Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising a support structure, including a tube and a hollow stator core, supported by and rigidly affixed to the tube. Additionally, a rotor assembly is eccentrically and rotatably mounted about the stator core and having a pair of partial sidewalls, each of which defines a circular opening. A pair of shaft seals, in which each shaft seal is set into one of the circular openings and are rotatably mounted about the tube. The stator core, rotor and shaft seals together define multiple, separate sealed chambers that change volume as the rotor moves. Finally, ignition, intake and exhaust mechanisms are mounted internal to the hollow stator core.

Abstract: A method for controlling access to a storage unit owned by an owner, wherein a renter has access to the storage unit unless the owner receives the legal right to deny the renter access to the storage unit and decides to do so. In this method, the storage unit is secured by a lock that is, at least in part, controlled by the renter. A remotely controllable lockout assembly, however, is capable of over locking the storage unit so that the renter can no longer gain entry when the lockout assembly is activated. The method includes remotely controlling the lockout assembly to deny the renter access to the unit when the owner receives the legal right to deny the renter access to the storage unit and decides to do so.

Abstract: A high energy gas fracturing device, adapted to be lowered into a well. The device comprises a closed tube made of strong material, sized to fit into the well and having at least one sidewall, which defines a set of openings. A set of closure elements seal the openings in a water-tight manner. Also, a charge of propellant is located in the closed tube, the charge achieving best performance if kept dry. Finally, an ignition element contacts the charge.

Abstract: A treadmill assembly that includes a frame and a treadmill belt. In addition, a sensor produces a signal representative of an aspect of the user's position relative to at least one point on the frame. A belt rotation assembly turns the belt with a speed related to the signal. In one preferred embodiment the speed of the belt is inversely proportional to the distance between the user and the front of the treadmill. In another preferred embodiment the treadmill is sized to support a cycle.

Abstract: A method of assembling and providing an electric power apparatus. The method uses a heat resistant housing having a structure adapted to accommodate and retain a power circuit card and also including a bracket adapted to accommodate and constrain a rigid conductive member. A power circuit card having an electrical terminal is placed into the housing and a rigid conductive member into the bracket. The rigid conductive member is flow soldered to the electrical terminal, thereby exposing the heat resistant housing to heat and creating a solder bond. Finally, the rigid conductive member is affirmatively connected to the housing. The bracket constrains the rigid conductive member so that the act of affirmatively connecting does not weaken the solder bond.

Abstract: A bio-probe having a base and a tip, and comprising a longitudinal core of substantially rigid material. On the core, there is a first layer of dielectric material, supported by and substantially circumferentially surrounding the core. Also, a set of conductors, each conductor extending longitudinally along the first layer of dielectric material and a second layer of dielectric material, substantially covering each of the set of conductors. For each of the conductors, an aperture is defined through the second layer of dielectric material to the conductor, thereby defining an electrode. In one preferred embodiment of this aspect, the first layer of insulative material is in the form of a tube and wherein the core is removable from the tube.

Abstract: A heat producing, fluid cooled assembly that includes a housing made of liquid-impermeable material, which defines a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and an opening. Also included is an electrical package having a set of semiconductor electrical devices supported on a substrate and the second major surface is a heat sink adapted to express heat generated from the electrical apparatus and wherein the second major surface defines a rim that is fit to the opening. Further, the housing is constructed so that as fluid travels from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet it is constrained to flow past the opening thereby placing the fluid in contact with the heat sink.

Abstract: A method of extending an insulated wire through a wellhead opening of a well that includes casing having a top. The method makes use of an annular cap sized to engage and be retained by the top of the casing, the annular cap having smooth top and radially inward surfaces and defining an aperture. The annular cap is placed onto the top of the casing and the insulated wire is passed through the aperture, wherein should the insulated wire touch the annular cap the insulated wire will remain undamaged by the smooth top and radially inward surfaces.

Abstract: An assembly adapted to facilitate the disposing and treating of a biodegradable material that produces an unpleasant odor when it is watered and stirred and fragmented. The assembly includes a container and a fitting for accepting and retaining the insertive coupler of a standard garden hose. In addition, a pressure nozzle is in fluid communication with the fitting for receiving water from the fitting and expressing the water under pressure. Finally, a nozzle-retaining apparatus is oriented so that the water expressed from the nozzle is directed into the container at an angle adapted to produce a stirring motion within the container.

