Abstract: A hydrodynamic face seal 100 for sealing between the cylinder head 300 and rotating sleeve 200 of a rotating liner engine. The face of the face seal provides a sealing zone 130 for maintaining a lubricant layer of about 2 micrometers between the face seal and the sleeve; and a loading zone 132. The loading zone includes hydrodynamic lift features such as inclined pads 150 or recessed step pads 152. Oil is supplied to annular oil supply passage 142 between the sealing zone and the loading zone, and flows from the annular oil supply passage to radial passages 144 located between the step pads. A spring pre-load is provided to the seal. An outer secondary seal 190 is provided to contain the lubricant. One or more inner secondary seals is provided to contain lubricant and combustion gases. Spiral oil pumping grooves may be provided.

Abstract: A system and method for agricultural data collection and management is described to provide quality assurance source verification data and performance tracking for agricultural items throughout the production cycle. Individual item data is efficiently collected, transferred, and shared in a transactional, event-oriented, row-oriented structure with few columns without need for creating relational structures. The system includes software components for data collection and real-time data lookup components; share, switch, route, and interface components; extract, transform, and load components; and report and analyze data components. Embodiments include data acquisition from multiple RFID reader locations; a web-based information system for a beef marketing alliance; value-based procurement, and supply chain management.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining difference in leg height of a standing patient by making a first measurement while the patient stands on a first foot, making a second measurement while the patient stands on a second foot, and determining the vertical distance between the first measurement and the second measurement. One embodiment incorporates a scale with a sliding wide measurement plate to measure the top of the head. Another embodiment provides a wide height measurement plate to retrofit existing height scales, and a fabrication kit for making that plate. In another embodiment the patient wears an apron with reference markings which may be observed through a movable reference grid. The observation may be manual or optically with a camera or scanner.

Abstract: An infant swaddle blanket having a central receiving section with a fitted upper edge for engaging the infant's neck and shoulders; a first flap from one side of the central section; a tongue extending from the upper portion of the first flap; and a second flap extending from the opposite side of the central section, a skid-resistant material on its bottom surface. An improved fit is provided through the infant's shoulders with curved shoulder seams and long elastic seams on the top edge of the blanket. The infant is placed backside down on the central section with a first arm against its side; the first flap is wrapped over the infant's right arm and torso; the tongue is tucked around the infant's second side, under the armpit and across the infant's back; the infant's second arm is placed next to its side; the second flap is wrapped over the second arm, torso, and first flap and secured to the first flap with hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: A device and method for one-person loading of a multi-bale hay trailer. A bale flipping frame is temporarily attached to a side rail of the hay trailer where it is guided along the side rail in order to position a bale in each bale holding location on the trailer. The mechanism includes a chassis, wheels, and an engine to power a hydraulic system for squeezing the bale from the ends, lifting the bale, flipping the bale above the bale holding location, and releasing the bale. After loading the trailer, the frame automatically disengages to be left in the field or used by another trailer while the full hay trailer is emptied and brought back to repeat the cycle to load additional bales. The mechanism may be transported by pulling it behind the trailer or a truck.

Abstract: A kit containing an Instructor unit sized for presentation to a group and multiple Child training units both set up to allow students to visually model and relate addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in primary mathematics. The manipulative units include a plurality of colored cubes arranged in slots so that the movement of particular cubes from one side of the slots to the other side represents numbers in a mathematical operation. Tally trays of five slots may be removed from the device and hold up to 10 cubes to demonstrate regrouping operations on a mat.

Abstract: A device, system, and method system for manually arranging products on a display shelf without requiring additional shelf width. The product containers, such as jars, cans, and bottles, may be pulled forward toward the front of the display shelf by pulling a front member which is attached to two slide rails which fit into the vacant spaces near the bottom of rounded container sides. In an alternate embodiment, a base is provided to elevate the containers, and the slide rails slide underneath the container. The slide rails are attached to a rear member which engages the rear of the last product container in the row, and pushes the containers forward as the front member is pulled away from the display shelf. The device may be a wire frame which may include side covers of various shapes and sizes.

Abstract: An efficient method and apparatus for livestock data collection and management is described to provide quality assurance source verification data and performance tracking for individual animals throughout the production cycle. Individual animal data is efficiently collected, transferred, and shared in a transactional, event-oriented, row-oriented structure with few columns without need for creating relational structures. The BeefLink™ software includes components for data collection and real-time data lookup components; share, switch, route, and interface components; extract, transform, and load components; and report and analyze data components. Embodiments include data acquisition from multiple RFID reader locations; a web-based information system for a beef marketing alliance; value-based procurement, and supply chain management.

Abstract: A closed circuit cooling tower for evaporative fluid cooler applications such as water-cooled residential and commercial air conditioning, geothermal cooling supplementation, and process cooling applications. Corrugated metal tubes are used for heat transfer to permit mechanical de-fouling, such as flexing the tubes. The cooling tower may operate at high dissolved solids, or gray water may be used in order to reduce water consumption. The cooling tower is lightweight and modular to permit retrofitting of existing rooftop air conditioning systems so that efficient evaporative cooling may be used to lower energy costs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering particulate matter from internal combustion engine coolant where a replaceable filter is connected between the heater core supply and return lines. A portion of the normal engine coolant flow is directed from a heater hose through a paper or media filter in order to remove particulate matter such as rust and scale. A filter assembly comprised of a housing with inlet and outlet ports may installed in a new engine or may be retrofitted to an existing engine by cutting the heater hoses, installing tees, and connecting the filter housing to the tees with short sections of hose. An alternate embodiment includes a housing that clamps directly to the heater hoses so that a portion of the flow is directed through the filter.

