Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rotary vane actuator device with sealing assembly. The device includes a housing and a sealing assembly. The housing has a center opening defining a chamber. The housing includes opposing end plates for surrounding a stator. The stator having an aligned center opening and a rotor within the chamber. Within the chamber there are two openings, one serving as an inlet, the other serving as an outlet for rotational fluid. The rotor includes a vane assembly fixedly connected thereto. When the fluid enters the chamber, the fluid contacts the vane and moves the rotationally in the same direction. Each of the stator and the vane include seal packs. The end plates include sealing members which contact the stator and vane seal packs whether in the static or dynamic condition of the rotor. The combination of the seal packs and the end plate seal form the sealing assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring cavitation energy of a device placed in a cleaning bath tank of ultrasonic and megasonic cleaning systems. Probe apparatus having an array of probes positioned within the bath detects formation of bubbles at various locations within the bath that are generated by ultrasonic and megasonic vibrations applied to the bath with each probe of the array generating an electrical waveform in response to the detection of the bubbles. Apparatus coupled to each probe of the probe array analyzes the probe-generated voltages and determines cavitation energy profiles occurring on surfaces of a device located in the bath.

Abstract: A prestressed or post-tensioned concrete slab indicating device for indicating a presence of a prestressed or post-tensioned slab of concrete includes a plate member having a front surface and a back surface, a visible indication on the front surface, the visible indication communicating and warning of the presence of a prestressed or post-tensioned slab of concrete, at least one concrete penetrating projection having a proximal and a distal end, the proximal end being attached to the back surface, the projection having a flared portion at the distal end, the at least one concrete penetrating projection being at least partially embedded within a partially cured prestressed or post-tensioned concrete slab to affix the indicating device to the partially cured prestressed or post-tensioned concrete slabsuch that the front surface of the indicating device is flush with the concrete surface, the flared portion keeping the device securely attached to the slab when the prestressed or post-tensioned concrete slab is

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an orthodontic article, a method of making an orthodontic article and an apparatus for making the orthodontic article. The orthodontic article is made by laser welding the work piece, comprising a bracket body and a the pad, together. The article thus formed includes a laser-welded seal around the perimeter of the adjoining areas between the pad and the bracket body. In an exemplary embodiment the apparatus of the invention, makes a series of closely spaced spot welds. The spot welds, in an exemplary embodiment, are significantly overlapped that they form a seal around the entire perimeter of the work piece adjoining areas. The spot welds, in an exemplary embodiment, are significantly overlapped that they form a hermetic seal between the pad and the bracket body. In other exemplary embodiments, the process of manufacturing orthodontic articles is automated and controlled by a computer and computer software.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an articulated guidewire for insertion into a blood vessel. The articulated guidewire includes a rotatable sensor cable, a sensor, a connector, and a satellite wire. The sensor cable has a proximal end and a distal end. A sensor connects to the sensor cable near the distal end and rotates with the sensor cable. The satellite wire attaches to the distal end of the sensor cable and holds the sensor cable in the blood vessel. The connector includes a ball and socket joint which aligns the satellite wire and the sensor cable at a variable angle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is apparatus and a method of installing a computer operating system on a data storage medium of a computer system. The computer system includes a processor and the data storage medium. The apparatus and method includes reading the data storage medium for a set of storage medium characteristics including the partition boundaries of each existing partition on the data storage medium. An identification of the operating system to be installed on the data storage medium is then received, typically in the form of a user input signal. The installation characteristic set of the identified operating system is then retrieved from an operating system rule database of the computer system, which rule database can contain a set of installation characteristics for each of a plurality of identified operating systems including a space required by each operating system on the storage medium.

Abstract: Disclosed for cleaning an anesthesia spirometry absorber circuit is a cleaning and drying apparatus which includes an adapter for introducing fluids into the exhalation valve after the exhalation valve dome has been removed, a proportionating disk, to be inserted in place of the prior art exhalation valve disk, for directing fluids from the exhalation valve simultaneously into the spirometry valve and into the spigot end of the exhalation valve, a shunt for connecting the exhalation valve spigot end to the inhalation valve spigot end, and a collector for gathering fluids exiting from the spirometry valve and inhalation valve. The collector is insertable between the top cap and bottom cap in place of the removable absorbent canisters of the absorber circuit. An air blower-heater is disclosed for introducing air into the adapter to dry the absorber circuit. The air blower-heater is configured to rest within and to be supported by the adapter, which is securely attachable atop the exhalation valve.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a reflector system for a lighting fixture having a illumination source surrounded by an envelope. The reflector system includes a first reflector surrounding the illumination source. The reflector system also includes a second reflector which is non-contiguous with the first reflector and which surrounds the illumination source. The illumination source creates light rays which are reflected by the first and second reflectors. The first reflector directs light rays toward the center line of the fixture. However, the reflected rays despite being so reflected do not substantially intersect the envelope. The reflected light rays from the second reflector being directed so that they diverge from the center line of the fixture avoiding intersection with the semi-transparent envelope.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for drying solid articles such as semiconductor wafers. In one embodiment, the dryer comprises a process tank and a drying fluid supply system. The process tank includes a plurality spray nozzles to spray a non-flammable drying fluid to wet surfaces of the article for drying without the necessity of heat or other external means. The drying fluid comprises a non-flammable, environmentally compatible, and a non-hazardous fluid including a drying agent of (hydrofluoroether) HFE and a surfactant of isopropyl alcohol (IPA). Even without the benefit of heating, little if any solution or static charge remains after drying. The drying apparatus includes a drying fluid supply system for providing the drying fluid to the plurality of spray nozzles.

