Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for dynamic stabilization of bones, and especially of vertebra. Disclosed herein are bushings that permit axial movement of a rod, tether, or similar interconnection device relative to an anchoring head that is coupled to a bone. Some bushings further allow lateral relative movement or rotational relative movement, such additional relative movement being limited by the size and shape of the bushing, the size and shape of the interconnection device, the size and shape of the bushing container, the manner of attaching the anchoring head to the bone, or other considerations.

Abstract: A high voltage connector assembly includes a plurality of pin assemblies, each of the plurality of pin assemblies having a first end and a second end. The first end of each of the plurality of pin assemblies is configured to releasably electrically engage a load board. A plurality of pin pads, wherein the second end of each of the plurality of pin assemblies is configured to electrically engage a pin pad included within the plurality of pin pads. A plurality of connector pads are electrically coupled to the plurality of pin pads, wherein each of the plurality of connector pads is configured to be electrically coupled to a wire-based conductor included within a plurality of wire-based conductors. A potting compound is configured to encapsulate the plurality of connector pads.

Abstract: A high voltage connector assembly includes a plurality of pin assemblies, each of the plurality of pin assemblies having a first end and a second end. The first end of each of the plurality of pin assemblies is configured to releasably electrically engage a load board. A plurality of pin pads, wherein the second end of each of the plurality of pin assemblies is configured to electrically engage a pin pad included within the plurality of pin pads. A plurality of connector pads are electrically coupled to the plurality of pin pads, wherein each of the plurality of connector pads is configured to be electrically coupled to a wire-based conductor included within a plurality of wire-based conductors. A potting compound is configured to encapsulate the plurality of connector pads.

Abstract: A system for stabilization of the spinal column, including an elongate support member extending along an axis and a plurality of anchor members configured for anchoring to respective vertebrae. A first of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that substantially prevents axial movement of the support member relative to the first anchor member, and a second of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that allows substantially unconstrained axial movement of the support member relative to the second anchor member. In a further embodiment, a third of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that also allows substantially unconstrained axial movement of the support member relative to the third anchor member, with the second and third anchor members positioned on opposite sides of the first anchor member.

Abstract: A system for stabilization of the spinal column, including an elongate support member extending along an axis and a plurality of anchor members configured for anchoring to respective vertebrae. A first of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that substantially prevents axial movement of the support member relative to the first anchor member, and a second of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that allows substantially unconstrained axial movement of the support member relative to the second anchor member. In a further embodiment, a third of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that also allows substantially unconstrained axial movement of the support member relative to the third anchor member, with the second and third anchor members positioned on opposite sides of the first anchor member.

Abstract: A system for stabilization of the spinal column, including an elongate support member extending along an axis and a plurality of anchor members configured for anchoring to respective vertebrae. A first of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that substantially prevents axial movement of the support member relative to the first anchor member, and a second of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that allows substantially unconstrained axial movement of the support member relative to the second anchor member. In a further embodiment, a third of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that also allows substantially unconstrained axial movement of the support member relative to the third anchor member, with the second and third anchor members positioned on opposite sides of the first anchor member.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) includes multiple elevator cars (22, 32) within a hoistway (26). Counterweights (24, 34) are associated with the respective elevator cars (22, 32). Frangible buffers (40, 38) are associated with at least one of the elevator cars (22, 32), the counterweights (24, 34) or both. In a disclosed example, buffer activators (42, 39) operate to break at least a frangible portion of the frangible buffers (40, 38) to dissipate energy associated with a collision or near collision between the elevator cars (22, 32) or the counterweights (24, 34).

Abstract: A pair of identical pressure applying members for use in treating pain in the sciatic nerve of a person, the members each consisting of a cylindrical bottom section and a conical top section extending upwardly from the top of the cylindrical section. The height of each member is about two and one half inches with the diameter being about two and one quarter inches and with the height of the bottom section being about one quarter of the height of the member. The members are adapted to be placed under a person lying on a flat horizontal surface with one member under the buttock of the person on the side of the person where the pain is and the other member under the knee of the person on the same side.

Abstract: A back spasm relieving device has a narrow torso encircling belt, the belt having cooperating, adjustable, fastening means to fasten the belt about a torso. The device includes a pair of conical shaped pressure applying members each having a base and a rounded end. There are receiving means on the inner surface of the belt about midway along the length of the belt for receiving the pressure applying members with their bases adjacent the inner surface of the belt. The pressure applying members are held side-by-side on the belt by the receiving means. A person, with back spasms, wraps the belt about his torso and secures it tightly with the tips of the cones located on either side of the spine and pressing into the person's body in the vicinity of the spasms. The person can lay down on the floor to have his weight press the members into his body to relieve the spasms.

