Abstract: Hybrid turbine airfoil components containing a ceramic material, in which detailed features of the components are formed of materials other than ceramic materials. The components include a first component formed of a ceramic-based material and a second component formed of a metallic material. The first component comprises an airfoil portion and a nub, and the second component is separately formed and attached to the first component by casting the metallic material around the nub of the first component. The second component includes a platform portion between the airfoil portion and the nub of the first component and a dovetail portion on the nub of the first component. Each of the platform and dovetail portions has at least one off-axis geometric feature that results in the second component having a more complex geometry than the first component.

Abstract: Processes for producing a component containing a ceramic-based material and having detailed features formed from materials other than ceramic materials. Such a process entails producing the component to include a first subcomponent and at least a second subcomponent having at least one off-axis geometric feature that results in the second subcomponent having a more complex geometry than the first subcomponent. The first subcomponent is formed of a ceramic-based material, and the second subcomponent and its off-axis geometric feature are separately formed of a metallic material and attached to the first subcomponent to yield a robust mechanical attachment. The component may be, for example, a gas turbine airfoil component.

Abstract: Hybrid components containing a ceramic material, in which detailed features of the components are formed of materials other than ceramic materials, yet result in a robust mechanical attachment of the ceramic and non-ceramic portions of the components. The components includes a first subcomponent formed of a ceramic-based material and a second subcomponent formed of a metallic material. The first subcomponent has a nub and the second subcomponent is separately formed and attached to the first subcomponent by casting the metallic material around the nub of the first subcomponent. The second subcomponent is attached to the first subcomponent by a compression fit and encapsulation of the second subcomponent on the nub of the first subcomponent. The nub has a compliant coating system that provides thermal expansion compliance between the metallic material of the second subcomponent and the ceramic-based material of the first subcomponent.

Abstract: Embodiments of an aluminum dross cooling head are disclosed. The cooling cooperates with a material container encapsulate dross and reduce thermiting of the dross. In one embodiment, the cooling head also serves as a compression head when forced into the dross by a cooperating dross press assembly.

Abstract: A technique for utilizing an intermediate access point (IAP) with a wireless access point (WAP) that uses 3-address mode involves making use of a bridge table that includes media access control (MAC) addresses of stations registered with the IAP and internet protocol (IP) addresses of the stations stored in association with the corresponding MAC address. A bridging engine can obtain an IP address from a WAP IP frame and match the IP address to an IP address in the bridge table to find the corresponding MAC address. The bridging engine can encapsulate at least a portion of the WAP IP frame to create an IAP frame with the corresponding MAC address as the receiver address (RA).

Abstract: A controller means for playing a compuler game where the player may brace themselves using handlebars, other means which may be grasped, and/or pedals and move a support means on which the player may sit, stand, or be supported, on a bearing means to input control signals to a control means. Movement of the game player provides the normal forwards and backwards and side to side control functions of the controller to control a sprite in the computer game being played. Resistance to movement provides physiotherapy-type exercise for the player. Where particular muscle groups or limbs of patient may need to be exercised, the controller means may be set up to provide that exercise as part of a computer game.

Abstract: Embodiments of an aluminum dross cooling head are disclosed. The cooling cooperates with a material container encapsulate dross and reduce thermiting of the dross. In one embodiment, the cooling head also serves as a compression head when forced into the dross by a cooperating dross press assembly.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method of intra-oral analysis for measuring plaque removal is disclosed. The system includes hardware for real-time image acquisition and software to store the acquired images on a patient-by-patient basis. The system implements algorithms to segment teeth of interest from surrounding gum, and uses a real-time image-based morphing procedure to automatically overlay a grid onto each segmented tooth. Pattern recognition methods are used to classify plaque from surrounding gum and enamel, while ignoring glare effects due to the reflection of camera light and ambient light from enamel regions. The system integrates these components into a single software suite with an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to do an end-to-end run of a patient record, including tooth segmentation of all teeth, grid morphing of each segmented tooth, and plaque classification of each tooth image.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an echo measurement device having a controller to transmit a test signal in a communication path which is looped back at an end point identified as having an echo problem. The test signal can be transmitted at a remote location from the end point. The test signal can be represented by a limited burst signal of one or more frequencies operating outside a range of an operating frequency of an echo canceller deactivation signal transmitted in the communication path. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An oral care implement generates cavitation within the oral cavity. One or more cavitation cleaning elements may be located in the head area of the oral care implement. The cavitation cleaning element vibrates at a frequency that produces cavitation of fluids within the oral cavity. The oral care implement may include an elastomeric cavitation cleaning element. A cleaning element may be configured to vibratory release an oral care substance from a container; and a body for gripping the implement.

Abstract: An oral care implement or toothbrush includes a head, tooth cleaning elements and tissue cleansing elements. The tooth cleaning elements may be provided on a first face of the toothbrush head while the tissue cleansing elements may be disposed on a second face of the head. The head may further include one or more splits that provide flexible and non-flexible regions. Various configurations of splits may be used to create different effects such as more responsive flexion, regions of differing flexibility and/or different degree of flexion.

