Abstract: A self-driven centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a base having a pair of tangential jet nozzles for generating the self-driven force. Connected to the base is a centrifuge shell which defines a hollow interior space. A disposable liner is positioned within the centrifuge shell. A hollow rotor hub is assembled to the base and extends through the hollow interior space. A support plate is positioned within the hollow interior space and, in cooperation with the rotor hub, defines an annular flow exit. Positioned within the hollow interior space is a unitary separation vane module which is constructed and arranged so as to extend around the rotor hub. The separation vane module includes a plurality of axially-extending and spaced-apart separation vanes. In one embodiment the vane module and a liner shell are formed as a unitary component.

Abstract: A shutter panel having a plurality of louvers having a composite construction. Each of the louvers is rotationally coupled to a shutter frame by a drive pin on one end and a support pin on the other end. The drive pins are linked to a rack and pinion louver mechanism for common rotational movement. In operation, the plurality of louvers rotate in unison by a simple manual action applied to a single louver. The drive pin includes a louver engaging end and a frame engaging end. The louver engaging end is a flat plate adapted to slip fit into a complementary slot included in a first end portion of the louver and retained therein by a complementary slot included in a first end portion of the louver and retained therein by interference forces. The slip fitting of the drive pin into the slot creates less stress on the louver and thus reduces the potential of crack initiation in the composite material of the louver.

Abstract: A replaceable filter cartridge includes a filter element 24 and an end plate 25 bonded to an end thereof The end plate includes at least two electrical contacts 52, 53 and a key way 67 that includes a relief section 75. Upon proper installation of the filter cartridge into the housing of a filter assembly, a key 41 attached to a centerpost 33 of the housing is received in the relief section of the end plate and the electrical contacts thereof make contact with corresponding electrical contacts in the housing causing a data component 49 to be energized. The data component may include a sensor, data chip, or resistor assembled to an exposed surface of the endplate.

Abstract: A combined hub temperature and wheel speed sensor system comprises a sensor assembly coupled to an axle and a wheel assembly fixedly coupled to the wheel, which in turn is free to rotate with respect to the axle. The wheel assembly includes a ring magnet. The sensor assembly includes a temperature sensor in proximity to the wheel bearing, Hall effect sensors positioned to detect the rotation of the ring magnet, and a circuit for generating and transmitting signals corresponding to the wheel rotation speed, rotation direction, and bearing temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for mitigating the effects of plant stress. Plant stress mitigating compounds and compositions comprising gamma aminobutyric acid and glutamic acid are also described.

Abstract: A replaceable filter cartridge includes an end plate 106 having a data component 107 electrically coupled to an pair of concentric circuit rings 108, 109. The data component may include a sensor, data chip, or resistor and is configured to provide filtration information to a remote station when the filter cartridge is positioned within the housing of a filtration assembly such that the circuit rings connect with electrical contacts in the housing.

Abstract: A staple for stabilizing the attachment of a vertebral screw and a longitudinal member to the spine. The staple has a plate with first and second apertures. All the staple's legs, prongs, or spikes attached to the underside of the staple are located closer to one particular aperture than the other. Preferably, the plate is also “bow-tie” shaped with a groove that separates the wings of the bow-tie. This bow-tie or hour glass shape combined with the groove help the surgeon to more easily conform the plate to the patient's vertebra.

Abstract: A centrifuge for processing a flow of oil in order to remove particulate matter includes a mounting base defining a drain passageway, a drain conduit connected to the mounting base, a unitary housing connected to the mounting base, and a cone-stack subassembly which is positioned in and cooperates with the unitary housing. The mounting base is constructed and arranged to mount directly to a portion of a vehicle engine (or other equipment) and the drain conduit provides a return path to sump for oil from a remote engine (or equipment) location. The unitary housing is an injection molded plastic component including both a main body portion and an integral oil fill port. The oil fill port is substantially cylindrical with a longitudinal axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation for the rotor portion of the centrifuge.

Abstract: A method of producing a hydrogel product comprises impregnating a coherent fibrous structure with an aqueous solution of a hydrogel precursor material said fibers incorporating cations which are capable of cross-linking said precursor material to form a fiber reinforced hydrogel as the hydrogel product.

Abstract: A fastener for venting gas around the shank of the fastener. The present invention includes various embodiments for venting gases such as combustion gases that seep from a head gasket of an internal combustion engine to the area around the shank of a cylinder head bolt, as one example. The various vent paths include vent paths directly through the bolt, past the bearing surface of the bolted member, or past a washer between the fastener and the bolted member. These vent paths prevent gases from building up in the chamber between the fastener shank and the clearance hole of the bolted member.

