Abstract: A diving helmet apparatus includes a diving helmet that is based on a 98th percentile anthropomorphic head form. The helmet is relatively smaller and lighter than convention diving helmets. The center-of-gravity and center-of-buoyancy of the helmet are co-located to reduce diver fatigue. The apparatus has unique neck dam latch devices that use cam mechanisms. The neck dam and the opening in the helmet that receives the diver's head both have a substantially oval shape that contributes to a significant reduction in the volume of the helmet. The apparatus also uses unique face mask latch devices. The neck dam and face mask latch devices allow a diver to easily secure and remove the helmet and face mask without the assistance of dive tenders.

Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system is provided comprising: a number of container carriers, wherein the container carriers each comprise a magnetically active device and are adapted to carry a sample container; at least one fan being adapted to cause an airflow; and a number of transport modules, the transport modules being arrangeable adjacent to one another and respectively comprising: a transport surface being adapted to carry the container carriers; a number of heat dissipating electromagnetic actuators being stationary arranged below the transport surface, the electromagnetic actuators being adapted to move container carriers placed on top of the transport surface by applying magnetic forces to the container carriers; and an air guiding element being adapted to guide the airflow first towards an underside of the transport surface and afterwards towards the electromagnetic actuators.

Abstract: A tunable contact microphone is fabricated from nanometer size piezoelectric materials. The piezoelectric nanostructures are deposited on a flexible substrate or tunable resonant backplane. The backplane can be designed to vibrate at fundamental harmonic or sub-harmonic frequencies from 10 Hz to 20 KHz, corresponding to vibration frequencies of the human cranium. The backplane can be attached to a band or other material that will facilitate the attachment to the forehead, behind the ear or throat, with a preferred location being the forehead. When a person speaks, the backplane vibrates causing the nanostructures to generate electricity. The electrical signals are sent to an impedance matching preamplifier. The signal can then be sent to a communications system or fed into the microphone input of a communication system.

Abstract: A padlock having a locking mechanism that can be unlocked using a thumbwheel, by a traveler, or by secured key, by a TSA or government agent. The Padlock has a timer that prevents the lock from unlocking for a set period of time. The padlock also has a switch that activates the activation of the timer. The activation of the timer activates the timer so that the lock cannot be unlocked until the following sequence is completed: first the padlock unlocking mechanism is activated by dialing the correct code on the thumbwheel of the padlock and thereby starting a set time period for the automatic release of the padlock and second by the lock automatically unlocking after the set period expiring. The padlock also has a bypass mechanism that bypasses the timer sequence and thereby unlocks the lock. The padlock may also have at least one light that notifies a handler of the padlock of the activation of the timer and/or the release of the padlock.

Abstract: A method that includes providing at least one account; calculating a receivable management optimization score for the at least one account based on at least one financial parameter; determining one or more receivable management optimization strategies for the at least one account based on the calculated receivable management optimization score; and applying the one or more receivable management optimization strategies to the at least one account. A system that includes one or more databases including at least one account; and a processor configured to: calculate a receivable management optimization score for the at least one account based on at least one financial parameter; determine one or more receivable management optimization strategies for the at least one account based on the calculated receivable management optimization score; and apply the one or more receivable management optimization strategies to the at least one account.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for accessing the need and ability of an organization such as a business to use a financial product. The need is related to the length of time it takes the organization to receive payment after making a sale, and whether the organization receives payment for the sale. The need is greatest for an organization with a high bad debt ratio or slow average time until payment is received. The ability of the organization to pay for the financial product is greater when gross profit margin is high. The total volume of sale can also be taken into account in determining whether the organization can use the financial product.

Abstract: A control device is provided configured to provide user control signals. The control device comprises a magnetic flux sensing unit configured to provide two-dimensional angular orientation information with respect to a magnetic field acting on the magnetic flux sensing unit, and the user control signals are dependent on the two-dimensional angular orientation information. The control device further comprises a magnet arrangement comprising at least two permanent magnets configured to generate the magnetic field. The magnet arrangement and the magnetic flux sensing unit are arranged to be reoriented relative to one another within a predetermined range of movement, and the at least two permanent magnets are arranged relative to the magnetic flux sensing unit such that the magnetic field experienced by the magnetic flux sensing unit is substantially uniform throughout the predetermined range of movement.

Abstract: A control module for an electrically powered wheelchair is configured to generate control signals for the electrically powered wheelchair in response to user input. The control module comprises: a base portion; a joystick configured to generate the control signals corresponding to user movement of the joystick relative to the base portion; and a pivotable screen mount configured to provide a mount on the base portion for a display screen on which information relating to operation of the electrically powered wheelchair can be displayed to a user.

