Abstract: The compensator consists of at least one flexible and preferably elastic braiding (8), fitted up outside onto the cylinder (1) of the shock absorber, seal-fastened with its own ends onto said cylinder by means of suitable fastening means (19, 10) and carried out in such a way as to contain a chamber with variable volume (C) occupied by oil and communicating with at least one of the inside chambers of the shock absorber, for instance with the chamber with the larger volume, by means of holes provided on said cylinder.

Abstract: Contra-rotating members are used for straightening a fluid flow. The members may take the form of propellers, fans or impellers. The contra-rotation eliminates tangential flow components, and most importantly, eliminates cylindrical vortices. The present invention finds specific use in applications in which toroidal vortices are employed and/or generated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a manufacturing method to fabricate Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors (HBTs) that enables self-alignment of emitter and base metal contact layers with precise sub-micron spacing using a dielectric-assisted metal lift-off process. Such an HBT process relies on the formation of an “H-shaped” dielectric (i.e., Si3N4/SiO2) mask conformally deposited on top of the emitter contact metalization that is used to remove excess base metal through lift-off by a wet chemical HF-based etch. This HBT process also uses a thin selective etch-stop layer buried within the emitter layer to prevent wet chemical over-etching to the base and improves HBT reliability by forming a non-conducting, depleted ledge above the extrinsic base layer. The geometry of the self-aligned emitter and base metal contacts in the HBT insures conformal coverage of dielectric encapsulation films, preferably Si3N4 and/or SiO2, for reliable HBT emitter p-n junction passivation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray needle for use in electrospray ionization (ESI) for mass spectrometry. A spray needle is disclosed which is constructed to have an opening along its length such that a sample solution may be more readily introduced or loaded therein. Further, the design of the spray needle of the invention is more durable than the prior art spray needles and may be reusable. Because sample loading is more readily achieved, the spray needle of the invention is appropriate for use with a fully automated system for the analysis of samples.

Abstract: A novel means of stability for a lifting platform utilizing toroidal vortex airflow through air guide means. A toroidal vortex created by the airflow means efficiently maintains a raised air pressure zone beneath the lifting platform or body. Airflow is directed downwards by means of air guides, which serve to produce lift and control rotational motion of the lifting platform to achieve stability of the body during operation. The system can also be easily modified to function as an attractor device. Overall, the present invention explores the uses of vortex airflow towards maintaining rotational stability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting an electronic component within a rack system is provided comprising a modular equipment rack bracket for electronic equipment including a first and second mounting bracket arm for mounting to a rack assembly and a frame member for supporting a plurality of electrical supply cabling, signal cabling or data cabling and the like. The first and second mounting bracket arms are affixed to the front of the rack assembly and have associated therewith a plurality of fastener openings for attaching electronic components thereto. The frame member is coupled to one of a plurality of coupling means of the first and second mounting bracket arms allowing the electronic component to be affixed to the mounting bracket in either a front-facing forward configuration or a rear-facing forward configuration without removing the affixed first and second mounting bracket arms from the rack assembly.

Abstract: A makeup brush is provided which facilitates application of blush or rouge to the cheeks. The brush head is configured such that the tuft is less thick than wide. The approximate length of the bristles vary across the width from a shorter side to a longer side. At each side of the width is a curved or tapered portion is formed.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition is provided that is particularly intended for application to areas constituting or surrounding the lips. It is a silicone-based formula, preferably comprising a solvent, masking oil, moisturizer, skin protectant, pigment, wax and antioxidant, specifically designed to enhance the fullness of the lips and their surrounding area which decrease as a result of the aging process. In addition, the cosmetic may be used to fill in wrinkles, cracks and/or crevices that surround the lip area which are also a result of the aging process. The invention is a creamy formula which easily fills such lines, resulting in a smooth texture of any areas to which it is applied. The effect is a reduction in the ability of facial lines to cause the undesirable bleeding of lipstick into areas of the face other than the lips.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic advertising system. More specifically, the present invention creates a means to select ads for publication in the newspaper based on past performance of individual personal ads, thus attempting to optimize the number of responses to the printed personal ad column as a whole. At the same time, all personal ads are published on the Internet so as to accommodate all advertisers regardless of the past performance of their ad. Finally, by fully integrating the Internet personal ads service with the audiotex personal ad service, advertisers whose ad only is published on the Internet are in no way disadvantaged by fewer features or options.

