Abstract: Methods and system for concentrating oxygen include providing a portable apparatus having a plurality of sieve beds, each sieve bed in the plurality of sieve beds including a first end and a second end, a reservoir storing oxygen-enriched gas exiting from the second ends of the plurality of sieve beds, a compressor, an oxygen delivery valve communicating with the reservoir via a delivery line, a flow sensor associated with the delivery line, and control electronics adapted to control operation of the oxygen delivery valve; measuring, via the flow sensor, a flow of the oxygen-enriched gas through the sensor and outputting a signal indicative thereof; and controlling, using the control electronics, the opening and closing the oxygen delivery valve to deliver the oxygen-enriched gas from the reservoir to a user based on the signal.

Abstract: Panels of biomarkers, methods and systems are disclosed for determining gene expression, and diagnosing and treating melanoma.

Abstract: Disclosed are magnetic nanosensors or transducers that permit measurement of a physical parameter in an analyte via magnetic reasonance measurements, in particular of non-agglomerative assays. More particularly, in certain embodiments, the invention relates to designs of nanoparticle reagents and responsive polymer coated magnetic nanoparticles. Additionally provided are methods of use of nanoparticle reagents and responsive polymer coated magnetic nanoparticles for the detection of a stimulus or an analyte with NMR detectors.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to sieve bed. The sieve bed comprises a housing configured to define a path for a flow of oxygen comprising gas. The housing comprises a gas inlet configured to guide the flow of oxygen comprising gas into the housing; a gas outlet configured to guide a flow of oxygen enriched gas out of the housing; and a sieve bed configured to receive the flow of oxygen comprising gas from the gas inlet, wherein the flow of oxygen comprising gas flows through the sieve bed and oxygen enriched gas flows out of the sieve bed via the gas outlet, and wherein the path of the flow of oxygen comprising gas through the sieve bed is longer than a longest dimension of the housing.

Abstract: A system for determining one or more characteristics of a carbon fiber tow. The system including a first laser profilometer, a second laser profilometer, and a controller. The first laser profilometer is located on a first side of the carbon fiber tow. The second laser profilometer is located on a second side of the carbon fiber tow. The controller is configured to receive, from the first profilometer, a first profile of the first side of the carbon fiber tow, and receive, from the second profilometer, a second profile of the second side of the carbon fiber tow. The controller is further configured to determine at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of a tow width of the carbon fiber tow, a tow fuzz of the carbon fiber tow, a tow thickness of the carbon fiber tow, and a tow angle of the carbon fiber tow, the at least one characteristic based on the first profile and the second profile. The controller further configured to output the at least one characteristic of the carbon fiber tow.

Abstract: A method for determining a linear density of a carbon fiber tow. The method includes providing a pulse of air directed toward the carbon fiber tow, determining, via a first sensor, an air pressure of the pulse of air, and measuring, via a second sensor, a displacement of the carbon fiber tow in response to the pulse of air directed toward the carbon fiber tow. The method further includes calculating, via a controller, a linear density of the carbon fiber tow based on the air pressure and the displacement, and outputting, via the controller, the linear density.

Abstract: A device to limit pre-rotation of fluid across turbomachinery regions where significant pressure differentials exist between rotating and non-rotating components. In one form, the present invention is particularly applicable to centrifugal-based turbomachinery. Of particular concern is that the highly-energized fluid exiting an impeller or related rotating member can impart significant swirl velocity and related rotordynamic forces which in turn may impact rotor stability. The potential for such instability is particularly high when flow coming from an impeller discharge permeates a seal, bushing or related component that is used to fluidly separate the impeller from an upstage partition. The present invention replaces traditional bushing seal designs at swirl-prone regions with a vaned anti-swirl bushing that fits within the housing without increasing the axial or radial dimensions of the housing.

Abstract: A Dewar system is configured to liquefy a flow of fluid, and to store the liquefied fluid. The Dewar system is disposed within a single, portable housing. Disposing the components of the Dewar system within the single housing enables liquefied fluid to be transferred between a heat exchange assembly configured to liquefy fluid and a storage assembly configured to store liquefied fluid in an enhanced manner. In one embodiment, the flow of fluid liquefied and stored by the Dewar system is oxygen (e.g., purified oxygen), nitrogen, and/or some other fluid.

Abstract: Methods and system for concentrating oxygen include a plurality of sieve beds configured to absorb nitrogen from air, at least one reservoir configured to store oxygen-enriched gas exiting from the plurality of sieve beds, a compressor configured to deliver air at one or more desired pressures to the plurality of sieve beds, a support member positioned in housing and configured to support the compressor, the plurality of sieve beds and the reservoir, an air manifold providing a plurality of channels therein that at least partially define passages communicating between the compressor and the plurality of sieve beds, and an oxygen delivery manifold providing a plurality of channels therein that at least partially define passages for delivering the oxygen-enriched to a user. The air manifold and the oxygen delivery manifold are integrally formed with the support member.

Abstract: A continuous tensile system is disclosed. The system is braided from individual ropes that form bridle legs, riser, and extension lines in a parachute system. The continuous nature of the braided system allows load sharing between strands and an increased mass efficiency for the breaking system of a payload.

Abstract: Disclosed are magnetic nanosensors or transducers that permit measurement of a physical parameter in an analyte via magnetic reasonance measurements, in particular of non-agglomerative assays. More particularly, in certain embodiments, the invention relates to designs of nanoparticle reagents and responsive polymer coated magnetic nanoparticles. Additionally provided are methods of use of nanoparticle reagents and responsive polymer coated magnetic nanoparticles for the detection of a stimulus or an analyte with NMR detectors.

