Abstract: A powder feed apparatus and method for increasing the rate of flow of powder fed through a powder feed system to a powder press. The apparatus includes a housing having a powder feed chamber, with a powder ingress opening and a powder egress opening, and at least one vibrator. The powder feed chamber is dimensioned to transmit a vibrational force from the vibrator to powder in it such that the velocity of the powder through the powder egress opening is increased over the velocity of the powder through the powder egress opening in the absence of the vibrational force (i.e. using only gravity feed).

Abstract: A nasal mask includes a shell forming a chamber having an inlet and at least one outlet and a seal. The seal is disposed proximate the outlet for contacting and sealing with external skin proximate at least one naris at a base of a nose of a user donning the mask. Substantially all of the sealing occurs between the seal and the external skin.

Abstract: A nasal mask (301) includes a shell (308) forming a chamber (390) having an inlet (332) and at least one outlet and a seal (302). The seal (302) is disposed proximate the outlet for contacting and sealing with external skin proximate at least one naris at a base of a nose of a user donning the mask. Substantially all of the sealing occurs between the seal (302) and the external skin.

Abstract: The present invention is an inconspicuous emergency vehicle grille designed with emergency lights built flush therein thereby allowing the lights to be unobstructed by the grille and conspicuous when lit. This invention further provides the opportunity to retrofit the emergency vehicle grille with minimal effort by simply replacing the existing grille with a new grille prefabricated with the emergency lights. Alternatively, this invention is an emergency vehicle grille designed with emergency light sockets for the installation of flush mounted emergency lights.

Abstract: The method and the control system are used for determining a portion of locomotion and a phase of locomotion portion in view of controlling an actuated prosthesis in real time. Accordingly, the method comprises receiving a data signal from a plurality of main artificial proprioceptors, obtaining a first and a second derivative signal for each data signal, obtaining a third derivative signal for at least one of the data signals, using a set of a first state machines to select one state among a plurality of possible states for each artificial proprioceptor with the corresponding data and derivative signals, generating the phase of locomotion portion using the states of the main artificial proprioceptors; and using a second state machine to select the portion of locomotion among a plurality of possible portions of locomotion using events associated to the data signals. It is particularly well adapted for the control of an actuated leg prosthesis for above-knee amputees.

Abstract: The method is used for controlling an actuating mechanism of a prosthesis provided on one side of the lower body of an individual, the individual having a healthy leg on the other side. Accordingly, the method comprises providing a plurality of artificial proprioceptors, at least one of the artificial proprioceptors being on the side of the healthy leg, and at least one of the artificial proprioceptors being on provided with the prosthesis, generating data signals in real time at the artificial proprioceptors, and generating control signals in real time for controlling the actuating mechanism in response to the data signals.

Abstract: An occupancy sensor is provided for determining whether a room is occupied. The occupancy sensor integrates a battery-powered PIR motion detector and a battery-powered Hall Effect switch, each of which communicates wirelessly with a controller, in a single housing.

Abstract: This invention teaches an inventive method for tracking trip data in relation to geographic position for a vehicle. The first steps in the method involve recording trip data periodically and recording geographic position periodically. Each trip data recording is time stamped. Each geographic position recording is time stamped. The next step is saving the recorded trip data and geographic position to a database. The final step in the inventive method is graphically displaying the trip data and the geographic position, as a function of time, from the database. This invention also covers an apparatus and a system for carrying out the inventive method.

Abstract: A device and system for reversibly trapping and isolating carbohydrate moieties. The apparatus includes an aldehyde-containing trapping material, a trapping means into which the aldehyde-containing trapping material is packable and through which hydrazine-activated carbohydrate-containing samples are passable, and additional hydrazine to release hydrazine-activated carbohydrates from the trapping material. As a result, all remaining non-carbohydrate material is not bound to the apparatus.

Abstract: The double-sided sliding button comprises two spaced-apart sliding button halves configured and disposed with reference to a curved medial axis. Each half has a front side, provided with a contact surface, and a rear side. Both contact surfaces are mutually opposite and both sides of each half intersect the curved medial axis. A bridge member allows to rigidly connect the rear side of the two halves. With this configuration, each sliding button can be easily installed and secured in a clamp attached to a part of the driven pulley. Each double-sided sliding button is capable of working in both directions, thereby reducing the number of individual sliding buttons to be installed by 50%.

Abstract: An end prep tool is mounted in substantial alignment with a theoretical center of a pipe and used to prepare an end of a pipe, for example, by boring and/or cutting the end of the pipe. A tool centering and mounting system comprises a clamp cage and a tool mounting member having an inner cylindrical surface. A centering tool is mounted to the tool mounting member and used to adjust the tool mounting member until substantially aligned with the theoretical center of the pipe. The end prep tool comprises a tool feed assembly that moves a cutting tool radially with respect to the axis of rotation and axially according to a predefined cutting profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a punch (30) and punch assembly (2) for use in a tool (1) for joining ductile materials, such as metal sheets (7,8), in a lance joint or a clinch joint. The punch (30) has a punch body (31) formed around a punch axis (5). Two punch tips (34,34?) extend in opposite directions from the punch body (31) along the punch axis (5). The punch body has one or more load engagement features (41,41?) by which a punch force for joining the ductile materials (7,8) is imparted to the punch body (31).

