Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes, a nonconducting isolator, and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Each actuator is a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, or piezo-controlled pneumatic element, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite.

Abstract: An isolator mount for the active dissipation of shocks and vibrations is presented. The invention includes at least one energy dissipating element disposed between deflectable elements so as to provide soft damping for small disturbance excitations, yet remaining sufficiently stiff to mitigate large shocks. The mount transfers mechanical energy to the dissipating element via the device structure. Dissipating element mitigates the energy in shocks and vibrations as either heat or magnetic energy. A snap-together modular embodiment enables the coupling of two or more isolators for use within a wide variety of shock and vibration applications. Quasi-static tuning of one or more mounts comprising a snap-together module facilitates an active response to changing conditions.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a current control device is presented. The method impregnates a pressure conduction composite within a current control device with a fluid additive via suffusion. The suffusion process is performed by placing the pressure conduction composite within a bath of a liquid additive. The method generally includes the steps of mixing a compressible non-conductive matrix and conductive filler, forming a pressure conduction composite composed of the non-conductive matrix having the conductive filler electrically isolated therein, suffusing the composite within a bath so as to impregnate the composite with an additive, and attaching a pair of conductive plates to the composite. Alternate methods include attaching non-conductive plates to the composite, forming pores within the pressure conduction composite, and inserting a temperature responsive material into a porous composite.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a current control device is presented. The method impregnates a pressure conduction composite within a current control device with a fluid additive via suffusion. The suffusion process is performed by placing the pressure conduction composite within a bath of a liquid additive. The method generally includes the steps of mixing a compressible non-conductive matrix and conductive filler, forming a pressure conduction composite composed of the non-conductive matrix having the conductive filler electrically isolated therein, suffusing the composite within a bath so as to impregnate the composite with an additive, and attaching a pair of conductive plates to the composite. Alternate methods include attaching non-conductive plates to the composite, forming pores within the pressure conduction composite, and inserting a temperature responsive material into a porous composite.

Abstract: This invention relates to the interactive mechanism for pausing video game data, either from streaming sources or from data embedded on the game and/or media itself. Game systems obtain their content from Compact Disks (CD's), Digital Versatile Disks, (DVD's), cartridges, removable game media, embedded storage, or any other storage media and from servers on the Internet. This may include any method of transmitting or containing game information from wired or wireless remote control devices, Internet sources to the media itself stemming from the game console or personal computer. This invention inserts time-limited generic content into the game play at the moment the pause or the button equivalent to the pause function is engaged, either on the game unit itself, through software on the personal computer, or through devices that control the ability to pause game play.

Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes, a nonconducting isolator, and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Each actuator is a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, or piezo-controlled pneumatic element, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite.

Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Actuators are composed of a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, and shape memory alloy materials, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite. Two or more current control devices are electrically coupled parallel to increase power handling.

Abstract: An isolator mount for the active dissipation of shocks and vibrations is presented. The invention includes at least one energy dissipating layer and deflectable elements so as to provide soft damping for small disturbance excitations, yet remaining sufficiently stiff to mitigate large shocks. The mount transfers mechanical energy to the dissipating layers via the device structure. Dissipating layers convert shock and vibration energies to either heat or magnetic energy.

Abstract: An isolator mount for the active dissipation of shocks and vibrations is presented. The invention includes at least one energy dissipating element disposed between deflectable elements so as to provide soft damping for small disturbance excitations, yet remaining sufficiently stiff to mitigate large shocks. The mount transfers mechanical energy to the dissipating element via the device structure. Dissipating element mitigates the energy in shocks and vibrations as either heat or magnetic energy. A snap-together modular embodiment enables the coupling of two or more isolators for use within a wide variety of shock and vibration applications. Quasi-static tuning of one or more mounts comprising a snap-together module facilitates an active response to changing conditions.

Abstract: An isolator mount for the active dissipation of shocks and vibrations is presented. The invention includes at least one energy dissipating element disposed between deflectable elements so as to provide soft damping for small disturbance excitations, yet remaining sufficiently stiff to mitigate large shocks. The mount transfers mechanical energy to the dissipating element via the device structure. Dissipating element mitigates the energy in shocks and vibrations as either heat or magnetic energy. A snap-together modular embodiment enables the coupling of two or more isolators for use within a wide variety of shock and vibration applications. Quasi-static tuning of one or more mounts comprising a snap-together module facilitates an active response to changing conditions.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an isolator mount is presented. The method includes plasticating a polymeric material, forcing the polymeric material through a shaping die, forming a continuous extrusion so that shear flow aligns a plurality of energy damping particulates within the polymeric material along a preferred direction, and cutting the continuous extrusion after the forming step. In yet another embodiment, the fabrication process includes extruding a polymeric material having a plurality of energy damping inclusions therein, inducing a magnetic flux density field so as to align the energy damping inclusions in a preferred direction before cooling of the polymeric material, and inducing a magnetic bias across the polymeric material so as to form an RL equivalent circuit.

Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Actuators are composed of a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, and shape memory materials, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite. In an alternate embodiment, two or more current control devices are electrically coupled parallel to increase power handling.

Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes, a nonconducting isolator, and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Each actuator is a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, or piezo-controlled pneumatic element, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite.

Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Actuators are composed of a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, and shape memory alloy materials, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite. Two or more current control devices are electrically coupled parallel to increase power handling.

Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Actuators are composed of a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, and shape memory materials, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite. In an alternate embodiment, two or more current control devices are electrically coupled parallel to increase power handling.

Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes, a nonconducting isolator, and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Actuators are composed of a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, and shape memory alloy materials, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite. In an alternate embodiment, two or more current control devices are electrically coupled parallel to increase power handling.

Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Actuators are composed of a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, and shape memory alloy materials, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite. In an alternate embodiment, two or more current control devices are electrically coupled parallel to increase power handling.

Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes, a nonconducting isolator, and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Actuators are composed of a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, and shape memory alloy materials, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite. In an alternate embodiment, two or more current control devices are electrically coupled parallel to increase power handling.

Abstract: A head positioner is described wherein a read/write head is slidably propelled along an arm by an electrically, an acoustically, or an magnetically active material. One embodiment is comprised of a driver arm with a single slidable positioner. The driver arm is composed of a rail with two driver layers. An isolator layer between rail and each driver layer prevents distortion of rail when driver layers are activated. A wear-resistant, low-friction layer prevents damage to driver layer and facilitates sliding motion between positioner and driver arm. Positioner is propelled along driver arm by energizing driver layer composed of either a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostatic, electromagnetic, or electrostatic material. At least one read/write head is attached to the positioner for data communication purposes with a storage element. In an alternate embodiment, two positioners are separately and independently slidable along a single driver arm.

Abstract: A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Actuators are composed of a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, and shape memory alloy materials, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite. In an alternate embodiment, two or more current control devices are electrically coupled parallel to increase power handling.