Abstract: Systems and apparatus for heating or cooling food to an appropriate temperature for service using a standard food service container, such as a chafing dish or food cart. A thermally conductive plate has a plurality of Peltier chips attached thereto to drive a temperature difference. The Peltier chips are in thermally conductive contact with a heat exchanger. A heat transfer liquid circulates through tubing in the heat exchanger and a separate radiator, perpetuating the temperature difference at the plate. The heat exchanger and radiator may be spaced apart by a gap. One or more fans may be placed to encourage airflow through the radiator. A coolant reservoir and pump may be included.

Abstract: A probe for friction stir welding MMCs, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys, as well as non-ferrous alloys, the probe including a shank, a shoulder, and a pin disposed through the shoulder and into the shank, wherein the pin and the shoulder at least include a coating comprised of a superabrasive material, the pin and shoulder being designed to reduce stress risers, disposing a collar around a portion of the shoulder and the shank to thereby prevent movement of the shoulder relative to the shank, and incorporating thermal management by providing a thermal flow barrier between the shoulder and the shank, and between the collar and the tool.

Abstract: A mandrel that provides a counter-force to the pressure exerted on the outside of a pipe or other arcuate surface by a friction stir welding tool, wherein the mandrel is expandable through the use of a wedge, and wherein the mandrel enables multiple friction stir welding heads to simultaneously perform welding on the arcuate surface.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the position of people and/or objects, whether mobile or stationary, is presented herein. The system uses fixed and/or portable FM transmitters to transmit synchronized signals. These signals are acquired by a Receiver device which uses the signal timing to perform Time Difference of Arrival calculations to determine the Receiver's location. Then, using some arbitrary communications method, such as wireless communications, the Receiver device can forward its location to some arbitrary type of application system.

Abstract: This invention reveals a crank roller paper cutting device, which comprises a base, a supporter, a handle part, a master roller, a slave roller, and a group of speed-reducing gears. Via the group of speed-reducing gears, handle part correlates to the master roller and slave roller at one terminal, both of the master roller and slave roller are captured by the open bores therewith on the supporter. While the other ends of master roller and slave roller are suspended in the air, where a removable positioning block is attached. Upon the above said positioning block, there are two open bores or blink holes in correspondence to the master roller and slave roller respectively. Around the master roller and slave roller are many removable regulating cylinders or one regulating cylinder in different thickness. This crank roller paper cutting device is reasonable in design, easy to use and safe in operation for a wide range of applications, particularly valuable for kindergarten enlightenment education.

Abstract: A friction stir welding anvil and method of producing a friction stir welding anvil that precludes diffusion or mechanical bonding of the anvil to the work pieces are provided. The alternatives for producing such an anvil comprise coating the anvil with diffusion barriers such as oxides, nitrides, intermetallics, and/or refractory metals; manufacturing an anvil either completely or partially from the same; or placing a coating of such materials in the form of a thin sheet or a powder between the anvil and the work pieces. The anvil disclosed herein exhibits high strength and hardness even at elevated temperatures, such as those greater than 800° C., so as to prevent the anvil from mechanically or diffusion bonding to the work pieces and so as to minimize, or eliminate altogether, anvil deformation.

Abstract: Embodiments of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding containers are disclosed according to the present invention. The EMI shielding containers are especially useful for protecting sources of electronic evidence from EMI contamination prior to data extraction. However, the embodiments of EMI shielding containers of the present invention may be used in any context where a wireless device is to be shielded from transmitting or receiving electromagnetic signals. Embodiments of methods of using EMI shielding containers to extract data from electronic devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of acrylic polymers and in particular to their modification with the purpose of the formation of compounds of still higher molecular masses. Plastic materials of the type of acrylic universal polymer (PAU), e.g. sold under the tradename “POLYGOR”, can be used as starting material. The acrylic starting material is then modified by appropriate modifier compounds. In this way modified polymers can have molecular weights in the range between 2×105 and 15×107 a.u. and are water-soluble. This allows to use them as flocculation, coagulation, ion-exchange means and as additives to surface active agents for raising their washing and foaming capabilities.

Abstract: A cutting ring element for a centrifugal pump of the chopper type comprises a ring-like structure having at least one cutting member positioned along the ring-like structure and extending outwardly therefrom. The cutting ring element is structured to be positioned adjacent the drive side of an impeller having cutting structures associated with the drive side of the impeller which interact with the cutting ring element to chop and reduce the size of entrained solids in a pumped fluid, or slurry, to prevent such solids from infiltrating behind the impeller.