Abstract: A gutter protecting apparatus includes a plurality of substantially parallel rods extending in a downward slope from near a roof edge to and beyond the far side of the gutter. The rods extend substantially perpendicular to the gutter's length and to a frame to which the rods connect at the upper edge. Preferably, the lower rod ends are spaced above and slightly beyond the far edge of the gutter to allow debris to pass the gutter without catching. Legs can extend down from some rods to the gutter's far edge to provide support. The apparatus can be pivotably mounted to the roof, the fascia or the gutter, permitting access beneath. The apparatus forms a cage-like covering over the gutter to exclude matter and small creatures, while allowing the liquid to flow past. Sunlight bypassing the rods and movement of air through the gutter make the water exiting the downspout cleaner.

Abstract: A trailer for towing vehicles and related methods is presented. The disclosed trailer can be configured for towing certain three-wheeled vehicles and include a ramp, a front wheel retaining member, and rear wheel plates. The trailer may be configured to receive a three-wheeled vehicle, and upon receipt of the front wheel at the front wheel retaining member and the rear wheels at the rear wheel plates, transition from a first position with the ramp in a lowered configuration to a second position with the ramp in a raised and locked configuration, wherein the weight of the vehicle being towed may be used to both raise the ramp and maintain the ramp in a secured, raised configuration.

Abstract: A surgical device for assisting in the placement of a prosthetic implant within a surgical pocket of a patient such that placement minimizes tissue stress along and inside the surgical pocket. The surgical device comprises a bag shaped as a conical frustum in which a proximal end of the conical frustum is sealed and a distal end of the conical frustum is open, with an elongated slit extending from the distal end towards the proximal end. An opening formed by the distal opening and the elongated slit is sufficiently large enough to accept the prosthetic implant into the bag. According to one embodiment, an adhesive is affixed along a portion of the elongated slit to seal the elongated slit such that the distal end remains open, thereby allowing for egress of the implant from the bag and placement into the surgical pocket.

Abstract: A system for detecting leaks is provided comprising an accumulator, a flow controller in communication with the accumulator, and a flow meter/sensor in communication with the accumulator, the flow controller and a UUT. The flow meter is structured to supply gas from the accumulator to the UUT and measure a flow rate of the supplied gas, the flow meter providing feedback to the flow controller representing the flow rate, and the flow controller responding to the feedback by supplying flow compensation gas to the accumulator to maintain a desired pressure in the accumulator. Methods are also provided for detecting small leaks, especially with large units under test (“UUTs”).

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a ground treatment, such as aeration or dethatching, is provided. The apparatus includes a base frame component to which a pair of angled side frame components are pivotally mounted. Each angled side frame can include first and second ends that are oriented to form a central angle. A first end of an angled side frame can be pivotally attached to a wheel and/or the base frame component, while the second end can include a mechanism for mounting a ground treatment component.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article comprising: a) one or more stacks of battery plates comprising one or more bipolar plates; b) located between each plate is a separator and a liquid electrolyte; further comprising one of more of the features: 1) c) the one or more stacks of battery plates having a plurality of channels passing transversely though the portion of the plates having the cathode and/or the anode deposited thereon; and d) i) one or more seals about the periphery of the channels which prevent the leakage of the liquid elelctrolyte into the channels, and/or posts located in one or more of the channels having on each end an overlapping portion that covers the channel and sealing surface on the outside of the monopolar plates adjacent to the holes for the transverse channels and applies pressure on the sealing surface of the monopolar plates wherein the pressure is sufficient to withstand pressures created during assembly and operation of electrochemical cells created by the stacks of battery plates

Abstract: A telescoping syringe suitable for use with medications and other ejectable or injectable fluids is presented. The syringe includes a plunger, a barrel, and a valve. The plunger is extendible from and retractable into the barrel. The plunger defines a first reservoir. The barrel defines a second reservoir as the plunger is extended from the barrel. The valve is disposed at one end of the plunger adjacent to a nipple extending from the barrel. A first sealing interface is formed by the valve and a distal wall along the barrel adjacent to the nipple. A second sealing interface is formed by an annular flange along the one-way valve and an annular groove along the plunger. A third sealing interface is formed by the valve and a circumferential end along the plunger. The sealing interfaces are closed prior to extension of the plunger from the barrel thereby preventing a gas from entering and a fluid from existing the first reservoir.

Abstract: A tool holder comprises a first pair of opposing sides and a second pair of opposing sides. The second pair of opposing sides is disposed intermediate the first pair of opposing sides. The tool holder includes an at least one pocket attached to at least one of the sides. A first pair of straps connect a top edge of each of the first pair of opposing sides. The tool holder is configurable between an expanded position and a collapsed position.

