Abstract: A probe for friction stir welding MMCs, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys, and superalloys, as well as non-ferrous alloys, the probe including a shank, a shoulder, and a pin disposed through the shoulder and into the shank, wherein the pin and the shoulder at least include a coating comprised of a superabrasive material, the pin and shoulder being designed to reduce stress risers, disposing a collar around a portion of the shoulder and the shank to thereby prevent movement of the shoulder relative to the shank, and incorporating thermal management by providing a thermal flow barrier between the shoulder and the shank, and between the collar and the tool.

Abstract: A component assembly is provided for converting a conventional centrifugal pump, of the vortex impeller type for example, to a different type of centrifugal pump, such as a spiral impeller pump. The component assembly enables a resident centrifugal pump to be converted to a more efficient or appropriate type of industrial pump when conditions or application processing requirements change, and avoids the need to entirely replace an installed pump for a new type of pump.

Abstract: A CO2 compressor for an air conditioner of a motor vehicle is suggested having a sealing device, assigned to the driveshaft of the CO2 compressor, which is implemented as a sliding ring. The CO2 compressor features a lubrication device, in which the sealing device is supplied a lubricant flow effected by centrifugal forces.

Abstract: A pump impeller and associated cutting elements are disclosed which are especially designed and positioned near the periphery of the impeller to reduce the size of entrained solids in a pumped fluid, or slurry, and to expel such solids from the impeller, drive shaft and associated sealing mechanisms.

Abstract: A fixed pin bow sight is comprised of a bow sight having an attachment portion, a sight pin mounting portion and a sight pin having a plurality of sight tips on said sight pin. Each of the sight tips are predisposed on the sight pin and spaced to provide accurate targeting of an arrow shot from a bow having a particular shooting speed. The spacing between sight tips is defined by the desired targeting distances from the bow. For example, the uppermost sight tip may be configured for a target that is twenty yards away with subsequent sight tips provided for ten yard increments (e.g., 30, 40, 50 and 60 yards). The sight tips are configured to be vertically aligned relative to the ground when firing the bow so that as the distance from target is increased the appropriate sight tip moves from top to bottom of the sight pin.

Abstract: An adjustment system for a vertically adjustable bow sight includes a plurality of fiber optic set points and one fiber optic alignment point that is movable relative to the plurality of set points. Each fiber optic point, including the set points and alignment point is comprised of a terminal end of a length of fiber optic material, such as plastic optical fiber material. By adjusting the alignment point relative to the set points, the sight is vertically adjusted so as to adjust the sight pin of the sight for a particular distance-to-target.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the chopper type is disclosed which is structured with a chopper plate and impeller that are configured with an open eye or “hubless” arrangement such that processing of solids through the pump does not result in clogging of solids at or near the center of the impeller, thereby producing a dead zone. Because the configuration of the chopper pump of the present invention avoids the development of a central dead zone or clogging of solids, and provides for flow of solids and fluid through the eye of the impeller, pump efficiencies are markedly improved.

Abstract: A soft case for holding weapons as they are transported or stored that has a clam-shell type body with an upper half body and a lower half body interconnected by a hinge and with the upper and lower half bodies and hinge made from a foam plastic that is soft enough to protect a weapon surrounded by body and capable of being permanently shaped under heat and pressure to have one-half of a weapon molded as a recess in the upper half body and an opposite side one-half of the weapon molded as a recess in the lower half body whereby when the upper and lower body halves are pivoted about the hinge and into face to face relationship, with a weapon positioned in the recesses formed in the half bodies and including a zipper for securing the body halves together and a handle for carrying the gun case.

Abstract: A restraining and protection device for the protection and the restraint of neckstrap-suspended equipment used in the field, comprises a flexible cover of sufficient size to envelope most surfaces of the equipment. Attached to or associated with the cover is one strap that extend around the user's waist. A second strap is attached to the equipment so as to extend around the user's neck, or alternatively over one of the user's shoulder as desired. The ability to change the configuration of the straps is accomplished by providing an interconnection between the straps such that the waist strap can loop through the neck strap when the device is in a harness-type configuration and separated to change the device to an over-the-shoulder configuration with the equipment positioned proximate the user's hip.

