Abstract: A shaft assembly and method for reducing the heat leak into the cryogenic region of a superconducting electrical machine comprising a rotor shaft extension assembly capable of transmitting large amounts of torque with substantially increased thermal impedance. The shaft assembly contains a plurality of concentric structural cylinders composed of high strength, low thermal conductivity structural materials. The structural cylinders are connected in series by means of welded joints or strong interlocking “finger” connections, in such a way that the coldest cylinder is connected to the cryogenic machine. An optional intermediate heat sink that allows the shaft extension member to rotate freely within the confines of the heat sink further reduces the heat leak into the cryogenic environment. Splined adapter hubs are typically used to connect the cylinder assembly to the rotor of the superconducting machine and the external device.

Abstract: A hair dryer stand for setting an operating blow-dryer on a countertop without burning the countertop or material on the countertop. The hair dryer stand is attractive and improves safety. The stand comprises at least one base, at least one sidewall having a top and a bottom where the bottom is attached to the base, at least one vent, and an opening wherein the opening profile is defined by the top of the sidewall and can receive the intake side of a blow-dryer that is turned on. In use, the blow-dryer is supported in the opening and suspended above the countertop. Air is allowed to flow into the intake side of the blow-dryer, over the heating coils inside blow-dryer and prevents the blow-dryer from overheating. Also, the exhaust side of the blow-dryer is directed upward, away from the countertop so the countertop or material on countertop will not burn.

Abstract: The invention discloses a new protocol to minimize data loss, reduce overhead transmissions on the system, reduce time delays and signal interruption during a handover in a Mobile IP system. Prior art Mobile IP systems transfer policy and charging rules for a particular mobile user device from a server to a gateway after the handover occurs. The invention allows for the transfer of the policy and charging rules during the handover procedure so that the system does not need to wait on a subsequent transmission of the policy and charging rules in order to process the transmissions sent by or to the mobile user, which results in minimized data loss, reduced overhead, and reduced time delays and signal interruption.

Abstract: The invention is a hydraulic cylinder for use in exercise machines to deliver a controllable fast acting force. The invention uses a hydraulic cylinder with features that allow high acceleration rates, rapid changes of force level and direction, and positive force limitation. In the preferred embodiment, the hydraulic cylinder is composed of a rodless, hydraulic cylinder coupled to a cable and pulley system. A water source delivers water to generate a force against an inner bi-directionally moving piston to generate a regulated movement and force. The ends of the rodless hydraulic cylinder are sealed by both a water control spool valve and a controllable poppet style pressure relief valve. The water control spool valves adjustably permits water to enter and exit the hydraulic cylinder to regulate the direction and speed of movement of the piston. The pressure relief valve controls the desired maximum pressure and corresponding forces exerted on cylinder.

Abstract: A table assembly which permits a table top to have a first use position and a second stored position is disclosed. In the first position the table top may serve as a conference table, desk, dining table or the like and in the second position be positioned essentially parallel with an upright wall of a room in which it is installed. The storage unit may also be a furniture piece comprising a variety of optional features. In one embodiment, a storage unit furniture piece comprises a deeper cabinet structure that may be fitted with, for example shelves for books and the like or a bar for hanging clothing. Generally, the table assembly is secured to a wall of a room or installed between the studs which frame the wall of a room. The table assembly may have its own upright wall.

Abstract: The invention is a method for using a payment and inspection service to purchase merchandise on an online sale website. A buyer or seller can select using a payment and inspection service. The buyer pays the payment and inspection service, which holds the payment. The seller ships the item to a store where the payment and inspection service is located. The buyer goes to the store and while being monitored by an agent or employee of the service, the buyer inspects the merchandise. If the buyer accepts the item, he leaves the store with the item and the service releases the payment to the seller. If the buyer does not want to accept the item, he rejects the item, which is then repacked and returned to the seller, and the service returns the payment, less cost of shipping the item back to the seller, to the buyer.

Abstract: An insole providing cushioning and control of foot motion. The insole includes a base. A lateral border and a medial border cooperate to align and support the foot. The lateral border and medial border are firmer than the base.

Abstract: The present invention supports a scheduling protocol on a wireless communication network to transmit data packets stored in a queue from a user. Two performance metrics are generated and summed to provide a priority. The performance metrics are based on the delay for the data packets stored in the queue and the rate that the data packets can be transmitted on the network. The user with the higher calculated priority for the current time slot has its data packets transmitted.

Abstract: An insole providing cushioning and control of foot motion. The insole includes a stability cradle and a number of pods on the underside of the insole core or base. Some of the pods have different material properties selected to help control foot motion.

Abstract: An apparatus for physical fitness physical strength, agility and endurance training. A controllable pressurized flow of fluid is first received via a hose to a source of the pressurized fluid. In response to this flow of fluid, a force is generated along at least one of a plurality of selected directions using one or more apertures or nozzles. The force is then transferred to a user of the apparatus so as to supply physical resistance training to the user. The apparatus further includes a user engaging mechanism that is connected to the propulsion system, and is configured to transmit exercise forces to an associated user. The apparatus further includes controls for controlling the magnitude and direction of the reaction force vector applied to the user engaging mechanism. Various embodiments of user engaging members, including blocking dummies, handles, gloves, helmets, shoes, straps or balls, may be attached to the propulsion system.

