Abstract: A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load.

Abstract: A voltmeter probe has a metal probe tip projecting from an elongated insulating handle. The handle has a longitudinal axis and a radially projecting finger guard with an inner diameter and an outer diameter. A barrier covers the terminal. The barrier has an aperture configured to provide access for the probe tip to be inserted through the barrier into contact with the terminal, including access for the finger guard to be inserted through the barrier. The aperture has dimensions of length and width, including no width that is not less than the outer diameter of the finger guard.

Abstract: An enclosure assembly includes a plurality of enclosures. Each enclosure of the plurality of enclosures includes a cabinet including an interior surface defining an interior volume, and a door mounted relative to a respective opening of each cabinet. An interlocking device interlocks a first door of a first enclosure of the plurality of enclosures, a second door of a second enclosure of the plurality of enclosures, and a third door of a third enclosure of the plurality of enclosures. The interlocking device is operable to selectively fasten each of the first door, the second door, and the third door in a closed position.

Abstract: A voltmeter probe has a metal probe tip projecting from an elongated insulating handle. The handle has a longitudinal axis and a radially projecting finger guard with an inner diameter and an outer diameter. A barrier covers the terminal. The barrier has an aperture configured to provide access for the probe tip to be inserted through the barrier into contact with the terminal, including access for the finger guard to be inserted through the barrier. The aperture has dimensions of length and width, including no width that is not less than the outer diameter of the finger guard.

Abstract: Wireless sensor patches include a skin-friendly adhesive and a flexible cover patch. In further examples, methods of manufacturing a plurality of wireless sensor patches include the step (I) of unwinding a flexible support membrane from a support membrane storage roll along an assembly path. The flexible support membrane is provided with a skin adhesive configured to mount a first face of the flexible support membrane to a skin surface. The method further comprises the step (II) of sequentially mounting a plurality of sensor devices with respect to a second face of the flexible support membrane along a longitudinal axis of the assembly path. The method further includes the step (III) of sequentially separating the flexible support membrane to provide the plurality of wireless sensor patches, wherein each wireless sensor patch includes a corresponding one of the plurality of sensor devices.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes a fastener, a system and methods for use and manufacture. The fastener can include a head disposed at a proximal end of the fastener, a shaft connected to the head, and at least one of the head and the shaft can include a plurality of flat surfaces. A collar can extend about the longitudinal axis of the fastener and can have a proximal-most surface spaced in a longitudinal axis direction away from a proximal-most surface of the fastener. The collar can include a plurality of petals spaced about the longitudinal axis, each of the plurality of petals including a flat surface facing a respective one of the plurality of flat surfaces of the at least one of the head and the shaft. A plate and/or a cage can be included with the fastener for use in a spinal connection, kit or repair system.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes a fastener, a system and methods for use and manufacture. The fastener can include a head disposed at a proximal end of the fastener, a shaft connected to the head, and at least one of the head and the shaft can include a plurality of flat surfaces. A collar can extend about the longitudinal axis of the fastener and can have a proximal-most surface spaced in a longitudinal axis direction away from a proximal-most surface of the fastener. The collar can include a plurality of petals spaced about the longitudinal axis, each of the plurality of petals including a flat surface facing a respective one of the plurality of flat surfaces of the at least one of the head and the shaft. A plate and/or a cage can be included with the fastener for use in a spinal connection, kit or repair system.

Abstract: Wireless sensor patches include a skin-friendly adhesive and a flexible cover patch. In further examples, methods of manufacturing a plurality of wireless sensor patches include the step (I) of unwinding a flexible support membrane from a support membrane storage roll along an assembly path. The flexible support membrane is provided with a skin adhesive configured to mount a first face of the flexible support membrane to a skin surface. The method further comprises the step (II) of sequentially mounting a plurality of sensor devices with respect to a second face of the flexible support membrane along a longitudinal axis of the assembly path. The method further includes the step (III) of sequentially separating the flexible support membrane to provide the plurality of wireless sensor patches, wherein each wireless sensor patch includes a corresponding one of the plurality of sensor devices.