Abstract: A cover and insert assembly includes a cover having a pocket or sleeve formed between cover sections. One or more inserts are held by friction and/or spot glue within the pocket or sleeve and are slidably removed from the pocket or sleeve through an outer edge of the cover. The cover and insert assembly can be used with periodicals, magazines or any other type of multi-page printed material.

Abstract: The driven pulley comprises a first sheave and a second sheave coaxially mounted around a main shaft. The first sheave is fixed with reference to the main shaft while the other is allowed to slide and rotate with reference to the main shaft. The driven pulley is designed so that a portion of the second sheave can enter inside the first sheave. The return spring is also provided inside the driven pulley. This driven pulley can be designed as a reversible driven pulley by adding a second set of ramps and followers. The design of the driven pulley allows it to be constructed in a very compact manner and consequently, with a smaller weight compared to an equivalent conventional driven pulley.

Abstract: Novel isolated cDNA encoding the precursor of the novel gonadotropin-releasing hormones in four species of the fish lamprey is disclosed. The use of such cDNA's in studying the phylogenetic relationship of various species of fish and vertebrates overall; and the use of such cDNA's for controlling the gonadal development and spawning of fish, including inducing and inhibiting maturation, spawning and reproduction, is also described. Methods by which the novel peptides may be administered to fish to control their reproduction are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is a polarizing process involving a number of steps. The first step requires moving a flowing mixture of gas, the gas at least containing a polarizable nuclear species and vapor of at least one alkali metal, with a transport velocity that is not negligible when compared with the natural velocity of diffusive transport. The second step is propagating laser light in a direction, preferably at least partially through a polarizing cell. The next step is directing the flowing gas along a direction generally opposite to the direction of laser light propagating. The next step is containing the flowing gas mixture in the polarizing cell. The final step is immersing the polarizing cell in a magnetic field. These steps can be initiated in any order, although the flowing gas, the propagating laser and the magnetic field immersion must be concurrently active for polarization to occur.

Abstract: This invention is an electrical connection method for connecting multiple conductor cable, ideally flat flexible cable. The method involves using an actuator for pressing the cable against multiple contacts in a base, each of which contacts has a sharp edge for removing insulation from the cable.

Abstract: A premixed combustion gas burner having separated fire hole units including a tube-shaped burner whose front face is opened and inner portion is of a hollow tubular shape so that the whole fire hole units of the burner can be separated to thus prevent deformation due to thermal expansion, in which fire hole units each having a number of fire holes formed at a predetermined distance from one another are disposed in both edge lines and the inner portion on the upper end face, and loaders each having a predetermined space are formed between the fire hole units; and a plate-shaped burner which is made of a plate-shaped material having a pin structure formed on the bottom thereof so as to be mounted on the loaders formed in the tube-shaped burner, in which fire hole units having a number of fire holes formed at a predetermined distance are disposed in the form of a slit along both the edge lines of the upper end face.

Abstract: A spatial data collection apparatus collects and correlates spatial data for use in creating floor plans, maps and models of existing spaces. The apparatus includes a mobile platform with wheels to allow movement around a space. One or more positional sensors on the platform generate positional data related to a position of the platform. The positional data can include odometry data and optionally gyroscopic data for correcting the odometry data. One or more range-finding devices on the platform measure and calculate range data (e.g., 2-D or 3-D) relating to distances and angles between the platform and objects in the space. The apparatus collects, fuses and correlates the positional data and range data to produce spatial data and stores the spatial data for transfer to a PC for use in creating, viewing and/or editing a map of the space. The apparatus can also record media files (e.g., audio, video, or images) to be associated with locations within the map.

Abstract: A combustion gas burner enabling a multi-stage control including a main casing on the bottom surface of which an air blower is mounted so that air can be supplied from the air blower through an air inlet formed in the lower portion of the main casing, a tube-shaped burner mounted on the main casing in which fire hole units each having a number of fire holes formed at a predetermined distance from one another are disposed on the upper end surface of the main casing in order to burn gas and air which are mixed and supplied to the tube-shaped burner, a plate-shaped burner which is detachably disposed between the fire hole units formed on the upper end surface of the tube-shaped burner, and includes fire hole units having a number of fire holes, a number of mixture supply tubes inserted in the tube-shaped burner and disposed at a predetermined distance so that gas and air are mixed and the mixed gas and air is supplied to the tube-shaped burner and the plate-shaped burner, a Venturi tube installed in front of the