Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: A steerable delivery system is provided for delivering a replacement heart valve to a native heart valve location. The steerable delivery system includes an outer sheath assembly having a capsule along a distal end portion for retaining the replacement heart valve in a compressed configuration. The capsule is constructed to provide both compression resistance and flexibility. The capsule may be formed with an outer polymer layer, a metal middle layer located on a radially inner surface of the outer polymer layer, and an inner liner located on a radially inner surface of the metal middle layer. A fluoroelastomer layer is provided for bonding the inner liner to the metal middle layer. The metal middle layer is preferably a metal hypotube.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for navigation in a GPS-denied environment that do not rely on locations of known points. Instead, the operator can measure distance and/or inclination as well as azimuth to arbitrary points on the visual horizon (or sub-horizon) from their location. These observations can then be compared to precomputed distances and inclinations for corresponding azimuths to the visual horizon of a grid of points based on known surface terrain data. The closest grid point to the observer's location obtained in this way can be refined using a model of the surrounding environment, allowing for the operators position to be quickly and accurately determined.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for navigation in a GPS-denied environment that do not rely on locations of known points. Instead, the operator can measure distance and/or inclination as well as azimuth to arbitrary points on the visual horizon (or sub-horizon) from their location. These observations can then be compared to precomputed distances and inclinations for corresponding azimuths to the visual horizon of a grid of points based on known surface terrain data. The closest grid point to the observer's location obtained in this way can be refined using a model of the surrounding environment, allowing for the operators position to be quickly and accurately determined.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for navigation in a GPS-denied environment that do not rely on locations of known points. Instead, the operator can measure distance and/or inclination as well as azimuth to arbitrary points on the visual horizon (or sub-horizon) from their location. These observations can then be compared to precomputed distances and inclinations for corresponding azimuths to the visual horizon of a grid of points based on known surface terrain data. The closest grid point to the observer's location obtained in this way can be refined using a model of the surrounding environment, allowing for the operators position to be quickly and accurately determined.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for navigation in a GPS-denied environment that do not rely on locations of known points. Instead, the operator can measure distance and/or inclination as well as azimuth to arbitrary points on the visual horizon (or sub-horizon) from their location. These observations can then be compared to precomputed distances and inclinations for corresponding azimuths to the visual horizon of a grid of points based on known surface terrain data. The closest grid point to the observer's location obtained in this way can be refined using a model of the surrounding environment, allowing for the operators position to be quickly and accurately determined.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for navigation in a GPS-denied environment that do not rely on locations of known points. Instead, the operator can measure distance and/or inclination as well as azimuth to arbitrary points on the visual horizon (or sub-horizon) from their location. These observations can then be compared to precomputed distances and inclinations for corresponding azimuths to the visual horizon of a grid of points based on known surface terrain data. The closest grid point to the observer's location obtained in this way can be refined using a model of the surrounding environment, allowing for the operators position to be quickly and accurately determined.

Abstract: A strain measurement device includes a reference material, and a displacement sensor configured to detect relative changes in distance between the sensor and the reference material. At least one of the displacement sensor and the reference material is coupled with a pre-cured elastomeric material. The displacement sensor generates a data signal to a processor that is configured to determine a strain of another elastomeric material based at least in part on the data signal received from the sensor. A displacement sensor and a reference material may be positioned within an elastomeric material within a casing of a solid rocket motor for determining strain experienced by the elastomeric material, such as the propellant of the solid rocket motor. A method includes installing a sensor of an elastomeric material. Another method includes determining strain of an elastomeric material of a solid rocket motor.

Abstract: A strain measurement device includes a reference material, and a displacement sensor configured to detect relative changes in distance between the sensor and the reference material. At least one of the displacement sensor and the reference material is coupled with a pre-cured elastomeric material. The displacement sensor generates a data signal to a processor that is configured to determine a strain of another elastomeric material based at least in part on the data signal received from the sensor. A displacement sensor and a reference material may be positioned within an elastomeric material within a casing of a solid rocket motor for determining strain experienced by the elastomeric material, such as the propellant of the solid rocket motor. A method includes installing a sensor of an elastomeric material. Another method includes determining strain of an elastomeric material of a solid rocket motor.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes natural antimicrobial carpet pads that are flexible and resilient sheets of predominantly natural plant fibers and/or animal fibers. These fibers have been subjected to a nonwoven needling process to form a mat. An antimicrobial material is intermixed with the plant and animal fibers. The antimicrobial material may also serve as a bonding agent for the fibers.

