Abstract: There is disclosed an extractor (10) for extracting an elongate body (12) from the ground. The extractor (10) includes a holding assembly (14) operatively adapted to hold the elongate body (12) to be extracted from the ground and a guide assembly (24) operatively associated with the holding assembly (14). The guide assembly (24) includes (i) a guide follower (26) for operative attachment to the holding assembly (14), and (ii) a guide (28) along which the guide follower (26) is caused to move when the elongate body (12) is extracted from the ground. The extractor (10) further includes a drive assembly (30) operatively associated with the guide follower (26). The drive assembly (30) is adapted to be coupled with a hand tool for applying torque to the drive assembly (30). Applying torque to the drive assembly causes the guide follower (26) to move along the guide (28) thereby to extract the elongate body (12) from the ground.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a post puller (10) for removing a fence post from the ground. The post puller (10) includes a scissor linkage (12) having a coupling end (14) and a post end (16) wherein the scissor linkage (12) is moveable between a first position and a second position. The post puller (10) further includes a coupling assembly (18) located at the coupling end (14) of the scissor linkage (12). The coupling assembly (18) is operatively adapted to connect the scissor linkage (12) to a pulling mechanism. The post puller (10) further includes a post gripping assembly (26) located at the post end (14) of the scissor linkage (12). The post gripping assembly (26) includes a first gripping jaw and a second gripping jaw (28, 30). The first and second gripping jaws (28, 30) are movable between an open position and a closed position as the scissor linkage (12) is moved between the first and second position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cutting tool handling assembly (10) including a scissor linkage (12) having a lifting end (14) and a cutting tool end (16). The cutting tool handling assembly (10) further includes a tool gripping assembly (26) located at the cutting tool end (26) of the scissor linkage (12). The tool gripping assembly is operatively adapted to grip a cutting tool (17). The cutting tool handling assembly (10) further includes a rotation actuation assembly (18) operatively connected to the scissor linkage (12) at the lifting end (14). The rotation actuation assembly (18), in turn, includes a coupling assembly (20) operatively adapted to couple the scissor linkage (12) to a hoisting assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems are for aligning a light projection engine (e.g., in a virtual reality headset) are described. An assembly for aligning the light projection engine includes a frame, an optical waveguide assembly; and the light projection engine. Embodiments include assemblies for aligning based on a pivot point, an optical axis, an X, a Y, and a Z axis, and with six degrees of freedom. In addition, an embodiment includes three planar joints that allow for alignment of the light projection engine.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to assemble an optical waveguide assembly. An optical waveguide assembly may be used in a virtual reality headset or other type of projection system. The optical waveguide assembly includes a front lens, one or more optical waveguides, and a back lens. In one embodiment, an insert is used that is the same width as the optical waveguides to prevent cracking of the optical waveguides. In another embodiment, the optical waveguide assembly includes Optically Clear Adhesive (OCA) tape between the different elements of the optical waveguide assembly to precisely align the optical waveguides. In another embodiment, the optical waveguide assembly has cover portions or a frame that protect the optical waveguides in the optical waveguide assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to assemble an optical waveguide assembly. An optical waveguide assembly may be used in a virtual reality headset or other type of projection system. The optical waveguide assembly includes a front lens, one or more optical waveguides, and a back lens. In one embodiment, an insert is used that is the same width as the optical waveguides to prevent cracking of the optical waveguides. In another embodiment, the optical waveguide assembly includes Optically Clear Adhesive (OCA) tape between the different elements of the optical waveguide assembly to precisely align the optical waveguides. In another embodiment, the optical waveguide assembly has cover portions or a frame that protect the optical waveguides in the optical waveguide assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems are for aligning a light projection engine (e.g., in a virtual reality headset) are described. An assembly for aligning the light projection engine includes a frame, an optical waveguide assembly; and the light projection engine. Embodiments include assemblies for aligning based on a pivot point, an optical axis, an X, a Y, and a Z axis, and with six degrees of freedom. In addition, an embodiment includes three planar joints that allow for alignment of the light projection engine.

Abstract: A method for producing levulinic acid from lignocellulosic biomass comprising hemicellulose including one or more six carbon chain compound precursors comprises the steps of hydrolyzing the lignocellulosic biomass to form a first phase comprising partially hydrolyzed lignocellulosic biomass including cellulose and lignin and a second phase comprising one or more five carbon chain sugars and one or more six carbon chain sugars from degradation of the hemicellulose, separating the first phase from the second phase, and converting at least a portion of the one or more six carbon chain sugars to levulinic acid.

Abstract: Techniques for light coupling are provided. Specifically, systems and methods to provide coupling of light emitted from one or more LEDs with light received by an optical fiber are presented.

