Abstract: A contact connector is provided that has at least one loading fiber and a plurality of conductors. Each conductor may have at least one contact point. Each conductor may contact a single loading fiber, and each loading fiber may be capable of delivering a contact force at each contact point. In one example, the connector may be a power connector having a power circuit and a return circuit. In another example, the connector may be a data connector having at least one signal path.

Abstract: A contact connector is provided that has at least one loading fiber and a plurality of conductors. Each conductor may have at least one contact point. Each conductor may contact a single loading fiber, and each loading fiber may be capable of delivering a contact force at each contact point. In one example, the connector may be a power connector having a power circuit and a return circuit. In another example, the connector may be a data connector having at least one signal path.

Abstract: A dense plasma focus radiation source for generating EUV radiation using Lithium vapor and including a coaxially disposed anode and cathode. The invention includes methods and apparatuses for enhancing the efficiency of EUV radiation production, for protecting, cooling and extending the life of the anode and cathode, for protecting and shielding collecting optics from debris and pressure disturbances in the discharge chamber, and for feeding Lithium into the discharge chamber.

Abstract: An interbody device for the fixation and support of adjacent bone bodies includes a body for implantation at a location between the two vertebrae and one or more protrusions extending from the body. The protrusion(s) are configured for engagement with one of the vertebrae upon implantation and for progressive penetration into the vertebra over a period of time subsequent to the implantation.

Abstract: A winding machine for winding wire on a stator stack for a dynamo-electric machine including a wire supply, a stripper station for selectively stripping wire at predetermined locations, a wire feed mechanism and winding station including a winding spindle movable in reciprocating and oscillating movement. The feed mechanism is capable of conveying plural wires to the winding spindle including three pairs of wires to respective exit apertures on the winding spindle. The winding station includes twisting assemblies, where a twisting assembly is provided for each pair of wires for twisting the pair of wires together and for gripping and manipulating the wires during a winding operation.

Abstract: Multiple-contact woven power connectors are provided that have at least a first set of loading fibers and at least a first set of conductors. When woven onto a set of loading fibers, the conductors define a space. The loading fibers are capable of delivering contact forces at the contact points of the conductors. The conductors can include a power circuit or a return circuit. The power connectors may also include tensioning springs that are capable of generating tensile loads within the loading fibers. The power connectors may further include mating conductors that can be coupled to the power/return circuits. When disposed within the first and second spaces, respectively, electrical connections between the conductors and the mating conductors can be established.

Abstract: A pool cleaning tool for producing one water jet directed toward an area to be cleaned and a second water jet directed away from the area to be cleaned includes a substantially rigid water conduit having an upper end and a lower end. The lower end has an opening therein defining an outlet and an inlet extends into the water conduit and is positioned generally adjacent to the upper end. A coupler is fluidly coupled to the inlet for releasably coupling a water supply hose to the water conduit. A tubular member is fluidly coupled to the lower end of the water conduit. The tubular member has a first aperture and a second aperture therein. The first and second apertures are positioned on generally opposite sides of the tubular member. Each of the first and second apertures is angled downward.

Abstract: Composite laminate interlayers for adhering a glass laminate comprising a sheet of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) between layers of plasticized polyvinyl butyral (PVB) adhesive layers, wherein at least one of the PVB adhesive layers is stiffened, e.g. by reduction in the amount of plasticizer, and has a glass transition temperature greater than 35° C. The PET is preferably 0.075 to 0.25 mm (3-10 mils) thick and can have a functional coating for reducing radiation, e.g. UV or IR or visible light, transmission through the glass laminate. The laminate can also comprise at least one elastomeric layer adapted to reducing sound transmission through the glass laminate. The laminates exhibit enhanced maximum flexural modulus of greater than about 350 Newtons/centimeter.

Abstract: A contact connector is provided that has at least one loading fiber and a plurality of conductors. Each conductor may have at least one contact point. Each conductor may contact a single loading fiber, and each loading fiber may be capable of delivering a contact force at each contact point. In one example, the connector may be a power connector having a power circuit and a return circuit. In another example, the connector may be a data connector having at least one signal path.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of forming a textile laminate or composite fabric from a plurality of woven fabric layers, with the method contemplating use of a three-dimensional image transfer device to facilitate efficient and commercially viable use of the method. Herein is disclosed a method of forming an imaged textile laminate or composite compound fabric, the fabric having a first textile fabric layer comprising a plurality of interwoven warp and weft yarns and at least one other textile fabric layer, the lamination of the fabric layers and imaging of the construct occurring on a three-dimensional image transfer device. The image transfer device has a foraminous, image-forming surface comprising a regular pattern of three-dimensional surface elements.

