Abstract: A multi-layered filtration medium for detoxification of chemical contaminants and disinfection of biological contaminants. The filtration medium includes two disinfection nanofiber layers and one detoxification nanofiber layer disposed between the two disinfection nanofiber layers. The filtration medium is loaded with high content of a detoxifying material which capable of achieving about 95% detoxification efficiency with no leaching of the detoxifying material. The filtration medium may also include a medicinal substance for medical applications and a sensor for indicating the lifetime of the filtration medium.

Abstract: A diffusion flame burner (110) is provided for a gas turbine engine (136). The diffusion flame burner includes concentrically oriented spray cones (112) staged in a plurality of stages (114, 116, 118, 120) and attached to a water supply (122) during a gas mode and attached to an oil supply (124) during an oil mode. The diffusion flame burner also includes a central spray cone (130) positioned at a center (132) of the concentrically oriented spray cones and attached to the water supply during the oil mode. The diffusion flame burner also includes a plurality of concentrically oriented outlets (134) positioned outside the plurality of concentrically oriented spray cones and attached to a combined water and natural gas supply (122, 128) during the gas mode.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed in this application relates to a method for producing glass membranes for filtration purposes. The disclosed method for producing cost effective glass membranes utilizes recycled waste glass, has shorter sintering periods and has lower sintering temperatures.

Abstract: A multi-layered filtration medium for detoxification of chemical contaminants and disinfection of biological contaminants. The filtration medium includes two disinfection nanofiber layers and one detoxification nanofiber layer disposed between the two disinfection nanofiber layers. The filtration medium is loaded with high content of a detoxifying material which capable of achieving about 95% detoxification efficiency with no leaching of the detoxifying material. The filtration medium may also include a medicinal substance for medical applications and a sensor for indicating the lifetime of the filtration medium.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum air gap membrane distillation system for desalination purposes. More particularly, this invention relates to a membrane distillation system with multiple cells in which the system's flux is increased due to the temperature and pressure differential within the system. The configuration of the vacuum air gap membrane distillation system allows for latent heat within the system to be recycled effectively reducing the energy consumption of the system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a triple layer composite nanofiber membrane for Membrane Distillation (MD) applications. The triple layer membrane has an extremely hydrophobic nanofiber layer, a hydrophobic microporous middle layer and a hydrophilic backing layer for MD applications.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed in this application relates to a method for producing glass membranes for filtration purposes. The disclosed method for producing cost effective glass membranes utilizes recycled waste glass, has shorter sintering periods and has lower sintering temperatures.

Abstract: There is provided a porous fiber having a core-shell configuration, wherein the pores on the fiber are configured to encapsulate and thereby retain a biological material therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for changing the form of the jaw and facial bones of an adult patient that did not develop fully during childhood. The method utilizes a device having a plate body with an expansion screw that fits within the mouth of the patient; flap springs that project from the plate body, and an overlay extending from the plate body. The device is placed within the mouth of the patient so that the overlay is in a position between at least two opposing teeth. In this position, opposing teeth contact the overlay during function (e.g. swallowing). This intermittent, unilateral application of force to the facial bones causes these bones to further develop, positioning out of place teeth into more proper positions, and inducing a more symmetrical and enhanced appearance of the face, as well as increasing the airway space behind the jaws. Concomitantly, the flap springs gently press against selected teeth that are out of alignment in order to guide those teeth into place.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the robustness of the readout from an optical disk in an optical disk drive, such as an optical disk of the following format: compact disk (CD), digital versatile/video disk (DVD) and Blu Ray disk (BD). The invention provides a way of obtaining an optimized radial tracking error signal using an open loop, i.e. with no feedback, in order to improve a subsequent closed loop control mechanism, preferably involving the radial tracking error signal. During the optimization of the open loop radial tracking error signal one ore more drive parameters of the optical disk drive is varied. It is a particular advantage of the invention that an improved optical read-out may be obtained if the optical disk has one or more parameters outside the specifications and/or standards associated with the optical disk. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for using the method, i.e. an optical disk drive.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for three-dimensional airway reconstruction, assessment and analysis. Specifically, the invention relates to a system and method for acquiring one- and two-dimensional data regarding a cavity, such as an esophagus or an airway, and manipulating that data to reconstruct a three-dimensional geometrical object representing that cavity. Suitable data collection methods include, but are not limited to, non-ionizing, non-invasive protocols including acoustic reflectometry, such as that performed by a DOS®- or Windows®-based pharyngometer or rhinometer. The resulting three-dimensional geometric object of the subject cavity can be used to diagnose cavity morphology/obstruction, aid in management and treatment of the obstruction, evaluate efficacy of management and treatment of the obstruction and also provide information for use in outcome analysis and forensic and medico-legal evaluation of diagnosis and treatment of cavity obstruction/stenosis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for changing the form of the jaw and facial bones of an adult patient that did not develop fully during childhood. The method utilizes a device having a plate body with an expansion screw device that fits within the mouth of the patient, flap springs that project from the plate body and an overlay extending from the plate body. The device is placed within the mouth of the patient so that the overlay is in a position between at least two opposing teeth. In this position the flap springs press against selected teeth that are out of alignment in order to urge those teeth back into place. This force on the teeth causes the jawbone to expand to accept the teeth in their proper position(s). Also, the device is arranged such that the opposing teeth contact the overlay during swallowing, which causes the patient's facial muscles to intermittently pull on the facial bones.

