Abstract: A self-locking electrical connector has (a) a first shell body for receiving a first set of contacts; (b) a clamping ring for holding the first set of contacts in engagement with a second set of contacts; (c) a multiplicity of first detent members; (d) a multiplicity of second detent members; and (e) biasing means for holding the first and second detent members in facing engagement. The biasing means includes at least one spring washer, an end cap and a retaining ring retained within the clamping ring. The at least one spring washer is disposed between the detent members and the end cap. The end cap is axially movable by a force applied by the retaining ring between (i) a non-mated position wherein the at least one spring washer applies less than a desired amount of force to the detent members, and (ii) a mated position wherein the at least one spring washer applies a precise amount of desired force to the detent members.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine comprises the steps of (a) pressurizing a liquid fuel to a pressure above 150 psig; (b) heating the liquid fuel to a temperature above 500° F. to produce a heated liquid fuel; (c) suddenly reducing the pressure of the heated liquid fuel sufficiently to vaporize the heated liquid fuel to form a vaporized hot fuel; (d) combining the vaporized hot fuel with oxygen to form a vaporized hot fuel/oxygen mixture; (e) introducing the vaporized hot fuel/oxygen mixture into the internal combustion engine; and (f) combusting the vaporized hot fuel/oxygen mixture within the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method of creating a functional utility-surface on a thermoset composite component, including the steps of: fixing the position of a cured thermoset polymer composite component, the thermoset polymer composite component having a thermoplastic polymer surface layer attached to at least a portion of one surface thereof, the thermoset polymer composite component being fixed in position to allow access to the thermoplastic polymer surface layer; and shaping the thermoplastic polymer surface to form a functional utility-surface.

Abstract: A quick-recharging energy feeding system is described, for a transport vehicle with electric traction, performed in every foreseen stop of the vehicle by means of a connection that can be directly and automatically performed next to such stop, through a road bed, comprising at least one recharging subsystem arranged on the vehicle and at least one stationary system cooperating with the recharging subsystem for transmitting electric energy.

Abstract: A reactor suitable for the continuous oxidizing of an organic material in a supercritical water oxidation process, the reactor includes (a) a reactor body with reactor walls; (b) and a threaded reactor upper plug; and (c) a cylindrical liner attached solely to the threaded reactor upper plug, such that, when the threaded reactor upper plug is removed from the reactor, the reactor liner is consequently and simultaneously removed from the reactor as well.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for graphically displaying media buying options (4) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a cost attribute and an exposure attribute for each media buying option and displaying a plot (1) of available media buying options (4), wherein the media buying options (4) are plotted against a first axis (1B) corresponding to said cost attribute and a second axis (1A) corresponding to said exposure attribute. In another embodiment the method includes calculating or retrieving from memory two or three attributes of each media buying option (4) to be displayed and graphically plotting in a plot (1) each media buying option (4) against said two or three attributes, wherein at least one of said attributes is an exposure attribute and updating the plot when a variable affecting the value of the exposure attribute of one or more media buying options (4) is changed.

Abstract: A page turner apparatus includes a book holder assembly, one or more page turning assemblies and a driver. Each page turning assembly includes a rotator portion and a page retention portion and is laterally movable and rotatable. The page retention portion includes a page retaining arm which is rotated to the right of an axis of rotation when the page turning assembly is moved to the right and rotated to the left of the axis of rotation when the page turning assembly is moved to the left. The driver is adapted to laterally move the at least one page turning assembly and, at the same time, rotate each page retaining arm.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention enhances the security of electronic signatures during transmission. A peripheral device, which may be located remotely and separate from a host processing system, captures the signature. The peripheral device then binds the signature to the particular transaction record and transmits it to the host processing system. The host processing system validates or confirms the received signature before accepting the transaction. Binding the signature and record data together at the point-of-use reduces the likelihood that someone may be able to hack into the transmission medium, encrypted or not, and obtain the raw signature data. By binding or associating the signature and transaction record data together at the point-of-use, each transaction has a unique key, further foiling attempts at hacking. In various implementations, rather than associating the whole signature with the transaction record data, signature sample points or segments are encrypted with transaction record data.

Abstract: A system (10) is disclosed for treating and consolidating with hardenable resins stone blocks (1) comprising at least one liquid- and gas-tight sheet (2) adapted to form a containing housing (3) of a block (1); at least one permeable layer to the resin arranged between the block (1) and the sheet (2) adapted to create a distance between the block (1) and the sheet (2) through which resin can flow; at least one closing manifold (20), comprising a central body (5) and a cover (6), such closing manifold (20) being equipped with connecting means adapted to connect the interior of the containing housing (3) to at least one pressure control duct, at least one duct (15) connected to a first vacuum pump (21), at least one air inserting duct (19) inside the containing housing (3) and sealingly passing means of at least one resin supplying duct (17) supplied by resin storing, conditioning and mixing means; and an autoclave (13). A process using the system is further disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing a biochemical reaction and analysis of reaction products by establishing continuously variable concentration gradients of one or more reagents of the biochemical reaction are provided. Methods for determining mechanism of inhibition or activation, potency of inhibition or activation, or both of an enzyme inhibitor or activator, respectively, are also provided. The continuously variable concentration gradients can be established in a microfluidic chip.

Abstract: A motorized waterproof fluid dispenser and applicator is disclosed. The device manually dispenses at least one liquid from a filled container through one or more openings in the device's moving applicator surface. The device itself is waterproof, and designed to be used in a shower or bathtub. Pressure applied by a user during fluid application does not appreciably dampen applicator movement. The motor moving the applicator is suspended within the device allowing motion to be transmitted directly to the applicator while motion is only weakly transmitted to the outside of the device held by a user. Removable or disposable pads may be affixed to the applicator surface to present a variety of applicator surfaces or heat. The batteries may be replaced, providing for a long overall lifetime of the device while also providing for its inexpensive manufacture.

Abstract: An apparatus useful in the removal of toxic materials from toxic weapon projectiles has a base, a projectile retaining container and a ram. The projectile retaining container has a projectile retainer opening, a ram opening and a drain opening. The projectile retaining container is adapted to retain a toxic weapon projectile in the projectile retainer opening. The ram is adapted to extend into a toxic weapon projectile disposed within the projectile retaining container to crush the projectile's burster well and to thereby release toxic materials to the drain opening in the projectile retaining container. The ram alternatively includes high pressure water nozzles for breaking up any coagulant particles and for thoroughly rinsing the interior side walls of the toxic weapon projectile.

Abstract: The combination of an electronic fingerprint reader and a second electronic transmission device includes a first portion with a top surface and an electronic transmission device disposed therein and a second portion having a top surface with a width between about 2 inches and about 12 inches and a depth between about 1 inch and about 12 inches. A fingerprint reader is disposed in the top surface of the second portion. The top surface of the second portion is disposed at an angle of between about 0° and about 30° with respect to the horizontal such that the top surface of the second portion slants forwardly from the trailing edge of the second portion towards the leading edge of the second portion. The leading edge of the second portion is disposed at an elevation between about 0 inches and about 4 inches above the trailing edge of the first portion.

Abstract: A device for microfluidic control comprising a regulator that is moveable in a conduit where the regulator is a composite polymer formed from a composite mixture comprising a polymerizable precursor and a particulate filler.