Abstract: A slider includes a slider body having a first side and edges defined adjacent to the first side, at least two separate insulators each adjacent to the first side of the slider body and supported by the slider body, and a conductive trace adjacent to each of the at least two separate insulators and opposite the first side of the slider body. The at least two separate insulators each are in physical contact with the slider body along the first side of the slider body such that the at least two separate insulators are physically attached to the slider body to electrically insulate each conductive trace from the slider body.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods for calibrating a fluorometer in order to account for one or more optical properties of a water sample affecting fluorescence measurements. In some cases one or more calibration solutions are prepared with sample water from a specific field site. Fluorescence measurements are taken from a water sample and one or more of the calibration solutions, and calibration parameters are determined based on the measurements. In some cases a calibration solution is prepared by spiking sample water to include a higher concentration of a fluorescent tracer and measurements are taken to characterize a calibration slope coefficient. In some cases a calibration solution is prepared by adding an acid and measurements are taken to characterize a background fluorescence in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for measuring tissue temperature during thermal treatment of a body. More particularly, the present invention relates to a thermal probe comprising a plurality of thermal sensors operable to measure tissue temperatures during thermal treatments such as cryosurgery. Embodiments of the invention enable simultaneous measurements, using a single probe, of temperatures at a plurality of positions within body tissues. A preferred embodiment enables movement of sensors with respect to tissues while the probe is immobilized by being embedded in frozen tissue.

Abstract: An under deck drainage system for use with a deck. The system includes at least one starter strip mounted to one or more joists of the deck, a plurality of clips coupled with the starter strip, where the clips are slidable along the starter strip. The system further includes an elongate channel member coupled with at least one of the plurality of clips, and the elongate channel member has at least one channel therein.

Abstract: A structural attachment system for a cargo management system is fully integrated into the cargo bed side walls of a pick-up truck so that the only feature that is different than a standard pick-up is an array of holes along the top of the cargo bed side walls. The cargo management system also includes a wide range of different pick-up truck cargo bed mounted accessories that incorporate structural hooks that are adapted to be retained and released by the structural attachment system. Additionally, the structural attachment system provides a single point, simple method of retention and release via an actuation handle at the rear most point of the pick-up truck cargo bed. The configuration of the structural attachment system allows significant structural retention forces to be transferred from the accessories into the pick-up truck cargo bed side walls via the structural hooks.

Abstract: The embodiments of the invention relate to a method for creating a force for a welding jaw of a vertical tubular bag machine. The welding jaw is moved back and forth along a path to strike a second welding jaw moving in the opposite direction. A tubular film is compressed between the second jaw and at least one sealing surface of the welding jaws, to weld the tubular film by ultrasonic vibrations applied thereto via the sealing surface at an applied pressure under a sealing force (Fs) within a sealing time (ts). The sealing force (Fs) is predetermined by a control unit such that the sealing force (Fs) runs along a sealing force curve within the sealing time (ts). The sealing force curve has a first relative sealing force maximum (Fs1) and at least one second relative sealing force maximum (Fs2), wherein (Fs1) is lower than (Fs2).

Abstract: A current collector for a rail vehicle and a method for transmitting energy from power rails to the vehicle employ a contact shoe that includes an upper sliding contact surface and a lower sliding contact surface. A first pressing-on force forms a sliding contact between the upper sliding contact surface and an upper contact surface of a first power rail, when the contact shoe is in an upper sliding contact position. A second pressing-on force forms a sliding contact between the lower sliding contact surface and a lower contact surface of a second power rail, when the contact shoe is in a lower sliding contact position. The pressing-on forces may be applied by a pressing-on device attached to the contact shoe. The contact shoe may be moved into the upper sliding contact position by the first power rail, and into the lower sliding contact position by the second power rail.

Abstract: A method of removing air from a flow path of a medical fluid injection system is described. An exemplary method performed by the medical fluid injection device includes delivering a first amount of fluid to a fluid flow path, isolating fluid flow along the flow path, forming a vacuum condition upstream of the fluid isolation, re-establishing fluid communications along the flow path, and delivering a second amount of fluid to the flow path.

Abstract: The embodiments of the invention relate to a tap hole plug gun for metallurgical furnaces, having a pressure cylinder for receiving the plugging compound, which has a closable filling opening for the plugging compound, and having a plugging piston for pressing the plugging compound out from a mouthpiece of the pressure cylinder pressed against the tap hole of a furnace. The pivotable safety flap for closing the filling opening of the pressure cylinder for the plugging compound is equipped with a stop, which is pivoted into the cylinder chamber of the pressure cylinder upon opening of the flap to decelerate an unintentional forward stroke of the plugging piston for pre-compression and expulsion of the plugging compound, and is pivoted out of the cylinder chamber upon closing of the safety flap.

