Abstract: A vibrating oral care device for cleaning interdental spaces includes a housing which can be gripped by human fingers. A battery is located within the housing. An lectric vibrator is also located within the housing. A switch on the housing is used to electrically connect the battery to the vibrator. A rigid element extends from one end of the housing. When the switch is operated to connect the battery to the vibrator, the vibrator vibrates and causes the igid element to vibrate.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a heating and ventilating system is provided. The method includes determining a demand for heat and creating an air flow. In addition, the method includes sensing an outlet discharge temperature of the air flow and increasing the temperature of the air flow to a selected value. Generally, the method further includes increasing the air flow velocity, while maintaining the discharge temperature of the air flow to the selected value. The system for controlling a heating and ventilating system includes an input for receiving a demand signal and a heater control circuitry for controlling the heat output of a heat source. In addition, the system includes ventilation control circuitry for controlling the flow of an air source and an outlet air temperature sensor. Finally, the system preferably includes a microcontroller for controlling the heat output and the flow of the air source.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of balancing a rotating mass mounted on a compliant axis. This method uses acceleration vector information, extracted only from points on said mass while in motion, to determine the relocation of movable weights mounted on said mass. The shifting of these weights causes the center of gravity to coincide with the intended center of rotation which, in turn, causes the mass to be dynamically balanced.

Abstract: A method of processing objects using a bilateral architecture. The method comprises the steps of: arranging a plurality of instruments around a bi-directional conveyance device, the instruments spaced at fixed pitch intervals along the conveyor device; assigning dedicated movers to each of the instruments, the dedicated movers for loading and unloading of the objects to and from the instruments and the conveyance device; and controlling the operation of the conveyance device to have an interrupted motion, the interrupted motion for co-ordinating the loading and unloading of the objects; wherein the dedicated movers are positioned such that adjacent movers operate independently of one another. The method can be operated on an automated robotic system having a modular architecture.

Abstract: A light collimating and diffusing film and a method for making the film are provided. The film includes a plastic layer having a first side and a second side opposite the first side and at least a first peripheral edge. The first side has a first textured surface, wherein between 7 to 20 percent of slope angles on the first textured surface proximate a first axis has a value between zero and five degrees. The first axis is substantially parallel to the first peripheral edge. The plastic layer collimates light propagating therethrough.

Abstract: A method for bending a tube in a pre-selected geometry includes deriving at least one processing parameter from the geometry, applying a thermal source circumferentially to the tube to heat the tube along at least one circumferentially directed path in accordance with the parameter and actively cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature. The applying and active cooling steps are alternately performed a number of times. A system for bending the tube includes a thermal source for heating at least one region along the path on the tube, a tube advancing module for advancing the tube, an active cooling module for cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature, a processing module to derive at least one processing parameter from the geometry and a control module configured to control the thermal source and active cooling module in accordance with the parameter. The alternate heating and cooling are performed a number of times.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is disclosed which has first and second electrodes that can be contacted to complete a circuit or withdrawn from each other by some suitable mechanism to break the circuit. During breaking of the circuit, an electric arc is created. The circuit breaker includes means for providing gas pressure below atmosphere around the electrodes, at least at the time the arc is struck. The circuit breaker also includes a shield arranged in proximity to the electrodes which is ablated by the action of the arc. The shield's arrangement and material are chosen such that, when ablated, the shield releases gas to assist in extinguishing the arc.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a heating and ventilating system is provided. The method includes determining a demand for heat and creating an air flow. In addition, the method includes sensing an outlet discharge temperature of the air flow and increasing the temperature of the air flow to a selected value. Generally, the method further includes increasing the air flow velocity, while maintaining the discharge temperature of the air flow to the selected value. The system for controlling a heating and ventilating system includes an input for receiving a demand signal and a heater control circuitry for controlling the heat output of a heat source. In addition, the system includes ventilation control circuitry for controlling the flow of an air source and an outlet air temperature sensor. Finally, the system preferably includes a microcontroller for controlling the heat output and the flow of the air source.

Abstract: A fuel filter for removing fuel impurities, particularly thiophenes, includes a hollow housing having a filter element therein. The filter element includes a substrate, which may include a nonwoven fiber web, a plurality of particles, or both of these. Where particles are used, the substrate may be homogeneous or may be a mixture of different particles. The substrate may include a sorbent selected from the group consisting of metals, metal oxides, metallic salts, organometallic compounds, catalysts, and oxidizing agents. Optionally, a sulfur-treating reactant may be operatively associated with the substrate to reduce the concentration of thiophenes in fuel passing through the filter.

Abstract: A scraping tool employing a sharp-edged blade comprising a top, bottom, door, carrier, blade, storage box and an ergonomic base grip. The top, bottom and base grip combine to form the scraper tool body. The blade is attached to the carrier which is contained within the body and slides back and forth allowing the blade to be exposed. The storage box is contained within the body and can be used to store spare and used scraper blades.

