Abstract: A stern drive is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The stern drive has an upper drive unit with a lower mounting surface; a lower gearcase coupled to the lower mounting surface and a trailing end surface that is angled relative to the lower mounting surface; and a propeller shaft extending forwardly from the lower gearcase and being configured to rotate a propeller for pulling the marine vessel in the water. The upper drive unit and the lower gearcase are configured such that when a forward side of the lower gearcase impacts an underwater obstruction, the lower gearcase is caused to pivot relative to the upper drive unit until the trailing end surface impacts the lower mounting surface, which thereby causes the lower gearcase to completely uncouple from the upper drive unit.

Abstract: A flux machine has plural coil assemblies and plural magnet sets arranged in mutual close proximity and circularly about a central axis. Either one of the coil assemblies and the magnet sets are supported by at least one axle which is aligned with the central axis, and either one of the coil assemblies and magnet sets executes rotary motion about the central axis when electrical current is present in the coil assemblies. Magnetic flux of the magnet sets is directed axially and radially while machine rotation is orthogonal to the direction of flux. A plurality of magnets in each magnet set are supported by one or another of a plurality of coaxially aligned axles so that the flux machine may operate as an electrical motor, as an electrical generator, or both at the same time.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage device comprises a housing having a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side; a first electrode disposed in the housing adjacent the first side; a second electrode disposed in the housing adjacent the second side; and an electrolyte mixture disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte mixture containing a plurality of ions. In an implementation, a channel disposed in the housing permits ions to flow adjacent to the first end and a barrier in the housing prevents ions from flowing adjacent to the second end. In another implementation, some of the ions are magnetic. In a further implementation, some of the ions have a greater density than other ions. Charging of the electrical energy storage device is enhanced by applying a magnetic field to the electrical energy storage device or rotating the device.

Abstract: A flux machine has plural coil assemblies and plural magnet sets arranged in mutual close proximity and circularly about a central axis. Either one of the coil assemblies and the magnet sets are supported by at least one axle which is aligned with the central axis, and either one of the coil assemblies and magnet sets executes rotary motion about the central axis when electrical current is present in the coil assemblies. Magnetic flux of the magnet sets is directed axially and radially while machine rotation is orthogonal to the direction of flux. A plurality of magnets in each magnet set are supported by one or another of a plurality of coaxially aligned axles so that the flux machine may operate as an electrical motor, as an electrical generator, or both at the same time.

Abstract: An electromagnetic machine includes a housing, an axle coupled to the housing in a rotatable fashion, a stator assembly disposed generally within the housing, the stator assembly including a stator plate and a stator bearing coupled to the axle such that the stator assembly is rotatable about the axle, a rotor assembly fixed to the axle and disposed generally within the housing and including a rotor housing that defines a circumferentially extending channel that is sized to receive a portion of the stator assembly therein; and a locking mechanism configured to selectively prevent and permit rotation of the stator assembly about the axle via the stator bearing. The housing can include an access window defined therein such that the stator assembly is accessible through the access window.

Abstract: An electromagnetic machine includes a housing, an axle coupled to the housing in a rotatable fashion, a stator assembly disposed generally within the housing, the stator assembly including a stator plate and a stator bearing coupled to the axle such that the stator assembly is rotatable about the axle, a rotor assembly fixed to the axle and disposed generally within the housing and including a rotor housing that defines a circumferentially extending channel that is sized to receive a portion of the stator assembly therein; and a locking mechanism configured to selectively prevent and permit rotation of the stator assembly about the axle via the stator bearing. The housing can include an access window defined therein such that the stator assembly is accessible through the access window.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage device comprises a housing having a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side; a first electrode disposed in the housing adjacent the first side; a second electrode disposed in the housing adjacent the second side; and an electrolyte mixture disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte mixture containing a plurality of ions. In an implementation, a channel disposed in the housing permits ions to flow adjacent to the first end and a barrier in the housing prevents ions from flowing adjacent to the second end. In another implementation, some of the ions are magnetic. In a further implementation, some of the ions have a greater density than other ions. Charging of the electrical energy storage device is enhanced by applying a magnetic field to the electrical energy storage device or rotating the device.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage device comprises a housing having a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side; a first electrode disposed in the housing adjacent the first side; a second electrode disposed in the housing adjacent the second side; and an electrolyte mixture disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte mixture containing a plurality of ions. In an implementation, a channel disposed in the housing permits ions to flow adjacent to the first end and a barrier in the housing prevents ions from flowing adjacent to the second end. In another implementation, some of the ions are magnetic. In a further implementation, some of the ions have a greater density than other ions. Charging of the electrical energy storage device is enhanced by applying a magnetic field to the electrical energy storage device or rotating the device.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage device comprises a housing having a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side; a first electrode disposed in the housing adjacent the first side; a second electrode disposed in the housing adjacent the second side; and an electrolyte mixture disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte mixture containing a plurality of ions. In an implementation, a channel disposed in the housing permits ions to flow adjacent to the first end and a barrier in the housing prevents ions from flowing adjacent to the second end. In another implementation, some of the ions are magnetic. In a further implementation, some of the ions have a greater density than other ions. Charging of the electrical energy storage device is enhanced by applying a magnetic field to the electrical energy storage device or rotating the device.

