Abstract: A hybrid rocket motor includes a storage tank which stores an oxidizer under relatively low pressure, a turbopump preferably directly coupled to an outlet of the storage tank which pressurizes the oxidizer to a relatively high pressure, a combustion chamber including a solid fuel, and an injector between the turbopump and combustion chamber through which the oxidizer is injected into the combustion chamber. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the turbopump is operated by an expander cycle of a heat exchanger. According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the fluid flowing through the heat exchanger is oxidizer tapped from the storage tank. A barrier is maintained between an oxidizer feed line from the turbopump and the injector until sufficient pressure is created by the turbopump to pump the oxidizer at the requisite pressure into the injector.

Abstract: A coupling system for coupling flexible tubing between ports includes a port element provided with a barb, and a clamp which secures the tubing over the port element. A first end of the clamp is formed as a plurality of axially extending resilient, yet stiff, fingers having a barb at a tip. The fingers are biased slightly inward toward a center of the channel to define an inner diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the tubing. A diameter at the second end of the clamp is larger than a diameter of the tubing to allow for easier installation of the tubing through the channel of the clamp. A diameter of a portion of the channel between the first end and the second end is substantially the same or slightly smaller than the diameter of the tubing such that the clamp snugly grips the tubing without affecting the flow through the tubing. In use, the tubing is inserted through the second end of the clamp, and the tubing is then positioned over the barb of the port element.

Abstract: An air distribution apparatus for a vehicular heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) climate control system, includes a primary distribution arrangement reconfigurable to direct air to alternative outlet zones including two or more of a passenger footwell zone, passenger cabin vents and a vehicle windscreen. Ducting directs air flow to the alternative outlet zones. First and second rotary air distribution devices are adjustable rotationally between alternative configurations to distribute air into the ducting arrangement in alternative outlet configurations. Re-configuration of one of the devices is accompanied by complimentary re-configuration of the other device and/or air distribution devices are located immediately adjacent a cover panel or facia, the cover panel of facia including a user accessible control to control operation of the air distribution devices.

Abstract: A device includes first and second clamps each having an upper arm and a lower arm, and a cutting blade attached to one of the clamps. According to the invention, the upper arms of the first and second clamps are each provided with an upper clamping surface, and a directing member having a deformable cord gripping surface. The lower arms of the first and second clamps are each provided with a lower clamping surface, and a cord gripping surface. The clamping surfaces function to occlude the flow of blood through cut ends of the cord after the cord is cut by the blade, while the cord gripping surfaces function to prevent cord slippage prior to clamping by the clamping surfaces. Preferred gripping surfaces include deformable foam or resilient strips provided with teeth.

Abstract: A network switch includes at least one port processor and at least one switch element. The port processor has an SONET OC-x interface (for TDM traffic), a UTOPIA interface (for ATM and packet traffic), and an interface to the switch element. In one embodiment, the port processor has a total I/O bandwidth equivalent to an OC-48, and the switch element has 12×12 ports for a total bandwidth of 30 Gbps. A typical switch includes multiple port processors and switch elements. A data frame of 9 rows by 1700 slots is used to transport ATM, TDM, and Packet data from a port processor through one or more switch elements to the same or another port processor. Each frame is transmitted in 125 microseconds; each row in 13.89 microseconds. Each slot includes a 4-bit tag plus a 4-byte payload. The slot bandwidth is 2.592 Mbps which is large enough to carry an E-1 signal with overhead. The 4-bit tag is a cross connect pointer which is setup when a TDM connection is provisioned.

Abstract: A network switch includes at least one port processor and at least one switch element. The port processor has an SONET OC-x interface (for TDM traffic), a UTOPIA interface (for ATM and packet traffic), and an interface to the switch element. In one embodiment, the port processor has a total I/O bandwidth equivalent to an OC-48, and the switch element has 12×12 ports for a total bandwidth of 30 Gbps. A typical switch includes multiple port processors and switch elements. A data frame of 9 rows by 1700 slots is used to transport ATM, TDM, and Packet data from a port processor through one or more switch elements to the same or another port processor. Each frame is transmitted in 125 microseconds; each row in 13.89 microseconds. Each slot includes a 4-bit tag plus a 4-byte payload. The slot bandwidth is 2.592 Mbps which is large enough to carry an E-1 signal with overhead. The 4-bit tag is a cross connect pointer which is setup when a TDM connection is provisioned.

Abstract: A clog-free roof drain cover assembly includes a first drain cover fixed over the drain, and a second drain cover which is vertically movable relative to the first drain cover. The second drain cover includes a base provided with weep holes, a skirt located above the weep holes, a hat-shaped portion provided with slots, and a foam ring about the hat-shaped portion. During light rains, water flows under the skirt and through the weep holes, into the first drain cover, and into the drain. During heavy rains, debris becomes caught in the debris skirt. When the pooling water reaches a predetermined level, the foam ring floats, raising the second drain cover, which causes the debris skirt to lift the debris about the drain and permit water to pass freely underneath, into the first drain cover, and down the drain.

