Abstract: An apparatus for affixing a plurality of body structures together in a flexible manner includes a first articulated fastener having substantially rigid proximal and distal portions, longitudinally separated by a first flexible articulating portion. The first articulated fastener has a first thread direction. A second articulated fastener has substantially rigid proximal and distal portions, longitudinally separated by a second flexible articulating portion. The second articulated fastener has a second thread direction opposite the first thread direction. The first and second articulated fasteners are both adapted for insertion into each of the plurality of body structures. A method of affixing a plurality of body structures together in a flexible manner is also provided.

Abstract: A completion suspension valve system is described which allows a well to be suspended and desuspended remotely without a dual bore riser to the surface. This is achieved by incorporating a remotely actuatable valve into the production bore of a tubing hanger. The valve is hydraulically operable and may be controlled via the tubing hanger running tool or via the xmas tree. The valve can be closed and tested after the tubing hanger has been installed, thereby isolating the well. The dual bore riser and running tool are retrievable and the MODU type vessel is then free to continue drilling and completion operations elsewhere. The xmas tree can therefore be deployed from a workclass supply boat instead of a MODU type vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for analyzing a series of images. A contour initializer establishes a plurality of initial contours from respective images within the series of images. A model initializer interconnects the plurality of initial contours into a surface model. A model refiner refines the plurality of initial contours by manipulating the surface model.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for projecting a virtual image of an object. A projector mounted on the object for projecting a light beam. A photographic plate is provided that includes an interference pattern imprinted onto at least one surface, wherein the interference pattern manipulates the light to form a hologram beam such that a detector detecting the hologram beam detects a virtual image of the object that has a light signature at a greater intensity than a light signature of the object.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a system for measuring at least one thermal property of a material. The system includes a thermal source configured to generate an incident thermal wave that propagates through a medium and is provided onto the material at an incident angle. The system also includes a thermal detector that is configured to receive a reflected thermal wave corresponding to the incident thermal wave reflected from the material at a reflection angle that is approximately equal to the incident angle. The system further includes a controller configured to control a magnitude of the incident angle to ascertain a thermal Brewster angle of the material and to calculate the at least one thermal property of the material based on the thermal Brewster angle.

Abstract: A method of casting metal articles includes providing a plurality of interconnected support sections. Article mold sections are positioned on the support sections. After article mold cavities, have been filled with a molten metal which is at a first temperature, the support sections and a body of a second molten metal are moved relative to each other while the body of a second molten metal is at a temperature which is less than the first temperature. Space extending between side surfaces of the support sections and between side portions of the article mold sections is filled with the second molten metal during movement between the support sections and the body of a second molten metal. A layer of insulating material may be provided above the body of a second molten metal. A baffle may be provided between a container holding the body of a second molten metal and a furnace assembly.

Abstract: An assembly (10) comprises a housing (11) and a printed circuit board (14) received in the housing. The housing includes a housing body (12) and a cover (16). The housing body (12) has a first surface (26) supporting the printed circuit board (14) and also has a portion defining a second surface (22) receiving the cover (16). At least the portion of the housing body is formed of a material that is meltable by a laser welder. The second surface (22) is spaced from the first surface (26) by a distance that is at least as great as a thickness of the printed circuit board (14). The printed circuit board (14) is at least partially held in place by melted material from said portion.

Abstract: A fastener includes a fastener body having a pair of legs. A shoulder portion causes the legs to be elastically engaged with inner edges of a mounting aperture when the fastener is inserted into the mounting aperture. A gripper portion includes a pair of gripper arms that interpose an insertion rib between a pair of opposite gripper surfaces of the pair of gripper arms when the fastener is fitted to the insertion rib. An engagement projection is formed on any one of the pair of gripper surfaces and extends from one of the pair of gripper surfaces to a height exceeding half of the distance between the pair of gripper surfaces so as to engage with an engagement slot formed on the insertion rib.

Abstract: A stock supply station for use in a insulated glass unit component production line includes a plurality of rotatable sheet stock coils, an indexing mechanism, and an uncoiling mechanism. The indexing mechanism is coupled to the sheet stock coils for indexing a selected one of the sheet stock coils to an uncoiling position. The uncoiling mechanism selectively uncoils sheet stock from a sheet stock coil indexed to the uncoiling position to thereby provide sheet stock to a downstream processing station.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame having a substantially planar first portion and a substantially planar second portion. The first and second portions are spaced rigidly apart from each other in a substantially parallel orientation to define a passage that extends through the frame between the first portion and the second portion. The passage is dimensioned and configured to receive a hand. A central axis extends longitudinally through the passage. The apparatus further comprises a first pad and a second pad located on an exterior of the first portion of the frame and spaced apart from each other to provide a channel that extends longitudinally between the first pad and the second pad substantially orthogonal to the central axis. The channel may be configured to align with the spine where the first pad and the second pad are positioned to lie on opposing sides of the spine.

