Abstract: An incision and dilation apparatus performs an incision in and dilates select tissue of a mammal. The apparatus includes a blade member, a dilator, and a frame. The blade member includes a blade having a cutting edge. The dilator is configured to dilate the select tissue. The frame includes a blade guide, and is adapted to position the blade guide over the select tissue. The blade guide retains the blade member in first and second perpendicular directions and allows substantially linear movement of the blade member in a third direction. The frame also supports the dilator and allows movement of the dilator in the third direction. The dilator includes a second blade guide that retains the blade member in first and second perpendicular directions and allow substantially linear movement of the blade member relative to the dilator in a third direction.

Abstract: A solar photovoltaic module comprises a generator body and a support body, and can be repaired in place after installation on a roof by removing and replacing the solar panel laminate from the generator body of the solar module. The support body of the solar module comprises an elongated rail defining an upper tabletop onto which a fastener may be affixed and a lower tabletop to receive the generator body. The solar panel laminate of the generator body is retained by a frame comprising a horizontal front frame element having a hook to engage a support body of another solar module.

Abstract: A tube plug for securely sealing a tube to be plugged. The tube plug has a housing member with a non-cylindrical body and a deformable wall. An insert member having a threaded shank and a ramped ferrule can be threaded into the body to deform the deformable wall outwardly and into engagement with the tube to be sealed. The non-cylindrical body allow the plug to be inserted into and used to plug a tube that is in a difficult to reach location and whose diameter may not be precisely known.

Abstract: A tube plug for securely sealing a tube to be plugged. The tube plug has a housing member with a non-cylindrical body and a deformable wall. An insert member having a threaded shank and a ramped ferrule can be threaded into the body to deform the deformable wall outwardly and into engagement with the tube to be sealed. The non-cylindrical body allow the plug to be inserted into and used to plug a tube that is in a difficult to reach location and whose diameter may not be precisely known.

Abstract: An interstitial recessed cantilever latch mechanism for fiber optic and electrical connectors is disclosed. This mechanism enables the design of more spatially efficient multi-position connectors while retaining the reliability and tactile feedback of traditional connector latch mechanisms. The mechanism also allows the receptacle interface to be substantially simplified, and reduces the number of unique components required by means of a hermaphroditically assembled backshell half.

Abstract: A mechanism comprising a base having a top surface and including a groove extending along the top surface and a frame flexibly coupled to the base. The frame includes a right side attached to a left side. The right side has a substantially “L-shaped” cross-section and includes a knife portion and a creasing portion. The left side includes a substantially “L-shaped” cross-section and is rigidly coupled to the right side such that the frame has a substantially “U-shaped” cross-section that is sized to receive at least a portion of the base. A first spring is positioned proximate the knife portion and is arranged to control a compressive force between the knife portion and the base and a second spring is positioned proximate the creasing portion and is arranged to control a compressive force between the creasing portion and the base.

Abstract: A solar photovoltaic module comprises a generator body and a support body, and can be repaired in place after installation on a roof by removing and replacing the solar panel laminate from the generator body of the solar module. The support body of the solar module comprises an elongated rail defining an upper tabletop onto which a fastener may be affixed and a lower tabletop to receive the generator body. The solar panel laminate of the generator body is retained by a frame comprising a horizontal front frame element having a hook to engage a support body of another solar module.

Abstract: A power supply docking station for a SINCGARS RT-1523 radio has a housing configured to support and provides DC power to the radio and a power amplifier. The housing has an integrated battery compartment for receiving at least two military standard BB-2590 batteries. Each battery can independently power the radio and the power amplifier, such that the other battery can be swapped out while the radio and power amplifier are in use. In another embodiment, a power supply docking station supports and provides power to a Harris 150-series radio. In another embodiment, a power supply docking station supports and provides power to a Harris 160-series radio.

Abstract: An eroding assembly for use in water-soluble chemical feeder where a solid chemical material is eroded by water so as to produce a sanitizing solution of dissolved chemical and water having removal components in its structure for ease of cleaning and removal of any undissolved chemical material, particularly the sieve plate and weir.

Abstract: A heat exchange plug that plugs the aperture of a tubesheet with a leaking tube while also securing the tube against movement that could damage other tubes of the tubesheet. A cylindrical housing member with two different diameter body section can be inserted so that the wider diameter section is positioned in the aperture of the tubesheet and the smaller diameter section is located in the tube. An eccentric ring at the end of the housing member can engage the tube and prevent rotation as an insert member is advanced into the rear of the housing member via a threaded shank of the insert member that engages a threaded inner bore of the housing member. A ramped surface of the housing member deforms the wall of the larger diameter section of the housing member outwardly to plug the aperture while the smaller diameter section secures the tube in place.

