Abstract: There is provided a molded polymeric coupling device incorporating integral hinges, latches and strain-relief features adapted to receive an electric match having a protective chamber, and a quickmatch fuse of a pyrotechnic device. After the quickmatch fuse is suitably placed in the coupling device, it is latched in a closed position around the quickmatch fuse. A piercing structure such as a cone forms an opening in the outer layer of the quickmatch fuse so that, upon ignition of the electric match, flame therefrom is directed into and ignites the central blackmatch core of the quickmatch fuse. The coupling device allows rapid and accurate attachment of an electric match to a quickmatch fuse at the fireworks display site by persons of limited skill and/or experience. The electric matches are protected by the coupling device, preventing unexpected ignition from impact, friction, ESD, or other similar ignition sources.

Abstract: The invention features a miniature, second-order, microcrystalline silicon microphone diaphragm formed using silicon microfabrication techniques. The diaphragm is composed of two or more rigid diaphragm elements hinged to one another providing second- or higher-order response depending on the number of diaphragm elements used. The response of the differential diaphragm has a response that is highly dependent on the direction of the incident sound. The diaphragms are useful for constructing highly innovative microphones that have far greater directionality, better sensitivity, wider frequency response, and lower noise than is achievable with current technology.

Abstract: A process by which high frequency printed wiring board construction can be fabricated using smooth copper surfaces. A conductive, thin film polymer is plated on smooth copper surfaces of a core lamination. The polymer can be selected from a group of materials consisting of polypyrrole, polyaniline, polythiophene, and combinations thereof. The conductive polymer promotes adhesion between the resin polymer of the laminate and the smooth copper surfaces.

Abstract: A surgical headlamp containing dual lamp housings, each containing one or more LED light sources is featured. Both lamp housings may be adjusted so that light beams emitted by each may be selectively converged at a spot a predetermined distance in front of the lamp housings. Each lamp housing typically contains, in addition to the LED(s), one or more reflectors to gather and direct light generated by the LED(s) forward to an illuminated work area. Batteries, preferably rechargeable, mounted either on the headband supporting the headlamp on a user's head or external to the headband, are used to power the LED(s). Switch and/or dimming circuitry may be provided. Hot swapping, a capability whereby batteries may be interchanged during a lengthy surgical procedure, is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle transport system including a torque platform with counter-rotating flywheels, whose axes of rotation are parallel to one another, is featured. One or more torque platforms are joined together with a platform rotating mechanism to rotate the platforms relative to the vehicle in which they are mounted. The combined mechanism is used to rotate the entire vehicle. Resistance of the counter-rotating flywheels to change in their axes of rotation provides rotational torque and rotation of the entire vehicle around the vehicle's center of mass. Successive increments of rotation in alternate rotational directions are coordinated with a transfer of mass to change the center of mass of the vehicle and are used to transport the vehicle. The successive angular motions of the vehicle around its changing center of mass achieves a resultant linear motion of the vehicle in the desired direction of travel.

Abstract: A clothes dryer that is operatively attached to a heating system is illustrated. The clothes dryer receives heated fluid when the dryer is turned on. The dryer has a radiator that receives the heated fluid from the circulating fluid flow system. The fluid-filled radiator radiates heat into a clothes-drying chamber, which forms part of a motor-driven, rotating drum. The rotating drum tumbles the clothes as heat is projected into the drying chamber, thus driving the moisture from the clothes.

Abstract: A scope mount device for a firearm is featured. The scope is attached to an elongated base member that fits within the reveal of the rear sight for large caliber guns. The scope mounting device design is simple and rugged, thus providing reliability and mounting accuracy. The clamping design provides a very low profile.

Abstract: A computerized orientation method that automatically extracts the three bounding box size values of CAD objects and then copies the values into the appropriate length, width and thickness columns of a grid or table. The process uses data stored in an orientation tag of three defined positions and three defined variables and compares the three bounding box distance values to each other.

Abstract: A flexible, rotating drive transmission assembly having a substantially spiral-shaped liner supporting a center, rotatable, flexible shaft. The liner and its center shaft are carried within an outer down-tube. The spiral-shaped liner contains flexible, continuously tapering, elliptical legs that are self-adjusting and allow the liner to be easily inserted into and firmly retained by the outer down-tube. The self-adjusting legs of the liner conform to the inside diameter of the outer down-tube despite internal variations, thus allowing the liner to maintain its central axis or centerline relative to the central axis of the outer down-tube and end components attached to the assembly. The legs provide vibration isolation and absorption by their inherent spring effect. Moreover, grease skived from the inner wall of the outer down-tube, due to the auger effect of the rotating flexible shaft, is uniformly collected in pockets for distribution along the entire length of the outer down-tube.

