Abstract: At least one embodiment of the present inventive technology focuses on a vaneless diffuser adapted for establishment extra-radially of a centrifugal fan, wherein the diffuser may effect an optimal transformation of velocity pressure into static pressure of a fluid (e.g., air) impelled by a centrifugal fan by decreasing that fluid's tangential velocity as it travels through the diffuser, without causing recirculation of air output from the diffuser back into the diffuser. Such diffuser may effect such a decrease in tangential velocity by radially extending the interface through which impelled air is output from the diffuser to a downflow fluid handling environment such as, e.g., a scroll and/or a plenum. The diffuser may converge in a direction parallel with the axis of rotation of the centrifugal fan to avoid fluid recirculation and/or may incorporate acoustical material so as to reduce the amount of material necessary for effective noise reduction as compared with convention noise reduction methods.

Abstract: An pressure differential distribution system which offers an pressure differential reaction element (1) made of a comfortable, flexible pressure differential interface (2) that is attached to a support element (3), which in conjunction with a difference in pressure between the interior volume of the differential reaction element (1) can conform to various extended or reduced conformers. The flexible pressure differential interface (2) may retract within an enclosure(4). An emission removal adaptor (12) or terminal interface (23) may be coupled to a substance source (10) to capture or move substances on a pressure differential from a first zone to a second zone.

Abstract: A system for refining hydrocarbon containing materials in a continuous coking mode may provide a pyrolyzer (1) which may be inclined to effect a liquid seal between a liquid conduction environment (6) and a gaseous conduction environment (7). A heat source (9) may heat the material past the coking point and the system may include a screw or auger (10) which can continuously remove the coke while simultaneously outputting refined products.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a constant voltage, high frequency sinusoidal output across a varying load, using either a single or multiple switch topology operating at constant frequency while maintaining high efficiency over the entire load range. This embodiment is especially suited to applications which require the sinusoidal voltage be held very close to a desired value in the presence of rapid changes in the conductance of the load, even in the sub-microsecond time domain as is common in computer applications and the like and in powering electronics equipment, especially a distributed system and especially a system wherein low voltage at high current is required.

Abstract: A transplanting system including both methods and specific types of transplant apparatus such as propagule transplant trays(3, 4, 5, 6) addresses the need for the use of a propagule punch machine (8) on a variety of adolescent tray configurations (9, 11, 12, e.g.) and the increased operational efficiency that such enhanced operational capability affords. The system may involve at least one areally continuous propagule tray (3, 4, 5, 6) that is operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of adolescent plant trays. Other embodiments of the invention disclose punch pins (59) for use in a plant punch machine transplanter that are user-detachable and differentially designed so that plant punch elements of a certain design may be installed as part of the machine to customize the transplant process for a given species and transplant modality. The invention also provides for a consultable collection (such as printed documents or an electronic database, e.g.

Abstract: A connector for securely attaching two or more structural members such as metal tubing without requiring welding upon installation and an off-road vehicle occupant protection superstructural framework that incorporates this connector and structural members. In a preferred embodiment one half of a bisected collar-shaped connector to which the end of a first structural member is welded and which may be bolted to the other half of the connector about or around a second structural member is provided. An off-road vehicle superstructure framework useful in protecting occupants in the event of rollover may also incorporate frame mounts and floor mounts and may be installable as an enhancement to a pre-existing roll bar or cage or as an entire cage itself. Another preferred embodiment may be a business method wherein a sport cage of unprecedented strength may shipped unassembled to a customer and installable at home without requiring specialized tools or skills.

Abstract: A hydrogen gas indicator system that provides various substrate materials (4) that support hydrogen gas sensor (1) materials with discrete indicia (7) that provide information separate from any change in the physical properties of the hydrogen gas sensor itself.

Abstract: A method for automatic control of breeding of free-range animals is disclosed, wherein the feed consumed by each individual animal is uniquely identified and registered to enable full traceability between animals or products and the feed. In particular, the present method comprise active and automatic control of the living conditions of the animals based on the monitored and recorded data so that a minimal amount of human interaction is required in the normal operation of a breeding system controlled by use of the method. The invention further relates to a controlled system, typically comprising a general-purpose computer having a suitable computer program installed thereon, for controlling the operation of a breeding system according to the present method.

Abstract: Environmental containment methods (16) for a flow cytometer (21) which provides an adjustably controllable environment in which biological particles can be differentiated and droplets separated into collection containers (15).

