Abstract: A modular exhaust tube system for directing exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. The exhaust tube system includes first and second elongate half-shells, with each half-shell comprising an elongate thin-wall body having a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional profile with a constant sideways opening along the length of the body. The exhaust tube system also includes a center brace having dimensions which span the length and height of the sideways openings. The sideways openings of the first and second half-shells are coupled together around the center brace to form a flattened elongate exhaust tube having an inlet end and an outlet end for directing exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine. In one aspect the first and second half-shells are selected from a group of interchangeable and modular half-shells having different substantially U-shaped cross-sectional profiles that are reversible top-to-bottom and end-to-end.

Abstract: A hydrogen fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes a water reservoir and a fuel cell in fluid communication with the water reservoir. An oxygen line is fluidly coupled to the hydrogen fuel cell and receives and transports oxygen away from the fuel cell. A hydrogen line is fluidly coupled to the fuel cell and receives and transports hydrogen away from the fuel cell. An engine gas interface is fluidly coupled to the oxygen line and the hydrogen line, and operatively coupled to an engine intake. The engine gas interface receives oxygen and hydrogen from the oxygen and hydrogen lines, and introduces the hydrogen and oxygen into the engine intake. A vibration sensor is operatively coupled to the engine gas interface to detect engine vibration of the internal combustion engine, and deactivates the fuel when the sensor does not detect vibration from the engine.

Abstract: A tracked robotic crawler capable of multiple movement moves is disclosed. In one embodiment, the tracked robotic crawler includes at least one frame unit, the frame unit having a continuous track rotatably coupled thereto. Disposed on the at least one frame unit is at least one articulated arm, the arm being movable relative to the frame unit in at least one dimension. The articulated arm helps to improve mobility of the tracked robotic crawler in various environments.

Abstract: An unloading station and method for unloading bulk material from a moving railcar with a bottom discharge while the railcar is moving includes a track with a pair of rails. A synchronized parallel conveyor is oriented parallel with the pair of rails and forms a movable platform capable of receiving the bulk material in a pile extending into the railcar and drawing the pile along in synchronization with the railcar as the railcar moves. A hopper is disposed below a break in or end of the parallel conveyor to receive the bulk material. A lateral conveyor disposed under the hopper to convey the bulk material away from the hopper.

Abstract: An elongate flow tube having an interior cross-section surrounding a long axis, an inlet end for receiving a fluid flow and an outlet end for discharging the fluid flow, and a diffuser plate spanning the interior cross-section to separate the flow tube into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. The diffuser plate includes a plurality of apertures formed therein for directing the fluid flow from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber. Furthermore, the diffuser plate is orientated longitudinally at a shallow angle with respect to the long axis of the flow tube to provide an indeterminate pulsation reflective surface, with the inlet chamber gradually decreasing in cross-sectional area and the outlet chamber gradually increasing in cross-sectional area across the length of the flow tube.

Abstract: A composite gun scope full cover for a gun scope secured with a mounting base to a gun comprising a pair of interacting partial substantially identical scope covers; each partial cover including a body of flexible sheet material having a top surface and spaced apart depending walls of a length sufficient to cover about one-half of the length of the scope; an end lens cover at one end of the body to cover either the eye piece end or the distal end of the scope; a strap extending from the opposite end of the body; an opening between the body and the strap and resilient, stretchable material between the end cover and one end of the strap that engages the mounting base during use of the partial cover to cover an end of the scope, whereby one strap of one partial cover is inserted through the opening of the other partial cover so that the opening of the inserted partial cover will fit over an end of the scope to be pulled against the base mount and stretched over an end of the scope opposite to the end covered by

Abstract: A Y-pipe splitter for use on race cars, such as stock cars which race on oval tracks and sports cars which race on road course tracks, mounts to the lower frame or chassis of the car, and routes exhaust gasses from a Y-pipe assembly to a pair of tail pipes extending to the side of the car while providing improved ground clearance. The Y-pipe splitter includes first and second splitter tail pipe sections of a generally flattened oval cross-section with a longitudinally beveled inlet portions connectable to an outlet of the Y-pipe assembly and an outlet portion connectable to one of the tail pipes. The beveled inlet portions of the splitter tail pipe sections are affixed together along a respective edge of each thereof so as to merge together with respective centerlines thereof at an oblique angle to a single inlet opening which is connectable to the outlet opening of the Y-pipe assembly by affixing thereto.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of making thereof are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for making a semiconductor device can include polishing a working surface of a diamond layer to a substantially flat surface, depositing a buffer layer on the working surface of the diamond layer, and depositing a semiconductor layer on the buffer layer. In one specific aspect, the c-axis of the buffer layer is oriented perpendicular to the working surface of the diamond layer.

