Abstract: The THE SALAD DRYER uses a de-watering process which provides very dry and crisp salad greens in an automated appliance. The general process used in THE SALAD DRYER is evaporation due to wind/air being forced through a salad tumbling perforated drum.

Abstract: A heat sink comprising a base, fins attached to the base and a flow diverter in contact with the base or at least one of the fins. The flow diverter has a rectangular cross-sectional profile in a plane that is coplanar with and elevated above a plane of the base and spanning the entire separation distance, and, a segment of the flow diverter is angled towards the base to direct the fluid flow towards the base.

Abstract: A heat sink comprising a base, fins attached to the base and a flow diverter in contact with the base or at least one of the fins. The flow diverter has a rectangular cross-sectional profile in a plane that is coplanar with and elevated above a plane of the base and spanning the entire separation distance, and, a segment of the flow diverter is angled towards the base to direct the fluid flow towards the base.

Abstract: A heat sink includes a base and a heat exchange element coupled to the base. The heat exchange element includes a foam structure that is coupled to the base.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a rack having one or more shelves, a plurality of electronics circuit boards and heat conduits and a cooler. Each board is held by one of the one or more shelves, some of the boards having a localized heat source thereon. Each heat conduit forms a heat conducting path over and adjacent to a particular one of the boards from a region adjacent to the heat source thereon to a connection zone, the zone being remote from the heat source. The cooler is located on a side of the rack and coupled to the zones such that heat is transferable from the paths to the cooler. The cooler is configured to flow a cooling fluid therein to cool localized thermal interfaces at the cooler, each interface being adjacent to and at a corresponding one of the zones.

Abstract: A heat sink includes a base and fins attached to the base. A flow diverter is in contact with the base or at least one of the fins and is configured to disturb a laminar flow region of a fluid flowing adjacent to at least one of the fins or the base.

Abstract: A heat sink includes a base and a heat exchange element monolithically connected to the base. The heat exchange element has a surface that at least partially bounds first and second paths through the heat exchange element. The surface forms an upper boundary of the first and second paths and includes an opening therethrough connecting the first and second paths.

Abstract: A heat sink includes a surface and a first active element connected to the surface. The first active element is configured to move from a first position relative to the surface to a second position relative to the surface. The movement alters the heat transfer characteristics of the heat sink.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and system for self-aligning components, sub-assemblies and/or assemblies wherein actuators are used to physically move the components, sub-assemblies and/or assemblies such that an appropriate alignment is provided. The efficiency of the alignment may be determined with respect to a qualitative measurement (e.g., bit error rate, optical intensity and the like) of an output signal.

Abstract: Apparatus including: a conduit body having a lining that bounds a channel having a longitudinal axis; the lining including a lining base; the lining including raised micro-scale features monolithic with the lining base. Apparatus including: a cavity body at least partially enclosing a cavity; the cavity having a lining that bounds a channel having a longitudinal axis; the lining including a lining base; the lining including raised micro-scale features monolithic with the lining base. Process including: providing a three-dimensional graphics design for a device having a superhydrophobic pattern of raised micro-scale features on a base, the base and the raised micro-scale features being monolithic; inputting the three-dimensional graphics design to a three-dimensional rapid prototype fabrication apparatus; and laying down build material and monolithically fabricating the base and the raised micro-scale features.

Abstract: A method is provided for cooling electrical equipment located in distinct regions in a cabinet. A first air flow is provided to a first region in the cabinet. A second air flow is provided to a second region in the cabinet. The temperature of the first and second air flows provided to the first and second regions is substantially equalized to provide similar cooling characteristics within the first and second regions. The equalization is accomplished via a heat exchanger arrangement that may be an active or passive system.

Abstract: A method for preemptively detecting fan failure is provided. The method may include measuring at least one parameter associated with the fan, such as sound, wobble, smoke, or the like, and predicting a time at which failure of the system is anticipated based on said measured parameter. Thereafter an indication of the predicted time at which failure of the system is anticipated is provided. Maintenance of the system to repair or replace the fans may then be scheduled as part of a regularly scheduled maintenance call, reducing the cost associated with the fan failure.

