Abstract: A portable PV modular solar generator. A plurality of wheels are attached to the bottom of a rechargeable battery container. At least one rechargeable battery is contained inside the rechargeable battery container. A power conditioning panel is connected to the rechargeable battery container. At least one photovoltaic panel is pivotally connected. In a preferred embodiment, the rechargeable battery container is a waterproof battery enclosure having a knife switch connection. A mast having a rotation bar is supported by the waterproof battery enclosure. At least one solar panel support brace for supporting the photovoltaic panel is attached to the rotation bar. The power conditioning panel is waterproof, is attached to the mast and has a door. When the door is opened, at least one safety switch is opened, breaking an electric circuit. The waterproof power conditioning panel has a charge controller and an inverter.

Abstract: A bicycle with a torsional shock absorber comprised of a torsion spring assembly. The elements of the torsion spring assembly include: housing, a shaft positioned within the housing, a rubbery substance positioned between the interior surface of the housing and the outer surface of the shaft. The torsional shock absorber is mounted on the bicycle such that shock forces are converted into rotational forces tending to rotate the shaft within the housing. These rotational forces are resisted by the spring force created by the rubbery substance within the torsion spring assembly; thereby absorbing the shock forces. In a preferred embodiment, the rubbery substance is bonded to the interior surface of the housing and the outer surface of the shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the front and rear portions of the bicycle frame pivot about the pedal spindle axis.

Abstract: A surgical plate and process for preventing screw backout of repaired bones. At least one pawl is provided on a surgical plate adjacent to a screw hole. A screw having a ratchet wheel is inserted through the hole and screwed into the bone. The pawl engages the ratchet wheel to prevent rotational movement of the screw to prevent the screw from backing out. In a preferred embodiment, a pawl plate comprising a base portion is rigidly connected to the surgical plate and a torsion bar is pivotally connected to the base portion. The pawl is positioned at the end of the torsion bar. In the preferred embodiments, several of these special screw holes with pawls, and several screws (each with a ratchet wheel) are used in bone repair.

Abstract: A digital camera that combines the functions of the retinal camera and corneal camera into one, single, small, easy to use instrument. The single camera can acquire digital images of a retinal region of an eye, and digital images of a corneal region of the eye. The camera includes a first combination of optical elements for making said retinal digital images, and a second combination of optical elements for making said corneal digital images. A portion of these elements are shared elements including a first objective element of an objective lens combination, a digital image sensor and at least one eyepiece for viewing either the retina or the cornea. The retinal combination also includes a first changeable element of said objective lens system for focusing, in combination with said first objective element, portions or all of said retinal region at or approximately at a common image plane.

Abstract: An automated machine for filling a plurality of microplates. The automated machine includes at least one input stacking chamber for stacking empty microplates, at least one output stacking chamber for stacking filled microplates, and a microplate filling assembly disposed between the at least one input stacking chamber and the at least one output stacking chamber. The microplate filling assembly has a walking beam indexer, a lid lifter for lifting the lid off each microplate to permit the microplate to be filled, and after filling to replace the lid, and a fill mechanism in communication with a media source and positioned to fill the empty microplates after their lids have been lifted off.

Abstract: A method for treating tinnitus comprising the step of administering to a subject requiring such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of an herbal composition comprising Radix Puerariae, Radix Platycodi Grandiflori, Radix Angelicae Dahuricae, Semen Coicis Lachryma-jobi, Rhizoma Zigiberis Officinalis Recens, Radix Ligustici Chuanxiong, Radix Paeoniae Lactiflorae, Folium Perillae Frutescentis, Flos Magnoliae, Herba cum Radice Asari, Ramulus Cinnamomi Cassiae, Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis, and Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis.

Abstract: An overheating protection system for a spa and the spa's associated equipment. Elements include: a heating element for heating the spa's water, an infrared sensor for detecting the amount of infrared radiation emitted by the heating element, a heating element deactivation device electrically connected to the heating element and the infrared sensor, wherein the heating element deactivation device is for deactivating the heating element. In a preferred embodiment, the heating element deactivation device is an electric circuit comprising a comparator circuit and a control circuit.

