Abstract: An electromechanical functional module and associated process for production thereof, which includes at least one transducer, at least one upper fiber cover layer, which is nonconducting and is positioned over the at least one transducer having a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one lower fiber cover layer, which is nonconducting and is positioned below the at least one transducer, at least one fiber interlayer, which is nonconducting with at least one cut-out for accommodating the at least one transducer, at least one upper electric contract strip that is integrally connected to the at least one upper fiber cover layer and in contact with the first electrode of the at least one transducer, and at least one lower electric contract strip that is integrally connected to the at least one lower fiber cover layer and in contact with the second electrode of the at least one transducer, wherein the at least one upper fiber cover layer, the at least one lower fiber cover layer and the at least one tra

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering particulate from an internal combustion engine by use of monolithic particulate trap systems having porous walls (2c, 24c). The porous walls (2c, 24c) filter the particulate. The filtered particulate on inner surfaces of the porous walls is periodically removed or regenerated via back flow of previously filtered exhaust gas. The back flow is caused by creating a pressure difference across the porous walls. The back flow of the previously filtered exhaust gas is simultaneously or sequentially coupled with high velocity through flow of exhaust gas in the channels. In addition, the particulate trap system can be an adsorber-catalyst particulate trap system for filtering particulate and reducing NOx via an adsorber-catalyst trap systems to achieve the EPA 2007 standards.

Abstract: An ocular brachytherapy device, generally comprising a catheter and wire, impregnated with radioactive material, are provided. The wire is formed having a desired treatment shape and size such that it can be placed near an area requiring treatment and effectuate treatment while not affecting adjacent areas. For ease in placement near such areas the wire is preferably formed using materials having properties that permit formation into a desired shape while allowing the wire to be straightened for retraction into the catheter, the shape returning upon removal from the catheter. The wire is preferably impregnated with radioactive material. When the catheter is placed near the area of treatment and the wire is pushed out of the catheter, the wire retakes the desired form and provides a therapeutic radioactive treatment to the area.

Abstract: A wall-flow particulate trap system regenerated by reverse flow of filtered exhaust gas through porous walls of a plurality of tubular passages is disclosed. The system includes a particulate trap having an inlet and an outlet, the particulate trap adapted to receive engine exhaust gas; a mode valve assembly offset from the inlet of the particulate trap; a remote actuated relief valve offset from the outlet of the at least one particulate trap a duct rotor intermediate the particulate trap and the mode valve assembly, the duct rotor having a first end and a second end, the second end of the duct rotor in operative communication with the mode valve assembly and the first end of the duct rotor in fluid communication with the inlet of the particulate trap; and a rotor drive in driving connection with the duct rotor.

Abstract: A lighting system for illuminating artwork includes a housing; a lamp mounted within said housing and including a halogen bulb and a reflector, said reflector having a dichroic coating; a linear spread lens positioned in front of said lamp and having an etched portion covering less than one hundred percent of a first surface of said lens; and a door associated with said housing and defining an opening therein, said opening having a flattened portion and a rounded portion, said linear spread lens positioned over said opening, and the light emitted by the lighting system being directed through said linear spread lens and said opening. The resulting lighting system produces safe light diffused evenly substantially over the entire surface of a piece of artwork.

Abstract: A fluid filter system has a manifold having a fluid inlet with an inlet stop and a fluid outlet with an outlet stop and a cartridge seat. A cartridge is separable from the manifold and adapted to mount and dismount in the manifold. The cartridge has a filter housing containing a filter for filtering fluid, and an integral closure member having a first level and a second level. A radial inlet port is on a face of the first level of the closure member and an axial outlet port is on top of the second level of the closure member. A first boss on the closure member opens the inlet stop when the cartridge is mounted in the manifold. A second boss on the closure member is disposed to open the outlet stop when the cartridge is mounted in the manifold. The bosses engage the stops sequentially.

Abstract: A memory control system for a network that broadcasts to multiple terminals content data including music, video and the like, and also including commercial advertisements. A memory in the terminal unit stores content data that is played upon a loss of signal from the broadcast network. The memory also stores commercial advertisements for playback from the terminal memory according to schedule control instructions, which are also stored in a memory at the terminal unit. Writing of content to a memory and reading content from the memory may be executed concurrently by interleaving. A microprocessor arbitrates use of input, output and memory buffers such that reading content from memory provides content output maintaining uninterrupted real time play even when new content data is being stored concurrently. Content data memory addresses are stored in sector tables that are further arranged in File Allocation Tables in a second memory.

Abstract: A traction cable actuator has a sun gear, with a lever, at least two planetary gears engaged with the sun gear, and a housing with a toothed race engaging the planetary gears. The housing further has a lock spring seat, and a traction cable sleeve seat. A drive shaft operatively engages with the sun gear to turn the sun gear. The shaft has at least one release tab. A pulley is disposed within the housing. The pulley has planetary gear axles disposed to receive driving force from the planetary gears. The pulley also has a traction cable wire seat. A lock spring disposed to engage said lock spring seat in the housing engages the lever on the sun gear when the sun gear is turned. The lock spring holds said pulley in a position selected by turning the drive shaft. A bearing and groove stop assembly may be included.

