Abstract: A machine (10) for blow molding containers (110). The machine (10) has a stationary flow head (26) located above a turntable (12) with molds (16) mounted on carriages (38). The carriages (38) are mounted on ramps (40) and are raised to remove containers (110) and are lowered from the flow head (12) using a closed loop hydraulic system actuated by a cam. A double rack-and-pinion assembly (78) guides opening and closing of the molds (16) and a locking system having locking shafts (94, 96) engaging apertures (98, 100) in a cross head (74) with pivoting locking keys (102, 104) movable into alignment with the apertures (98, 100) prevents inadvertent mold opening. A container transfer device (32) has inflatable bladders (140) which engage the interior of the containers (110) to prevent damage. Augmented cooling of the containers (110) in the mold (16) is provided by positioning the flow head (26) at an acute angle (28) to the transfer device (32).

Abstract: An intermediate element for a detachable, lockable, ball joint-like connection in a device for the dynamic fixation of bones has a longitudinal axis, an outer wall concentric with the longitudinal axis, and an inner wall forming a coaxial cavity. Either the outer wall or the inner wall comprises one of two contact zones that form the ball joint-like connection. The intermediate element is at least partly made of a super-elastic or visco-elastic material.

Abstract: A device for the high-speed drilling of boards for printed circuits and the like. The device has a support, a drill head with an associated mandrel, and a member for locking and driving a drill bit in the mandrel. The mandrel is actuated by a compressed air turbine and has an optical encoder for encoding the speed of rotation of the turbine and generating a signal representing this speed. The signal is supplied to a control circuit in order to drive a proportional valve supplying compressed air to the turbine as a function of the speed of rotation encoded by the optical encoder.

Abstract: A Modbus data protocol register formatting system and method are disclosed. The system and method provide for the Modbus communications protocol request and recall of data stored in a register in the data base native format, and the conversion of the data into a different requested format. The system and method similarly provide for the writing of data into a device register from a known variable format into the data base native format. The ability to convert the data by a format converter after recalling the data, or before storing the data, obviates the need to store or write data in different or multiple formats. The inventive method uses a modified register mapping that comprises defined mapping elements identifying the data address location, the requested data format, along with the data variable. The register mapping is fully variable to provide for a wide range of data formats and data address formats.

Abstract: A measurement system having a first and second seal to create a sealed interface with a fluid and further having a rupturable barrier configured to relieve pressure when the pressure imparted to the first seal is less than the pressure imparted to the second seal, is disclosed. More particularly, the pressure relief element, which may be a rupturable barrier, is configured and positioned so that the second seal pressure limit is less than the first seal pressure limit. The primary elements of the system include the system housing, a sensing element having a first seal, with the sensing element within the housing, a second seal in fluid communication with the first seal, and a barrier that is rupturable when the pressure on the first seal is less than the pressure on the second seal.

Abstract: An intervertebral disk prosthesis or the intervertebral implant has a cavity-like middle part with a longitudinal axis, an upper end, a lower end, an upper apposition plate, and a lower apposition plate. The upper apposition plate is placed on the upper end of the middle part such that it is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The upper apposition plate is suited for resting against the base plate of a vertebral body. The lower apposition plate is placed on the lower end of the middle part such that it is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The lower apposition plate is suited for resting against the cover plate of a vertebral body. The middle part has at least two coaxially arranged plate springs, which gives the middle part a progressive spring characteristic.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a wire wheel of the type comprising a rim and a hub secured to each other by a plurality of spokes. Each spoke includes a stem at the opposed axial ends of which are arranged respective anchorage members capable of being secured respectively to the hub and to the rim. The member for anchorage to the rim is received in a seat fixed on the rim with the capability of limited axial displacement in the seat. The seat is provided integrally on the rim in the form of a substantially tubular appendage thereof and the anchorage member is received in a sealed manner with coupling of the cylinder/piston type in the tubular appendage.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating biocidal solution having a predetermined level of available free chlorine and pH, including an electrolytic cell that generates the biocidal solution by an electrolytic reaction, the electrolytic cell including an input pipe for receiving an input brine solution, an anode chamber including an anode and a cathode chamber including a cathode separated by a separator, electrical connections for application of voltage to the anode and cathode; temperature sensing means for detecting a temperature of a solution of the electrolytic cell and outputting a signal indicative of the detected temperature; and process control means for adjusting the voltage applied to the electrolytic cell by the process control means thereby maintaining the level of available free chlorine and pH at the predetermined level in response to the signal output from the temperature sensing means.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polymer compounds, a method for preparing thereof. More specifically, provided are polymer compounds with well-connected, narrow size distribution free-volume element and a method for preparing the polymer compounds by thermal rearrangement for aromatic polyimides containing ortho-positioned functional groups in the solid state.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus combines an optical sensor in which acceleration, acoustic velocity, or displacement (vibration) causes a corresponding shift in the center wavelength of the sensor output, coupled to a high speed interferometric interrogator, through an unbalanced fiber interferometer. The unbalanced interferometer functions to translate optical wavelength shift into phase shift, which is easily demodulated by the interrogator.

