Abstract: A bimorphic structure responsive to changes in an environmental condition, sensor structures incorporating one or more of such bimorphic structures, and a method of forming such bimorphic structures. The sensor structure has an electrically-conductive first contact on a substrate, and a bimorph beam anchored to the substrate so that a portion thereof is suspended above the first contact. The bimorph beam has a multilayer structure that includes first and second layers, with the second layer between the first layer and the substrate. A portion of the first layer projects through an opening in the second layer toward the first contact so as to define an electrically-conductive second contact located on the beam so as to be spaced apart and aligned with the first contact for contact with the first contact when the beam sufficiently deflects toward the substrate.

Abstract: A sensing and analysis system, method, and network that make use of a very portable and compact sensor unit and a physically separate electronic unit that serves to power and control the sensor unit, process and optionally display the output of the sensor unit, and transmit the sensor output to other locations, such as over a network. The sensor unit includes a housing, a sensing element within the housing and responsive to an input, and electronic circuitry within the housing and in communication with the sensing element to produce an electrical output based on an output signal generated by the sensing element. A communication providing device delivers instructions generated by the electronic unit to the sensor unit and delivers the electrical output from the sensor unit to the electronic unit.

Abstract: A self-calibrating optical reflectance probe system having an illuminant light source to illuminate a sample material, optical pickup means to collect reflected light from the sample material, and an articulated white reference reflection standard for illuminant reference to provide a system capable of accurately measuring optical reflectance and automated verification of proper operation. The probe system preferably employs an uncomplicated mount using a single pipe fitting and clamp.

Abstract: A self-calibrating optical reflectance probe system having an illuminant light source to illuminate a sample material, optical pickup means to collect reflected light from the sample material, and an articulated white reference reflection standard for illuminant reference to provide a system capable of accurately measuring optical reflectance and automated verification of proper operation. The probe system preferably employs an uncomplicated mount using a single pipe fitting and clamp.

Abstract: A dynamic hip stabilizer utilized to prevent postoperative and recurrent traumatic hip dislocations. The stabilizer includes a pelvic girdle defining an upper opening for the wearer's waist and a lower opening for the wearer's hips, at least one thigh cuff defining an upper opening for a thigh of the wearer and a lower opening for a lower region of the wearer's thigh, and elastic cables attached to the pelvic girdle and the thigh cuff and extending therebetween in a longitudinal direction of the stabilizer. The stabilizer further includes channeling features associated with the pelvic girdle for guiding and controlling movement of the cables in directions transverse to the longitudinal direction of the stabilizer. The stabilizer may optionally include lateral extensions that connect the girdle to each thigh cuff.

Abstract: A method for metallurgically bonding a stator bar to a coupling to reduce the incidence of leak paths resulting from corrosion. The stator bar comprises strands through which a liquid coolant can flow. Adjacent ends of the strands are received in an interior cavity of the coupling through an opening in the coupling. A joining material is provided on a first portion of the stator bar within the coupling opening and adjacent the ends of the strands. The first portion is heated to melt the joining material. At essentially the same time, a second portion of the stator bar outside the coupling is also heated. Once the joining material is suitably molten, the first portion is allowed to cool while the second portion remains heated, thereby causing the joining material nearest the ends of the strands to solidify first.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating element isotopes in space by imparting a velocity and direction to a body of material along a substantially linear path, heating and vaporizing the body and ionizing the material thereof as it flows along the path to produce a first stream comprising ionized material, and then using at least one aperture to separate a first portion of the ionized material having a velocity transverse to the path that exceeds a predetermined transverse velocity limit while a second portion of the ionized material passes through the aperture and can be subsequently collected.

Abstract: A heel-supporting boot capable of supporting a leg of a person in a supine reclining position, such as a bedridden patient, to reduce the risk of bed sores, foot drop, etc. The boot includes a flexible and compressible body having leg and forefoot portions, a continuous cavity within the leg and forefoot portions, an anterior opening to permit a patient's foot and leg to pass therethrough into the cavity, oppositely-disposed lateral regions defined by the leg portion and separated by the anterior opening, and an adjustable closing feature for closing the anterior opening with the lateral regions. A stitch pattern is disposed along at least the forefoot rim, and preferably also the lateral rims, bounding the anterior opening. The stitch pattern is sufficiently close to the forefoot rim and optionally the lateral rims to structurally reinforce the forefoot rim and inhibit elastic and plastic deformation of the forefoot portion.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensor and method for its fabrication. The sensor is fabricated from first and second wafers to have a mechanical capacitor comprising a fixed electrode and a moving electrode defined by a conductive plate. The sensor further has a diaphragm on a surface of the first wafer that is mechanically coupled but electrically insulated from the conductive plate. A conductive layer on the surface of the first wafer is spaced apart from the conductive plate to define the fixed electrode. The second wafer is bonded to the first wafer and carries interface circuitry for the sensor, including the conductive plate and the fixed electrode which are between the first and second wafers and electrically connected to the interface circuitry. At least an opening is present in the first wafer and its first conductive layer by which the diaphragm is released and exposed to an environment surrounding the sensor.

