Abstract: Provided herein is a class of reversible thermal gel polymers, formulations thereof, methods for using, and methods for making said reversible thermal gel polymers. Reversible thermal gel polymers and formulations are provided having versatile chemical, physical, mechanical and/or optical properties beneficial for a range of applications including medical treatment. In some embodiments, the architecture and composition of the polymer allows for tunable selection of one or more physical properties supporting a particular application.

Abstract: A connector for a strip of linear lighting includes an outer shell or block and an adapter configured to be removably inserted into a cavity of the outer shell. The adapter may be a printed circuit board (PCB) adapted to mount wires on one side or edge. On the opposite side or edge, a series of contact pins are formed on the underside of the adapter. The outer shell includes a pressure-applying mechanism, like screws that insert through its thickness and are secured in a bar with threaded holes. The adapter is positioned such that the screws bear on and supply pressure to the contact pins. A strip of linear lighting is inserted into a slot beneath the adapter such that the contact pins of the adapter coincide with the solder pads or other electrical contacts of the strip of linear lighting.

Abstract: A ruggedized mobile mount for a portable handheld radio, including a detachment mechanism and indicator for removably attaching the handheld radio to the mobile mount is disclosed. In one embodiment, the detachment mechanism includes a mechanical indicator configured to indicate an attached and detached state of the handheld radio.

Abstract: Pressure balancing apparatuses and methods disclosed here include embodiments with a waterproof enclosure having walls surrounding an interior chamber, a mounting interface mounted to the enclosure with a port to an outside, and a balancing module, connected to the mounting interface, the balancing module including, a balancing module housing, a valve actuator member inside the balancing module housing, with a receptacle for a pressure source. In certain embodiments the valve actuator member is configured to move in response to changes in differential pressure between a pressure in the enclosure chamber and pressure from the outside, and a module valve, inside the balancing module housing, connected to the valve actuator member, and fluidically separating the enclosure chamber from the port to the outside, wherein the module valve is configured to open and close in response to the movement of the valve actuator member.

Abstract: A ruggedized mobile mount for a portable handheld radio, including a detachment mechanism and indicator for removably attaching the handheld radio to the mobile mount is disclosed. In one embodiment, the detachment mechanism includes a mechanical indicator configured to indicate an attached and detached state of the handheld radio.

Abstract: A ruggedized mobile mount for a portable handheld radio, including a detachment mechanism and indicator for removably attaching the handheld radio to the mobile mount is disclosed. In one embodiment, the detachment mechanism includes a mechanical indicator configured to indicate an attached and detached state of the handheld radio.

Abstract: Pressure balancing apparatuses and methods disclosed here include embodiments with a waterproof enclosure having walls surrounding an interior chamber, a mounting interface mounted to the enclosure with a port to an outside, and a balancing module, connected to the mounting interface, the balancing module including, a balancing module housing, a valve actuator member inside the balancing module housing, with a receptacle for a pressure source. In certain embodiments the valve actuator member is configured to move in response to changes in differential pressure between a pressure in the enclosure chamber and pressure from the outside, and a module valve, inside the balancing module housing, connected to the valve actuator member, and fluidically separating the enclosure chamber from the port to the outside, wherein the module valve is configured to open and close in response to the movement of the valve actuator member.

Abstract: Oil intensified common rail injectors that combine a common-rail non-intensified injector with an oil-intensified injector. The invention also uses fuel (common rail) pumps that are commercially available since the injector does not rely on this pump for intensification function. Also, since the pressure of the fuel pump is limited to lower than the intensified pressure, the injected pressure is limited to the unit injector; this eases the rail and tube requirements to this lower fuel rail pressure. The injector operates up to this limited pressure with no intensification. Also a separate oil system is configured to operate a hydraulic intensifier. Thus the system is able to achieve very high injection pressure without common rail pump, rail, fitting and jumper tube limits. The oil system does not need to operate or run unless these elevated pressures are required. Embodiments using direct needle control are disclosed.

Abstract: Pressure regulators for beverage dispensers of the type using a high pressure gas cartridge such a CO2 cartridge. The regulators provide a simple, low cost, easily assembled and reliable regulator of particularly small size, facilitated in part by the fact that the invention allows the use of a diaphragm of a particularly small size without necessitating the use of expensive and bulky diaphragm clamps, such as threaded clamps, yet is able to provide a more than adequate seal at both the inner and outer portions of the diaphragm.

