Abstract: The present invention includes an audio device that has the appearance of an animial. The audio set may contain a radio, compact disc player and/or cassette player. Also included in the present invention is a audio device in which the speakers are made to resemble the eyes of an animal and the speakers are fixably or moveably secured. The speakers may pop-out from the face of the animal on springs or the speakers may rotate. Finally, the present invention includes an audio device in which the speakers are made to resemble the eyes of an animal, are moveably secured and are actuated by a switch on the audio device.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a siding unit which is adapted for installation. An exemplary embodiment of the siding unit has at least 1.5 courses of vinyl siding. The courses of vinyl siding are preferably formed by one or more facing panels which are comprised of polyvinyl chloride. A reinforcing panel is glued or otherwise laminated to the inside of each course of vinyl siding. The reinforcing panel is preferably comprised of expanded or extruded polystyrene.

Abstract: The present invention is a unique manufacturing process that includes extruding a product shape through extrusion equipment, then using a blow molding process, preferably in-line, on a portion of the extruded product shape to further shape the product. In one preferred embodiment the product shape is a post and the further shaping of the post results in a decorative end that previously had to be assembled to the post but now is able to be formed in the post as a one-piece product, instead of a two-piece construction.

Abstract: The present invention includes time delay devices and time delay systems. The invention also includes machines and instruments using those aspects of the invention. The invention may also be used to upgrade, repair, or retrofit existing machines or instruments, using methods and components known in the art. The present invention comprises a true time device that falls into the free-space category but uses a multiple-pass optical cell with refocusing mirrors that has the advantage of avoiding beam-spreading problems. This approach differs from previous free-space approaches in that it uses only one optical switch or spatial light modulator instead of one or more switches for each bit. In one approach, a microwave signal for each antenna element may be modulated onto an optical beam. After the individual optical beams are delayed by the desired amount of time through the system, the signals may then be down-converted to microwave signals for further processing.

Abstract: A large scale, capacitor-based electrical energy storage and distribution system capable of effectuating load-leveling during periods of peak demand on a utility. A capacitor or multitude of capacitors may be charged with electrical energy produced by the utility during periods of low demand, such as the evening hours, and discharged during periods of high electrical energy consumption to help reduce demand on the utility. One or more capacitors may be located at a consumer's residence or business for providing at least a portion of the consumer's electrical power requirements. Alternatively, a farm of capacitors may be provided at or near a utility, or at or near a location experiencing high demand, such that electrical energy stored in the capacitors can be discharged into the utility's distribution grid to increase the amount of electrical energy available for use.

Abstract: A device and method for temporarily supporting and securing the cross-arm of a utility pole during operations that require the cross-arm retaining means to be loosened or removed. One exemplary embodiment of a support device of the present invention comprises an attachment member and a support member. The attachment member may be releasably secured to the upright post portion of the utility pole by means of, for example, a band clamp, or a fastener, such as a lag screw. The support member is designed to engage a portion of the cross-arm and secure it in position. Once secured, the necessary operation may be performed without the risk of the cross-arm tipping or falling. After the performance of the operation, the cross-arm retaining means is tightened or reinstalled, and the support device may be removed from the utility pole.

Abstract: The present invention includes a sol-gel supported catalyst for the dehydrogenation of lower alkanes, the catalyst comprising at least one active metal and at least one promoter metal attached to a sol-gel mixed oxide support. The sol-gel mixed oxide support arises from the polymerization of at least one precursor. The active metal and the promoter metal have been attached to the sol-gel mixed oxide support by the active metal and the promoter metal having been co-precipitated with the precursor of the sol-gel mixed oxide support. The invention also includes a method of making the above mentioned catalyst and a method of using the catalyst to dehydrogenate lower alkanes to produce lower alkenes.

