Abstract: A tool for setting an instrument sound post preferably includes a bent tube, one or more string or polymer lines, a cradle end that grasps the sound post, and an internal locking mechanism to hold the sound post against the tool. In one embodiment, a single line is used and a closed loop at the cradle end of the sound post setting tool holds the sound post in place. In this embodiment, a double-chamfer threaded tube construction is preferably used to facilitate line threading. In another embodiment, the cradle end includes a loop and a ball to grasp the sound post. In yet another embodiment, the cradle end includes two balls to grasp the sound post. The tool provides an improved way to install a sound post inside a stringed instrument.

Abstract: The invention presents a cold beverage dispenser which uses a heat exchanger to cool incoming water with a very cold closed loop of chilled coolant. Under control of a control system, the cooled water from the heat exchanger is mixed with uncooled in put water to regulate its temperature, then (if desired) carbonated. The regulated temperature water, optionally carbonated, is mixed with a liquid concentrate and dispensed at one or more dispensing stations. Preferably, the temperature, carbonation and strength of the dispensed beverage is controllable by the consumer.

Abstract: An AC-DC power converter controls an external upstream switching device, which supplies it power to be converted. Power conversion is initiated when an external signal requests power be converted or when a program within the AC-DC power converter detects the need for power conversion. When this occurs, the AC-DC power converter signals the external switching device, which is upstream of the AC-DC power converter to turn on, thereby supplying the power to be converted to the AC-DC power converter.

Abstract: A disposable pump for a collapsible reservoir has an upper chamber, a lower chamber and a seal base in between. The upper and lower chambers have flexible sections or bellows that expand or contract the chambers, and the seal base has a rigid rod that selectively forms a seal on an opening in the seal base between the upper and lower chambers. One of the two chambers has a nozzle and the other chamber has a top cap that leads in many embodiments to a collapsible bag reservoir. In at least one embodiment a solenoid overcomes the biasing force of a compression spring and lifts the seal base off the rigid rod. This opens the seal and assisting pushing out potentially very viscous liquids into the chamber that includes the nozzle and the liquid ultimately dispenses from the pump through the nozzle.

Abstract: A personal ventilation system uses a cross-flow fan and one or more filters, where the filter preferably has a cylindrical or elongated elliptical shape that at least partially surrounds the rotor of the cross-flow fan. The filters preferably remove particles, undesired gases, and micro-organisms.

Abstract: A network security device which acts as an “airlock” for traffic between a communications device and a network. Data is screened using rules based analysis by the security device to counter various threats, including viruses, phishing, attempts to “hijack” communications, communications with known malicious addresses or unknown addresses, and transmission of sensitive information. Data packets can be reassembled into files for screening, and decoded or expanded as necessary, but is never executed. The data path for the data being screened is kept separate from the operations of the network security device itself, so that the device is incorruptible—its programming cannot be compromised from outside sources. Updates for rules and entry of sensitive data for screening, etc., must be done through a physical interface, not via the normal data communications channel. The device is invisible—it cannot be “seen” by the network, and thus cannot be attacked.

Abstract: A Halloween novelty item used for entertainment consisting of a removable reservoir of fluid and a timed electromagnetic valve inside a head that is activated by a motion sensor whereby allowing fluid to expel intermittently out of orifices attached to a tongue when the Halloween novelty item is approached. The expelled fluid is caught by a bucket attached to a slide bracket which is attached to a body panel whereby allowing the bucket to be removable. An assembly attached to a bucket handle consisting of a pair of hooks attached to a pair of hands connected to a pair of flexible arms allows the assembly to detach from the bucket's handle. A stabilization board keeps the novelty item stable. Motion sensors facing different directions are attached to a voice recorder and a speaker allowing messages to play. A hinge and latches attached to the body allows the invention to condense.

Abstract: A method and data repository for the delivery, storage, maintenance and controlled access to test data, stored in a centrally administered data repository. The system allows entities to store individual collections of data which may be public or private in keeping with their business needs, while permitting them to have or obtain access to other data within the repository in which they might have an interest. Reflecting the natural flow of information, the system uses a data storage schema that permits the storage of a virtually unlimited variety of test results in a series of compact structures. To do so, the schema utilizes a series of metadata structures that describe collections of instance specific information.

Abstract: A sprocket (S) for a chain driven power transmission system used on an internal combustion engine. Severe ITVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) characteristics associated with a chain engaging the sprocket is damped by two annular rings (R1, R2) that are loosely positioned on either side of the circumferential row of teeth. The inner diameters (ID1, ID2) of each of the annular rings (R1, R2) form cavities between the annular rings and the sprocket grooves. Pressurized viscous fluid is supplied to each cavity via channels in the hub of the sprocket to cushion the impact of each roller of the chain as it engages each row of teeth during engine operation. The pressure of the viscous fluid creates a resistive force to minimize the severe impact noise experienced by non-damped sprockets.

