Abstract: A physiological effect device comprising an elongate flexible member, band or strip having a magnetically inductive core around which is coiled at least one insulated electrically conductive wire. The conductive wire can act as a solenoid and utilize the small electrical pulses normally sent around or through a subject (such as an animal) wearing the device and thereby induce a (therapeutic) magnetic field in the core. The device may provide a useful induced magnetic field for physiological effects even when at rest and/or may absorb electrical pulses (such as those associated with pain in an animal). The device may further be arranged to absorb or screen radiation (such as microwaves or the like).

Abstract: A deformable, artificial intraocular contact lens for implantation into the human eye to correct normal-vision problems. The lens may be positioned posteriorly from the iris, resting against the anterior surface of the posterior capsule's natural lens. Alternatively, the lens may be positioned in the anterior chamber of the eye. The implanted lens works in conjunction with the cornea and natural lens to provide proper vision, as a substitute for regular contact lens, spectacles, and radial keratotomy. The lens may be designed from a rigid or semi-rigid material. Due to the thinness of the structure, the lens may be rolled and inserted into the eye, minimizing both the length of the corneal incision and the stretching of the cornea.

Abstract: A process for preparing graphite articles is presented. In particular, the process includes employing a particulate fraction comprising at least about 35 weight percent coke, coal or combinations thereof having a diameter such that a major fraction of it passes through a 0.25 mm to 25 mm mesh screen. The particulate fraction is mixed with a liquid or solid pitch binder, to form a stock blend; the stock blend is extruded to form a green stock; the green stock is baked to form a carbonized stock; and the carbonized stock is graphitized. The stock blend further comprises one or both of carbon fibers (advantageously added after mixing of the particulate fraction and pitch has begun) and small particle size filler (advantageously added as part of the particulate fraction).

Abstract: A vehicle is equipped with an automated device for covering the windows of the vehicle. The device comprises a collection container, a plurality of the extensions attached to the collection container, a motor attached to the collection container to rotate the collection container, and a covering attached to the plurality of extensions and sized to cover the windows of the vehicle. The rotation of the collection container extends and retracts the plurality of extensions which results in the deployment of the covering over the windows of the vehicle and the collection of the covering from the windows of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of extensions comprises malleable metal strips with eyelets at the end of the metal strips. The eyelets and the metal strips are positioned within sleeves or channels which are made integral to the covering. The covering includes a reflective fabric that is substantially opaque to sunlight.

Abstract: A housing for a loudspeaker is presented, and which includes a plurality of corner units, each of the corner units having a first end and a second end and also has a first inner spline extending therefrom and a second inner spline extending therefrom; and a first outer spline extending therefrom and running generally parallel to the first inner spline and a second outer spline extending therefrom and running generally parallel to the second inner spline, wherein the first inner spline and the first outer spline cooperate to form a first slot sized to receive a top panel or a bottom panel and the second inner spline and the second outer spline cooperate to form a second slot sized to receive a side panel.

Abstract: A flexible automated apparatus for isolating and purifying viruses, proteins and peptides of interest from a plant material is disclosed, the apparatus being applicable for large scale purification and isolation of such substances from plant material. The flexible automated apparatus provides an efficient apparatus for isolating viruses, proteins and peptides of interest with little waste material. The automated apparatus for isolating viruses, proteins and peptides of interest includes a grinding apparatus for homogenizing a plant to produce a green juice, a means for adjusting the pH of and heating the green juice, a means for separating the target species, either virus or protein/peptide, from other components of the green juice by one or more cycles of centrifugation, resuspension, and ultrafiltration, and finally purifying virus particles by such procedure as PEG-precipitation or purifying proteins and peptides by such procedures as chromatography and/or salt precipitation.

Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical fuel cell is provided. More particularly, an electrode formed of a sheet of a compressed mass of expanded graphite particles having a plurality of transverse fluid channels passing through the sheet between first and second opposed surfaces of the sheet, is provided. The electrode is treated with a water resistant additive sufficient to provide utility as a cathode in an electrochemical fuel cell.

Abstract: An induction furnace capable of operation at temperatures of over 3100° C. has a cooling assembly (60), which is selectively mounted to an upper end of the furnace wall (76). The cooling assembly includes a dome (62), which is actively cooled by cooling water coils (68). During the cool-down portion of a furnace run, cooling initially proceeds naturally, by conduction of heat away from the hot zone through a furnace insulation layer (58). Once the temperature within the furnace hot zone (20) reaches about 1500° C., a lifting mechanism (80), mounted to the dome, raises a cap (16) of the furnace slightly, allowing hot gases from the hot zone to mix with cooler gas in the dome. This speeds up cooling of the hot zone, reducing cool-down times significantly, without the need for encumbering the furnace itself with valves or other complex cooling mechanisms which have to be replaced periodically.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions of a shaving soap and an aftershave gel that are used to prevent or reduce the occurrence of folliculitis. The shaving soap and aftershave gel compositions disclosed herein are formulated to specifically remedy the problem of folliculitis. Disclosed herein is also a method of using the shaving soap and aftershave gel in order to prevent folliculitis.

