Abstract: A long-sleeved, pullover-type upper body garment has a continuous slit, which runs up the side of the garment from the bottom of garment body to an arm pit, and downward along the underside of a sleeve, and terminates at a point intermediately along the length of the sleeve. The segment of the slit that is in the body of the garment is temporarily closeable using mating hook-and-loop fastener members that are attached to the body of the garment on opposite sides of the slit. The segment of the slit in the upper portion of the sleeve remains at all times “open”, thereby allowing access to the middle and/or upper end of the wearer's arm for attachment of IV tubing or other medical lines. The circumference of the lower end (e.g., forearm portion) of the sleeve is neither separable nor openable, thereby requiring that a wearer insert his/her hand through the lower portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for determining a player rating for at least one tennis player enhances the tennis playing experience of by matching tennis players of comparable tennis skills. The methodology comprises assigning numerical player ratings generally corresponding to each player's individual tennis skill level. A competitive threshold is established, corresponding to a minimum number of games that a player must win in a match between players having the same player rating. A player is considered to be competitive within a rating level, regardless of whether the player wins or loses matches, provided the player wins at least the minimum number of games that corresponds to the established competitive threshold. Adjustments are made to a player's rating only if/when the player has a sustained record of “non-competitive” matches with similarly rated players.

Abstract: Quality assurance device for calibrating and testing the accuracy of movement-correlated computed tomography (“4D CT”) target-locating systems has a test unit sub-assembly adapted to be combined with a dynamic phantom system. The test unit sub-assembly has an axially and rotationally moveable test rod slideably disposed inside of a substantially hollow fixed housing. A matrix of markers, or “fiducials”, are located in the wall of the housing. A single fiducial is located near the distal end of the moveable test rod. The distal end portion of the moveable test rod is adapted to be connected to a motion actuator, which is programmed to oscillate the test rod in a predetermined pattern. When the test unit sub-assembly is inserted into a tissue equivalent phantom member, the combined sub-assembly and phantom member can then be subjected to four-dimensional imaging to generate a visual image.

Abstract: A joint stabilizing apparatus having an expandable cylindrical housing is inserted into a circular hole drilled at a “loose joint” of a concrete slab that is to be stabilized against relative vertical displacement between adjacent slab sections. The hole is drilled downward into the concrete, centered on the plane of a lateral opening/joint in the concrete slab. The expandable housing comprises two rigid semi-circular housing halves, and the assembly is oriented inside of the circular hole such that the two housing halves are on opposite sides of the centerline of the lateral opening/joint. The housing halves are pushed apart by turning of a threaded bolt inside of the housing. Turning of the bolt causes two bi-laterally symmetric wedge blocks to draw towards each other, and pressing the bearing surfaces of the wedge blocks against inclined surfaces inside of the respective housing halves.

Abstract: The present invention is a thorax phantom that enables simulation of tumor motion within a tissue equivalent material. The system consists of a tissue equivalent epoxy phantom representing a 15 cm axial section of the human thorax that includes simplified spine and lung anatomies. Within the phantom are thru rods of similar tissue density. The rods are attached to a computer-controlled actuator that facilitates both linear and rotational motion of the rods within the phantom. A plurality of tumor targets and radiation detectors can be placed within the rods at various locations thereby enabling the simulation of respiratory and cardiac induced tumor motions within the phantom and assessment of the effects of these motions on image acquisitions, treatment planning and radiation treatment delivery.

Abstract: A thickness mode piezoelectric transducer is provided that has masses attached to opposing faces of the transformer. The end-masses increase the thickness of the transformer and decrease its resonant frequency. The end-masses increase the magnitude of resonant vibrations in the output layer(s) as well as the mechanical Q of the device to provide a low profile piezoelectric transformer with high power density. Each of the input and output portions is resonant tank circuit having a electrical resonant frequency substantially matching the mechanical resonance whereby the amplitude of the mechanical vibrations are increased. These mechanical vibrations are used in conjunction with a mechanical amplifier or horn for use of the device as a vibrational transducer.

Abstract: A self-powered switching device using a prestressed flextensional electroactive member generates a signal for activation of a latching relay. The electroactive member has a piezoelectric element with a convex and a concave face that may be compressed to generate an electrical pulse. The flextensional electroactive member and associated signal generation circuitry can be hardwired directly to the latching relay or may be coupled to a transmitter for sending an RF signal to a receiver which actuates the latching relay.

Abstract: A method of finishing concrete using a vibrating tool to consolidate a “dry shake” aggregate into the upper layer of the concrete. The use of the vibrating tool causes moisture within the concrete mass to migrate into the surface layer where the moisture may hydrate the aggregates in the dry shake mixture. The ability to cause upward migration of water in the concrete mass provides a larger window of finishability for the concrete. The vibrations also provide thorough consolidation of aggregates in the upper layer of the concrete mass helping to prevent delamination.

Abstract: A piezoelectrically actuated vibratory motor comprises actuators that are mounted “vertically” with their edges attached to top and bottom mounting members. An oscillating voltage applied to the actuators causes them to contract and expand to move the attached mounting members in a direction essentially parallel to the faces of the actuators. The force transmitted to the mounting members at the edges of actuators is greater than the typical force taken at the center of a face of the actuator.

