Abstract: A cleat-rod apparatus includes a unitary cylindrical rod member which extends and morphs into a cleat member, wherein the cylindrical rod member and cleat member have no parting-line, and wherein the cylindrical rod member is shaped for being snugly received within a fishing rod holder extending generally downward through a boat hull which may be at an angle and into an interior hull space, and further is configured to avoid damaging contact with hull surfaces when the installed cleat-rod apparatus is rotated in the holder.

Abstract: A pancake field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) uses radial filtering and detection of selection ion species in a compact pancake package to provide enhanced resolution and fast response time. A sample containing a mixture of compounds is ionized in a chamber and then ion species representing the various compounds in the sample are passed to a FAIMS ion filter. Compensated FAIMS filter fields dictate passage through the filter of ion species of certain mobility behavior and trajectory. The detector detects ions that have passed through the FAIMS filter wherein the filter and detector electrodes are formed radially spaced on facing substrates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for translating the speed of a drive shaft which is driven at a second speed to the speed of a driven shaft at a second speed, by providing a drive cam, a driven cam, and at least one reciprocating transfer element driven at a constant angular velocity and held in a slotted, fixed retainer, for interacting the two cams, such that the driven cam can be driven at the second speed by the drive cam driven at the first speed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for translating angular velocity and rotary motive force of an input drive to angular velocity and rotary motive force of an output drive, by providing a pair of devices rotatable at, relative to or about a common axis, and translating means for transmitting angular velocity and rotary motive force of a first of the devices to angular velocity and rotary motive force of a second of the devices. In a preferred embodiment, the translating means includes a variably and controlledly groundable reaction disk for varying the throughput from the input to the output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for a scanning output from a rotary input based upon the cooperation of a continuous track and a discontinuous track via at least one interacting element.

Abstract: Method and apparatus having a track of segments, ones of the segments having a non-varying profile, for generating a varying motion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing backlash in a speed converter using balls to interact between input and output cams. Preferred embodiment features two-point contact of balls by drive input and driven output cam tracks under axial preload.

Abstract: Spectrometric analysis for determining the elemental concentration of various wear metals, contaminants and additives present in a fluid sample for condition monitoring and preventive maintenance. RDE spectroscopy method and apparatus includes use of rotrode disk as a filter which captures large particles of the surface of the disk, which particles are then subjected to RDE spectroscopy for evaluation. In one method, the rotrode with the captured large-particle filtrate is subjected to a solvent wash, and the washed sample is then submitted to RDE spectroscopy to obtain a highly accurate multi-elemental determination of concentration of large particles. In another method, conventional RDE spectroscopy is used to characterize the small particles in a used oil sample, and this is combined with the obtained large particle data for highly accurate multi-elemental determination of concentration of wear debris, contaminants and additives in the fluid sample.

Abstract: Method and apparatus producing oscillatory motion output from a rotary input using balls to interact between input and output cams. Preferred embodiment features a speed reduction stage and an oscillation stage. Dwell periods can be provided as well as indexing to a specific location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for translating the speed of a drive shaft which is driven at a first speed to the speed of a driven shaft at a second speed, by providing a drive cam, a driven cam, and at least one reciprocating transfer element driven at a constant angular velocity and held in a slotted, fixed retainer, for interacting the two cams, such that the driven cam can be driven at the second speed by the drive cam driven at the first speed.

