Abstract: A dielectric resonator with an air (or other dielectric) gap axially interrupting the body of the resonator and circuits employing such resonators. Preferably, the resonator body is conical or a stepped cylinder. However, the invention also is workable with a straight-sided cylindrical resonator body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to bioactive botanical cosmetic compositions derived from membrane and cell serum fractions of plant cell juice. The present invention also relates to the methods for preparing these bioactive botanical cosmetic compositions and the uses of these compositions in various cosmetic formulations and as topical skin cosmetic applications.

Abstract: A MEMS filter has an input layer for receiving a signal input, and an output layer for providing a signal output. The MEMS filter also has a first resonator and a second resonator coupled to the first resonator such that movement transduced in the first resonator by the signal input causes movement of the second resonator which transduces the signal output. A method of manufacturing a MEMS filter is also disclosed. A dielectric layer is formed on a base. A patterned electrode layer is formed at least in part on the dielectric layer. The base is etched to define a resonator structure. A method of adjusting a desired input impedance and an output impedance of a dielectrically transduced MEMS filter having transduction electrodes coupled to a dielectric film is further disclosed. The method includes adjusting a DC bias voltage on the transduction electrodes.

Abstract: An improved snow moving apparatus has a semi-cylindrical body and side plates that form an inner cavity that is impermeable by snow. The apparatus has a pushing scraper and a pulling scraper. The pushing scraper is in contact with the ground when the apparatus is in pushing mode and the pulling scraper is in contact with the ground with the apparatus is in pulling mode. The scrapers are adjustably attached to either the side plates or the body or both so that the level of the scrapers can be easily adjusted when the blades wear down through use.

Abstract: A wireless packet communication system conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard includes a plurality of access points (APs) most of which have wired connections only for power and an ISDN telephone line. The APs communicate at 8.5 Ghz with a regional point-of-presence that is one end of a VPN through the internet to a national office. The registered users' data and control of the system including the IP assignment and SIP proxy and the control of the 802.11 communication reside in the national office. By retaining for a short period the SIP connection, IP address and key encryption information after a user has disassociated from an AP, the user can quickly reauthenticate and reassociate using the same SIP connection, IP address, and encryption key at a different AP. Voice data and computer data can both be processed through an AP by the addition on another 802.11 frame encoder/decoder.

Abstract: A battery powered wireless fluid pressure sensor has a sealed chamber which can be vented to the outside atmosphere through a re-sealable reference port to allow a user to set the reference atmosphere inside the pressure sensor enabling the pressure sensor to provide absolute, gauge and true gauge pressure readings. The sensor calculates and transmits the fluid pressure taking into account the temperature of the pressure transducer, the temperature of the electronic devices and the barometric pressure inside the sealed chamber to provide accurate pressure measurements over a wide range of operating conditions.

Abstract: A pet exercise device having outer and inner shells having first and second apertures defined therein, respectively, is provided. The outer shell has a first raised edge extending from an internal surface of the outer shell, wherein the first raised edge extends around the periphery of the first aperture. The inner shell defines an interior compartment and is positioned within the outer shell to form a retaining chamber between the inner and outer shells. A second raised edge extends from an external surface of the inner shell and around the periphery of the second aperture. Further, the first and second apertures are non-coextensive, staggered or otherwise misaligned with one another so that the liquid or solids are retained within the retaining chamber and not allowed to pass through the second apertures and directly out of first apertures.

Abstract: The present invention is a centralized flow control unit (CFCU) for regulating oxygen flow in a multiple user emergency oxygen distribution system in passenger aircraft. Upon activation, the CFCU initially allows unregulated flow of oxygen to surge into the distribution system to thereby purge the ambient air out of the system. After a sufficient pressure is achieved in the distribution system, the CFCU regulates the flow mechanically with a diaphragm engaging a regulator valve. The pressure of the oxygen under the diaphragm causes the regulator valve to reduce the flow of the oxygen through the CFCU. The CFCU accounts for changes in altitude by including a bleed passageway in the diaphragm. A small amount of the oxygen under the diaphragm bleeds to the chamber above the diaphragm then a bleed exit allows the oxygen to escape to the ambient air.

Abstract: A crosshead assembly for forming extruded shapes from molten polymer. The assembly includes body sections, a mandrel, a choke ring, and a tip holder for admitting, turning, and accelerating molten polymer toward a novel rotatable die sub-assembly. The die sub-assembly includes a hub, axially-loaded duplex ball bearings, and a pulley for rotating the sub-assembly. The choke ring extends into the die sub-assembly, and a cylindrical seal element is disposed therebetween. A changeable extrusion tip is threaded onto the second cylindrical portion of the tip holder. A die in the sub-assembly is specific to the shape to be extruded. For forming a spiral ribbon and a skin layer on core material, the die opening is a circular central aperture and a radial slot. Multiple ribbons may be extruded simultaneously by using multiple slots.

Abstract: An improved method of altering a fluid-borne contaminant includes the steps of: providing a positive-displacement pump (21) having an inlet (22) and an outlet (23); connecting the pump inlet to a source (24) of contaminated fluid; operating the pump at a pressure ratio sufficient to elevate the pressure and temperature of the fluid and contaminants passing through the pump to alter or convert substantially all of the contaminants passing through the pump.

Abstract: A ceramic oxygen generator is described which is capable of modular construction to permit the oxygen generation capacity to be expanded. An ionically conducted ceramic electrolyte is formed into a series of rows and columns of tubes on a tube support member and like electrolyte bodies can be connected together to form a manifold therebetween of oxygen produced in the interiors of the rubes. An electrical connection between tubes is formed such that the anodes and cathodes of tubes in a column are connected in parallel while the tubes in the row are, respectively, connected anode to cathode to form a series connection.