Abstract: In one form, a projection frame eyelid heater includes a heating element, a frame, and a plurality of flexible standoffs. The heating element has first and second heat producing areas separated by a distance corresponding to a separation of human eyes and having first and second ends. The heating element produces heat in response to an application of a voltage thereto. The frame includes a left temple attachment portion and a right temple attachment portion each having a respective back portion extending downward and inward. The plurality of flexible standoffs is for attaching the heating element to the frame. In another form, the projection frame eyelid heater is combined with first and second insulated wires having first ends connected to the heating element, and second ends, to form an eye mask system.

Abstract: In one form, an eye mask includes an eye mask core assembly, a covering, a band, and first and second insulated wires. The eye mask core assembly has first and second heat producing areas separated by a distance corresponding to a separation of human eyes and having first and second ends. The eye mask core assembly produces heat in response to the application of a voltage thereto. The covering surrounds the eye mask core assembly. The band is attached to the first and second ends of said eye mask core assembly. The first and second insulated wires have first ends connected to the eye mask core assembly, and second ends for connection to a power supply.

Abstract: In one form, an eye mask includes an eye mask core assembly, a band, and first and second insulated wires. The eye mask core assembly has first and second heat producing areas separated by a distance corresponding to a separation of human eyes and having first and second ends. The eye mask core assembly produces heat in response to the application of a voltage thereto. The covering surrounds the eye mask core assembly. The band is attached to the first and second ends of said eye mask core assembly. The first and second insulated wires have first ends connected to the eye mask core assembly, and second ends for connection to a power supply.

Abstract: There are provided methods of producing a component incorporating a bioactive material. In one embodiment the method comprises: (a) using a screw extruder to mix a polymeric material (I) with a bioactive material (II) and melt the polymeric material (I); and (b) making a component by moulding; and wherein the polymeric material (I) is of a type which includes: (i) phenyl moieties; (ii) ketone moieties; and (iii) ether moieties. Also provided are components comprising a polymeric material and a bioactive material.

Abstract: Pellets or granules comprise polymeric material, for example polyetheretherketone and a fugitive material, for example sodium chloride. The granules may be used in injection moulding to produce shapes for use in medical implants and may conveniently be used to form parts which are partially porous, or to prepare porous films.

Abstract: A cooling system and voltage regulator for a sealed permanent magnet generator is disclosed that has a rotor shaft that is hollow. A magnet is moveably positioned within said hollow rotor shaft. Permanent magnets mount on the exterior of the hollow rotor shaft. The rotor shaft has a pressed aluminum tube in various configuration on the inside bore with an end-mounted fan. The aluminum tube acts as a heat sink to draw the heat generated by the magnets through the rotor shaft and aluminum tube. The fan draws cooling air through the hollow bore of the rotor shaft thus cooling the magnets and forces the heated air through passages on the exterior of the stator housing. Because the airflow is not in contact with the electrical portions of the generator the cooling system will perform in dusty, wet and explosive environments. In another configuration a refrigeration compressor installed in the rotor shaft bore cools the rotor shaft and the fan cools the stator passages.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane or gas diffusion electrode includes an ion-conducting polymeric material which includes moieties of formula (A) which are substituted on average with more than 1 and 3 or fewer groups (e.g. sulphonate groups) which provide ion-exchange sites and hydrogen atoms of said moieties are optionally substituted, wherein each X in said moieties of formula A independently represent an oxygen or sulphur atom. The ion conducting polymeric material is suitably prepared by controllably sulphonating a polymeric material using about 100% sulphuric acid at 34° C. to 36° C.

Abstract: A method for applying a transaction to a database, the method includes generating a global log sequence identifier (GLSI) value within a first node based on log sequence identifier (LSI) values from one or more additional nodes, generating a local log sequence identifier (LLSI) value within the first node based on the GLSI value generated within the first node, and applying the transaction to the database utilizing the generated LLSI value.

Abstract: An apparatus for purifying polyketones includes a pressure vessel 2 which communicates with a water supply line 6 for delivering pressurised water into the vessel 2. Downstream of the vessel 2 is a water drain 12 for removing water to waste. In use, a sample of polyketone is placed in the vessel 2 and liquid water at high pressure (e.g. 60 bar) and high temperature (e.g. 260° C.) is caused to flow through the vessel whereby relatively pure polyketone for example having relatively low sodium, phosphorus and sulphur impurities may be prepared.

Abstract: An exercise cycle comprising a frame, a hinge, and a drive mechanism. The frame comprises a forward frame member and a rearward frame member. The hinge operatively connects the forward frame member to the rearward frame member such that the forward and rearward frame members are pivotally moveable relative to each other about a hinge axis between operable and stowable positions. The drive mechanism includes an endless loop assembly. The exercise cycle is configured such that the frame may be folded without removal of the endless loop assembly. The cycle further includes left and right linearly reciprocating assemblies. The left reciprocating assembly is configured for being moved back and forth with foot pressure and hand pressure from a user's left hand and left foot. The right reciprocating assembly is configured for being moved back and forth with foot pressure and hand pressure from a user's right hand and right foot.

Abstract: A vapor generating system for supplying vapor energy to power a motor and employing the energy in the vapor exhausted by the motor to operate an air pump for supplying air to mix with a source of fuel in a combustion space in a chamber which collects vapor under pressure for release through a transmission connected to the motor. The vapor exhausted from the motor is delivered to a condenser where it resumes a liquid so the resulting liquid is able to be reused for maintaining a supply of vapor energy.

Abstract: A choke for use with a carburetor on an internal combustion engine comprises a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet the air outlet being adapted for communication with the air intake of a carburetor. A valve means within the housing includes a valve member and means biassing the valve member in a direction to block the passage of air between the air inlet and the air outlet of the housing. The valve means is responsive to engine vacuum during starting of the engine to move the valve member in a direction against the biassing means to permit air to enter the carburetor from outside the housing via the air inlet and air outlet thereof.

Abstract: A diaphragm type carburetor comprising a main body portion defining a venturi having an air intake side and an engine outlet side. The carburetor has a throttle shutter mounted within the venturi between the air intake side and the engine outlet side, and a metering chamber supplies fuel into the venturi via a main discharge port. The main discharge port opens into the venturi on the air intake side of the throttle shutter. A monitoring means (FIG. 3) is provided to monitor an engine parameter and an electrically controlled valve means is provided to adjust the fuel flow through the main discharge port into the venturi. The valve means is responsive to an electrical signal generated by the monitoring means in response to the engine parameter.

Abstract: A carburetor comprises a main body portion defining a venturi having an air intake side and an engine outlet side, a throttle shutter mounted within the venturi between the air intake side and the engine outlet side, a fuel chamber for supplying fuel into the venturi via a main discharge port and at least one idle discharge port, the main discharge port opening into the venturi on the air intake side of the throttle shutter, a choke feed passage extending from the fuel chamber to the venturi, the choke feed passage opening into the venturi on the opposite side of the throttle shutter to the main discharge port, and means for selectively opening and closing the choke feed passage.

Abstract: An airborne sonar system includes a transducer with both projecting elements and receiving elements designed for echo ranging at a moderately high frequency. Carried on the transducer housing is an additional hydrophone which is sensitive to sonar input signals at low frequency and, hence, which has a capability of responding to signals from much longer range than can the receiving elements of the echo ranging transducer. This low frequency hydrophone is sensitive to the frequency of much of the noise and vibration imparted to the transducer housing by the supporting aircraft and so, in operation, the hydrophone is suspended on a very compliant mounting consisting of a plurality of strips of light rubber tubing.