Abstract: Method of forming and a new class of tool steel macrocomposites having improved thermal fatigue resistance and improved wear resistance, formed of tool steel powder mixed with carbide powder under hot isostatic pressing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for material analysis are disclosed in which a material (e.g., a food of food ingredient) is illuminated at a plurality of discrete wavelengths. Measurements of the intensity of reflected light at such wavelengths are taken, and a analysis of reflection ratios for various wavelengths is performed. Changes in the reflection ratios are correlated with specific material properties such as the concentration of analytes or the condition of the material (e.g., spoilage, ripeness, degree of cooking or other processing stages).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring hydrocarbon-based fuel properties by measuring the presence and amount of fuel component molecules in the fuel solution. Detection is made of absorption related to signature vibrational modes associated with the fuel component molecules when excited in the mid-IR. In one embodiment, a mid-IR light source illuminates the fuel in-situ and a narrow bandwidth detector associated with a vibrational mode signature detects absorbance as an indication of the presence and quantity of the fuel component in solution. From the determined fuel component quantity and known characteristics, the fuel solution properties are predicted. In one embodiment, octane rating and vapor pressure for a fuel solution is determined in-situ and in real time.

Abstract: Liquefiable powder compositions are disclosed for the delivery of topical analgesics. In particular, microporous cellulosic powders, such as cellulose acetates or nitrates, are disclosed as high liquid content vehicles for the delivery of liquid analgesic preparations. The resulting powders permit the application of the analgesic preparation by simply rubbing or otherwise applying the formulation onto the skin in such a manner that the powder liquefies and appears to vanish. Upon application, the frangible liquid loaded cellulosic powders break up into minute particles that do not pass easily beyond the initial layers of the skin, but do permit the slow release of the analgesic agent for absorption into the skin.

Abstract: Liquefiable powder compositions are disclosed for the delivery of fragrances. In particular, microporous cellulosic powders, such as cellulose acetates or nitrates, are disclosed as high liquid content vehicles for the delivery of fragrance preparations dissolved or dispersed in a liquid carrier. The resulting powders permit the application of the fragrance preparations by simply rubbing or otherwise applying the formulation onto the skin in such a manner that the powder liquefies and appears to vanish. Upon application, the frangible liquid loaded cellulosic powders break up into minute particles that do not pass easily beyond the initial layers of the skin, but do permit the slow release of the fragrance agent.

Abstract: Liquefiable and porous powder compositions are disclosed for the delivery of topical foot-care preparations. In particular, microporous cellulosic powders, such as cellulose acetates or nitrates, are disclosed as high liquid-content vehicles for the delivery of foot-care preparations. The resulting powders permit the application of the foot-care preparation by simply rubbing or otherwise applying the formulation onto the skin in such a manner that the powder liquefies and appears to vanish. Upon application, the frangible liquid-loaded cellulosic powders break up into minute particles that do not pass easily beyond the initial layers of the skin, but do permit the slow release of the foot-care preparation for absorption into the skin.

Abstract: Liquefiable powder compositions are disclosed for the delivery of topical sunscreens. In particular, microporous cellulosic powders, such as cellulose acetates or nitrates, are disclosed as high liquid content vehicles for the delivery of liquid sunscreen preparations dissolved or dispersed in a liquid carrier. The resulting powders permit the application of the sunscreen preparation by simply rubbing or otherwise applying the formulation onto the skin in such a manner that the powder liquefies and appears to vanish. Upon application, the frangible liquid loaded cellulosic powders break up into minute particles that adhere well to the skin and do not pass easily beyond the initial layers of the skin, but do permit the slow release of the sunscreen agent.

Abstract: Liquefiable powder compositions are disclosed for the delivery of topical insect repellents. In particular, microporous cellulosic powders, such as cellulose acetates or nitrates, are disclosed as high liquid content vehicles for the delivery of liquid insect or tick repellent preparations. The resulting powders permit the application of the arthropod repellent preparation by simply rubbing or brushing the formulation onto the skin, in such a manner that the powder liquefies and appears to vanish. Upon application, the frangible, liquid loaded cellulosic powders break up into minute particles that do not pass easily beyond the initial layers of the skin, but do permit the slow release of the insect repellent agent.

Abstract: Soap compositions for topical delivery of Personal care agents are disclosed. The compositions include a soap formulation and a frangible, liquid-loaded, cellulosic powder which is blended with the soap to form the composition. The porous cellulosic powder provides a vehicle for increasing the liquid payload of a soap without diminishing its hardness or durability.