Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center (TDC) position to a bottom-dead-center (BDC) position for driving a fastener into a workpiece and a drive unit for providing torque to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. A rotary lifter is engageable with the driver blade and configured to receive torque from the drive unit for returning the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The lifter has a body, a drive pin coupled to the body, and a roller positioned on the drive pin. The roller includes an engagement section configured to receive an end portion of a tooth of the driver blade. The lifter includes a means for aligning the engagement section with the end portion of the tooth on the driver blade to facilitate meshing between the end portion and the roller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wet press process and admixture components for making concrete slabs (flags), curb (kerb) units, panels, boards, and other flat shapes, whereby colloidal silica and at least one alkanolamine and optional rheology control components are employed to provide an ideal combination of pressing time, green strength, surface definition, stack-ability, final concrete strength, and permeability. Stack-ability can be expressed in terms of minimum deflection or non-eccentricity of the units while standing on thickness edges at distances apart less than width or standing height. A wet press process typically involves introducing a highly fluid concrete mix into a mold, applying hydraulic pressure to consolidate the concrete (e.g.

Abstract: A wellhead connector for connecting a riser or production tree to a wellhead of a subsea well utilizes a singular annular piston to lock the connector onto the wellhead. The wellhead connector includes a housing that contains dogs for engagement with the exterior of the wellhead housing. A cam ring is also included, which has an inner side for engaging the dogs and moving them inward into a locked position with the wellhead housing. The cam ring is of a reduced proportion relative to prior art. As such, the cam ring outer side is dimensioned to contact the inner side of the connector housing under load. Connecting rods connect the piston to the cam rings. As the piston moves downward, the cam ring also moves downward, forcing the dogs inward into a locked position. As the piston moves upward, the cam ring also moves upward, thereby unlocking the connector. A secondary annular piston is also provided to guarantee unlocking.

Abstract: A method and model of predicting particle-surface interactions with a surface, such as the surface of a spacecraft. The method includes the steps of: determining a trajectory path of a plurality of moving particles; predicting whether any of the moving particles will intersect a surface; predicting whether any of the particles will be captured by the surface and/or; predicting a reflected trajectory and velocity of particles reflected from the surface.

Abstract: A system for inhibiting functions of select wireless communications devices—predominately for driver cell phones—through the use of a radio frequency transmitter synchronized with a software application that is downloaded into the cell phone or provided by the manufacturer in firmware or the operating system of the phone. The radio frequency transmitter is wired into the power supply of the vehicle and its signal is only emitted and received by the cell phone when the vehicle's power is flowing. When the cell phone receives the unique signal, the software application disables most communications and other distracting functions of the cell phone. The radio frequency transmitter also may be portable and plugged into a wall socket so that wireless communication in select rooms is inhibited when the circuit is closed.

Abstract: A wellhead connector for connecting a riser or production tree to a wellhead of a subsea well utilizes a singular annular piston to lock the connector onto the wellhead. The wellhead connector includes a housing that contains dogs for engagement with the exterior of the wellhead housing. A cam ring is also included, which has an inner side for engaging the dogs and moving them inward into a locked position with the wellhead housing. The cam ring is of a reduced proportion relative to prior art. As such, the cam ring outer side is dimensioned to contact the inner side of the connector housing under load. Connecting rods connect the piston to the cam rings. As the piston moves downward, the cam ring also moves downward, forcing the dogs inward into a locked position. As the piston moves upward, the cam ring also moves upward, thereby unlocking the connector. A secondary annular piston is also provided to guarantee unlocking.

Abstract: A method and model of predicting particle-surface interactions with a surface, such as the surface of a spacecraft. The method includes the steps of: determining a trajectory path of a plurality of moving particles; predicting whether any of the moving particles will intersect a surface; predicting whether any of the particles will be captured by the surface and/or; predicting a reflected trajectory and velocity of particles reflected from the surface.