Abstract: A catalyst, co-catalyst, and/or chain transfer agent is added at a time after initiation of an addition polymerization reaction to produce a polymer product with a widened molecular weight distribution relative to having all of the components in the original reaction mixture. The catalyst, co-catalyst, or chain transfer agent may be added discretely or continuously to the reaction to produce a product with a bimodal, trimodal, or other broadened molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: A medical treating system based on biological activities characterized by biological activity sensing means for sensing biological activity information produced by biological activities and outputting a biological activity signal, calculating means for receiving, analyzing, and processing the biological activity signals from the biological activity sensing means, calculating an organism stimulation signal, and outputting the organism stimulation signal, and organism stimulating means for receiving the organism stimulation signal calculated by the calculating means and stimulating an organism according to the organism stimulation signal. A cardiac pacing system based on the treating system, a blood pressure regulating system, and a cardiac disease treating system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical transmission system includes a laser, a transmitter and a receiver. The laser is capable of operating on an inhomogeneously broadened optical transition of the active region of the laser. A spectral bandwidth of an output lasing spectrum of the laser is greater than 5 nm and a spectral power density of the laser is greater than 2 mW/nm such that an optical power of the laser is greater than 10 mW. The laser provides a plurality of optical signals at different wavelengths. The transmitter is capable of providing modulation to each lasing wavelength independently and the receiver is capable of providing detection to each lasing wavelength independently.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for forming compacted powder metal parts having a non-axial undercut feature. An undercut die is located between the upper and the lower dies and contains a plurality of shaped punches aligned in a circular pattern. Each of the shaped punches contains a working edge. The working edges converge to form an inner circumference which creates the undercut feature. The edges of the shaped punches slide with respect to each other to change the size of the inner circumference from a maximum diameter position to a minimum diameter position. During compaction, the rotation of the shaped punches alters the inner circumference to its minimum diameter position thereby forming an undercut in the final compacted part. The retraction of the shaped punches to its maximum diameter position enables the unimpeded removal of the part from the tool set.

Abstract: The differential steering drive for a tracked vehicle includes a drive differential interconnecting the drive shafts for the tracks and a steering differential for superimposing additive and subtractive rotations to the tracks for steering and pivot turning. In the preferred embodiment for high speed tracked vehicles, the drive differential is an all-gear no-clutch type limited-slip differential, and the steering differential is an unlimited-slip differential. The differentials are arranged to provide no-slip track operation traveling in straight paths or when steering so long as at least one track has traction. In another embodiment for pivot-turning slow-moving off-road vehicles, both the drive differential and the steering differential are all-gear no-clutch type limited-slip differentials.

Abstract: A mounting system for frameless solar panels having a plurality of base mounting members and a plurality mounting brackets. Each of the mounting brackets include one or more elongated bars having a center portion, a flat top plane and a flat bottom plane, wherein each of the elongated bars includes slotted holes formed on either end of the elongated bars, whereby the mounting brackets are fastened to the base mounting members through the slotted holes.

Abstract: An improved link for a chain for use with a sprocket, the link comprising a body having a pair of apertures for receiving connecting pins and a pair of teeth having outside flanks, and inside flanks between the teeth defining a crotch. The improvement includes an effective outer flank angle between a line tangent to the outer flank of the link at 1.5 P and a vertical line intersecting the tangent line of less than or equal to 29 degrees, an effective inner flank angle between a line tangent to the inner flank of the link at 0.5 P and a vertical line intersecting the tangent line of less than or equal to 29 degrees, and a plurality ratios. The links may be assembled into a chain and connected by a plurality of pins.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for cooking French fries without cooking oil. The apparatus relies on high pressure inert gas at high temperature as the cooking medium. The inert gas acts both as a heat transfer medium to cook the potatoes, and as a protective atmosphere to prevent charring and oxidation of the potatoes.

Abstract: A method of creating very large flat panel displays uses fiber and tubes containing wire electrodes to create the structure in a panel. However, there are several display types, especially those involving an electro-optic material like a liquid crystal, which require the electric field to be spread across the entire surface of the pixel or fiber. A method disclosed herein uses a conductive layer to spread the voltage applied to the wire electrodes in the fiber across the surface of the fiber. The conductive layer may be capacitively or resistively coupled to the wire electrode. In most display applications, a transparent conductive layer is required. The easiest and most cost effective methods to fabricate a transparent conductive layer use a transparent conductive polymer or carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A device for the controlled inhalation of therapeutic aerosols comprises means providing individual patient parameters and/or aerosol parameters for the inhalation. The aerosol doses, such as the tidal volume and the respiratory flow, are individually adjusted on the basis of these individual parameters. Thus, the inhalation device may be individually adjusted to the patient to be treated.

Abstract: An improved sprocket profile for engaging a roller or bush chain smoothly and preventing radial impact with the root of the tooth during engagement. Contact between the sprocket teeth and the roller chain is altered by providing teeth with a root radius equivalent to that of the chain engaging component, with the center point of the root radius located one chordal distance inside the sprocket's pitch circle. This profile allows chain rollers or bushings to impact sprocket teeth tangentially on their flanks rather than radially on their tooth root.