Abstract: A valve system for a prosthetic hard socket includes an elastomeric valve member that rests in a closed position that seals against a valve housing surface, and opens at a low “crack” or “pop” pressure, for example, when the pressure inside the distal region of the socket well is 1-3 psi above the air pressure outside the hard socket. The elastomeric valve member exhibits a very accurate and reproducible response at the low crack pressure, and, in addition, sound dampening and/or filtration pads further reduce sound and fouling of the preferred elastomeric valve member. The valve may be installed without leaks even on highly-curved thin-walled sockets, as the broad base of the valve is adhesively attached to the outside of the socket, and optionally a rearward protrusion extends into a hole in the socket without protruding into the socket well.

Abstract: A crawler-type and height adjustable drilling machine includes a crawler moving part, a temporary support, a lift cylinder, a cross beam, a roof anchor drill for setting roof anchor bolts and cables which that can turn left or right around 30°, a side-wall-anchor drill for setting side wall anchor bolts and cables that can turn toward one side around 90°, a platform for the drills, a hydraulic system and operation console, and a crawler driving motor. A coal pushing shovel is in front of the crawler moving part and below the platform. Double columns are provided on which a slipway is mounted for left and right moving of the roof anchor drill. The platform is also provided with a forward and backward slipways on which the side-wall-anchor drill is arranged so that a cylinder mounted on the platform pushes the side-wall-anchor drill forward and backward.

Abstract: This invention relates to load bed for a vehicle, and in particular to a load bed adapted to carry elongate articles upon the public roads. The load bed could for example be the trailer of an articulated vehicle, or it could be part of a rigid truck, as desired. The load bed (214) has a set of retaining posts along the longitudinal sides of the bed, and at least one platform (224) is mounted upon the load bed and is movable between a stowed condition and an in use condition, the retaining posts being between the load bed and the platform in its in use condition.

Abstract: A high-speed optical modulator based on Surface Plasmon-Polariton (SPP) at the hetero-junction of a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) tunneling diode and including a phase-matching optical element, such as a prism or gold-lattice structure, is described. An investigation using the coupled mode theory shows that the applied bias across the hetero-junction changes the optical reflectance of an optically coupled MIS tunneling diode, such as a prism-coupled MIS tunneling diode or a gold lattice-coupled MIS tunneling diode, while the modulation efficiency achievable of the device depends on the thickness of the metal film used to construct the tunneling diode.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for replacing pipes, and an apparatus therefor. The method utilizes a cable which is passed along an existing pipe. The cable is connected to a component at the end of the pipe, the component also being connected to a length of replacement pipe. The cable is pulled whereby the existing pipe is removed and the replacement pipe inserted in its place. The invention is expected to achieve its greatest utility as a method and apparatus for replacing pipes carrying water or gas to domestic and commercial properties.

Abstract: A nutcracker utilizes a cone with a textured exterior surface rotatably mounted and centered inside a vertical cylinder with a textured interior surface. The textured exterior surface and the textured interior surface are non-parallel and form a cracking zone that becomes smaller in the downward direction. As the conical member rotates, gravity rolls nuts down in a spiraling path, between and along the preferred elongated and slanted protrusions forming the texture. This path takes the nuts into an increasingly smaller cracking zone until the pressure on the nuts from the conical and cylindrical members causes the nut-shells to crack and the nuts typically to break into halves and thirds. The nutcracker may include an adjustable barrel that rolls up and down inside a housing, for changing the minimum width of the cracking zone.

Abstract: An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire(s). The spiral coils around the wire(s) multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. One region of the spiral is preferably fixed to an insulating housing or otherwise retained from movement in the housing, while another region of the spiral is rotated and latched to retain the spiral in the tightened condition. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends/side of the connector. Modular connectors that include spiral(s) may be assembled in multiple combinations.

Abstract: An improved scotch yoke engine of pump including a piston joined to a yoke structure wherein the piston (1) is free to move along at least one axis defined by a flying cross (60) relative to the yoke structure (7) during piston reciprocation, the piston and yoke structure being joined in a flat type joint arrangement and the piston prevented from rotation around the piston axis by engagement of the piston and the yoke with the flying cross, the flying cross being not locked in position between the piston base (50) and the yoke shank end arrangement (700).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed that enable writing data on, and reading data of, multi-state elements having greater than two states. The elements may be made of magnetoplastic and/or magnetoelastic materials, including, for example, magnetic shape-memory alloy or other materials that couple magnetic and crystallographic states. The writing process is preferably conducted through the application of a magnetic field and/or a mechanical action. The reading process is preferably conducted through atomic-force microscopy, magnetic-force microscopy, spin-polarized electrons, magneto-optical Kerr effect, optical interferometry or other methods, or other methods/effects. The multifunctionality (crystallographic, magnetic, and shape states each representing a functionality) of the multi-state elements allows for simultaneous operations including read&write, sense&indicate, and sense&control.

