Abstract: Delivery apparatus and methods for delivering a medical device into a patient's vasculature are disclosed. In some examples, a method includes inserting, into a patient, a distal end portion of a delivery apparatus including a radially compressed prosthetic valve mounted around a balloon, advancing the distal end through the patient's vasculature, and inflating the balloon to radially expand the prosthetic valve at a native heart valve. The delivery apparatus includes a handle, a first shaft and a second shaft extending from the handle, and a locking mechanism to prevent axial movement of the second shaft relative to first shaft. The second shaft extends coaxially through the first shaft and includes the balloon, the radially compressed prosthetic valve, and one or more radiopaque markers at a distal end portion. The first shaft includes an end piece covering a proximal portion of the balloon during the advancing of the delivery apparatus.

Abstract: A cleaner assembly for an apparatus for making pouch products includes a cleaner roller and a poker roller. The cleaner roller may counter rotate with a rotatable drum of the apparatus, in contact with an upper surface of a first elastic layer on the rotatable drum, and at a greater tangential speed than at least one surface of an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable drum or an upper surface of the first elastic layer. The poker roller includes projections that are each configured to extend into one or more divots of the rotatable drum. The poker roller may counter rotate with the rotatable drum and at a same tangential speed as the at least one surface such that the projections extend into and out of separate, respective divots of the rotatable drum based on the counter rotation of the poker roller and the rotatable drum.

Abstract: A power generation system anchored to a hydraulic arm, capable of pivoting up or down to optimize power generation based upon the present conditions of the flowing body of water. The turbines are augmented by diffusers to improve fluid flow and power generation. The overall design is easily built, installed, and maintained, providing easy power to homes without a need to connect to a public grid, and safety measures are affixed to prevent undesired items from entering the turbine propellers.

Abstract: An electrical power generation system comprising a tube comprising a plurality of upper curves and a plurality of lower curves and forming a loop, the upper curves located at a higher vertical height than the lower curves and a plurality of electric generators external to the tube, each electric generator comprising a generator wheel having a magnet thereon, the plurality of electric generators positioned proximal to an external wall of the tube and electrically connected to a power grid. A plurality of buoyant torpedoes comprising a magnet travels through the tube and turns the wheel of the electric generator in response to the magnetic interaction between the magnet on the torpedo and the magnet on the generator wheel. At least a portion of the plurality of lower curves of the tube may comprise a check valve.

Abstract: An electrical power generation system comprising a tube comprising a plurality of upper curves and a plurality of lower curves and forming a loop, the upper curves located at a higher vertical height than the lower curves and a plurality of electric generators external to the tube, each electric generator comprising a generator wheel having a magnet thereon, the plurality of electric generators positioned proximal to an external wall of the tube and electrically connected to a power grid. A plurality of buoyant torpedoes comprising a magnet travels through the tube and turns the wheel of the electric generator in response to the magnetic interaction between the magnet on the torpedo and the magnet on the generator wheel. At least a portion of the plurality of lower curves of the tube may comprise a check valve.

Abstract: An electrical power generation system comprising a tube forming a loop, a plurality of electric generators external to the tube, each electric generator comprising a wheel having a magnet thereon, the plurality of electric generators positioned proximal to an external wall of the tube and electrically connected to a power grid; and a plurality of buoyant torpedoes, each torpedo comprising a magnet, the torpedoes configured to travel through the tube. One or more check valves and/or grates are located at least at a top or a bottom portion of the loop. The torpedoes are configured to float to the top of the loop due to their buoyancy. External energy must be applied to the system to open and close the check valves and/or grates.

Abstract: A terminal contact assembly is provided for hermetically sealing the interior and the exterior of an electronic device. The terminal contact assembly includes a terminal contact extending through an opening in the housing of the electronic device. The terminal contact has an inner end within the interior of the electronic device and an outer end. A deformable seal is positioned about the terminal contact within the opening through the housing. An inner insulator is positioned within the interior of the electronic device adjacent the inner surface thereof and an outer insulator is positioned about the terminal contact adjacent the outer surface of the housing. A torque generating structure generates a deformable force on the seal such that the seal seals the opening through the housing.

Abstract: A terminal contact assembly is provided for hermetically sealing the interior and the exterior of an electronic device. The terminal contact assembly includes a terminal contact extending through an opening in the housing of the electronic device. The terminal contact has an inner end within the interior of the electronic device and an outer end. A deformable seal is positioned about the terminal contact within the opening through the housing. An inner insulator is positioned within the interior of the electronic device adjacent the inner surface thereof and an outer insulator is positioned about the terminal contact adjacent the outer surface of the housing. A torque generating structure generates a deformable force on the seal such that the seal seals the opening through the housing.

Abstract: A printed circuit board connector edge tab design has increased tab contact area with a large local capacitance at the connector interface. This serves to balance out the inductive effects of the connector and results in a lower overall channel impedance at the interface. The invention replaces the prior art plated pathway to the upper row of tabs with wider tabs on the lower row. The edges of the lower row tabs are spaced such that each of the connector pins destined for the upper row straddle two of the lower tabs as they travel upward. This design prevents the pins from contacting the fiberglass substrate of the board while it traverses the lower row of tabs. The absence of the prior art plated pathways allows each of the lower row tabs to be expanded into the space formerly occupied by the pathways. This design also allows the increased capacitive area of the edge tabs to be located in very close proximity to the connection area between the connector pins and the edge tabs.

