Abstract: The invention in the simplest form is a dispenser valve with an increased flow capacity. The device is particularly suited for dispensing liquids, and has a plurality of individual thin and streamlined elevated standoffs that serve as the spring seat, lowering flow losses and providing a larger flow path area or particulate matter included in the liquid. In addition, the ball check valve chamber is funnel shaped, creating an efficient flow for the dispensing liquid regardless of the viscosity or particulate of the liquid. The unit increases discharge capacity, reduces clogging, improves efficiency, and allows the unit to dispense highly viscous and gritty materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, and product by process, for the production of bulk polysilicon by broad area chemical vapor deposition, consisting of a quartz envelope and base plate forming a reactor enclosure, with external radiant heaters providing the heat source. A thin wall, edge-defined film fed growth (EFG) silicon tube section is used as the deposition casing and reaction chamber wall. The tube is capped at the top and sealed to the base plate to form the reaction chamber. External heaters radiate heat through the quartz enclosure to heat the tube wall to deposition temperature. A through flow of process gas is introduced to initiate the deposition. A uniform wide surface area deposit occurs on the inside surface of the tube, causing the diameter to become increasingly smaller as the yield accumulates.

Abstract: A removable wheel system for luggage, baggage, portfolios, art tubes, knapsacks, golf bags, briefcases, and back packs. A frame structure with an integrated wheel base engages the article, and straps with attaching means secure the frame structure to the article. In one embodiment the frame structure has contacting lips upon which the luggage rests, while straps that are partly affixed to the luggage are threaded through securing slots of the frame structure and tightly secured. Cylindrical articles are carried by a frame structure with a Y shaped housing that secures the luggage to the frame by wrapping a strap around the luggage and engaging a securing slot on the frame.

Abstract: A public pager messaging system with publicly accessible pager readout terminals distributed throughout the messaging system range, where each pager terminal is preprogrammed to recognize one or more specific capture codes that may be appended to a message, and to then accept and hold only those messages. A sender can create and append to a message either or both of a message code for one or a class of intended recipients, and a capture code consistent with the areas in which the recipients are likely to be found. The message code acts as a security lock on the message, making it inaccessible by recipients unless or until the necessary information about the message code is shared by sender with the intended recipients, so that the lock can be opened. The message may be accessible on multiple pager terminals. The message may be erased if not accessed within a preset time.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for verifying the integrity of a smart antenna system. The simulator section replicates multiple sensors with directional and non-directional components with variables from Doppler, delay and angular spread. Hardware/software combinations simulate the line-of-sight signal, reflected signals, and refracted signals that require manipulation by the smart antenna processor to extract the temporal and spatial information of the signals of interest. The channel simulator of the present invention introduces independent variability of the most significant factors involved in the simulation; delay spread, Doppler spread, and angular spread. The simulated signals have variable numbers, amplitude, phase, delay and bearing components for representing a variety of terrain, environmental, equipment and capacity conditions for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a coating or a near net shaped monolithic ceramic part by chemical vapor deposition, where the resultant coatings or parts consume less deposit material and require less machining. Mandrel substrates are closely designed for producing a specific, near net shaped final part, including negative relief features. Several of the mandrel substrates are mounted through centers in a spaced relationship on one or more rotable shafts as tooling for a chemical vapor deposition furnace. The tooling is installed in a chemical vapor deposition furnace so that the shafts are oriented perpendicular and the substrate planar surfaces are parallel to the flow pattern of reactant gases through the furnace. The shafts are rotated during the deposition process so that the mandrel substrates each receive a uniformly distributed ceramic deposit in the near net shape of the final part.

Abstract: A foam trap or FOB for a gas propelled or mechanically pumped liquid dispensing system, having an upper ball stopper valve seat and gas vent port at the top and a lower ball stopper valve seat and liquid outlet port at the bottom, with two floating ball stoppers that are raised and lowered by the level of liquid unless locked into a seated position on a valve seat by pressure. Ball stoppers can be independently mechanically dislodged and constrained from reseating on either valve seat by externally accessible means. The interior geometry inhibits the ball stoppers from competing or blocking access to respective valve seats when liquid is falling or rising. The trap automatically shuts off outflow when liquid is depleted, permitting a container change, opening of the vent port, and purging of gas or air in the trap by refilling the trap with liquid before closing the vent port and reopening the outflow. The trap may be integrated into an automated container switching system for liquid dispensing systems.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop applied as a phase modulator using an external analog control signal whereby a single-ended pulse-width modulated digital signal may be derived from the phase detector output, and two phase modulated square-wave digital signals may be derived from a reference oscillator and the feedback voltage controlled oscillator. The pulse width modulation and/or phase modulation in power applications can be achieved with far greater speed, precision, simplicity and economy than by existing techniques.

Abstract: The invention is a convective airflow dryer system for coffee beans and other such crops, that includes a removable materials container. The removable, stackable container has at least one interior airway structure extending from, preferably, the bottom or sidewall surface to about the top of the container. The airflow structure is configured to freely admit, flow and transfer air, including moisture ladened air, through a port or vent in the bottom or sidewall, over its length and breadth into and out of the coffee beans or other crops or materials being dried, and out the top of the container. The dryer system and the containers are configured for directing the full airflow of the dryer system through the container or set of interconnected containers when in place, and to easily remove the containers from the dryer for emptying, refilling and reuse.

