Abstract: A heat sink and method of making the same. The heat sink includes a plurality of substantially planar fins, each of substantially uniform thickness, which are stacked together in alternating relation to one another. Each fin includes a base portion, a top portion, a fin side and a base side, with the base side of each fin being joined to the base side of adjacent fins to form a substantially planar surface. The base side of each fin is dimensioned to form a space between the top portions of adjoining fins, the space being of a dimension that is substantially equal to the thickness of the fin. The method includes the steps of forming a plurality of substantially planar fins of a substantially uniform thickness, stacking the fins together in alternating relation to one another, and joining the stacked fins together to form the heat sink.

Abstract: A system, kit and method for aligning a vehicle mounted connector with a trailer-mounted connector. The system and kit include a first rod, which is mounted to a trailer, and a second rod, which is mounted to the rear portion of a vehicle in a location corresponding to the location of the first rod on the trailer. The first rod includes a first connector at one end, for attachment to the trailer, and a first target mounted at the other end. The second rod includes a second connector at one end for attachment to the vehicle, and a second target mounted at its other end. The second rod is attached to the rear portion of the vehicle and extends rearward toward the trailer and upward such that is may be viewed through the rear window of the vehicle and is at substantially the same height as the first target.

Abstract: The present invention is a masonry unit, masonry system and method of constructing a structure using the system. In its most basic form, the masonry unit of the present invention includes substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, substantially parallel a front and back surfaces, and substantially parallel right and left surfaces. A locking ridge is disposed upon the top surface and extends along the top surface in substantially parallel relation to the front and back surfaces. A locking channel is disposed with in the bottom surface and is dimensioned to mate with locking ridge on the top surface of an adjoining masonry unit. The locking channel is disposed inward from the bottom surface a distance that is a slightly larger than the distance from the top surface to the top of the ridge. The system includes a primary masonry unit and at least one corner masonry unit.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for drying and de-wrinkling an article of clothing, which includes a housing having an upper compartment, a lower compartment, and a dividing wall separating the compartments. An exhaust hole is disposed through one side of the upper compartment of the housing, and an intake hole and an outflow hole are disposed through the dividing wall. A mechanical assembly is disposed within the upper compartment and includes a fan, heater, thermostat and humidity sensor. An exhaust fan is in fluid communication with the exhaust hole and is adapted to control a flow of air through the exhaust hole in the side of the housing. A control system is disposed within the upper compartment and accepts an input from a user, a temperature input, and a humidity input, and controls the heater, the fan and the exhaust fan based upon the temperature input and the humidity input.

Abstract: An information card and card system that eliminates forgery and illegal use of a card. The information card includes a memory that stores information data, which includes one of image data and acoustic data and contains inherent data that is embedded in the information data according to steganographic information hiding. The inherent data is data that authenticates a legitimacy of a card owner of the information card. The information card system include the information card and a data processing terminal for authenticating the owner of the card and/or the authenticity of the card itself.

Abstract: A hot water heating system, coupler and integrated flow system. The hot water heating system includes a first isolator valve, a flow control valve, a circulator and a second isolator valve. Each of these components is equipped with one portion of a connector on one side of the component and a mating portion of a connector on the other side. The integrated flow system includes a body into which is attached at least a circulator and a flow control valve.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for embedding information within an indexed color image such that the existence of the data is not recognizable by the human eye. The method includes the steps of altering color image data, such that it will not cause a large color change in the representing image, and hiding information using an information hiding method. The altering step is accomplished via a color set changing method. The color set changing method involves first decomposing the image in to a set of color component images, embedding data in the color component or components, which the human visual system is most sensitive to, then merging representative colors until the number of representative colors is less than or equal to the target number of colors and reformatting the resulting image into indexed color image format.

Abstract: A polarized material inspection device that includes a light source, a first polarizing filter disposed within the optical path of the light source, a frame into which a second polarizing filter is disposed, and a support for positioning the frame such that an object may be viewed through the second polarizing filter. In the preferred embodiment, the first polarizing filter is rotatable through a ninety degree arc such that planes of polarization may be adjusted to be parallel or orthogonal to one another. The preferred embodiment also includes a light illumination assembly having a rotatably mounted linear polarizer at the polarizing output end. This light assembly is attached to a portion of the frame and may be adjusted such that the beam of light is directed to the desired portion of the surface. Within the frame is mounted a fixed linear polarizing filter of sufficient size to allow the entire illuminated surface to be viewed.

Abstract: An insulator band, electrical wiring system, and kit for preventing shorting of electrical connectors. The system and kit of the present invention each utilize an insulator band that is manufactured of an insulating material, dimensioned of sufficient width to cover the terminals of the switch or outlet, and sized to provide a sufficient elastic force upon the switch or outlet to maintain it in position, while preventing breakage or springing from the switch or outlet. In operation, the wires are extended through the band and are connected in the normal manner to the switch or outlet. The band is then slid back over the wires, stretched over the switch or outlet, and positioned to cover the terminals of the switch or outlet. The switch or outlet is than installed into the outlet box in the in the normal manner. When the switch or outlet needs to be removed or replaced, the band is slipped back off the wires and may be reused once a new outlet or switch is installed.

Abstract: A contour sanding apparatus for driving a sanding belt, the apparatus includes a body and a drive pulley rotatably attached to the body, the drive pulley comprising a drive-axle dimensioned for attachment to a source of rotation. A primary arm is fixedly attached to the body and includes an end portion to which a primary idler pulley is rotatably attached. A secondary arm is also provided. The secondary arm includes a first end portion to which a secondary idler pulley is rotatably attached and may include tensioning means for maintaining the sanding belt in tension. The secondary idler pulley is disposed in relation to the primary idler pulley such that the sanding belt forms a sanding portion between the primary idler pulley and the secondary idler pulley.

Abstract: A regenerative fuel cell system. The system includes an electrolyzing device that is placed in communication with an aqueous solution for converting the aqueous solution into a hydrogen gas. An aqueous buoyancy electrical drive is placed in fluid communication with the hydrogen gas produced by the electrolyzing device. This electrical drive includes a means for extracting mechanical energy from the hydrogen gas, and a generator for converting the energy into electrical power. A fuel cell is placed in fluid communication with the hydrogen gas and is adapted to convert the chemical energy in the hydrogen gas and the oxygen into electrical power.

Abstract: A matrix transformer and/or inductor module has its terminations bonded rigidly to the ferrite core of which it is made. Because the ferrite core is strong and dimensionally stable, the terminations are rugged and precisely located, important criteria for assembly to printed circuit boards and the like, especially if automated assembly methods are used. In another embodiment, the module has top and bottom metal plates which are the high current output terminals. This module can be mounted sandwiched between live heat sinks. In another embodiment, deep grooves are made into the core material, and fins are bonded into the grooves. The grooves reduce core losses by reducing eddy currents and dimensional resonance effects, and the fins remove heat from within the core allowing operation at much higher flux density and frequency.

Abstract: A hot water heating system, and kit for installing such a system, that utilizes male and female union connections for all main heating system components allows the system to be completely installed using only two ordinary wrenches. The system includes a first isolator valve, a flow control valve, a circulator and a second isolator valve. Each of these components is equipped with one male union type connection on one side of the component and one female union type connection on the other side. The system may be an installed system or may entail a kit of parts for installation.