Abstract: A multi-layer piezoelectric transformer (PT) is provided that is capable of achieving high mechanical momentum and, therefore, is capable of high energy transmission. The PT has a plurality of layers arranged as a composite structure. The outermost portions of the PT comprise the input portions, which are bonded to the central output portion of the PT. The construction and anisotropic nature of the PT allows it to be driven at the longitudinal resonant frequency of the PT corresponding to its overall thickness, which increases the achievable gain and power density of the PT.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transformer is provided having segmented electrodes on one or both faces of a piezoelectric ceramic disk. Application of a voltage sequentially to one or more adjacent segments forms a travelling wave in the disk. Application of a voltage to alternate segments forms a resonant standing wave in the disk. The transformer may be configured with a resonant feedback circuit that provides step up voltage transformation, and may provide voltage to multiple loads.

Abstract: A multi-layer piezoelectric transformer (PT) is provided having an insulation layer having an input electroactive ceramic layer bonded to one of its major faces and an output electroactive ceramic layer bonded to its other major face. The input layer is electroded on both major faces and is poled in the thickness direction. The output layer has segmented electrodes patterned on its two opposing major faces and portions of the output layer are alternatingly poled in opposite directions across the output layer's thickness. The configuration of the poling and electrodes places adjacent portions of the output layer electrically in series.

Abstract: A multilayer piezoelectric transformer is provided using the longitudinal vibration modes for step-up voltage conversion applications. An input portion polarized to deform in a longitudinal plane is bonded to an output portion. The deformation of the input portion is mechanically coupled to the output portion, which deforms in the same longitudinal direction relative to the input portion. The output portion is polarized in the thickness direction relative its electrodes, and piezoelectrically generates a stepped-up output voltage.

Abstract: An inverter circuit is provided using a voltage converter having multiple layers of piezoelectric ceramic. More specifically, the present invention provides an inverter circuit for a Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) incorporating a multilayer piezoelectric transformer that uses the longitudinal resonant vibration mode for step-up voltage conversion. The transformer is driven by a FET half-bridge connected to an oscillator through dual current buffers, one current buffer being driven through and a level shifter and charge pump.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing prestressed piezoelectric actuators which maximizes output, and increases the precision and efficiency with which the multi-layer actuators are made. Individual layers of the piezoelectric actuators are automatically stacked and registered with respect to each other within press members prior to bonding the layers to each other with a thermoplastic adhesive. Compressive force is applied while heat is conductively transferred from a heating element to the actuator in order to raise the temperature of each of the layers above the melting point of the thermoplastic. The temperature of the heating element is then decreased until the temperature of the actuator layers drops to below the melting point of the thermoplastic adhesive, thereby bonding the layers. Compressive force is then released, and the actuators are removed, further cooled and polarized.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing high deformation piezoelectric actuators and sensors using a continuous tape manufacturing process is provided. The ceramic layer is dispensed between two metal/adhesive layers to form a composite tape and is tack welded together. Lengths of composite tape are heated and then cut into individual actuators. A special pattern punched in the tapes allows for ease of alignment of the layers of the actuators.

Abstract: A circuit including a transformer, preferably a laminated piezoelectric transducer, in combination with a positive feedback amplifier circuit, capable of serving: 1) to produce either an audible or ultrasonic signal; or 2) as an energy source capable of driving an auxiliary high voltage device with an initial and continuing low voltage source such as a battery.

Abstract: A multi-layered piezoelectric electrical energy transfer device has its input and output sides electrically isolated from each other. As a transformer, the device provides step-down voltage conversion while the output signal preserves the input signal frequency in a broad bandwidth. For telecommunications applications, the transformer can provide impedance matching with transmission lines, which minimizes line losses and echoes that seriously degrade high-speed data transmission. The piezoelectric transformer also provides a uniform voltage transformation ratio (Vout/Vin) over wide frequency ranges, and is adaptable for simultaneous audio and data signal telecommunications applications requiring wide bandwidth service.

Abstract: An anti-lock braking system includes a moveable member to be braked and a friction brake for applying a braking force. A controller actuates the friction brake in accordance with braking force demands. Braking force demands are determined by the controller by electrical input signals received from a signal generator that is mechanically linked to the brake pedal, as well as by signals from a slip sensor. The slip sensor records values from wheel speed sensor and computes values that may indicate a slippage condition. Based on the recorded and computed values, the slip sensor and sends electric signals to the controller. The friction brake includes a prestressed piezoelectric element that is lightweight, less cumbersome, and highly controllable as compared with prior anti-lock braking devices, and is actuated via electrical signals rather than a mechanical system.

Abstract: A thickness mode piezoelectric transformer is provided that has masses attached to opposing faces of the transformer. The end-masses increase the thickness of the transformer and decrease its resonant frequency. The end-masses increase the magnitude of resonant vibrations in the output layer(s) as well as the mechanical Q of the device to provide a low profile piezoelectric transformer with high power density. The preferably metal end-masses also act as high voltage output electrodes as well as heat sinks.