Abstract: A cleaning tool (1) for cleaning casing within a wellbore is comprised of an upper (3) and lower (4) sleeve which are mounted via ball bearings (5) on a work string (2). The ball bearings enable the upper (3) and lower (4) sleeves to have no or negligible rotational movement notwithstanding rotation of the work string (2). The upper (3) and lower (4) sleeve limit the axial movement of the cleaning tool (1) along the work string (2). The cleaning tool (1) is further comprised of at least one lantern (6) which supports the plurality of cleaning member (7) which may be brushes or scraping blades.

Abstract: A device for photorefractive cornea surgery, in particular LASIK and PRK, of the eye for the correction of sight defects of a higher order provides for the following devices: an aberroscope (12, 14, 16, 22, 24, 28) for measuring the wave-front aberration of the entire optical system of the eye to be corrected in relation to a specific eye position, means (48) for deriving a photoablation profile from the measured wave-front aberration in such a way that a photoablation in accordance with the photoablation profile minimises the wave-front aberration, and a laser radiation source (30) and means (32, 38, 40, 48) for controlling the laser radiation in relation to the specific eye position in accordance with the photoablation profile.

Abstract: A trap for receiving and holding bullets and fragments thereof. A funnel shaped receiver is mounted atop a frame and has a narrow exit connected to a collector tube arranged at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the receiver. The collector tube empties into a circular chamber of an offset housing dissipating the kinetic energy of the bullet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brace installation instrument placement that is mounted to anchors secured in an animal subject. The installation instrument includes anchor extensions coupled to the anchors. The instrument is movable with respect to the anchors to position a brace in a position more proximate the anchors. The brace can be indexed for insertion at a predetermined orientation with respect to the installation instrument. Methods and techniques for using the installation instrument are also provided.

Abstract: A method of providing a solid oxidizer to a tank of water, while also providing a way to indicate when it is time to add more oxidizer. The preferred method includes providing the solid oxidizer in the form of an oxidizer shell with a coloring agent disposed therein. The coloring agent is substantially color stable when stored in the oxidizer shell, and the oxidizer shell is formed and shaped to enclose the coloring agent in a manner in which the coloring agent is prevented from dispersing into the water until the oxidizer shell is substantially dissolved.

Abstract: A speculum (18) including a combined first speculum blade and handle portion (20), a combined second speculum blade and link portion (62), a speculum handle portion and a plurality of combined ribs and links (76). Each of the combined ribs and links (76) is movably coupled to the combined first speculum blade and handle portion (20) and to the combined second speculum blade and link portion (62) to movably couple the combined first speculum blade and handle portion (20) to the combined second speculum blade and link portion (62). The speculum handle portion (46) is movably coupled to the combined first speculum blade and handle portion (20) and to the combined second speculum blade and link portion (62) to actuate the combined first speculum blade and handle portion (20) and the combined second speculum blade and link portion (62) relative to each other between a first orientation (illustrated in FIG.

Abstract: An ophthalmic solution with viscosity enhancing and detergent properties for contact lenses, comprising one or more physiologically acceptably viscosity enhancing agents in aqueous solution having a non-Newtonian rheological behaviour, and one or more physiologically acceptable non-ionic surfactants. The non-ionic surfactant may be selected among esters of fatty acids, sorbitan polyoxyethylates (i.e. polysorbates, such as “Tween”), or block copolymers polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene (i.e. poloxamers, such as “Pluronic”). The viscosity enhancing agent may be selected among hyaluronic acid or its salts with alkali or alkaline-earth metals, ethers or esters of cellulose, chitosans, gellans, alginates or carboxyvinyl polymers of the kind Carbopolol® (or carbomer).

Abstract: An abrasive particle detention system includes a fluid circulation system, a probe assembly, a monitoring circuit, and an operator indicator. The probe assembly includes an orifice from which a stream of fluid emerges, and a probe having a face upon which the stream at least partially impinges. The probe face includes an insulative substrate and a conductive film formed on the substrate. Abrasive particles in the fluid stream abrade the conductive film, changing its electrical resistance. A monitoring circuit is utilized to observe these changes, and when they correspondence to a concentration above a pre-selected level, an operation indicator is triggered. The system may include an electronic controller coupled to the monitoring circuit, which can account for variables such as temperature, viscosity, and/or pressure in the fluid circulation system.