Abstract: A medical device assembly includes a rod receiving member for receiving a portion of a rod member therein. A locking member locks the rod member in place in the rod receiving member. A gripping mechanism between threads in the rod receiving member and threads in the locking member prevent splaying of the threads when the threads are threadedly entrained together.

Abstract: A sonar depth sounder system is provided in which a plurality of elements are combined to form a sonar transducer capable of generating a plurality of narrow overlapping beams and receiving sonar echoes. The sonar return information is filtered, amplified through a log converter, digitized and then analyzed by a high-speed microprocessor. This analysis stage combines information obtained from each one of the plurality of sound beams generated by the transducers, determines correct target location and size, distinguishes fish from other targets such as thermoclines or structure based on heuristic algorithms and provides an output data set for display. Representations of three-dimensional submerged structures are presented in a variety of formats to the user, including utilizing a grid line display of the contour of the bottom surface and location lines from displayed fish above the surface to grid lines on the bottom surface display.

Abstract: A header machine for drilling specified hole patterns in pipe and for cutting the pipe to a specified length to form headers for use in heat transfer products. The header machine includes hold clamps for selectively holding the pipe during the processing of the pipe and feed clamps for selectively holding the pipe during the feeding thereof through the header machine. The feed clamps are mounted on a feed carriage which is movably mounted for movement forwardly and rearwardly. The feed carriage is driven by a stepper motor operably coupled to the feed carriage for moving the feed carriage and the pipe endwise to various drilling positions. The header machine also includes a spud drill for drilling spud holes in the pipe, a connection drill for drilling connection holes in the pipe, a circular saw for cutting the pipe to a specified length, and provisions for making double circuit patterns of the spud hole.

Abstract: Lignin concentrate solutions with at least about 40% total solids, having viscosities not higher than 10,000 cps. at 25.degree. C. and comprising normally water-insoluble and phenol-insoluble Kraft lignin dissolved in solvents comprising phenol and water or phenol-water-sodium hydroxide or ammonia are provided. The concentrates contain lignin to phenol weight ratios of less than 70:30 and more than 40:60 and preferably 50:50, and optionally, 2 to 20%, based on the weight of lignin, of sodium hydroxide or ammonia.The concentrates are storable and suitable for shipment and may be employed as phenol extenders in applications normally using phenols. They are particularly tailored for use in replacement of 25% to 100% of the phenol component in the production of phenol/formaldehyde resins and, when so employed, provide phenol-lignin-formaldehyde (PLF) resins that are useful in the formulation of plywood adhesives.

Abstract: A premoistened wiper having high initial wet strength in a wetting liquid, and lower wet strength when immersed in substantially neutral water to allow for flushability. The wiper includes a nonwoven web of fibrous material which is bonded together by a polymeric adhesive binder, with the bonded web being moistened until the time of use by a wetting liquid having an acid pH level which is safe for external use on the human body. The binder is composed of a material which is highly adhesive in an acid pH liquid to bind the fibers of the web together, and which is further resistant to weakening over the relatively long periods of shelf life of the wiper. However, the binder loses its binding strength in substantially neutral or alkaline flush water to allow for flushability. The bonded wiper is maintained with wetting liquid thereon within a moisture sealed container until the time of use, and readily loses strength and disintegrates when disposed of in the substantially neutral water of a sewer system.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved methods for treatment of polymer modified cellulose fibers to greatly enhance their ability to absorb and retain aqueous fluids, thereby increasing their usefulness in disposable diapers, catamenial and surgical pads and other absorptive, single use pads where utility depends primarily on rapid, high volume fluid absorption and retention. More particularly, this invention relates to the treatment of absorptive fibrous products comprising crumb-hydrolyzed polyacrylate-modified natural cellulose fibers by procedures which permanently swell and condition the fibers so that they are capable of absorbing and retaining much greater volumes of aqueous fluids than the same materials prior to the treatment by the processes of this invention.