Abstract: A power-recapture method and system converts mechanical energy, which would otherwise be dissipated, into available electrical energy. A plurality of computer-coordinated Electric Generators are arranged with salient sensors that detect appropriate motion then adjust the phasing and intensity of electromagnets of the Electric Generator to optimally convert variable mechanical motion into electric current.

Abstract: A porous metal article having a predetermined pore structure. The porosity is provided by the use of an extractable particulate in a powder forming route to create a desired porosity. Extraction of the pore forming particulate prior to sintering of the powder minimizes contamination of the sintered article and allows for the processing of material sensitive to contamination such as titanium. Added functionality can be gained by co-forming the porous material with non-porous material to create an article with layers of differing characteristics. The article is suitable for use as an implant body is porous enough to facilitate tissue in-growth and bony fusion.

Abstract: The present invention incorporates electronic components into an electronic core structure that may be readily hot laminated by existing processes. The structure may include multiple desired electronic components, such as a display, battery or other power source, integrated circuits, switches, magnetic stripe emulator, antenna, smart chips or other input devices. The structure includes laminated buffer layers to bridge layers and compensate for variation in electronic component dimensions. The structure may also incorporate battery packaging as part of the core layer structure and use printed electronic circuitry as part of the electronic core layers to impart the desired characteristics. A variety of components may be incorporated in the structure.

Abstract: Multiphase polymeric binders for binder assisted forming of sinterable powder bodies are formulated to demonstrate improved rheological properties in the form of newtonion or near newtonion flow behavior thereby reducing dependence of binder viscosity on shear by tailoring the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the polymeric binder phases and the resulting polymer admixtures of the invention demonstrate shear rate independent behavior. Reduction of interfacial tension between binder phases by introduction of at least one macromolecule with separate segments selected to be compatible with the individual phases of the binder further increases processing performance as does use of polymer macromolecules having attributes that allow them to act as surface active materials at the interface of the sinterable powder and the multiphase binder composition. Predispersion of the surface active materials in the powder is facilitated by emulsification thereof in water prior to admixture with the powder.

Abstract: A seal assembly with an accumulator ring for protecting a seal from explosive decompression is disclosed. The accumulator ring and the seal are contained within a seal gland. The seal is made of a material that is susceptible to damage from explosive decompression. When exposed to a high-pressure fluid environment, the accumulator ring fills with a quantity of high-pressure fluid, either by permeation if it is solid or by permeation and/or vents and/or channels leading to a void if it is hollow. During an explosive decompression event, the accumulator ring expands to fill the remaining volume of the seal gland. Then, the accumulator ring exerts an axial compressive or supporting force on the seal for a sufficient amount of time to allow the seal to expel fluid contained in it and minimize the effects of explosive decompression thereto.

Abstract: A color selection mechanism for an integrated color selecting and blending system utilizes a disc having a flat surface with an axial projection therefrom for connection to an airbrush in order to supply selected color paint under regulated air pressure from a group of bottles storing different colors of paint. An opening in a convex surface of the disc opposite the flat surface thereof at a predetermined radial distance from the axis of the projection is connected by a slant bore to the axial projection for passing paint under pressure to an airbrush. A cylindrical block having a concave surface for a tight matching fit with the convex surface of the disc has bores parallel to its axis at the predetermined radial distance. By turning the cylindrical block on its axis, the parallel bores, to which the paint tubes are connected, can be individually selected to supply paint by aligning any one of those bores with the slant bore opening of the convex surface of the disc.

Abstract: Contaiminated hydrogen gas from a catalytic steam reformer is purified by passing it through a membrane assembly having a metallic membrane sealed between two tubular stainless steel members having perforations (or being formed as screen or mesh) and having an encapsulating chamber around it. Pressure regulating valve means in recycle path of residual gas flowing out of the membrane assembly maintains a constant pressure of contaminated hydrogen gas in the membrane assembly. The purified hydrogen gas may be further purified, if needed, by directing the purified hydrogen gas out of a side tube of the chamber through a second encapsulated membrane assembly that is a replica of the first encapsulated membrane assembly. A directional valve may be selectively set to recycle residual gas out of the first membrane assembly until it is virtually free of hydrogen. Residual gas out of the second membrane assembly approaches being 100% free of hydrogen and may always be exhausted to a burner.

Abstract: An input/output (I/O) module has a programmable memory having a first memory address for receiving a module number and a second memory address for receiving a signal direction indicator. The I/O module is for use with a programmable controller system having a master controller serially connected to a plurality of I/O modules. The I/O module has a signal line operatively coupled with the memory. The signal line has a pair of inputs. Both inputs are configured and adapted for receiving a module number signal across a line connected therewith. The other one of the inputs will then propagate the module number signal downstream. A logic circuit sets the second memory address with the signal direction indicator corresponding to the module number signal being received by a particular one of the inputs.

Abstract: A new lossless switching DC-to-DC converter with novel lossless switching time control for up to four controllable switches, with each switch meeting the specific current-voltage switching characteristics, operates at ultra high efficiency in a very compact size and offers additional performance advantages, such as low EMI noise, low switching ripple currents, and improved reliability.

