Abstract: A vascular introducer is disclosed which includes an elongated primary sheath defining an interior lumen and having opposed proximal and distal end portions, and at least an elongated secondary sheath disposed within the interior lumen of the primary sheath and adapted for movement from a collapsed condition to an open condition in response to insertion of a dilator through an interior lumen thereof.

Abstract: An implantable device for controlling a body conduit including a cuff portion adapted to substantially encircle a body conduit. An inlet tube is operatively connected for delivering fluid to the cuff portion. The inlet tube has a one-way valve. An outlet tube is operatively connected to the cuff portion for releasing fluid therefrom and includes a normally closed valve. A pumping reservoir is in communication with the inlet tube and the outlet tube, wherein manipulation of the pumping reservoir inflates the cuff portion and manipulation of the normally closed valve deflates the cuff portion. An inflatable lumen surrounds the pumping reservoir and the cuff portion to provide rigidity and balance pressure between the cuff portion and the pumping reservoir.

Abstract: In skiing ground facilities having a plurality of artificial snow manufacturing apparatuses of ice crushing type, this invention provides a system that is capable of precisely monitoring the respective artificial snow manufacturing apparatuses. This system comprises a monitoring apparatus, connected to the artificial snow manufacturing apparatus, for monitoring the operation state of each artificial snow manufacturing apparatus. This system has an outer monitoring apparatus, which is provided at an outer monitoring site positioned at a location away from the skiing ground, and is selectively connected to the monitoring apparatus provided at each skiing ground, whereby making it possible to monitor the operation state of each artificial manufacturing apparatus of each skiing ground.

Abstract: A soft action clutch uses a helical spring attached to a pulley at one end and free at the other end. In a relaxed state, preferably, the helical spring presses outwardly pushing a brake pad assembly against a fixed outer field cup braking the pulley. To serve as a clutch, a rotor has a pole face to magnetically draw the helical spring towards it. The resulting friction between the rotor and helical spring causes the spring to wrap down on a spring loaded friction disk. The wrap down compresses the friction disk radially, creating two frictional links from the friction disk to the rotor and the pulley, respectively.

Abstract: A composite flange spacer for articulation between a fluid control assembly and a pair of pipe flanges comprising a fire-resistant, relatively non-compressible, layer sandwiched between a pair of fire-resistant compressible layers.

Abstract: A fan assembly has a fan housing defining mounting apertures, a sheet metal mounting member for mounting the fan housing thereon, mounting tabs extending outwardly of the mounting member and received within the mounting apertures of the fan housing, and threaded fasteners received within the mounting apertures of the fan housing and engaging both the mounting tabs and the fan housing to secure the fan housing to the mounting member. Each mounting tab is formed by piercing the sheet metal mounting member with a forming tool, and moving the forming tool through the pierced mounting member to thereby move the pierced metal in the shape of the tab outwardly of the mounting member. The mounting tabs are received within the mounting apertures of the fan housing, and self-tapping fastener are inserted into the mounting apertures of the fan housing and engage both the fan housing and the mounting tabs to secure the fan housing to the mounting member.

Abstract: A depth and miter gauge is provided for easily and accurately marking lines on a piece of trim, such as J-channel trim, so that the trim can be appropriately cut to make a mitered joint. The depth and miter gauge generally includes a web having a first slot defining a first edge adjacent a first end of the web for making depth markings on the trim, and a first flange extending approximately perpendicularly from a first side of the web and having a mitered edge on each end thereof for making miter markings on the trim. The gauge may also include a second slot defining a second edge adjacent a second end of the web for making depth markings on the trim, and a second flange extending approximately perpendicularly from a second side of the web, in a direction opposite the first flange, and having a mitered edge on each end thereof for making miter markings on the trim.

Abstract: A fuel pump for use in conjunction with a gas turbine engine is disclosed which includes a pump housing, a shrouded rotor member, and an inlet post member, wherein fluid is axially supplied along the pump centerline and then radially discharged at a first pressure to the interior chamber of the pump housing, at the base portion of vane elements associated with the rotor, thereby contacting the vane elements at a minimum angular velocity and angle of incidence. Also disclosed is a single bearing arrangement for eccentrically supporting a shrouded rotor member.

Abstract: A noncontact method and apparatus for testing electrical circuitry which provides large improvements in both resolution and speed. The attributes of noncontact, high resolution, and speed are satisfied by using inexpensive low intensity resonant laser beams in a shroud gas preferably comprising rubidium atoms in argon gas to create an electrically conductive ion channel microprobe. The conductive ion channel microprobe can be used to create an electrically conductive path between a circuit's test pad or point and signal generation and detection apparatus. If the circuit's test pad or point is functioning properly, then the ion channel microprobe will complete the electrically conductive path, the signal generation device will produce a signal over the conductive path and the signal detection device will detect or measure the signal. If the circuit's test pad or point is malfunctioning, the conductive path will remain open and the signal detection device will not detect a signal.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a desirable depth of snow on a ski slope, on which a plurality of snowmaking apparatuses are stationed to produce artificial snow. The system and method obtain the position of a snow compressing vehicle, and calculate the snow depth at the point by comparing the snow compressing vehicle's position against geographical information when there is no snow. The system and method evaluate the necessity for supplementing snow at the point, and output the necessary amount of snow for the point via the snowmaking apparatuses. Based on the need for supplementing snow at each point, the system further calculates an operating rate suitable for each snowmaking apparatus to achieve optimum efficiency.