Abstract: Power amplifier for amplifying an electric input signal in an operational frequency range and providing an output signal, comprising switching means (12) for generating a block wave signal by alternately switching the block wave signal to a first supply voltage or a second supply voltage, input means for receiving the electric signal and driving the switching means, wherein the input means comprises an integrator circuit (10) integrating an error signal formed by a difference between the output signal and the electric input signal and providing an integrator gain in the operational frequency range, the power amplifier further comprising a local feedback circuit (18), and a global feedback circuit (20), an output of the integrator circuit being connected the input of the switching mean A limiter circuit (22) is connected to receive the electric input signal and an output signal of the integrator circuit and connected to the integrator circuit for limiting the gain of the integrator circuit when detecting a dif

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a device for separating solder material deposits (12) from a substrate (10), in which a receiving sleeve (19) having a receiving opening (22) is positioned to overlap with a solder material deposit arranged on the substrate in such a manner that an opening edge (21) of the receiving opening is brought into abutment against the substrate in an essentially sealing manner, the solder material deposit is subjected to thermal energy and a sleeve lumen (23) that is defined by the receiving sleeve and that is disposed transverse to a longitudinal axis (30) of the receiving sleeve is subjected to an air flow (28) that is directed to an output device (29) of the receiving sleeve.

Abstract: A calculating tabulating system which enables a person on a sodium restricted diet to better regulate the ingestion of sodium for prevention of medical complications. The system includes conversion of the weight of dietary sodium from a standard system of weights and measures to a simple numerical scale, conversion of the weight of dietary sodium consumed to the simple numerical scale, maintaining a running total of dietary sodium consumed in the simple numerical scale. The system includes various devices to aid in the conversion and tabulation process including various mechanical device and electronic devices.

Abstract: A retain-and-release member, which is coupled to a punch holder of a punch assembly, engages a punch tip against an end of the holder, such that a working portion of the tip extends from the end. A punch guide sidewall of the assembly includes an aperture aligned with an actuation interface of the retain-and-release member, when the punch holder and the engaged punch tip are slidably engaged within a guide bore formed by the punch guide sidewall. The aperture provides access for applying a force, to the actuation interface, in order to disengage the retain-and-release member from the punch tip, while the punch holder remains within the guide bore of the assembly. Following the removal, the same punch tip, or another, may be inserted into the guide bore and into engagement with the retain-and-release member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transfer device (10) for receiving and transferring a solder ball arrangement (28). Said transfer device comprises a discharge container (11) and a transfer substrate (12) that interacts with the discharge container in order to obtain a flat solder ball arrangement and that can be subjected to a negative pressure. The discharge container comprises an at least partially perforated base wall (14) and the transfer substrate has a hole pattern for receiving the solder ball arrangement. The discharge container comprises an ultrasound device (37) for subjecting said discharge container to ultrasound vibrations.

Abstract: Thermosetting colored powder paints to be used in electrostatic painting processes are described. These powder paints comprise not more than 30% by weight of at least one monochromatic pigment coated with at least one aldehyde and/or ketone resin, preferably 5 to 30% by weight, and up to 95% by weight of conversion agent, preferably 70 to 95% by weight; more than 90% of the particles of said at least one coated monochromatic pigment and said conversion agent have a particle size of between 10 and 40 microns, preferably between 15 and 35 microns. The coated monochromatic pigment and the conversion agent have the same specific weight which is between 1.3 and 1.7 g/cc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for manufacturing a multi-layer compression moulded element and to a compression moulded element which is embodied as a multi-layer carbon brush and has at least a first and a second moulding layer, in which, in order to carry out the method, a multi-component mould which comprises a moulding element and a mould slide arrangement interacts with a moulding die, and in which a mould which is defined by the selected configuration of the moulding slide arrangement in the moulding element is filled by filling moulding segments which are formed one next to the other with moulding material in chronological succession in a transverse direction with respect to the axis of the moulding die, and by the compression moulded element being subsequently formed by moving the moulding die and moulding slide arrangement relative to one another in the mould.

Abstract: Methods for assessing an overall digestive health of a patient are provided, which include administering a breath test that uses a label incorporated into proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids and further incorporating the labeled material into a meal which, when cooked, facilitates the binding of the label material to the solid phase matrix of the meal. Methods for assessing digestive functions of a patient are also provided, which includes concurrently administering a breath test and a scintigraphy test that measure gastric emptying in a stomach.