Abstract: A vortex generating apparatus has the capability of attracting and removably adhering one or more solid objects. The apparatus comprises an impeller housed within a shell. The vortex attractor generates a vortical fluid flow generally in the form of a helical or spiral shaped flow. The fluid flow creates a low pressure region extending from the impeller end of the device. This low pressure region is contained by the walls of the fluid flow, thus directing the attractive forces toward a surface and minimizing effects of ambient fluid on the system. When the surface is part of a stationary object, wall, floor or ceiling, the vortex attractor may move toward and adhere to the surface. When the surface is part of a movable object, the vortex attractor may attract the object and maintain the attracted position.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing the process for reducing the power consumption of microprocessor-based devices by reducing the frequency of the oscillator governing the logical operation of the microprocessor during periods of use in which system performance is not critical. In one embodiment of the apparatus, the microprocessor is controlled by a monitor circuit operable with the microprocessor and operated by the variable frequency oscillator. In another embodiment a hardware monitor circuit is utilized and which tracks microprocessor instructions to determine periods of use when performance is not critical. The shift in oscillator speed is mediated by a flip-flop latch circuit connected between one or more clock oscillators and the oscillator input of the controlled microprocessor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the automatic receipt and distribution of products, such as parenteral products or oral/solid products from a hospital pharmacy or specimen from a laboratory, through a pneumatic tube transport system. More specifically the system of the present invention includes a robotic transfer device capable of automatically receiving and opening a pneumatic tube carrier, automatically retrieving a product from a pick-up point and placing the product into the carrier, and automatically closing and distributing the carrier into a pneumatic tube transport system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for analyzing ions including an ion accelerator and one or more reflectrons positioned with respect to one another such that ions can be reflected back and forth between therebetween. The ion accelerator acts both to provide the initial acceleration of ions received from an ion source and to reflect these ions in the subsequent mass analysis. The reflectrons act only reflect ions in such a manner that all ions of a given mass-to-charge ratio have substantially the same flight time through the analyzer. During ion analysis, ions are reflected back and forth between the accelerator and the reflectrons multiple times, until, at the conclusion of the ion analysis, the accelerator is rapidly deenergized so as to allow the ions to pass through the accelerator and into a detector.

Abstract: A lifting platform is disclosed that utilizes means for energy recovery in order to maximize efficiency. Prior lifting platforms described by the inventor have utilized partial toroidal vortices in order to create a high pressure region below the platform. The present invention, however, improves on the prior lifting platforms by utilizing a complete toroidal vortex. Thus, a great deal of the energy expended is recovered by the recirculation of the fluid. The vortex fan must only supply the energy needed to overcome friction.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a new power device. More specifically, it creates hydrogen from supplied water and electricity. The hydrogen is then used in combination with air in an electrolysis-electrical cell to produce electric power. All of this is accomplished by first storing the hydrogen in a storage tank or section furnished for such storage, then converting the electricity, via a power converter, to power. Additionally, the power device of the present invention has a special feature whereby the electric power is created from the hydrogen stored in the above mentioned metal alloy hydride storage tanks. The present invention primarily comprises the following four components: (1) an energy source (i.e., a photovoltaic array to convert solar energy to electrical power; a windmill to collect wind power and convert it to electrical power; etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to bicycles, and more particularly to wheel hub assemblies for bicycles and motorcycles. Specifically, the present invention provides a novel wheel hub assembly for connecting a wheel rim to the front fork or rear portion of the frame of the bicycle or motorcycle, with this same wheel hub assembly comprising an oversized single member hub-axle assembly for attachment to a fork dropout having an enlarged opening. The wheel hub assembly according to the present invention comprises an axle (or axles), a bearing assembly, a hub having connecting means (e.g. flanges and spokes, cylinder and bearing assembly, etc.), and a quick release clamping mechanism for securing the wheel hub assembly to the front forks or the rear portion of the frame of the bicycle.

Abstract: A chest band for use for comfort and breast stabilization from lateral gravitational breast shifting while the user lays in the right or left lateral position comprising a stretchable and adaptable body strip disposed to encircle the body, and first and second sections of the length of the body strip wherein the first section further comprises a semi-cylindrical component of a sponge-like material at one end and a nap material patch on its outer surface with a cylindrical side placed over the sternum, between the breast and wherein the second section comprises a means for connecting an end of the body strip together in the form of a loop to encircle a user's body and wherein the chest band further comprises at least one fenestration[s] to enable[s] breast exposure.

Abstract: The pieces to be reciprocally connected are mechanically manufactured with tolerances such that the external diameter of the ends of the pipes (6,6′) is suitably greater at the internal diameter of the seat ends of the star cross pieces (1). The star cross pieces are heated to a temperature which does not provoke a permanent deformity in the pieces and which is such as to slightly increase the diameter of the their seats. The pipes are inserted instead into the ends to be connected, in a liquid nitrogen bath that properly contracts the external diameter of said ends and brings them substantially to a condition of equality or inferiority with respect to the diameter of the dilated seats and the ends of the star cross pieces. The cooled ends of the pipes are then inserted into the heated end of the seats of the cross pieces and when the pieces return to room temperature, they are connected with the foreseen tightness.