Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming high-speed water droplets takes advantage on a synergy of features disclosed by the present invention including a low Weber number in a chamber in which a liquid stream breaks up into droplets; a reduced break up distance for forming the water droplets by introducing turbulence into the liquid source, thereby providing a unit or tool that is of practical size; accomplishing the generation of high-speed water droplets without using a complex driver; reducing the liquid's surface tension thereby facilitating the creating of near spherical droplets; and maintaining the droplets in form until they strike the surface of a workpiece.

Abstract: A valve and retainer assembly particularly useful for latex balloons includes a valve body and a band valve. The valve body has a radial shoulder where the neck and mouth of a latex balloon may be received to affix the balloon to the valve body. A hollow stem communicates with the radial shoulder, and a one-way valve allows gas to be introduced through the stem into the balloon affixed to the retainer portion. A valve and retainer for filling first and second balloons further includes a slide disk having a seal sleeve that intimately fits over the stem portion, such that the sealing slide disk selectively slides along the stem portion so that the seal sleeve can selectively cover the at least one second balloon fill aperture; and a flexible band covering the at least one fill aperture of the fill portion.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and computer program code for obtaining data regarding one or more parking locations. According to embodiments of the present invention, an interface can be used to receive data regarding one or more parking locations. Users or devices at one or more parking locations may access the interface to enter, upload, or otherwise provide the information. In some embodiments, a parking location may be or include a parking garage, a parking lot, or one or more parking spots. A parking location may be manned or unmanned and different parking locations may have different configurations or devices (e.g., entry gates, exit gates, ticket dispensers, card readers). In some embodiments, different users entering or providing data for different parking locations may be able to access and use different features of the interface and the interface may be configured differently for different locations.

Abstract: A universal joint having a cross-member journal or trunnion with a lubrication chamber includes a combination of a thrust washer and lubrication baffle press fit into the lubrication chamber. The thrust washer and lubrication baffle incorporate one or more lubrication grooves, facilitating the flow of lubricant between the surfaces of the cross-member and bearing cap. Elastomeric properties of the thrust washer eliminate the need for grinding of the journal surfaces to desired tolerances, while incorporation of lubrication grooves into the thrust washer surface eliminates the need for pressing of lubrication grooves directly into the journal ends prior to hardening or heat treating.

Abstract: A ski attachment kit for a kick scooter having a scooter steering assembly that includes a front fork configured for attaching a front wheel, a scooter body that includes a stand-on area and a rear fork rearward of the stand-on area configured for attaching a rear wheel, and a coupling that couples the steering assembly and the scooter body. The kit includes a front ski assembly having a scooter steering assembly mount that receives and releasably retains the steering assembly while providing a clearance for an attached front wheel. The kit also includes a rear ski assembly having a scooter body mount that receives and releasably retains the scooter body while providing a clearance for an attached rear wheel.

Abstract: A filter element, a safety element and fluid cleaner assembly. The fluid cleaner assembly generally includes a housing having a cover and a primary fluid cleaner section. The element generally comprises z-filter media, arranged in a straight through configuration, and an axial seal gasket positioned to extend continuously around at outer perimeter of the straight through flow construction. The fluid cleaner assembly can have a precleaner positioned therein. Methods of assembly and use are provided.

Abstract: A non-contact, extractive sampling system and method is provided for measuring the exhaust gas and fine particle composition of various types of vehicles under actual operating conditions. A portion (or sample) of an exhaust plume of a vehicle is pulled or extracted through an extraction sampling tube, via a vacuum pump, to a remote trace gas detection system where the concentration of one or more constituents present in the sample of exhaust plume may be measured. In this regard, the invention enables vehicle emissions measurements to be made at a location remote from roadway, rather than using known, “cross-path” remote emissions sensing systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drinking straw that diverts the flow of liquid away from the upper palate, thereby avoiding discomfort or pain in the upper palate and posterior pharyngeal wall of the mouth. The drinking straw includes an elongate tubular body having a first side surface and a second side surface. At one end of elongate body is an opening defining an intake or suction spout that is to be placed within a beverage container. At the opposite end, an output spout is designed to allow for redirection of a fluid downward and away from the upper palate.

Abstract: A method of modeling a mission system. The system is represented as a plurality of architectural components. At least some of the architectural components are configured with availability characteristics to obtain a model of the system. The model is implemented to assess availability in the mission system. The model may be implemented to perform tradeoff decisions for each individual component and interrelated components. Availability can be assessed for the system, given all of the tradeoffs.

