Abstract: Methods and apparatus for winding wire coils on cores of dynamo-electric machine components such as stators and alternators are provided. The apparatus may be used to wind wire coils on the poles of a stator. The apparatus includes a movable wire dispenser and a set of wire pullers. The wire pullers are used to form a loop in an initial stretch of wire dispensed by the wire-dispenser alongside a stator pole. The loop is first formed adjacent to the pole and then moved above the pole out of the paths of subsequent wire stretches dispensed to form the wire coils. The loop may be pulled taut in either direction upon completion of the winding operation to connect the wire to a terminal.

Abstract: Iontophoretic devices for treating dentin hypersensitivity are provided. One device includes a housing, an electric current source, and a replaceable cartridge mounted to or in the housing. The cartridge includes (1) a container containing an iontophoretic solution and (2) an applicator assembly fixed to the container. The assembly has a tip portion that is in electrical and fluid communication with the solution. Also provided is an iontophoretic toothbrush that includes an applicator assembly that has a brush with improved bristles.

Abstract: In systems for winding wire on electrodynamic machine stators, stators may be transferred between stator conveyance apparatus, winding shroud installation and removal apparatus, wire winding apparatus, wire lead termination apparatus, or other apparatus. Some transfer devices may secure stators in housings fixed to arms that may be rotated around an axis to move stators between stations. Some transfer devices may have stator grasping devices that may be rotated and translated to move stators between stations. Wire winding shrouds may be secured to a stator to facilitate winding and released from stator after wire is wound on the stator. A device for securing shrouds to the stator may be fixed to the stator and may remain fixed to the stator during transfer between different apparatus. Some devices for securing shrouds and stators may be integrated into housings. Some housings may be fixed to transfer devices along one side of the housing.

Abstract: Plugs and methods for plugging septal defects and blood vessels are provided. Plugs are delivered via catheter to a septal defect or a location where it is desired to occlude blood flow in a blood vessel. The plugs are positioned and expanded at the treatment site. The expansion of the plugs can be accomplished passively by using a heat-treated elastic frame or actively by using a balloon to deform a plastically-deforming frame. Plugging structures mounted to the frame span the defect or lumen and prevent blood flow. The plugs described herein have small profiles, and are more reliable than preceding intraluminal transcatheter methods.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for attachment and detachment of watch straps are provided. The apparatus and methods of the present invention may be used to attach a strap to and detach a strap from a watch having a strap attached by a compressible spring bar. In some embodiments, the invention may include a tool for attaching and detaching the strap that has a base and a blade. The base may support the watch and the blade may protrude from the base to compress the spring bar and release it from the body of the watch. The blade may have a notch for engaging the spring bar.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing the likelihood of damage to wire leads of undulated coils for dynamo-electric machine stators are provided. The invention provides a rotating winding head equipped with a coil former that has a wire gripper and an initial wire lead slot. The gripper retains the initial wire lead. The slot permits the initial wire lead to be fed to the gripper from a stationary wire source. The gripper maintains the initial wire lead in a predetermined plane of the coil and can secure the initial wire lead in the plane in which the final lead wire will eventually be disposed. The gripper also rotates the initial wire lead into radial alignment with a lobe of the undulated coil. Once installed in a stator, the initial and final wire leads can both be disposed along the outer radius of the coil and are thus protected from interference with a rotor that is destined to rotate within the stator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for winding wire coils on cores of dynamo-electric machine components such as stators and alternators are provided. The apparatus may be used to wind wire coils on the poles of a stator. The apparatus includes a movable wire dispenser and a set of wire pullers. The wire pullers are used to form a loop in an initial stretch of wire dispensed by the wire-dispenser alongside a stator pole. The loop is first formed adjacent to the pole and then moved above the pole out of the paths of subsequent wire stretches dispensed to form the wire coils. The loop may be pulled taut in either direction upon completion of the winding operation to connect the wire to a terminal.

Abstract: A method for removing and preventing discharge into the atmosphere of carbon dioxide from combustion gases and natural gas from installations for production of oil and/or gas, wherein the combustion gas is passed to an absorber containing a solvent, where carbon dioxide is absorbed in the solvent, and the thereby purified combustion gas, largely free of carbon dioxide, is released into the atmosphere, where the CO2 rich solvent is passed to a desorber where CO2 is removed from the solvent, and the thereby largely CO2-free solvent is recycled to the absorber, and the separated CO2 gas is passed to a compression stage for compression and utilization and/or disposal in a suitable manner, where membrane gas/liquid contactors are employed in both the absorber and the desorber, and that an external stripping steam is supplied to the desorber.

Abstract: A field replaceable air-gap cartridge armature device for use in rotating electric machines is presented. The cartridge armature includes a plurality of bent-shaped air-gap windings rigidly arranged in a circular fashion to form an inner rim, an outer rim and an active section. The inner and outer rims are formed by end turn sections that are bent toward and away, respectively, from the center of the cartridge device. The windings may be generally arranged into a Z-shaped cross-section that is embedded in a fiber reinforced epoxy resin matrix to provide a rigid structure for transferring torque from the air-gap windings to a stator. Countersunk fasteners are used to easily attach and remove the cartridge armature from a rotating electric machine. The cartridge armature can be configured as a three phase, Y-connected armature circuit, and provides electrically insulated, substantially vacuum tight terminal penetration of a rotating electric machine for electrical feed-throughs.