Abstract: A breakaway separation detection and alerting system. A breakaway fuel hose is connected to a fuel pump. A breakaway unit connects the nozzle hose section and the fuel pump hose section of the breakaway fuel hose together. When the breakaway fuel hose is subject to tension in excess of a predetermined load, the breakaway unit will separate. An alarm activation device will then activate an alarm capable of alerting an individual remotely located from the breakaway fuel hose. In a first preferred embodiment, the at least one alarm is a first alarm and a second alarm. The first alarm is located in proximity to the fuel pump and the second alarm is located remotely where a fueling station employee can monitor it. The first preferred embodiment also has a transmitter and a receiver. When a breakaway separation condition occurs, the first alarm sounds. Also, the transmitter sends a signal to the receiver. The receiver then activates the second alarm, alerting the remotely located fueling station employee.

Abstract: A powder injection molding and infiltration process. A powder of a skeleton material having a relatively high melting point is mixed with a composite binder to form a mold mixture. The composite binder is comprised of at least two binder materials. The mold mixture is molded into a desired shape in a mold device to produce a molded part. The composite binder is then removed to produce voids in the molded part and the voids are filled by infiltrating an infiltrant comprised of an infiltrant material having a relatively low melting point to produce a composite molded part. In a preferred embodiment the skeleton material is TiB2 and the infiltrant material is aluminum and the composite binder is comprised of a plastic and a wax. In this embodiment the wax portion of the composite binder is removed using a solvent and the plastic is removed during the infiltration step. The resulting composite part has a TiB2 skeleton with voids substantially filled with aluminum.

Abstract: An overhead support system. A riding surface is located over a space and supports at least one overhead cart from which a load is supported by a tension element. A plurality of spherical elements are positioned between the riding surface and overhead cart and are attached to either the cart or the riding surface. The load can be moved horizontally in the space by applying a horizontal force to the load causing the cart to move over the riding surface while carrying the load in the horizontal direction. In preferred embodiments the riding surface is an array of spoked rimless wheels. In other preferred embodiments the riding surface is a slot track, or the riding surface may be a combination of the array and slot tracks. In other preferred embodiments a hoist assembly is used to raise and lower the load. In a preferred embodiment the hoist assembly is located below the riding surface. In another preferred embodiment, the hoist assembly is located above the riding surface.

Abstract: A combustion heat powered portable electronic device. At least one thermoelectric module is sandwiched between a hot block heated by a combustion heat source and a cold-side heat sink and provides electric power to a portable electronic device from the temperature difference. An electric circuit provides power for purposes of operating the portable electronic device either directly or indirectly by charging a rechargeable battery which in turn provides power to the electronic device. In a preferred embodiment the combustion heat source is a catalytic combustion unit. The hot block and/or cold side heat sink can be integrated into a single unit with the thermoelectric module. In a preferred embodiment the cold side heat sink is cooled by fins cooled by air driven by a forced air fan powered by the thermoelectric module.

Abstract: A chemotheraputic cancer treatment in which Gö6976 or one of its derivatives is administered to a mammal for the treatment of the cancer. The Gö6976 or its derivative is directed to PKC &agr; activity. Experiments have shown Gö6976 to be effective for the treatment of breast cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, bone cancer and skin cancer. These treatments may be accomplished utilizing Gö6976 or its derivatives alone or in combination with other prior art chemotherapy agents or in combination with radiation therapy. In a preferred embodiment Gö6976 is used for the treatment of cancer as a preventative drug by preventing cancer cell formation.

Abstract: A method for operating a computer to teach a student communication skills. First a goal is displayed to the student. Then the student is presented with a prompting scene that is related to the goal that was presented to him. In the prompting scene there is a first character that represents the student. Also, there is at least one second character that represents at least one person to whom the student needs to communicate. Also displayed is a plurality of sentences the student may select. At least one of the sentences will help the student achieve his goal and at least one of the sentences will not help the student achieve his goal. The student's selection is then received. The student is then presented with a response scene. The response scene is positive if the student's selection from the plurality of sentences is such that it will help the student achieve his goal.

Abstract: A game which is played by fans of sports events such as baseball, football, basketball and soccer. Each player makes advance predictions as regarding the outcome they expect to occur during the event. The player records his predictions in a form that can be checked by a computer. The record of the player's predictions is either transmitted to a remote analysis location or is analyzed within the computer in which the predictions were made. The predictions of each player are analyzed and compared to actual actions occurring during the event, and scores are given to each player based on the accuracy of his predictions. In a preferred embodiment predictions are made on scan cards that are manually collected and then automatically read and scored by computer controlled equipment made by Scantron Corporation. In another preferred embodiment, predictions and actual results are entered into a personal computer that analyzes the predictions for accuracy.