Abstract: A system and method for creating capacitor-based electrical energy storage modules and electrical energy storage systems assembled therefrom. Submodules having a plurality of capacitors capable of storing electrical energy are used in different combinations to create electrical energy storage modules. Preferably, a number of submodules are placed into corresponding receptacles within an enclosure or cabinet, wherein the submodules become electrically connected. The number of submodules installed in a cabinet is determined by the power output desired, and the space constraints of the area in which the cabinet will be located. One cabinet of one or more submodules, or a plurality of interconnected cabinets of one or more submodules, may form an electrical energy storage module. The module may be designed to output either DC or AC electric power, and is preferably equipped with a power conversion system and/or communication and control electronics to control the charging and discharging thereof.

Abstract: An exterior covering for buildings and the like is described. The present invention relates to vinyl siding panels for building exteriors that are easy to install, and which prevent a collection of moisture along the building exterior.

Abstract: A system of compression molding a synthetic wood formulation into a commercially useable synthetic wood component is described. Surprising results are achieved when the dry formulation is placed under heat and pressure. Many different components may be made using the present invention, such as by example, wood-like trim components for the housing construction industry.

Abstract: An air supply control device for use in the heating, cooling, and conditioning of an air supply to a predetermined temperature. The device includes a cooling unit that is adapted to cool the air passing through the unit. The device incorporates a variable speed cooling fluid pump that pumps cooling fluid through a heat exchanger in the cooling unit, and a variable frequency drive (“VFD”) that is electrically connected to the pump and which can vary the speed of the pump. The device also incorporates a temperature sensor that is positioned to detect the temperature of the air after it has passed through the cooling unit. A programmable logic controller (“PLC”) is included in the device and is in electronic communication with the temperature sensor and the VFD. The PLC is programmed to vary the speed of the cooling fluid pump to adjust the temperature of the air passing through the cooling unit to the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Cast metal parts are created for use in making machinery. When these parts are formed, unwanted material remains in the openings of the parts. This material, called flash, must be removed. In the method of the present invention, the cast parts are placed on a platen of a trim press that has multi-part punches attached thereto that are configured to self-align with the openings in the cast part and operative to evenly remove the flash. The invention also relates to a punch that initially breaks through the flash with a stationary punch that removes a majority of the flash inside the opening of the cast part. Next, a moving or self-centering punch self-aligns to the opening in the cast part and operates to remove the remaining flash. The inventive punch may also include a mounting base for attachment of the multi-part punches to the plate or platen of the press.

Abstract: A columnar race game having columns that move in a vertical direction. The object of the game is to hit a target causing actuation of the column in the vertical direction. The first column to reach a uppermost point activates a detection device which stops the game and signals the winner of the game.

Abstract: A hip assembly and method are described in which a femoral head cap component secured to the femur with at least one screw is engaged with an acetabulum shell component affixed to the acetabulum with at least one screw, and a trochanteric osteotomy plate is secured to the femur with screws. The assembly further includes a psoas recess in the acetabulum shell for allowing freedom of movement of the illiopsoas tendon, countersunk cancellous screws for securing the components to the bones, and fins mounted on the femoral cap to prevent rotation in the bone.

Abstract: The present invention includes capacitive film thickness measurement devices and measurement systems used in machines or instruments. A capacitance measurement device and technique useful in determining lubricant film thickness on substrates such as magnetic thin-film rigid disks. Using the present invention, variations in lubricant thickness on the Angstrom scale or less may be measured quickly and nondestructively.

Abstract: An extrudable wood composite which includes cellulosic material and a powdered thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A hybrid electric propulsion system for powering a vehicle using a natural fuel engine and an electric motor. The hybrid electric vehicle is comprised of a drive train; an electric motor for driving the drive train; an auxiliary power unit (APU); an electric energy storage system electrically coupled to the electric motor; and wherein the auxiliary power unit and the electric energy storage system provide energy for powering the vehicle. An electric bus is directly connected to both the auxiliary power unit and the electric energy source and the voltage across the electric bus is substantially the same as the voltage across the electric energy source so that a change in voltage of the electric bus results in the same change to the voltage across the electric energy source. A power management controller is programmed to control output power of the power unit to maintain the energy storage system between a predetermined high voltage set-point and a predetermined low voltage set-point.