Abstract: A reduced order model called the Fundamental Mistuning Model (FMM) accurately predicts vibratory response of a bladed disk system. The FMM software may describe the normal modes and natural frequencies of a mistuned bladed disk using only its tuned system frequencies and the frequency mistuning of each blade/disk sector (i.e., the sector frequencies). The FMM system identification methods—basic and advanced FMM ID methods—use the normal (i.e., mistuned) modes and natural frequencies of the mistuned bladed disk to determine sector frequencies as well as tuned system frequencies. FMM may predict how much the bladed disk will vibrate under the operating (rotating) conditions. Field calibration and testing of the blades may be performed using traveling wave analysis and FMM ID methods. The FMM model can be generated completely from experimental data. Because of FMM's simplicity, no special interfaces are required for FMM to be compatible with a finite element model.

Abstract: An extended version of a reduced order model called the Fundamental Mistuning Model (FMM) accurately predicts vibratory response and damping in a bladed disk system. The extended FMM software may describe the normal modes and natural frequencies of a mistuned bladed disk as well as damping in the disk using complex-valued inputs of its tuned system frequencies and the frequency mistuning of each blade/disk sector (i.e., the sector frequencies). The extended FMM system identification methods—basic and advanced extended FMM ID methods—also use complex mistuned modes and complex frequencies of the mistuned bladed disk as inputs. As a result, in extended FMM ID calculations, the tuned system frequencies and the mistuning frequency ratios are complex numbers. The real parts of frequencies relate to sector frequencies as well as tuned system frequencies. However, the imaginary part can be related to system damping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating snoring of a patient includes providing an implant for altering a dynamic response of a soft palate of the patient to airflow past the soft palate. The implant is embedded in the soft palate to alter the dynamic response. For example, the implant has a mass, stiffness or dampening sufficient to alter the dynamic response following the implantation without substantially impairing a function of the soft palate to close a nasal passage of the patient during swallowing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating snoring of a patient includes providing an implant for altering a dynamic response of a soft palate of the patient to airflow past the soft palate. The implant is embedded in the soft palate to alter the dynamic response. For example, the implant has a mass, stiffness or dampening sufficient to alter the dynamic response following the implantation without substantially impairing a function of the soft palate to close a nasal passage of the patient during swallowing.

Abstract: A transmyocardial implant includes a hollow rigid conduit having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is sized to be larger than an initial lumen diameter of a coronary vessel. The first portion is smaller than an enlarged lumen diameter. The second portion is sized to extend from the first portion and through a myocardium into a heart chamber. The implant further includes a stent having a first stent diameter and adapted to be enlarged to an enlarged second stent diameter. In the first stent diameter, the stent is sized to be inserted into the initial lumen diameter. In the second diameter, the stent is sized to dilate the lumen to the enlarged lumen diameter. When the stent is at the second stent diameter, the stent has an internal diameter sized to receive the first portion of the conduit.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and process for filtering cooking oil of the type used in deep fat fryers such as are used in restaurants and bakeries. Full cooking temperature oil from the fryer vat is forcefully moved by a motorized pump through a canister holding a sintered metal filter which is preferably made of fused Stainless steel granules and which will filter-out solid particles down to about 0.5 microns in dimension from the oil. The hot oil passes through the filter before the filtered hot oil is returned to the fryer vat through a hand held flexible dispensing hose. The canister includes an openable lid to allow repeated removal, washing and re-installation of the highly durable and reuseable sintered stainless steel filter. One preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention is a portable unit mounted on wheels so it can be rolled from one fryer to another fryer and then to an out of the way storage area.