Abstract: A composition capable of eliminating or at least reducing toilet odor when applied directly to the water contained in the toilet bowl prior to use. The liquid composition comprises about 60 to about 70 weight percent diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (CH2OHCH2OCH2CH2OC2H5), the balance being at least additional constituent, such as fragrances and/or stabilizers.

Abstract: An active principle delivery device (1) comprising an inner capsule (4) within an outer capsule (2), the inner and outer capsules (4,2) containing the same active principle (5,3), with at least the outer capsule (2) being a hard capsule and the active principle (3,5) in at least one of the capsules (2,4), comprising a fluid. Also provided is a method of fabricating such a delivery device (1), as well as a method of controlling the pharmaco-kinetic profile of an active principle.

Abstract: A method and device for assessing rheological properties of a fluid, including lubricity and viscosity. The invention utilizes a tube into which the fluid is introduced, and relies on tracking the movement of the fluid through the tube either alone or with one or more particles intentionally introduced into the fluid to assess the rheological properties of the fluid. The method and device generally entail flowing the fluid and the optional suspended particle through a passage within the tube, and assessing a rheological property of the fluid within the tube by tracking the movement of the fluid and/or particle through the portion relative to the flow of the fluid through the portion.

Abstract: A method and architecture that overcomes the problem of latency-caused performance degradation of electronic memory systems. The method involves a “Posted Precharge,” by which an external command for Precharge is given as early as possible, such as immediately following a Read command. The execution of the Precharge is delayed by a precharge counter until all Read/Write commands are completed. By posting a precharge command on a bus at the first available opportunity, multiple pages can be open on the same bank of a memory device. As a result, access latencies are significantly reduced and efficiency of bus in electronic memory systems is significantly improved.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube, such as a toothpaste tube. The apparatus includes a housing having side walls, an end wall with an opening therein, and a cover pivotally attached to the housing to provided access to a cavity within the housing. A squeezing device is slidably received in the cavity and includes a threaded surface the cover and a pair of opposing surface that define a though-slot that increases in width toward the housing end wall. A threaded rod is rotatably mounted to the cover and engages the threaded surface of the squeezing device when the cover is closed and disengages the threaded surface when the cover is opened. By rotating the rod, the squeezing device can be caused to move along the rod toward and away from the end wall of the housing.

Abstract: A mass storage device having at least one flash memory device and DRAM or SRAM-based cache within a package, and which comprises a co-processor within the package for performing compression and decompression of cached data before writing the cached data to the flash memory device.

Abstract: A surgical device having a sheath and legs slidably received within the sheath. The legs are adapted to move outwardly away from each other when deployed from the sheath to establish a deployed position, and to move inwardly toward each other to collapse within the sheath and define a stowed or grasping position. Each of the legs has a transverse cross-sectional shape defined by a concave surface, an oppositely-disposed convex surface, and lateral sides interconnecting the concave and convex surfaces. The legs and sheath are configured to cause the legs to fully collapse within the sheath such that the lateral sides of adjacent pairs of the legs contact each other, and/or the legs define a tubular shape having a circular opening defined by the concave surfaces of the legs and a circular exterior cross-section defined by the convex surfaces of the legs.

Abstract: A thermodynamic system that can approximate the Ericsson or Brayton cycles and operated in reverse or forward modes to implement a cooler or engine, respectively. The thermodynamic system includes a device for compressing a first fluid stream containing a first gas-liquid mixture having a sufficient liquid content so that compression of the gas within the first gas-liquid mixture by the compressing device is nearly isothermal, and a device for expanding a second fluid stream containing a second gas-liquid mixture having a sufficient liquid content so that expansion of the gas within the second gas-liquid mixture by the expanding device is nearly isothermal. A heat sink is in thermal communication with at least the liquid of the first gas-liquid mixture for transferring heat therefrom, and a heat source is in thermal communication with at least the liquid of the second gas-liquid mixture for transferring heat thereto.

Abstract: A process for producing high pressure tubing from austenitic stainless steels. The process entails passing a continuous austenitic stainless steel strip through pre-weld rolls enclosed in a forming housing to produce a continuous tubular shape having opposing edges separated by a longitudinal gap. While the gap is maintained with a seam guide and a liquid-free gas mixture of an inert gas and a gaseous flux is directed at the gap and into an interior of the tubular shape, the tubular shape is caused to pass through a high frequency induction coil to cause heating of the opposing edges of the tubular shape. Pressure is then applied to the tubular shape with weld rolls to force the opposing edges together and form a continuous tubing having a continuous butt weld joint. The weld joint is then quenched with an inert gas without the assistance of a liquid coolant.

Abstract: A system and process for performing a crimping operation by which a fitting is crimped to the end of a fluid conduit, and which automatically compensates for one or more variables that can lead to out-of-tolerance crimp diameters, particularly fitting spring-back and crimper deflection. The system and method use a device for inputting into the system a targeted crimp diameter for the fitting, and a crimper for crimping the fitting to the end of the fluid conduit. The crimper comprises a plurality of dies and an actuator for contracting the dies around the fitting to obtain the targeted crimp diameter for the fitting. The system and method further includes a unit for attaining the targeted crimp diameter by automatically compensating contraction of the dies for spring-back of the fitting during crimping and/or deflection of the crimper during crimping.