Abstract: A computer program, system and method receives a customer's CAD file of a custom part to be formed. Depending upon customer responses to several basic queries, the CAD file is analyzed to identify acceptable holes for tapping. For each identified hole, an appropriate and available thread size is automatically selected, even if the cylindrical recess differs in size from the characteristic size of the threaded hole. The customer is then automatically advised 10 of the results of the tapping analysis, preferably as part of a quotation for part manufacture that identifies the number of threaded holes in the part and preferably identifies the changes to the tapped holes and the specific thread form being quoted for the hole.

Abstract: A customer sends a CAD file for the part to be manufactured to the system. The system assesses the CAD file to determine various pieces of manufacturing information. One or more acceptability criteria are applied to the part, such as whether the part can be machined in two opposing orientations in a 3 axis CNC machine. If not, the system sends a file to the customer graphically indicating which portions of the part need modification to be manufacturable. The system provides the customer with a quotation form, that allows the customer to select several parameters, such as number of cavities or parts per workpiece block, surface finish and material, which are independent of the shape of the part. The quotation module then provides the customer with the cost to manufacture the mold or a number of parts, which may include both molded parts and total profiled machined parts. Budget-driven quotation is possible, wherein proposed modifications in the molding process are controlled by the budget of the customer.

Abstract: A collaboration program operates on a computer system for storing, sharing and synchronizing data between different users. Centrally stored content data items are organized by associations into one or more folders, with the folders arranged by associations in a multi-level hierarchical structure. Users have access to all folders and content data items falling within at least one top level folder or “file cabinet” viewable by that user. When a user makes a change/addition to the hierarchical structure, that change/addition is transmitted to a server, which makes the change/addition to the necessary associations and sends messages through a TCP/IP format advising other signed-on users of the change/addition.

Abstract: A tube is cut to form a tube-formed box with an opening on its top side. A hitch ball is pivotally mounting on the tube-formed box, so as to extend above the tube-formed box when the hitch ball is in the operative position and to reside within the tube-formed box when the hitch ball is in the inoperative, stowed position. The tube-formed hitch box is joined to and extends through an underbed plate, with the top surface of the tube-formed hitch box higher than the top surface of the underbed plate, so the bed of the truck can ride on the underbed plate up to and even with the tube-formed hitch box. In another aspect, the door of the hitch includes one or more recesses around the finger hole, such as a finger access recess on one top side and a finger grip recess on the opposite bottom side of the door.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preserving a sensor in a container, said sensor comprising a sensing area of metallic or a semi-conducting material covered with molecules having a MW>100 Dalton, said molecules being bound to the material wherein at least the sensing area of the layer is kept submerged in a storage solution, said storage solution having a composition that consists for at least 80% by volume of at least one compound chosen from water, ethanol, triethylene glycol and isopropanol, with the provisios that if the concentration of ethanol is at least 80 vol. % of the storage solution ethanol is present in a concentration of no more than 93% by volume of the storage solution; if water is present, it is present in a concentration of less than 80% by volume of the storage solution. The invention also relates to a container containing a sensor and a storage solution.

Abstract: An external fixator includes a main body and an outrigger for extending over a fractured joint, such as a wrist joint. The main body can be positioned next to a right arm, or flipped over and positioned next to a left arm. The outrigger is attachable to extend either to the left or to the right of the main body, as appropriate. A distal body is removeably connectable to the distal end of the main body, and the distal body can be affixed to bone on the opposite side of the fracture to immobilize the joint where the fracture occurs. The distal body is connected to the main body with an adjustable securement section which provides six degrees of adjustment freedom. The outrigger is attached to the main body through a slide plate in a dual rail configuration which provides two dimensions of adjustment. Fragment pin supports ride in a track of the outrigger, and provide seven degrees of adjustment freedom for directed fixation of fragments at the fracture site.

Abstract: A customer sends a CAD file for the part to be molded to the system. The system assesses the CAD file to determine various pieces of mold manufacturing information. One or more acceptability criteria are applied to the part, such as whether the part can be manufactured in a two-piece, straight-pull mold, and whether the mold can by CNC machined out of aluminum. If not, the system sends a file to the customer graphically indicating which portions of the part need modification to be manufacturable. The system provides the customer with a quotation form, that allows the customer to select several parameters, such as number of cavities, surface finish and material, which are independent of the shape of the part. The quotation module then provides the customer with the cost to manufacture the mold or a number of parts. Budget-driven quotation is possible, wherein proposed modifications in the molding process are controlled by the budget of the customer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vertical-axis wind turbine and at least 2 turbine blades, wherein every turbine blade is connected via a supporting arm and a connecting element that can be purely tensile-loaded to the rotatable vertical axis. According to the invention, between the connecting element that can be purely tensile-loaded and the supporting arm a blade is provided that is convex at an angle of attack side defined by the turbine blades and is concave at the other side. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a wind turbine.

Abstract: A door system has at least one door leaf and a displacement system for the door leaf. The door leaf is connected to an organ that is moveable between two suspension points, wherein the first suspension point is situated at a greater distance from the plane of the entrance opening than the second suspension point. A track system is provided, for moving the door leaf in two phases, wherein the track system in the first phase rotationally moves a side of the door leaf outward, and in the second phase determines a displacement of the door leaf by a displacement of the organ from the first suspension point in the direction of the second suspension point.

