Abstract: Methods and systems for aerosol delivery of agents to a patient are described herein. The present system can be used to administer various types of agents, such as a vaccine or other types of pharmaceutical substances. Certain embodiments of the present system utilize an actuator coupled to a disposable aerosolizing element that aerosolizes an agent for delivery to a patient when acted upon by the actuator. The aerosolizing element prevents the agent from contacting the actuator and other non-disposable components of the system so that little or no cleaning or maintenance is required. The present system also can include an aerosolization rate monitor that monitors the rate at which an agent is being aerosolized and provides feedback to the user to ensure that the proper dose is being administered.

Abstract: A protective cover system for inhibiting corrosion of a metallic object. The protective cover system includes a cover for defining a microenvironment adjacent a metallic object and a corrosion inhibitor source for releasing one or more corrosion inhibitors into the microenvironment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for aerosol delivery of agents to a patient are described herein. The present system can be used to administer various types of agents, such as a vaccine or other types of pharmaceutical substances. Certain embodiments of the present system utilize an actuator coupled to a disposable aerosolizing element that aerosolizes an agent for delivery to a patient when acted upon by the actuator. The aerosolizing element prevents the agent from contacting the actuator and other non-disposable components of the system so that little or no cleaning or maintenance is required. The present system also can include an aerosolization rate monitor that monitors the rate at which an agent is being aerosolized and provides feedback to the user to ensure that the proper dose is being administered.

Abstract: A protective cover system for inhibiting corrosion of a metallic object. The protective cover system includes a cover for defining a microenvironment adjacent a metallic object and a corrosion inhibitor source for releasing one or more corrosion inhibitors into the microenvironment.

Abstract: A protective cover system for inhibiting corrosion of a metallic object. The protective cover system includes a cover for defining a microenvironment adjacent a metallic object and a corrosion inhibitor source for releasing one or more corrosion inhibitors into the microenvironment.

Abstract: A protective cover system for inhibiting corrosion of a metallic object. The protective cover system includes a cover for defining a microenvironment adjacent a metallic object and a corrosion inhibitor source for releasing one or more corrosion inhibitors into the microenvironment.

Abstract: A flexible heat/mass exchanger constructed of flexible layers defining a flow channel and exterior surfaces. The heat/mass exchanger utilizes a working liquid, such as water, that is present in the flow channel during use. The heat/mass exchanger uses one or more porous and/or permeable materials to allow mass exchange between the working liquid in the flow channel and the environment surrounding the heat/mass exchanger. In a cooling mode, evaporation of the working liquid occurs via the mass exchange. In a dehumidification mode, moisture in the surrounding environment is transported to the working liquid via the mass exchange. In some embodiments, the heat/mass exchanger is made of a number of flexible sheets of material. One or more flexible heat/mass exchangers may be used to form a semi-closed system, such as a personal cooling system with a circulating coolant loop, or an open system, such as a personal hydration system.

Abstract: A fluid ejection system (20) comprising a cartridge (24), an ejector (32, 300) and, optionally, a fill station (28) for filling the cartridge with a fluid, such as a vaccine. In some embodiments (52), the cartridge includes a transfer passageway (96) for receiving fluid from the fill station. In other embodiments (200, 400), the cartridge includes a vented fluid reservoir (208, 408) offset from an ejection chamber (224, 420). In yet other embodiments (500, 600), the cartridge includes a vented fluid reservoir chamber (512, 636) inline with the ejection chamber (508, 644). In still other embodiments (700, 1000, 1100), the cartridge includes first and second chambers (728, 736, 1036, 1048, 1136, 1148) initially fluidly sealed from on another by a valve, e.g., either a traveling valve (704, 800, 900, 1200, 1300) or a temporarily stationary valve (1004, 1104).

Abstract: An apparatus for locating a magnet and/or determining the orientation of the apparatus relative to the magnet. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a multi-axis magnetic field sensor movable in a reciprocating manner so as to permit sensor readings at multiple spaced locations. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of multi-axis magnetic field sensors arrayed along a straight line. The apparatus may be used in a number of medical and other applications, including tissue resection, tracking movement of a medical device in a body cavity and tracking movement of an internal organ.