Abstract: A wellhead connector for connecting a riser or production tree to a wellhead of a subsea well utilizes a singular annular piston to lock the connector onto the wellhead. The wellhead connector includes a housing that contains dogs for engagement with the exterior of the wellhead housing. A cam ring is also included, which has an inner side for engaging the dogs and moving them inward into a locked position with the wellhead housing. Connecting rods connect the piston to the cam rings. As the piston moves downward, the cam ring also moves downward, forcing the dogs inward into a locked position. As the piston moves upward, the cam ring also moves upward, thereby unlocking the connector. A secondary annular piston is also provided to guarantee unlocking.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for interactive user navigation in a real-time 3D simulation. An assembly builder permits a user to build customized physics-based assemblies for user navigation in a variety of virtual environments. These assemblies are stored in a library and are then accessed by a navigation run-time module that runs in conjunction with, or as a part of, a visual run-time application. The navigation run-time module receives high-level user goal requests via a simple and intuitive user interface, converts them into a series of tasks, and then selects the appropriate assembly or assemblies to perform each task. As a result, complex navigation may be achieved. Once selected, an assembly provides a physics-based eye-point model for user navigation. Collisions between the assembly and objects in the simulation are resolved using a real-time physics engine, thus ensuring smooth, cinematic-style eye-point modeling in addition to real-time control.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for interactive user navigation in a real-time 3D simulation. An assembly builder permits a user to build customized physics-based assemblies for user navigation in a variety of virtual environments. These assemblies are stored in a library and are then accessed by a navigation run-time module that runs in conjunction with, or as a part of, a visual run-time application. The navigation run-time module receives high-level user goal requests via a simple and intuitive user interface, converts them into a series of tasks, and then selects the appropriate assembly or assemblies to perform each task. As a result, complex navigation may be achieved. Once selected, an assembly provides a physics-based eye-point model for user navigation. Collisions between the assembly and objects in the simulation are resolved using a real-time physics engine, thus ensuring smooth, cinematic-style eye-point modeling in addition to real-time control.

Abstract: The system (10) for collecting and disposing of contaminated waste products such as medical sharps and other medical wastes includes a housing (11) and its telescopic cover (9) which are fabricated of biodegradable and combustible material such as natural cellulose and non-natural cellulose. An absorbent biodegradable and combustible absorption package (30) or insert (35) can be placed in the bottom of the holding chamber (12) for absorbing any liquids emitted from the sharps and other wastes, and for enhancing the combustion of the medical sharps and other wastes when the housing is placed in a furnace. When the housing is burned it evolves no more than trace levels of sulfur or chlorine and yields substantially only biodegradable ash.

Abstract: The system (10) for collecting and disposing of contaminated waste products such as medical sharps and other medical wastes includes a housing (11) and its telescopic cover (9) which are fabricated of biodegradable and combustible material such as natural cellulose and non-natural cellulose. An absorbent biodegradable and combustible absorption package (30) or insert (35) can be placed in the bottom of the holding chamber (12) for absorbing any liquids emitted from the sharps and other wastes, and for enhancing the combustion of the medical sharps and other wastes when the housing is placed in a furnace. When the housing is burned it evolves no more than trace levels of sulfur or chlorine and yields substantially only biodegradable ash.

Abstract: The system (10) for collecting and disposing of contaminated waste products such as medical sharps and other medical wastes includes a housing (11) and its telescopic cover (9) which are fabricated of biodegradable and combustible material such as natural cellulose and non-natural cellulose. An absorbent biodegradable and combustible absorption package (30) or insert (35) can be placed in the bottom of the holding chamber (12) for absorbing any liquids emitted from the sharps and other wastes, and for enhancing the combustion of the medical sharps and other wastes when the housing is placed in a furnace. When the housing is burned it evolves no more than trace levels of sulfur or chlorine and yields substantially only biodegradable ash.

