Abstract: An emergency vehicle light fixture includes, among other things, an elongated body having a reflective surface formed by a series of alternating linear and revolved parabolic segments. The series of alternating linear and revolved parabolic segments are coextensive along the height of the reflective surface and have an optical axis. Each of the alternating linear and revolved parabolic segments has a focal point that lies along a common axis that is orthogonal to the optical axis.

Abstract: An emergency vehicle light fixture includes, among other things, an elongated body having a reflective surface formed by a series of alternating linear and revolved parabolic segments. The series of alternating linear and revolved parabolic segments are coextensive along the height of the reflective surface and have an optical axis. Each of the alternating linear and revolved parabolic segments has a focal point that lies along a common axis that is orthogonal to the optical axis.

Abstract: A decubitis mat includes a plurality of individual cells (16 which are pressurized by air. A polymer sensor/vent structure (20) is mounted on the top surface of each cell and defines a plurality of polymer filled channels (28) and a vent valve (26) which is biased to a closed position. As a body resting on the mat heats the polymer, it undergoes a phase change an expands, causing biasing forces (30) which bias the vent valve to open, permitting air in the cell to be released providing air flow to the body.

Abstract: A workpiece is held between a movable clamping element (56) and a stationary clamping element (52). During setup, a hex drive (58) is rotated to move a traveler (100) which is connected to the movable clamping element along a threaded shaft (80). The threaded shaft is supported at one end through a spring retainer nut (88), a spring (86), and a bearing (82). After the movable clamping element engages the workpiece, the spring is compressed, limiting the amount of clamping force applied to the workpiece. The retainer nut (88) is selectively moved through the use of the tool to a selectable position along the threaded shaft (80) to adjust the spring compression, hence the clamping force. After initial setup, an electrochemical actuator (110) is actuated to melt a polymer, forcing a piston assembly (118, 120) and a bearing (84) to shift the threaded shaft (80) longitudinally against the spring, moving the clamping elements apart a short distance to release or receive a workpiece.

Abstract: A clamping device includes an expansible polymer that is disposed in a polymer chamber (14). A heat transfer conduit (22) transports heat transfer fluid and brings it into thermal conductivity with the polymer. By cooling or heating the polymer as needed, the polymer expands and contracts as it melts and freezes, respectively. The volume change of the polymer is used to advance a piston (16). The piston is used to engage upon a surface, e.g., clamp a machine part. In this manner, the surface is disposed between the actuated piston (16) and an immobile plate, causing the surface to become rigidly held in position. When the piston (16) contacts the surface, pressure builds in the polymer chamber(14), which translates into clamping force on the surface.

Abstract: An actuator (A) includes a body (10) in which a plurality of chambers or bores (34) are defined. The bores are interconnected at an inner end by an elongated passage (30). A heater element (32) extends along the elongated passage. The elongated passage and the inner portion of each chamber or bore are filled with a polymeric material which expands and flows on heating, preferably undergoing a solid to liquid phase change. Extensible members (12), such as pistons, diaphragms, bellows, or the like, are mounted in the bores or wells. When the heater heats the polymeric material causing it to expand and flow, the extensible elements (12) extend under high force with limited travel. In one embodiment, the extension of the extensible members moves a thrust bearing (B) causing frictionally engageable plates (18, 22) of a friction member assembly (C) to engage.

Abstract: A housing (10, 46, 64, 90, 100) has an internal opening in which a thin recess is defined for receiving a heat expansible polymer (30) and a heating element (24). In some embodiments, an insert (14, 98, 102) is inserted into the housing bore such that the thin recess is defined therebetween. In other embodiments, the recess is defined between the housing and a force receiving surface of a piston (40, 60). When the heating element is heated, the polymer expands, forcing the piston to extend. When heating is stopped, the polymer cools allowing the piston to retract. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the retraction is accelerated by a second polymer and heating element region (54). In other embodiments, a transmission arrangement (72, 74, 78; 124, 126, 128) is provided for converting the relatively high force, low travel of the heated polymer to a higher travel lower force output.

Abstract: An operator selects an operating characteristic, such as a degree of extension or force of an extension member (66) of a thermal actuator (16), with an input circuit (10). The input control circuit generates a reference signal. A feedback circuit (18) monitors a characteristic of the thermal actuator such as a temperature of its internal polymer, extension of the extension member, force, or the like, and generates a corresponding feedback signal. An error circuit (12) compares the reference and feedback signals and generates an error signal in accordance therewith. A dither circuit (30) generates an oscillating dither signal that is superimposed on one of the control and feedback signals before comparison by the error circuit. A power conversion circuit (14) adjusts an amount of electrical power supplied to a heating element (54) of the thermal actuator in accordance with the error signal.

Abstract: A heat sink (14) provides thermal communication between an actuator (18) and fluid controlled by a valve (12) which is flowing through a conduit (10). The actuator includes a vessel which is defined on its largest surfaces by plates (22, 50) of beryllium oxide thermally conductive ceramic covered with thermally conductive, relatively electrically non-conductive nichrome foil (24, 26). Longitudinal sides (30, 32) of the vessel are also relatively non-conductive. A thermally and electrically conductive core, such as accordion pleated beryllium copper foil (44) or a carbon fiber mat (82, 116) is disposed in the chamber. Electrical current flows through the core itself (FIG. 4) or through electrically insulated heating wires (80) (FIG. 5) or through an electrically insulated heating surface layer (FIG. 6) causing resistance heating and melting of a non-gaseous polymeric phase change compound (46). The resistance heating current is inductively induced in the embodiment of FIG. 8.