Abstract: A droplet forming flow cytometer system allows high speed processing without the need for high oscillator drive powers through the inclusion of an oscillator or piezoelectric crystal within the nozzle volume and directly coupled to the sheath fluid. The nozzle contain converges so as to amplify unidirectional oscillations which are transmitted as pressure waves through the nozzle volume to the nozzle exit so as to form droplets from the fluid jet. The oscillator is directionally isolated so as to avoid moving the entire nozzle container so as to create only pressure waves within the sheath fluid. A variation in substance concentration is achieved through a movable substance introduction port which is positioned within a convergence zone to vary the relative concentration of substance to sheath fluid while still maintaining optimal laminar flow conditions. This variation may be automatically controlled through a sensor and controller configuration.

Abstract: A process for recycling or decomposing waste plastic where such wasteplastic is decomposed in a diluent such as hot oil through actions involvingfree radical precursor, such as polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane, is achievedat low temperature. The thermal decomposition (or pyrolysis) reaction is forabout 1 hour at 375° C., and useable products, such as distillate, coke, and oilare recovered. Additionally the diluent may be recycled within the process.

Abstract: A protector system configured to engage a portion of the exterior surface of tubular components of a motorcycle, such as engine guard(s), saddlebag guard(s), handle bars, to provide a surface deposed to prevent or minimize damage of such tubular components resulting from impact or to alter transmission of impact or operational forces to such tubular components.

Abstract: A system including apparatus and methods for compressively retaining cargo to a vehicular surface may, upon adjustment, frictionally engage the underside of the upper lip of a truck bed sidewall and transmit a compressive force to a cargo retention element positioned substantially above vehicular cargo. A vertical compression force enhancement element, which may be the same as an adjustable vertical compression force transfer element, may be a threaded rod and threadably mated nut system. The invention also discloses an extendable vertical compression force base element to fit differently sized truck beds, for example.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for causing ion bombardment of the substrate during sputter deposition of an insulating or conducting material on a substrate (3) when using dual cathode or dual anode sputtering approaches. A novel electrical circuit including a center-tapped transformer is disclosed to permit a controllable potential to be applied to the substrate relative to the plasma potential, without the necessity of an additional power supply. Also disclosed are approaches which permit the use of an auxiliary biasing supply (8), either dc or high frequency ac, and which can permit continuous discharging of the surface through alternate ion and electron bombardment.

Abstract: Various optical apparatus provide a source of parallel light (7, 75). The parallel light (7, 75) is generally achieved by directing an incident beam at the apex of a prism (1, 22, 24, 26, 28). The prism may have varying configurations. One configuration has a forward conical face (24). Another configuration has a pyramidal forward end (22). Other configurations are also disclosed. The application also discloses the use of reflectors (20, 78, 216, 316, 400) having internal reflective surfaces shaped as three-dimensional figures of revolution, for example paraboloid or ellipsoid. The reflectors (20, 78, 216, 316) focus light incident onto the reflectors at one or more foci (F, 220, 320, 420). The reflectors may be used in combination with the optical apparatus including the prisms (1, 22, 24, 26, 28). The reflectors (20, 78, 216, 316) may be used in flow cytometers for focussing light at a sample stream (237, 337) passing through the focus (F, 220, 320, 420) of the reflector (20, 78, 216, 316).

Abstract: Systems to achieve both more uniform and particle free DLC deposition is disclosed which automatically cycles between modes to effect automatic removal of carbon-based buildups or which provides barriers to achieve proper gas flow involves differing circuitry and design parameter options. One ion source may be used in two different modes whether for DLC deposition or not through automatic control of gas flow types and rates and through the control of the power applied to achieve maximum throughput or other desired processing goals. Arcing can be controlled and even permitted to optimize the overall results achieved.

Abstract: Apparatus for and associated methods of controlling movement of a microphone that may be held in some manner by a microphone support boom. More specifically, the invention focuses upon novel techniques for isolating yaw of a microphone support boom from the microphone stand that may provide a majority of the height required for a desired microphone spatial positioning. The invention also focuses on apparatus that may be used achieve preferential isolation of microphone support boom yaw with respect to motion in any other microphone support boom degree of freedom. A specific type of apparatus that may be used to achieve this preferential isolation—the double conical clutch—is also an aspect of the inventive technology.

Abstract: The novel use of a one-way valve (13) to prevent drips of fluid such as fuel from a fluid delivery conduit after an intended flow shut-off is disclosed. At least one embodiment involves the use of a biased, one way valve that is reconfigurably responsive to a fluid flow shut-off pressure to prevent flow (e.g., drips, drops and/or a fluid stream) after an intended shut-off of fluid flow via closing of a main valve element (5). The biased, one-way valve (13) may itself comprise at least one fluid obstruction element that is rotatable about and attached at a chord of a simple closed curve (a circle or oval, as but two examples) defined by the inner surface of the conduit through which fluid in the vicinity of the valve flows. Nozzles of existing fuel conduits may be retrofitted to include the valve, or initial manufacturing may incorporate the valve within the conduit.