Abstract: A control device is provided configured to provide user control signals. The control device comprises a magnetic flux sensing unit configured to provide two-dimensional angular orientation information with respect to a magnetic field acting on the magnetic flux sensing unit, and the user control signals are dependent on the two-dimensional angular orientation information. The control device further comprises a magnet arrangement comprising at least two permanent magnets configured to generate the magnetic field. The magnet arrangement and the magnetic flux sensing unit are arranged to be reoriented relative to one another within a predetermined range of movement, and the at least two permanent magnets are arranged relative to the magnetic flux sensing unit such that the magnetic field experienced by the magnetic flux sensing unit is substantially uniform throughout the predetermined range of movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method to enable a third party service provider of EIPP services to initiate authorization and settlement of payment card payments with invoice line item data, on behalf of either Buyer/Payers or Supplier/Payees to credit card acquirers and/or transaction processors. Payment initiation is based on submission of either a pre-approved invoice or order confirmation validated against a purchase order, or an invoice approved by the Buyer/Payer organization and scheduled for payment.

Abstract: One inventive step includes facilitating obtaining a payment file associated with a buyer (for example, directly from the buyer, or from a third party partner). The file includes data specifying a first form of payment from the buyer to a first biller and data specifying a second form of payment, different than the first form of payment, from the buyer to a second biller. Other inventive steps include facilitating appending first stored data to the data specifying the first form of payment to the first biller, to effectuate payment to the first biller by the first form of payment; and facilitating appending second stored data to the data specifying the second form of payment to the second biller, to effectuate payment to the second biller by the second form of payment.

Abstract: A system is provided for cooling a stator coil of a rotating machine. In one embodiment, and by way of example only, the system includes a stator core, a radial core opening, and a sleeve. The stator core has an axially extending slot formed therein, an outer circumferential surface, and an inner circumferential surface. The radial core opening extends from the stator core outer circumferential surface to the axially extending slot. The sleeve is disposed within the axial slot and configured to surround the stator coil. The sleeve has a cooling fluid supply port formed therein that is aligned with the radial core opening.

Abstract: A rotor balancing system is provided that includes a rotor core, a plurality of core channels, a support wedge, a wedge channel, and balance masses. The rotor core includes an annular section, a first pole, and a second pole. The first and second poles each extend radially outwardly from the annular section and form an interpole region therebetween. The plurality of core channels are formed in the rotor core annular section and extend axially through the rotor core annular section. The support wedge is disposed in the interpole region. The wedge channel is formed in the support wedge and extends therethrough. One or more balance masses are selectively disposed in one or more of the core channels and the wedge channel, and each balance mass is disposed at a predetermined axial location to thereby correct rotor imbalance.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rotor shaft is provided. A rod is formed from a metal matrix composite material, the rod having an outer diameter. The rod is heated to attain a stiffness thereof that is greater than about 300 GPa. A machinable sleeve is formed from material having a stiffness that is less than the stiffness of the rod and that is different than the material of the rod, the sleeve having an inner diameter that is equal to or less than the rod outer diameter. The rod is inserted into the sleeve, after the rod is heated.

Abstract: A coil retention system for a rotor of an electrical generator, such as an aircraft generator, that includes one or more components made of a high strength, lightweight composite material. By making one or more of the coil retention system components of a high strength, lightweight composite material, the generator can rotate at relatively high speeds, and can be built with a relatively small space between the generator rotor and stator. This allows the generator to supply greater output power without increasing the generator's size and/or weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of calibrating sensors within a gas detector (36) having a housing containing a gas inlet whereby gas can diffuse from the inlet to the sensors. The gas inlet in the housing is held against part (34) of the calibration apparatus to form a sealed gas interface between the apparatus and the detector; a source (10) of pressurized calibration gas is connected to the apparatus, and a predetermined dose of calibration gas is delivered to the interface between the detector (36) and the calibration apparatus (34) at a predetermined pressure. The source (10) of pressurized calibration gas may contain single or multiple calibration doses and, if the former, the calibration apparatus includes a dosing system such as cylinder (14) for metering individual doses of calibration gas.

Abstract: A passive thermal switch assembly simply, easily, and inexpensively controls electronic system component temperatures within normal operating ranges during normal system operations, and reduces heat dissipation from the system during a cold startup, to thereby enable a relatively rapid component temperature rise. The passive thermal switch includes a heat pipe and a thermally activated switch coupled to the condenser end of the heat pipe. The switch thermally couples and decouples the heat pipe from a heat sink based on the temperature of a contact within the switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of calibrating sensors within a gas detector (36) having a housing containing a gas inlet whereby gas can diffuse from the inlet to the sensors. The gas inlet in the housing is held against part (34) of the calibration apparatus to form a sealed gas interface between the apparatus and the detector; a source (10) of pressurised calibration gas is connected to the apparatus, and a predetermined dose of calibration gas is delivered to the interface between the detector (36) and the calibration apparatus (34) at a predetermined pressure. The source (10) of pressurised calibration gas may contain single or multiple calibration doses and, if the former, the calibration apparatus includes a dosing system such as cylinder (14) for metering individual doses of calibration gas.

Abstract: The diaphragm of a dual tire equalizer has an axial probe actuating or not actuating a switch in a radio frequency transmitter circuit mounted on the wheel. The transmitter sends a signal varying, depending on the condition of the switch. A radio frequency receiver on the vehicle and connected to an indicator in the driver's cab responds to the signal and issues appropriate information to the driver concerning condition of the equalizer.