Abstract: The present invention discloses a retention apparatus for a fin subassembly used in connection with a vent assembly of a vehicle including a headliner assembly mounted to an interior vehicle body structure. A curtain side airbag is disposed between the headliner assembly and the vehicle body structure. The headliner is configured to be displaced by the curtain side airbag upon airbag deployment so as to provide a safety feature for passengers of the vehicle. The vent assembly includes a trim cover, a retainer ring and a fin subassembly. The trim cover is mounted to a vehicle headliner and the trim cover having a predetermined inside diameter. The fin subassembly having a plurality of fins configured to direct airflow from an air duct and also having an extended actuator operatively connected to the fins to permit simultaneous and identical movement of the fins.

Abstract: An improved method of collecting identifying information (such as samples and data) from a subject to facilitate later identification of said subject. Identifying information may include biological samples, medical records, photographs and videos, audio recordings, odor characterization (of body or exhalations, for example, characterizing a disease such as diabetes), fingerprints, dental records, and the like.

Abstract: A radiant tube heater has a tubular arrangement with an air duct portion forming a combustion air passage and a radiant tube portion which is heated by and surrounds a laminar flame. An inlet end of the air duct portion receives combustion air from a blower. A burner assembly mounted in the air duct portion includes a burner nozzle and a burner head for mixing gas and combustion air, this head having an inlet portion and an outlet portion wider than the inlet portion. A perforated restricting plate is mounted in the air duct portion and extends around the burner head. Air holes in this plate are sized and distributed so that the plate increases flow of combustion air through openings formed in the side of the inlet portion and allows combustion air to flow in the annular passage between the outlet portion and the air duct portion.

Abstract: An apparatus integrates a plurality of television signal sources into a cohesive audio/video environment. Internal provisions include a standard broadcast-frequency tuner, cable tuner as well as other optional inputs such as for a direct-broadcast satellite, previously recorded video material, etc. In the preferred embodiment, means are provided whereby a main or primary program channel may be linked to additional channels providing supplementary information to enhance resolution, sound quality, or to facilitate special effects.

Abstract: A process for encapsulating a metal hydride within a hollow glass sphere is provided. The process includes providing a hollow glass sphere, the hollow glass sphere having a shell enclosing an inner volume. The hollow glass sphere is placed within an enclosed chamber and the chamber is evacuated such that a negative pressure is present therewithin. The hollow glass sphere within the evacuated enclosed chamber is subjected to an external element such that the shell affords for molecules to diffuse therethrough. In some instances, the external element is heat, infrared light and combinations thereof. Thereafter, a metal hydride is provided in the form of a vapor and the evacuated enclosed chamber with the hollow glass sphere is exposed to metal hydride vapor and molecules of the metal hydride diffuse through the shell into the inner volume.

Abstract: A molded plastic garnish assembly (10) for a front post of an automotive vehicle, the garnish assembly having a duct portion (16) integrally molded with an overlying portion (18) that has a vent opening (14) therein. The duct portion and the overlying portion are molded together in alignment and are subsequently brought into overlying relationship by bending them relative to one another about a molded-in hinge (20). The duct portion and the overlying portion are secured to one another by engagement of a hook portion (22) at the end of a finger (24) that depends from the overlying portion into an opening (26) in a finger (28) that depends from the duct portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic container having a rotatable cover including a mirror so that a user may look at the mirror from a desired direction. In a configuration of the cosmetic container, a body and the cover of the cosmetic container are connected by a shaft penetrating a pivot bearing and hinges formed on one side of the body or the cover, and the cover may be horizontally rotated with respect to the body by a pivot head integrally formed with the cover or the pivot bearing and divided in two.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling bearings and a stub into a bore of a hub. The apparatus includes a block defining a receiving position for the hub. A feed mechanism arranges plurality of bearings in the form of an annular array. A first mandrel is axially displaceable toward one side of the hub to push the annular array of bearings into the bore of the hub. A second mandrel is axially displaceable toward an opposite side of the hub to push a stub within the annular array of bearings in the bore of the hub. The stub includes at least one outwardly biased detent for retaining the bearings in the hub.

Abstract: A position sensor having a circular transmitter coil which generates electromagnetic radiation when excited by a source of alternating electrical energy. A receiver coil has a first loop wound in a first direction around a portion of the transmitter coil and a second loop wound in a second direction opposite from the first direction around a diametrically opposed portion of the transmitter coil. In addition the receiver coil includes a first compensating coil wound in the second direction inside the first portion of the transmitter coil as well as a second compensating coil wound in the first direction inside the second portion of the transmitter coil. The first and second loops and the first and second compensating coils of the receiver coil are electrically connected in series with each other.

Abstract: A power inverter for a hybrid automotive vehicle having a case with an interior and at least one electrical port mounted on the case to electrically connect electrical signals from the interior of the case to an exterior device. A cable connector is associated with each electrical port while a non-electrical sensing conductor extends serially through each electrical port and its associated cable connector. A circuit is provided which detects a break in the continuity of the sensing conductor and generates a signal representative of that break in continuity. The non-electrical sensing conductor thus minimizes the emission of EMI from the inverter. Additionally, a circuit board is mounted within the interior of the case by fasteners which minimize the spacing between the circuit board and the case to further reduce EMI emissions.

Abstract: Negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) or auxetic structures, including three-dimensional auxetic structures, are disclosed and applied to various applications. One such structure comprises a pyramid-shaped unit cell having four base points A, B, C, and D defining the corners of a square lying in a horizontal plane. Four stuffers of equal length or different lengths extend from a respective one of the base points to a point E spaced apart from the plane. Four tendons of equal length or different lengths, but less than that of the stuffers, extend from a respective one of the base points to a point F between point E and the plane. In three-dimensional configurations, a plurality of unit cells are arranged as tiles in the same horizontal plane with the base points of each cell connected to the base points of adjoining cells, thereby forming a horizontal layer.

