Abstract: A lift system for a spa cover includes a first arm rotatable about a first pivotal connection with a side of a spa and pivotally connected to a spa cover, a lift mechanism configured to provide for rotation of the first arm about its pivotal connection to the side of the spa, and a mechanical linkage between the lift-assist device and the first arm.

Abstract: A lift system for a spa cover includes a first lift assembly configured for coupling to a first side of a spa, the first lift assembly including a motor and a first lever arm, the first lever arm having a first end configured for driving connection to the motor, and a second end configured for operative connection to a spa cover, and a clutch assembly configured to transmit torque from the motor to the first lever arm, the clutch assembly including a drive plate rotatably driven by the motor, a clutch plate arranged parallel to the drive plate, and a plurality of projections extending from one of the drive plate and the clutch plate and being configured to engage a corresponding plurality of recesses in the other of the drive plate and the clutch plate.

Abstract: A lift system for a spa cover includes a first lift assembly configured for coupling to a first side of a spa, the first lift assembly including a motor and a first lever arm, the first lever arm having a first end configured for driving connection to the motor, and a second end configured for operative connection to a spa cover, and a clutch assembly configured to transmit torque from the motor to the first lever arm, the clutch assembly including a drive plate rotatably driven by the motor, a clutch plate arranged parallel to the drive plate, and a plurality of projections extending from one of the drive plate and the clutch plate and being configured to engage a corresponding plurality of recesses in the other of the drive plate and the clutch plate.

Abstract: A cover lift system for a spa includes a lifter handle having an upper arm and a lower arm telescopically connected to the upper arm, the upper arm being configured for operative connection to a cover of a spa, and the lower arm being configured for pivotal connection to a base of the spa, and an adjuster mechanism associated with the lifter handle for selectively adjusting a length of the lifter handle to allow for use of the lifter handle with spas of varying sizes.

Abstract: A lift system for a spa cover includes a fist lift assembly associated with a first side of a spa, and a second lift assembly associated with an opposed, second side of the spa. The first lift assembly includes a motor for applying an uncovering force to a spa cover. The second lift assembly includes a compression spring exerting a generally downward force on the cover when the cover is in the closed position, and a generally upwards force on the cover when the cover is moved towards an open position to assist in an uncovering operation. The second lift assembly also includes a tension spring configured to exert an upward force on the cover when the cover is in the open position to assist the first lift assembly in a covering operation.

Abstract: A lift system for a spa cover includes a fist lift assembly associated with a first side of a spa, and a second lift assembly associated with an opposed, second side of the spa. The first lift assembly includes a motor for applying an uncovering force to a spa cover. The second lift assembly includes a compression spring exerting a generally downward force on the cover when the cover is in the closed position, and a generally upwards force on the cover when the cover is moved towards an open position to assist in an uncovering operation. The second lift assembly also includes a tension spring configured to exert an upward force on the cover when the cover is in the open position to assist the first lift assembly in a covering operation.

Abstract: A cover lift system for a spa includes a lifter handle having an upper arm and a lower arm telescopically connected to the upper arm, the upper arm being configured for operative connection to a cover of a spa, and the lower arm being configured for pivotal connection to a base of the spa, and an adjuster mechanism associated with the lifter handle for selectively adjusting a length of the lifter handle to allow for use of the lifter handle with spas of varying sizes.

Abstract: A cover lift system for a spa includes a lifter handle having an upper arm and a lower arm telescopically connected to the upper arm, the upper arm being configured for operative connection to a cover of a spa, and the lower arm being configured for pivotal connection to a base of the spa, and an adjuster mechanism associated with the lifter handle for selectively adjusting a length of the lifter handle to allow for use of the lifter handle with spas of varying sizes.

Abstract: A cover lift system for a spa includes a lifter handle having an upper arm and a lower arm telescopically connected to the upper arm, the upper arm being configured for operative connection to a cover of a spa, and the lower arm being configured for pivotal connection to a base of the spa, and an adjuster mechanism associated with the lifter handle for selectively adjusting a length of the lifter handle to allow for use of the lifter handle with spas of varying sizes.

Abstract: A magnetic drive, seal-less combination axial air and water pump includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet at least one impeller mounted for rotation within the housing, and a magnetic drive surrounding the first rotor and the second rotor, the magnetic drive being configured to transmit torque to the first rotor and a second rotor at a location radially spaced from a central axis of the first rotor and the second rotor.

Abstract: A method is provided for filling an enclosure with an ignitable mixture of gases. The enclosure has an outer wall comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a fill aperture extending therethrough. The method comprises delivering a predetermined amount of pressurized combustible gas into the enclosure through the fill aperture, delivering a first predetermined amount of pressurized inert gas into the enclosure through the fill aperture at a first pressurization rate, delivering a second predetermined amount of pressurized inert gas into the enclosure through the fill aperture at a second pressurization rate, welding a sealing member to the outer wall of the enclosure by a welding process to form a weld operable to seal the fill aperture and to permit the enclosure to store pressurized gas therein. The first pressurization rate allows the first predetermined amount of pressurized inert gas to mix with the predetermined amount of pressurized combustible gas to form an ignitable mixture.