Abstract: A holder for a beverage container, typically a beverage can or a beverage bottle, to provide supplemental cooling to the beverage. The holder includes one or more support ridges, a pedestal, or other beverage container support means to support the bottom of the can or bottle above the holder bottom to create a space for an ice or an ice and water cooling medium. A sealing means between the holder and the beverage container permits the beverage container and the holder to be tipped for drinking without spilling the ice or ice and water used to provide the cooling. Various sealing means include a removable seal subassembly, a single piece gasket that fits on the holder, a seal ring, and a stretch membrane.

Abstract: A symmetrical gravity operated gate latch for fastening a two way gate and arranged to be manually released easily from either side of the closed gate to permit swinging movement and opening of the gate in either direction. The gate latch including a means for swinging the free end of the gate shut, thereby securing itself through inertia and gravity. The free end of the gate including a striker bar which passes through the striker slot and through the first of two pivotally mounted flappers. The second flapper is positioned so said flapper may not pivot out of the housing, thereby securing the striker bar between the flappers until one of the flappers is rotated inward to release the striker bar.

Abstract: An ice machine configured in such a manner that all of its components, controls, and connections allow it to be secured to a wall at a location, conserving floor space while facilitating proper sanitation and ease of service. This is achieved by employing a bi-level design in order to increase efficiency of space use. The resulting configuration allows for decreased ice bin depth encroaching upon floor space adjacent to the wall at such a location. Alternate embodiments include bi-level remote condenser and remote condenser unit designs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for temporarily attaching a pellicle membrane and frame to a photomask substrate until the assembly passes inspection, and then permanently bonding the frame to the substrate. In the preferred embodiment, a vacuum channel is provided in the pellicle frame to permit a vacuum to be drawn between the frame and the substrate. In alternate embodiments, a static adhesion is obtained between the flat surfaces of the pellicle frame and the substrate, and this static adhesion is improved by wiping a solvent on the bottom surface of the pellicle frame.

Abstract: A holder for a beverage container, typically a can or a bottle, to provide supplemental cooling to the beverage. The holder includes support ridges, pedestal, or other support means to support the bottom of the can or bottle above the holder bottom to create a space for an ice or an ice and water cooling medium. A sealing means between the holder and the beverage container permits the container and the holder to be tipped for drinking without spilling the ice or ice and water used to provide the cooling.

Abstract: A portable radio frequency identification reader for collecting livestock information. The reader includes an infrared switch, multi-colored status lights, and audio feedback from a host computer for confirming receipt of data.

Abstract: This positive displacement device features relative rotation and translation of a piston and a cylinder where the rotation accomplishes a rotary valve function and the translation accomplishes a change in chamber volume function. The preferred embodiment is a ported, single-piston, four-stroke internal combustion engine with one moving part and low emissions, a sinusoidal cam on the cylinder is confined between two fixed cams relative to the generally fixed piston. The cam creates a four-stroke translational movement of the cylinder about the piston for each revolution of the cylinder. A transfer port on the cylinder facilitates movement of the intake charge from an intake port on the piston into the combustion chamber where it is compressed, ignited, and then removed by means of the transfer port and an exhaust port on the piston.

Abstract: An efficient method and apparatus for livestock data collection and management is described to provide quality assurance source verification data and performance tracking for individual animals throughout the production cycle. The preferred embodiment includes unique radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders for each animal; unique RFID transponders for animal events; default event data capability; a portable and wireless RFID reader to read the animal and event transponders; a multiple input/output device to accept the reader signals and livestock measurement data and to communicate by means of a wireless radio communication to a host computer; a feedback signal from the host computer to acknowledge receipt of data; BeefLink™ software to provide data gathering, storage, and query support, and a protocol converter to facilitate the transfer and sharing of data between different livestock databases.

Abstract: In an automatic chip test machine for testing electronic components, a novel quick disconnect articulated chuck for securing a chip nest, allowing rapid changes of the chuck and plunger head with minimum production downtime. The chuck is comprised of a chuck base and a quick disconnect assembly. The quick disconnect assembly includes a vacuum seal a retractable piston with vacuum cup attachment for securing a chip, a plunger head, alignment pins, and accessible disconnect screws. The base housing is mounted in a manner that permits articulation of the chuck to allow the chuck to align with the electrical test fixture; and a vacuum introduction port. A slide frame is supported on slide rails with a roller ball and detent mechanism to permit relatively low forces of the initial mating action between the chuck and the fixture to move the chuck into a position of better alignment, and therefore lower stress and wear.

Abstract: A portable, durable, easy-to-use, safety-oriented, long-life apparatus for reading radio frequency identification transponders is described. This apparatus is well-suited for use in connection with livestock data collection and management. The preferred embodiment includes a single wound radio frequency identification antenna coil; a radio frequency transmitter; a power control, system timing and driver including a low battery indicator, and an optical switch; a rechargeable battery; a main power switch; an infrared activation switch; a radio frequency link antenna, a receiver analog section, a micro controller, an exciter drive and a read switch; and audio feedback to confirm receipt of data.