Abstract: An electronic registry stores information relating to a transferable electronic record and the controller of an authoritative copy of the transferable electronic record. The electronic registry includes information for authenticating a true copy of the authoritative copy of the transferable electronic record. The electronic registry also facilitates registration of the transferable electronic record and transfer of legal rights associated therewith.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus and method are described for accurately and reliably depositing biological materials on a microscope slide or other substrate. A preferred implementation includes a first mounting assembly that enables rotation of deposit elements around a first axis perpendicular to the substrate surface using one or more bearing surfaces concentric with the first axis. A second mounting assembly enables rotation of the deposit elements around a second axis parallel to the depositing surface, and a third mounting assembly enables rotation of the deposit elements around a third axis that is parallel to the depositing surface and perpendicular to the second axis. Various types of deposit elements may be used, such as pins, quills, or jetting elements.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus and method are described for accurately and reliably depositing biological materials on a microscope slide or other substrate. A preferred implementation includes a first mounting assembly that enables rotation of deposit elements around a first axis perpendicular to the substrate surface using one or more bearing surfaces concentric with the first axis. A second mounting assembly enables rotation of the deposit elements around a second axis parallel to the depositing surface, and a third mounting assembly enables rotation of the deposit elements around a third axis that is parallel to the depositing surface and perpendicular to the second axis. Various types of deposit elements may be used, such as pins, quills, or jetting elements.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a heat resistant die lift system. The system comprises an upwardly opening cavity in a bolster having a vertically movable rail therein. An airbag extends longitudinally of the cavity under the rail. A plurality of rollers are supported by the rail so as to be movable vertically therewith. Inflation of the airbag effects elevation of the rails and rollers into engagement with the bottom of the die and elevation of the die relative to the press bolster. One end of the airbag is telescoped over a complimentary conical nozzle in an air manifold and is retained by a locking block having a conical bore complimentary to the nozzle so as to eliminate the use of adhesives or sealants.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pumping powdered materials. The apparatus includes a hopper having a discharge outlet in one end wall thereof. An agitator gently stirs the powdered material to prevent it from bridging and packing in the hopper. A sliding cylindrical sleeve, axially aligned with the discharge outlet, and a main piston therein are movable in the hopper for successively entrapping, or segregating, and discharging a portion of the powdered material through the discharge outlet. An auxiliary hydraulic cylinder within the sleeve contains a plunger that slides through a bore in the main piston. The plunger is independently movable relative to the main piston and sleeve, and, upon retraction, provides a void in the entrapped material to prevent bridging and packing in the sleeve. A fluidizing element in the hopper below the path of travel of the sleeve keeps the powdered material in a loose condition to further eliminate any tendency to bridge or pack in the sleeve.

Abstract: A valve, comprising: a cylindrical casing, closed at its ends by covers, and having axially aligned inlet and outlet chambers midway of its length disposed at right angles to the axis of the casing. Communication between said chambers is controlled by a ported, fluid pressure operated, movable valve plate assembly, including parallel cylinders, each containing a stationary piston connected to the inner end of a pair of axially aligned rods, or guides, fixed at their outer end to the covers. Each rod has a passageway communicating at its inner end with one end of its associated cylinder for supplying operating fluid thereto to bodily reciprocate the valve plate assembly on said rods within the casing. An adjustable collar positions a fixed wear plate in sealing engagement with one side of the valve plate assembly, and a fluid pressure actuated loading ring urges a floating wear plate into contact with the other side of said valve plate assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for converting heat to electricity wherein a non-porous dielectric barrier layer is placed on a conducting member, a cathode is placed on the barrier layer, a grommet is placed thereon and an anode is mounted on the grommet in spaced proximity with the barrier layer and the cathode to define a chamber. The anode and the cathode are electrically connected across a load by external circuit means. Gas is then admitted to the chamber and maintained at a desired pressure. DC voltage is then applied across the above electrodes and the conducting member to establish an electric field therebetween and heat is applied to the conducting member to cause current to flow in the external circuit.In another embodiment, porous dielectric material is placed in the cavity to enhance such current flow.

Abstract: Concrete pumping apparatus of the positive displacement type in which primary and secondary pumping units are actuated in a manner such that the pumping discharges from the pumping units overlap in a manner to produce a substantially constant flow delivery, the pumping units having pistons operably connected to a pivoted rocker arm having a driving connection with a main shaft, and another overriding driving connection with the main shaft which varies the driving action of the rocker arm, wherein the pivot of the rocker arm is supported on a swingable lever having its outer end operably engaged with rotatable cam means carried by the main shaft.

Abstract: A concrete hopper has a plurality of arcuate channels in its bottom portion, preferably lined with a resilient material, such as rubber. The hopper includes a discharge end with discharge outlets formed therein in communication with the channels. A sliding sleeve-piston combination is associated with each channel for segregating and discharging a portion of the concrete through its associated discharge outlet. In other words, the sleeves are alternately filled by moving them through the hopper, and the pistons are operated to force the concrete out of the sleeves. A slide valve assembly including a discharge nozzle for connecting to a discharge hose and a pair of wear plates controls the discharge of pumped concrete from the discharge outlets. Hydraulic control means are included which automatically program the sequential operation of the sliding sleeve-piston combinations and the sliding valve.

Abstract: A linear particle accelerator which provides a pulsed beam of charged particles of uniform energy. The accelerator is in the form of an evacuated dielectric tube, inside of which a particle source is located at one end of the tube, with a target or window located at the other end of the dielectric tube. Along the length of the tube are externally located pairs of metal plates, each insulated from each other in an insulated housing. Each of the plates of a pair are connected to an electrical source of voltage of opposed polarity, with the polarity of the voltage of the plates oriented so that the plate of a pair, nearer to the particle source, is of the opposed polarity to the charge of the particle emitted by the source. Thus, a first plate about the tube located nearest the particle source, attracts a particle which as it passes through the tube past the first plate is then repelled by the reverse polarity of the second plate of the pair to continue moving towards the target.