Abstract: A stabilized cheese flavoring system which can be used to prepare very different cheeses having desired flavor profiles in which the flavoring system is stabilized against the growth of spoilage or pathogenic microorganisms therein, while flavor development can be accelerated in one more of its flavor components thereof. The stabilized flavoring systems are obtained by addition of a bacterocin source as part of fermentation process that accelerates the fermentation time needed for flavor development in one or more of its flavor components, and in at least a sulfur-cheddary component thereof in one embodiment. Therefore, production times can be significantly reduced for one or more of the flavor components of the flavoring system of the present invention without loss of flavor and while improving its microbial stability.

Abstract: A composite interlayer suitable for using laminated glass includes a layer of plasticized polyvinyl butyral sandwiched between second and third polymeric layers. In a preferred embodiment, at least one and preferably both of the second and third layers are less than 5 mils thick and formed of polyurethane.

Abstract: Composite laminate interlayers for adhering a glass laminate comprising two sheets of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) between layers of plasticized polyvinyl butyral (PVB) adhesive layers, wherein the two PET layers provide increased stiffness for the laminate without sacrificing the optical clarity of the laminate.

Abstract: A system and method for testing wireless devices in a simulated a wireless environment is provided. RF modules for creating and receiving RF signals in a test environment are also provided. Features include RF isolation of a wireless device, including filtering signals on electrical paths to and from the device, and circuits to reduce undesired RF signals on such electrical paths, for example PCI bus paths. The system and method also include a test enclosure with isolation chambers with filtered electrical signal paths to allow testing of wireless devices inserted into the isolation chambers. This system and method also allows controlled testing of antennae diversity features of the wireless device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to electrical switches that utilize conductors that are woven onto loading fibers and a mating conductor that has a contact mating surface. Each conductor has at least one contact point. The loading fibers are capable of delivering a contact force at each contact point of the conductors. Electrical connections are established between the contact points of conductors and the contact mating surface of the mating conductor when the conductor-loading fiber weave is engaged with the mating conductor and the electrical connections are terminated when the conductor-loading fiber weave is disengaged from the mating conductor. In one embodiment, the portion of the contact mating surface of the mating conductor where arcing between the conductors and the mating conductor is expected to occur is plated with a conductive arc-tolerant material, such as silver, for example.

Abstract: A hybrid fuel vaporization system and an apparatus for producing power from a source of liquid fuel. The hybrid fuel vaporizing system includes at least one capillary flow passage, the at least one capillary flow passage having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end in fluid communication with the source of liquid fuel; a heat source arranged along said at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to change at least a portion thereof from a liquid state to a vapor state; and a vaporizing member having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface exposed to heat produced by the apparatus for combusting fuel, the vaporizing member positioned so that fuel exiting the outlet end of said at least one capillary flow passage impinges on the second surface, whereby a stream of substantially vaporized fuel is delivered for combustion.

Abstract: A dense plasma focus radiation source for generating EUV radiation using Lithium vapor and including a coaxially disposed anode and cathode. The invention includes methods and apparatuses for enhancing the efficiency of EUV radiation production, for protecting, cooling and extending the life of the anode and cathode, for protecting and shielding collecting optics from debris and pressure disturbances in the discharge chamber, and for feeding Lithium into the discharge chamber.

Abstract: A multiple-contact woven connector comprising at least one conductor woven onto a plurality of loading fibers. Each conductor has at least one contact point. The loading fibers are capable of delivering a contact force at the contact points of the conductors. The connector may further include mating conductors having a contact mating surfaces. Electrical connections can be established between the contact points of the conductors and the contact mating surfaces of the mating conductors. The contact mating surfaces may be curved. In exemplary embodiments, the contact mating surfaces are convex. The multiple-contact woven connectors of the present disclosure can be utilized as power connectors or, alternatively, as data connectors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to enhancing the aesthetic appearance of surfaces by the contact application of a nonwoven fabric having a three-dimensional image imparted therein. The three-dimensional image of the nonwoven fabric induces a topical modification in either the actual or perceived texture of a surface when the imaged nonwoven fabric is applied to, then removed from, the surface. The imaged nonwoven fabric disclosed herein exhibits low linting qualities thereby reducing the potential of fiber contamination of the treated surface and is sufficiently durable that the sample can be used and rinsed clean a plurality of times, markedly increasing the working life-span.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to multiple-contact woven power connectors that have at least a first set of loading fibers and at least a first set of conductors. When woven onto a set of loading fibers, the conductors define a space. The loading fibers are capable of delivering contact forces at the contact points of the conductors. The conductors can comprise a power circuit or a return circuit. The power connectors may also include tensioning springs that are capable of generating tensile loads within the loading fibers. The power connectors may further include mating conductors that can be coupled to the power/return circuits. When disposed within the first and second spaces, respectively, electrical connections between the conductors and the mating conductors can be established.