Abstract: A self-pointing antenna has a reflector, a feed or a sub-reflector and a plurality of support struts coupled between the reflector and the boom arm and supporting the feed or sub-reflector. At least one actuator is operatively coupled with the support struts for adjusting the position of the feed or sub-reflector relative to the reflector so as to selectively adjust either/or both of the beam elevation and azimuth of a main beam axis of the antenna.

Abstract: A crankshaft damper includes a hub and a rim. The rim has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the hub. A plurality of spokes connects the rim to the hub. An axial inner surface is formed on the rim and projects forwardly of the spokes. A damper support includes a band and a collar. The band is retained to the axial inner surface of the rim and the collar projects radially outwardly beyond the outer diameter of the rim. An elastomeric member is mounted on the collar and faces the rim. A damper is mounted on the elastomeric member and faces the rim. The elastomeric member and damper are positioned radially beyond the rim to dampen torsional and axial vibrations.

Abstract: Reactive fluids that react upon contact and are intended to be combined only at a site of application that is remote or not easily accessible are transported to the site by separate crescent internal gear pumps whose pump rates are governed by a control loop that uses individual mass flow rates and a common automatic controller. In preferred embodiments, a multi-lumen cable is used to convey the pump outputs individually to the application site, and an application head at the distal end of the cable both combines the individual flows and dispenses them to the site. The invention is useful for a variety of reactive systems and applications, but particularly for applying two-component epoxy linings to underground pipes.

Abstract: A crankshaft damper includes a hub and a rim. The rim has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the hub. A plurality of spokes connects the rim to the hub. An axial inner surface is formed on the rim and projects forwardly of the spokes. A damper support includes a band and a collar. The band is retained to the axial inner surface of the rim and the collar projects radially outwardly beyond the outer diameter of the rim. An elastomeric member is mounted on the collar and faces the rim. A damper is mounted on the elastomeric member and faces the rim. The elastomeric member and damper are positioned radially beyond the rim to dampen torsional and axial vibrations.

Abstract: A self-pointing antenna has a reflector, a feed or a sub-reflector and a plurality of support struts coupled between the reflector and the boom arm and supporting the feed or sub-reflector. At least one actuator is operatively coupled with the support struts for adjusting the position of the feed or sub-reflector relative to the reflector so as to selectively adjust either/or both of the beam elevation and azimuth of a main beam axis of the antenna.

Abstract: A machine learning based electronic mail system. A classifier and action selection module analyzes the incoming message and classifies the messages with associated confidence levels, which may include analyzing the electronic message by tokenization of the text, morphological analysis of the text, and other well known processes. The classifier and action selection module then determines the appropriate action or actions to effect on the message.

Abstract: A bushing is disclosed with a sleeve. The sleeve member has an inner surface and a cavity. A core member is disposed in the cavity. A pair of elastomeric members are disposed in the cavity. One of the pair of elastomeric members is adjacent to the core. The other of the pair of elastomeric members is adjacent to the inner surface. The one of the pair of elastomeric members has a modulus that is greater than the other of the pair of elastomeric members so that one of said pair of elastomeric members absorbs low frequency vibration and the other of the pair of elastomeric members absorbs high frequency vibration.

Abstract: A wheel cover is formed to include a wrap around the circumference of the wheel cover. The wrap is an aesthetic portion of the wheel cover and not a part of a mechanical lock. It is formed in the wheel cover by spinning the wheel cover about its central axis. When the wheel cover is spinning at an appropriate speed, at least one pair of rollers is moved toward the spinning wheel cover. Lock generating rollers provide a force which is directed radially outwardly while wrap generating rollers provide a force which is directed radially inwardly. This force is of such a magnitude that it forces the outer edge of the wheel cover to follow the contour of the rollers. When the wrap is completely formed, the rollers are removed from engagement with the wheel cover and the wheel cover is stopped from spinning. Once the wheel cover is removed from the fixture of the spinning machine, it proceeds with further manufacturing steps to complete the manufacturing thereof before it is mounted to a wheel.

Abstract: A mechanical locking system secures a wheel cover to a vehicular wheel. A rim lock includes a rim clasp which extends around at least a portion of the outer rim of the wheel. The rim clasp forces the wheel cover into abutting engagement with the outboard surface of the wheel. A hub lock includes a protrusion in the wheel cover which matingly engages a channel or recess in the wheel. The hub lock is located adjacent the hub portion of the wheel. The hub lock may include a spring to apply a force against the protrusion forcing the protrusion into the wheel.