Abstract: A system, a method and a cutting apparatus may use a bit to cut an object. The apparatus may have a bit connected to a cutting block on a cutting apparatus. The cutting apparatus may rotate about the object while the bit may advance into the object to cut the object. The cutting apparatus may have another bit located opposite to the bit to bevel an edge of the object. The cutting system may reduce point loads and/or provide an equalized load. The cutting system may reduce tool pressures when cutting a pipe and may provide extended tool and/or bit life.

Abstract: A system, a method and a modular apparatus may use a wire loop to cut an object. The apparatus may have a wire loop connected to pulleys on a deck attached to a frame. The deck may move relative to the frame to direct the wire loop through the object. The apparatus may have arms that may hold the object being cut. The apparatus may be configured with different cutting decks to reduce the overall size of the apparatus and/or to facilitate cutting a particular object in a particular environment.

Abstract: A system, a method and a collapsible and/or folding apparatus may use a wire loop to cut an object. The apparatus may have a wire loop connected to pulleys on a carriage attached to a frame. The carriage may move relative to the frame to direct the wire loop through the object. The apparatus may have arms on the carriage that may be folded and/or a kicker frame pivotably connected to the frame that may be retracted to reduce the overall size of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method may use a diamond-impregnated wire loop to cut an underwater pipeline. The apparatus may have a frame, a carriage attached to the frame and/or pulleys connected to the carriage. The diamond-impregnated wire loop may be connected to the pulleys. The carriage may move relative to the frame to direct the diamond-impregnated wire loop in a forward direction relative to the frame and/or through the pipeline.

Abstract: An acoustic touch apparatus (100) that utilizes the transfer of surface acoustic waves from one surface (115), through the touch substrate (105), to another surface (110) and a grid of sensitivity zones (Z) formed on one of the surfaces (115) to enable multi-touch capabilities.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method may use a diamond-impregnated wire loop to cut an underwater pipeline. The apparatus may have a frame, a carriage attached to the frame and/or pulleys connected to the carriage. The diamond-impregnated wire loop may be connected to the pulleys. The carriage may move relative to the frame to direct the diamond-impregnated wire loop in a forward direction relative to the frame and/or through the pipeline.

Abstract: A touch input system, comprising a surface, adapted to receive at least one simultaneous touch inputs from human fingers; a sensor adapted to detect the at least one touch inputs and produce at least one signal representing a unique position for the at least one touch input; and a processor, adapted to receive the at least one signal and produce an output representing a touch detection and a mapping of a coordinate position on the surface for each of the simultaneous touch inputs. The system may detect, for example, two touch inputs simultaneously. The surface may be non-planar and distinct from a small solid angle section of a sphere.

Abstract: A touch input system, comprising a surface, adapted to receive at least one simultaneous touch inputs from human fingers; a sensor adapted to detect the at least one touch inputs and produce at least one signal representing a unique position for the at least one touch input; and a processor, adapted to receive the at least one signal and produce an output representing a touch detection and a mapping of a coordinate position on the surface for each of the simultaneous touch inputs. The system may detect, for example, two touch inputs simultaneously. The surface may be non-planar and distinct from a small solid angle section of a sphere.

Abstract: A contact sensitive device and method of operation, comprising a member capable of supporting propagation of vibrations; at least one sensor mounted on the member for measuring vibrations in the member, wherein the at least one sensor transduces a vibration into an oscillating electrical waveform representing the vibration while preserving phase information represented therein; and a processor responsive to the oscillating electrical waveforms of the at least one sensor and analyzing at least the preserved phase information from the oscillating electrical waveform, to determine the location of the contact on the member. In this manner, for example, superposed signals can be distinguished and non-attenuating perturbations of the signal detected.

Abstract: A powered or hand-activated stationary and/or portable hose fitting insertion apparatus and method. A hose is preferably held in place with a clamp, strap or other apparatus on a platform or in a trough and a fitting is caused to be inserted into an end of the hose by a force applied to the fitting from a pad.

Abstract: A system and method for processing input from a touchscreen having a substrate and a touch surface thereof, adapted for manual interaction with a human hand, having an electronic sensor associated with the substrate adapted to detect a pressure sensitive response to at least two concurrent touches on the touch surface, having a control which receives at least one signal representing the at least two concurrent touches on the touch surface; processes the at least one signal in a manner adapted to maintain a distinction between the at least two concurrent touches; determines a respective difference of at least one coordinate between the at least two concurrent touches; and responds by selectively producing a response at least in dependence on a relationship of the coordinate of the at least two concurrent touches.