Abstract: An electromagnetic machine includes a housing, an axle coupled to the housing in a rotatable fashion, a stator assembly disposed generally within the housing, the stator assembly including a stator plate and a stator bearing coupled to the axle such that the stator assembly is rotatable about the axle, a rotor assembly fixed to the axle and disposed generally within the housing and including a rotor housing that defines a circumferentially extending channel that is sized to receive a portion of the stator assembly therein; and a locking mechanism configured to selectively prevent and permit rotation of the stator assembly about the axle via the stator bearing. The housing can include an access window defined therein such that the stator assembly is accessible through the access window.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for an automated system for generating one or more three dimensional (3D) images of a vehicle and/or a baseline image for that vehicle. The system may receive 3D images of a plurality of vehicles of a same type (e.g., same make, model, year, etc.) and generate a 3D image of a baseline vehicle for vehicles of that same type based on 3D images of the plurality of vehicles of the particular type. The system may use a 3D image of the baseline vehicle to determine a characteristic of another vehicle, such as a modification made to the vehicle, damage to the vehicle, cost to repair the vehicle or replace parts of the vehicle, a value of the vehicle, an insurance quote for the vehicle, etc. In some aspects, the 3D images may optionally comprise 3D point clouds, and 3D laser scanners may be used to capture 3D images of vehicles.

Abstract: A flux machine has plural coil assemblies and plural magnet sets arranged in mutual close proximity and circularly about a central axis. Either one of the coil assemblies and the magnet sets are supported by at least one axle which is aligned with the central axis, and either one of the coil assemblies and magnet sets executes rotary motion about the central axis when electrical current is present in the coil assemblies. Magnetic flux of the magnet sets is directed axially and radially while machine rotation is orthogonal to the direction of flux. A plurality of magnets in each magnet set are supported by one or another of a plurality of coaxially aligned axles so that the flux machine may operate as an electrical motor, as an electrical generator, or both at the same time.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for an automated system for generating one or more three dimensional (3D) images of a vehicle and/or a baseline image for that vehicle. The system may receive 3D images of a plurality of vehicles of a same type (e.g., same make, model, year, etc.) and generate a 3D image of a baseline vehicle for vehicles of that same type based on 3D images of the plurality of vehicles of the particular type. The system may use a 3D image of the baseline vehicle to determine a characteristic of another vehicle, such as a modification made to the vehicle, damage to the vehicle, cost to repair the vehicle or replace parts of the vehicle, a value of the vehicle, an insurance quote for the vehicle, etc. In some aspects, the 3D images may optionally comprise 3D point clouds, and 3D laser scanners may be used to capture 3D images of vehicles.

Abstract: In the present invention, a procedure is described which allows for the efficient delivery of gene and cell based vaccines to the rectal mucosal tissue, and which results in efficient and prolonged transferred gene expression in the mucosal tissue resulting in a potent local mucosal immune response directed against the antigen encoded by the administered nucleic acid. This invention provides a unique and potent approach for the development of vaccines and vaccination strategies to develop mucosal immune protective responses in the lower GI and GU tract in the prevention and/or treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and other conditions. This approach also provides a means for the successful transfer of genetic material in gene therapy approaches in the treatment or prevention of colonic diseases.

Abstract: An ultrasonic circulating air brush scrubber with a supply of scrubbing liquid in finely dispersed form in the intake air stream, and a high-voltage ionizer, includes at least one circular brush downstream of the ionizer. The brush is driven at high speed and is at the opposite potential from the ionized air stream. The circulating air scrubber provides a high degree of cleaning action for particle sizes down to below 1 .mu.m., low consumption of scrubbing liquid and dries the air on the output side.

Abstract: Electrolytic filter press cell frames are provided with a polymeric protective covering which is either directly laminated thereonto or otherwise secured thereto. The protective covering is, preferably, a fluorinated hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Brine from a conventional treatment process is pre-filtered prior to the electrolysis of same by a method which includes the steps of: (a) heating the brine, (b) adding sodium carbonate thereto, (c) stirring the solution, (d) allowing the solution to settle, and (e) passing the solution through an absolute membrane filter. The filter "polishes" the brine feed by removing the high hardness ions.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a plurality of filter press diaphragms at any one time is disclosed herein. In one form of the invention the apparatus includes a sealed housing containing a plurality of sealed modules fed from a common header, to produce the diaphragms batch-wise. In another form of the invention, an indexing table is employed to produce the diaphragms continuously.

Abstract: An end connector for a filter press cell disassociates the mechanical sealing function from the primary electrical connection. The connector includes a boss extension having an aperture formed therein for tightening the connector between the boss and boss extension. The present invention is adaptable for use as an end connector for either the anode or the cathode.