Abstract: A valve having a trim comprising a plurality of impingement flowpaths, each flowpath comprising a central impingement chamber and having three radially directed inlet passages is provided. As the fluid floes through the inlet passages and enters the impingement chamber the flow starts to turn and impinge upon one another at a substantially central point within the impingement chamber and exit together via the outlet which is substantially axial to the impingement chamber. As the flows entering the impingement chamber impinge on one another as opposed to a wall of the flowpath, the impingement can be used to create a flowpath with reduced erosion.

Abstract: A mounting bracket is provided for mounting pipes between studs of a building. An elongated support member has two elongated sides generally perpendicular to each other and has opposing ends adapted to fasten the support member to studs of a building. A locking bracket encircles the support bracket. The locking bracket has four segments comprising a first base segment, a second flange segment, a third intermediate segment and a fourth distal segment. A flexible hinge line is formed at least between the flange and intermediate segment. The base segment and flange either abutting or are close to adjacent sides of the elongated support member during use with the intermediate segment spanning the distal edges of the sides of the support member. The fourth distal segment overlaps and nests with the first base segment to restrain motion in the plane of the base segment. A latch mechanism restrains the projection from disengaging. The projection is preferably forced against the support member by the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A braking method and device with energy recovery for a hybrid traction vehicle, which, according to the requested braking target, regulates the intervention of the engine-generator and the connection or disconnection of the endothermic engine from the transmission line.

Abstract: A front end circuit for coupling an antenna to a radio frequency (RF) transceiver for time domain duplex systems is disclosed. The front end circuit includes an antenna port, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier, and a matching network. The output of the power amplifier and the input of the low noise amplifier are coupled to the matching network and connected in common to the antenna. The power amplifier and the low noise amplifier are activated and deactivated in sequence corresponding to the transmit and receive modes of the transceiver, and the matching network minimizes the effect that one has on the other at the designated operating frequency.

Abstract: An underwater sound projector system comprises multiple sound projectors, each sound projector being capable of producing acoustic pressures. The sound projectors are held in close proximity such that the sound projectors interact with one another via the acoustic pressures produced. In embodiments, the number and/or spacing of the sound projectors are adjusted based on target performance parameters.

Abstract: A front end circuit for coupling an antenna to a radio frequency (RF) transceiver for time domain duplex systems is disclosed. The front end circuit includes an antenna port, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier, and a matching network. The output of the power amplifier and the input of the low noise amplifier are coupled to the matching network and connected in common to the antenna. The power amplifier and the low noise amplifier are activated and deactivated in sequence corresponding to the transmit and receive modes of the transceiver, and the matching network minimizes the effect that one has on the other at the designated operating frequency.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a deployment device that is operative to deploy Special Material (SM) to protect the vehicle when an enemy infrared (IR) threat is present. The deployment device constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises at least one, and preferably a pair of canisters which are each filled or loaded with SM, then factory sealed to prevent oxidation or contamination. Each of the canisters included in the deployment device includes an input shaft which, when rotated, is operative to transmit the rotary motion to each of four threaded rods. The rods have two primary functions, which are to advance a piston thereby preloading the SM within the canister toward the open end thereof, and to turn rotary metering devices which are located at the open end of the canister. The advancing piston maintains consistent compression in the SM stack within the canister.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is provided that has a grip end opposite a head end and defining a length of the shaft extending between those two ends. The shaft has a tubular cross-section over at least one portion of the shaft length which cross-section has a substantially circular outer periphery and a polygon inner periphery formed of a plurality of between 4 and 24 flats, and preferably formed of 8-16 flats. A mandrel having the shape of the inner periphery of the shaft is also provided, as is a method of forming the shaft that uses the mandrel and composite matrix materials.

Abstract: There is provided an illuminated surface mounted on a base surface. The illuminated surface includes a plurality of transmissive tiles configured to allow light to pass therethrough. Each of the transmissive tiles includes an exterior surface, an attaching surface and a plurality of lateral sides disposed between the exterior and attaching surfaces. The attaching surface is affixable to the base surface. The transmissive tiles are arranged in spaced relation to each other to define a cable channel. The cable channel is defined by opposing lateral sides of adjacent transmissive tiles. A fiber optic cable is in optical communication a light source and receives light therefrom. The fiber optic cable includes a longitudinal axis and a first segment disposed within the cable channel. The first segment is configured to radially radiate light along the longitudinal axis into the lateral sides of the adjacent transmissive tiles.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor package and a fabrication method thereof. The semiconductor package is provided with a substrate made of metal, thereby improving efficiency of thermal emission from a semiconductor die mounted to the substrate, and simplifying the fabrication process for the substrate which reduces fabricating costs. Further, unlike a conventional land, a rivet electrically insulated with the substrate is inserted into a corresponding hole of the substrate, the upper and lower surfaces of the rivet being removed to form land, thereby simplifying the fabrication process for the substrate which further reduces fabricating costs.

