Abstract: A gradient-index (GRIN) lens comprises an input surface defined by a body configured to receive electromagnetic (EM) waves from an aperture-constrained array; and an output surface defined by the body configured to output phase-aligned EM waves based on the received EM waves from the aperture-constrained array. The GRIN lens can be dimension-constrained in at least one dimension and can have a non-linear permittivity taper in at least a first dimension. The GRIN lens can provide gain for the received EM waves from the aperture-constrained array.

Abstract: A gradient-index (GRIN) lens comprises an input surface defined by a body configured to receive electromagnetic (EM) waves from an aperture-constrained array; and an output surface defined by the body configured to output phase-aligned EM waves based on the received EM waves from the aperture-constrained array. The GRIN lens can be dimension-constrained in at least one dimension and can have a non-linear permittivity taper in at least a first dimension. The GRIN lens can provide gain for the received EM waves from the aperture-constrained array.

Abstract: The corona discharge ozone generator is a portable ozone generator designed to produce a sufficient amount of ozone to kill, inactivate or suppress noxious odors, mold, mildew, bacteria, fungus, pathogens, small pests and the like. The generator includes a housing enclosing a ceramic dielectric plate having at least two spaced electrodes. A module for generating a high voltage and low current is also enclosed in the housing. The module applies a high voltage and low current across the electrodes to produce a corona discharge between the surfaces of the electrodes. The discharge causes ozone to be produced in ambient air. The ceramic plate enhances the ozone production. A fan is mounted on or in the housing to disperse the ozone as needed. Ozone is not stored within the device. The module can be powered by AC, DC, solar or other conventional sources. An on/off switch is mounted on the housing for activating and deactivating the module.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system comprises an elongated fixation plate (13) having an elongated slot (21) with a number of concave depressions (28,25) formed at the top and bottom surfaces (19,17) of the plate. The system further includes a pedicle screw (40) and a nut (32) for load transmission between a vertebra and the plate. The pedicle screw includes a threaded nut engaging portion (42), a threaded bone engaging portion (44) and an intermediate portion (46) therebetween which has rigid upper and lower arcuate surfaces (47) that are complementary to the concave depressions in the plate. The nut also includes a rigid lower arcuate surface (36) which is complementary to the upper concave depressions of the plate. In one assembled configuration the plate is clamped between the upper arcuate surface of the pedicle screw and the nut. In an alternative embodiment of the pedicle screw (70), the intermediate portion has an upper and lower arcuate surface (79,77) of different spherical radii of curvature.

Abstract: A a spinal fixation system comprises an elongated fixation plate having a bottom side for facing the vertebrae, an opposite top side extending generally parallel to the bottom side, and an elongated slot defined therethrough which extends substantially along the length of the plate. The slot has a lower edge at the intersection of the slot and the bottom surface and an upper edge at the intersection of the slot and the top surface with a number of concave depressions formed at each edge. In one embodiment, the concave depressions at the lower and upper edges of the slot form comparable scalloped surfaces. In another embodiment, the lower edge of the slot forms a single concave surface extending around the entire perimeter of the lower edge of the slot. The system further includes a pedicle screw and a nut for load transmission between the vertebrae and the fixation plate. The pedicle screw includes a threaded nut engaging portion, a threaded bone engaging portion and an intermediate portion therebetween.

Abstract: A a spinal fixation system comprises an elongated fixation plate having a bottom side for facing the vertebrae, an opposite top side extending generally parallel to the bottom side, and an elongated slot defined therethrough which extends substantially along the length of the plate. The slot has a lower edge at the intersection of the slot and the bottom surface and an upper edge at the intersection of the slot and the top surface with a number of concave depressions formed at each edge. In one embodiment, the concave depressions at the lower and upper edges of the slot form comparable scalloped surfaces. In another embodiment, the lower edge of the slot forms a single concave surface extending around the entire perimeter of the lower edge of the slot. The system further includes a pedicle screw and a nut for load transmission between the vertebrae and the fixation plate. The pedicle screw includes a threaded nut engaging portion, a threaded bone engaging portion and an intermediate portion therebetween.

