Abstract: The present invention features a sleeve valve comprising an elongate body having an outer surface and including a lumen for receiving a fluid and an associated fluid pressure therein and for defining a flow path of the fluid; at least one fluid flow port formed through the outer surface that is in fluid connection with the lumen; and a sleeve slidably disposed about the outer surface of the body and configured to displace across the fluid flow port to precisely regulate fluid emission through the fluid flow port. The sleeve and elongate body are operably related in a manner so as to provide some degree of fluid force compensation, such that the forces necessary to displace the sleeve across the fluid flow port are substantially unaffected by the fluid pressures acting within the body and at the fluid flow port. In other words, the fluid pressures do not substantially contribute to the resistance in the sleeve during actuation.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing liquid flow rate comprises a conduit for conducting a flow of liquid through it and a flow sensor. The flow sensor includes a fixed portion attached to a sidewall of the conduit. The fixed portion has a pair of stationary electrodes positioned in spaced apart relation and adapted to contact the liquid conducted through the conduit. The flow sensor further includes a cartridge portion adapted for removable engagement with the fixed portion. The cartridge portion has sensor terminals adapted to electrically engage the stationary electrodes. In addition, the flow sensor includes an electromagnetic coil operative to generate a magnetic field within the fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention features a rapid fire rapid response power conversion system comprising (a) a chamber having at least one fluid port configured to supply combustible fluid to the chamber, and an out-take port; (b) a compressor for supplying compressed combustible fuel to the chamber at a variable pressure to at least partially facilitate combustion therein; (c) a controller for initiating and controlling a combustion of the combustible fluid in a combustion portion of the chamber to generate energy; (d) a rapid response component in fluid communication with the chamber and situated adjacent the combustion portion of the chamber, wherein the rapid response component is configured to draw an optimized portion of the energy generated from the combustion and to convert this optimized portion of energy into kinetic energy; and (e) a dynamic mass structure situated between the rapid response component and an energy transfer component and allowing the rapid response component and the energy transfer component

Abstract: Techniques for ultra-high density connection are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultra-high density connector includes a bundle of substantially parallel elongate cylindrical elements, where each cylindrical element is substantially in contact with at least one adjacent cylindrical element. Ends of the elongate cylindrical elements are disposed differentially with respect to each other to define a three-dimensional interdigitating mating surface. At least one of the elongate cylindrical elements has an electrically conductive contact positioned to tangentially engage a corresponding electrical contact of a mating connector.

Abstract: A steam trap comprises a trap body having an inlet and an outlet each defining inner threads. The trap body further includes a spigot defining external threads. Also provided is a cap defining internal threads for engaging the external threads of the spigot of the trap body. A valve element freely moves inside a trap chamber defined between an inner surface of the cap and the valve seat of the spigot. The cap defines a top surface on which a disc of thermally insulative material is juxtaposed. A cup-shaped cover, which may carry indicia such as manufacturer name and model number, is received over the thermally insulative disc.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the dynamics of an actuatable load operable within a servo or servo-type system, wherein the dynamics of the load are controlled by way of a unique pressure control valve configured to provide intrinsic pressure regulation, thus eliminating the need for electronically or mechanically user controlled systems. The pressure control valve, which may be referred to as a dynamic pressure regulator, utilizes dual spools that are physically independent of one another and freely supported in the valve body to regulate the pressures acting within the overall system between the control or pilot pressure and the load or load pressure. The dual spools function in cooperation with one another to maintain a state of equilibrium in the system, namely to keep pressure acting on or within the actuator (the load pressure), or the feedback pressure corresponding to the load pressure, the same as the pilot pressure.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the dynamics of an actuatable load functioning or operable within a servo or servo-type system, wherein the dynamics of the load are controlled by way of a unique pressure control valve configured to provide intrinsic pressure regulation. The pressure control valve comprises dual spools physically independent of one another and freely supported in a valve body to regulate the pressures acting within the overall system between the control or pilot pressure and the load or load pressure. The dual spools of the pressure control valve, although physically independent of one another, function in cooperation with one another in an attempt to maintain a state of equilibrium in the system, namely to keep pressure acting on or within the actuator (the load pressure), or the feedback force corresponding to the load pressure, the same as the control or pilot pressure.

Abstract: A drug administration system configured to administer a drug to a user's ear includes a housing, sized and shaped to substantially fit behind the user's ear, and configured to pump the drug in controlled amounts to the user's middle ear. A drug reservoir is disposed in the housing and includes a drug configured to treat an inner ear condition. A catheter is operatively coupled to the drug reservoir and is sized and shaped to extend from the drug administration unit into the user's middle ear.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting energy from an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes a chamber having a primary piston and a secondary piston with a combustion portion of the chamber situated adjacently between the primary piston and secondary piston. The secondary piston includes a substantially lesser mass than that of the primary piston. The chamber includes at least one fluid port for supplying fuel to the combustion portion and an out-take port for releasing combustive exhaust. The chamber includes a controller for controlling the combustion therein at selected cycles of the primary piston. With this arrangement, the secondary piston is configured to draw a portion of energy from combustion controlled by the controller in the chamber. Such portion of energy is provided with a rapid response to an energy transferring portion interconnected to the secondary piston, which in turn, transfers and/or converts the energy for acting on a load or external application.

Abstract: A drug administration system configured to administer a drug to a user's ear includes a housing, sized and shaped to substantially fit behind the user's ear, and configured to pump the drug in controlled amounts to the user's middle ear. A drug reservoir is disposed in the housing and includes a drug configured to treat an inner ear condition. A catheter is operatively coupled to the drug reservoir and is sized and shaped to extend from the drug administration unit into the user's middle ear.