Abstract: A fluid filtration cell is disclosed which includes a separator disposed between two media elements having outer peripheries which are secured together by an edge seal. The media elements are formed from a material which swells in size due to fluid absorption. The edge seal is formed from a thermoplastic material having a modulus of elasticity which is sufficient to permit radial expansion of the edge seal when the cell media swells in size.

Abstract: A composite membrane structure is disclosed comprising a composite membrane and at least one protective layer disposed adjacent to the composite membrane. The composite membrane comprises a porous polymeric matrix and an ionically conductive solid, noble metal or combination thereof dispersed within the matrix, and preferably, a binder. The binder is preferably an ion exchange polymer. The protective layer comprises binder and ionically conductive solid, hygroscopic fine powder or a combination thereof. Also disclosed is a composite membrane comprising an ionically conductive solid, a binder and support polymer. The membrane is formed by casting a solution of the support polymer, ionically conductive solid and binder to form a film. The film may optionally be combined with a protective layer as described above.

Abstract: An optical fiber management module assembly for mounting in a patch panel aperture and includes an adapter having a housing portion at its proximal end providing a cavity dimensioned and configured to seat the proximal end of a jack therein and having a channel portion at the other end providing a channel leading into the cavity. The housing portion has arms which engage the patch panel. Engaged with the distal end of the adapter is a projecting arm of a fiber management clip having an engagement portion at its proximal end with side walls defining a recess for the distal end of the jack. The clip also has a guidance portion at its other end thereon with channels extending longitudinally thereof in which optical fibers may be seated, and a latch extending over the channels and engaged with the guidance portion to retain the fibers in the channels.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for separating all categories of polymer materials derived from waste characterised by successive steps and phases, implemented in the following order: sequentially, a grinding step is followed by a cylindrical drum form factor mechanical separation step, which is followed by a first density separation step in parallel steps, followed by energetic cleaning of the polymer materials and ending with a second density separation step in parallel steps. Said polymer materials can, if required, be extruded. The method enables to obtain different categories of polymer materials, and in particular PE, PP, PS, ABS, PP filled at 20 to 40% with PA, PMMA, Xenoy™, PVC.

Abstract: A filter assembly is disclosed including a cartridge member having a body portion and a cylindrical neck portion depending from the body portion, the neck portion having at least one lug depending radially outwardly therefrom having a keyed surface formation thereon, and a reception member defining an axial bore for receiving the neck portion of the cartridge member, the bore having at least one reception area provided therein for receiving the at least one lug, the reception area having a compatible mating surface formation defined therein for engaging the keyed surface formation on the lug so as to prevent engagement with an incompatible cartridge member.

Abstract: A vascular suturing device is disclosed which includes an elongated tubular body defining opposed proximal and distal end portions and having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, the body including an inner tubular member, an outer tubular member and a central tubular member disposed between the inner and outer tubular members. The inner tubular member and the central tubular member are mounted for movement relative to the outer tubular member about the longitudinal axis of the body for sequentially driving a pair of suture needles through the wall of a blood vessel to close an incision formed therein.

Abstract: An electronic control system dynamically varies the output capacity of a compressor by controlling plural valves associated with the compressor to provide pressurized air to a distribution system at an appropriate rate. The control system operates in any of three modes for standalone operation, including continuous run, auto/dual pressure band, and target pressure modes. In the first two modes, pressure bands are dynamically calculated based on load and unload values entered by an operator. These electronic control systems can also be connected in a peer-to-peer network to coordinate control of up to 16 compressors feeding the same distribution system, so as to maintain a desired target pressure in the system. A modem connected to the system supports remote diagnostics, monitoring, and control. Specialized startup, operating, and shutdown diagnostic algorithms prevent damage to the compressor and avert unsafe operating conditions.

Abstract: A method is provided for therapeutic use of a class of compounds that are effective in protecting nerve cells from deterioration and cell death arising from degenerative disease, trauma or aging and may be used to achieve a similar effect in male and female subjects with minimal adverse side effects. The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective dose of a natural or synthetic bioflavonoid that acts as an MAPK cascade antagonist. Examples of bioflavonoids that may be used in the present method are apigenin and 2-(2′-amino-3′ methoxyphenyl)-oxanaphthalen-4-one (PD098059).

Abstract: In an optical waveguide feedthrough assembly, and method of making such an assembly, a tubular member defines an axially elongated, annular surface, and the annular surface forms an axially elongated optical feedthrough cavity. An optical fiber or like waveguide is received through the axially-elongated optical feedthrough cavity, and is spaced radially inwardly relative to the annular surface to thereby define an axially-elongated annular cavity between the fiber and annular surface. An epoxy adhesive is introduced in its liquid phase into one end of the annular cavity, and is allowed to fill the annular cavity by capillary action. Upon filling the annular cavity, the epoxy hardens and cures and, in turn, adhesively secures the optical fiber within the tubular member.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for draining residual fuel from the engine manifold of a gas turbine which includes an ejector having an inlet port for receiving high pressure fuel from a main fuel pump at engine shut-down, an outlet port and a suction port. The ejector defines a nozzle that extends between the inlet port and the outlet port for increasing the velocity of high pressure fuel flowing therethrough at engine shut-down so as to create suction at the suction port. A motive valve controls the flow of high pressure fuel between the main fuel pump and the inlet port of the ejector. The motive valve is configured for movement between a first position wherein high pressure fuel is directed from the main fuel pump to the engine manifold during engine start-up and operation, and a second position wherein high pressure fuel is directed from the main fuel pump to the inlet port of the ejector at engine shut-down.