Abstract: This application teaches a method for indicating voxel quality comprising graphically and/or mathematically. Such a method may include measuring a distance from the three-dimensional scanning device to an area of a subject corresponding to an image voxel. It may also include measuring an angle between a line of sight from the three-dimensional imaging device and an orthogonal ray of the same area of the subject corresponding to the same voxel. The process may further include comparing the measured distance and angle to known acceptable operating ranges of the scanner, and plotting a quality point corresponding to the foregoing metrics on a set of axes.

Abstract: A rod seal assembly. The rod seal assembly includes a housing between two spaces configured to receive a reciprocating rod, the reciprocating rod disposed within a first space and a second space, a floating bushing configured to move axially and radially within the housing and disposed coaxially around the reciprocating rod, a rod seal configured to seal the outside diameter of the reciprocating rod relative to an inside surface of the floating bushing, and at least one stationary bushing fixed within the housing that may form a seal with the floating bushing to the axial flow of fluid in the presence of a pressure difference between the two spaces.

Abstract: A thermal energy recovery system. The system includes a Stirling engine having a burner thermal energy output. Also, a superheater mechanism for heating the thermal energy output and an expansion engine coupled to a generator. The expansion engine converts the thermal energy output from the burner to mechanical energy output. The generator converts mechanical energy output from the expansion engine to electrical energy output. The expansion engine may also includes vapor output. Some embodiments of the system further include a condenser for condensing the vapor output, a pump for pumping the vapor output and a boiler in fluid communication with the pump. The pump pumps the vapor output to the boiler.

Abstract: A piston rod seal unit. The piston rod seal unit includes a housing, a cylinder gland, and at least one floating rod seal assembly mounted in the cylinder gland, the floating rod seal assembly comprising at least one rod seal mounted onto the floating rod seal assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods involving proximity, mapping, indexing, mobile, advertising, and location processing, among others, are disclosed. According to one illustrative implementation, a method of determining a mobile device location may comprise capturing product information from a product within a facility by a mobile device, retrieving a product location within the facility from a database based on the captured product information, and determining the mobile device location within the facility based on the product location and the product information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-aligning stencil device for producing a multi-color composite image on a target surface. The self-aligning stencil device includes a central panel and a plurality of stencil panels foldably connected to the central panel. The central panel includes a solid region and a cut-out region. The solid region of the central panel includes a front surface and a back surface, and is defined by an outer border of the central panel and an inner border of the central panel. The cut-out region is vacant space that is defined by the inner border of the central panel. Each stencil panel has its own distinct stencil pattern and is foldably connected to a different corresponding portion of the outer border of the central panel, thereby forming a connection fold between each stencil panel and its corresponding portion of the outer border of the central panel.

Abstract: A Stirling cycle machine. The machine includes at least one rocking drive mechanism including a rocking beam having a rocker pivot, at least one cylinder and at least one piston. The piston is housed within a respective cylinder and is capable of substantially linearly reciprocating within the respective cylinder. The drive mechanism includes at least one coupling assembly. Also, a crankcase housing the rocking beam and housing a first portion of the coupling assembly is included. The machine also includes a working space housing the at least one cylinder, the at least one piston and a second portion of the coupling assembly. An airlock is included between the workspace and the crankcase and a seal is included for sealing the workspace from the airlock and crankcase. A burner and burner control system is also included for heating the machine and controlling ignition and combustion in the burner.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article comprising: a) one or more stacks of battery plates comprising one or more bipolar plates; b) located between each plate is a separator and a liquid electrolyte; further comprising one of more of the features: 1) c) the one or more stacks of battery plates having a plurality of channels passing transversely though the portion of the plates having the cathode and/or the anode deposited thereon; and d) i) one or more seals about the periphery of the channels which prevent the leakage of the liquid electrolyte into the channels, and/or posts located in one or more of the channels having on each end an overlapping portion that covers the channel and sealing surface on the outside of the monopolar plates adjacent to the holes for the transverse channels and applies pressure on the sealing surface of the monopolar plates wherein the pressure is sufficient to withstand pressures created during assembly and operation of electrochemical cells created by the stacks of battery plates;

Abstract: Cargo of rectangular bales 22 of switchgrass or miscanthus unchopped stalks having a cargo payload density of between 14.6 and 20.5 lb/ft3, loaded on a semitrailer truck 16, and preferably having an energy value of at least 240 million Btu.

Abstract: A method and device is taught to improve the appearance of cellulite by combining mild exfoliation of the skin, various wavelengths of low level light, ultrasound, and a vacuum or suction. The device is intended to increase the metabolic rate of the fat cells and reduce their size, while increasing the extensibility or length of the septae. Such increased activity will promote blood flow to the affected area thereby increasing cell nutrients and removing cellular exudates while stimulating the growth of new collagen thereby alleviating the cellulite.

Abstract: A catheter is provided with a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a plurality of drainage eyes disposed at a junction between the distal portion and the proximal portion. The distal portion includes a tip, a plurality of elongated ribs, and a plurality of external flow paths. The proximal portion includes an internal lumen and a proximal end. The plurality of drainage eyes communicate with the plurality of external flow paths and the internal lumen.