Abstract: A modular split palletizer for loading layers of articles on stackable pallets. The palletizer has a frame supporting first, second, and third sections. The first section includes a layer build area and a first portion of a stacker transfer track. The second section includes a tier sheet bin, a top frame bin, and a second portion of the track. The third section includes a pallet build area and a third portion of the track. Each of the first, second, and third sections can be disassembled, moved individually and independently, and re-assembled at a new location to form the complete palletizer. Also disclosed is a method of relocating the modular split palletizer. With the palletizer at one location, the utilities connected to the palletizer are disconnected, the fasteners holding the sections together are released, and the sections are separated. The disassembled sections are moved to the new location and reassembled.

Abstract: An interrogator for a plurality of sensor fiber optic gratings. The interrogator includes a broadband optical source; at least one beam splitter directing output of the optical source to the sensor fiber optic gratings; at least one linear filter for converting changes in peak reflection wavelength to changes in intensity; at least one optical receiver; at least one amplifier associated with each optical receiver; and an active closed-loop circuit following the at least one amplifier to provide bias voltage stabilization.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a parison having a plurality of resin layers and at least one resin layer of varying thickness is disclosed. The parison is used to form containers in a blow mold machine. An extruder is in communication with a flow head to form the parison. The apparatus includes a valve block having a duct providing communication between a second extruder and the flow head. Flow of resin from the second extruder directly to the flow head is controlled by a valve in the valve block. An accumulator cylinder and piston are also in communication with the duct and control the resin pressure within the duct. Opening and closing the valve and stroking the piston sends resin from the second extruder to the flow head and forms a resin layer having a varying thickness on the parison. A method of forming a varying layer is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic ranging device for ultrasonic ranging in the near zone. The device may include a transducer for generating an ultrasonic signal and for detecting an echo signal. The device may also include a processor for calculating the distance to a target object based on a first time period defined by a first set of ultrasonic signals when the target object is located outside the near zone and a second time period defined by a second set of ultrasonic signals when the target object is located within the near zone. The processor may also adjust the amplitude of the generated ultrasonic signal until the first set of ultrasonic signals is detected at the transducer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical instruments particularly suitable for preparing vertebral endplates during spinal interbody surgical procedures. Methods of using such instruments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A two-piece seal vial assembly. The first piece is a vial defining an aperture adapted to contain a liquid. The vial has a base, a crown disposed opposite the base, and an upright side wall extending from the base to the crown and including a tapered inner diameter and a flange located proximate the crown. The second piece is a seal top defining an opening that runs through the length of the seal top. The seal top has a top portion providing a neck finish and, when the seal top and the vial are assembled, a snap groove releasably receiving the flange of the vial and a tapered portion that frictionally engages the tapered inner diameter of the vial. Although not one of the two main components of the assembly, a cap may be included to releasably engage the neck finish of the seal top to close the seal top.

Abstract: A sling for industrial lifting made of a load-bearing core and a cover. The cover protects the plurality of yarns that make-up the core. Each core yarn is made of a number of core threads twisted together. The core yarns are twisted together where the twist is in the same direction as the individual core strands and a different direction than the twist of the cover. The present invention describes the method of twisting the core yarns together by inserting core yarns substantially parallel into a cover that has a twist opposite of each core strand. As the core strands are inserted into the cover, the twists of the individual core yarns interact with the twist of the cove, resulting in the core yarns twisting together.