Abstract: A bed headboard is provided having output ports for directing individually adjustable airflows towards different areas of the headboard. A headboard comprises a headboard upper portion and an overhang disposed proximate the headboard upper portion. The overhang further includes a bottom surface and a pair of side surfaces, defining an overhang compartment. A blower is provided in the overhang compartment. A plurality of output ports are provided in fluid communication with the blower and extending through the overhang bottom surface. The output ports may be adjustable to regulate the direction of airflow therefrom and/or volume of airflow therethrough.

Abstract: A method of placing a catheter into a patient while preventing disadvantageous escape of fluid from the patient comprises providing a catheter secured to a valve housing. The catheter has a proximal end, a distal end and an interior lumen. The valve housing has a first port, a second port, and a fluid path running between the first and second ports. The catheter and the valve housing have a hollow needle extending therethrough.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump system includes elastomeric pump tubing and a roller pump. The pump tubing has a pumping segment and an inlet segment. The inlet segment has an inlet segment outer diameter. The pumping segment has a pumping segment outer diameter less than the inlet segment outer diameter. The roller pump has a roller assembly and a roller assembly housing. The roller assembly is disposed within the roller assembly housing and engaged with the pumping segment within the roller assembly housing. The roller assembly housing has an inlet gap formed through the roller assembly housing. The inlet gap defines an inlet gap inner diameter smaller than the pumping segment outer diameter. The inlet gap is adapted to frictionally receive the inlet segment for aligning the pump tubing with a roller assembly and mitigate longitudinal movement of the pump tubing into the roller assembly housing.

Abstract: A method for generating an output image with realistic individual text inserts via software loaded on a computer is provided. The method comprises the steps of (1) providing a base image in a commercial graphical format with at least one position frame defined within the base image; the position frame defines an area within the base image where a text insert is insertable; (2) providing software loaded on the computer which transforms a low resolution image into a high resolution image; (3) defining a vector path within the position frame; (4) arranging the text insert along the vector path; (5) composing the text insert wherein the such step comprises the steps of (i) selecting individual elements, (ii) sizing the individual elements as a function of the vector path, (iii) assembling the elements into letters, and (iv) assembling the letters along the vector path to compose the text insert; and (6) entering text of the text insert via a user interface.

Abstract: A flow regulator valve having multiple stages is described herein. The flow regulator valve provides a base amount of propane when the engine is idling and provides additional propane to the engine based on the engine's requirements.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing budesonide which comprises the steps of: a) preparing an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution; b) reacting 16?-hydroxyprednisolone and butyraldehyde within the solution prepared in step a), in an inert atmosphere; c) quenching the reaction of step b) with water. The process of the invention enables the ratio between the A and B epimers of budesonide to be controlled.

Abstract: A variable flow rate controller is provided herein. The controller may have a linearly traversable switch such that the controller is primed to flush air bubbles out of the fluid system of the controller prior to administering fluidic medication to a patient. Moreover, the controller may have a plurality of valves which may be independently opened and closed by a caming surface. To close the valve, a first seal may be disposed between offset inlet and outlet to prevent fluid from flowing from the inlet to the outlet. To open the valve, the first seal is disposed on one side of both of the inlet and outlet. Fluid if permitted to flow from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the dry removal of the scale from the surface of a metal product comprising at least one heating area that does not reduce the specific surface of the material to be treated and does not cause oxidation, at least one reducing area for performing the reaction between a specific reducing gas (normally hydrogen) and at least the scale, at least one cooling area for cooling the metal product, means for heating the metal product, means for heating the reducing gas, means for controlling the fluid dynamics of the boundary layer produced by the flow of said reducing gas over the surface of the metal product, means for removing the reaction products front the reducing gas after the reaction, means for cooling the metal product, and means for removing the reaction products from the treated surface of the metal product.

Abstract: A system and a method for suppressing the build up of metal carbonates in the electrolyte, using a porous cell separator is used to allow the use of different electrolyte compositions around the anode (anolyte) and the cathode (catholyte). This cell configuration enables the oxygen cathode to operate in a molten hydroxide electrolyte, and the carbon anode to operate in mixed carbonate-hydroxide melt, so that most of the advantages of using a molten hydroxide electrolyte will be retained.

Abstract: A swivel connector for coupling a cable to a terminal is disclosed. There is a socket contact plug in electrical communication with the terminal, and a fixed joint bushing attachable to the terminal with the socket contact plug extending therethrough. A joint housing is rotatably engaged to the fixed joint bushing. There is a primary terminal axially mounted to and electrically isolated from the joint housing, and includes an inner sleeve contact that is frictionally engaged to the socket contact plug. An outer sleeve contact is fixed to the joint bushing, and is also in electrical communication with the joint housing and with the terminal. The joint housing is rotatably engaged to the outer sleeve contact.