Abstract: A portable device is used for recording, editing, and replaying musical sounds generated by a musical instrument external to the device. The musical sounds are converted from analog to digital format, compressed for minimum storage usage, and stored in a digital storage medium. The stored signals are filed according to an indexing scheme that allows selection and retrieval of selected portions of the musical sounds. The selected portions are retrieved from storage, decompressed, converted back to analog signals, and output to a sound generating device. The operation of the device is controlled by application software and operating system software.

Abstract: The present invention provides a locking device designed to open by tactile manipulation, without visual confirmation, of the locking combination. This device comprises a housing, a securing element, and a plurality of tumbling levers located inside the housing. Each tumbling lever is located in a plane of movement parallel to other planes of movements of the other tumbling levers. Also, each tumbling lever includes a tactile engagement surface and engages the securing element so that movement of a tactile engagement surface disengages the corresponding tumbling lever from the securing element.

Abstract: A digital guitar processing circuit includes a guitar converter circuit and a guitar formatting circuit. The guitar converter circuit receives one or more analog string signals representative of the string vibrations of a guitar and generates one or more digital string signals based upon the analog string signals. The guitar formatting circuit formats the digital string signals to be compatible with a digital communication protocol, and outputs the formatted digital string signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing signal distortion in a high speed data communications system caused by a flux imbalance in a system coupling transformer. The signal distortion is monitored by a combination echo canceller circuit connected to the equipment side winding of the transformer, thereby generating an error signal. Changes in the error signal are used by a flux controller to provide a flux cancellation signal. The flux cancellation signal is added with the data signal to generate an offsetting flux signal to the transformer.

Abstract: The invention relates to tubular fuel cells and methods of making such fuel cells. The inventive fuel cells include at least one fluid permeable structure having a plurality of perforations or channels. The perforations allow fluids, e.g., hydrogen or oxygen, to flow through the structure. The inventive methods include forming at least one perforated structure and forming the perforated structure into a tubular fuel cell or at least a potential component of a tubular fuel cell.

Abstract: A mixture of carbon-containing fibers, such as mesophase or isotropic pitch fibers, a suitable matrix material, such as a milled pitch is compressed while resistively heating the mixture to form a carbonized composite material. Preferably, the carbonized material has a density of at least about 1.30 g/cm3. Preferably, the composite material is formed in less than ten minutes. This is a significantly shorter time than for conventional processes, which typically take several days and achieve a lower density material. A treating component may be impregnated into the composite. Consequently, carbon composite materials having final densities of about 1.6-1.8 g/cm3 or higher are readily achieved with one or two infiltration cycles using a pitch or other carbonaceous material to fill voids in the composite and rebaking.

Abstract: A method of training and operating a dual-duplex, four-wire communications system to provide for time alignment in the receivers of data that is time aligned in the transmitters, even in the presence of a differential transmission delay in the wire pairs. In a training mode, a known sequence of training data is concurrently sent across each wire pair such that equalizers in the receivers are forced to train together. After the equalizers have been trained to eliminate the differential delay, the system is switched to a data mode.

Abstract: A system is provided for ultrasonic inspection of cylindrical carbon articles, such as electrodes of the type utilized in electric arc steel making furnaces. An inspection station is provided for receiving the electrode in a fixed longitudinal location and for rotating the electrode about the longitudinal axis of the electrode. Master and slave robots are provided, and each carries a pair of transducers arranged to engage the electrode at circumferentially spaced positions about the electrode. Each pair of transducers is carried on a yoke. The inspection station rotates the electrode while the master and slave robots o each carry their associated pair of transducers along approximately one half the length of the electrode.

Abstract: A metal baseball or softball bat may be improved both for durability and performance by selectively placing a layer of fiber reinforced composite material around portions of the bat. In one embodiment, the barrel portion of the bat may have a fiber reinforced composite layer directly laid up upon the metal bat frame. In a second embodiment, the barrel portion of the bat may include an outer metal sleeve placed about the metal bat frame, with an exterior fiber reinforced composite shell being formed on the outer metal sleeve. In a third embodiment, an intermediate portion of the bat adjacent a zone of maximum bending stress may be reinforced by the placement of a fiber reinforced composite outer layer on the metal frame of the bat adjacent the area of maximum bending stress.

Abstract: A slag retainer for protecting a water-cooled furnace element through the use of an elongate metal member which extends from inside the furnace, through the furnace wall and into the cooling water of the furnace element so that the insert can be continuously cooled and collected and retain a protective mass of slag.