Abstract: A vibrating oral care device for cleaning interdental spaces includes a housing which can be gripped by human fingers. A battery is located within the housing. An electric vibrator is also located within the housing. A switch on the housing is used to electrically connect the battery to the vibrator. A rigid element extends from one end of the housing. When the switch is operated to connect the battery to the vibrator, the vibrator vibrates and causes the rigid element to vibrate.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for resiliently mounting a photomultiplier tube. The tube is sequentially tapped to move a debris particle therein. The tube is initially inclined for moving the particle to a staging site. The tube may then be re-oriented horizontally for moving the debris particle from the staging site to a target site for subsequent laser blasting thereof.

Abstract: The present invention includes an improved suspension assembly comprises a suspension including a load beam and a gimbal, a FOS having a polymer portion (or flex circuit) and a trace portion, wherein the FOS is connected to the suspension. The present invention further includes a slider that is electrically connected to a ground trace and the ground trace is further electrically connected to the suspension. The present invention also includes a plateau gimbal, which comprises of a portion of the ground trace positioned between the flex circuit and the slider thereby elevating the slider to the level of the bond pads on the FOS.

Abstract: A method of lasing a filler wire to weld a first workpiece to a second workpiece comprising first and second materials, respectively, includes positioning a tip of the filler wire above an opening defined by the workpieces. The tip extends over a width of the opening and over a portion of each of the workpieces. The filler wire is preheated and melted by directing a laser beam at the tip. The laser beam is advanced along a length of the opening with the tip positioned under the laser beam to form a high aspect ratio weld between the workpieces. The high aspect ratio weld has an aspect ratio of at least about two. The energy and time required for the laser beam to melt the filler wire is reduced as the filler wire is preheated.

Abstract: A photomultiplier tube includes dynodes electrically joined to corresponding leads. The tube, containing a loose debris particle, may be reprocessed by positioning the particle at an accessible site inside the tube. A power laser is aimed at the particle through a transparent wall of the tube and fired to reduce the size of the particle.

Abstract: A method of lasing a filler wire to weld a first workpiece to a second workpiece comprising first and second materials, respectively, includes positioning a tip of the filler wire above an opening defined by the workpieces. The tip extends over a width of the opening and over a portion of each of the workpieces. The filler wire is preheated and melted by directing a laser beam at the tip. The laser beam is advanced along a length of the opening with the tip positioned under the laser beam to form a high aspect ratio weld between the workpieces. The high aspect ratio weld has an aspect ratio of at least about two. The energy and time required for the laser beam to melt the filler wire is reduced as the filler wire is preheated.

Abstract: A filter, for use in removing residual fuel vapors from within an engine's intake system, includes a filter element having a plurality of fibers, for placement in communication with an intake air flow passage. Each of the fibers has an internal cavity formed therein, and a longitudinally extending slot formed therein extending from the internal cavity to the outer fiber surface. The filter also includes a hydrocarbon-absorbing material disposed within the internal cavities of the fibers. The hydrocarbon-absorbing material may be a solid material such as, e.g., carbon, or may be a liquid such as a relatively non-volatile organic solvent. Alternatively, the material may be a combined solid and liquid. In one embodiment, each of the elongated fibers includes a central stem and a plurality of lobes extending outwardly from the central stem, with a longitudinally extending slot defined between adjacent lobes. Specific useful filter configurations are detailed.

Abstract: A photomultiplier tube includes dynodes electrically joined to corresponding leads. The tube, containing a loose debris particle, may be reprocessed by positioning the particle at an accessible site inside the tube. A power laser is aimed at the particle through a transparent wall of the tube and fired to reduce the size of the particle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of selecting a predetermined number of pulses from a stream of laser pulses is described. The number of pulses is determined by the operator from the laser pulse repetition rate and the desired number of pulses. The invention comprises synchronizing the laser pulses with the start of the pulse selection, allowing the predetermined count of laser pulses to pass a blocking mechanism; and finally blocking the pulses after the pulses have passed.

Abstract: An unique filtration device (10) which removes acidic contaminants such as H2S and SO2 from a fluid stream through the use of partially hollow wicking fibers (20) impregnated with an effective amount of alkaline-generating chemical compounds, preferably also containing an effective amount of a compound with elements from Group II and Group 6-12 in +2 oxidation state, and most preferably also containing an effective amount of solid fine particles (18). A nonwoven filter mat (12) is formed from a plurality of the elongated fibers (20) each having at least one internal channel (22) connected to the fiber outer surface via an elongated opening (24). The fluid stream containing the acidic gas phase contaminants is directed over the nonwoven filter mat (12) whereby said plurality of small solid particles (18) and reservoir of active chemical reagents disposed in the open channels (22) communicate through the elongated opening (24) with the fluid flow path and absorbs the acidic gas phase contaminants.