous process.

Abstract: Devices for mixing and/or reacting combinations of one or more liquids, gases or solids is provided. The device can generally have at least one cavity into which a fluid flows by way of a tangential orifice, thereby forming cavitation bubbles. The cavity is configured to alternate between a closed position, where pressure increases in the fluid and the cavitation bubbles collapse, and an open position, where the fluid exits the cavity. Also provided are methods for mixing and/or reacting fluids. Also provided are mixture and reaction products made using the methods.

Abstract: A spiraling apparatus is provided that includes a rotatable deck having a deck plate that includes first and second sides. A plurality of first spools are rotatably attached to the first side of the deck plate. The first spools include a length of reinforcement wound thereon. A plurality of second spools are rotatably attached to the second side of the deck plate. The second spools also include a length of reinforcement wound thereon. A tension regulating device is adapted to regulate tension in the reinforcement as the reinforcement is removed from the first and second spools during rotation of the deck.

Abstract: A conduit assembly, such as an electrical conduit assembly, includes a flexible convoluted tube having a non-conductive fluoropolymer interior and a conductive carbon exterior that decreases the electrical resistance of the tube. A fitting is secured to an end of the flexible convoluted tube. The fitting includes a nipple having a profiled tubular portion received into the end of the flexible convoluted tube and a socket secured to the fitting so as trap the end of the flexible convoluted tube between the nipple and the socket. At least one of the nipple and the socket are made from a metal treated to decrease the electrical resistance of the fitting.

Abstract: A device and method for generating micro bubbles in a liquid. The method includes the steps of: providing a flow-through channel containing at least two local constrictions of flow therein; passing the liquid at a velocity of at least at least 12 m/sec through a first local constriction of flow to create a first hydrodynamic cavitation field downstream from the first local constriction of flow; introducing a gas into the liquid in the first local constriction of flow, thereby creating gas-filled cavitation bubbles; collapsing the gas-filled cavitation bubbles formed in the first hydrodynamic cavitation field to dissolve the gas into the liquid, thereby forming a gas-saturated liquid; passing the gas-saturated liquid through a second local constriction of flow to create a second hydrodynamic cavitation field downstream from the second local constriction of flow; and extracting the dissolved gas from the gas-saturated liquid, thereby generating micro bubbles in the liquid.

Abstract: A reinforced hose according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first reinforcing layer having a reinforcement material with a first tensile strength. A second reinforcing layer overlays the first reinforcing layer and includes a reinforcement material with a second tensile strength. The second tensile strength is substantially greater than the first tensile strength. In another embodiment of the present invention, a reinforced hose includes a first reinforcing layer including a reinforcement material having a first level of fatigue resistance and a second reinforcing layer overlaying the first reinforcing layer and including a reinforcement material having a second level of fatigue resistance. The first level of fatigue resistance is substantially greater than the second level of fatigue resistance.

Abstract: A wireless communication system is disclosed herein. The wireless communication system may include transmitter units and a receiver. In one embodiment, each transmitter has an address and logic programmed to perform the steps of receiving a user selection and, responsive to the receiving, repeatedly transmitting a wireless selection signal until a wireless acknowledgment signal is received. The wireless selection signal may include the address and the user selection. The receiver may include means to receive a wireless selection signal and logic programmed to transmit a wireless acknowledgment signal in response to the receipt of each wireless selection signal.

Abstract: A tool organizer is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the tool organizer comprises a frame and a plurality of wheels attached to the frame. The frame includes an upper frame component and a lower frame component. The upper and lower frame components are connected by at least one hinge and are moveable with respect to one another between a folded and an unfolded configuration. The tool organizer also includes a tool storage structure supported by the frame. The tool storage structure comprising a plurality of storage panels, each storage panel comprises at least one tool fastener for securing a specific tool. The plurality of storage panels are movable with respect to one another between a closed configuration and an open configuration.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a virus-immune, rule-base, cross-platform software system is disclosed. The system can be configured provide industry-specific and user-specific functionality to end-users without writing custom code. The system can be also be configured act as an industry-specific software product merely by changing the configuration information. The software system deploys in a client-server environment and delivers functionality independent of the client platform or operating system.