Abstract: A device for applying an adjustable and simultaneous compression on vessel access points. The device comprises a frame comprising a body with at least two cavities through the body to be placed about surfaces of a patient corresponding to the at least two cavities. At least two compression members are movably fitted in the cavities, wherein a portion of the frame defines a space into which a portion of the compression member is fitted and around which it hinges. A side of the compression members opposite a portion around which it hinges comprises a locking mechanism which releasably engages with the frame at an interface between said side and the frame to lock each one of the at least two compression members in a given hinge position for applying the pressure onto the vessel access point depending on the hinge position.

Abstract: There is described a device for applying an adjustable and simultaneous compression on vessel access points. The device comprises a frame comprising a body with at least two cavities through the body to be placed about surfaces of a patient corresponding to the at least two cavities. At least two compression members are movably fitted in the cavities, wherein a portion of the frame defines a space into which a portion of the compression member is fitted and around which it hinges. A side of the compression members opposite a portion around which it hinges comprises a locking mechanism which releasably engages with the frame at an interface between said side and the frame to lock each one of the at least two compression members in a given hinge position for applying the pressure onto the vessel access point depending on the hinge position.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to hoisting accessories for wind turbines. The hoisting accessory is configured to be rotatably attached to the rotor hub and is further configured to assume a hoisting configuration and a passive configuration, wherein in the hoisting configuration, a wind turbine blade can be hoisted and mounted substantially vertically to the rotor hub, and wherein in the passive configuration, the rotor hub carrying one or more wind turbine blades can be rotated. The present disclosure also relates to kits including such hoisting accessories and methods of hoisting wind turbine blades.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a method of lowering a wind turbine blade assembly comprising a wind turbine blade and a pitch bearing from a wind turbine hub is provided. The method of lowering a wind turbine blade assembly comprises positioning the wind turbine blade in a substantially horizontal position, holding the wind turbine blade in the substantially horizontal position with a crane, removing the blade assembly from the hub and lowering the blade assembly with the crane. In a further aspect, a method of disassembling a pitch bearing from a wind turbine hub using a tool having a socket wrench is provided. In yet a further aspect, tool for connecting or disconnecting a wind turbine blade assembly to or from a hub of a wind turbine is provided.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a method of lowering a wind turbine blade assembly comprising a wind turbine blade and a pitch bearing from a wind turbine hub is provided. The method of lowering a wind turbine blade assembly comprises positioning the wind turbine blade in a substantially horizontal position, holding the wind turbine blade in the substantially horizontal position with a crane, removing the blade assembly from the hub and lowering the blade assembly with the crane. In a further aspect, a method of disassembling a pitch bearing from a wind turbine hub using a tool having a socket wrench is provided. In yet a further aspect, tool for connecting or disconnecting a wind turbine blade assembly to or from a hub of a wind turbine is provided.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed of forming a joint between a relatively hardened strip of material, such as a molded and cured conveyor belt strip, and an adjacent material that is in the process of curing. The curing material shrinks during the curing process, pulling away from the edge of the relatively hardened strip. The method includes moving the relatively hardened strip of material toward the curing, adjacent material strip to compensate for the shrinkage. An apparatus, for example, grips the relatively hardened strip of material and maintains a constant pressure at the interface between the relatively hardened strip of material and the curing material strip while the latter cures and shrinks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal framing system for securing cladding to the interior or exterior of a structure. The framing system comprises hat channels, face plates, Z-channels, inside corner trims, outside corner trims, and window trims. The components of the framing system are secured to a wall of a structure, then panels of cladding are secured to the components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layered framing system for securing cladding to an exterior wall having exterior insulation. The framing system provides horizontal elements positioned across the exterior insulation, wherein the horizontal elements are secured to studs within the wall using fasteners. Vertical elements are secured to the horizontal elements. Then panels of cladding are secured to the vertical elements.