Abstract: A combination of a thrust washer and lubrication baffle adapted for a press fitting installation into lubrication chamber of a universal joint cross-member journal. The thrust washer and lubrication baffle incorporate one or more lubrication grooves, facilitating the flow of lubricant between the surfaces of the cross-member and bearing cap. Elastomeric properties of the thrust washer eliminate the need for grinding of the journal surfaces to desired tolerances, while incorporation of lubrication grooves into the thrust washer surface eliminates the need for pressing of lubrication grooves directly into the journal ends prior to hardening or heat treating.

Abstract: An inbred corn line, designated W69079, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred corn line W69079, to the plants of inbred corn line W69079 and to methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing the inbred line W69079 with itself or another corn line. The invention further relates to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from the inbred W69079.

Abstract: A pin having a voltage probe pin-head is provided. The pin includes a pin-head having a substantially flat surface at one end and a pin-head tip at an opposing end, the substantially flat surface is configured to attach to a resistor, and the pin-head tip contacts an electrical test point. The pin also has a neck-like portion that extends between a shaft and the pin-head, wherein the neck-like portion is shorter than the shaft and has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of a cross-section of the shaft.

Abstract: A method, system and applicator for the solvent-less delivery of a bio-active material to a receiver. The applicator includes a discharge device, a reservoir which holds a bioactive material, and a solvent at a supercritical fluid state for delivering the bioactive material through the discharge device to the receiver. A spacer may be positioned between the discharge device and the receiver. The receiver may have a plurality of different bio-active material to be applied to a subject, each located at a different location on the receiver.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the security of signal exchanges in a network system. The system and method include a process and means for generating one or more replacement encryption key sets based on information and events. The information that may cause the generation of a replacement encryption key set includes, but is not limited to, a specified period of time, the level and/or type of signal traffic, and the signal transmission protocol and the amount of data sent. A key manager function initiates the replacement encryption key process based on the information. The replacement encryption key set may be randomly or pseudo-randomly generated. Functions attached to the network system required to employ encryption key sets may have encryption key sets unique to them or shared with one or more other attached functions. The system and method may be employed in a wireless, wired, or mixed transmission medium environment.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure Water treatment devices that include filtration media with specified grain size distributions are provided. In one arrangement, the device contains a volume of grains such that between about 1 and 15 vol % of the grains have a grain size in a range between a first grain size and a second grain size, a first portion of the grains have grain sizes smaller than the first grain size, and a second portion of the grains have grain sizes larger than the second grain size. The first grain size can be between about 50 and 100 ?m and the second grain size can be between about 100 and 150 ?m. In other arrangements, the first grain size can be between about 70 and 90 ?m and the second grain size can be between about 100 and 130 ?m. The difference between the first grain size and the second grain size can be at least 20 ?m. In other arrangements, the difference between the first grain size and the second grain size can be at least 10 ?m.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering solvent free marking material to a receiver is provided. A printhead includes a discharge device having an inlet and an outlet with a portion of the discharge device defining a delivery path. An actuating mechanism is moveably positioned along the delivery path. A material selection device has an inlet and an outlet with the outlet of the material selection device being connected in fluid communication to the inlet of the discharge device. The inlet of the material selection device is adapted to be connected to a pressurized source of a thermodynamically stable mixture of a fluid and a marking material, wherein the fluid is in a gaseous state at a location beyond the outlet of the discharge device.

Abstract: A composition containing a polymer, a crosslinker and a photo-activatable catalyst is placed on a substrate. The composition is exposed to a predetermined pattern of light, leaving an unexposed region. The light causes the polymer to become crosslinked by hydrosilylation. A solvent is used to remove the unexposed composition from the substrate, leaving the exposed pattern to become a sorbent polymer film that will absorb a predetermined chemical species when exposed to such chemical species.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for making a light emitting display is provided. The apparatus includes a discharge device with an inlet and an outlet with the portion of the discharge device defining a delivery path. An actuating mechanism is moveably positioned along the delivery path. A substrate retaining device is positioned spaced apart from the outlet of the discharge device in the delivery path. The inlet of the discharge device is adapted to be connected to a pressurized source of a thermodynamically stable mixture of a compressed fluid and one of a hole transporting material, a light emitting material, and an electron transporting material. The compressed fluid is in a gaseous state at a location beyond the outlet of the discharge device and prior to the substrate retaining device.