Abstract: An environmental degradation sensor for environmentally sensitive products such as food, pharmaceuticals or cosmetic products provides the degraded state and estimated remaining life of the product. The sensor is made of a polymeric matrix and conductive filler. A control agent, selected to adjust a reaction rate of the sensor to environmental conditions, allows correlation of an electrical property of the sensor to a degraded state of the product. The sensor may be integrated with a passive RFID to provide product identification and degradation status wirelessly via reader. The sensor improves product safety, reduces cost of premature product disposal and, combined with RFIDs, improves the security of products through combined product degradation monitoring and tracking.

Abstract: A method for measuring degradation of electrical power system device insulation utilizes a conductive composite sensor. A selected polymeric matrix of the conductive composite provides a sensor resistance response that correlates to degradation of the insulation. The sensor may be embedded in the windings, core or stator of the electrical power system device and wired to a connector on the electrical power system device for interrogation by an ohmmeter.

Abstract: An in-situ method for monitoring the health of a composite component utilizes a condition sensor made of electrically conductive particles dispersed in a polymeric matrix. The sensor is bonded or otherwise formed on the matrix surface of the composite material. Age-related shrinkage of the sensor matrix results in a decrease in the resistivity of the condition sensor. Correlation of measured sensor resistivity with data from aged specimens allows indirect determination of mechanical damage and remaining age of the composite component.

Abstract: An electrical condition monitoring method utilizes measurement of electrical resistivity of a conductive composite degradation sensor to monitor environmentally induced degradation of a polymeric product such as insulated wire and cable. The degradation sensor comprises a polymeric matrix and conductive filler. The polymeric matrix may be a polymer used in the product, or it may be a polymer with degradation properties similar to that of a polymer used in the product. The method comprises a means for communicating the resistivity to a measuring instrument and a means to correlate resistivity of the degradation sensor with environmentally induced degradation of the product.

Abstract: A method for measuring degradation of electrical power system device insulation utilizes a conductive composite sensor. A selected polymeric matrix of the conductive composite provides a sensor resistance response that correlates to the mechanical degradation of the insulation. The sensor may be embedded in the windings, core or stator of the electrical power system device and wired to a connector on the electrical power system device for interrogation by an ohmmeter.

Abstract: An environmental degradation sensor for environmentally sensitive products such as food, pharmaceuticals or cosmetic products provides the degraded state and estimated remaining life of the product. The sensor is made of a polymeric matrix and conductive filler. A control agent, selected to adjust a reaction rate of the sensor to environmental conditions, allows correlation of an electrical property of the sensor to a degraded state of the product. The sensor may be integrated with a passive RFID to provide product identification and degradation status wirelessly via reader. The sensor improves product safety, reduces cost of premature product disposal and, combined with RFIDs, improves the security of products through combined product degradation monitoring and tracking.

Abstract: A multi-axis conveyor comprises a telescoping, articulating beam supported from a platform. A belt support assembly, comprising a plurality of belt support plates connected by telescoping, articulating joints and two end rollers provides support for a closed, flexible belt loop. A control system provides hydraulic fluid to hydraulic cylinders to telescope individual beam segments of the articulating beam and hydraulic motors for positioning multi-axis joints connecting the beam segments to position the end of the conveyor in the desired length and the desired horizontal and vertical position.

Abstract: A contact lens case (101) comprises a base (103) having a left cavity (105A) and a right cavity (105B) for storing contact lenses (113A, 113B). An upward-facing base dome (109A, 109B) in each cavity supports the lenses with the rims of the lenses downward. A lid (106) comprises downward-facing lid domes (121A, 121B) to retain the lenses on the upward-facing domes of the base. The lid domes allow expelling of air during closing of the case to maintain good hydration of the lenses.

Abstract: A dumbbell clamp for a barbell and dumbbell safety spotting apparatus [30] utilizes two spaced-apart plates [162] each having a notch [166] for retaining the grip [28] of a dumbbell [26]. A spring-biased lock bar [170] locks the dumbbell grip in the notches during normal use. A clamp bore [178] is provided for secure the dumbbell clamp to a cable [72] by use of a hook [86]. A hand switch receptacle [82] provides an electrical connector from a hand switch [88] on the dumbbell clamp to the safety spotting apparatus.

Abstract: An alignment device for telescopic sight mounts (101) utilizes a front alignment portion (103) and a rear alignment portion (105) installed on a firearm 405. A front bushing (109), clamped in a front mount assembly (401) of the firearm provides a precision sliding fit with a front alignment rod (107). A rear bushing (113), clamped in a rear mount assembly (403) of the firearm provides a precision sliding fit with a rear alignment rod (107). Acceptable alignment of the front and rear mount assemblies is indicated by full engagement of a male indicator portion (115) of the front alignment rod and a female indicator portion (117) of the rear alignment rod when the respective rods are slideably engaged. A bore sight engagement element (151) allows bore sighting of the mounts with the rifle bore (425).

