Abstract: An apparatus for automatically controlling the water level of a pool includes a first tank having a first water level, the first tank including a first float valve connected to a high pressure water source. A second tank has a second water level that is below the first water level, thereby defining a pressure head between the two tanks. The second tank includes a second float valve that is supplied by the pressure head between the two tanks, so that the second float valve receives low pressure water and is adapted to open and close within a range that spans a fraction of an inch. The second tank also includes an adjustable drain opening. The second tank water level varies between an upper limit set by the drain opening and a lower limit set by the opened position of the second float valve. The second tank is connected directly to the pool in open flow communication, so that the water level set in the second tank in turn sets the water level of the pool.

Abstract: A high pressure metering pump employs a flexible diaphragm extending radially from a piston as the moving pump element. The diaphragm is secured by an annular anvil at its periphery to form a high pressure seal, and the center of the diaphragm is driven reciprocally by a mechanically driven piston. A support assembly for the diaphragm includes a moveable metal ring concentric about the piston and an elastic, resilient ring concentric about the piston and interposed between the metal ring and the diaphragm. The elastic resilient ring is formed of a material such as neoprene, Viton, or the like to mediate and distribute the force between the diaphragm and the metal ring. This assembly allows the diaphragm membrane to support the high pressures that are prevalent in HPLC.

Abstract: A living wall comprises a plurality of planter tiles and base tiles configured to be joined in edge abutting fashion to tessellate a vertical surface. Planter tiles include a curved coffer wall extending from a front surface of the base panel to define an upwardly opening container for soil and plants. Base tiles and planter tiles may be fabricated from a porous material that allows a soaker supply at the top of the tile layout to water the entire vertical matrix by seepage through the tiles. In another embodiment, bio-blocks in stacked array having cavities for soil and water treatment media, and cladding panels are secured to one surface of the stacked array with openings for plants growing in the soil media.

Abstract: A scooter propulsion mechanism includes a pedal secured to the upper surface of the platform and a rigid link pivotally connected from the pedal to the mechanism components mounted on the bottom surface of the platform. Approximately one-half of the propulsion mechanism is located at one side of the rear wheel, and the other one-half is located at the other side of the rear wheel. The mechanism in one embodiment includes a plurality of gear wheels to increase rotational speed, and in another embodiment a plurality of sprocket wheels joined by chain loops, in both cases to drive the rear wheel and propel the scooter. A slot in the platform allows the larger sprocket wheels or gear wheels to project upwardly therethrough, so that there is sufficient ground clearance for safe riding.

Abstract: A method for creating a 3D map of the surface contours of an object includes projecting a variety of patterns onto the object, and imaging the patterns as they fall on the object to encode the topographic features of the object. The images are processed in a computer program in a manner such that a complete 3D map of the surface of the object is obtained in digital form. Reiteration of the method can detect motional variation such as a breathing human, flexure of a complex mechanical structure, or a stress-strain testing of an airplane, vehicle, beam, bridge, or other structure.

Abstract: An improved single-fracture method and apparatus for determining the ambient stress state and material properties of underground media includes, in one aspect, an expandable probe having high-strength steel shells with longitudinally extending, tooth-like ridges to create a maximum friction engagement with the borehole boundary. The single fracture method establishes a force-balance between the probe expansion pressure and the underground stress vector acting perpendicular to the single fracture plane, whereby the expansion pressure and stress vector are related by a proportionality constant (n).

Abstract: A game controller system for electronic games includes a two-hand operated game pad that has a pair of pistol-like grips extending from opposed ends of a central housing bearing player input buttons, triggers analog sticks, and digital pad. A wrist support panel extends laterally from the bottom of each grip to provide a rest for the blade portion of the gripping hand. A plug connector disposed on the housing releasably connects to any one of several modules, such as mouse, joystick, and steering units to enable a user to reconfigure the assembly for different games and purposes.

Abstract: An arm rest assembly for a motorcycle passenger seat includes a vertically adjustable mount secured to the typical backrest behind the passenger seat. A U-shaped tubular member includes a medial portion rotatably secured in the mount, and arm rest cushions secured to opposed side arm portions. The U-shaped member is rotatable through an arc of approximately 180° about the axis of the medial portion, the range being limited by stop members joined to the medial portion. The side arm portions extend rearwardly to support baggage, or rotated to an upwardly extending disposition in which the passenger may mount or dismount the passenger seat, to a forwardly extending disposition in which the side arm portions extend to support the arms of the passenger and to provide side support for the passenger.

Abstract: Linear actuators comprised of a plurality of geometric links connected together in displacement multiplied fashion by a plurality of SMA wires. The links may have a trigon or chevron configuration. The trigon links may be combined with a hexagonal or rhomboidal shaft to create a defined stacking pattern of links about the shaft. The shaft extends from the medial portion of the stack. Ohmic heating circuits connect to non-moving ends of SMA wires. Various groupings of links in parallel displacement are described.