Abstract: To perform a tool exchange in a medical robotic system, tool is retracted back into an entry guide from a deployed position and pose so that an assistant in the operating room may replace it with a different tool. While the tool is being retracted back towards the entry guide by user action, its configuration is changed to an entry pose while avoiding collisions with other objects so that it may fit in the entry guide. After the tool exchange is completed, a new tool is inserted in the entry guide and extended out of the guide by user action to the original position of the old tool prior to its retraction into the entry guide while the tool's controller assists the user by reconfiguring the new tool so as to resemble the original deployed pose of the old tool prior to its retraction into the entry guide.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly including a moveable terminal stabilizer is presented. The terminal stabilizer is moveable from a stabilizing position to a stowed position. In the stabilizing position terminal stabilizer is near the tips of the terminals and in the stowed position is near the base of the terminals. The tip of the terminal is received in an aperture defined by the terminal, whereby the terminal stabilizer protects the terminal from being bent away from the terminal axis by a force applied to the terminal in a direction substantially orthogonal to the terminal axis. The terminal stabilizer also includes an integral lock retainer that engages a terminal lock member when the terminal stabilizer is in the stowed position thereby inhibiting movement of the lock member and disengaging the lock member when the terminal stabilizer is in the stabilizing position thereby allowing movement of the lock member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layered framing system for securing cladding to an exterior wall having exterior insulation. The framing system provides horizontal elements positioned across the exterior insulation, wherein the horizontal elements are secured to studs within the wall using fasteners. Vertical elements are secured to the horizontal elements. Then panels of cladding are secured to the vertical elements.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly including a moveable terminal stabilizer is presented. The terminal stabilizer is moveable from a stabilizing position to a stowed position. In the stabilizing position terminal stabilizer is near the tips of the terminals and in the stowed position is near the base of the terminals. The tip of the terminal is received in an aperture defined by the terminal, whereby the terminal stabilizer protects the terminal from being bent away from the terminal axis by a force applied to the terminal in a direction substantially orthogonal to the terminal axis. The terminal stabilizer also includes an integral lock retainer that engages a terminal lock member when the terminal stabilizer is in the stowed position thereby inhibiting movement of the lock member and disengaging the lock member when the terminal stabilizer is in the stabilizing position thereby allowing movement of the lock member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal framing system for securing cladding to the interior or exterior of a structure. The framing system comprises hat channels, face plates, Z-channels, inside corner trims, outside corner trims, and window trims. The components of the framing system are secured to a wall of a structure, then panels of cladding are secured to the components.

Abstract: A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with surgical tools and a camera extending out of its distal end. To supplement the view provided by an image captured by the camera, an auxiliary view including articulatable arms of the surgical tools and/or camera is generated from sensed or otherwise determined information about their positions and orientations and displayed on a display screen from the perspective of a specified viewing point. Intuitive control is provided to an operator with respect to the auxiliary view while the operator controls the positioning and orienting of the camera.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a portable metrology device are described. One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus including a first link, a first probe coupled with the first link by a first coupling operable to move in a first degree of freedom, a second probe coupled with the first link by a second coupling operable to move in a second degree of freedom, a first sensor operable to output a first sensor signal associated with a motion of the first coupling, and a second sensor operable to output a second sensor signal associated with a motion of the second coupling. The embodiment also includes a processor in communication with the first and second sensors and operable to: receive the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, and determine a distance between the first probe and the second probe based at least in part on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.

Abstract: To perform a tool exchange in a medical robotic system, tool is retracted back into an entry guide from a deployed position and pose so that an assistant in the operating room may replace it with a different tool. While the tool is being retracted back towards the entry guide by user action, its configuration is changed to an entry pose while avoiding collisions with other objects so that it may fit in the entry guide. After the tool exchange is completed, a new tool is inserted in the entry guide and extended out of the guide by user action to the original position of the old tool prior to its retraction into the entry guide while the tool's controller assists the user by reconfiguring the new tool so as to resemble the original deployed pose of the old tool prior to its retraction into the entry guide.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a portable metrology device are described. One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus including a first link, a first probe coupled with the first link by a first coupling operable to move in a first degree of freedom, a second probe coupled with the first link by a second coupling operable to move in a second degree of freedom, a first sensor operable to output a first sensor signal associated with a motion of the first coupling, and a second sensor operable to output a second sensor signal associated with a motion of the second coupling. The embodiment also includes a processor in communication with the first and second sensors and operable to: receive the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, and determine a distance between the first probe and the second probe based at least in part on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a portable metrology device are described. One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus including a first link, a first probe coupled with the first link by a first coupling operable to move in a first degree of freedom, a second probe coupled with the first link by a second coupling operable to move in a second degree of freedom, a first sensor operable to output a first sensor signal associated with a motion of the first coupling, and a second sensor operable to output a second sensor signal associated with a motion of the second coupling. The embodiment also includes a processor in communication with the first and second sensors and operable to: receive the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, and determine a distance between the first probe and the second probe based at least in part on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.

Abstract: Object simulation and interaction of and between computer-generated or graphical objects in a virtual space includes neutral scene graphs, data structures and procedures for using such graphs and data structures.

Abstract: A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with surgical tools and a camera extending out of its distal end. To supplement the view provided by an image captured by the camera, an auxiliary view including articulatable arms of the surgical tools and/or camera is generated from sensed or otherwise determined information about their positions and orientations and displayed on a display screen from the perspective of a specified viewing point. Intuitive control is provided to an operator with respect to the auxiliary view while the operator controls the positioning and orienting of the camera.