Abstract: A scroll pump tip seal to be fitted to a tip face of a scroll wall of a first scroll of a scroll pump to seal between the tip face and a base plate of a second scroll of the scroll pump has a first end, a second end and a plurality of flexure formations. The flexure formations are at least partial discontinuities in the tip seal disposed at spaced apart intervals between the first and second ends of the tip to facilitate lateral flexure of the tip seal.

Abstract: A scroll pump tip seal to be fitted to a tip face of a scroll wall of a first scroll of a scroll pump to seal between said tip face and a base plate of a second scroll of the scroll pump. The tip seal is made of metal and has at least one internally disposed void. The metal tip seal may be made of a foamed metal defining a plurality of internally disposed voids.

Abstract: A scroll pump tip seal to seal a single stage of a scroll pump that includes a first scroll and a second scroll. The tip seal is formed of a plurality of seal segments fitted contiguously end to end to a tip face the scroll wall of the scroll to form a continuous seal between the tip face and a base plate of the second scroll.

Abstract: Techniques for evaluating the performance and effectiveness of user support services and capital resources are disclosed herein. One or more tools are provided that allow a user support services group to be managed more efficiently. User support services groups are managed as a typical profit and loss (P&L) center, and one or more tools provides a P&L-type interface that allows user services support managers to make balancing decision taking into account revenue and cost considerations.

Abstract: A system for controlling a rotation of one or more solar panels about an axis of rotation, comprising one or more solar panels defining a longitudinal axis, one or more bellows actuators coupled to the one or more solar panels and defining an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the panels, a fluid source, a first valve circuit coupled to the bellows actuators and the fluid source, a second valve circuit coupled to the bellows actuators and the fluid source, and a controller, wherein introduction or release of fluid from one or more of the bellows actuators is configured to cause rotation of the one or more actuators about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A pneumatic control unit configured to inflate a first and second set of bellows with fluid from a pneumatic fluid source via a pneumatic circuit, the first and second set of bellows associated with one or more pneumatic actuators. The pneumatic control unit determines a target configuration of the actuators based on a determined current position of the sun; determines a current configuration of the actuators; determines a difference between the determined current configuration and target configuration of the actuators; determines that the difference between current configuration and the target configuration of the actuators is outside of a tolerance range; and actuates the actuators toward the determined target configuration by at least one of inflating the first or second set of bellows with fluid from the pneumatic fluid source via the pneumatic circuit.

Abstract: An actuator that includes a bottom plate, a top-plate, and a first and second hub assembly extending between the bottom and top plates. The actuator can further include a first and second bellows disposed on opposing sides of the hub assemblies, the first and second bellows each extending between and coupled to the top plate and bottom plate. The actuator can also include a plurality of washers disposed between the top and bottom plates, with each of the washers coupled to the first and second hub assembly, a first set of the plurality of washers surrounding the first bellows and a second set of the plurality of washers surrounding the second bellows.

Abstract: Embodiments directed to a method of manufacturing a pyrotechnic article for use with a thermal battery are disclosed. The method includes forming an iron oxide preform from iron oxide powder. The method also includes reducing the iron oxide preform to an iron preform made of metallic iron. The method further includes impregnating the iron preform with an oxidizer to form the pyrotechnic article.

Abstract: At least a portion of the enclosure of a thermal battery is formed of a ceramic material that is non-porous and electrically-non-conductive. The thermal battery includes at least one cell, a squib that when activated causes the at least one cell to become active, and an enclosure that surrounds the at least one cell and the squib. Squib terminals and battery terminals extend through the enclosure and are electrically connected to the squib and to the at least one cell, respectively. At least the portion of the enclosure through which the squib and battery terminals extend is formed of the ceramic material. The enclosure includes a container and a header. At least the header is made from the ceramic material, and preferably both the container and the header are made from the ceramic material.

Abstract: A cathode material includes a primary active cathode material and an amount of NiS2. Primary batteries (e.g., thermal batteries) can be provided that contain such a cathode material.

Abstract: At least a portion of the enclosure of a thermal battery is formed of a ceramic material that is non-porous and electrically-non-conductive. The thermal battery includes at least one cell, a squib that when activated causes the at least one cell to become active, and an enclosure that surrounds the at least one cell and the squib. Squib terminals and battery terminals extend through the enclosure and are electrically connected to the squib and to the at least one cell, respectively. At least the portion of the enclosure through which the squib and battery terminals extend is formed of the ceramic material. The enclosure includes a container and a header. At least the header is made from the ceramic material, and preferably both the container and the header are made from the ceramic material.

Abstract: Cathode materials for use in thermal batteries are disclosed. The cathode material includes a primary active material and an amount of a bi-metal sulfide such as CuFeS2. Batteries (e.g., thermal batteries) that contain such cathode materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ternary or quaternary electrolyte material for use in thermal batteries that is substantially free of binders is disclosed. Composites of electrodes and electrolytes that contain the electrolyte material and batteries that contain the electrolyte material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cathode material includes a primary active cathode material and an amount of NiS2. Primary batteries (e.g., thermal batteries) can be provided that contain such a cathode material.

Abstract: Cathode materials for use in thermal batteries are disclosed. The cathode material includes a primary active material and an amount of a bi-metal sulfide such as CuFeS2. Batteries (e.g., thermal batteries) that contain such cathode materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ternary or quaternary electrolyte material for use in thermal batteries that is substantially free of binders is disclosed. Composites of electrodes and electrolytes that contain the electrolyte material and batteries that contain the electrolyte material are also disclosed.

Abstract: An oil pump for an engine having a first cam shaft and a second cam shaft. The oil pump includes a housing and a first pump assembly at least partially disposed within the housing. The first pump assembly includes a rotating element that is adapted to be directly driven by the first cam shaft A second pump assembly is at least partially disposed within the housing. The second pump assembly includes a rotating element that is adapted to be directly driven by the second cam shaft.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided which automatically distribute tasks associated with a telephone system and tasks associated with a computer system between a plurality of agents tracking ACD telephone status of the plurality of agents and tracking computer status of the plurality of agents. When a request for a computer task is received, an agent of the plurality of agents is assigned to the computer task corresponding to the received request based on the ACD telephone status and the computer status of the agent of the plurality of agents.

Abstract: A slatwall system having a central, female, and male channels. The central channel includes top and bottom slots, as does the female channel, whereas the male channel includes a top slot and a bottom tongue. The channels may be arrayed on a wall such that the female channel bottom slot and the central channel top slot face each other, and so that the central channel bottom slot and the male channel top slot face each other. The facing slots of these channels thereby define grooves where hanging implements may be inserted. Further, the female and male channels are sized and configured such that when a male channel bottom tongue is inserted within a female channel top slot, the combined female and male channels have substantially the same size and configuration as the central channel; in other words, the male channel top slot resembles the central channel top slot and the female channel bottom slot resembles the central channel bottom slot.

Abstract: A system for accommodating persons confined to wheelchairs in a public transportation vehicle, such as a bus, includes a main turntable having a padded centerpost. A ramp attached to the vehicle effects conveying of the wheelchair and the person occupying it to the edge of the turntable, allowing the wheelchair to be moved onto one of a plurality of stations into which the turntable is divided. The turntable is then rotated to align another station for receiving another wheelchair from the ramp.