Abstract: A tube plug for securely sealing a tube to be plugged. The tube plug has a housing member with a cylindrical body, an undercut section, and a deformable wall. A ring is rotatably mounted to a post that extends axially from a front end of the housing member and offset from the longitudinal axis so that the ring is eccentric relative to the cylindrical body. An insert member having a threaded shank and a ramped ferrule can be threaded into the body to deform the deformable wall outwardly and into engagement with the tube to be sealed.

Abstract: A tube plug for securely sealing a tube to be plugged. The tube plug has a housing member with a non-cylindrical body and a deformable wall. An insert member having a threaded shank and a ramped ferrule can be threaded into the body to deform the deformable wall outwardly and into engagement with the tube to be sealed. The non-cylindrical body allow the plug to be inserted into and used to plug a tube that is in a difficult to reach location and whose diameter may not be precisely known.

Abstract: A pipeline AC mitigation SSD Marker Station has a shape and land surface area footprint that are similar to conventional pipeline location markers or corrosion test stations. The SSD Marker Station includes an SSD device that connects an underground metallic pipeline to an underground grounding conductor. The SSD Marker Station further includes a disconnect switch configured to disconnect the SSD device from the pipeline and/or grounding conductor. Also included is a pair of testing ports that are in electrical communication with the SSD device. Testing of the SSD device thereby requires only operating the disconnect switch to isolate the SSD device from the pipeline and/or grounding connector and performing an electrical measurement across the testing ports. In embodiments, the SSD Marker Station meets all requirements applicable to a pipeline location marker, and can be installed in lieu of a pipeline location marker.

Abstract: A pipeline AC mitigation SSD Marker Station has a shape and land surface area footprint that are similar to conventional pipeline location markers or corrosion test stations. The SSD Marker Station includes an SSD device that connects an underground metallic pipeline to an underground grounding conductor. The SSD Marker Station further includes a disconnect switch configured to disconnect the SSD device from the pipeline and/or grounding conductor. Also included is a pair of testing ports that are in electrical communication with the SSD device. Testing of the SSD device thereby requires only operating the disconnect switch to isolate the SSD device from the pipeline and/or grounding connector and performing an electrical measurement across the testing ports. In embodiments, the SSD Marker Station meets all requirements applicable to a pipeline location marker, and can be installed in lieu of a pipeline location marker.

Abstract: A heat exchange plug that plugs the aperture of a tubesheet with a leaking tube while also securing the tube against movement that could damage other tubes of the tubesheet. A cylindrical housing member with two different diameter body section can be inserted so that the wider diameter section is positioned in the aperture of the tubesheet and the smaller diameter section is located in the tube. An eccentric ring at the end of the housing member can engage the tube and prevent rotation as an insert member is advanced into the rear of the housing member via a threaded shank of the insert member that engages a threaded inner bore of the housing member. A ramped surface of the housing member deforms the wall of the larger diameter section of the housing member outwardly to plug the aperture while the smaller diameter section secures the tube in place.

Abstract: A seating and restraint system is shown for joining the spigot and socket ends of two sections of plastic pipe to form a pipe joint. The socket pipe ends are preformed at the factory with an internal raceway which receives both a sealing ring and a companion gripping ring. The sealing ring is an elastomeric member having a periphery with a protruding ear formed at one circumferential location. The companion gripping ring is a hardened member having one opening gap in the circumference thereof. The protruding ear on the sealing ring fits within the opening gap in the gripping ring, engagement of the protruding ear within the opening gap serving to prevent extrusion of the sealing ring within the gap in the gripping ring and also limiting closure of the gripping ring after engagement of the spigot end with the socket pipe end as the pipe joint is assembled.

Abstract: A mechanism comprising a base having a top surface and including a groove extending along the top surface and a frame flexibly coupled to the base. The frame includes a right side attached to a left side. The right side has a substantially “L-shaped” cross-section and includes a knife portion and a creasing portion. The left side includes a substantially “L-shaped” cross-section and is rigidly coupled to the right side such that the frame has a substantially “U-shaped” cross-section that is sized to receive at least a portion of the base. A first spring is positioned proximate the knife portion and is arranged to control a compressive force between the knife portion and the base and a second spring is positioned proximate the creasing portion and is arranged to control a compressive force between the creasing portion and the base.

Abstract: An improved heater band for a hot runner injection molding machine. The heater band includes a cylindrical sleeve adapted to be disposed about a nozzle body in combination with a first wire heating element and a second wire heating element. The first wire heating element includes two contact terminals and an intermediate portion therebetween. The intermediate portion of the first wire heating element is disposed within the cylindrical sleeve. The second wire heating element includes two contact terminals and an intermediate portion therebetween. The intermediate portion of the second wire heating element is also disposed within the cylindrical sleeve. The intermediate portions of the heating elements are adjacent to and axially offset from one another within the cylindrical sleeve. The first wire heating element and the second wire heating element can be alternatively connected to an electrical power supply to extend the operational life of the heater band.