Abstract: Smokable rods of cigarettes are manufactured using wrapping materials that incorporate at least one fibrous material (e.g., flax fibers, hardwood pulp fibers and/or softwood pulp fibers) at least one filler material (e.g., calcium carbonate in particulate form). The wrapping materials possess multi-layer coatings. The wrapping materials possess coatings in the form of series of spaced apart bands, each band possessing a series of layers. At least one of the coating layers can have a filler material dispersed or suspended within a film-forming material of that layer.

Abstract: A positioner (2) for moving a sample platform (6) relative to a base (4) is described. The positioner is driven by a piezoelectric arranged to expand and contract along a drive axis, the piezoelectric element has an input end coupled to the base and an output end coupled to first (14) and second (16) output levers extending away from the drive axis of the piezoelectric element in opposing directions. The output levers each have an inner arm arranged to be acted on by the piezoelectric element as it expands and an outer arm to which the sample platform is mounted via platform supports (26, 28). The output levers are mounted such that the piezoelectric element acts on the inner arms of the output levers to cause the outer arms to move in a plane containing the drive axis. This motion of the output levers is communicated via the platform supports to the sample platform, so moving it relative to the base along a direction parallel to the drive axis.

Abstract: An oral care implement (210) includes a handle (214) and a head (212) mounted to one end of the handle (214) that includes a first face (237) having plurality of tooth cleaning elements (226) extending therefrom, a second face (247) and a store of oral care material (232). A soft tissue cleaner (241) can be included on the second face (247). Oral care material can be provided simultaneously to the first (237) and second faces (247) during use from the store of oral care material (232). The oral care implement can include a plurality of oral care material stores (232), which can include different dentifrices. A store of oral care material (232) can be located within an arrangement of the tooth cleaning elements (226) and can extend through the head (212) to an arrangement of soft tissue cleaning elements (226). The toothbrush (210) can be small in size and lightweight so as to be readily portable for use away from the home.

Abstract: An oral hygiene device is provided having a head and a handle. The handle is configured to accommodate a user's hand grip when the head is inserted into a user's mouth. The head is further configured to accommodate, at a distal end of the handle, a proximal end of the head. One of the head and the handle is provided with a cavity configured to receive a supply of floss. The cavity becomes accessible when the head and the handle are at least partially detached from one another.

Abstract: My invention is a multipurpose gardening and weeding tool that reduces the effort of effectively getting rid of weeds, dandelions, and other unwanted vegetation while the user is in an upright standing position. The user places the split tipped end of the tool close to the base of the plant or weed and inserts the tool vertically at the base of the weed. Additional insertion force can be applied by stepping on the heart shaped blade. As the blade becomes the fulcrum, the leverage force removes the weed and its root(s). This very sturdy, uncomplicated tool will enable people working in yards or gardens or around shrubbery to effectively get rid of the unwanted vegetation, roots and all, while the user remains in a standing position. This tool can also be used to prepare the soil to cultivate vegetable gardens and flower gardens and as a hoe to work around individual plants or rows of plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf course management system for golf carts. The system includes a touch screen display device and a processor communicatively connected with the touch screen display device. The processor includes a global positioning system is configured to determine a location of the golf cart on a golf hole; display an image of a golf hole; display a location of the golf cart on the golf hole; receive a first touch location on the touch screen display device and calculate the corresponding distance on the golf course between the golf cart and the first touch location; and receive a second touch location on the touch screen display device and calculate the corresponding distance on the golf course between the first touch location and the second touch location.

Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine nozzle segment having a band and a plurality of airfoils, where the band has a flange is described. The method includes the steps of repairing a damaged area on the turbine nozzle segment and drilling a plurality of cooling holes in the flange.

Abstract: A positioner (2) for moving a sample platform (6) relative to a base (4) is described. The positioner is driven by a piezoelectric arranged to expand and contract along a drive axis, the piezoelectric element has an input end coupled to the base and an output end coupled to first (14) and second (16) output levers extending away from the drive axis of the piezoelectric element in opposing directions. The output levers each have an inner arm arranged to be acted on by the piezoelectric element as it expands and an outer arm to which the sample platform is mounted via platform supports (26, 28). The output levers are mounted such that the piezoelectric element acts on the inner arms of the output levers to cause the outer arms to move in a plane containing the drive axis. This motion of the output levers is communicated via the platform supports to the sample platform, so moving it relative to the base along a direction parallel to the drive axis.

Abstract: A turbine nozzle segment may have a band having a flange extending radially from a non-flowpath side and an aft end. A plurality of airfoils may extend radially from a flowpath side of the band and may have trailing edges. A plurality of cooling holes may be disposed in the flange and directed at the aft end between the trailing edges.