Abstract: A method of removing a predetermined area and depth of formable material from an expanse of the formable material having a top surface. The method makes use of a volume indicating tool that includes a depth indicator that has a material surface indicator and a depth guide. The material surface indicator is at a height above the depth guide substantially equal to the predetermined depth. The volume indicating also includes an area indicator, indicating an area equal to the predetermined area. The volume indicating tool is pushed into the formable material until the material surface indicator is level with the top surface of the formable material, thereby pushing the depth guide to the predetermined depth. Then a shovel is pushed into the deformable material until it reaches the depth of the depth guide and is used to gather formable material. The shovel is emptied at a location away from the shovel guide tool.

Abstract: A method of removing a dart from an animal body. The method uses a dart removal facilitating tool that includes a handle, adapted to be grasped by a human hand. A dart removal head is attached to the handle and is adapted to be placed in proximity to the dart. The head has a surface that is adapted to be pressed against animal flesh without creating further injury. The method includes pressing the dart removal head against a portion of the animal body near the dart and engaging for dart for removal from the animal body while the dart removal head is being pressed against the portion of the animal body.

Abstract: A multipurpose assembly that can be placed both into a display stand configuration and, alternately, into a wheeled carrier configuration. The assembly includes a display stand configuration base and a support structure, anchored to and supported by the base, when the assembly is in the display stand configuration. In addition, a display platform is vertically hinged to the support structure, whereby the support structure can be vertically rotated about the display platform. The display platform has a nominal platform bottom, which is a bottommost portion of the display platform when the assembly is in the display stand configuration. Further, a set of wheels is attached to the nominal platform bottom, whereby the display stand may be placed into its wheeled carrier configuration by rotating the support structure relative to the display platform and placing the wheels onto ground. This permits the support structure to be used as a handle to guide the assembly in its wheeled carrier configuration.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ribbon cable, comprising providing a set of insulated wires and aligning said insulated wires in a predetermined arrangement. The insulated wires are warmed sufficiently for said insulation to be become soft and adhesive, are pressed together so that they adhere to one another and allowed to cool, to form a ribbon cable.

Abstract: A bridge, comprising a set of arches, each extending longitudinally along the bridge, including at least one central arch and at least two side arches, symmetrically disposed about the central arch. The side arches are slanted transversely inwardly so that they are closest at the longitudinal center of the bridge and are generally disposed either above or below the central arch. In addition, transverse members connect the arches together and a deck is suspended from the set of arches.

Abstract: A method of providing a paved area having a predetermined set of surface features. The method begins with the pouring of wet concrete into a predetermined area. Then a predetermined thickness of the wet concrete is removed in a predetermined portion of the predetermined area, thereby creating a lower, upwardly facing surface in the predetermined portion. At this point, a paving tile having the predetermined set of surface features is placed on the lower, upwardly facing surface. Finally, the wet concrete underneath and about the paving tile is permitted to cure.

Abstract: A muted tidal regulator adapted to be interposed between a tidal body of water and an inland area at least partially isolated from the tidal body of water by a physical barrier. The assembly includes a tide gate that is made up of a conduit connecting said tidal body of water to said inland area and a closure operable to selectively prevent water flow through the conduit. The assembly also includes an inland water level sensing device and a closure control assembly responsive to the sensing device and adapted to affirmatively permit water flow through the conduit when the sensing device senses an inland water level below a threshold.

Abstract: A method of producing an electrode brain probe assembly, using a flexible substrate comprising a polymeric layer bearing a conductive material coating. Photolithography and electroplating are used to form a set of contacts and conductors on the polymeric layer of the flexible substrate. Also, the flexible substrate is shaped to have a distal end and to be at least 5 mm long, but less than 5 mm wide and less than 1 mm thick.

Abstract: A method of producing a multi-level electronic device that begins with machining into a sheet of dielectric material from a surface to create a set of first indentations at a first level. Conductive material is then deposited into the first indentations to create a set of first conductive features. The first indentations are then substantially filled with dielectric material. The process is continued by machining again into the sheet of dielectric material from a surface and thereby creating a set of second indentations at a second level. Further conductive material is deposited into the second indentations to create a set of second conductive features.

Abstract: An air drop device that includes a frame defining a through-hole and that supports a substantially vertical axle, substantially central to the through-hole. A blade assembly is rotatably mounted to the substantially vertical axle. Also, at least three tethers are connected to the frame and are adapted to be connected to the load. In addition, a set of tether length adjust devices, each located on a different one of said tethers, are capable to take-up some of the tether to reduce the length of said tether.

Abstract: A box opener that includes a shaft extending along a longitudinal dimension. The shaft supports a box broaching wedge, operatively supported by the end of the shaft. The wedge narrowing from a base that is at least 2 cm (0.79 in) in dimension transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the shaft to a blunt edge spaced from the base by at least 2 cm (0.79 in).