Abstract: A system and method for wood preservation comprises treating wood products via conventional pressure treating mechanics of sequential vacuum and pressure with a solution comprising an oligomeric, stoichiometrically balanced blend of primary and secondary diamines with modified diphenylmethane diisocyanates and a carrier solvent/reactant. Upon application, the carrier solvent/reactant evaporates, allowing polymerization of the remaining solution constituents to form a non-toxic, hydrophobic, elastomeric polyureathane linked copolymer that provides a long-term barrier against rot, environmental, termite and mold/fungus attack. Complete polymer impregnation of the wood's interstitial fiber space enables the hydrophobic property of the polymer to provide a long-time barrier to water penetration. Alternatively, the polymer may be surface applied to provide both protection and to prevent leaching out of CCA chemicals in the case of conventionally treated wood. The polymer is also an effective termiticide.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining prints or other services from a digital camera uses a camera and a transceiver module, each having unique identifiers that are stored in a database stored on a remote print routing server. To obtain the service, the user couples the camera to the transceiver module and requests an image service, such as by pressing a button. The transceiver module sends image files and a request for prints to the routing server. The routing server confirms that the request is authorized by querying its database to determine if the camera identifier is authorized for use with the transceiver module. Provided the service request is authorized, the routing server sends the image files to a print center. The service request is coupled with shipping and billing information, such that the print center is able to ship prints to the shipping address and bill the appropriate account.

Abstract: A method is provided for molding an article (10) that includes a polymer (100) such as an epoxy resin, reinforced by fibrous material (102) such as fiberglass which is embedded in the polymer material, especially for a hollow article such as a shell. The method includes placing spacers (42, 44) in a mold cavity (30), where the spacers conform closely to the cavity surface and leave a free, or empty volume (64) within themselves. Foamable material (60A) is placed in the free volume and allowed to expand and push the spacers toward the cavity walls while forming a foam core (70) within the spacers. The mold is opened and the spacers and foam core are removed. Next, the foam core is covered with an impervious layer and the fibrous material (72) is wrapped around the foam core. The foam core is placed back in the mold, with the fibrous material spacing the foam core from the walls of the mold.

Abstract: A control module between to a lens barrel and a camera body contains a focus driver and an iris and associated aperture control. The control module interacts electronically and mechanically with the camera body and the lens barrel to position lens systems within the barrel.

Abstract: A system and method for on-line service creation in which end-users of a device using a platform owned by a platform owner may create a service for the device by configuring and linking pre-defined building blocks which function as the logical steps of the service. The system includes integrity checking mechanisms, and, hence, a platform owner does dot need to be involved in the service creation, activation, or execution processes. The system also allows users to modify, copy, and otherwise manipulate services created by other system users, including, for example, platform owners.

Abstract: An implant device including a tubular matrix made of a biocompatible and bioresorbable biopolymeric material. The matrix has a first end and a second end, a wall of a homogeneous thickness; a plurality of ridges on the wall; and a channel which is defined by the wall and extends from the first end to the second end of the tubular matrix.

Abstract: This invention relates to an embolization device for occluding a vessel. This device includes a matrix made of a biocompatible and biopolymeric material and a radiopaque material, wherein the radiopaque material is interspersed in the biocompatible and biopolymeric material. The matrix can adopt a linear extended form or a folded relaxed form.

Abstract: A shell part formed of honeycomb (20) with fibrous reinforcing regions (21, 24) at inner and outer surfaces of the honeycomb and with foam material (26) penetrating the honeycomb cells and reinforcing regions, where the outer surface of the article is convexly curved and the inner surface of the article is concavely curved. This permits the construction of a hollow object (10) by connecting the ends of two shell parts together. Each shell part is formed by laying an outer region of fibrous material including cloth (30) sandwiched between tissue paper layers (32, 34, 35), against a mold wall 44. Next, a honeycomb sheet is laid over the outer region and an inner region (21, 60, 62) of fibrous material is laid over the honeycomb. Then, foamable material (26) is laid in the mold and the mold is closed to cause the expanded foam to penetrate the honeycomb and most of the fibrous layers.

