Abstract: A water desalination system and method in accordance with the principles of the present invention employs capacitive deionization to remove ions from source water to produce deionzed and waste water. The process employs charged electrodes to attract ions of opposite polarity from the source water. The process of discharging the electrodes employs solvent drag.

Abstract: A water desalination system and method in accordance with the principles of the present invention employs capacitive deionization to remove ions from source water to produce deionzed and waste water. The process employs charged electrodes to attract ions of opposite polarity from the source water.

Abstract: A valve is constructed to strike a balance between providing relatively high sealing yet low friction as components of the valve move. The valve includes a port and an actuator movable relative to the port. A member is disposed between the port and the actuator. The actuator acts on the member so that it can intermittently seal the port as it moves. The member and the actuator have a substantially low friction interface, whereas the seal member and the port have a substantially high sealing interface. The valve can be used in an engine, such as a rotary valve in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A multiple-contact woven connector including a weave arranged to provide a plurality of tensioned fibers and a conductor woven with the plurality of tensioned fibers so as to form a plurality of peaks and valleys along a length of the conductor. The conductor has a plurality of contact points positioned along the length of the conductor, such that when the conductor engages a conductor of a mating connector element, at least some of the plurality of contact points provide an electrical connection between the conductor of the multiple-contact woven connector and the conductor of the mating connector element. The tensioned fibers of the weave provide a predetermined contact force between the at least some of the plurality of contact points of the conductor of the multiple-contact woven connector and the conductor of the mating connector element.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to electrical switches that utilize conductors that are woven onto loading fibers and a mating conductor that has a contact mating surface. Each conductor has at least one contact point. The loading fibers are capable of delivering a contact force at each contact point of the conductors. Electrical connections are established between the contact points of conductors and the contact mating surface of the mating conductor when the conductor-loading fiber weave is engaged with the mating conductor and the electrical connections are terminated when the conductor-loading fiber weave is disengaged from the mating conductor.

Abstract: A multiple-contact woven connector comprising at least one conductor woven onto a plurality of loading fibers. Each conductor has at least one contact point. The loading fibers are capable of delivering a contact force at the contact points of the conductors. The connector may further include mating conductors having a contact mating surfaces. Electrical connections can be established between the contact points of the conductors and the contact mating surfaces of the mating conductors. The contact mating surfaces may be curved. In exemplary embodiments, the contact mating surfaces are convex. The multiple-contact woven connectors of the present disclosure can be utilized as power connectors or, alternatively, as data connectors.

Abstract: A bearing adapted to support and allow controlled relative movement with an opposed bearing surface. The bearing is constructed to have a long life by incorporating a surface that addresses many causes of friction and wear. The bearing includes a plurality of support members extending from a base. Together, the plurality of support members can support a load applied to the base through an opposed bearing surface. Additionally, the plurality of support members allow sliding modes of motion between the opposed bearings. These support members can move independently to accommodate irregularities located between the support member and the opposed bearing, such that plowing is reduced and wear to the bearings is minimized. The support members may also be configured to allow certain non-sliding modes of motion between opposed bearing surfaces while resisting other non-sliding modes of motion.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing system having a wafer carrier assembly is provided. The wafer carrier assembly includes a wafer carrier support frame, a wafer carrier head housing rotable mounted on the wafer carrier support frame, with a base including a bladder bellows operating connecting the wafer carrier base to the wafer carrier head housing such that rotational torque is transferred from the wafer carrier head housing to the wafer carrier base. Further provided is a retaining ring, operatively connected to a retaining ring bearing which allows relative axial motion while constraining relative radial motion between the retaining ring and the wafer carrier head housing; and a retaining ring bellows, operatively connecting the retaining ring bearing to urge the retaining ring against a polishing member.

Abstract: A multiple-contact woven connector including a weave arranged to provide a plurality of tensioned fibers and a conductor woven with the plurality of tensioned fibers so as to form a plurality of peaks and valleys along a length of the conductor. The conductor has a plurality of contact points positioned along the length of the conductor, such that when the conductor engages a conductor of a mating connector element, at least some of the plurality of contact points provide an electrical connection between the conductor of the multiple-contact woven connector and the conductor of the mating connector element. The tensioned fibers of the weave provide a predetermined contact force between the at least some of the plurality of contact points of the conductor of the multiple-contact woven connector and the conductor of the mating connector element.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing system having a wafer carrier assembly is provided. The wafer carrier assembly includes a wafer carrier support frame, a wafer carrier head housing rotable mounted on the wafer carrier support frame, with a base including a bladder bellows operating connecting the wafer carrier base to the wafer carrier head housing such that rotational torque is transferred from the wafer carrier head housing to the wafer carrier base. Further provided is a retaining ring, operatively connected to a retaining ring bearing which allows relative axial motion while constraining relative radial motion between the retaining ring and the wafer carrier head housing; and a retaining ring bellows, operatively connecting the retaining ring bearing to urge the retaining ring against a polishing member.

