Abstract: The invention provides a fiber-optic sensing system for measuring a curvature in a small and elongated cavity of an object. The system includes a light source, an optical fiber and a light signal reflecting device disposed at a distal end of the optical fiber. The optical source emits a light signal into the optical fiber. The distal section of the optical fiber is inserted into the cavity of the object which curvature is to be measured. The curvature of the cavity bends the distal section of the optical fiber so that attenuation of light signal transmitting through the distal section occurs. This attenuated signal is reflected by a reflecting device and coupled into a measuring device. Thereby the curvature is deduced in accordance with the amount of energy attenuation in the reflected light signal.

Abstract: A tool (10) having improved heat transfer characteristics and a method for cooling a tool (10) which is comprised of several selectively coupled sectional members (12–17) Each selected sectional members (16) include an outer contour (19), while each of the sectional members (12–17) includes at least one coolant passage (14). These coolant passages (14) cooperatively form a coolant manifold (18) which is a predetermined distance from contours (19). An amount of coolant 40 is passed through manifold (18) to cool tool (10).

Abstract: The invention discloses a half-bridge LLC resonant converter with a synchronous rectification function that includes a first switch; a second switch; a first transformer; a first synchronous rectifier; a second synchronous rectifier; a controller; and a second transformer. The controller of the half-bridge LLC resonant converter with a synchronous rectification function can control the first synchronous rectifier and the second synchronous rectifier directly and the connected second transformer also can control the first switch and the second switch directly. The first synchronous rectifier and second synchronous rectifier having a low conducting resistance substitute the rectifier and greatly lower the power consumption. The controller outputs a control signal to drive a transformer to output a signal to the primary winding, and its signal delay is formed by a delay of an electronic circuit and a power MOS switch of the first switch and second switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correlating raw transducer data in a system of transducers communicates transducer data in a common format. Transducer data and relationships between transducers are characterized in a common format, and interdependencies of transducers are defined for modeling a system. The data is time correlated from the various transducers. Data is archived, updated and exchanged without being corrupted.

Abstract: An energy absorber 10 which is made by a new and novel process and which includes beads, such as beads 12, 14, and 16 which are selectively coupled together and reside upon an elastomeric surface 90. The beads, such as beads 12, 14, and 16 are formed, in one non-limiting embodiment, from a ceramic material and provide enhanced energy absorption characteristics which allows the created energy absorber 10 to be selectively “programmed” to be operatively deployed in a wide range of environments.

Abstract: A receptacle apparatus 10 which includes a receptacle 14 into which refuse is placed very shortly after it is placed within the apparatus 10, thereby reducing the likelihood that it will be undesirably communicated into the surrounding environment 80.

Abstract: A portable transportation assembly 10 having a pair of wheels 40, 42 which may be selectively raised and lowered and which is adapted to transport a bathroom assembly 200 in an easy and efficient manner.

Abstract: A balancer assembly 10 which automatically provides balancer limits, which achieves a balancing state while substantially minimizing short term vibration increases and which provides for multi-plane balancer dithering.

Abstract: A safety and accessibility assembly (10) having a pair of substantially identical hook portions (20, 26) which are coupled to a support frame having several pillar portions (12, 14, 16, 18), wherein the pillar portions (12, 14, 16, 18) are coupled to a platform portion (30). Particularly, the hook portions (20, 26) are adapted to removably and frictionally couple to a sea wall (100), thereby suspending the pillar portions (12, 14, 16, 18) and the platform (30) above a body of water (200), effective to allow accessibility into and out of the body of water (200) despite the level of the water (202).

Abstract: An assembly (40) which is disposed within a conventional radio (10) and a method (200) for replaying a real time audio signal (50). Particularly, the assembly (40) includes a memory assembly (56) which records a digitally converted analog signal (53), compresses the recorded signal in a digital signal processor (54), and allows a user (20) to selectively listen to up to sixty seconds of missed audio signal (53, 57) while obviating missing any of the real time audio signal (50) immediately following the missed audio signal (53, 57).

Abstract: An assembly/apparatus 10 which allows an object 12 to be suspended and supported with a minimal amount of structural deformation. The assembly accomplishes this object by the inclusion of substantially identical and commercially available constant force spring assemblies, such as constant force spring assemblies 20, 22, and a suspension monorail loop 24 which supports several cases such as case 30, 32.