Abstract: A laterally adjustable conveyor utilizes a belt support assembly consisting of a plurality of pivoting support plates connected by pivots for sliding support of a flexible belt. A plurality of support stands provide support for the pivot plates from the floor or other supporting surface. A belt drive provides motive power for the flexible belt. A lateral adjustment assembly provides a means to position the back end laterally with respect to the front end of the conveyor by rotating pivot plates about plate pivots.

Abstract: A vertical bagging apparatus [101] comprises a bag station [105] having multiple stations [403A, 403B, 403C, 403D] for holding a variety of wicket-supported bags. A tooling assembly [107] accepts product for a product line and dispenses the product into an opened bag from the bag station. A bag transfer assembly [109] lowers the filled bag to a bag seal assembly [111] located vertically below the tooling assembly. The apparatus allows high speeds and quick-change of bags and bagged product.

Abstract: A volume-adjusting insert for sample vessels comprises an elongated body with a septum seal on one end and a seal surface on the outside of the body. A through-chamber in the body provides a receiving chamber for a hypodermic needle inserted into the septum. The seal surface of the insert defines a reduced-volume sample chamber comprising the through-chamber and the vessel chamber portion of the sample vessel below the insert, or alternatively, below the seal surface. Sample fluid injected into, or withdrawn from, the insert communicates with the through-chamber and the lower vessel chamber. The device is particularly useful in converting multi-well microplates to low sample-volume vessels for automated sampling and testing, and allows the hydraulic pressure generated by a hypodermic needle to transport the sample fluid through the sample vessel and out of a bottom-extraction element.

Abstract: A sample processing device [700] comprises an elongated body [101] with a septum seal [109] on one end and a drip tube [731] on the second end. A small-diameter through-chamber [103] in the body provides a receiving and alignment chamber for a hypodermic needle [109] inserted into the septum. A sample processing chamber [709] provides a location for processing elements such as filters and adsorption or absorption frits [135,137]. Sample fluid injected into, or withdrawn from, the device by the hypodermic needle communicates with a bottom opening [701] of the drip tube via a drip tube nozzle [705], the sample processing chamber and the small-diameter chamber. The device is particularly useful in automated testing where the device is moved to various processing locations by the hypodermic needle.

Abstract: A self-spotting apparatus for free-weights [2301] utilizes a pair of weight-responsive engagement assemblies [1203A, 1203B] engaging a respective pair of support columns [1207A, 1207B] to provide engageable support for a free-weight bar [2311]. Auxiliary stops [2203A, 2203B] limit the lowest position of the free-weight bar. The auxiliary stops are adjustable by manual or electrical disengagement from the support columns. A control unit [2302] provides disengagement logic for barbells and dumbbells.

Abstract: A fluid shutoff apparatus utilizes a float [121] of a float chamber [115] connected to a float-operated valve [113] to provide positive shutoff of fluid to a downstream load upon excessive flow from the fluid outlet [109] of the apparatus. The float-operated valve is shut when fluid discharge from the apparatus is greater than the flow rate from a flow-limiting valve [103] connected to a fluid inlet [107], decreasing the fluid level in the float chamber. The volume of the float chamber prevents inadvertent shutoff of fluid due to normal perturbations in flow to the load.

Abstract: A weight support assembly [1205] and weight-responsive engagement assembly [1203] for a self-spotting free weight apparatus utilizes engagement of a pawl assembly [1215] in one of a plurality of vertically-spaced holes [1217] of a column 1207 to support a cable assembly [1209]. The cable assembly attaches the bar of a free-weight assembly to the weight responsive engagement assembly by means of a cable attachment assembly [1211] and sheaves 1213A, 1213B.

Abstract: A body-connected bike comprises a front roller assembly [101] and a separate rear roller assembly [103]. The front roller assembly comprises a single front wheel [105] and handgrips [107A, 107B] on either side of the front wheel. The rear roller assembly comprises a single rear wheel [121] supporting lower leg support platforms [115A, 115B] on either side of the rear wheel. A rider [102] utilizes the apparatus by grasping the front handgrips [107A, 107B] with the lower legs secured by straps [119A, 119B] to the rear roller assembly. The body of the rider acts as a connecting means between the front and rear roller assemblies and allows high-performance riding, exercise and competition.