Abstract: A network switch includes at least one port processor and at least one switch element. The port processor has an SONET OC-x interface (for TDM traffic), a UTOPIA interface (for ATM and packet traffic), and an interface to the switch element. In one embodiment, the port processor has a total I/O bandwidth equivalent to an OC-48, and the switch element has 12×12 ports for a total bandwidth of 30 Gbps. A typical switch includes multiple port processors and switch elements. A data frame of 9 rows by 1700 slots is used to transport ATM, TDM, and Packet data from a port processor through one or more switch elements to the same or another port processor. Each frame is transmitted in 125 microseconds; each row in 13.89 microseconds. Each slot includes a 4-bit tag plus a 4-byte payload. The slot bandwidth is 2.592 Mbps which is large enough to carry an E-1 signal with overhead. The 4-bit tag is a cross connect pointer which is setup when a TDM connection is provisioned.

Abstract: A punctum plug generally includes a shaft and a head at a proximal end of the shaft. The shaft is provided with at least one circumferentially radiating flexible anchoring arm of varying radial extension at at least two locations along its length which is adapted to secure the punctum plug within the punctum of a wearer. The head has a concave proximal surface and a distal surface which tapers toward the shaft. A diameter of the head is substantially larger than a diameter of the shaft. According to a first embodiment of the invention, a plurality of anchoring arms in the form of symmetric circumferential rings are spaced a distance apart along a length of the shaft and define spaces therebetween. One or more of the rings has a diameter equal to or larger than the diameter of the head of the plug, and different rings preferably have different diameters.

Abstract: A drill screw includes a boring end having cutting edges adapted to cut when rotated in a counterclockwise direction, and a portion having threads adapted to enter a piece of molding when rotated in a clockwise direction. The drill screw is driven into a piece of molding in the counterclockwise direction to bore a hole therethrough and cause the threads to meet the face of the molding. The drill screw is then rotated in the clockwise direction to cause the threads to tap into the molding, bore through the wall behind the molding, and contact a jackpost behind the wall. Rotation of the drill screw thereafter causes the molding to ride outward from the wall and over the drill screw such that the molding contacts an adjoining piece of molding at an inside corner and thereby substantially eliminating any gap therebetween.

Abstract: An object oriented processor array includes a library of functional objects which are instantiated by commands through a system object and which communicate via a high level language. According to the invention, instantiated objects communicate directly with a script server which is programmed to react to data events generated by instantiated objects. One script server may serve several object oriented processor arrays, or an object oriented processor array may have a local script server. The object oriented processor array may be embodied in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Each functional object may include a discrete hardware processor or may be embodied as a virtual processor within the operations of a single processor. According to one embodiment, the object oriented processor array is formed on a single chip or on a single processor chip and an associated memory chip.

Abstract: A garment hanger includes a clamp having a pair of jaw members, wherein at least one jaw member is pivotable relative to the other between open and closed positions. The jaw members are provided with rows of teeth. In a first jaw member, six rows of teeth are provided, and the teeth of the second and fifth rows are substantially thicker than the teeth of the other rows. In a second jaw member, six rows of teeth are provided, with the first, third, and fifth rows provided with relatively small teeth, and the teeth in the second, fourth and sixth rows relatively increasing in size. The hanger clamps in accord with the invention have been demonstrated to have superior gripping ability on denim jeans garments, but may be useful to securely grip other garments.

Abstract: A thin film diamond coating is formed relatively slowly with a relatively low methane concentration and is identified by its Raman spectrographic characteristics. The thin film diamond, preferably 5 to 40 microns thick, provides substantially greater corrosion and erosion resistance in a corrosive environment than other thin film diamond coatings. It is believed that such thin film diamond coating is provided with enhanced chemical resistance due to its purity and quality.

Abstract: A monocanalicular stent includes a plug and a tubing molded with or coupled to the plug portion at an angle. The plug portion preferably includes a body portion, a neck portion, and a head portion. The tubing extends substantially longer than the plug portion. A delivery stylet is also provided and extends into a pathway of the tubing and provides a device by which the physician may handle the stent and insert it into the canaliculus. The tubing portion may be cut to length and closed. The stylet is then maneuvered to deliver the stent into a dilated punctal opening and then advanced through the canaliculus until the position of the plug portion is immediately above the punctal opening. The stylet is then removed, and the plug portion is then manipulated into the punctal opening until the head portion is flush with the surface of the punctal opening.

Abstract: A surgical knife device includes a tubular shaft, a blade guide at the distal end of the shaft, an actuation wire extending through the shaft, a blade coupled to the distal end of the wire, and a handle which moves the wire relative to the shaft to effect extension and retraction of the blade from the guide. The blade height is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the distal end of the shaft and the blade guide to provide a large cutting surface. Movement of the blade is effected with a knob rotatably coupled to the handle and which provides fine longitudinal movement of the blade. The device is also preferably steerable such that it may be controllably articulated about a flexible distal portion of the shaft.

Abstract: An aerial refueling pod and constant tension line apparatus.