Abstract: An electro mechanically-assisted control system for use in a second-stage regulator. Regulator control assembly (20?), also referred to as all-electronic (AE) assembly (20?), includes an electromechanical actuator (EMA) sub-assembly (22) for controlling airflow through single air supply line (23). EMA sub-assembly (22) includes electronically controllable actuator (ECA) (34), which removably seals EMA orifice (36) in wall (30) of pilot chamber (32). ECA (34) is electrically connected with and controlled by control electronics (38). The control electronics include programmable microprocessor (40), which is electrically connected with charge and discharge electronics (42), both of which are electrically connected with power supply (44). All-electronic (AE) assembly (20?) has only an EMA sub-assembly and no mechanical actuator sub-assembly.

Abstract: A protective cover system for inhibiting corrosion of a metallic object. The protective cover system includes a cover for defining a microenvironment adjacent a metallic object and a corrosion inhibitor source for releasing one or more corrosion inhibitors into the microenvironment.

Abstract: An electromechanically-assisted control system for use in a second-stage regulator. Regulator control assembly (20?), also referred to as all-electronic (AE) assembly (20?), includes an electromechanical actuator (EMA) sub-assembly (22) for controlling airflow through single air supply line (23). EMA sub-assembly (22) includes electronically controllable actuator (ECA) (34), which removably seals EMA orifice (36) in wall (30) of pilot chamber (32). ECA (34) is electrically connected with and controlled by control electronics (38). The control electronics include programmable microprocessor (40), which is electrically connected with charge and discharge electronics (42), both of which are electrically connected with power supply (44). All-electronic (AE) assembly (20?) has only an EMA sub-assembly and no mechanical actuator sub-assembly.

Abstract: A lightweight direct methanol fuel cell unit (20) comprising a fuel cell stack (24) enclosed within a housing (22). In one embodiment the fuel cell stack includes a plurality of polymer electrolyte membrane electrode assemblies (52) stacked alternatingly with a plurality of bipolar plates (48). Each bipolar plate includes a cathode flow field (78) defined by a porous cathode flow field structure (56) and an anode flow field (62) defined by an upper plate (58) and a lower plate (60) separated from one another by a plurality of spacers (64). The anode flow fields are manifolded with one another via manifold embossments (118, 120) that are hermetically sealed with one another with a gasket (126). The fuel cell stack and housing are shaped so as to form four manifold regions (36) in the spaces between the fuel cell stack and housing.

Abstract: A protective cover system (100) for inhibiting corrosion of a metallic object. The protective cover system includes a cover (101, 200, 600) for defining a microenvironment and a corrosion inhibitor source for releasing one or more corrosion inhibitors into the microenvironment. In one embodiment, cover 200 comprises an outer liquid-impermeable layer (204), an inner liquid-permeable layer (202), and a superabsorbent layer (206) located between the outer and inner layers. In another embodiment, cover 600 includes a water-vapor-permeable layer (602) and a porous support layer (606) for supporting the water-vapor-permeable layer. In both of these embodiments, one or more corrosion inhibitors may be incorporated into the cover in one or more of the corresponding above-mentioned layers or in a layer separate from these layers, or may be provided in a separate container that fluidly communicates the corrosion inhibitor(s) to the microenvironment.

Abstract: A lightweight direct methanol fuel cell unit (20) comprising a fuel cell stack (24) enclosed within a housing (22). In one embodiment the fuel cell stack includes a plurality of polymer electrolyte membrane electrode assemblies (52) stacked alternatingly with a plurality of bipolar plates (48). Each bipolar plate includes a cathode flow field (78) defined by a porous cathode flow field structure (56) and an anode flow field (62) defined by an upper plate (58) and a lower plate (60) separated from one another by a plurality of spacers (64). The anode flow fields are manifolded with one another via manifold embossments (118, 120) that are hermetically sealed with one another with a gasket (126). The fuel cell stack and housing are shaped so as to form four manifold regions (36) in the spaces between the fuel cell stack and housing.