Abstract: A method of treating a degenerate spinal segment comprises obtaining a first spinal implant configured to apply a first torque to a degenerate spinal segment having an abnormal curvature and a second spinal implant configured to apply a second torque to the degenerate spinal segment. Each of the spinal implants includes; a plurality of contiguous segments in which the contiguous segments form an angle at a location in which two adjacent contiguous segments of the plurality of contiguous segments intersect; and at least one mounting connection configured to connect the spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, the mounting mechanism being configured to attach the spinal implant to the degenerate spinal segment. The first and second spinal implants are implanted so that the first torque and the second torque act to reduce the abnormal curvature.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for irradiating a target with electromagnetic radiation to produce a heated region. The system comprises a coupling device operable to couple electromagnetic radiation from a magnetic resonance imaging system. A plurality of energy radiator applicators are connected to the coupling device to receive electromagnetic radiation energy from the coupling device. Each of the radiator applicators is operable to emit a radio frequency heating signal using the electromagnetic radiation energy from the coupling device. A bolus filled with a dielectric fluid is positioned within the inner area of the MRI system. The bolus is operable to receive the radio frequency heating signals from the plurality of energy radiator applicators and direct the radio frequency heating signals into a section of the body to produce a heated region within the body.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sonication in connection with preparing a cellular sample containing DNA or RNA for performance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or for other reasons where it is important to break down the cell walls and other cellular structures to release cellular contents including DNA. The same methods and apparatus may be used to release DNA or RNA from virus for PCR or other uses. A novel apparatus which is capable of releasing cellular contents or releasing the DNA or RNA of virus without the aid of beads or chemicals is described herein. The apparatus is designed to deliver high levels of sonic energy through optimizing the geometry the apparatus and optimizing the force created by a piezoelectric transducer. The apparatus is capable of processing samples which are contained within fluid in a short amount of time between 30 seconds and two and one half minutes. The apparatus is small and can be field deployable or used in a standard molecular biology laboratory.

Abstract: The present invention provides semiconductor-on-diamond devices, and methods for the formation thereof. In one aspect, a mold is provided which has an interface surface configured to inversely match a configuration intended for the device surface of a diamond layer. An adynamic diamond layer is then deposited upon the diamond interface surface of the mold, and a substrate is joined to the growth surface of the adynamic diamond layer. At least a portion of the mold can then be removed to expose the device surface of the diamond which has received a shape which inversely corresponds to the configuration of the mold's diamond interface surface. The mold can be formed of a suitable semiconductor material which is thinned to produce a final device. Optionally, a semiconductor material can be coupled to the diamond layer subsequent to removal of the mold.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a body-scanning device using multiple wireless devices is disclosed. The method includes communicating a secure wireless signal from a footswitch enclosure to a footswitch receiver coupled to the body scanning device in response to an actuation of a substantially flat footswitch zone carried on a footswitch enclosure. Additionally, a wireless signal is communicated from a handswitch enclosure in response to an actuation of a handswitch zone and communicated to a handswitch receiver located in the footswitch enclosure. The wireless signal is then communicated from the footswitch enclosure to the footswitch receiver coupled to the body-scanning device to enable an operator to control the body-scanning device using the handswitch or the footswitch.

Abstract: A compositionally graded material having low defect densities and improved electronic properties is disclosed and described. A compositionally graded inorganic crystalline material can be formed by preparing a crystalline substrate by forming crystallographically oriented pits across an exposed surface of the substrate. A transition region can be deposited on the substrate under substantially epitaxial growth conditions. Single crystal substrates of a wide variety of materials such as diamond, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, etc. can be formed having relatively low defect rates.

Abstract: In a piston pump, the improvement of providing a locating disc on the piston extending radially outwardly from the piston to engage a chamber wall of the piston chamber and with the locating disc having an opening axially therethrough permitting fluid flow both in an inward direction and an outward direction.

Abstract: A cloth accessory and methods for the use thereof are disclosed and described. In one aspect, the cloth accessory may include a cover member forming an enclosure with a cavity therein, and a cloth attached to the cover member. The cloth may have a first configuration wherein the cloth is retracted substantially into the cover member, and a second configuration wherein the cloth is extended substantially out of the cover member without becoming detached therefrom.

Abstract: A modular trowel handle device comprises a handle section to provide a handle interface for a user of the trowel handle. A post extends from the handle section and a mounting surface is coupled to the post and extends generally parallel to the handle section. A trowel blade receiving plate includes engaging structure configured to engage a connector of a trowel blade. The trowel blade receiving plate is coupled to the mounting surface and is formed from a different material than the mounting surface.

Abstract: As a promising clean fuel for vehicles, hydrogen can be used for propulsion, either directly or in fuel cells. Hydrogen storage compositions having high storage capacity, good dehydrogenation kinetics, and hydrogen release and uptake reactions which are reversible are disclosed and described. Generally a hydrogen storage composition of a metal aluminum hexahydride and a metal amide can be used. A combined system (Li3AIH6/3LiNH2) with a very high inherent hydrogen capacity (7.3 wt %) can be carried out at moderate temperatures, and with approximately 95% of that inherent hydrogen storage capacity (7.0%) is reversible over repeated cycling of release and uptake.