Abstract: The system (10) for collecting and disposing of personal-use hypodermic syringes (29) comprises a cylindrical container (11) and a telescopic cover 12. The container (11) includes a side wall (15) defining a collection chamber (19) for collecting used hypodermic syringes (29). The telescopic cover (12) includes an inner top wall (25) and an outer top wall (26) having an opening (28) therein, which is of sufficient internal breadth sized and shaped specifically for receiving hypodermic syringes (29). The used syringes (29) will be pushed through a scored portion (30) of the inner top wall (25), and then a barrel (31) portion of the syringe fits through the opening (28) formed by the outer top wall (26). The container (11) is sized and shaped so that once deposited in the collection chamber (19), the syringes (29) cannot turn end-for-end.

Abstract: The container (11) includes a side wall (15) defining a syringe storage chamber (19) where a coiled strip pack (31) of syringes (29) is placed. A central core (35) is place concentrically within the container and forms a collection chamber (20) for used syringes. The side wall (15) includes an outlet opening (30) so that the strip pack (31) can be paid out through the opening (30) and the syringes can be dispensed. The used syringes (29) will be pushed, needle-first through the central opening (26) and into the collection chamber (20), whereby when all the syringes in the strip pack are used and deposited into the collection chamber, the entire container can be disposed of, as by burning.

Abstract: The system (10) for collecting and disposing of medical sharps and other medical wastes includes a housing (11) and its telescopic cover (9) which are fabricated of biodegradable and combustible material such as natural cellulose, non-natural cellulose, and other materials and an absorbent biodegradable and combustible absorption package (30) or insert (35) can be placed in the bottom of the holding chamber (12) for absorbing any liquids emitted from the sharps and other medical wastes, and for enhancing the combustion of the medical sharps and other medical wastes when the housing is placed in a furnace. The system for collecting and disposing of medical wastes when burned, evolves no more than trace levels of sulfur or chlorine and yields substantially only biodegradable ash.

Abstract: The system (10) for collecting and disposing of medical sharps such as personal use insulin syringes and other medical wastes includes a housing (11) and its telescopic cover (9) which are fabricated of biodegradable and combustible material such as natural cellulose, non-natural cellulose, and other materials and an absorbent biodegradable and combustible absorption package (30) or insert (35) can be placed in the bottom of the holding chamber (12) for absorbing any liquids emitted from the sharps and other medical wastes, and for enhancing the combustion of the medical sharps and other medical wastes when the housing is placed in a furnace. The system for collecting and disposing of medical wastes when burned, evolves no more than trace levels of sulfur or chlorine and yields substantially only biodegradable ash.

Abstract: The container (11) includes a side wall (15) defining a syringe storage chamber (19) where a coiled strip pack (31) of syringes (29) is placed. A central core (35) is place concentrically within the container and forms a collection chamber (20) for used syringes. The side wall (15) includes an outlet opening (30) so that the strip pack (31) can be paid out through the opening (30) and the syringes can be dispensed. The used syringes (29) will be pushed, needle-first through the central opening (26) and into the collection chamber (20), whereby when all the syringes in the strip pack are used and deposited into the collection chamber, the entire container can be disposed of, as by burning.

Abstract: Method for altering an electrical characteristic of a circuit having at least one active semiconductor device involves applying at least one pulse--a voltage pulse, a current pulse, an energy pulse, or a power pulse and so forth--across the active semiconductor device, the pulse having sufficient amplitude of one or more of its electrical parameters and time duration to alter the electrical characteristics of the device, and thereby, the electrical characteristic of the circuit. The pulse is applied across the junction by applying it to at least one terminal or electrode which is contacted to semiconductor material disposed within the device.

Abstract: Method for altering an electrical characteristic of a circuit having at least one junction formed from a first and a second semiconductor material involves applying at least one pulse --a voltage pulse, a current pulse, an energy pulse, or a power pulse and so forth-- across the junction, the pulse having sufficient amplitude of one or more of its electrical parameters and time duration to alter the electrical characteristics of the junction, and thereby, the electrical characteristic of the circuit. The pulse is applied across the junction by applying it to at least one terminal or electrode which is contacted to the first or second semiconductor material. In addition, the amplitudes of the electrical parameters and time duration of the at least one pulse should be low enough to ensure that dendrites or filaments of material from the at least one electrode, for example, metal, are not formed in the first or second semiconductor material.