Abstract: A multiple-contact woven connector including a weave arranged to provide a plurality of tensioned fibers and a conductor woven with the plurality of tensioned fibers so as to form a plurality of peaks and valleys along a length of the conductor. The conductor has a plurality of contact points positioned along the length of the conductor, such that when the conductor engages a conductor of a mating connector element, at least some of the plurality of contact points provide an electrical connection between the conductor of the multiple-contact woven connector and the conductor of the mating connector element. The tensioned fibers of the weave provide a predetermined contact force between the at least some of the plurality of contact points of the conductor of the multiple-contact woven connector and the conductor of the mating connector element.

Abstract: Continuous polymeric extrusion nucleation systems and methods useful for making polymeric microcellular foamed materials, including crystalline and semi-crystalline polymeric microcellular materials, are provided. Pressure drop rate is an important feature in some embodiments, and the invention provides systems for controlling these and other parameters. One aspect involves a multiple-pathway nucleator that is separated from a shaping die by a residence chamber. Another aspect involves a die for making advantageously thick articles, including a multiple-pathway nucleation section. Microcellular material can be continuously extruded onto wire, resulting in a very thin, essentially closed-cell microcellular insulating coating secured to a wire. Other very thin microcellular products can be fabricated as well.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine that has a pair of cylinders each having a reciprocating piston connected to a crank shaft by a connecting rod. One of the cylinders is adapted for an air and fuel intake and a compression strokes only, and the other of the cylinders adapted for at least power and exhaust strokes. A conduit exists for transfer of gases from the one into the other cylinder after the compression stroke. The conduit has means for isolating gases in the conduit intermediate the compression and power strokes. Furthermore, the conduit is designed to prevent the transfer of liquefied fuel from the one cylinder to the other.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine that has a pair of cylinders each having a reciprocating piston connected to a crank shaft by a connecting rod. One of the cylinders is adapted for an air and fuel intake and a compression strokes only, and the other of the cylinders adapted for power and exhaust strokes only. A conduit exists for transfer of gases from the one into the other cylinder after the compression stroke. The conduit has means for isolating gases in the conduit intermediate the compression and power strokes. Furthermore, the conduit is designed to prevent the transfer of liquefied fuel from the one cylinder to the other.

Abstract: A multiple-contact woven connector including a weave arranged to provide a plurality of tensioned fibers and a conductor woven with the plurality of tensioned fibers so as to form a plurality of peaks and valleys along a length of the conductor. The conductor has a plurality of contact points positioned along the length of the conductor, such that when the conductor engages a conductor of a mating connector element, at least some of the plurality of contact points provide an electrical connection between the conductor of the multiple-contact woven connector and the conductor of the mating connector element. The tensioned fibers of the weave provide a predetermined contact force between the at least some of the plurality of contact points of the conductor of the multiple-contact woven connector and the conductor of the mating connector element.

Abstract: A multiple-contact woven connector comprising at least one conductor woven onto a plurality of loading fibers. Each conductor has at least one contact point. The loading fibers are capable of delivering a contact force at the contact points of the conductors. The connector may further include mating conductors having a contact mating surfaces. Electrical connections can be established between the contact points of the conductors and the contact mating surfaces of the mating conductors. The contact mating surfaces may be curved. In exemplary embodiments, the contact mating surfaces are convex. The multiple-contact woven connectors of the present disclosure can be utilized as power connectors or, alternatively, as data connectors.

Abstract: A processing system having time-dependent combinatorial complexity is converted into a system having time-dependent periodic complexity. Consequently, system reliability is increased and system design is generally simplified.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine that has a pair of cylinders each having a reciprocating piston connected to a crank shaft by a connecting rod. One of the cylinders is adapted for an air and fuel intake and a compression strokes only, and the other of the cylinders adapted for at least power and exhaust strokes. A conduit exists for transfer of gases from the one into the other cylinder after the compression stroke. The conduit has means for isolating gases in the conduit intermediate the compression and power strokes. Furthermore, the conduit is designed to prevent the transfer of liquefied fuel from the one cylinder to the other.

Abstract: A bearing adapted to support and allow controlled relative movement with an opposed bearing surface. The bearing is constructed to have a long life by incorporating a surface that addresses many causes of friction and wear. The bearing includes a plurality of support members extending from a base. Together, the plurality of support members can support a load applied to the base through an opposed bearing surface. Additionally, the plurality of support members allow sliding modes of motion between the opposed bearings. These support members can move independently to accommodate irregularities located between the support member and the opposed bearing, such that plowing is reduced and wear to the bearings is minimized. The support members may also be configured to allow certain non-sliding modes of motion between opposed bearing surfaces while resisting other non-sliding modes of motion.

Abstract: A bearing adapted to support and allow controlled relative movement with an opposed bearing surface. The bearing is constructed to have a long life by incorporating a surface that addresses many causes of friction and wear. The bearing includes a plurality of support members extending from a base. Together, the plurality of support members can support a load applied to the base through an opposed bearing surface. Additionally, the plurality of support members allow sliding modes of motion between the opposed bearings. These support members can move independently to accommodate irregularities located between the support member and the opposed bearing, such that plowing is reduced and wear to the bearings is minimized. The support members may also be configured to allow certain non-sliding modes of motion between opposed bearing surfaces while resisting other non-sliding modes of motion.