Abstract: The present invention concerns a rotary drive clutch that is fluid-operable by a piston/cylinder unit rigidly coupled to a clutch shaft and bearing-mounted so as to rotate therewith.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling the launch and burst of pyrotechnic projectiles in a pyrotechnic, or “fireworks”, display.

Abstract: Fastening system for anchoring wood floors to a base includes a fastener having a pointed distal end and a proximal head end, a sleeve for retaining structural members, the sleeve having a central bore therethrough, a countersink extending from a proximal end of the sleeve coaxially with the central bore, and an annular flange extending outwardly from the sleeve proximal end. The system further includes a driver for driving the fastener through the sleeve bore and into the base, the driver including a nozzle having a bore for receiving the fastener, the nozzle being adapted to enter the sleeve countersink. The driver further includes a hammer disposed in the nozzle and movable to engage the head of the fastener and to drive the fastener into locking engagement with the base, to fix the sleeve to the base, and thereby fix the structural members to the base.

Abstract: In a pole (11) for holding and/or supporting tent sheets (3, 5) that can be assembled from interconnecting segments (15) to make an arch (12), the individual segments (15) can be connected together by intermediate elements (16) that can be inserted into them and a tensioning element (21) can be suspended from each of these intermediate elements (16) on the inside of an arch (12), with the ability for the tensioning elements (21) to be tensioned in the area of the ends (13, 14) of the pole (11). This configuration means that the tent (1) is always stable and its interior is not partitioned off or subdivided by tensioning straps. Also, the tent (1) can be pitched and struck within a short period of time (FIG. 1).

Abstract: In a steady rest (1) with three holding elements (5, 6, 7), of which the two outer holding elements (6, 7) can be swivelled about articulated pins (8, 9) mounted in a housing (2) and the middle holding element (5) can be adjusted in a straight line, with one chip protection cap (11, 12) each provided with outlet ducts attached to one or both outer holding elements (6, 7) and with the possibility of supplying cooling or rinsing agent in a controlled fashion via ducts (13, 15) worked into the holding elements (6, 7) for application to the workpiece (10), each of the ducts (13, 15) provided in the outer holding elements (6, 7) is directly connected to a duct (27) running in the housing (2) of the steady rest (1) via kidney-shaped openings (21, 22) running concentrically to the articulated pins (8, 9).

Abstract: Surface enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) and related modalities offer greatly enhanced sensitivity and selectivity for detection of molecular species through the excitation of plasmon modes and their coupling to molecular vibrational modes. One of the chief obstacles to widespread application is the availability of suitable nanostructured materials that exhibit strong enhancement of Raman scattering, are inexpensive to fabricate, and are reproducible. I describe nanostructured surfaces for SERS and other photonic sensing that use semiconductor and metal surfaces fabricated using femtosecond laser processing. A noble metal film (e.g., silver or gold) is evaporated onto the resulting nanostructured surfaces for use as a substrate for SERS. These surfaces are inexpensive to produce and can have their statistical properties precisely tailored by varying the laser processing. Surfaces can be readily micropatterned and both stochastic and self-organized structures can be fabricated.

Abstract: A graft ligament anchor comprises a ligament engagement member in the form of an expandable elastomeric sleeve of substantially cylindrical shape for disposition in an opening in a bone alongside of a portion of a ligament, and a locking member for disposition in the engagement member . Movement of the locking member in the engagement member causes the locking member to expand the engagement member and thereby urge, the ligament toward a wall of the opening so as to secure the ligament to the wall. A method for attaching a graft ligament to a bone comprises providing an opening in the bone, inserting the ligament and a ligament engagement member in the opening, with the ligament disposed alongside the engagement member, inserting a locking member in the engagement member and moving the locking member to engage the engagement member to urge the engagement member, and the ligament, toward a wall of the opening to secure the ligament to the wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a computer model from scan data from a patient, comprising: (1) acquiring the scan data from the patient; (2) selecting a plurality of key frames from the scan data; (3) hand segmenting the selected key frames, whereby to identify specific anatomical structures; (4) automatically generating segmented intervening frames for the regions between the key frames using an interpolation process; (5) merging the automatically segmented intervening frames with the hand segmented key frames so as to generate a complete set of segmented frames; (6) obtaining a first measurement of a selected feature of the complete set of segmented frames; (7) hand segmenting at least one additional key frame and replacing a corresponding intervening frame with said one additional key frame within the complete set of segmented frames; (8) re-interpolating the set of segmented frames based upon the updated set of key frames; (9) obtaining a second measurement of the selected feature of the re-comp