Abstract: A loose leaf binder includes a first half binder section having a plurality of curled fingers spaced regularly apart and a second half binder section having a corresponding plurality of correspondingly spaced curled fingers. Each of the first and second half binder sections include a plurality of protruding tabs and a plurality of tab openings, each of the plurality of protruding tabs of the first half binder section being capable of mating with a corresponding one of the plurality of tab openings of the second half binder section. When the first half binder section is mated with the second half binder section, the protruding tabs of both the first and second half binder sections snap-fit with corresponding tab openings of both the first and second half binder sections to form the loose leaf binder and to cause the curled fingers of the first and second half binder sections to overlap. The first half binder section may be identical to the second half binder section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diving fin, securable about a swimmer's ankle, having a blade oriented at a propulsive angle independent of how the swimmer's toes are positioned. The blade can be positioned not to interfere with walking and wading. The blade and boot are lockably engageable, and are then rotatable to a locked deployed position wherein the blade projects past the swimmer's heel and in line with the swimmer's lower leg. In one embodiment, the blade has a connector and the boot has a hub lockably engageable therewith to attach or detach the blade. Thus, the boot can be worn without the blade. The engaged connector is upwardly rotatable behind the swimmer's leg. A strap secures the undeployed blade adjacent the leg. The connector is rotatable between the undeployed and deployed positions and is lockable in the deployed position. In one embodiment, the blade can wobble a few degrees when in the locked position.

Abstract: An athetectomy catheter is disclosed having a composite cutter which is capable of cutting material, including hardened plaque, from a biological conduit. The composite cutter has a cutter and a sensor mount. The cutter has a proximal end and a distal end with a cutting edge. The proximal end of the cutter bonds with the sensor mount. The sensor mount is adaptable for holding a sensor and attaching to a cutter torque cable of an atherectomy catheter. Typically, the atherectomy catheter has a cutter housing with a window. The composite cutter is positioned in the cutter housing and moves in response to movement of the cutter torque cable to cut material from the biological conduit via the window.

Abstract: A pulse code analyzer for analyzing data transmitted by transmitter/receivers on a transmission facility interconnecting the transmitter/receivers. The analyzer apparatus has a data converter with a reference and an auxiliary channel for receiving the data and clock apparatus for recovering a clock signal from the data and generating variable time delayed subtone clock signals to the data converter reference and auxiliary channels. Processor apparatus coupled to the data converter and clock means controls a time delay between the subtone clock signals and the voltage level of data received by the channels to detect errors occurring in the received data and records the detected errors in counter apparatus coupled to the data converter channels and clock apparatus. The processor apparatus records a three dimensional matrix of the recorded errors determining a probability predicting the data errors.

Abstract: A bus regenerator, and an extended bus information system and method of communicating information, using such a regenerator. A bus regenerator has first and second information buses. A processor is connected to transfer information between the buses and at least one terminator is connected to terminate one of the buses (preferably a terminator is provided for each bus). A termination power line supplies termination power to the terminator and power to the processor. Additionally, a rechargeable power source, particularly a rechargeable battery, is connected to the termination power line, so as to supply power to at least one of the terminator and the processor, and recharge from the termination power line, as total power used by the terminator and processor varies.

Abstract: Disclosed for shortening and housing medical monitor cables in the operating room and at the bedside is a cable caddy having a base, and a cable cartridge attached to a base by a column, optionally by a mortise and tenon, optionally by a stem projecting the cartridge and fixedly or slidably attached to the column. The cable cartridge includes a winding surface and, optionally, one or more end flanges with cable grasps thereon. Optionally, the winding surface defines a groove. Optionally and to the extent needed, the flanges, cable grasps, groove, columns, and slidably connected cartridge cooperate to retain the cable on the cartridge. A stem removable endwise from a column is disclosed. A stem removable only sideways when in a particular relative position is disclosed. A strap cooperating with a column to secure the base to a pole is disclosed; mounting screws are disclosed as an alternative.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter device which is operably positionable for use in a biological conduit. The catheter device includes a catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end; a flexible housing; a work element and a sleeve. The housing connects to the distal end of the catheter body and holds the work element. The sleeve slidably mounts with the housing for selectively reinforcing the housing to inhibit bending. Accordingly, the housing is normally flexible to facilitate insertion of the catheter device into a biological conduit. When the sleeve moves with respect to the housing, the sleeve reinforces the housing to facilitate operation of the work element.

Abstract: A bracket for removeably attaching a memory storage device to an equipment side includes a frame attachable to the memory storage device, the frame including a front portion, a first rail and a second rail. A handle is pivotally mounted to the front portion of the frame and includes a guide slot and, at one end thereof, an ejection member. A slide member has a catch at one end, and includes a travel member protruding therefrom, which travel member is inserted in the guide slot. As the handle is manually pivoted away from the front portion to an open position, the travel member travels within the guide slot causing the slide member to slide against the front surface, the catch to retract and the ejection member to pivot with the handle to eject the bracket from the slide.

Abstract: A memory storage system which facilitates swappability of memory storage device controllers includes a circuit assembly, a host system connector, controller connectors, memory storage device connectors and a display. The circuit assembly attaches to memory storage devices, memory storage device controllers and a host system. The circuit assembly enables rapid removal and replacement of memory storage device controllers from the memory storage system during operation of the memory storage system. The display electronically communicates with the circuit assembly and indicates which host system data bus the controller connector is associated with. The display also indicates the SCSI ID of the controller connector.