Abstract: A Dewar system is configured to liquefy a flow of fluid, and to store the liquefied fluid. The Dewar system is disposed within a single, portable housing. Disposing the components of the Dewar system within the single housing enables liquefied fluid to be transferred between a heat exchange assembly configured to liquefy fluid and a storage assembly configured to store liquefied fluid in an enhanced manner. In one embodiment, the flow of fluid liquefied and stored by the Dewar system is oxygen (e.g., purified oxygen), nitrogen, and/or some other fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for pixelating falling water droplets to create a graphical image comprising an elevated water display head formed from a series of two or more modular units. Each of the series of two or more modular units has a water reservoir, a plurality of high speed solenoids located below the water reservoir, a replaceable nozzle plate having a plurality of spaced apart nozzles wherein one of said plurality of high speed solenoids is connected to each nozzle. A programmable micro-controller is provided with each of the modular units for controlling the water supply to the water reservoir and for controlling the formation of the falling water droplets through each solenoid and nozzle. The water droplets falling from said plurality of nozzles from each of the modular units forms part of the graphical image.

Abstract: A device to limit pre-rotation of fluid across turbomachinery regions where significant pressure differentials exist between rotating and non-rotating components. In one form, the present invention is particularly applicable to centrifugal-based turbomachinery. Of particular concern is that the highly-energized fluid exiting an impeller or related rotating member can impart significant swirl velocity and related rotordynamic forces which in turn may impact rotor stability. The potential for such instability is particularly high when flow coming from an impeller discharge permeates a seal, bushing or related component that is used to fluidly separate the impeller from an upstage partition. The present invention replaces traditional bushing seal designs at swirl-prone regions with a vaned anti-swirl bushing that fits within the housing without increasing the axial or radial dimensions of the housing.

Abstract: A method for creating image products includes the following steps. Image data and positional data corresponding to the image data are captured and processed to create geo-referenced images. Edge detection procedures are performed on the geo-referenced images to identify edges and produce geo-referenced, edge-detected images. The geo-referenced, edge-detected images are saved in a database. A user interface to view and interact with the geo-referenced image is also provided such that the user can consistently select the same Points of Interest between multiple interactions and multiple users.

Abstract: Methods and systems for concentrating oxygen include an oxygen concentration subsystem configured to generate a supply of oxygen-enriched gas, an oxygen delivery subsystem configured to communicate oxygen-enriched gas to a respiratory circuit for delivery to an airway of a subject, and one or more batteries configured to act as a sole power supply for the oxygen concentration subsystem and the oxygen delivery subsystem, wherein a ratio ROW is determined as: ROW=(O2 output)/total weight of the oxygen concentrator system, where O2 output is the maximum continuous oxygen output of the oxygen concentrator system, wherein the ratio Row is greater than about 0.19 lpm/lbs.

Abstract: A method for creating image products includes the following steps. Image data and positional data corresponding to the image data are captured and processed to create geo-referenced images. Edge detection procedures are performed on the geo-referenced images to identify edges and produce geo-referenced, edge-detected images. The geo-referenced, edge-detected images are saved in a database. A user interface to view and interact with the geo-referenced image is also provided such that the user can consistently select the same Points of Interest between multiple interactions and multiple users.

Abstract: Methods and system for concentrating oxygen include providing a portable apparatus having a plurality of sieve beds, each sieve bed in the plurality of sieve beds including a first end and a second end, a reservoir storing oxygen-enriched gas exiting from the second ends of the plurality of sieve beds, a compressor, an oxygen delivery valve communicating with the reservoir via a delivery line, a flow sensor associated with the delivery line, and control electronics adapted to control operation of the oxygen delivery valve; measuring, via the flow sensor, a flow of the oxygen-enriched gas through the sensor and outputting a signal indicative thereof; and controlling, using the control electronics, the opening and closing the oxygen delivery valve to deliver the oxygen-enriched gas from the reservoir to a user based on the signal.

Abstract: Methods and system for concentrating oxygen include a plurality of sieve beds configured to absorb nitrogen from air, at least one reservoir configured to store oxygen-enriched gas exiting from the plurality of sieve beds, a compressor configured to deliver air at one or more desired pressures to the plurality of sieve beds, a support member positioned in housing and configured to support the compressor, the plurality of sieve beds and the reservoir, an air manifold providing a plurality of channels therein that at least partially define passages communicating between the compressor and the plurality of sieve beds, and an oxygen delivery manifold providing a plurality of channels therein that at least partially define passages for delivering the oxygen-enriched to a user. The air manifold and the oxygen delivery manifold are integrally formed with the support member.

Abstract: A portable oxygen concentrator (10) including a reservoir (26) for storing oxygen-enriched gas and a delivery line (41) for delivering the oxygen-enriched gas from the reservoir to a subject. An oxygen delivery valve (36) communicates with the reservoir via the delivery line. A sensor (48) is in communication with gas flowing through the delivery line and generates a signal related to a breathing characteristic of the subject. A controller (21) operates in a first mode wherein the controller opens the oxygen delivery valve for continuous delivery of the gas to the subject and a second mode wherein the controller selectively opens and closes the oxygen delivery valve responsive to the signal of the sensor to deliver the gas in pulsed durations. A relief valve (46) is associated with the delivery line and opens responsive to the pressure within the delivery line exceeding a predetermined threshold so as to decrease pressure within the delivery line.