Abstract: A method for immobilizing at least one hazardous chemical, comprising the steps of breaching a container having a bulk chemical agent, adding a rheological modifier into the container, and dispersing the rheological modifier within the container so as to promote interaction between the rheological modifier and the bulk chemical agent.

Abstract: This invention is a lumbar support device with a pair of side rails, a plurality of transverse wires and a pair of cross-bars extending between the pair of side rails. The lumbar support device is designed for a seat back of a vehicle seat to support an occupant's lumbar region. The invention is designed to include an actuator assembly for changing the contour of the lumbar support device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an injector device that can be used to inject a medicament. The injector device includes a body having a syringe cavity and incorporating a syringe. The syringe includes a barrel defining a reservoir for an injectable medicament and an injection needle is in communication with the reservoir such that the medicament content in the reservoir can be expelled from the reservoir via the needle. The syringe includes an internal piston which can be moved in an injecting direction along inside the barrel toward the needle to inject the medicament content through the needle. The syringe is slidably moveable within the syringe cavity in the body between a first configuration in which the needle has its point shielded, and a second configuration in which the needle is exposed for use for an injection to be administered, and back again.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling wire spools is disclosed. The apparatus includes a brace and a spool handle removably connected to the base. A spool is mounted on the handle and thereafter a user picks up the handle and mounts it on the base. Thereafter, wire can be dispensed from the spool.

Abstract: A system for sensing the load carried in a structural member by attaching a load cell to a neutral axis of bending. Small deflections along an arc of bending create a desirable signal level via mechanical amplification. A load sensor is adapted for mounting on an axle that deviates from a neutral axis when under a load. The load sensor comprises a reaction portion adapted for mounting on the axle and an active portion adapted for mounting to at least two points along the axle. The active portion has an amplifier arm and at least one sensor element. The sensor element is attached at a first end to the reaction portion and the sensor is attached at its second end to the amplifier arm. At least one strain gauge is mounted on the sensor element. At least one flexion web is attached to the reaction portion and to the active portion.

Abstract: The present invention is a wind power apparatus for driving an electric generator. The wind power apparatus comprises a frame, a vertical axle mounted on the frame and a buoyant hull. The buoyant hull is rotational disposed on the axle. The buoyant hull has a curvilinear side surface. The wind power apparatus further comprises a fan. The fan is mounted on the buoyant hull such that wind rotating the fan rotates the buoyant hull. The wind power apparatus further has a drive wheel. The drive wheel is disposed in close cooperation with the curvilinear of the surface of the buoyant hull such that rotation of the buoyant hull rotates the drive wheel. The drive wheel is adapted to be in driving engagement with an electric generator such that rotation of the drive wheel turns the electric generator to generate electricity.

Abstract: A decorative stone impregnated with a transmutable lighting element, such as a light emitting diode, electrically connected to a power source. The lighting element contains an integrated circuit which controls its transmutable appearance. The decorative stone may be used in jewelry.

Abstract: A pet tether including a ground fixation device; a base attached to a ground fixation device, the base being disposed above the ground, a coupling on the base, the coupling being disposed above the ground, a leash bracket, the leash bracket having a leash attachment and the leash bracket having a handle, the handle being constructed to couple and uncouple with the coupling, a housing attached to the leash bracket; and a light mounted in the housing.

Abstract: A satellite broadcast conditional access system with key synchronization uses indexing of an authorization stream to quickly restart the decrypting process after short carrier fades and after carrier switches. The authorization stream includes cyphered seeds and index numbers which are sequentially sent to a group of receivers. The same authorization stream can also be broadcast multiple times to the group of receivers. A conditional access server selects a starting index number and increments the index number by a predefined value. The receivers have a memory to save the current index number for the authorization stream. Any receiver that loses its connection to the broadcast and thereafter reestablishes its connection can retrieve the latest index number being issued in the authorization stream and compare it with the stored index number. When the index numbers match or are within a defined threshold, the receiver will continue to decypher the seeds and decrypt the transport stream.

Abstract: A vehicle positioning and tracking radar system includes a rotating antenna with a pair of spatially separated transmit feeds for simultaneously transmitting a pair of frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) electromagnetic signals having a first polarisation and a pair of spatially separated receive feeds for receiving an electromagnetic signal having a second polarisation, wherein the first and second polarisations are different from one another, such that the transmit feed and receive feed at the rotating antenna are isolated from each other; and a coded modulated transponder receives transmit signals from the rotating antenna with the first polarization and transmits a receive signal to the rotating antenna with the second polarization.