Abstract: An optical element includes a transmissive layer comprising a multitude of discrete volumes of first and second optical media arranged along the transmissive layer. The discrete volumes are arranged to approximate a desired phase function (typically modulo 2?) and are smaller than an operational wavelength in order to provide a range of phase delays needed to adequately approximate the desired phase function. Effecting at least partial reflow of one or both of the optical media can smooth the morphology of the transmissive layer so as to reduce unwanted diffraction or scattering.

Abstract: A multihull sailing vessel includes at least two buoyant hulls extending along their longitudinal axes, with the hulls being connected to each other and a first hydrofoil connected to the hulls and oriented transverse to the hulls. The first hydrofoil is movably coupled to the hulls between a first position above a resting waterline of the hulls and a second position below a lowest extent of the hulls. When the first hydrofoil is in the second position, a configuration of the first hydrofoil is adjustable to vary an amount of lifting force generated by the first hydrofoil when the hulls move forward through water when the first hydrofoil is in the second position.

Abstract: A cup anemometer providing accurate wind speed measurement in a cost-effective configuration. A rotor of the anemometer, e.g. a single-piece molded rotor, may be assembled to a shaft using a cap. In some embodiments, the hub of the rotor and the cap provide symmetry in the area of the cups and arms of the rotor and/or the bottom of the hub and the top of the cap may be positioned above and below, respectively, the planes defined by the tops and bottoms, respectively, of cups of the rotor. In some embodiments, each of the of the cups may be generally conical having a cone angle of nominally 114 degrees and/or each of the arms of the rotor may have a front surface that is co-planar with a front surface of an associated one of the cups.

Abstract: A beverage composition made with low-calorie, lactose-free skim milk in liquid or dry powder form. Amelanchier alnifolia extract having Abscisic Acid is added to the skim milk in a multi-step process that utilizes CO2 to maintain the nutrient value of the extract. Crystalline fructose, natural flavorings, nutrients and carbonation are added to produce a flavorful beverage composition. A method to make a carbonated beverage composition with low-calorie, lactose-free skim milk and Amelanchier alnifolia extract includes a series of steps to preserve the nutrient value of the extract.

Abstract: An energy storage device is provided for a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The energy storage device includes first and second end connectors connected to respective ones of a piston and crankshaft, and a flexible connection rod portion rotatably connected with the first and second end connectors. The flexible connection rod portion elastically buckles above a predetermined cylinder pressure threshold to store combustion energy and provide a more constant pressure combustion process.

Abstract: Contaminant cleaning systems and related methods are provided. Exemplary embodiments include a reactive substance generator to produce or transfer reactive substance(s) that react with contaminant(s) on an item into a cleaning chamber. An analysis section can be attached to the cleaning chamber to perform gas analysis on gas samples brought into the analysis chamber that measure reaction byproducts from the reactive substance(s) interaction with the contaminants. An exemplary valve system can selectively couple the reactive substance generator, the analysis section, and the cleaning chamber. An exemplary pumping system, in combination with the valve system, can selectively generate differential pressure/vacuum levels between the reactive substance generator vs cleaning chamber as well as between the cleaning chamber and analysis section. For example, the analysis chamber can be configured to have a higher vacuum than the cleaning chamber to facilitate passage of gas test samples into the analysis chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first vehicle member, a second vehicle member, and a knit element connected to the first vehicle member and the second vehicle member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for a funnel assembly for use in a beverage brewing apparatus. The funnel assembly may include an insert that is retained in the funnel assembly to contain a powdered or other similar substance for mixing with liquid within the insert. The insert is configured to extend within a cavity of the funnel assembly and is configured to permit mixing of the substance with the liquid before dispensing the mixture into a portion of the funnel assembly. The insert may include a rim or liquid shield, with at least a portion of the rim or liquid shield engaging a portion of the funnel assembly to retain the insert within the funnel assembly. The insert may further include a flow guide adjacent a drainage aperture, the flow guide at least partially directing the flow of mixture from the insert into a portion of the funnel assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for a funnel assembly for use in a beverage brewing apparatus. The funnel assembly may include an insert that is retained in the funnel assembly to contain a powdered or other similar substance for mixing with liquid within the insert. The insert is configured to extend within a cavity of the funnel assembly and is configured to permit mixing of the substance with the liquid before dispensing the mixture into a portion of the funnel assembly. The insert may include a rim or liquid shield, with at least a portion of the rim or liquid shield engaging a portion of the funnel assembly to retain the insert within the funnel assembly. The insert may further include a flow guide adjacent a drainage aperture, the flow guide at least partially directing the flow of mixture from the insert into a portion of the funnel assembly.