Abstract: An adjustable high pressure, low flow metering valve provides a sleeve extending about a restrictor shaft, the sleeve having a narrow helical groove formed in the inside diameter. A restrictor shaft within the sleeve encloses the groove and forms a sealed helical flow channel. The length of the flow channel is varied by withdrawing the restrictor shaft in the sleeve, whereby only a selected axial extent of the groove is enclosed by the sleeve to form a confined flow path. The shaft is provided with a threaded engagement in the body of the metering valve, so that rotation of an adjustment knob provides extremely fine control of the length of the flow path, and thus highly accurate selection of the flow resistance.

Abstract: A hubless caster assembly includes a caster body and at least one wheel, the wheel comprising a toroidal member having a bearing race, and a complementary bearing race supported by the caster body. Bearing elements in the races support the wheel in free rotation. The caster body may comprise a ring body having an axial opening, whereby the caster assembly has a large central aperture extending entirely therethrough. A centering ring may be secured in the axial opening with the complementary bearing race formed therein. A hub cap with visual treatment may be secured over the central aperture.

Abstract: In conjunction with a pool cleaning apparatus having a flexible hose supported by floats, an apparatus for deploying the hose into the pool includes at least one tube through which the hose extends. A cylindrical water jet discharges into the tube toward the outer, pool end of the tube. The jet interact with the floats to drive the floats and the hose into the pool. A donut-like pressure chamber at the inner end of the tube has an annular vent to create the cylindrical water jet.

Abstract: Actuators that employs a shape memory alloy component as the driving element include linear and rotational devices. An Intrinsic Return Means (IRM) may be imparted to the SMA actuator, thereby reducing the use of a spring return mechanism. The rotational actuator may include a cylindrical bobbin with a helical groove to receive an SMA wire. A number of turns may be placed in a small length of bobbin to amplify the rotational excursion. In another rotational actuator, a plurality of narrow, coaxial rings are provided, the rings being nested in close concentric fit or stacked in side-by-side fashion. Each ring is provided with a groove extending thereabout to receive an SMA wire and contraction of the wire causes each ring to rotate with respect to the adjacent ring. In an embodiment for linear actuation, the invention provides a bar-like component having SMA wires joined between bars.

Abstract: An improved storage receptacle for an automatic swimming pool cleaning device that incorporates a cleaning head secured to a retractable hose includes a barrier that is selectively operated to block the opening of the storage receptacle and prevent the cleaning head from entering the storage receptacle during use and becoming trapped. The barrier is a rod slidably disposed within a tube adjacent to the receptacle opening, and hydraulic action drives the rod upwardly to block the opening of the storage receptacle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing the unintended activation of SMA devices by ambient temperatures that exceed the phase transition temperature of the SMA material itself. In one embodiment a passive actuator is coupled to an active actuator, each having identical arrangements of SMA wire, but connected in opposite directions to compensate for temperature drift that is not due to powered heating. A second embodiment consists of a passive SMA wire connected to a latch/release mechanism allowing the actuator itself to move rather than moving the load. In a third embodiment the passive wire is connected to a load coupling, so that the load itself is disconnected from the actuator when the passive wire reaches the phase transition temperature. The passive wire may be made of a lower-temperature wire than the active wires, so that the release action occurs long before the active wire begins to be moved by ambient temperature.

Abstract: In conjunction with a pool cleaning apparatus having a flexible hose supported by floats, an apparatus for deploying the hose into the pool includes at least one tube through which the hose extends. A plurality of water jets extend into the tube downstream from the entrance and are angled obliquely toward the outer, pool end of the tube. The jets interact with the floats to drive the floats and the hose into the pool. A pressure chamber may be provided surrounding the tube to supply the jets.

Abstract: Actuators that employs a shape memory alloy component as the driving element include linear and rotational devices. An Intrinsic Return Means (IRM) may be imparted to the SMA actuator, thereby reducing the use of a spring return mechanism. The rotational actuator may include a cylindrical bobbin with a helical groove to receive an SMA wire. A number of turns may be placed in a small length of bobbin to amplify the rotational excursion. In another rotational actuator, a plurality of narrow, coaxial rings are provided, the rings being nested in close concentric fit or stacked in side-by-side fashion. Each ring is provided with a groove extending thereabout to receive an SMA wire and contraction of the wire causes each ring to rotate with respect to the adjacent ring. In an embodiment for linear actuation, the invention provides a bar-like component having SMA wires joined between bars.

Abstract: An ergonomic side grip computer mouse includes a base; a side wall coupled to the base, the side wall having a substantially circular configuration; switch means coupled to the side wall for receiving user inputs from at least one of the fingers of the computer user and generating switch signals; and, mouse tracking means coupled to the base for generating mouse movement signals.

Abstract: A linear actuator includes a plurality of sub-modules disposed in adjacent array and adapted to translate reciprocally parallel to a common axis. A plurality of shape memory alloy wires extend generally linearly and parallel to the axis, and are each connected from one end of a sub-module to the opposed end of an adjacent sub-module. The SMA wires are connected in a circuit for ohmic heating that contracts the SMA wires between the sub-modules. The sub-modules are linked by the SMA wires in a serial mechanical connection that combines the constriction stroke displacement of the SMA wires in additive fashion to achieve a long output stroke. Moreover, the sub-modules are assembled in a small volume, resulting in an actuator of minimal size and maximum stroke displacement.