Abstract: A heart valve replacement device and methods of manufacturing same are provided. The heart valve replacement device includes a substrate and a low-profile composite covering in conformal contact with the substrate and suturelessly attached to the substrate. The low-profile composite covering includes a textile base layer and a thermoplastic polymer coating integrated with the textile base layer. The thermoplastic polymer coating or select portions thereof are substantially fluid impermeable.

Abstract: A recovery system is provided to recover energy from heat. In an embodiment, the system includes an evaporator to receive a flow of natural gas at a first temperature and output the flow at a second, lower temperature. The evaporator may receive a flow of cooling media to cool the natural gas and output a flow of heated cooling media. The system may further include: a heat-to-mechanical energy converter coupled to the evaporator to receive the flow of heated cooling media and to output first cooled cooling media; an induction generator coupled to be driven by the heat-to-mechanical energy converter; a medium voltage drive coupled to receive power from the induction generator and to condition the power for output to an electrical distribution system; and a condenser to condense the first cooled cooling media to provide the flow of cooling media to the evaporator.

Abstract: A recovery system is provided to recover energy from heat. In an embodiment, the system includes an evaporator to receive a flow of natural gas at a first temperature and output the flow at a second, lower temperature. The evaporator may receive a flow of cooling media to cool the natural gas and output a flow of heated cooling media. The system may further include: a heat-to-mechanical energy converter coupled to the evaporator to receive the flow of heated cooling media and to output first cooled cooling media; an induction generator coupled to be driven by the heat-to-mechanical energy converter; a medium voltage drive coupled to receive power from the induction generator and to condition the power for output to an electrical distribution system; and a condenser to condense the first cooled cooling media to provide the flow of cooling media to the evaporator.

Abstract: A recovery system is provided to recover energy from heat. In an embodiment, the system includes an evaporator to receive a flow of natural gas at a first temperature and output the flow at a second, lower temperature. The evaporator may receive a flow of cooling media to cool the natural gas and output a flow of heated cooling media. The system may further include: a heat-to-mechanical energy converter coupled to the evaporator to receive the flow of heated cooling media and to output first cooled cooling media; an induction generator coupled to be driven by the heat-to-mechanical energy converter; a medium voltage drive coupled to receive power from the induction generator and to condition the power for output to an electrical distribution system; and a condenser to condense the first cooled cooling media to provide the flow of cooling media to the evaporator.

Abstract: A recovery system is provided to recover energy from heat. In an embodiment, the system includes an evaporator to receive a flow of natural gas at a first temperature and output the flow at a second, lower temperature. The evaporator may receive a flow of cooling media to cool the natural gas and output a flow of heated cooling media. The system may further include: a heat-to-mechanical energy converter coupled to the evaporator to receive the flow of heated cooling media and to output first cooled cooling media; an induction generator coupled to be driven by the heat-to-mechanical energy converter; a medium voltage drive coupled to receive power from the induction generator and to condition the power for output to an electrical distribution system; and a condenser to condense the first cooled cooling media to provide the flow of cooling media to the evaporator.

Abstract: A method and system according to the present invention provide integrated virtual asset management and publishing capabilities via a Rich user client interface. The client user, via a Rich user client interface, communicates with a central application server to store and manage creative assets or works, and to publish those works to other end users. The user interaction is conducted within a single instance of a Web browser session.

Abstract: A computer based system for selecting digital media frames is capable of predicting the frames that are to be subject to a subsequent action. The subsequent action could be the selection of the predicted frames for inclusion to create a new set of frames consisting of the selected frames; it could also be the selection of the predicted frames for exclusion to create a new set of frames consisting of the frames but now excluding the selected frames. Because the system automatically predicts the frames that are, for example, to be included or excluded in a new clip, this removes the need for the user to manually define start and end frames. Instead, the user merely has to accept the predicted frames or refine the predicted selection. This is far quicker and requires less complex user interaction; these are very important advantages for a system designed for ordinary consumers, as opposed to professional audio or video editors.

Abstract: A method and system according to the present invention provide integrated virtual asset management and publishing capabilities via a Rich user client interface. The client user, via a Rich user client interface, communicates with a central application server to store and manage creative assets or works, and to publish those works to other end users. The user interaction is conducted within a single instance of a Web browser session.