Abstract: An optical parametric oscillator for converting the wavelength of a laser pump beam into a signal wavelength and an idler wavelength. A co-linear double resonance cavity is created with a right angle prism serving as a maximum reflector for both the pump beam as well as the signal and idler beams. A non-linear crystal is positioned within said resonance cavity and is pivoted to tune the oscillator. A pump beam deflector is positioned to deflect the pump beam into the resonance cavity. The deflector preferably is a mirror with a multi-layer coating configured to provide maximum reflection at the wavelength of the pump beam and maximum transmittal of the signal and idler beams over their ranges. The pump beam passes twice through said non-linear crystal and is efficiently converted into said signal and idler beams in said non-linear crystal. The deflector can be placed inside or outside the cavity. In a preferred embodiment the output coupler is an uncoated window.

Abstract: A lotion applicator that has a hollow handle for containing lotion. The hollow handle has a closable opening and flexible walls such that the squeezing of the walls forces lotion contained within the hollow handle to exit the closable opening. A casing is attached to the handle and covers the closable opening. A casing cap is removably attached to the casing such that a storage compartment is formed by the attachment of the casing cap to the casing. A porous pad is contained within the storage compartment and is for absorbing lotion squeezed out of the handle. Some purposes of the casing cap are to delay drying of the pad, protect the pad from contamination, and prevent lotion on the pad from contaminating other objects. In a preferred embodiment, the user first removes the casing cap from the casing. Then, the user removes the handle from the casing. The user then opens the closable opening and squeezes the handle so that lotion exits the handle and is applied to the pad.

Abstract: An earring that flashes in synchronism with the wearer's heartbeat. A pulsed IR LED/photocell combination is built into an earring along with a comparator and a visible light-emitting source. The comparator determines when the heart has beat from the variation in the signal from the photocell and transmits a signal to a solid state switch to turn on the visible light-emitting source. Thus, the light emitting source flashes once for each heart beat. In a preferred use of the present invention a lover is able to determine when his or her partner is excited by observing the rate at which the partner's earring flashes. The invention may also be used for medical monitoring of patients.

Abstract: A motor vehicle with a self-powered air conditioner system. An absorption type air conditioning unit is configured to air condition at least a portion of cab space of the motor vehicle. The unit has at least one electric powered component. There is a generator located outside the cab space for vaporizing a refrigerant. There is a condenser for condensing the refrigerant to produce a condensate, and an evaporator configured to remove heat from the cab space by a process of evaporation of the condensate. There is a combustion unit configured to burn fuel from the fuel tank. The combustion unit provides heat to a hot surface. A plurality of thermoelectric modules is mounted in thermal contact with the hot surface. A heat sink is cooled by the cooling water system. The heat sink is positioned so that it is in thermal contact with said plurality of thermoelectric modules.

Abstract: A method for providing stock information to traders. Stock information is received that includes bid offers, ask offers, the size of the bid offers and the size of the ask offers and the identity of the market makers making each offer. In addition, trade information is received that includes the volume of each trade, the time of each trade, and the price of each trade. The stock information and trade information are displayed on a display screen. The display screen includes a display of bid/ask trade bars for a stock or each of selected number of stocks in which percentage of sales at bid prices and percentage of sales at ask prices are depicted. By considering the display screen, traders are better able to determine trading patterns of the market makers in those selected stocks and increase their probability of buying low and selling high.

Abstract: A miniature thermoelectric module for generating electric power from low power heat sources in the range of a fraction of a Watt to a few Watts. The module comprises an array of thermoelectric elements, each element having a cross section of less than 0.001 square inch and a length of at least 0.25 inch. The elements are separated from each other with a polyimide insulator sheet in a checkerboard array. In a preferred embodiment, the modules are fabricated by hot pressing a stack of alternating plates of p and n doped thin plates all separated by thin sheets of a polyimide insulator material to produce a pressed stack of p and n doped layers. The stack is then sliced to produce layered plates which are then stacked with insulating polyimide layers positioned between the layered plates to produce the checkerboard array of p and n thermoelectric elements. Contacts are applied to electrically connect all of the elements.