Abstract: A packaging system uses marked, specially designed packaging to enable confidential purchasing of consumer goods. Products having a first configuration normally labeled for sale are convertible into a second configuration which conceals the identity of the goods, other than perhaps having a confidentiality brand. The confidentiality package is bar-coded for price and purchase scanning but does not identify the type of good(s) being purchased either at the cash register or on the customer's receipt. The confidentially packaged items, which could be marketed under a YOURS CONFIDENTIALLY brand name, for instance, are primarily sold at a retail location immediately next to a normally marked, identical (except for the outer packaging shell) item, and have a brief description of what the item is directly under it (Tampons for example) located in the shelf strip next to the re-order shelf tag.

Abstract: A seat system has separate air bladders in the seat bottom and seat back. The seat bottom bladder is in fluid communication with the seat back bladder through a plurality of rigid interconnecting tubes, and valves in the tubes or orifice size can control flow rate of air exchange between the seat bottom bladder and the seat back bladder. A panel of resilient, compressible open cell foam extends in each of the seat bottom bladder and the seat back bladder. Through-holes in the foam panel permit accelerated air evacuation to the other bladder when the seat withstands a significant shock event. The vibration and shock attenuation characteristics of the seat are jointly provided by the panel spring force and the bladder air pressure.

Abstract: A Building Automation System (BAS) includes at least one Direct Digital Control (DDC) controller operating as a BACnet MS/TP master considered to be an “Anchor”. The Anchor operates an algorithm or method which automatically assigns BACnet Protocol MS/TP Media Access Control (MAC) addresses to other BAS components (considered Nomads) being installed into the network. The Anchor gathers MAC addresses existing on the MS/TP network, and issues an available MAC Pool Announcement. Each Nomad randomly picks a temporary MAC address. When the Anchor verifies singular communication at the temporary MAC address, the Anchor assigns a permanent MAC address to the Nomad, which can later be locked into flash memory. Using the preferred algorithm and method, Nomad devices are automatically assigned unused MAC addresses to join the MS/TP network in a non-conflicting, orderly way, with all communications occurring within the confines of BACnet MS/TP Protocol.

Abstract: An external fixator for treating a fracture of a long bone has six extension arms which are extendable out of and retractable into a main body. The six extension arms are arranged into two sets of three out opposing sides of the main body, with each set of three extension arms being able to support a fixation ring. Each extension arm is pivotable at a joint and extendable so as to allow the ring to be set at a wide range of angular positions relative to the main body. The three extension arms and the ring each define a wrap angle about the axis of the long bone being treated. The longitudinal position of each extension arm can be changed either with a coarse adjustment capability or with a fine adjustment capability, with the coarse adjustment capability being through rotation of a thumb wheel.

Abstract: A friction hinge includes a socket made up of a compressible elastomer insert sleeve inside a relatively rigid cup substrate. The insert sleeve defines an opening with a lip around the opening, and a relatively rigid ball or other center portion can be snap assembled through the lip and opening to center itself in the socket. A mount portion extends through the opening off the ball/center portion, and hand pressure on the mount portion can adjust the angular position of the joint. The size of the ball/center portion relative to the size of the cup substrate causes dimensional compression of the insert sleeve, such as about 15% of its thickness. The compression of the insert sleeve creates a controlled friction force on the ball/center portion, so the snap assembly friction hinge works consistently over a long time and over wide temperature ranges.

Abstract: A customer transmits their 3D CAD file for a part to be total profile machined. Computer analysis of the transmitted CAD file produces CNC machining instructions, which are transmitted back to an address defined by the customer. The customer can then use the transmitted CNC machining instructions to total profile machine their own part using their own CNC mill at the location where the part is likely needed. The transmitted instructions include not only the tool paths for CNC machining of the total profile of the part, but also for additional features formed into the encircling portion of a material block from which the part is to be total profile machined. For instance, the CNC machining instructions transmitted back to the customer can define a registration recess and/or channels or undercuts for fluid support material on an A-side of a material block. After the A-side of the block is machined, the customer adds and solidifies fluid support material into the machined recess.

Abstract: A combination wet kit includes a single mounting bracket supporting an end dump/return manifold and a walking floor/side dump/low boy manifold, as well as a support bracket for the hydraulic fluid filter. A three-way valve is positioned between the end dump/return manifold and a walking floor/side dump/low boy manifold. The manifold unit attached to the tractor without requiring holes in the tractor frame. The manifolds and the preassembled nature of the manifold assembly greatly simplify and reduce costs for installation of the combination wet kit.

Abstract: A new type of urn has an inlet opening for water and an opening for the discharge of the water with powdery mortal remains, the opening being situated lower than the inlet opening. Ashes are introduced in the urn, for instance, in the form of a body comprising powdery mortal remains (ashes) and a binder, where the binder is selected from a water-soluble binder and an agent that disintegrates under the influence of water. The mortal remains are introduced into the earth under the influence of (rain) water. The invention also relates to a method for making such a body.