Abstract: The invention is a method for using a payment and inspection service to purchase merchandise on an online sale website. A buyer or seller can select using a payment and inspection service. The buyer pays the payment and inspection service, which holds the payment. The seller ships the item to a store where the payment and inspection service is located. The buyer goes to the store and while being monitored by an agent or employee of the service, the buyer inspects the merchandise. If the buyer accepts the item, he leaves the store with the item and the service releases the payment to the seller. If the buyer does not want to accept the item, he rejects the item, which is then repacked and returned to the seller, and the service returns the payment, less cost of shipping the item back to the seller, to the buyer.

Abstract: The invention is a method for using a payment and inspection service to purchase merchandise on an online sale website. A buyer or seller can select using a payment and inspection service. The buyer pays the payment and inspection service, which holds the payment. The seller ships the item to a store where the payment and inspection service is located. The buyer goes to the store and while being monitored by an agent or employee of the service, the buyer inspects the merchandise. If the buyer accepts the item, he leaves the store with the item and the service releases the payment to the seller. If the buyer does not want to accept the item, he rejects the item, which is then repacked and returned to the seller, and the service returns the payment, less cost of shipping the item back to the seller, to the buyer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing, transporting, and releasing high grade, thermodynamically useful energy for a wide variety of uses. Solar energy is collected and reflected onto a heat storage container using a three-mirror reflecting system. This invention involves a method of heating the heat storage container using a primary, secondary, and tertiary system, which has a core that is partially comprised of an aluminum alloy and a metallic shell with a higher melting point than the aluminum alloy contained within. Once heated, the storage containers can then be transported to different storage areas in order to heat secondary storage containers or can be used in processes such as cooking, powering heat engines, water heating, absorption refrigeration, or drying garbage, waste, or biomass.

Abstract: The invention is a method for using a payment and inspection service to purchase merchandise on an online sale website. A buyer or seller can select using a payment and inspection service. The buyer pays the payment and inspection service, which holds the payment. The seller ships the item to a store where the payment and inspection service is located. The buyer goes to the store and while being monitored by an agent or employee of the service, the buyer inspects the merchandise. If the buyer accepts the item, he leaves the store with the item and the service releases the payment to the seller. If the buyer does not want to accept the item, he rejects the item, which is then repacked and returned to the seller, and the service returns the payment, less cost of shipping the item back to the seller, to the buyer.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for physical strength, agility and endurance training uses fluid jet reaction forces to train and strengthen muscles. The device for physical training includes a source of pressurized fluid connectable through a hose to a propulsion system and one or more apertures or nozzles for forming one or more jets of fluid that are discharged from the propulsion system such that a nozzle reaction force, acting in a direction opposite the direction of the jet stream, is exerted on the jet propulsion system. Fluid can also be delivered through a curved tube or passage in the propulsion system such that a stream of fluid that is discharged from the propulsion system is not traveling in the same direction as it was before it was discharged such that the change in direction of the fluid causes a change in the momentum of the fluid for exerting an additional reaction force on the propulsion system.

Abstract: A light weight armor system for retrofitting onto a light vehicles or incorporating into a vehicle to protect against HEAT warheads. The armor system comprises an outer armor structure for rotating a HEAT warhead toward a preferred detonation angle to maximize the protection of underlying armor or vehicle structures. This first armor structure will further impart a rotational movement to increase the energy impact footprint, dissipate jet stream energy, and improve the probability that a second protection layer can successfully resist penetration by the jet stream. Coatings on the armor structure materials laterally impact a HEAT jet stream to further disrupt the jet and dissipate its energy.

Abstract: The present invention supports an authentication protocol on a foreign agent to avoid rejecting re-registration request when congestion has delayed receipt at a mobile node of a foreign agent challenge code in a registration reply or agent advertisement message. Upon receipt of a re-registration request message containing a stale foreign agent challenge code, the identification code of the re-registration request message is compared to the identification code of the previous valid registration request message. If the identification code is greater than and not equal to the identification code in the previous valid request message, the foreign agent authenticates the message. The authenticated registration request message is processed to reset the lifetime so the communication session can continue.

Abstract: The invention supports two types of handoffs. The first handoff is for an inter-AN cell selection where the source AN allows the AT to add a cell under the control of a different AN to its active set and then allows the AT to switch to the target AN. A bearer path is established between the source and target AN to transfer the packet data traffic using an exchange of messages to register the AT's movement from one BTS to another BTS. The A8/A10 connections remain anchored at the source AN and, hence, a bearer path is needed between the source and target AN to transfer the packet data traffic. The second handoff occurs when the source AN specifies a move of the AT to a new AN proactively. New connections are established at the target AN to support the AT, and the AT is subsequently moved to the target AN via the relevant air-interface messaging.

Abstract: The present invention supports a filtered router flag value in an information packet for packet-based communication networks. The presence of the filtered router flag value identifies the information packet as possibly requiring a slow-path routing technique. The flag value could also identify the router type or conditions that actually require slow-path routing techniques. A router identifying the filtered router flag value will forward the information packet to the signal processor for slow-path processing. A router not finding the filtered router flag value will forward the information packet directly on the appropriate output for transmission onto the network.