Abstract: An electromechanically-assisted control system for use in a second-stage regulator. Regulator control assembly (20), also referred to as EMA assembly (20), includes a mechanical actuator sub-assembly (21) and an electromechanical actuator (EMA) sub-assembly (22) for controlling airflow through single air supply line (23). EMA sub-assembly (22) includes electronically controllable actuator (ECA) (34), which removably seals EMA orifice (36) in wall (30) of pilot chamber (32). ECA (34) is electrically connected with and controlled by control electronics (38). The control electronics include programmable microprocessor (40), which is electrically connected with charge and discharge electronics (42), both of which are electrically connected with power supply (44). Alternatively, regulator control assembly (20?), also referred to as all-electronic (AE) assembly (20?), has only an EMA sub-assembly and no mechanical actuator sub-assembly.

Abstract: A cover (200) for inhibiting corrosion of a metallic object over which the cover is placed. The cover has an inner surface (104) defined by a liquid-permeable layer (202) and an outer surface (102) defined by a liquid-impermeable layer (204). A moisture-absorbing layer (206) is sandwiched between the liquid-permeable layer and the liquid-impermeable layer. The liquid-permeable layer allows vapor and liquid moisture beneath the cover to be absorbed into the moisture-absorbing layer to reduce the amount of moisture beneath the cover. The liquid-impermeable layer repels environmental liquid moisture, such as rain, sea spray, dew and the like and prevents such moisture from penetrating the cover. A radar-influencing layer (308) and vapor corrosion inhibitors (214) may be included in the cover. A method of protecting an object is also disclosed. The method includes covering a metallic object with cover (200).

Abstract: A method and structure for welding an air-sensitive metal, such as titanium, in an ambient environment containing air. The method (10) includes forming a weld (12) through a weld-through coating (14) applied to the weld face(s) (28) and heat-affected zone (30) of one or more workpiece(s) (16) to be welded. The weld-through coating may contain a reactive material that comprises one or more halogenides of alkali metal, e.g., fluorides of barium, calcium, and strontium. The weld-through coating may be applied to the workpiece using a thermal-spray process, such as a plasma-spray process (32), prior to forming the weld. The weld-through coating may be applied to the workpiece(s) generally contemporaneously with the formation of the weld just ahead of the weld or may be applied at any time prior to forming the weld.

Abstract: A cover (200) for inhibiting corrosion of a metallic object over which the cover is placed. The cover has an inner surface (104) defined by a liquid-permeable layer (202) and an outer surface (102) defined by a liquid-impermeable layer (204). A moisture-absorbing layer (206) is sandwiched between the liquid-permeable layer and the liquid-impermeable layer. The liquid-permeable layer allows vapor and liquid moisture beneath the cover to be absorbed into the moisture-absorbing layer to reduce the amount of moisture beneath the cover. The liquid-impermeable layer repels environmental liquid moisture, such as rain, sea spray, dew and the like and prevents such moisture from penetrating the cover. A radar-influencing layer (308) and vapor corrosion inhibitors (214) may be included in the cover. A method of protecting an object is also disclosed. The method includes covering a metallic object with cover (200).

Abstract: A cover (200) for inhibiting corrosion of a metallic object over which the cover is placed. The cover has an inner surface (104) defined by a liquid-permeable layer (202) and an outer surface (102) defined by a liquid-impermeable layer (204). A moisture-absorbing layer (206) is sandwiched between the liquid-permeable layer and the liquid-impermeable layer. The liquid-permeable layer allows vapor and liquid moisture beneath the cover to be absorbed into the moisture-absorbing layer to reduce the amount of moisture beneath the cover. The liquid-impermeable layer repels environmental liquid moisture, such as rain, sea spray, dew and the like and prevents such moisture from penetrating the cover. A radar-influencing layer (308) and vapor corrosion inhibitors (214) may be included in the cover. A method of protecting an object is also disclosed. The method includes covering a metallic object with cover (200).