Abstract: An improved roller bearing assembly is disclosed. The improved roller bearing assembly incorporates roller elements having an axially connected cage or spacer connection point which allows the use of a flexible corded or connected spacer assembly. This allows the use of less cage or spacer assembly material than traditional bearing cage designs. It also allows for easier assembly and disassembly of the roller bearing assembly and reduces parasitic drag or friction by reducing the size and cross-section of the cage or spacer assembly. Alternate embodiments incorporating magnets for electromagnetic interaction, vanes for fluid interaction, and offset configuration for the cage elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel configuration for individual pre-packaged portions of fluid foods and a method of preparing them is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of preparing individual pre-packaged portions of fluid foods wherein a portion of a fluid food, optionally including thickening and/or preservative agents, is extruded into a wrapper in a predetermined portion. The wrapper is then sealed to protect the fluid food portion. Multiple methods, resulting in a variety of configurations of the individual pre-packaged portion of fluid food, are disclosed.

Abstract: Improved bearing roller elements are disclosed. Vanes are added to a ring-roller type element which allow fluids to flow through a bearing assembly in a controlled manner. The fluids can then provide convection cooling. The vaned ring-roller elements allow the creation of a pump, either as part of the bearing assembly's cooling system or as a dedicated device. The use of magnetic spokes in ring-roller type elements which can be used with or without the vanes which allows them to be driven by an electromagnetic field is also disclosed, as is the use of such magnetic elements in the bearing roller elements to allow electromagnetic braking and/or regenerative braking. A bearing assembly incorporating the roller elements in a ring configuration and using pre-load to produce additional benefits is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved bearing assembly is disclosed. Ring-shaped rolling elements in an alternating staggered formation, which allows maintenance of the bearing assembly geometry with fewer structural elements than prior bearings. The rolling elements can create a constant elastic tension, or pre-load, which maintains the bearing assembly geometry under various loads and rotational speeds, and reduces wear on the rolling elements and the raceways. The rolling elements can also comprise energy-dampening members and/or instrumentation which can monitor the functioning of the bearing assembly. An alternate embodiment in which the rolling elements are interlocked allows the use of more rolling elements in the same volume. An improved cage assembly, highly suitable for use with the improved bearing assembly, is also disclosed. The improved cage assembly comprises individual cage segments, which each retain one rolling element. The cage assembly can flex at every joint in a way not allowed by prior cage assemblies.

Abstract: Improved bearing roller elements are disclosed. A first disclosed improvement is the addition of vanes to a ring-roller type element which allows fluids (such as liquids or gases) to flow through the bearing assembly. The fluids can then provide convection cooling. With proper configuration, the use of such vaned ring-roller elements can even allow the creation of a pump, either as part of the larger apparatus' cooling system or as a dedicated device. A second disclosed improvement, which can be used in combination with the first or in isolation, is the use of magnetic spokes in ring-roller type elements which allows them to be driven by an electromagnetic field. The use of such magnetic elements in the bearing roller elements also allows electromagnetic braking and/or regenerative braking. A bearing assembly incorporating the roller elements in a ring configuration and using pre-load to produce additional benefits is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved bearing assembly is disclosed. Ring-shaped rolling elements in an alternating staggered formation, which allows maintenance of the bearing assembly geometry with fewer structural elements than prior bearings. The rolling elements can create a constant elastic tension, or pre-load, which maintains the bearing assembly geometry under various loads and rotational speeds, and reduces wear on the rolling elements and the raceways. The rolling elements can also comprise energy-dampening members and/or instrumentation which can monitor the functioning of the bearing assembly. An alternate embodiment in which the rolling elements are interlocked allows the use of more rolling elements in the same volume. An improved cage assembly, highly suitable for use with the improved bearing assembly, is also disclosed. The improved cage assembly comprises individual cage segments, which each retain one rolling element. The cage assembly can flex at every joint in a way not allowed by prior cage assemblies.