Abstract: An optical disc drive (I) comprises an optical pickup (3) with a 4-quadrant photo-detector (20); an objective lens (14) mounted displaceably with respect to the photo-detector (20); an optical displacement actuator (30) for displacing the objective lens (14); and a servo controller (70) for controlling the focus actuator (30). The controller (70) receives respective detector signals (S1, S2, S3, S4) from the photo-detector (20). The controller (70) is adapted to process these detector signals to produce a focal error signal (FE) which is zero if these signals all have identical magnitude. The controller (70) is further adapted to subtract/add an offset parameter (?off) from/to said focal error signal (FE), and to provide the difference/sum as a control output signal.

Abstract: A remote operated circuit breaker assembly has at least one circuit breaker, a remote module for remotely operating the circuit breaker and an actuator tie pin. Each circuit breaker includes a circuit breaker enclosure of generally rectangular shape having one side and an opposing side, and a circuit breaker actuator link pivotally mounted inside the circuit breaker enclosure. The remote module includes a module housing mounted to the one side of the circuit breaker enclosure and having a shape generally congruent with the circuit breaker enclosure. A motor is disposed in the module housing, a module actuator is pivotally mounted inside the module housing and a gear means couples the motor to the module actuator. The actuator tie pin connects the circuit breaker actuator link to the module actuator within the interior of the circuit breaker enclosure and the module housing. The actuator tie pin is received in aligned slots defined by the abutting circuit breaker enclosure side and module housing side.

Abstract: A dimmer switch assembly includes a housing for supporting and enclosing the assembly components. A dimmer adjusting element is mounted on the housing and has a movable portion for movement in first and second directions. An elongated flexible triggering member has a first longitudinal end coupled to the movable portion of the dimmer adjusting element and a second longitudinal end provided in a socket defined by the housing. First and second detectors are spaced from and arranged opposite to one another. The elongated member is interposed between the detectors such that movement of the dimmer adjusting element in the first direction flexes the elongated member toward to activate the first detector, and movement of the dimmer adjusting element in the second direction flexes the elongated member toward to activate the second detector. The detectors have signals associated respectively therewith which are generated by the detectors when the detectors are activated by the triggering device.

Abstract: A stator assembly method is disclosed for constructing a generator stator in the field. For stator assembly, the method includes the steps of positioning a stator frame on an assembly site; inserting a plurality of stator core modules into the stator frame; clamping the stator core modules together to form a stator core, attaching the stator core to the stator frame; and, winding a plurality of coil windings into the stator core. The stator may be positioned substantially vertically or horizontally at various steps in the method. The stator assembly method may also employ an assembly base to facilitate construction of the stator in the field.

Abstract: An improved stator core and process for manufacturing the core are accomplished by a modular stator core design. The stator core is comprised of a series of equally sized and shaped stator core modules that are manufactured via a vacuum pressure impregnation process. The prefabricated modules can then be assembled into a stator core in an efficient way, saving several days of stator core assembly time. Moreover, a variety of stator core lengths can be accommodated by only inserting the required number of modules into the stator frame.

Abstract: An improved stator core and process for manufacturing the core are accomplished by a modular stator core design. The stator core is comprised of a series of equally sized and shaped stator core modules that are manufactured via a vacuum pressure impregnation process. The prefabricated modules can then be assembled into a stator core in an efficient way, saving several days of stator core assembly time. Moreover, a variety of stator core lengths can be accommodated by only inserting the required number of modules into the stator frame.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device having a memory array of memory cells in which the total number N of unique available memory addresses is a power of two, yet wherein neither the number of columns nor the number of rows of cells is a power of two. This permits the chip die size and height/width ratio to be optimized. The device further includes a circuitry for generating address selection signals, providing a total number of unique addresses equal to N, leaving unused some of the memory cells comprising the array.

Abstract: A spring support system for supporting a stator core (2) in a frame of an electrical machine, the core (2) having a longitudinal axis and an outer periphery provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending dovetail grooves (6), and the frame including a plurality of circular flanges (32) which surround the core (2) when the core (2) is installed in the frame, the system including:a plurality of key bars (8) each having a portion formed to mate with a respective dovetail groove (6) and each seated in a respective groove (6) of the core (2);a plurality of spring bars (34) each extending parallel to a respective key bar (8) and each secured to the flanges (32);a plurality of key blocks (20) for securing the key bars (8) to the spring bars (34); andfastening elements (26,40) mechanically fastening each key block (20) to a respective key bar (8) and to a respective spring bar (34) at a location between two axially adjacent flanges (32).