Abstract: A system and method for processing input from a touchscreen having a substrate and a touch surface thereof, adapted for manual interaction with a human hand, having an electronic sensor associated with said substrate adapted to detect a pressure sensitive response to at least two concurrent touches on the touch surface, having a control which receives at least one signal representing the at least two concurrent touches on the touch surface; processes the at least one signal in a manner adapted to maintain a distinction between the at least two concurrent touches; determines a respective difference of at least one coordinate between the at least two concurrent touches; and responds by selectively producing a response at least in dependence on a relationship of the coordinate of the at least two concurrent touches.

Abstract: A portable hose fitting insertion apparatus and method. The apparatus can be hand held and operated in areas such that hose repairs can be made without removal of the hose. A friction operated ratcheting mechanism is preferably used to drive a shaft forward. A pad is preferably disposed on an end of the shaft and pushes on an outer surface of the fitting. A clamping mechanism is preferably disposed on a terminal portion of the apparatus and holds an end portion of a hose in place while a fitting is inserted.

Abstract: A touch sensor having an acoustic substrate, an acoustic transducer, and an acoustically diffractive grating is provided. The grating is disposed between the transducer and the substrate, so that acoustic energy from the transducer is coupled to an acoustic wave propagating along the surface of the substrate. If used in a display device, the combination of the transducer and grating may provide a low profile that allows the assembly to be more easily placed between the acoustic substrate and a bezel placed in front of the substrate. No acoustic components need be mounted on the rear surface of the substrate, allowing the acoustic substrate to be formed on the front surface of the display device.

Abstract: Two groups of inclined lines, which are included in a spurious wave scattering means, are formed at opposite angles with respect to each other in the vicinity of an upper edge of a substrate. The angles of the inclined lines are such that they are close to perpendicular toward the central portion of the substrate, and gradually decrease toward the edges thereof. In a similar manner, two other groups inclined lines, which are also included in the spurious wave scattering means, are formed at opposite angles with respect to each other, with gradually changing angles. The spurious waves that reach these regions are diffuse by the inclined lines, so that they are not propagated to converters (sensors). Three rectangular spurious wave scattering means, formed by inclined lines, inclined at angles other than 45°, also function to diffuse and eliminate spurious waves that propagate along the front surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A touch sensor having an acoustic substrate, an acoustic transducer, and an acoustically diffractive grating is provided. The grating is disposed between the transducer and the substrate, so that acoustic energy from the transducer is coupled to an acoustic wave propagating along the surface of the substrate. If used in a display device, the combination of the transducer and grating may provide a low profile that allows the assembly to be more easily placed between the acoustic substrate and a bezel placed in front of the substrate. No acoustic components need be mounted on the rear surface of the substrate, allowing the acoustic substrate to be formed on the front surface of the display device.

Abstract: A touch sensor comprising an acoustic wave transmissive medium having a surface; a plurality of acoustic wave path forming systems, each generating a set of incrementally varying paths through said transmissive medium; and a receiver, receiving signals representing said sets of waves, a portion of each set overlapping temporally or physically by propagating in said transmissive medium along axes which are not orthogonal. The waves may also be of differing wave modes. The receiver system may include a phase, waveform or amplitude sensitive system.

Abstract: A touch sensor comprising an acoustic wave transmissive medium having a surface; a plurality of acoustic wave path forming systems, each generating a set of incrementally varying paths through said transmissive medium; and a receiver, receiving signals representing said sets of waves, a portion of each set overlapping temporally or physically by propagating in said transmissive medium along axes which are not orthogonal. The waves may also be of differing wave modes. The receiver system may include a phase, waveform or amplitude sensitive system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multilayer substrate for use in touchscreen and touch sensor applications. The substrate, including a microsheet, a polymer sheet, and a plate supports the propagation of acoustic waves, including Love waves and Rayleigh-like waves. The microsheet and plate may be fabricated from glass, metal, or other suitable materials depending on the desired application for the touchscreen. The polymer sheet may be fabricated from polystyrene, polyacrylates, polyether sulfones, or polycyclic olefins. The disclosed touchscreen substrates are thin but durable and have increased touch sensitivity with decreased sensitivity to water and other surface contaminants.

Abstract: A touch sensor comprises a substrate capable of propagating acoustic waves. The substrate includes a first surface having a touch sensitive region and a first sidewall intersecting the first surface at a first edge. A transmitter is provided on the first sidewall of the substrate. The transmitter generates acoustic waves that propagate directly from the first sidewall through at least a portion of the touch sensitive region.