Abstract: The present invention features an RFID smart shelf reader capable of working with a wide range of antenna types and numbers. The smart shelf reader readily accommodates and accurately reads a diverse range of package shapes, sizes, and contents. Multiple tags in close proximity to one another are accurately read by the smart shelf reader. The reader includes features for optimizing its own interface by periodically recalibrating itself to the current antenna load characteristics caused by varying external conditions, primarily in the type, number, and position of merchandise items on the shelf proximate at least one of the antennas. An external I/O interface is provided for communication with a remote controller.

Abstract: The present invention features double- or dual-gate logic devices that contain gate conductors that are consistently self-aligned and that have channels that are of constant width. A single-crystal silicon wafer is utilized as the channel material. Pillars or stacks of self aligned dual gate MOSFETs are generated by etching, via the juxtaposition of overlapping germanium-containing gate conductor regions. Vertically etching through regions of both gate conducting material and dielectric insulating material provides an essentially perfect, self-aligned dual gate stack.

Abstract: A scoring apparatus for placing a scoring line on a back surface of a piece of vinyl or rubber cove molding, in order to easily conform the molding about sharp corners. The scoring apparatus uses a frame for pivotally supporting a router between an inoperative position and a work engaging position. The router is mounted on a base that slides within a slot in the frame so that it can be drawn across the cove molding to provide the scoring line.

Abstract: A versatile furniture unit that is easily changed, or modified to meet different living settings. The furniture unit is constructed as a frame that can be hung from the joists or rafters in a loft ceiling. The frame comprises various furniture elements that can be added on, folded up, or folded down to provide a different living appearance depending on the time of day. The furniture unit easily converts from a living room or playroom setting during the day to a bedroom setting for nighttime.

Abstract: A thermoforming method of fabricating a seamless, three-dimensional fixture capable of holding a liquid from a single sheet of “solid surface” material is described. The sheet is cut to desired dimensions, then heated to a desired temperature to make it malleable. The malleable material is then placed over a female or male mold, and formed to the shape of the fixture, utilizing a vacuum. The heated material is then allowed to conform to the mold shape until the desired deformity is achieved. The manufactured fixture is then allowed to cool in its restrained position, until rigid.

Abstract: The wall mountable Compact Disc Storage and Display Device of the present invention provides the user with a new and novel method for the storage of compact discs or jewel cases. Contents are stored in a forward facing manner within individual pockets incorporated into the design. Jewel cases are fitted within the pocket and may be easily removed by pivoting on the edge of a raised platform located within the pocket. Compact discs may be stored independently of the jewel case and are held in place by an interference fit to a clamp at the center of a recess in the platform. The invention presents the user with the advantage of being able to arrange the contents of the cabinet such that the graphic work printed on the compact disc or included as an insert to the compact disc jewel case may be used to create a decorative wall hanging.

Abstract: Electrodes for an electrochemical cell such as a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell are treated with steam or a hot solution before they are bonded to a membrane to form a membrane-electrode assembly. Such a treatment effectively increases the performance of the electrodes when they are subsequently tested within the PEM fuel cell. Improved performance is also observed using this technique with a catalyst-coated membrane and a membrane-electrode assembly.

Abstract: A sensing device is featured that electrochemically measures methanol concentration. The sensing device has a flexible composite of layered materials wrapped about a flexible tube having aperture contact with a methanol flow stream. The layered materials sequentially wrapped on the tube are: a polytetrafluoroethylene insulation sheet; an electrically conducting mesh representing the anode current collector; a carbon-based material representing an anode diffusion medium; a catalyst-coated membrane with both sides coated by catalysts such as Pt/Ru and Pt; a carbon-based material serving as the cathode diffusion medium; and an electrically conducting mesh representing the cathode current collector.

Abstract: The present invention provides an external rotor stepper motor consisting of four individual, independently controlled, co-planar stepper motors optimized for vehicle direct wheel drive applications. The innovative design eliminates the need for bifilar coil winding, each of the motors' coils being single conductor, each coil being wound in the same direction throughout the entire motor. Each of the four independent motors is simultaneously energized. Because adjacent, outside coils of adjacent motors are simultaneously energized at the same polarity, there is substantially no energy wasting cancellation of magnetic flux. Carefully chosen radially spacing of the four independent, co-planar motors also eliminates substantially all flux interaction between the motors. Because similar coils of the four motors are all connected in parallel, the net inductance presented driver circuits is minimized. This yields fast rise time pulses and improved efficiency through minimized reactance of the motor.