Abstract: A device for effecting heat transfer from a first fluid medium to a second fluid medium and for enhancing mixing and uniform distribution of the second fluid medium within the confines of a conduit. The device includes providing a core pipe for receiving the first fluid medium and a series of helically wound tubes in fluid communication with the core pipe along the longitudinal axis of the conduit. The second fluid passes within the conduit and is mixed by virtue of the static mixing effect of the helically wound tubes and engages in heat transfer as a result of the intimate contact between the second fluid, the core pipe and the helically wound tubes.

Abstract: A device for the injection and mixing of steam into a tank containing a fluid such as water. A primary steam conduit receives steam and discharges it into a plurality of secondary steam conduits. The primary steam conduit is provided with at least one mixing element for inducing an angular velocity to the steam passing through it. A plurality of secondary steam conduits are provided for receiving steam from the primary steam conduit and for discharging steam into the fluid contained in the tank. Each secondary steam conduit is also provided with at least one mixing element proximate the discharge ends of the secondary steam conduits wherein all such mixing elements induce a rotational angular velocity to the steam.

Abstract: A desuperheater for reducing the superheated state of steam located within a cylindrically-shaped conduit. The desuperheater injects water droplets counter to the direction of moving superheated steam within the conduit. Downstream of the water droplet outlet is a biscuit which is aligned along the longitudinal axis of the conduit to provide a series of separate mixing elements all inducing the same rotational sign to fluids passing therethrough.

Abstract: A stationary material mixing apparatus located within a conduit for mixing a low viscosity additive into a high viscosity moving stream. The apparatus includes a baffle which supports a plurality of coplanar passageways and, at mid-circle points between the passageways, a plurality of coplanar additive fluid ports.

Abstract: A device for enhancing the mixing and uniform distribution of fluids within a conduit. The device includes a core pipe which can optionally receive a first fluid and series of helically wound vanes wrapped about the core pipe employing the core pipe as a mandrel. Fluids entering the conduit are mixed by virtue of passing over and about the helically wound vanes while heat transfer can be effected by heat passing between the mandrel and the fluid passing over the vanes. Ideally, the vanes are wrapped about the mandrel at an angle of approximately 45.degree. thereto and adjacent layers of vanes are wrapped about the mandrel at opposite signs so that interstices are ideally created between vanes of approximately 90.degree..

Abstract: A steam injection heater for liquids. The liquids are carried by a conduit characterized as having an upstream end, downstream, substantially circular cross-section and tapered section. A steam inlet pipe is caused to pass through a side wall of the conduit for injecting steam at its outlet proximate the longitudinal axis of the conduit upstream with the tapered section. The steam inlet pipe further includes a mixing element of a configuration to cause steam emanating from the steam inlet pipe to enter the conduit as a rotating cone of steam for efficiently transferring heat energy from the steam to the moving stream of liquids.

Abstract: A stationary material mixing apparatus for mixing various components in a fluid stream. The mixing apparatus is in the form of a cone-shaped module containing a plurality of openings therethrough where within the openings are located mixing elements which induce a rotational angular velocity to the fluid stream. As preferred embodiments, the mixing apparatus, located within a conduit, can also contain a biscuit with further mixing elements and a series of either helically wound tubes or vanes further enhancing the mixing operation.

Abstract: A device for distilling a liquid feed which includes a core pipe and a first fluid in a series of helically wound tubes or vanes employing the core pipe as a mandrel. The liquid to be distilled passes over a series of interstices which are created by the helically wound tubes or vanes and a distillate recovered as a consequence.

Abstract: A device for mixing two or more fluids which includes an elongated hollow tubular member having a longitudinal axis which is constricted intermediate its ends. The constriction includes at least two orifices carrying a first fluid which are situated and sized within the hollow tubular member so that the orifices have a point of substantial mutual tangency. A fluid entry port is provided for discharging a second fluid at a point substantially coincident with the point of substantial mutual tangency of the orifices. The fluid entry port for discharging the second fluid is a second fluid discharge tube located at the point of substantial mutual tangency.

Abstract: A stationary material mixing apparatus in the shape of a cylindrical conduit being open at both ends. The conduit houses a plurality of mixing elements which are characterized as having no edges perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and which are sized and positioned within the conduit such that at any plane passing perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, at least 75% of the circumference of the conduit is free of any mixing element.

Abstract: A mixing device for the mixing of two or more liquids. A shell body is configured with a cavity having a longitudinal axis and circular cross-section which rotatably houses a shaft. The shaft is configured along a portion of its surface with grooves for receiving liquids to be mixed from inlets located within the shell body. A narrow annular gap region is formed between the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the internal cavity in that portion of the shaft containing the slotted grooves.