Abstract: A micromechanical device may include one or more piezoresistive elements whose electrical resistance changes in response to externally or internally induced strain. The present invention leverages the piezoresistive properties of such devices to sense the positional state of the device. A sensing circuit may be integrated into the device that senses an electrical resistance of at least a portion of the micromechanical device and provides information regarding the positional state of the micromechanical device. The micromechanical device may be a compliant device that includes relatively flexible members such as mechanical beams or ribbons. The positional states may be continuous positional states (such as the position of an actuator) or discreet positional states (such as the positional state of a bistable memory device). In certain embodiments, the micromechanical device is a threshold detector that latches to a particular stable configuration when an applied force exceeds a selected value.

Abstract: A platform actuator includes a substrate, a first, a second, and a third spherical input slider-crank mechanism, wherein each of the first, second, and third spherical input slider crank mechanism is coupled by a first end to said substrate, and a platform is coupled to a second end of each of the first, second, and third spherical input slider-cranks. According to one exemplary embodiment, each of the first, second, and third spherical input slider-crank mechanisms are configured to convert in-plane motion to out-of-plane motion.

Abstract: A spherical bi-stable mechanism includes a planar bi-stable compliant member including an input and an output, and a spherical mechanism member coupled to the output of the first planar bi-stable compliant component. An actuation of the first planar bi-stable compliant member in a first plane is configured to cause the spherical mechanism member to be selectively positioned in a second plane.

Abstract: A micromechanism (104) with two unique, stable configurations is disclosed. The micromechanism (104) has a base member (120) and a shuttle (122) designed to move in linear fashion. The shuttle (122) is coupled to the base member (120) via a coupling (26) in which flexible members (50, 52) are placed under axial tension in addition to bending. The coupling (26) also has a compressive member (54) that is compressed as the flexible members (50, 52) are placed in tension. The shuttle (122) has a displacement between the stable configurations that is suitable for use with thermomechanical microactuators and microswitching applications. Such a micromechanism may have multiple couplings (26), which may be disposed on either side of the shuttle (122) and may be attached to multiple base members (120).

Abstract: A micromechanical device may include one or more piezoresistive elements whose electrical resistance changes in response to externally or internally induced strain. The present invention leverages the piezoresistive properties of such devices to sense the positional state of the device. A sensing circuit may be integrated into the device that senses an electrical resistance of at least a portion of the micromechanical device and provides information regarding the positional state of the micromechanical device. The micromechanical device may be a compliant device that includes relatively flexible members such as mechanical beams or ribbons. The positional states may be continuous positional states (such as the position of an actuator) or discreet positional states (such as the positional state of a bistable memory device). In certain embodiments, the micromechanical device is a threshold detector that latches to a particular stable configuration when an applied force exceeds a selected value.

Abstract: A foldable shooting chair that will provide a sturdy support for a long gun shooter and includes a tripod base with legs that will fold together. A stool, including a padded seat rotatably mounted on the base and a seat back, support arm and shooting arm carried by and rotatable with the padded seat, the support arm being removable for positioning as a support for either a right or left-handed shooter and as a handle when the tripod legs are folded together.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) that is capable of a first stable configuration and a second stable configuration is disclosed. The bistable mechanism (10) has a leg (30, 32) that is coupled on one end by a base member (22, 24) and on the other end by a shuttle (20). The leg (30, 32) stores potential energy as it is deflected. The potential energy stored in the leg (30, 32) has a maximum potential energy position with a low potential energy position on either side of the maximum. An apparatus and method are also disclosed for a latching mechanism (910) and the associated method. The latching mechanism (910) is comprised of a grasping member (932), a lock slider (928), and a detent slider (916). These three members (916, 928, 932) operate together to induce a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration by actuating the lock slider (928) in a single direction.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) that is capable of a first stable configuration and a second stable configuration is disclosed. The bistable mechanism (10) has a leg (30, 32) that is coupled on one end by a base member (22, 24) and on the other end by a shuttle (20). The leg (30, 32) stores potential energy as it is deflected. The potential energy stored in the leg (30, 32) has a maximum potential energy position with a low potential energy position on either side of the maximum. An apparatus and method are also disclosed for a latching mechanism (910) and the associated method. The latching mechanism (910) is comprised of a grasping member (932), a lock slider (928), and a detent slider (916). These three members (916, 928, 932) operate together to induce a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration by actuating the lock slider (928) in a single direction.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission or clutch device (10) includes at least one pulley (18) rotatable on a pivot (28) and having a pair of adjustable sheaves (30, 34) including a movable sheave (30) movable along the pivot. An ortho-planar compliant mechanism (14) is capable of elastic deformation and operatively coupled to the movable sheave to bias the movable sheave towards or away from the other sheave. The ortho-planar compliant mechanism includes a substantially flat configuration and is deflectable therefrom as the movable sheave moves. The ortho-planar compliant mechanism can include a center platform (38) disposed on the pivot and a plurality of arms (42) extending from the platform to distal ends (46) coupled to the movable sheave.

Abstract: A micromechanism (104) with two unique, stable configurations is disclosed. The micromechanism (104) has a base member (120) and a shuttle (122) designed to move in linear fashion. The shuttle (122) is coupled to the base member (120) via a coupling (26) in which flexible members (50, 52) are placed under axial tension in addition to bending. The coupling (26) also has a compressive member (54) that is compressed as the flexible members (50, 52) are placed in tension. The shuttle (122) has a displacement between the stable configurations that is suitable for use with thermomechanical microactuators and microswitching applications. Such a micromechanism may have multiple couplings (26), which may be disposed on either side of the shuttle (122) and may be attached to multiple base members (120).

Abstract: A method for designing and optimnizing compliant mechanisms is provided, in addition to bistable compliant mechanism designs. According to the method, a selected compliant structure may be modeled analytically, and the characteristics of the analytical model may be optimized. Multiple recursive optimization algorithms may be used, for example, to determine the general location of a global optimum, and then to determine the values of the analytical model characteristics that obtain the global optimum or a feasible configuration for the selected compliant structure. Geometric characteristics of the selected compliant structure may be derived from the values of the analytical model characteristics. Bistable compliant designs may have a shuttle disposed between a pair of base members. The shuttle (20) may be linked to the base members (22, 24) by a pair of legs (30, 32), via flexural pivots. The base members may have cantilevered mounting beams to create deformable mounts that receive and store potential energy.

Abstract: A base oil feed having a tendency to form a haze at ambient or sub-ambient temperatures is contacted with a solid adsorbent to remove at least a portion of the haze precursors, thereby reducing the haze-forming tendency of the base oil feed.

Abstract: A dewaxed oil having a tendency to form a haze at ambient or sub-ambient temperatures is contacted with a solid adsorbent to remove at least a portion of the haze precursors, thereby reducing the haze-forming tendency of the dewaxed oil.

Abstract: A device for self-administered treatment of hemorrhoids and other rectal disorders generally comprises an outer vessel including a hollow, thin-walled, flexible elongated tubular body portion having an inner closed end and an outer closed end and dimensioned for manual rectal insertion of the inner end, and having an enlarged stop portion at the outer end to prevent rectal insertion of the outer end and to insure proper positioning during use. The inner end has a portion of larger circumference to prevent expulsion of the device during use by anal spincter action. Chemical components within the outer vessel produce an exothermic reaction. An inner vessel, disposed within the outer vessel, contains at least one of the chemical components, and being facturable upon flexion of the outer vessel, provides for mixture of the chemicals. The device is intended for insertion into the anal canal to raise the temperature of the wall surface to approximately 45.degree. C.