Abstract: The invention relates to an optical switching element for altering the propagation direction of at least one light beam, comprising a transparent base body (21), said base body being provided with a recess (20) for forming at least one boundary surface (19) between an optically denser medium and an optically more translucent medium. The incident light strikes this boundary surface (19). The recess (20) is filled partly with a liquid (26) and contains a moveable body (16). The liquid (26) and the moveable body (16) have approximately the same refractive index as the transparent base body. To switch the switching element (15) to a transmitting switching state, the moveable body is positioned in the recess in such a way that the gap between the boundary surface and the surface of the moveable body is filled completely with the liquid. If the moveable body is positioned in the recess in such a way that the boundary surface is free of the liquid, the incident light is reflected on said boundary surface.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell comprising a walled enclosure including a cathode sidewall has busbar structure external to the cell. The busbar structure can include a gird bar releasably secured at the sidewall. It also may include a small cathode busbar member on the sidewall. The small busbar member is typically located above and adjacent to the gird bar. there can be internal support members for the cathodes directly secured to the inside face of the cathode sidewall. Furthermore, intercell connection may be handled directly to the outside face of the cathode sidewall. The overall structure can provide reduced potential for sidewall stress corrosion cracking, reduced cathode manufacturing cost, and accommodation of stress relief for the cathode weldment.

Abstract: An orthopedic crutch is provided which has a parallel vertical support members which oppose a central longitudinal axis of the crutch. The support member include apertures on the opposing surfaces to form parallel pairs of apertures. An adjustable hand crutch includes a locking member which engages the aperture for each vertical support. The handgrip further has a support terminating in the collar on either side which encircles the corresponding vertical support. A yoke member cooperates with the inner portion of the collar relative to the longitudinal central axis of the crutch. The yoke member can be slid inwardly to disengage the locking element from the pairs of apertures. The locking member is retained in the retracted position until the next aperture is encountered.

Abstract: An electrode is disclosed having a coating on part of the electrode, e.g., a front face, comprising the oxides of tin, antimony, at least one platinum group metal and at least one valve metal. Another part of the electrode, such as a back face, has a coating comprising the oxides of at least one valve metal and at least one platinum group metal. The electrode can be generally plate-shaped and most desirably has at least one chamfered corner. The electrode is particularly useful in a cell wherein brine electrolyte is electrolyzed to prepare a disinfectant solution containing hypochlorite. The disinfectant solution can be especially serviceable, such as in maritime application, for treating water, e.g., freshwater as represented by desalinated water.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator is utilized in combination with a compressor to provide a highly enriched and compressed oxygen gas in a mobile container such as a gas cylinder. The combination and method of production provides for the facile preparation of an enriched source of oxygen for use by an ambulatory or wheelchair-confined patient. The oxygen concentrator utilizes two or more molecular sieves to provide a breathable gas of from approximately 80 to about 98 percent oxygen from atmospheric air. The oxygen-enriched gas is stored in a concentrator product tank and can be prioritized so as to supply a patient with a proper amount and concentration of oxygen and secondarily to supply any surplus or excess enriched oxygen to a compressor. The compressor utilizes multiple stages to produce the highly compressed oxygen-enriched gas and utilizes a two-part piston at low rpm to enhance low wear and low noise.

Abstract: Copolymers containing repeating units polymerized from at least one polycyclic monomer and at least one acrylic monomer are disclosed. The copolymer is formed by addition polymerization in the presence of a Group VIII transition metal catalyst. The copolymers contain hydrocarbyl and/or functional substituents pendant from the polymer backbone. In one embodiment the copolymer contains pendant ester substituents containing acid labile groups. The copolymers are useful as resist materials that are sensitive to imaging radiation.

Abstract: A spinal implant assembly is provided which has a stabilizer rod clamped into position within an anchor by means of a sliding closure member including a mating set screw or hook. The exterior faces of the anchor are contoured to optimize interface in the surgical setting. The anchor includes a U-shaped channel having multiple undercut surfaces such as grooves, which mate with flange like projections or “dovetails” of a closure member which is slid in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the rod. The closure member has on either side a flange mating with opposing recesses formed at the top of the U-shaped channel so as to lock the closure member in place. The set screw has an external hex head for tightening, and a plurality of radically extending prongs which are undercut and which mate with the recesses in the top of the U-shaped channel of the anchor. The hex head sheers at a necked area above the radial collar to provide for a flush surface relative to the closure member.

Abstract: The invention addresses a rollover protection apparatus for motor vehicles with a protection system assigned to each vehicle seat. The invention provides that the profile unit is designed in the form of a box profile rigidified against bending with guide elements on the narrow sides of the profile elements and one single spring drive mechanism disposed centrally in the profile bar unit and with a pawl/ratchet mechanism mounted parallel to the bar width in a curved projection of the profile bar unit. These measures create a rollover protection apparatus that comprises only a few parts, is simple to manufacture and the depth of which can be kept very shallow.

Abstract: A vehicle frame which enables a lowering of the saddle coupling with improved stability for this, and recesses at the upper side of the lengthwise girders of the vehicle frame extending across the entire width of the frame are proposed. The saddle coupling is fastenably secured to the lengthwise girders.