Abstract: Three-way valves having reduced leakage and fuel injectors using the same. Three-way spool poppet valves are disclosed having a spool with a poppet valve thereon cooperating with a seat on the valve housing to provide a substantially leak free valve closing in one direction characteristic of a poppet valve while preserving the advantages of a spool valve. Three-way ball valves are also disclosed having substantially leak free valves closing in both directions, but further including reduced short circuit losses due to direct flow from a high pressure source to a low pressure vent during transition of the ball from one position to the opposite position. Fuel injectors with direct needle control using the three-way valves of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Three-way valves having reduced leakage and fuel injectors using the same. Three-way spool poppet valves are disclosed having a spool with a poppet valve thereon cooperating with a seat on the valve housing to provide a substantially leak free valve closing in one direction characteristic of a poppet valve while preserving the advantages of a spool valve. Three-way ball valves are also disclosed having substantially leak free valves closing in both directions, but further including reduced short circuit losses due to direct flow from a high pressure supply to a low pressure vent during transition of the ball from one position to the opposite position. Fuel injectors with direct needle control using the three-way valves of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Carbonated beverage delivery tubes and methods for fabrication having a unitary molded structure to define a smooth beverage intake of decreasing area to a smaller diameter flexible plastic tube, and at the other end of the small diameter plastic tube, a smooth transition through an outward flaring region to decrease the velocity of the beverage without initiating foaming within the carbonated beverage delivery.

Abstract: Three-way valves having reduced leakage and fuel injectors using the same. Three-way spool poppet valves are disclosed having a spool with a poppet valve thereon cooperating with a seat on the valve housing to provide a substantially leak free valve closing in one direction characteristic of a poppet valve while preserving the advantages of a spool valve. Three-way ball valves are also disclosed having substantially leak free valves closing in both directions, but further including reduced short circuit losses due to direct flow from a high pressure source to a low pressure vent during transition of the ball from one position to the opposite position. Fuel injectors with direct needle control using the three-way valves of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A finger guard includes an elongated conical member having a hollow interior, a cap disposed on top and an opening along the bottom into which the hand of a user can be inserted. The elongated conical member can be constructed from transparent material and can include a padded interior, one or more fasteners and a channel for accommodating an IV line.

Abstract: Three-way poppet valves having a poppet valve body, first and second poppet valves disposed in a valve guide within the body for motion between first poppet valve open and first poppet valve closed positions, a first poppet valve seat disposed in the poppet valve body so as to have freedom in a plane perpendicular to the poppet valve axis, the first poppet valve, when moving to the closed position, engaging the first poppet valve seat and centering the first poppet valve seat with respect to the first poppet valve, and when in the closed position, holding the first poppet valve seat against the poppet valve body, and a second poppet valve connected with the first poppet valve, the poppet valve body having a second poppet valve seat, the second poppet valve being in the closed position when the first poppet valve is in the open position and being in the open position when the first poppet valve is in the closed position.

Abstract: Pressure regulators for beverage dispensers of the type using a high pressure gas cartridge such a CO2 cartridge. The regulators provide a simple, low cost, easily assembled and reliable regulator of particularly small size, facilitated in part by the fact that the invention allows the use of a diaphragm of a particularly small size without necessitating the use of expensive and bulky diaphragm clamps, such as threaded clamps, yet is able to provide a more than adequate seal at both the inner and outer portions of the diaphragm.

Abstract: Carbonated beverage delivery tubes and methods for fabrication having a unitary molded structure to define a smooth beverage intake of decreasing area to a smaller diameter flexible plastic tube, and at the other end of the small diameter plastic tube, a smooth transition through an outward flaring region to decrease the velocity of the beverage without initiating foaming within the carbonated beverage delivery.

Abstract: Direct needle control fuel injectors and methods disclosed. The preferred embodiment injectors have a needle within a needle chamber for movement between a closed position preventing injection of fuel and an open position allowing injection of fuel, a source of high pressure fuel coupled to the needle chamber to provide fuel for injection and to hydraulically urge the needle to the open position by pressurizing a first hydraulic area associated with the needle, a needle control hydraulic area having a second hydraulic area disposed to urge the needle to the closed position when the second hydraulic area is exposed to fuel under pressure, and valving coupled to the source of high pressure fuel and a vent to controllably couple the hydraulic area of the needle control member to the high pressure fuel or to the vent.

Abstract: Hydraulic valve actuation systems and methods to provide multiple lifts for engine valves using fixed or hard stops at each lift. The fixed or hard stops provide a very repeatable selection of engine valve lifts dependent on engine operating conditions. For full valve lift, unidirectional hydraulic dashpots are used to decelerate the engine valve, both as it approaches the full lift fixed stop, and as the engine valve approaches the valve seat from the engine valve full lift position. Various embodiments and methods of operation are disclosed.