Abstract: A breakaway connector apparatus for joining a first tubing section to a second tubing section includes a first member and a second member positioned axially opposite the first member. The second member includes a male portion extending from the second member. A housing is disposed between the first and second members, the housing including a socket shaped to receive the male portion of the second member. An axial passage provides a flow path defined inside the housing between the first and second members. A stem is disposed in the axial passage between the first and second members. A first valve is disposed on the first or second member, and the stem engages the first valve and opens the first valve to allow flow between the first and second members through the axial passage when the male portion of the second member is fully received in the socket of the housing.

Abstract: A chip or debris trap or collector retains chips, fragments and other debris generated when a serrated or splined, press fit connection is assembled between a shaft and another component such as a housing, gear, pulley or bearing. The chip collector includes a circumferential channel or groove disposed about the shaft adjacent the ring of serrations or male splines and an adjacent circumferential flange. An optional second channel or groove resides in the other component. As the shaft and the component are assembled, chips, fragments or other debris generated by the interference fit and axial sliding assembly of the components are collected in the channel or channels and retained there as the shaft fully seats within the other component.

Abstract: A therapy device is provided for trismus prevention and treatment, and includes a first arm hingedly connected to a second arm, and a spring device disposed therebetween to press the first and second arms apart. A pair of bite pads are provided at the ends of each of the first and second arms and are designed to be engaged by a user's teeth or gums in order to bite down on the device to exercise the user's jaw, and more specifically, the muscles of mastication.

Abstract: A chip or debris trap or collector retains chips, fragments and other debris generated when a serrated or splined, press fit connection is assembled between a shaft and another component such as a housing, gear, pulley or bearing. The chip collector includes a circumferential channel or groove disposed about the shaft adjacent the ring of serrations or male splines and an adjacent circumferential flange. An optional second channel or groove resides in the other component. As the shaft and the component are assembled, chips, fragments or other debris generated by the interference fit and axial sliding assembly of the components are collected in the channel or channels and retained there as the shaft fully seats within the other component.

Abstract: A therapy device is provided for trismus prevention and treatment, and includes a first arm hingedly connected to a second arm, and a spring device disposed therebetween to press the first and second arms apart. A pair of bite pads are provided at the ends of each of the first and second arms and are designed to be engaged by a user's teeth or gums in order to bite down on the device to exercise the user's jaw, and more specifically, the muscles of mastication.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an excavator that is operable in manual and automatic modes and uses state machines to effect unit operations, rotationally offset swing actuators to rotate boom and cutter head, a fail safe hydraulic system to maintain gripper pressure in the event of a malfunction of the hydraulic system, differing position and pressure control functions in the hydraulic actuators, a kinematic module to effect pitch and roll adjustments, a cutting face profile generator to generate a profile of the excavation face, and an optimization module to realize a high degree of optimization of excavator operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an excavator that is operable in manual and automatic modes and uses state machines to effect unit operations, rotationally offset swing actuators to rotate boom and cutter head, a fail safe hydraulic system to maintain gripper pressure in the event of a malfunction of the hydraulic system, differing position and pressure control functions in the hydraulic actuators, a kinematic module to effect pitch and roll adjustments, a cutting face profile generator to generate a profile of the excavation face, and an optimization module to realize a high degree of optimization of excavator operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an excavator that is operable in manual and automatic modes and uses state machines to effect unit operations, rotationally offset swing actuators to rotate boom and cutter head, a fail safe hydraulic system to maintain gripper pressure in the event of a malfunction of the hydraulic system, differing position and pressure control functions in the hydraulic actuators, a kinematic module to effect pitch and roll adjustments, a cutting face profile generator to generate a profile of the excavation face, and an optimization module to realize a high degree of optimization of excavator operation.

Abstract: A toxicant detection system comprises at least one watertight chamber containing a mollusk. Water to be screened is introduced into the chamber. The mollusk is preferably supported on a mounting structure which facilitates quick mounting of the mollusk in the device, comprising a releasable element affixed to the shell of the mollusk, e.g., a bolt which is screwed into a nut affixed to the mollusk's shell. A sensing apparatus is provided which includes a movable member supported in the chamber so that it engages the shell of the mollusk, and moves when the shell opens and closes. The sensing apparatus detects the position of the mollusk shell based on the position of the movable member. The sensing apparatus preferably includes a Hall effect transducer which co-acts with a magnet carried on the movable member.

Abstract: A metal alloy which when oxidized forms a highly conductive surface oxide layer. Alloy compositions such as, but not limited to, Ti—Nb, Ti—Ta, La—Sr—Cr, and La—Sr—Co are known to form oxide passivation layers which are highly conductive. Such alloys are useful in electrical contact apparatus. An electrical contact element formed of the alloy has a contact surface which when oxidized forms a highly conductive surface layer, thus maintaining electrical conductivity and continuity through the element. The oxide layer may be formed in situ after assembly of the electrical contact or may be provided in an oxidative step during manufacture. The electrical contact may be formed entirely of one or more of such alloys; or may be formed of an inexpensive substrate base metal, such as steel, having one or more of the alloys coated thereupon; or may be formed of a mixture of the base metal and the alloy.

