Abstract: A force amplifier has a guide track, a non-locking screw threadedly engaging the track to spirally move in response to an axial input force applied to the proximal end of the non-locking screw. The force amplifier includes a compliant component coupled to the non-locking screw by one end and to a self-locking screw by the other end. The compliant component is configured to transmit a torque generated by the non-locking screw to the self-locking screw, which is actuated to move spirally along the track while generating an axial output force greater than the input force.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for ablating biological tissues, in which a cannula is configured to affect biological tissue and a heat transmitting end-effecter is coupled to the cannula. A source of electromagnetic energy is provided via an electro-magnetic energy emitter and a wall of the heat transmitting end-effecter is made of an electromagnetic-energy-absorbing material that absorbs electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: An apparatus for ablating biological tissues is configured with a cannula, a balloon inflatable with a gaseous medium and coupled to the cannula, and a microwave antenna in the balloon operative to emit radio waves which heat the peripheral wall of the balloon. The peripheral wall is made from wave penetrating material impregnated with a plurality of wave absorbing particle which are heated to the desired ablation temperature by the absorbed radio waves.

Abstract: A weightlifting apparatus is operative to continuously provide and adjust a force resistant to a torque produced by an exerciser that performs supination of biceps simultaneously with other exercise motions or pronation of triceps simultaneously with other exercise motions.

Abstract: A powder dispenser includes: a dispenser housing having including a hopper for holding a powder; an outlet tube; a slider slidably mounted with respect to the dispenser housing between a feed position and a dispense position, the slider including a holding member for receiving powder supplied through a dispensing opening of the hopper in the feed position, the holding member having pores which permit gas passage therethrough but which prevent powder passage therethrough, and a vacuum passage for removing gas trapped by the powder in the holding member, through the holding member wall; an angled bore for supplying a pressurized gas at an angle to the hopper to provide a swirling effect; and a gas supply bore in the dispenser housing for supplying a pressurized gas to the receptacle portion in the dispense position to force the powder from the receptacle portion to the outlet tube.

Abstract: A powder dispenser includes: a dispenser housing having including a hopper for holding a powder; an outlet tube; a slider slidably mounted with respect to the dispenser housing between a feed position and a dispense position, the slider including a holding member for receiving powder supplied through a dispensing opening of the hopper in the feed position, the holding member having pores which permit gas passage therethrough but which prevent powder passage therethrough, and a vacuum passage for removing gas trapped by the powder in the holding member, through the holding member wall; an angled bore for supplying a pressurized gas at an angle to the hopper to provide a swirling effect; and a gas supply bore in the dispenser housing for supplying a pressurized gas to the receptacle portion in the dispense position to force the powder from the receptacle portion to the outlet tube.

Abstract: A data storage system receives multiple data streams, such as a telephone messages, each of which are to be stored in a multidisk array. The data storage system generates a disk write request for each data stream. The disk write request is allocated to a disk in the multidisk array that has the highest weighted available space. The weighted available space of each disk is determined by the space availability of the disk and the load on the disk relative to other disks in the multidisk array. Optionally, the method used to allocate the disk space availability is dependent upon the disk write request load level. Thus, if the request load level is in a first load range, a least full assignment method is used, if the request load level is in a second range, a round robin method is used and if the request level is in a third range the weighted available space method is used.

Abstract: In this method for obtaining metals, their compounds, and alloys from mineral raw materials a burden is prepared by mixing a comminuted raw material with additions of chemical elements taken from the chemical composition of the starting raw material, oxidizing roasting is then carried out accompanied by evacuating and utilizing gaseous oxides, and a reduction process proceeds followed by separation of metals and their compounds. According to the invention, in the course of preparing the burden compounds of the above chemical elements containing oxygen are added to the mixture at a ratio of the compounds to the chemical elements ranging from 1:1 to 1:100 and at a total quantity of additions in the burden at least 5%. The oxidizing roasting process proceeds in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature from 1400.degree. to 1600.degree. C. followed by cooling and comminuting solid oxides obtained.