Abstract: A universal platform support assembly (10) provides for vertical and horizontal adjustment to secure the assembly to a wide array of walker (W) styles and sizes. A forearm receiving member (20) can be pivoted for comfort of the user and a push handle (24) associated therewith may be selectively positioned fore and aft, as well as rotated, for additional fit and comfort. Enlarged knobs (32) that may be conveniently grasped and manipulated secure the various adjustable components together allowing assembly and adjustment to proceed without using tools.

Abstract: A micropolarimeter and ellipsometer for obtaining complete optical information of superficially illuminated specimens. A compact construction is designed to facilitate their use. To obtain the simultaneous surface measurement of all optical information from a specimen, the retarder of the micropolarimeter consists of a one-piece retarder array with at least one pixel group, in which the major axis orientations of the individual pixels are distributed over an angular range of 360°. This micropolarimeter can be integrated into the reflected light microscope of an ellipsometer. The result is a compact measurement unit.

Abstract: A blend of a polymer, swelling agent, and a sheet silicate and/or sheet silicone filler is disclosed. The swelling agent makes it possible to intercalate the sheet silicate and/or sheet silicone with a variety of different polymers. The swelling agent is a material with sufficient mobility such that it can enter between the sheets of the silicate or silicone and increase the spacing between sheets. The swelling agent desirably has a solubility parameter that facilitates entry of both the swelling agent and matrix polymer between the layers of the filler promoting intercalation and/or exfoliation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a micropolarimeter comprising an analyzer (1) and a detector (10) located past the analyzer in the direction of radiation and presenting a number of segments ND which is higher than or equal to 3 (11). The invention seeks to provide a micropolarimeter with no moving parts, with a high polarization index, for use for polychromatic light, so small that it can detect the ray of common lasers in one single measurement step without it being necessary to enlarge it, and capable of being converted in a simple manner into a complete Stokesmeter.

Abstract: A wheelchair back assembly is mounted from the vertical post of a wheelchair. The assembly has a back member comprising one or more rigid shells which are mounted by laterally extending adjustable clamping members. These clamping members permit a variety of adjustment angles, height and depth. Further, lateral support members can be independently adjusted to accommodate a particular user.

Abstract: A process which relies on a joining technique between two individual strongly linked superconductors is disclosed. Specifically, this invention relates to fabrication of single domains of YBa2Cu3Ox or YBa2Cu3Ox with the addition of Y2BaCuO5 and/or other secondary phases such as Pt/PtO2, CeO2, SnO2, Ag, Y2O3 and other rare earth oxides, by using a top-seeded, melt processing technique. Beginning with a single crystal seed such as Nd1+xBa2−xCu3O3 or SmBa2Cu3Ox crystals, a melt-textured YBCO domain with crystallographic orientation nearly similar to that of the seed crystal can be fabricated. The samples are next machined to desired geometrical shapes. A bonding material is then applied to the ac plane. Low solidification or recrystalization point, similar crystal structure to that of YBa2Cu3Ox, and capability of growing epitaxially on YBCO domains are critical parameters of the bonding material.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an electrically conductive valve metal mesh of extreme void fraction. More particularly the invention relates in a most important aspect to an application thereof for an electrode structure in such a way as to prevent the corrosion of steel, including reinforcing steel in concrete, by cathodic protection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a matrix switch for optical fibers, exhibiting slides (S1(n)) arranged in lines, to each of which an input optical fiber (LWL1(n)) is fixed, and slides (S2(m)) arranged in columns to each of which an output optical fiber (LWL2(m)) is fixed. The slides with the optical fibers are arranged on two planes in such a way that the input optical fibers can be optically coupled to the output optical fibers by displacing the output and input slides. A device (1) with stops (2) arranged in lines and columns is provided to position the slides (S1(n)), (S21(m)) to which the input or output optical fibers (LWL1(n)), (LWL1(n)) are fixed. The positioning device (1) enables the advancement of the output slides (S2(m)) to be limited in such a way that the output slides are secured in an exact position in which the input optical fibers can be coupled to the output optical fibers.

Abstract: A conductive polymer is disclosed which is suitable for use in applications which require corrosion resistance including resistance to corrosion when subjected to acidic flow at temperature ranging from −40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and which can be molded into highly intricate and thin specimens which exhibit consistent conductivity, sufficient strength and flexibility, and appropriate surface characteristics. In particular the invention involves molding unsaturated prepolymer resin composition which have high loadings of conductive fillers. Further to enable the necessary characteristics, the compositions include rheological modifiers such as Group II oxides and hydroxides; carbodiamides; aziridines; polyisocyanates; polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); perfluoropolyether (PFPE), and polyethylene.

Abstract: The device relates generally to a seating system and more particularly to seat cushion assemblies having a rearward depression and cushioning insert tailored to fit under the skeletal structure of the user. In particular, the assembly preferably includes an intermediate insert which fits within a base depression and a cushioning insert which can be a fluid bag, air bag, foam or gel. The insert is generally oval shaped and has a rounded bottom. This enables the cushion to be used to fit under the seating bones so as to provide a proper pelvic tilt. Further, the insert can be moved in order to provide controlled movement of the pelvis over time. A first cushioning insert is generally constructed of a material forming baffles so as to define air chambers and having a right and left seat bone area. A second design has a top and bottom so as to define the fluid envelope separated by a central baffle having apertures to allow fluid communication between the right an left portions.