Abstract: a communication system comprises a plurality of downstream transmission systems configured to transmit downstream wireless communications to an area having a plurality of sectors over a plurality of downstream channels to a plurality of users in the plurality of sectors and a plurality of upstream receiver systems configured to receive upstream wireless communications over a plurality of upstream channels from the plurality of users in the plurality sectors. In an embodiment, the plurality of upstream channels comprise multiple contention channels associated with each of the plurality of sectors and a plurality of bearer channels associated with each of the plurality of sectors and the plurality of upstream receiver systems are further configured to receive a plurality of requests from the plurality of users over the multiple contention channels for access to the plurality of bearer channels.

Abstract: An inflator bottle adapted for controlled release of product gas to deploy an inflatable cushion and a method thereof is provided. The inflator bottle comprises a compartment filled with a combustible gas mixture having a partition that divides the compartment into a first region and a second region. Upon a crash event, an igniter on the inflator bottle ignites initiating combustion in the first region. Combustion propagates in the first region toward a nozzle building pressure in the first region sufficient to rupture a burst disk over the passage of the nozzle releasing product gas through the nozzle. The release of product gas through the nozzle draws combustible gas mixture from the second region flowing through the gas portal on the partition into the first region for combustion.

Abstract: An inflator bottle adapted for controlled release of product gas to deploy an inflatable cushion and a method thereof is provided. The inflator bottle comprises a compartment filled with a combustible gas mixture having a partition that divides the compartment into a first region and a second region. Upon a crash event, an igniter on the inflator bottle ignites initiating combustion in the first region. Combustion propagates in the first region toward a nozzle building pressure in the first region sufficient to rupture a burst disk over the passage of the nozzle releasing product gas through the nozzle. The release of product gas through the nozzle draws combustible gas mixture from the second region flowing through the gas portal on the partition into the first region for combustion.

Abstract: A method is provided for filling an enclosure with an ignitable mixture of gases. The enclosure has an outer wall comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a fill aperture extending therethrough. The method comprises delivering a predetermined amount of pressurized combustible gas into the enclosure through the fill aperture, delivering a first predetermined amount of pressurized inert gas into the enclosure through the fill aperture at a first pressurization rate, delivering a second predetermined amount of pressurized inert gas into the enclosure through the fill aperture at a second pressurization rate, welding a sealing member to the outer wall of the enclosure by a welding process to form a weld operable to seal the fill aperture and to permit the enclosure to store pressurized gas therein. The first pressurization rate allows the first predetermined amount of pressurized inert gas to mix with the predetermined amount of pressurized combustible gas to form an ignitable mixture.

Abstract: A combustible gas inflator and a method for filling and sealing the inflator are provided. The inflator includes an enclosure configured to receive and store the combustible gas under pressure. The enclosure has an outer wall comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a fill aperture extending therethrough. The fill aperture has a first aperture portion and a second aperture portion. The first aperture portion is proximate the exterior surface and the second aperture portion is proximate the interior surface, wherein the first aperture portion is larger than the second aperture portion. The inflator further includes a sealing member configured to seal the fill aperture. The sealing member has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to sealingly engage a portion of the second aperture portion and the second portion is configured to sealingly engage a portion of the first aperture portion.

Abstract: A communication system comprised of an upstream receiver system and a downstream transmission system in communication with a user. The downstream transmission system is configured to transmit downstream wireless communications to the user over a plurality of downstream channels. The upstream receiver system is configured to receive upstream wireless communications from the user over a plurality of upstream channels. The plurality of upstream channels includes more than one contention channel and a plurality of bearer channels. The upstream receiver system is configured to receive requests from the user, over the multiple contention channels, for access to the plurality of bearer channels for the upstream wireless communications.

Abstract: A castable martensitic mold alloy and process for preparing same are disclosed. The composition is characterized by a ductile fine grain tempered martensite having an HRC of about 40 to about 50. The process includes forming a molten fixture of the components and then slow cooling same without requiring an additional tempering heat treatment step as is required in conventional techniques. The components comprise: a) from about 5.0-15% Cr; b) from about 0.5-15% Ni; c) from about 0.1-10% Mo; d) not more than about 2% Si; e) from about 0.1-2% Mn; f) from about 0.1-2% C; g) not more than about 1% S; h) not more than about 1% P; i) not more than about 5% B; j) and the balance being substantially Fe.

Abstract: A wear-resistant Ni\Cu alloy and methods of preparing same are disclosed. The alloy comprises a ductile, continuous phase of Ni\Cu with a discontinuous phase of hardened Ti containing particles distributed throughout the continuous phase. The particles are Ti\Al intermetallic or complex TixAlyNiz complex or particle. The alloying components are poured and mixed in the melt under an inert atmosphere, then slowly cooled to provide the desired cast article. The alloy should be protected during melting and cooling in a protective atmosphere, such as a vacuum, or an inert atmosphere so as to inhibit oxide and nitride formation that would otherwise adversely affect desirable alloy properties.

Abstract: An air bag inflator providing a source of gas, releasable upon command, to inflate a supplemental inflation restraint (SIR) system commonly known as an automobile air bag. Provided is a pressure vessel containing one or more separate chambers for the purpose of storing gaseous fuel(s) and gaseous oxidizer(s) or liquid fuel(s) and liquid oxidizer(s) under pressure with helium as the primary filler gas. The primary function of the helium gas is to serve as a kinetic damper to modulate and control the reaction rate of the fuel(s) and oxidizer(s). Because of its low mass, high thermal conductivity and high heat capacity for its mass, helium is an excellent filler gas. In the case of the gaseous fuel(s) and oxidizer(s) a single chamber is provided. In the case of liquid fuel(s) and oxidizer(s), two or more separate housings are provided for storing the liquid fuel(s) and oxidizer(s).