Abstract: A system for stabilization of the spinal column, including an elongate support member extending along an axis and a plurality of anchor members configured for anchoring to respective vertebrae. A first of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that substantially prevents axial movement of the support member relative to the first anchor member, and a second of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that allows substantially unconstrained axial movement of the support member relative to the second anchor member. In a further embodiment, a third of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that also allows substantially unconstrained axial movement of the support member relative to the third anchor member, with the second and third anchor members positioned on opposite sides of the first anchor member.

Abstract: The present invention consists of an improved method and apparatus to upgrade bitumen in various forms which comprises four main components; namely, a fractionator equipped with a condenser, a heavy gas oil catalytic treater, a catalyst regenerator/gasifier and a gas cleanup assembly. In operation, the bitumen in liquid form is fed to the fractionator for initial separation of fractions with the bulk of the bitumen leaving the bottom of the fractionator in the form of a heavy gas oil which is pumped to the catalytic treater and sprayed on a hot catalyst to crack the heavy gas oil (an endothermic reaction) to release lighter hydrocarbons in the form of H2 rich volatile matter while depositing carbon on the catalyst. The volatile matter from the treater is directed to the fractionator where the condensable fractions are separated from the non-condensable H2 rich gas, a valuable primary gas.

Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter sensor capable of handling large mass flow rates and having a reduced flag dimension. In order to have a reduced flag dimension, each of the flow tubes forms a semicircle between an inlet and an outlet. Brace bars, connected to the flow tubes proximate the inlet and outlet, separate the frequencies of vibration in the flow tubes. Pick-offs are positioned on the flow tubes at a position that allows the pickoffs to maximize detection of low amplitude, high frequency vibrations of the flow tubes required to have a reduced flag dimension.

Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter sensor capable of handling large mass flow rates and having a reduced flag dimension. In order to have a reduced flag dimension, the flow tubes are formed to have a substantially semicircular arc between an inlet and an outlet. Brace bars connected to the flow tube proximate, the inlet and outlet, separate the frequencies of vibration in the flow tubes. Pick-off sensors are positioned upon the substantially semicircular arc of the flow tube at a position that allow the sensors to maximize detection of low amplitude, high frequency vibrations of the flow tubes required to have a reduced flag dimension.

Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter sensor having a reduced flag dimension. In order to have a reduced flag dimension, the entire length of the flow tubes must vibrate to make the flowmeter sensor more sensitive to Coriolis effects. When the entire length of the flow tubes vibrate, a first set of brace bars connected to the flow tube separates the frequencies of vibration in the flow tubes. A second set of brace bars connected to the flow tubes enhances the zero stability of the flowmeter.

Abstract: A system enclosing a Coriolis flowmeter in a explosion proof housing. The explosion proof housing is structured in a way that the housing can withstand an explosion of volatile material inside the housing. The explosion proof housing prevents sparks and heat inside the housing from igniting volatile material outside the housing. Any gaps or openings in the explosion proof housing provide a flame path of sufficient length to cool a flame or hot material escaping from the housing. The use of the secondary housing as an explosion proof compartment allows the use of a driver having greater power as well as conventional leads inside the housing.

Abstract: A drive system for use in a temperature environment. The drive system is made of materials that can withstand high temperatures without degrading. There are no plastics or epoxy adhesives used in this drive system. The drive system is also made more efficient by placing the drive system on a flow tube outside of a loop in the flow tube between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A flotation dryer nozzle in which respective outer narrow nozzle openings are formed at the edges of the side of the nozzle facing the web to be dried and respective wider nozzle openings are formed in the nozzle side facing the web inwardly of the narrow nozzle openings and in which respective pressure reduction regions are formed between the inside of the nozzle body and the wider nozzle openings.

Abstract: In a peripheral exhaust system for a high velocity dryer having dryer hood sections and respective supply and removal ducts associated with each section through which recirculating air used for drying is carried to and away from the sections, auxiliary exhaust ducts formed along the periphery of the sections adapted to receive a portion of the hot air used for drying that would otherwise enter the area surrounding the dryer hood and a portion of the cold air from the surrounding area that would otherwise enter the dryer hood. The exhaust ducts are connected by blowers to ducts which remove the air to a location remote from the web.