Abstract: Process and ultracompact plant for continuous production of hot rolled steel strip comprising an ingot mould (15) which produces a very thin slab at a speed between 4 and 16 m/min, wherein the thickness of the narrow sides is between 15 and 50 mm with a central swelling. Such slab has a core in which the steel is still liquid; it is run through a vertical pre-rolling device (16) which reduces the thickness of the slab, flattening it. The solidified slab can thus undergo a first light rolling process using a pinch roll (17) and, by forming a free curve, it moves to a horizontal position where it can undergo a second light rolling process by another pinch roll (22?). A heating process (if required) includes an inductor (50). A superficial descaling process and a series of reductions in a rolling mill made up of at least three stands (20?, 20?, 20??) are provided maintaining a slab temperature along the train above the Ar3 recrystallization point.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing, controlling the shape and size of, Pb-chalcogenide nanoparticles. The method includes preparing a lead (Pb) precursor containing Pb and a carboxylic acid dissolved in a hydrocarbon solution and preparing a chalcogen element precursor containing a chalcogen element dissolved in a hydrocarbon solution. The amount of Pb and chalcogen in the respective precursor affords for a predetermined Pb:chalcogen element ratio to be present when the Pb precursor is mixed with the chalcogen element precursor. The Pb precursor is mixed with the chalcogen element precursor to form a Pb-chalcogen mixture in such a manner that Pb-chalcogenide nanoparticle nucleation does not occur. A nucleation and growth solution containing a surfactant is also prepared by heating the solution to a nucleation temperature sufficient to nucleate nanoparticles when the Pb-chalcogen element mixture is added.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for isolating a cargo peptide from a sample containing a cargo peptide-carrier protein complex. The method involves contacting a sample comprising a cargo peptide-carrier protein complex with a binding moiety selective for the carrier protein, under conditions wherein the carrier protein binds non-covalently to the binding moiety, and wherein the binding moiety is attached to a support, dissociating the cargo peptide from the cargo peptide-carrier protein complex, wherein the carrier protein remains bound to the binding moiety, and collecting the cargo peptide, whereby the cargo peptide is isolated from the sample.

Abstract: A position sensor having a transmitter coil with both an outer loop portion and an inner loop portion. A receiver coil is disposed in close proximity to the transmitter coil and the receiver coil includes a first loop and an oppositely wound second loop. The receiver coil generates an electrical output signal when the transmitter coil is excited due to the inductive coupling between the transmitter and receiver coils. A movable coupler element varies the inductive coupling between the transmitter coil and the loops of the receiver coil as a function of the position of the coupler element.

Abstract: A cosmetic case includes an outer case and a drawer-like inner case drawn in or drawn out the outer case, the drawer-like inner case having a space for accommodating cosmetics wherein the outer case has a push-pull locking device therein and the drawer-like inner case has a hooking member outside thereof such that the push-pull locking device is cooperated with the hooking member and the outer case further has a spring therein such that the spring presses the drawer-like inner case in a drawn-out direction, the cosmetic case allows the drawer-like inner case to be automatically drawn in and out the outer case by means of an operation of the push-pull locking device when the user lightly pushes the drawer-like inner case in a drawn-in direction. Thus, it is convenient to carry the cosmetic case and it is prevented from a leakage of the contents.

Abstract: An economical yet effective apparatus and associated method heats and pressurizes a fluid-filled bag of the type used in a surgical setting. The apparatus includes an inner sealed flexible jacket including a sodium acetate solution and activator button therein operative to heat the fluid-filled bag. An outer sealed flexible jacket adjacent to the inner jacket includes a gas inlet for inflation thereof thereby applying pressure to the fluid-filled bag through the heated inner jacket during use.

Abstract: Mixed-metal-oxide (MMO) coated precious-metal tape is installed directly on concrete surfaces using an electrically conductive adhesive, thereby obviating the need for slots, holes, cementitious grout or additional concrete. The electrically conductive adhesive is preferably formed by disposing mixed-metal-oxide (MMO) coated precious-metal particles in an adhesive layer. The tape anodes may be installed on the concrete surfaces including a shallow concrete cover or congested reinforcing steel without developing an electrical short circuit between the anode and the reinforcing steel. Overall the invention provides for quick and low cost installation on many concrete structures. Interconnections between the tape anodes and bare metal distribution elements may be made with conductive adhesive or spot welding.

Abstract: A system for radiating plants with photon radiation to induce photomorphogenic growth is described. The system includes a light assembly operable to transmit photon radiation, a light transmittive material located between the light assembly and a plant, a power supply connected to the light assembly, a failsafe switch connected to and located between the power supply and the light assembly and a photomorphogenic growth controller connected to the light assembly. The power supply is operable to energize the light assembly and the failsafe switch is operable to de-energize the light assembly when a safety signal is received by the failsafe switch. The photomorphogenic growth controller is operable to selectively energize the light assembly.

Abstract: A cover assembly covers a portion of a seat adjuster mechanism, wherein the seat adjuster mechanism includes a lower member configured to be coupled to a vehicle floor and an upper member operative for substantially vertical adjustment relative to the lower member. The cover assembly includes a lower cover and an upper cover. The lower cover is coupled to the lower member for concealing at least part of the lower member. The upper cover covers at least part of the upper member. The upper cover is pivotally coupled to the upper member of the adjuster mechanism and pivotally coupled to the lower cover so as to conceal the at least part of the upper member of the adjuster mechanism during the vertical adjustment of the upper member relative to the lower member.