Abstract: A method for simulating a clinical trial includes: selecting a trial procedure for a simulated trial corresponding to the clinical trial; generating a population of subjects for the simulated trial; searching the population of subjects to determine acceptable subjects for the simulated trial; selecting subjects for the simulated trial from the acceptable subjects; simulating the trial procedure for the selected subjects; and collecting trial data for the simulated trial from the simulated trial procedure.

Abstract: A method for generating a continuous mathematical model of a feature common to subjects in a subject group includes selecting a sample data set from each subject in the subject group, selecting a set of expansion functions to be used in the representation of the sample data set, mathematically expanding each member of the sample data set in the form of a summation of results of multiplying each the expansion function in the set of expansion functions by a different mathematical parameter wherein the expanding determines a value for each of the different mathematical parameters, deriving a corresponding distribution function for each of the mathematical parameters, and generating the continuous mathematical model of the feature from the derived distribution functions and the expansion functions. In this way, the model is continuous in time, incorporates dependencies between various parameters, and allows for creation of simulated subjects having pertinent features occurring in real subjects.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for use in a stack of fuel cell modules includes a bipolar plate that has at least one surface containing a metal alloy oxidizable to form a metal oxide having a surface resistance no greater than about 0.007 ohm-cm2. The metal alloy is oxidized to form a layer of metal oxide having a thickness of about 10?8 cm to about 10?2 cm and a resistivity no greater than about 107 ohm-cm. In addition to their use in fuel cells, the alloys can be employed to form conductive surfaces of electrical contacts useful for various electrical devices.

Abstract: A method for generating a continuous mathematical model of a feature common to subjects in a subject group includes selecting a sample data set from each subject in the subject group, selecting a set of expansion functions to be used in the representation of the sample data set, mathematically expanding each member of the sample data set in the form of a summation of results of multiplying each the expansion function in the set of expansion functions by a different mathematical parameter wherein the expanding determines a value for each of the different mathematical parameters, deriving a corresponding distribution function for each of the mathematical parameters, and generating the continuous mathematical model of the feature from the derived distribution functions and the expansion functions. In this way, the model is continuous in time, incorporates dependencies between various parameters, and allows for creation of simulated subjects having pertinent features occurring in real subjects.

Abstract: Described is a metal alloy comprising at least two metal elements which are not precious metals, said alloy being capable of forming a surface metal oxide layer that is conductive having a contact resistivity of 100 ?cm or less after the alloy has been subjected to 125° C. for 1008 hours. Also described is a process of preparing a metal alloy providing two metal elements which are not precious metals and oxidizing the metal alloy to produce a surface metal oxide layer that is conductive having a contact resistivity of 100 ?-cm or less after the alloy has been subjected to 125° C. for 1008 hours.

Abstract: A mathematical model specifically for diabetes may be generated which may be continuous in time, in that there are no discrete time steps, and any event can occur at any times. The model may be generated using differential equations, object oriented programming, and features. The model may be used to simulate patients who have contracted or may contract type 1 or type 2 diabetes, which greatly improves the efficiency of treating patients and designing clinical trials.

Abstract: An electromagnetic microactuator having a ferromagnetic substrate, preferably steel. A plurality of layers are deposited upon the substrate including an insulating layer, a seed layer and first and second photoresist layers. The first photoresist layer provides a coil well which defines the deposition location of a coil metal. The second photoresist layer provides central and peripheral core wells which define the deposition locations of a central core and a peripheral core, respectively. The second photoresist layer intersticially fills and protectively covers the coil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an excavator that is operable in manual and automatic modes and uses state machines to effect unit operations, rotationally offset swing actuators to rotate boom and cutter head, a fail safe hydraulic system to maintain gripper pressure in the event of a malfunction of the hydraulic system, differing position and pressure control functions in the hydraulic actuators, a kinematic module to effect pitch and roll adjustments, a cutting face profile generator to generate a profile of the excavation face, and an optimization module to realize a high degree of optimization of excavator operation.

Abstract: A toxicant detection system comprises at least one watertight chamber containing a mollusk. Water to be screened is introduced into the chamber. The mollusk is preferably supported on a mounting structure which facilitates quick mounting of the mollusk in the device, comprising a releasable element affixed to the shell of the mollusk, e.g., a bolt which is screwed into a nut affixed to the mollusk's shell. A sensing apparatus is provided which includes a movable member supported in the chamber so that it engages the shell of the mollusk, and moves when the shell opens and closes. The sensing apparatus detects the position of the mollusk shell based on the position of the movable member. The sensing apparatus preferably includes a Hall effect transducer which co-acts with a magnet carried on the movable member.

Abstract: A ball retrieval, storage, and dispensing system having a hollow tube with a diameter slightly larger than a ball that is to be placed within the tube. Positioned at the top of the hollow tube is an upper cap having a hollow center portion and at least two hook members. Integrally molded about a ridge on the annular ring is a flange member having an upper diameter and a lower diameter. The lower diameter is slightly larger than the circumference of a ball to be placed with the tube and the upper diameter is slightly smaller than the circumference of the same ball. The flange member is made from a resilient flexible material which enables the upper diameter of the flange member to bend inwardly when a ball is "squeezed" through the annular ring and return to its original position after the ball has completely passed through the upper cap. An elastic retaining band, in conjunction with the resilient flexible flange member, permits the balls to be securely stored within the hollow tube.