Abstract: Rectangular photovoltaic (PV) modules are mounted on a building roof by mounting stands that are distributed in rows and columns. Each stand comprises a base plate and first and second different height brackets attached to opposite ends of the base plate. Each first and second bracket comprises two module-support members. One end of each module is pivotally attached to and supported by a first module-support member of a first bracket and a second module-support member of another first bracket. At its other end each module rests on but is connected by flexible tethers to module-support members of two different second brackets. The tethers are sized to allow the modules to pivot up away from the module-support members on which they rest to a substantially horizontal position in response to wind uplift forces.

Abstract: The invention provides a particle comprising a surface, wherein a portion of the surface is capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation and another portion of the surface is capable of emitting a differential electromagnetic radiation (either different intensity, different frequency or no radiation), and wherein the arrangement of said portions of the surface defines a spatially distributed code for identifying the particle. The invention also provides method of manufacturing a particle having an identifying code comprising providing a particle with a functionalized surface which comprises functional binding moieties and selectively removing a plurality of the functional binding moieties from the surface to create a pattern of functionalized and differentially-functionalized zones on the surface. Various liquid-based assay methods employing the particle of the invention and a kit comprising the particle of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mobile CT imaging system comprising: a housing having a center opening; and a CT imaging unit mounted to the housing, wherein the CT imaging unit is adapted to scan anatomical objects located within the center opening and generate images of the same, wherein the CT imaging unit comprises: a rotatable drum assembly disposed within the housing, concentric with the center opening; an X-ray tube mounted on the rotatable drum assembly and configured to emit an X-ray beam; and an X-ray detector mounted on the rotatable drum assembly in alignment with the X-ray beam; wherein the X-ray beam is disposed in an “off-center” configuration, adjacent to an entrance of the center opening.

Abstract: A filter comprising a hollow frame comprising a first face, a second face and an interior passageway extending therebetween; a first screen extending across the passageway at the first face; a first partial-depth, open-cell stabilizer extending across and into the passageway, wherein the stabilizer comprises a matrix formed by a plurality of walls defining a plurality of open cells therebetween, a second screen extending across the passageway at the second face; a second partial-depth, open-cell stabilizer extending across and into the passageway, wherein the stabilizer comprises a matrix formed by a plurality of walls defining a plurality of open cells therebetween; and granular filter materials tightly packed within the passageway, between the first screen and the second screen.

Abstract: In a spray gun (1) for spraying paint with a gun housing (2) provided with a handle (3) with a union nut (10) screwed onto it that holds an air cap (11) provided with offset outlet openings (14, 15) for compressed air, the union nut (10) is positively connected to the air cap (11) in a circumferential direction. This embodiment makes it possible for the spray jet to be set in a brief time and without difficulties without having to put up with getting dirty. It is merely necessary to turn the union nut (10) accordingly in order to control the air supply to the outlet openings (14, 15) of the air cap (11) and therefore to influence the formation of the spray jet.

Abstract: An orthopedic component comprising a first element and a second element, with the first element and the second element being secured to one another with a modular connection, wherein the modular connection comprises a taper junction and an engaged-fit junction.

Abstract: A seat cushion is disclosed for use as a display surface and as a temperature regulated seating surface, the seating cushion comprising a first flexible sheet having a first outer periphery; a second flexible sheet having a second outer periphery; and a first connector joining at least a portion of the first flexible sheet and the second flexible sheet together adjacent the first outer periphery and the second outer periphery, the first connector forming a cavity between the first flexible sheet and the second flexible sheet, and the connector forming a first opening between the first sheet and the second sheet, into the cavity wherein the first opening has a first given length, the cavity adapted to removably retain a heating or cooling device.