Abstract: A technique for delivering communications services to a large number of users employing relatively inexpensive, widely available handsets. More particularly, the technique utilizes a network apparatus that supports individual access to a community of users and supports access to a wireless communications system (e.g., any well-known Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) wireless network). That is, the communications hub functions similar to a communications switch with a number users employing inexpensive handsets (e.g., well-known 900 MHz cordless telephones) on one side and the functionality of a mobile terminal, and CDMA interconnection, on the other side. Therefore, the users (i.e., subscribers) employ relatively inexpensive, widely available handsets, in conjunction with the network apparatus, to access a wireless communications network and the associated communications services offered from the wireless service provider.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed wherein a battery comprises at least one electrode formed from a graphitic carbon nanostructured surface wherein the nanostructured surface consists of a plurality of nanoposts formed from graphitic carbon such that the graphitic nanoposts serve both as an operational feature (i.e., dielectric/electrode) and control feature of the battery itself. In one embodiment, the nanostructured surface consists of a plurality of nanoposts wherein a select portion of each nanopost is formed to serve as the dielectric of the nanostructured battery, and the balance of each nanopost is utilized to impart the control features to the nanostructured battery.

Abstract: Techniques for heat transfer are provided. In one aspect of the invention, a heat-transfer device is provided. The heat-transfer device comprises one or more microchannels suitable for containing a heat-transfer fluid, one or more of the microchannels having protruding structures on at least one inner surface thereof configured to affect flow of the heat-transfer fluid through the one or more microchannels. The structures may comprise posts coated with a hydrophobic coating.

Abstract: A biological/chemical detector is disclosed that is capable of manipulating liquids, such as reagent droplets, without relying on microchannels. In a first embodiment, fluid flow is passed through the detector, thus causing particles wholly or partially containing an illustrative chemical compound or biological species to be collected on the tips of nanostructures in the detector. A droplet of liquid is moved across the tips of the nanostructures, thus absorbing the particles into the liquid. The droplet is caused to penetrate the nanostructures in a desired location, thus causing the chemical compound or biological species in said liquid droplet to come into contact with, for example, a reagent. In another embodiment, a fluid flow is passed through the nanostructured surfaces of the detector such that the chemical compound and/or biological species are deposited between the nanoposts of a desired pixel.

Abstract: A battery having a nanostructured battery electrode is disclosed wherein it is possible to reverse the contact of the electrolyte with the battery electrode and, thus, to return a battery to a reserve state after it has been used to generate current. In order to achieve this reversibility, the nanostructures on the battery electrode comprise a plurality of closed cells and the pressure within the enclosed cells is varied. In a first embodiment, the pressure is varied by varying the temperature of a fluid within the cells by, for example, applying a voltage to electrodes disposed within said cells. In a second illustrative embodiment, once the battery has been fully discharged, the battery is recharged and then the electrolyte fluid is expelled from the cells in a way such that it is no longer in contact with the battery electrode.

Abstract: A light weight antenna system and corresponding lightweight transmission lines are disclosed that are characterized as having an extremely light weight relative to prior such systems and lines. An inflatable body having an inner surface connected to an outer surface with a plurality of support structures, such as connecting tubes. Antenna elements are disposed on the outer surface of the inflatable body to form, for example, a phased array antenna. Coaxial transmission lines are used to transmit signals to and from an antenna element and are, in one embodiment, created by disposing an inner conductor within the aforementioned connecting tubes. Such a transmission line may be utilized in a number of applications, such as to connect a base station to an antenna system of a wireless communications network. In another embodiment, quasi coaxial transmission lines are formed by disposing flexible membrane shields around a transmission elements.

Abstract: A light weight antenna system and corresponding lightweight transmission lines are disclosed that are characterized as having an extremely light weight relative to prior such systems and lines. An inflatable body having an inner surface connected to an outer surface with a plurality of support structures, such as connecting tubes. Antenna elements are disposed on the outer surface of the inflatable body to form, for example, a phased array antenna. Coaxial transmission lines are used to transmit signals to and from an antenna element and are, in one embodiment, created by disposing an inner conductor within the aforementioned connecting tubes. Such a transmission line may be utilized in a number of applications, such as to connect a base station to an antenna system of a wireless communications network. In another embodiment, quasi coaxial transmission lines are formed by disposing flexible membrane shields around a transmission elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein the flow resistance of a droplet disposed on a nanostructured or microstructured surface is controlled. A closed-cell feature is used in a way such that, when the pressure of at least a first fluid within one or more of the cells of said surface is decreased to or below a desired level, a droplet disposed on that surface is caused to at least partially penetrate the surface. In another illustrative embodiment, the pressure within one or more of the cells is increased to or above a desired level in a way such that the droplet of liquid is returned at least partially to its original, unpenetrated position. In yet another embodiment, a closed-cell structure feature pattern is used to prevent penetration of the nanostructured or microstructured surface, even when the pressure of the fluid disposed on the surface is relatively high.