Abstract: The combined light source and air purifier unit includes a body (11) and a centrifugal fan (12) with rearwardly facing blades (20) run at low speed and mounted by the body with its axis upright and a central intake (17) through which air containing contaminants is drawn from a target zone (80) below the unit. A light source (14) mounted within a peripheral projecting skirt (75) is located radially outside the intake (17) of the centrifugal fan (12) so as not to obstruct the flow of intake air. A filter (13) extends circumferentially around the fan (12) and an air discharge (60) includes a smoothly curved flow deflecting means (62) provided by the body (11) to deflect air flowing outwardly from the fan in an upwards direction at about 45° or less to the vertical.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus 10 comprising a plurality of ergonomically contoured body pads (47, 48, 49, 50, 56, 58, 60, 64, 65), a pair of substantially identical frame arms (80) which are each removably coupled to a double cardan joint (100). Particularly, each respective double cardan joint (100) is coupled to a center beam (28) which rotates to a respective side upon a user actuating a respective one of the pair of frame arms (80), thereby affording a user a substantially safe exercise that is conducted in both a compression and a tensile mode of motion.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 and a method 50 for the creation of a tool 40. The apparatus 10 and the method 50 allow for dynamic measurement of the tool 40 as it is being created and further allows for the use of positive feedback to increase the likelihood that the produced tool will be structurally similar to a certain model. The apparatus 10 and method 50 further allow sections of varying thicknesses to be used and provide a technique to create surfaces which further increase the likelihood that the produced tool will be structurally equivalent to a desired and modeled tool.

Abstract: A message delivery assembly (10) and a method for conducting business (400) using the message delivery assembly (10) which has an exterior (12) in the shape of a Teddy-bear or substantially any other desired shape. Particularly, the message delivery assembly (10) includes a containment cavity (40) which frictionally receives a generally hollow cylinder (50) which is selectively lockable within the containment cavity (40) by use of a key (70), and which contains a personal message (90) from a user which is delivered to an intended recipient in a relatively secure and convenient manner.

Abstract: A handsfree structure with antibackground noise function, comprising: a male plug, coupled to an output of a mobilephone; a voice receiving device, coupled to said male plug by a wire for picking up a voice signal of a user; a reaction type voice receiving device, coupled to said male plug by said wire for picking up said voice signal of said user by sensing the vibration of skin of said user; and a earphone set, coupled to said male plug by said wire for transformation a electric signal received from said mobilephone into a voice signal; while said mobilephone receiving a call, said user could switch said handsfree structure from said voice receiving device to said reaction type voice receiving device or from said reaction type voice receiving device to said voice receiving device according to a background noise of the environment for getting more clear voice signal so as to improve the communication quality of a high background noise environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a memory card reader which has a eject button; an electrical switch which senses when the eject button is in an inactive rest position. When a memory card is inserted through an aperture in the front bezel it sits at a depth to ensure the rear face of the memory card is at least flush with the bezel surface. The memory card acts on a second electrical switch contact to indicate when it is fully seated. Sensing the state of both switches allows the condition of a) the card being fully seated and b) that there is no card movement, to be detected. To eject the memory card the user must use the eject button which acts on an eject lever to push the card outwards through the aperture in the front bezel. The present invention also relates to a method for safely reading from and writing to a memory card reader device.

Abstract: A sports training assembly (10) and a method for using the assembly (10) to increase hand-eye coordination and muscle memory. Particularly, the sports training assembly (10) includes a bat portion (70) having a channel (76) formed therein, wherein the channel (76) cooperates with a guide wire (60) having a ball portion (26) movably coupled thereon, and wherein a user (90) may repeatedly swing the bat portion (70) along a proper swing line (100), thereby allowing the user (90) to increase hand-eye coordination and gain muscle memory for reproducing the proper swing line (100) in a game situation.

Abstract: A method for forming a tool 10 and a tool 10 which is comprised of several selectively coupled sectional members, such as members 12, 16, which are placed upon a heat resistant surface 20. A sealing material 24, such as copper in a solid molecular state, is placed around the periphery of the tool 10. The copper in a solid molecular state 24, the heat resistant surface 20, and the tool 10 are placed within a heat source which transforms the copper in a solid molecular state 24 into liquid which flows within the gaps, such as gap 41 and within knife edges 26, 28 which exists within the tool 10. After the copper 24 cools, the cooper 24 reinforces and strengthens the tool 10.