Abstract: A pressure vessel (A) is defined by end walls (16) and side walls (18). In the interior, a plurality of fins (12) define an assembly of thin passages (10) that are filled with a material (26) that expands as it changes from a solid to a fluid state. The passages are thin, on the order of 0.01 inches such that heat is transferred relatively quickly into and out of the material. The passages communicate with a manifold area (14) to a piston bore (40) or other structure (B) for converting fluid pressure into mechanical movement. The piston bore holds a low durometer seal (44), a higher durometer seal (46), and a movable piston (42). To generate rotary motion, the piston and vessel assembly are mounted for rotation about an eccentrically placed member (68). As the pressure vessel goes through heating and cooling reservoirs, the pistons expand and contract causing rotation (FIGS. 4-6).

Abstract: A liquid sterilizing system (A) defines a basin (10) in which a container (B) is removably disposed. The liquid sterilizing system selectively pumps sterile rinse liquids from a supply (24) and liquid sterilant solutions from a supply (70) into the basin filling the basin and the container. The container includes a lower shell having a bottom wall (34) that defines an aperture (32) for receiving sterilant and sterile rinse liquids. A nozzle plate (44) is mounted close to but spaced from the shell bottom wall to define a tortuous liquid distribution path (40) between the inlet aperture and nozzle plate apertures (90). A barrier (96) divides the liquid receiving portion and a drain portion of the liquid distribution path between the shell bottom surface and the nozzle plate. A cover (80) has a downward depending peripheral wall (82) which is offset from the shell peripheral wall (86) by the spacers (88) to define a tortuous vent path (48) therethrough.

Abstract: A tubing system (18) connects a source (10) of tap water with a container (20) holding an item to be sterilized. Powdered buffers, detergents, and corrosion inhibitors are deposited in a well (34) along with an ampule (46) containing a sterilant, such as peracetic acid. The ampule includes an exterior wall (80) which defines an interior volume (82) and a linear vent passage (84) extending from the exterior wall to a central region of the interior volume. A gas permeable liquid impermeable membrane (100) is mounted across a vent aperture (86) which is disposed adjacent the geometric center of the interior volume. The volume is filled less than half way full with the liquid sterilant such that in all orientations of the ampule (FIGS. 4A-C), an upper surface (98) of the sterilant remains below the vent aperture. A pump (50) recirculates the water through the container, the tubing system, and the well to dissolve the powdered reagents.

Abstract: A piston (14) is slidably received in a chamber (10). The chamber is filled with an expandable medium (16), such as wax, that expands and contracts significantly as it undergoes a phase change from a solid to a liquid state. A Peltier effect chip (20) selectively adds and removes heat energy from the chamber, hence the medium, to cause the medium to change phase. A temperature control (26) maintains the temperature of the medium substantially at the phase change temperature such that the addition of heat causes an isothermal melting (hence, expansion) and the removal of heat causes an isothermal solidification (hence, contraction). The chamber defines a plurality of thin branches (42) such that the heat is transferred more effectively.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of modules (A) have fitings (14) with automatically closed check valves (16) therein such that the interior of the module is sealed. The module is selectively interconnected with a sterilizer apparatus (B). Interconnecting tubing (60) selectively supplied liquid from a reservoir (30) to the module. A sterilant injection chamber (56) receives and punctures a sterilant ampule such that incoming water mixes with the sterilant concentrate forming a sterilant solution which is carried to the reservoir. A reservoir outlet valve (70) selectively permits the sterilant solution to pass from the reservoir through the interconnecting tubing into the module until the module and interconnecting tubing are completely filled. Thereafter, the reservoir outlet valve closes holding the sterilant in the interconnecting tubing as well as the module for sufficient duration to sterilize both. Concurrently, additional tap water is heated in the reservoir until it is sterile.

Abstract: A cyclically inflatable, passive motion device which includes an air pump and air reservoir to provide a supply of pressurized air without transients. The air is directed by a selector valve to one of a plurality of paths each of which has a check valve which releases at a different pressure. A four-way solenoid valve directs the pressurized air to an inflatable support. The support may have any one of a number of shapes to move different parts of the body. One embodiment used for the neck includes two saddle-like, inflatable cushion members having legs which define a yoke-like opening that fits around the user's neck. A foam rubber envelope fits over the cushion, and they all fit inside of a cover. A second embodiment of the support includes an inflatable cushion having separate compartments which are alternately inflated and deflated. The compartmentalized cushion fits in a resilient cover and may be used with a heating pad. Other cushions are designed to support and move the knee and fingers.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of modules (A) have fittings (14) with automatically closed check valves (16) therein such that the interior of the module is hermetically sealed. The module is selectively interconnected with a sterilizer apparatus (B). Interconnecting tubing (60) selectively supplies liquid from a reservoir (30) to the module. A sterilant injection chamber (56) receives and punctures a sterilant ampule such that incoming water mixes with the sterilant concentrate forming a sterilant solution which is carried to the reservoir. A reservoir outlet valve (70) selectively permits the sterilant solution to pass from the reservoir through the interconnecting tubing into the module until the module and interconnecting tubing are completely filled. Thereafter, the reservoir outlet valve closes holding the sterilant in the interconnecting tubing as well as the module for sufficient duration to sterilize both. Concurrently, additional tap water is heated in the reservoir until it is sterile.

Abstract: An X-ray table of the tiltable type in which a tower assembly is movably carried by a table body. The tower assembly includes a mast or column that is carried by a carriage and movable relative to the carriage in a path transverse to the longitudinal extent of the table. The carriage is longitudinally movable relative to the table body. The carriage support is provided by cylindrical ways and bearing clusters each including four circumferentially spaced bearings that are arranged in diametrically opposed pairs. One bearing of each pair is eccentrically mounted for preload adjustment. The bearings of one pair are positioned such that their axes are perpendicular to the plane of resultant forces imposed on the bearings and the ways when the table is in a vertical orientation.