Abstract: A proportional solenoid valve includes a valve body defining an inlet and an outlet for a fluid flow through the valve body and an armature that is moveable along a longitudinal axis from a first closed position to a second open position to control the flow of fluid through the valve. The valve further includes a flux can and an encapsulated coil assembly encompassed within the flux can. The encapsulated coil assembly includes a bobbin, a wire coil wound around the bobbin, and a non-conductive encapsulation layer that encapsulates the bobbin and the wire coil so as to electrically isolate the wire coil from the flux can and other conductive components of the valve. When the solenoid coil is energized, a magnetic field is created which causes the armature to move away from the first position against the valve body toward the second position, thereby opening the valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is shock absorbing pad having a composite nonwoven pad having a nonwoven construction, wherein the composite nonwoven pad has a face surface and an opposed back surface and comprising a nonwoven blend of fibers and a heat set binder material. The nonwoven construction of the composite nonwoven pad provides for a vertical water drainage capability of the composite nonwoven pad, and wherein the vertical water drainage capability is from 10 inches per hour to 500 inches per hour as determined by ASTM D3385.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for making shock absorbing pads utilizing reclaimed artificial turf and reclaimed carpet materials. It is demonstrated that the artificial turf systems comprising inventive pads exhibit improved Head Impact Criteria (HIC) and cradle-to-cradle score.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for making shock absorbing pads utilizing reclaimed artificial turf and reclaimed carpet materials. It is demonstrated that the artificial turf systems comprising inventive pads exhibit improved Head Impact Criteria (HIC) and cradle-to-cradle score.

Abstract: Disclosed are artificial turfs having a nonwoven backing layer and a plurality of turf fibers extending through the nonwoven backing layer such that a face side portion of the turf fibers extends from the face side of the nonwoven backing layer and a back side portion of the turf fibers extends from the back side of the nonwoven backing layer, wherein at least a portion of the back side portion of turf fibers are bonded to themselves. Also disclosed herein are the methods of making the same.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for making shock absorbing pads utilizing reclaimed artificial turf and reclaimed carpet materials. It is demonstrated that the artificial turf systems comprising inventive pads exhibit improved Head Impact Criteria (HIC) and cradle-to-cradle score.

Abstract: A solenoid proportional valve includes a valve body (12) defining an inlet (14) and an outlet (16) for a fluid flow through the valve body, and an armature (22) that is moveable along a longitudinal axis from a first closed position to a second open position to control the flow of fluid through the valve. The valve further includes a flux can (32) and a solenoid coil (30) positioned within the flux can. When the solenoid coil is energized, a magnetic field causes the armature to move away from the first position against the valve body, thereby opening the valve. The valve further includes a flux washer (28) that acts as a spring pivot for a spring (26) having an outer edge that is secured by the flux washer. When the solenoid coil is energized, the magnetic field causes the armature to move away from the first position against the spring force of the spring, thereby opening the valve.

Abstract: A solenoid proportional valve includes a valve body (12) defining an inlet (14) and an outlet (16) for a fluid flow through the valve body, and an armature (22) that is moveable along a longitudinal axis from a first closed position to a second open position to control the flow of fluid through the valve. The valve further includes a flux can (32) and a solenoid coil (30) positioned within the flux can. When the solenoid coil is energized, a magnetic field causes the armature to move away from the first position against the valve body, thereby opening the valve. The valve further includes a flux washer (28) that acts as a spring pivot for a spring (26) having an outer edge that is secured by the flux washer. When the solenoid coil is energized, the magnetic field causes the armature to move away from the first position against the spring force of the spring, thereby opening the valve.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a light source controlled by the user that can direct light rays toward the face of the user.

Abstract: A fiber pad having a core non-woven layer is disclosed. The core layer can have an upper surface and a lower surface. The core layer can comprise at least one fiber layer. The at least one fiber layer can comprise a plurality of parallel fibers. Selected groups of the parallel fibers can be folded into desired pleated configurations. Optionally, the core layer can comprise post-consumer carpet materials.

Abstract: A gate lifting apparatus for retrofitting a sagging gate including a first cylindrical segment having a first diameter and a second cylindrical segment having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The second cylindrical segment has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second cylindrical segment abuts the first cylindrical segment. The second cylindrical segment is cylindrically hollow and the second end of the second segment exposes a cylindrical cavity formed by it being hollow. The cylindrical cavity of the second cylindrical segment is configured to form a mating engagement with typical a gate hinge pin such that the first cylindrical segment then operatively serves as the new pin in a gate hinge assembly to vertically raise the position of the pin and, thus, raise the gate.

Abstract: A fiber pad having a core non-woven layer is disclosed. The core layer can have an upper surface and a lower surface. The core layer can comprise at least one fiber layer. The at least one fiber layer can comprise a plurality of parallel fibers. Selected groups of the parallel fibers can be folded into desired pleated configurations. Optionally, the core layer can comprise post-consumer carpet materials.

Abstract: Certain neoprene copolymers make it possible to manufacture surgeon's gloves and Swanz-Ganz balloons having improved properties.

Abstract: A method for modifying a PMMA surface by the gamma-irradiation induced polymerization thereon of N-vinylpyrrolidone, 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate or a mixture thereof while maintaining the following conditions:(a) monomer concentration in the range of from about 0.5% to about 50%, by weight;(b) total gamma dose in the range of from about 0.01 to less than about 0.50 Mrad;(c) gamma dose rate in the range of from about 10 to about 2500 rads/minute; and(d) maintaining the molecular weight of the polymer in solution in the range of from about 250,000 to about 5,000,000.The invention also relates to modifying polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polycarbonate and silicon surfaces according to a similar method as well as materials produced by the above methods which are useful as ocular implants.