Abstract: A frame construction tool system, for wood frame buildings, or for metal, polymer, concrete, or composite frame buildings, and methods of using some or all of the tools of said tool system, are particularly well-adapted for roof and/or wall construction. Preferably, a laser light unit comprises a plurality of adjustments for directing the laser light in a variety of directions, preferably for vertical, horizontal, and pivotal adjustment. The laser light unit may be used with targets, cuttings guides, and/or prism units for splitting and/or redirecting the laser beam. In one embodiment, the laser light unit is used with reflective and/or translucent/transparent targets to accurately build a “build-over roof” wherein the laser light unit maps out points and lines of an accurate connection between the roofs. In another embodiment, the laser light unit is used with one or more targets used at the top of a stud wall, to produce a straight line reference from one end/corner of a wall to another.

Abstract: A reciprocating internal combustion engine. The present invention improves the spark ignition facility used by the engine inventions described in patent publications WO2005/052335 and WO2007/080366 by providing a device to ensure reliable spark ignition by protecting the spark plug from malfunction by sooting.

Abstract: Granules comprise binder-agglomerated active particles for liquid treatment or filtration. Each granule has a center core of a material that itself has binding properties without the addition of other binders or sprays or adhesives, or, alternatively, each granule comprises a matrix of active materials stuck together with the binder. The binder structure preferably ranges from a non-uniform matrix of binder formed by heat-deformed binder particles, to a clump of binder particles generally retaining the original shape or the binder particles, to non-continuous connectors of binder between active particles. The invented two-part media has high surface area per volume of media, which, because the outer surface and inner void surfaces of the particles are preferably substantially covered with active particles, translates to high activity for the preferred treatment process.

Abstract: A tarp bar may be an alignment member, a reinforcement member, and a furling control member, without adding substantial weight or complexity to a rolling tarp system. The tarp bar is fixed to the tarp a significant distance from the drive bar and is not motorized or otherwise powered, and is preferably attached only to the tarp material, parallel to the length of the tarp and the bed/trailer. The tarp bar is recessed or otherwise-concave along its length to allow cradling of, and hence parallel orientation of, an already-rolled portion of the tarp. The tarp bar is preferably broader than said already-rolled portion, so that two opposing edges of the tarp bar extend out beyond the diameter of the already-rolled portion so that the combination of the already-rolled portion received in the tarp bar is a non-cylindrical unit.

Abstract: A tire chain installation tool comprises an elongated member that is connectable to a traction chain or other traction device and that acts as an extension and guide for leading or pulling the traction chain onto a tire. The tool receives one end of the tire traction chain, and an elongated belt of the tool is placed around the tread surface of a vehicle tire. Upon rotation of the tire due to movement of the vehicle, friction between the tire and belt (and capture of the belt between the tire and the ground/road) cause the belt and hence the tire traction chain, to be drawn around the circumference of the vehicle tire. Thus, the traction chain is placed in good position to be fastened without the struggle and discomfort frequently associated with installing chains on a vehicle. The preferred belt is easier to lift and manipulate than the traction chain and does not need to be positioned or manipulated in the space behind the tire (away from the user) or in the space between dual tires.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process and an apparatus for combination of steel tubes or pipes with plastic linings, in which steam is used as heat carrier to heat the steel tubes or pipes lined with linings. The apparatus comprises a multifunctional combining chamber, a multifunctional carriage for conveying tubes or pipes, an arrangement for steam circulating, which continuously supplies re-usable steam, a cooling and shaping arrangement and a controlling device. The steam circulating system comprises a furnace for re-heating the steam and means for supplying supplementing steam. The percentage of passing the qualification control is increased up to 99.9% by embodiment of the method and/or apparatus according to the present invention, while it is only 97% by a conventional apparatus, and the production capacity is increased by 15%.

Abstract: The echolocater device described herein incorporates the features of integrated sampling radar technology to create a unique device that provides, for example, the visually impaired with an excellent new tool to help navigate the world. Much like a bat using its bio-sonar, the visually impaired will be able to hear subtle differences in audio-replicated radar echoes. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, two integrated-sampling type radar receivers are spaced some convenient distance apart. A single transmitter centered between two receivers transmits pulses of an RF carrier. Audio “IF” output from each receiver is processed and sent to a small speaker worn near each ear. With practice the user of this invention will be able to discern the range, location and motion of individual objects, and may also be able to distinguish particular echo characteristics of differing objects.

Abstract: A prosthetic hard socket has a modified curvature and/or shape, which eliminates or de-emphasizes the patellar bar to eliminate or reduce pressure on the wearer's patellar tendon, and, instead, enhances support of the anterior tibial condyle and/or tibial tubercle. Thus, the preferred socket is designed with the patellar tendon preferably not being weight-bearing. The preferred curvature and/or shape comprises a lowered socket edge and/or a gap in the socket wall in the region of the patellar tendon, so that the hard structure of the socket does not directly support or press upon the patellar tendon. The invented socket may include inwardly-protruding regions on each side of the lowered edge/gap, for helping to “capture” or otherwise press on a portion of the tibia for improved rotational control. This combination of shapes and curvatures provides for improved rotational control, comfort, and range of motion including even full extension or hyperextension.