Abstract: A molecular drag vacuum pump configured for pumping a gas stream from an inlet to an outlet, the pump including a high-speed spinning disk or rotor disposed within a housing. A passageway is formed inside the housing adjacent the disk, and gas comes in contact with surfaces of the spinning disk in successive stages, conformable wipers being disposed adjacent the spinning disk to direct the gas stream to the successive stages. The disk can be powered by an integrated motor, comprising permanent magnets associated with the disk and cooperating coils associated with the housing. The wipers can include parallel ridges on a contacting face to facilitate creation of a conformable fit with the rotor. Seal rings may be disposed against the disk between gas passageways to reduce leakage therebetween, and the pump may include regenerative pumping pockets to help prevent backflow. The housing may have a modular configuration to allow two or more pump modules to be connected and operate in series.

Abstract: A miniaturized imaging device and method of viewing small luminal cavities are described. The imaging device can be used as part of a catheter, and can include a lens, an SSID including an imaging array optically coupled to the lens; an umbilical including a conductive line; and an adaptor configured to support the lens and provide electrical communication between the SSID and conductive line. Alternatively, the adaptor can be a rigid adaptor configured to provide electrical communication between the SSID and the conductive line through a conductive path. The conductive path can be configured along multiple contiguous surfaces of the adaptor such that the SSID is electrically coupled to the conductive path at a first surface, and the conductive line is electrically coupled to the conductive path at a second surface.

Abstract: A gas pressure driven fluid pump comprising a pump tank having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet. A float, carried within the interior of the pump tank, is operable to move between a low level position and a high level position. A snap-acting valve is operatively connected to the float. The snap acting valve has a rotatable port member that moves so as to switch to exhaust porting when the float falls to the low level position. The port member further switches to motive porting when the float rises to the high level position. As a result, fluid filling the pump tank causes the float to rise from the low level position to the high level position during exhaust porting. Fluid exiting the pump tank causes the float to fall from the high level position to the low level position due to introduction of motive gas during motive porting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring energy from an internal combustion engine to drive a load. The system includes a rapid response component, a valve system and an actuator. The rapid response component is configured to be operatively coupled to a combustion portion of the internal combustion engine. The rapid response component is also configured to draw a portion of energy from the combustion in the internal combustion engine and transfer the portion of energy as a fluid including pulsitile fluid flow. The valve system is operatively coupled to the rapid response component and is operable to receive and controllably direct the pulsitile fluid flow from the rapid response component. The actuator is operatively coupled to the valve system and is configured to be operatively coupled to the load. The actuator operates to receive the fluid from the valve system to drive the load operatively coupled thereto.

Abstract: A gas pressure driven fluid pump having a pump tank with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet. A float assembly is carried within the interior of the pump tank and is movable between a low level position and a high level position. A compression spring is connected between the float assembly and a pivot member. Due to the force applied by the compression spring, the pivot member rotates to a first position when the float reaches its high level position and rotates to a second position when the float reaches its low level position. A valve assembly is connected to said pivot member to switch between motive porting and exhaust porting in a snap over fashion due to rotation of said pivot member between said first position and said second position. A damper system may be connected to the valve assembly to slow movement of the valve assembly between motive porting and exhaust porting.

Abstract: A reconfigurable leg and wheel device includes an array of components joined in series configurable as i) an articulated leg with the components movable with respect to one another in a walking motion, and reconfigurable as ii) a wheel with the components forming a circular outer surface and being rotatable about an axis in a rotational motion.

Abstract: A gas pressure driven fluid pump having an electronic cycle counter. The pump has a pump tank with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet. A switching mechanism is operative within the pump tank for switching to exhaust porting when the fluid level within the pump tank falls to a low level position and switching to motive porting when the fluid level within the pump tank rises to a high level position. An electrical counter circuit is operatively connected to the pump tank for incrementing a stored count in response to the fluid level within the pump tank rising to a predetermined level.

Abstract: A feedback control system, comprising a flexible rod that may have an anchored end and a free end, the rod free end movable upon the application of electric potential to the rod, a current source coupled to the rod, a movement sensor disposed on the rod, and a circuit electrically coupled to the movement sensor and to the current source and having an external input, wherein the rod may include a shape memory alloy, a bimetal, or a piezoelectric material and wherein the rod may include one or more strips arranged in a pattern such as lengthwise or helically.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting energy from an internal combustion engine includes a chamber having a primary piston and a secondary piston with a combustion portion of the chamber situated adjacently between the primary piston and secondary piston. The secondary piston includes a substantially lesser mass than that of the primary piston. The chamber includes at least one fluid port for supplying fuel to the combustion portion and an out-take port for releasing combustive exhaust. The chamber includes a controller for controlling the combustion therein at selected cycles of the primary piston. The secondary piston is configured to draw a portion of energy from combustion controlled by the controller in the chamber. Such portion of energy is provided with a rapid response to an energy transferring portion interconnected to the secondary piston, which in turn, transfers and/or converts the energy for acting on a load or external application.

Abstract: A method and device for controllably combusting combustible material, including a combustion device comprising an elongate combustion tube having an inlet section including an inlet for combustible material, an ignition section, including an igniter displaced along a length of the tube from the inlet section to ignite the combustible material, and at least one energy extraction device operatively coupled to the combustion tube and configured to extract energy from combustion of the combustible mixture.