Abstract: A method for detecting a subsurface defect in a workpiece undergoing processing includes directing focused heat energy from an energy point source on to the workpiece to generate a melt pool and cause a solid portion of the workpiece to emit incandescent radiation. The incandescent radiation emitted by the solid portion of the workpiece is captured and a signal based upon the color or intensity of the captured incandescent radiation is output. A processor receives the output signal and analyzes it for any variance. If any variance is detected, the region associated with the variance is determined. In this fashion, gradients in the color or intensity distribution reveal subsurface defects.

Abstract: A build description is created for a part intended to be built by additive layering. The build description includes a description of the part broken down into constituent substructures and a build sequence for the substructures. A power schedule calculation method utilizes the build description and an idealized geometry to predict laser power levels on an additive path during laser deposition. The method calculates beam power for any point along the path traveled to form the build. Each point along the path has associated with it an idealized geometry comprising a melt pool, hot zone and bulk portion.

Abstract: A power schedule calculation method utilizes an idealized geometry to predict laser power levels on an additive path during laser deposition. The method calculates beam power for any point along the path traveled to form a build having a geometry. Each point along the path has associated with it an idealized geometry comprising a melt pool, hot zone and bulk portion. The method comprises creating a geometric description representing the geometry of the build during the process, creating a path description representing the path of the beam source through space during the process, calculating the idealized geometry for the point on the path based upon the geometric description and path description, calculating an energy balance at the melt pool for the point on the path, calculating total energy needed at the point on the path and calculating optimum beam source power. In the calculations, build temperature is based upon a calculation of hot zone temperature derived from the idealized geometry.

Abstract: A screen assembly for receiving high volumes of water flowing from a roof to a gutter. The screen assembly has a first support frame having an upstanding rim extending around a periphery thereof and being construed to be mounted on the gutter and secured to an adjacent portion of a roof fascia. The first support frame has an opening in a bottom surface thereof that is constructed to be disposed over a gutter opening when the first support frame is mounted on the gutter. The screen assembly has a second support frame having a screen secured thereto and extending over the second support frame. The second support frame has a shape corresponding to that of the first support frame and is mounted thereon in close relationship to and within the upstanding rim of the first support frame, the second support frame being connected to the upstanding rim.

Abstract: A screen assembly for receiving high volumes of water flowing from a roof to a gutter. The screen assembly has a first support frame having an upstanding rim extending around a periphery thereof and being construed to be mounted on the gutter and secured to an adjacent portion of a roof fascia. The first support frame has an opening in a bottom surface thereof that is constructed to be disposed over a gutter opening when the first support frame is mounted on the gutter. The screen assembly has a second support frame having a screen secured thereto and extending over the second support frame. The second support frame has a shape corresponding to that of the first support frame and is mounted thereon in close relationship to and within the upstanding rim of the first support frame, the second support frame being connected to the upstanding rim.

Abstract: A radiant and insulating barrier having two sheets bonded together along spaced flat channels to define a plurality of hermetically sealed and spaced pockets between the channels. The pockets are filled with insulation. The sheets have an outer surface formed of a radiant heat reflecting material.

Abstract: A method and an exercise device for exercising the upper and the lower abdominal muscles and the lower back of a user are provided. The exercise device includes a first portion and at least one of a first extension hingedly coupled to a first end of the first portion and a second extension hingedly coupled to a second opposite end of the first portion, each of the first and second extensions including a flat bottom wall, a top surface, a pair of opposing side walls, and a resilient material extending between the bottom wall and the top surface.

Abstract: A device for cleaning an animal's paw including a container (10) adapted to retain a cleaning agent, the container defining an opening and including a side wall, a cleaning platform (50) disposed in said container and defining a space (60) between said cleaning platform and said container side wall, and a squeegee member (85) substantially covering said opening.

Abstract: A container has a product chamber for containing a product. The product chamber has a product opening that opens into the exterior. A closure member is releasably mounted on the product opening. The container further includes an additive chamber for containing an additive, and a pressure valve that connects the additive chamber and the product chamber with each other. The pressure valve has a closed position when the pressure inside the product chamber is higher than the pressure inside the additive chamber, and an open position for discharging additive from the additive chamber into the product chamber when the pressure inside the product chamber is lower than the pressure inside the additive chamber. The pressure inside the product chamber is higher than the ambient pressure and the pressure inside the additive chamber is both lower than the pressure inside the product chamber and higher than the ambient pressure.