Abstract: A tank for fluids and processes for manufacturing the same. The tank includes a first end plate and a second end plate, wherein the end plates are substantially planar. The tank also includes an interior wall, wherein a periphery of the interior wall comprises a flange. A sheet is attached to a periphery of the first end plate or the second end plate, and another portion of the sheet is attached to the flange by a seam located on an exterior of the tank. A first end and a second end of the sheet each define a portion of the first surface of the tank, and a portion of the sheet between the first end and the second end define a portion of a second, opposing surface of the tank.

Abstract: A solid state vacuum device (SSVD) and method for making the same. In one embodiment, the SSVD forms a triode device comprising a substrate having a cavity formed therein. The SSVD further comprises an anode positioned in the cavity of the substrate, a cathode suspended over the cavity of the substrate, and a grid positioned between the cathode and anode. In addition, the SSVD comprises a seal for creating a vacuum environment in the area surrounding the grid, cathode, and anode. Upon applying heat to the cathode, electrons are released from the cathode, passed through the grid, and received by the anode. In response to receiving the electrons, the anode produces a current. The current produced by the anode is controlled by a voltage applied to the grid. Other embodiments of the present invention provide diode, tetrode, pentode, and other higher order device configurations.

Abstract: A zero-drift analog memory (ZDAM) cell that indefinitely maintains an output signal at a discrete voltage while the memory circuit is powered, wherein the memory circuit receives an input signal, passes the input signal to a storage element upon receiving an assertion signal, maintains an output signal at a level of the input signal when the assertion signal is removed, and utilizes a zero-drift transfer function feedback loop on the output signal to maintain the output signal. A memory array including a plurality of ZDAM cells and method of operation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid-state vacuum device (SSVD) and method for making the same. In one embodiment, the SSVD forms a triode device comprising a substrate having a cavity formed therein. The SSVD further comprises cathode positioned near the opening of the cavity, wherein the cathode spans over the cavity in the form of a bridge that creates an air gap between the cathode and substrate. In addition, the SSVD further comprises an anode and a grid that is positioned between the anode and cathode. Upon applying heat to the cathode, electrons are released from the cathode, passed through the grid, and received by the anode. In response to receiving the electrons, the anode produces a current. The current received by the anode is controlled by a voltage applied to the grid. Other embodiments of the present invention provide diode, tetrode, pentode, and other higher order device configurations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for focusing ions for delivery to an ion detection device using an aerodynamic ion focusing system that uses a high-velocity converging gas flow at an entrance aperture to focus an ion plume by reducing spreading and increasing desolvation of ions, and wherein a voltage is applied to at least a portion of the aerodynamic ion focusing system to assist in the focusing and delivery of ions to the ion detection device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting a fingernail includes a cover which is formed to fit over the fingernail. The cover is made from a material which restricts ultraviolet light from contacting the fingernail, thus preventing yellowing when the user is tanning.

Abstract: Methods of producing impeller castings from very hard materials are disclosed in which the formation of a selectively configured core produces an impeller casting that does not need to be machined to receive the drive shaft and eliminates the need for employing a lead babbitt or soft insert, as is known in the prior art, to receive the drive shaft, thereby producing a hard material impeller for a centrifugal pump that is significantly less costly to produce and is environmentally safe.

Abstract: An arrow rest comprises an arrow rest support arm pivotally mounted to the riser of a bow. The support arm is coupled to a cable guide of the bow through linkage that causes the support arm to rise relative to the riser of the bow as the cable is drawn to launch an arrow. As the cable is released to launch an arrow, the arrow rest drops to allow the fletching to pass the arrow rest without contact. In addition, as the arrow rest moves from a first resting position to a second pre-launch position and back again, a clamping mechanism grasps the shaft of the arrow when the support arm is in the resting position. As the support arm moves to the pre-launch position, the clamping mechanism releases the shaft of the arrow so that the arrow can be freely launched from the support arm without interference from the clamping mechanism.