Abstract: A method for producing levulinic acid from lignocellulosic biomass comprising hemicellulose including one or more six carbon chain compound precursors comprises the steps of hydrolyzing the lignocellulosic biomass to form a first phase comprising partially hydrolyzed lignocellulosic biomass including cellulose and lignin and a second phase comprising one or more five carbon chain sugars and one or more six carbon chain sugars from degradation of the hemicellulose, separating the first phase from the second phase, and converting at least a portion of the one or more six carbon chain sugars to levulinic acid.

Abstract: A housing containing a rotatable cage for rotatably supporting a spherical flow control valve having a vertically orientated open or filled conduit and an internal bottom weight mass centered on the vertical conduit. If the rotatable cage is tilted, the gravity-responsive bottom weight mass rotatably maintains the control valve conduit in a vertical orientation. If the cage is walled, the rotating cage wall will travel over the ends of an open conduit to form a seal, which effectively occludes any gas, liquid or electromagnetic beam flowing through the conduit. If the cage is open and rotatably supports the valve via annular supports, the rotating cage will interrupt an electromagnetic beam or electric current flow through the control valve conduit. The flow control valve may also have an extended open or filled conduit which may be provided with an additional weight mass, or a magnetic mass associated with a locking ring.

Abstract: A housing containing a rotatable cage for rotatably supporting a spherical flow control valve having a vertically orientated open or filled conduit and an internal bottom weight mass centered on the vertical conduit. If the rotatable cage is tilted, the gravity-responsive bottom weight mass rotatably maintains the control valve conduit in a vertical orientation. If the cage is walled, the rotating cage wall will travel over the ends of an open conduit to form a seal, which effectively occludes any gas, liquid or electromagnetic beam flowing through the conduit. If the cage is open and rotatably supports the valve via annular supports, the rotating cage will interrupt an electromagnetic beam or electric current flow through the control valve conduit. The flow control valve may also have an extended open or filled conduit which may be provided with an additional weight mass, or a magnetic mass associated with a locking ring.

Abstract: A multimodal pointer method, comprising an elongated, graspable, control shell (301) which has a rotatable, multi-axis control ball encoder (302) positioned so that it may be used in multiple modes, with a minimum of two function keys (307, 308) that can be used in all modes. The device may either be used at various orientations in-air, or be used in-air against a surface, or may be used downward on a side on a surface and used as a mouse, or be alternately used upward on a side as a trackball, and, in a preferred embodiment, may be used upright on its base (335), or on a cooperative static or dynamic, surface or suspension base stand (339, 338) which introduces other cooperative features.

Abstract: A small-scale portable recyclable fluid flushing method used for flushing irritants or inflammatory agents from the skin or eyes, or for flushing infectious debris from wounds. The invention is either made reusable or disposable, and typically comprises: a. a single or plurally chambered container with at least one flushing fluid chamber filled with an uncontaminated flushing fluid appropriate for the intended flushing procedure; b. a first outflow fluid conduit, e.g., a channel or tube, which transports uncontaminated fluid from the container flushing fluid chamber to a pump or impeller housing; c. a manual or electrically operated pump or impeller for transporting uncontaminated fluid through to a second outflow fluid conduit to a dispersal outlet or nozzle; d. a fluid runoff collector surrounding the dispersal outlet, or a catch basin situated below the dispersal outlet, either of which acts as a sump to capture the contaminated runoff fluid from the flushing procedure; e. a first drain fluid conduit; f.

Abstract: A small-scale portable recyclable fluid flushing method used for flushing irritants or inflammatory agents from the skin or eyes, or for flushing infectious debris from wounds. The invention is either made reusable or disposable, and typically comprises: a. a single or plurally chambered container with at least one flushing fluid chamber filled with an uncontaminated flushing fluid appropriate for the intended flushing procedure; b. a first outflow fluid conduit, e.g., a channel or tube, which transports uncontaminated fluid from the container flushing fluid chamber to a pump or impeller housing; c. a manual or electrically operated pump or impeller for transporting uncontaminated fluid through to a second outflow fluid conduit to a dispersal outlet or nozzle; d. a fluid runoff collector surrounding the dispersal outlet, or a catch basin situated below the dispersal outlet, either of which acts as a sump to capture the contaminated runoff fluid from the flushing procedure; e. a first drain fluid conduit; f.

Abstract: A multimodal pointer method, comprising an elongated, graspable, control shell (301) which has a rotatable, multi-axis control ball encoder (302) positioned so that it may be used in multiple modes, with a minimum of two function keys (307, 308) that can be used in all modes. The device may either be used at various orientations in-air, or be used in-air against a surface, or may be used downward on a side on a surface and used as a mouse, or be alternately used upward on a side as a trackball, and, in a preferred embodiment, may be used upright on its base (335), or on a cooperative static or dynamic, surface or suspension base stand (339, 338) which introduces other cooperative features.