Abstract: A machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable structure having a longitudinal edge generally comprises a drive, an inflation nozzle, a sealing device, and a sheet engagement device. The machine may define an engaging assembly and an opposing assembly. The drive may be rotationally coupled to the sheet engagement device such that when the drive rotates, the engagement device also rotates. The engagement device may include a first belt and an opposing second belt which may each have a plurality of teeth thereon. The teeth may intermesh between a drive roller and a backing roller on the longitudinal edge of the inflatable structure. Thereby, the sheets of the inflatable structure may be engaged together and the length of the longitudinal edge may contract to facilitate inflation. The resulting inflated inflatable structure may comprise an embossed longitudinal edge.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for back exercise are provided. An exercise bench apparatus includes a beam positioned at an incline with respect to the horizontal, a seat member coupled to the beam wherein the seat member is configured to be positioned at a selectable position along the beam, a knee brace coupled to the beam, the knee brace configured to be positioned at a selectable position along the beam, and a stabilizer arm rotatable with respect to the beam and configured to be rotated away from a user in a first position, the stabilizer arm configured to engage the user in a second position such that a pelvic region of the user is substantially immobilized.

Abstract: A container has a product chamber for containing a product. The product chamber has a product opening that opens into the exterior. A closure member is releasably mounted on the product opening. The container further includes an additive chamber for containing an additive, and a pressure valve that connects the additive chamber and the product chamber with each other. The pressure valve has a closed position when the pressure inside the product chamber is higher than the pressure inside the additive chamber, and an open position for discharging additive from the additive chamber into the product chamber when the pressure inside the product chamber is lower than the pressure inside the additive chamber. The pressure inside the product chamber is higher than the ambient pressure and the pressure inside the additive chamber is both lower than the pressure inside the product chamber and higher than the ambient pressure.

Abstract: A table umbrella apparatus has a base, a table affixed to the base, a canopy support by the base a distance above the table, and an air treating means positioned in the base for delivering a flow of air outwardly of the base. The air treating system includes a fan, a motor drivingly connected to the fan, a reservoir positioned in the base, and a pump cooperative with the water in the reservoir for passing a flow of water across air urged by the fan. An aspen wood intake filter is positioned in the base so that the air is urged by the fan across this intake filter.

Abstract: A level detector comprises an array of light emitting devices mounted in a line parallel to an array of light receiving devices, the arrays being mounted within a housing capable of internally reflecting light from the emitting devices to respective receiving devices unless the respective parts of the level sensor are immersed in liquid. The outer internally-reflecting surface of the housing is preferable a continuous straight-line surface along the direction parallel to the arrays.

Abstract: A torque coupler for coupling rotatable inner and outer parts. The torque coupler comprises an inner slip section, and an outer slip section. The inner slip section is connected to the inner rotatable part to rotate with the inner part when the inner part is rotating. The inner slip section has an outer circumferential surface disposed around the inner part. The outer surface has a predetermined number of detents formed therein. The outer slip section is connected to the outer rotatable part to rotate with the outer part when the outer part is rotating. The outer slip section is seated against the inner slip section with an inner surface of the outer slip section in contact with the outer surface of the inner slip section. The inner surface of the outer slip section has a predetermined number of spring loaded teeth.

Abstract: A solar insolation concentrator fabricated from a rigid lightweight (slab-like substrate and a plurality of reflectors. Inclined surfaces are formed in the face surface of the substrate, such as by impressing a heated plate portion of a fabrication tool into the substrate material. The fabrication tool is then used to position the reflectors as they are adhered to the inclined surfaces to assure that the reflectors are aligned with respect to a common focal point. An embodiment of the solar insolation concentrator comprising a plurality of identical square flat back-silvered glass mirrors mounted within recesses within a block of high density cellular polystyrene and a tool and process used to fabricate this concentrator are disclosed. The solar insolation concentrator is also suited for use as a reflector of electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths outside the solar energy spectrum.

Abstract: A receptacle comprising a body including an opening having a door hingedly mounted therein for movement between a normal and substantially vertical orientation and a substantially horizontal orientation, a drive assembly having a hub for taking up and letting out the cord for moving the door between the substantially vertical orientation and the substantially horizontal orientation, and an actuator device for actuating the drive assembly, the hub being spaced apart from said hinge proximate an optimum position for minimizing the amount of force necessary for the drive assembly to move the door.