Abstract: A foldable, electrical box kit for on-site assembly and installation in wallboard, with at least two opposing panels each having a pair of spaced apart front face flanges and respective, laterally centered on the panel, center-bored, retaining screw and rotating retainer clip assemblies. The unfolded box is configured with living hinge lines to permit easy folding and snap assembly of adjacent sidewall edges to form a rigid enclosure. Retainer clips are retracted by their retaining screws into clip slots in the panels for clearance. The box is inserted through wallboard as far as the front face flanges permit, then the retaining screws are rotated, the first quarter turn of which rotates their respective retaining clips from the retracted position to an extended position behind the wallboard. Further clockwise rotation of each screw brings its retaining clip forward into a firm, three point grip with its respective pair of flanges on the wallboard.

Abstract: A hand held device for loading a hypodermic syringe from a medicine vial is configured for easy placement of the syringe into a closely conforming channel in the proximal end of the device, with the needle end pointing towards the other end. The other end of the device is configured for easy placement of a standard vial into a closely conforming chamber with its penetrable cap facing the needle tip. Closing the device causes or permits the further action required for piercing the vial with the syringe needle. A sliding pull tab engages the syringe plunger so that gripping and pulling on the tab withdraws the plunger from the syringe, thus drawing fluid from the vial. An amplified or enhanced readout capability visually indicates the dosage of fluid withdrawn from the vial. An auxiliary needle mounted so as to be slightly offset from the syringe, provides for a supplemental piercing of the vial so that make-up air is available when large dosages are drawn from the vial with a single pull of the plunger.

Abstract: A slide bar for snowmobiles has sinusoidal grooves running lengthwise on the sliding surface that open at the aft end of the slide bar for drainage. The sinusoidal grooves retain packed snow accumulated during operation over snow-covered terrain, until the packed snow absorbs sufficient heat to soften and pass through the recurving path of the grooves. The retention characteristic of the sinusoial grooves for holding packed snow provides extended lubrication and cooling to the slide bar and track when the snowmobile leaves snow covered terrain to cross intermittent stretches of bare ground.

Abstract: The invention in the simplest form is a passive method and apparatus for filtering motile sperm from a sperm sample. The invention passively filters the motile sperm using a nucleopore membrane that is contained within a membrane assembly, wherein the membrane assembly is disposed in a container. In operation, a medium is placed in the container so the membrane contacts the medium. A sperm sample is placed one side of the membrane assembly, and the motile sperm migrate through the membrane leaving the non-motile sperm behind, where they can be easily extracted.

Abstract: A biofeedback system for self-monitoring of selected body motions includes configurable mounting appliances, compatible twist, stretch and flexure sensors, coded means for positioning and orienting sensors at any location of the body, and a small, self contained signal processing and feedback module. Multi-level instant audible feedback is employed to provide a quick learning environment. The motion sensors include low force, high compliance, long extension sensors.

Abstract: A slurry recycle process for use in free-abrasive machining operations such as for wire saws used in wafer slicing of ingots, where the used slurry is separated into kerf-rich and abrasive-rich components, and the abrasive-rich component is reconstituted into a makeup slurry. During the process, the average particle size of the makeup slurry is controlled by monitoring the condition of the kerf and abrasive components and making necessary adjustments to the separating force and dwell time of the separator apparatus. Related pre-separator and post separator treatments, and feedback of one or the other separator slurry output components for mixing with incoming used slurry and recirculation through the separator, provide further effectiveness and additional control points in the process.

Abstract: The invention in the simplest form is a tape dispenser with automatic backing removal. The dispenser is specially designed for foil tape, and employs a rubber band drive connecting the feeder roller and the takeup roller to ensure that the tape is dispensed smoothly. A cutting blade assembly allows the operator to quickly and easily tear off a length of tape, while retaining the backing material on the takeup roller.

Abstract: A disposable plastic lid with folding side tabs for holding and drinking from hot beverage cups. The lid is applied in the usual fashion to the pre-filled beverage cup. A shorter tab adjacent the drinking spout accommodates the user's thumb. A longer tab opposite the spout accommodates a multi-finger opposing grip. There is a additional top side finger grip in the lid opposite the drinking spout. The side tabs are attached by two point hinge mechanisms with a slit running between the hinge points along the radius of the flange dividing the tab from the flange. The flange retains its full diameter about the circumference of the lid. The tabs are pre-formed with a raised rib pattern and shaped to fit the curvature of the sidewall of the cup. The two point hinge allows the tabs to be folded down and inward below the lid flange into contact with the sidewall of the cup, providing thermal insulation to the user's grip.

Abstract: An in-vessel composting apparatus for processing food waste and associated organic packaging materials, consisting of a shredder/particle size, and a horizontal drum with three chambers with connecting ports of sequentially increasing diameter, incremental drum rotation, and process control system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying a microelectronic structure on wafer substrate using supercritical phase gas techniques and a unique pressure vessel locking mechanism. There is lid and a base with an open cavity to contain at least one microelectronic structure on wafer substrate. Clamping the lid to the base uses locking clamp rings with open jaws large to partially enclose the edge of the vessel. The clamp rings are supported symmetrically about the sides of the vessel. The rings are adjusted between an open position where the rings are clear of the vessel and a locking position where the jaws partially enclose the vessel. The jaws and the vessel share a tapered cam plate and roller system configured to bring the rings into vertically compressive locking engagement on the pressure vessel when the rings are moved into locking position. Mechanical interlocks provide security against back pressure opening the rings.