Abstract: A plug ejector comprises a solenoid incorporated into an electrical plug. An adapter plugs into a wall socket and presents an adapter socket for receiving the plug. Upon activation by a remote switch, the solenoid projects its armature to react against the adapter socket to eject the plug. The plug may be incorporated into an appliance cord, or an extension cord. The plug may incorporate a GFI protector, or a vibration sensor. Another embodiment utilizes an appliance's on-off switch to operate the ejector.

Abstract: The resistivity properties of an edible base liquid, e.g., a vegetable oil or fluid fat, can be modified by the addition of certain flavoring, coloring, or stabilizing agents such as antioxidants, and if necessary or desirable also an organic diluent, so as to provide an edible liquid flavoring, coloring, or stabilizing composition which is suitable for electrostatic charging and deposition upon an edible food substrate in a uniform and controlled manner.

Abstract: A method for assembling a rotary ball valve assembly utilizes an axially directed compressive force to urge an annular seal into sealing engagement with a rotatable ball and, while the compressive force is applied, inwardly deforming a tubular member attached to the housing by an electromagnetic force to form an annular abutment retaining said rotatable ball in said tubular member.

Abstract: A rotary ball valve assembly and method for forming utilizes a compression spring subjected to a non-torsional, axially directed compressive force to urge an annular seal into sealing engagement with a rotatable ball and, while so subjected, inwardly deforming a tubular member attached to the housing by an electromagnetic force to form an annular abutment retaining said compression spring.

Abstract: A process of using fast pyrolysis in a carrier gas to convert a plastic waste feedstream having a mixed polymeric composition in a manner such that pyrolysis of a given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent occurs prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein comprising: selecting a first temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other plastic components; selecting a catalyst and support for treating said feed streams with said catalyst to effect acid or base catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of said high value monomeric constituent in said temperature program range; differentially heating said feed stream at a heat rate within the first temperature program range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of optimum quantities of the high value monomeric constituent prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components; separating th

Abstract: A rotary ball valve assembly and method for forming utilizes a compression spring subjected to a non-torsional, axially directed compressive force to urge an annular seal into sealing engagement with a rotatable ball and, while so subjected, inwardly deforming a tubular member attached to the housing by an electromagnetic force to form an annular abutment retaining said compression spring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains which have improved temperature tolerance and/or keeping quality. An example of such a strain has been designated YTTS and deposited AGAL and accorded accession No. N93/10504.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an integral bi-directional flow control valve. The valve includes a housing that defines a passageway for the flow of a fluid in a first direction and a second direction. The housing defines a phase change chamber in the passageway. A first restrictor having a first bore is positioned in the passageway adjacent the phase change chamber. The bore has a volume less than the volume of the chamber. As the fluid flows through the bore in the first direction into the chamber, the fluid changes from a liquid to a gas as it exits the bore. The gas continues to flow through the passageway. A second restrictor having a second bore is positioned in the passageway adjacent the chamber and opposed to the first restrictor. The second restrictor includes a second bore having a volume less than the volume of the chamber. The second bore can be the same size as the first bore or a different size depending on the application.

Abstract: A process for conversion of a feedstock selected from the group consisting of biomass and refuse derived fuel (RDF) to provide reformulated gasoline components comprising a substantial amount of materials selected from the group consisting of ethers, alcohols, or mixtures thereof, comprising: drying said feedstock; subjecting said dried feedstock to fast pyrolysis using a vortex reactor or other means; catalytically cracking vapors resulting from said pyrolysis using a zeolite catalyst; condensing any aromatic byproduct fraction; catalytically alkylating any benzene present in said vapors after condensation; catalytically oligomerizing any remaining ethylene and propylene to higher olefins; isomerizing said olefins to reactive iso-olefins; and catalytically reacting said iso-olefins with an alcohol to form ethers or with water to form alcohols.

Abstract: A process of pyrolyzing plastic waste feed streams containing polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene and polyethylene to recover polystyrene HCl and terephthalic acid comprising: heating the plastic waste feed stream to a first temperature; adding an acid or base catalyst on an oxide or carbonate support; heating the plastic waste feed stream to pyrolyze polyethylene terephthalate and polyvinyl chloride; separating terephthalic acid or HCl; heating to a second temperature to pyrolyze polystyrene; separating styrene; heating the waste feed stream to a third temperature to pyrolyze polyethylene; and separating hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process of using fast pyrolysis in a carrier gas to convert a polystyrene and polyphenylene oxide plastic waste to a given polystyrene and polyphenylene oxide prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein comprising:selecting a first temperature range to cause pyrolysis of given polystyrene and polyphenylene oxide and its high value monomeric constituent prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other plastic components;selecting a catalyst and a support and treating the feed stream with the catalyst to affect acid or base catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of high value monomeric constituent of styrene from polystyrene and polyphenylene oxide in the first temperature range;differentially heating the feed stream at a heat rate within the first temperature range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of the high value monomeric constituent of styrene from polystyrene and polyphenylene oxide prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components;