Abstract: A mail justifier system including at least one bucket for holding a flat article and a plurality of ramps configured to contact the flat article through an opening defined on the bucket to raise the flat article to a desired level. A plurality of parallel rollers is configured to enter into the opening and contact the flat article. The parallel rollers rotate causing the flat article to move within the bucket from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A gas generator, particularly for a vehicle occupant restraint system, has at least one igniter (12), a pyrotechnic solid propellant bed (22), a combustion chamber (20) containing the propellant bed (22) and at least one wall part (24), the wall part (24) being arranged in the combustion chamber (20), which is moved by a gas stream generated on activation of the gas generator into the region of the propellant bed (22) which is not yet ignited, and in its interior (25) defines a gas-directing channel reaching into the propellant bed (22).

Abstract: A method of inhibiting graft rejection includes isolating Hepatic Stellate Cells from a mammal liver, activating the isolated Hepatic Stellate Cells, and administering a combination of Hepatic Stellate cells and a graft to a mammal.

Abstract: A cup holder, especially for a motor vehicle, has a box-like pedestal (12) that has a placement surface (14) on its top, and a box-like cover (16) that is arranged over the pedestal. The side surfaces of the pedestal (12) serve as a guide for the cover (16), the cover having a recess (18) that is concentric with the placement surface (14).

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a safety belt system has a drive unit and a power transmission element, which engages on a drive element when the drive unit is activated. The power transmission element is a non-rigid medium.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle, for example, a self-propelled and/or pedal vehicle such as a tricycle, bicycle, scooter, micro-scooter, or collapsible scooter, for example, adapted for use by children or infants. Accordingly, a self-propelled vehicle comprising illuminatable direction indicator means comprising left turn and right turn indictor means, which selectably operate by turning of a steering means or column of the self-propelled vehicle to the left or to the right, respectively, the steering means or column comprising handlebars in one embodiment. The self-propelled vehicle may comprise a tricycle.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a coupling arrangement for coupling a withdrawal arrangement (4) to a package (1) with liquid or essentially liquid contents (3), which withdrawal arrangement (4) is intended for the removal of the contents (3) from the package (1). The coupling arrangement (5) comprises not only an inner coupling device (9) that is arranged within the package (1) but also an outer coupling device (12) that is arranged on the withdrawal arrangement (4). The outer coupling device (12) comprises a tube section (14) with which the unbroken part (11) of the wall of the package (1) can be broken and that can be introduced into the hole (15) in the outer part (10) of the inner coupling device (9) in order to be coupled to this such that the contents (3) in the package (1) can be withdrawn through the tube section (14). At least one protruding part (16) is arranged on the outer coupling device (12). At least one space (17) is arranged in the outer part (10) of the inner coupling device (9).

Abstract: A purified polypeptide includes an amino acid sequence consisting of about 10 to 80 amino acids, the amino acid sequence having a sequence identity at least 90% homologous to a portion of SEQ ID NO:1. The polypeptide inhibits binding of Bcl-2 to IP3 receptors of cells that express IP3R and Bcl-2 and induces apoptosis in a cell.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle includes illuminatable direction indicators having left turn and right turn indicators which selectably operate by turning of a steering structure or column of the self-propelled vehicle to the left or to the right, respectively. The steering structure or column includes handlebars.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention uses radar altimeter measurements and stored terrain altitude profiles to provide pre-filtered observations to a Kalman filter for estimating barometric offset at the airport runway, and barometric scale factor for offsets above the runway. These offsets are used with the smoothed baro-inertial output from an inertial reference system to provide 3 dimensional constant rate of descent approach procedures to replace non-precision approach procedures based on constant barometric altitude step approaches. The horizontal positions used as reference for the stored terrain altitude profiles are obtained from a prior art navigation apparatus. The integrity of all measurements is assured by using long term averages of the Kalman filter residuals to detect failures. In addition, the estimated baro offset at the runway is compared for consistency with the baro offset obtained by the pilot from the airport by radio.