Abstract: A method of defining, creating, or editing a graphical user interface panel file. The graphical user interface panel contains a plurality of nested graphical objects. According to the disclosed method the end-user opens a graphical user interface source code file and operates on an object that contains at least further nested object. For example, the nesting object may be a box, and the nested objects may be pushbuttons. The nested object file is a linked list that includes an object start identifier, an object end identifier, and included object pointers therebetween for the included objects. Each included object has an included object pointer. The enables the end-user to perform an operation on the object start identifier, which initiates a search for included objects having pointers between the object start identifier and the object end identifier. This allows the same operation to be performed on the included objects.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an improved flushing system for flushing a water closet from a pressurized water line includes sensor which senses an arrival and a departure of a person within a zone proximate the water closet. A controller is connected to the sensor for determining the existence of a low water volume flush condition and the existence of a high water volume flush condition. The low water volume flush condition exists when the sensor senses an elapsed time between the arrival and the departure of less than a preselected time interval. The high water volume flush condition exists when the sensor senses an elapsed time greater than the preselected time interval.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for an improved water closet arm assembly for a water closet having a water closet seat. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a substantially flat base member having a first and a second end with the substantially flat base member being mounted to a bottom surface of the water closet seat. A first and a second arm are secure to the first and second ends of the substantially flat base member for assisting a user in lowering and raising the user relative to the water closet seat. In another embodiment of the invention, the arm assembly is integrally incorporated into the water closet seat for securing to a conventional water closet.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling the flow of a liquid from a liquid pressure line for flushing a toilet bowl comprising a valve interconnecting the liquid pressure line and the toilet bowl. An electrical control generates a first and a second timer period with the second timer period being longer in duration than the first timer period. The electrical control is connected to the valve for opening the valve for the first timer period for flushing a liquid waste from the toilet bowl and for opening the valve for the second timer period for flushing a solid waste from the toilet bowl.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping fluid such as an integral pump/motor is provided. A housing having an inlet and an outlet has a rotatable assembly including an impeller located within and adapted to rotate within the housing to move fluid through the housing from the inlet to the outlet. Secured to the exterior of the housing is a stationary assembly for applying an electromagnetic field through the housing to and around the impeller to rotate the impeller and thereby to cause it to move fluid through the housing.The apparatus is for use in a cooling system, such as a cooling system of an automobile engine, to pump fluid through the cooling system. A temperature sensor is provided for sensing the temperature of the fluid within the cooling system. An electronic control, responsive to the temperature sensor, supplies electrical power to stationary assembly.Also, a method of circulating fluid within a system, such as a cooling system of an automobile engine, is disclosed.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for dispensing a liquid at a desired temperature from a hot liquid pressure line and a cold liquid pressure line to a plurality of liquid outlets such as a bathtub, a sink or the like. The system controls the temperature of the liquid flowing from the plurality of liquid outputs as well as controlling the level of liquid within a container and for maintaining the temperature of the liquid therein. The system includes a liquid recycling system which reduces the amount of liquid discarded during the operation of the system and to conserve heat energy. The system is controlled by a novel electronic control which when applied to a water dispensing system is able to control all functions of a bathtub as well as being capable of controlling a sink, a toilet or the complete water system for a residence, a hotel, an industrial or a medical complex or the like.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for dispensing a liquid at a desired temperature from a hot liquid pressure line and a cold liquid pressure line to a plurality of liquid outlets such as a bathtub, a sink or the like. The system controls the temperature of the liquid flowing from the plurality of liquid outputs as well as controlling the level of liquid within a container and for maintaining the temperature of the liquid therein. The system includes a liquid recycling system which reduces the amount of liquid discarded during the operation of the system and to conserve heat energy. The system is controlled by a novel electronic control which when applied to a water dispensing system is able to control all functions of a bathtub as well as being capable of controlling a sink, a toilet or the complete water system for a residence, a hotel, an industrial or medical complex or the like.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for dispensing a liquid at a desired temperature from a hot liquid pressure line and a cold liquid pressure line to a plurality of liquid outlets such as a bathtub, a sink or the like. The system controls the temperature of the liquid flowing from the plurality of liquid outputs as well as controlling the level of liquid within a container and for maintaining the temperature of the liquid therein. The system includes a liquid recycling system which reduces the amount of liquid discarded during the operation of the system and to converse heat energy. The system is controlled by a novel electronic control which when applied to a water dispensing system is able to control all functions of a bathtub as well as being capable of controlling a sink, a toilet or the complete water system for a residence, a hotel, an industrial or a medical complex or the like.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed for controlling the temperature of a liquid such as water flowing into a container such as a bathtub or the like. The device also controls the level of liquid within the container and includes a solid state circuit in conjunction with a temperature sensing device for maintaining the temperature of the liquid within the container to a preselected level. The control device includes a plurality of switches for preselecting the required temperature and liquid level. Switches are also provided for selecting the use of the bathtub as a bath or as a shower. The flow and mixing of water into the bathtub and the flow of water out of the bathtub is accomplished by solenoid flow control valves responsive to the control device. The invention may be applied to industrial, commercial, medical or residential applications and the like.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed for controlling the temperature of a liquid such as water flowing into a container such as a bathtub or the like. The device also controls the level of liquid within the container and includes a solid state circuit in conjunction with a temperature sensing device for maintaining the temperature of the liquid within the container to a preselected level. The control device includes a plurality of switches for preselecting the required temperature and liquid level. Switches are also provided for selecting the use of the bathtub as a bath or as a shower. The flow and mixing of water into the bathtub and the flow of water out of the bathtub is accomplished by solenoid flow control valves responsive to the control device. The invention may be applied to industrial, commercial, medical or residential applications and the like.

Abstract: A vertically elongated tube houses a compression coil spring reacting between one end of a cable within an upper end portion of the tube and a tube anchoring frame to develop an exercising force transmitted by the cable. A pulley from which the cable extends externally from a lower end portion of the tube to a body harness, guides cable movement under forces applied through the cable at an angle to the tube within a wide range.

Abstract: An upwardly opening receptacle is provided including a bottom and upstanding wall portions projecting upwardly from the bottom and extending peripherally thereabout. One of the wall portions has a door opening formed therein and a horizontally swingable and inwardly opening door is hingedly supported from the one wall portion for movement between a closed position closing the opening and an open position adjacent and opposing the inner surface of a second wall portion of the tub. The tub includes structure defining a seat therein facing the aforementioned second wall portion and disposed to the side of the opening remote from the second wall portion. The one wall portion and the door include peripheral portions disposed about the opening and the door defining abuttingly engageable stop surfaces for limiting movement of the door toward the closed position.

Abstract: An arm exercising device for strengthening of the wrist, forearm and elbow, the invention comprises a pair of longitudinally aligned tubular members movable axially relative to each other, such movement being resisted by an adjustable spring force. A spring system has its length varied to adjust the tension, and thus the torsion of said spring system, one of the tubular members preferably being formed of a clear material in order that the adjustment can be visually observed.