Abstract: A sheet membrane containing a layer of oriented biopolymeric fibers. The membrane has a thickness of 0.1 mm to 3.0 mm, a density of 0.1 g/cm3 to 1.2 g/cm3, a hydrothermal shrinkage temperature of 50° C. to 85° C., a suture pullout strength of 0.1 kg to 5 kg, a tensile strength of 10 kg/cm2 to 150 kg/cm2, and permeability to molecules having molecular weights of 200 to 300,000 daltons.

Abstract: A frame system for displaying panels such as signs, artwork, photographs, text etc., on a surface such as a wall. Two long tracks have fasteners for fastening them to a surface. Two corresponding cover bars are shaped to slide longitudinally over the tracks while being retained on the tracks. The cover bars have lengthwise grooves for supporting edges of one or more panels between opposite cover bars while allowing the panels to slide along the grooves. Caps are fastened over the ends of the cover bars with removable, tamper resistant, fasteners to prevent the cover bars from being slid out of the tracks until the caps are removed. The system may be mounted on a surface with the tracks horizontal, vertical or any angle in between. While the tracks will ordinarily be mounted parallel to each other, they may be mounted at angles to each other to accommodate panels of shapes other than rectangular.

Abstract: A sheet membrane containing a lair of oriented biopolymeric fibers. The membrane has a thickness of 0.1 mm to 3.0 mm, a density of 0.1 g/cm3 to 1.2 g/cm3, a hydrothermal shrinkage temperature of 50° C. to 85° C., a suture pullout strength of 0.1 kg to 5 kg, a tensile strength of 10 kg/cm2 to 150 kg/cm2, and permeability to molecules having molecular weights of 200 to 300,000 daltons.

Abstract: An article such as an airfoil that is of light weight and high bending strength, includes a primarily foam core part (20), fibrous strengthening layers (22, 24) at the top and bottom of the core part with the strengthening layers held by threads (64, 72) sewn through the combination, and with resin (32) forced into spaces between the fibers of the strengthening layers and forming smooth surfaces at the top and bottom of the article. The core part includes a thick body (40) of light weight foam (42) and top and bottom reinforcing layers (44, 46) lying against the top and bottom of the body, with the reinforcing layers each having spaces or pores that are filled with foam that is integral with the foam of the body. The moderate strength near the surfaces of the core part, enable the core part to resist crushing of the light weight foam during sewing of the threads and can resist pullout of fasteners that project only partially into the core part.

Abstract: An acoustic inspection device having a transducer housing opening to a face of the device to be disposed opposite a workpiece to be inspected. That face of the device having selectively located multi-piece flexible material of a selected length extending outward therefrom disposed to interface with the surface of the workpiece. A first portion of the flexible material is supplied to create, and surround, a region close to the opening of the transducer housing with a plurality of couplant supply ports around the transducer opening to form a chamber into which couplant is continuously supplied to couple the transducer to the surface of the workpiece. A second portion of the flexible material being spaced outward from, and surrounding, the first of the flexible material to create another chamber having vacuum ports in the face of the device opening into that chamber to recover couplant that leaks through the first portion of the flexible material from the couplant chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically connecting at least two independent half-duplex networks. The apparatus receives electrical signals from a first network, converts these signals to optical signals, and then transmits the optical signals along optical fiber to another apparatus. This apparatus converts the optical signals it receives to electrical signals and transmits the signals to the second network. The apparatus controls the flow signals to and from the networks and optical fibers without any external control signals.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system for controlling a fume hood with a face. The system comprises a device for controlling air flow through the fume hood based on air flow face velocity. The controlling device has a device for measuring pressure at the face of the fume hood which produces a signal corresponding to the pressure. Additionally, the system comprises a controller. The controller is remote from the fume hood controlling device but in communication with the controlling device. The present invention also pertains to a system for controlling a fume hood having a face. The system comprises a pitot tube assembly for determining a desired face velocity. The pitot tube produces a pitot signal corresponding to the face velocity. The system comprises a device for converting the pitot signal into a face velocity signal. The converting device is connected to the pitot tube. Additionally, the system comprises a processor for controlling air flow through the fume hood based on the face velocity.