Abstract: A beverage maker including a reservoir, an intermediate chamber, a beverage substance retaining container, a heating element associated with the reservoir and a temperature responsive valve assembly between the reservoir and intermediate chamber for controlling the flow of heated water from the reservoir. The beverage maker includes a sensor device coupled to the reservoir, spaced from the heating element, to detect a condition such as a temperature change, temperature, temperature range, or presence of absence of water within the reservoir to cease power to the heating element upon detecting the condition. The intermediate chamber is sized and dimensioned to accommodate a predetermined range of volumes of water flowing from the reservoir through the intermediate chamber. A spray head is provided on the intermediate chamber communicating with the volume of water retained therein to distribute the water over beverage making substance retained in the beverage substance retaining container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated liquid transmission cell system capable of transferring solvents and samples to clean and fill the transmission cells. Three valves allow a plurality of system configurations to perform a variety of flushing and filling processes by changing the position of each valve. A plurality of tubes are connected to two of the valves such that changing the valve positions will redirect fluid transmission paths.

Abstract: A reflective optical element includes a reflective surface comprising a multitude of discrete recessed and non-recessed areas arranged along the reflective surface. The discrete areas are arranged to approximate a desired phase function (typically modulo 2?) and are smaller than an operational wavelength in order to provide a range of phase delays needed to adequately approximate the desired phase function. Effecting at least partial reflow of one or more optical media or reflective materials can smooth the morphology of the reflective surface so as to reduce unwanted diffraction or scattering.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein can provide clinicians with a dental office management service that can programmatically provide treatment recommendations and streamline the patient record building process. These systems and methods can enable clinicians to select from a short list of recommended treatments based on the existing condition and pathology of a tooth, for example, as the dentist is giving instructions and treatment recommendations. A list of recommended treatments for a patient may be automatically compiled based on the treatment recommendations selected by the clinician as the dentist was examining the patient's teeth one by one. Further, systems and methods described herein can enable clinicians to take notes and thereby build a patient record efficiently using one or more completed treatment templates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high throughput method for selecting an antibody variant amino acid sequence of interest from a plurality of antibody variant amino acid sequences. The method is particularly useful in the engineering of improved antibodies.

Abstract: A retaining ring configured for in-field repair of a fuel injector sleeve upper seal leak, comprising: a circular side wall comprising a barrel-shaped outer surface and a substantially cylindrical inner surface; wherein the outer surface comprises a lower curved portion and a central portion having a curvature that is less pronounced than the lower curved portion; and wherein the lower curved portion is configured to guide the retaining ring into the fuel injector sleeve and the circular side wall has an outer diameter at the central portion that is larger than an inner diameter of the fuel injector sleeve at a location of the upper seal leak such that the retaining ring forces the fuel injector sleeve outwardly at the location of the upper seal leak as the retaining ring is moved into an installed position.

Abstract: A method of preparing a low calorie, Lactose-free and Phosphorus-reduced milk with multiple filtration, centrifugation, carbonation and phase separation steps to remove Lactose and Phosphorus from milk including skim milk. The method includes a filtration apparatus to employ ultrafiltration to remove Lactose and any component of Lactose. Ultra-Centrifugation is used additionally to increase and complete the removal of Lactose and to facilitate the reduction of Phosphorous in the final milk preparation. The process eliminates the conventional use of lactase enzyme to hydrolyze Lactose into its simple sugar components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical vapor-sensor bag with an integrated sensor array to verify the presence of specific chemical vapors inside a sealed bag. In an exemplary embodiment, a device can be sealed within a vapor-sensor bag to allow the device to be transported to and tested for contaminants at the point of use by an end user of the device. In another exemplary embodiment, a device can be coupled to a gas port on a vapor-sensor bag to allow gas within the device to be tested for contaminants. In another exemplary embodiment, gas from a device can be streamed through vapor-sensor bag by coupling the device to a first gas port on a vapor-sensor bag and allowing gas to exit the bag through a second gas port.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a beverage making device including a heated water tank and a reservoir for controllably dispensing water over a beverage making substance to create a beverage. The beverage making device includes a vent valve coupled to the reservoir and heated water tank, a pump coupled to the reservoir for moving water from the reservoir to the heated water tank, a flow meter associated with the heated water tank for determining the water dispensed into the heated water tank, a spray head coupled to the heated water tank for distributing water over a beverage making substance. A controller coupled to the relevant portions of the system for controllably operating the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein can provide clinicians with a dental office management service that can programmatically provide treatment recommendations and streamline the patient record building process. These systems and methods can enable clinicians to select from a short list of recommended treatments based on the existing condition and pathology of a tooth, for example, as the dentist is giving instructions and treatment recommendations. A list of recommended treatments for a patient may be automatically compiled based on the treatment recommendations selected by the clinician as the dentist was examining the patient's teeth one by one. Further, systems and methods described herein can enable clinicians to take notes and thereby build a patient record efficiently using one or more completed treatment templates.