Abstract: An improved ball-and-socket joint for use with dental model articulators of a vertex type comprising two brackets hinged together at one end and each connected at the other end by a ball-and-socket joint to a separate one of two stone plates bearing dental castings. The ball-and-socket joints have releasable mechanical means for affixing the ball in the socket after the plates have been aligned for bite and occlusal fit between the dental castings. Affixing the ball in a socket is achieved by mechanically adjusting the diameter of one relative to the other of the socket and the ball to create a friction force that affixes the ball in the socket. In one embodiment, the mechanical means comprises a C-clamp having a concave band with a cross-sectional diameter substantially equal to the ball diameter and a gap to allow the ball to be snap-fit into the C-clamp.

Abstract: A fluid pump (10) has a body housing (14) a fluid pumping chamber having a rotatable pumping member (16), a drive shaft (12) which passes through an aperture in the body into the pumping chamber to effect rotation of the pumping member in use, a seal (18) between the pump body and drive shaft to inhibit fluid moving along the shaft out of the pumping chamber, and a dividing shroud (32) operably located between the seal and the rotatable pumping member to divide the fluid pumping chamber (30) between the seal and the rotatable pumping member.

Abstract: Soft switching DC-to-DC converter operates at record high efficiency despite its small size and weight and ultra high overload current capability of several times the nominal load current. Such performance is made possible by use of unique magnetic and switching circuits with special properties. Other desirable performance features are provided concurrently such as: zero ripple current on input and output, low conducted and radiated Electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise, as well as low component stresses for increased converter reliability.

Abstract: A self-contained, hand-held electronic stethoscope including built-in chestpiece, speaker and visual monitor, includes a memory containing prerecorded heart and lung sounds along with a brief description of the malady producing the sounds so that the technician may compare the actual sounds with the prerecorded sounds and observe a suggested diagnosis on the monitor.

Abstract: A new switching converter operates at record high efficiency despite its small size and light weight and enables ultra high overload current capability owing to two novel methods: new Lossless Switching method eliminates switching losses by use of a precise sequence and timing of the four controllable switches, while novel DC Transformer structure provides a method to eliminate the stored DC energy in magnetics, which further increases efficiency and reduces the magnetics and converter size.

Abstract: A steam reformer for producing H2 from a low pressure hydrocarbon gas (preferably propane) is comprised of a short and narrow cylinder, loosely packed with pelletized catalyst, into which cylinder the low-pressure gas is drawn in by the high-pressure steam that flows from one end of the cylinder to the other, by making the extent that the gas tube protrudes into the cylinder substantially greater than the steam tube, such as by cutting the latter flush with the inside of the end cap. The cogenerated electricity and H2O vapor or liquid at elevated temperature are put into use through a switching converter and heat exchanger, respectively.

Abstract: A stringed instrument intended to be alternately played in a fretted mode or an unfretted mode by raising a separate fingerboard to the tops of the frets for the unfretted mode and lowering it for the fretted mode. A pair of meshed rack-and-pinion assemblies are driven back and forth by a lever the motion of which racks are translated to rails that cam the separate fingerboard up and down through pins protruding inwardly from the rails into slide slots in flanges of the fingerboard.

Abstract: A hand held and operated set of fastener clip pliers is provided which is useful to secure together reinforcement steel members, for example, those used in concrete construction, upholstery and fencing. The fastener clip pliers are comprised of a lower handle and an upper handle. The lower handle has at least two first prongs which define at least one intermediate slot between. The upper handle is pivotally connected to the lower handle such that the upper handle and lower handle can pivot to an open position and to a closed position. The upper handle has at least one second prong dimension to fit within an intermediate slot in the closed position.

Abstract: A modified PbZrTiO3 perovskite crystal material thin film, wherein the PbZrTiO3 perovskite crystal material includes crystal lattice A-sites and B-sites at least one of which is modified by the presence of a substituent selected from the group consisting of (i) A-site substituents consisting of Sr, Ca, Ba and Mg, and (ii) B-site substituents selected from the group consisting of Nb and Ta. The perovskite crystal thin film material may be formed by liquid delivery MOCVD from metalorganic precursors of the metal components of the thin film, to form PZT and PSZT, and other piezoelectric and ferroelectric thin film materials. The thin films of the invention have utility in non-volatile ferroelectric memory devices (NV-FeRAMs), and in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) as sensor and/or actuator elements, e.g., high speed digital system actuators requiring low input power levels.

Abstract: A low temperature CVD process using a tris (&bgr;-diketonate) bismuth precursor for deposition of bismuth ceramic thin films suitable for integration to fabricate ferroelectric memory devices. Films of amorphous SBT can be formed by CVD and then ferroannealed to produce films with Aurivillius phase composition having superior ferroelectric properties suitable for manufacturing high density FRAMs.

Abstract: Soft switching DC-to-DC converter achieves simultaneously ultra high efficiency and very small size owing to a new magnetic circuit structure and a corresponding novel converter circuit configuration with special properties. Unique magnetic design also provides an overload current capability of several times the nominal load current. Despite its simple implementation requiring only proper drive timing of the switching devices, the unique soft-switching methods result in nearly complete elimination of switching losses over the entire operating range. This, in turn, permits operation at even higher switching frequencies, and leads to further reduction in size and weight.