Abstract: A method for tuning a vibratory device including a cantilevered resonator comprising the steps of increasing a voltage V0 supplied to the vibratory device to thereby increase the bandwidth of the vibratory device; and keeping the resonant frequency of the vibratory device at substantially that natural frequency of the cantilevered resonator, wherein the vibratory device comprises: a capacitor including a movable plate and a fixed plate spaced from each other, the movable plate being part of the cantilevered resonator; a voltage source connected to the capacitor for providing voltage V0 across the capacitor to produce an attractive force between movable plate and fixed plate; a circuit connecting the voltage source to the capacitor; and a load resistor in said circuit having a resistance RL satisfying the following equation: ? = ? 0 ? c 0 ? R L ( 1 - ? ) where: ? is at least 10; ?0 is the beam constant for the cantilevered resonator; c0 is the capacitance for the capacitor; and ? is the vo

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the electromagnetic radiation reflected from structures in the direction of electromagnetic radiation receiving equipment is disclosed. The apparatus, situated between an object (6) and a source of electromagnetic radiation (10), comprises an array (2) of at least one substantially reflective panel (4) arranged such that the array reflects and disperses incident electromagnetic radiation away from the receiving equipment (8). The apparatus therefore provides means of reducing the adverse effects of large structures on electromagnetic radiation communications (i.e. transmission and reception).

Abstract: A weld process cuitable for repairing precipitation-strengthened superalloys, and particularly gamma prime-strengthened nickel-based superalloys. The process entails forming a weldment in a cavity present in a surface of an article formed of a precipitation-strengthened superalloy. The cavity has a root region and a cap region between the root region and the surface of the article. A solid body formed of a superalloy composition is placed in the root region of the cavity so as to occupy a first portion but not a second portion of the root region. A first filler material formed of a solid solution-strengthened superalloy is then weld-deposited in the second portion of the root region. Subsequently, a second filler material formed of a precipitation-strengthened superalloy is weld-deposited in the cap region of the cavity.

Abstract: A programmable MEMS diffractive optical processor having actuatable grating elements that are optically adjacent and supported at points intermediate the ends of the grating elements. The grating elements are maintained substantially flat during actuation of the grating elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods that allow for anti-counterfeiting marks that carry user information and other data to be embedded into an original coupon design. The marks may be invisible, or visible but difficult to remove. At the receiving sides of the coupons, the embedded data are used to detect fraud and trace back the coupon users.

Abstract: A demultiplexer for use in a wavelength-division multiplexed optical system including a first positive lens group, a negative lens group, and a second positive lens group in order from a dispersive element and a reflective element. In some embodiments the reflective element is a light modulator, such as an actuatable diffraction grating. In some embodiments the demultiplexer is a part of a dynamic channel equalizer. In embodiments having a light modulator, the modulation may occur during both a first pass and a second pass.

Abstract: Fastener delivery apparatus for automatically selecting and delivering fasteners such as rivets to a setting tool. The fasteners are pre-loaded in a package and dispense via at least one fastener delivery tube that interconnects the setting tool to a fastener feeder device. The fastener feeder device releases selected fasteners from the package into the delivery tube. The fasteners are transportable individually or in groups in the tube from the feeder device to the tool. A transfer station attached to the tool or the delivery tube transfers a fastener from the delivery apparatus into the tool, the transfer station being moveable between a first position in which an exit of the transfer station is adjacent to the tool so that a delivered fastener may be inserted by the transfer station into the tool and a second position in which it is clear of the tool so as to permit the tool or a portion thereof to move towards a workpiece to insert a loaded fastener. The delivery tube has wear resistant elements.

Abstract: A composition is provided comprising a substance of interest encapsulated by a continuous layer of a plurality of salt crystals which layer is impermeable to the substance of interest. Also provided is a method of producing a continuous layer of a plurality of salt crystals, the salt comprising a cation and an anion, which method comprises (i) providing a substrate which comprises a plurality of negatively charged binding sites for the cation and/or a plurality of positively charged binding sites for the anion, and (ii) contacting the substrate with a solution of the salt under conditions which cause nucleation of salt crystals comprising the cation and the anion at a plurality of said binding sites, the plurality of charged binding sites being present on the surface of the substrate at a sufficient density so that the resulting plurality of salt crystals form a continuous layer.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system includes a pedicle screw having a longitudinal axis. A fixation element is configured to connect the pedicle screw to at least one additional pedicle screw. A coupling mechanism includes a pedicle screw securing device adapted to secure the coupling mechanism to the pedicle screw and a fixation element securing device configured to secure the coupling mechanism to the fixation element. A fastening mechanism is configured to fasten both the pedicle screw securing device and the fixation element securing device. The fastening mechanism is located along the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw.

Abstract: Fastener delivery apparatus for automatically selecting and delivering fasteners such as rivets to a setting tool. The fasteners are pre-loaded in a package and dispense via at least one fastener delivery tube that interconnects the setting tool to a fastener feeder device. The fastener feeder device releases selected fasteners from the package into the delivery tube. The fasteners are transportable individually or in groups in the tube from the feeder device to the tool. A transfer station attached to the tool or the delivery tube transfers a fastener from the delivery apparatus into the tool, the transfer station being moveable between a first position in which an exit of the transfer station is adjacent to the tool so that a delivered fastener may be inserted by the transfer station into the tool and a second position in which it is clear of the tool so as to permit the tool or a portion thereof to move towards a workpiece to insert a loaded fastener. The delivery tube has wear resistant elements.

Abstract: A pedicle screw coupling construct for a pedicle screw construct provides fixation of angular orientation thereof relative to a pedicle screw independent of fixation of a received spinal rod to the coupling construct. The pedicle screw construct forms one component or element in a spinal fixation system. The independent fixation coupling construct also provides for fixation of the angular orientation of the coupling construct while the coupling construct has received the spinal rod. In another form, a coupling head or construct is configured to allow a pedicle screw shaft to pass therethrough but retain the pedicle screw head for rotation of the coupling head about the pedicle screw head. The coupling head or construct is also configured to allow at least a 45° arc of pivot or articulation about a pedicle screw shaft relative to a longitudinal axis of a spinal rod received in the body.

Abstract: The blue smoke control collector system is used for the collection of the blue haze which is actually comprised of tiny oil droplets that hover over hot asphaltic concrete mix. The system is designed to collect and filter the air generated at hot mix asphalt transfer points, asphaltic concrete silo loading areas and truck loading areas and to remove the oil therefrom. Oil captured in the system settles into a plenum and is then drained therefrom for suitable disposal. The filtered air can be released in to the atmosphere. An optional activated charcoal filter stage can be included to reduce odor in the released air.

Abstract: A cervical bone plate includes a graft window that allows access to and/or visualization of a bone graft area of the cervical spine after attachment of the present cervical plate to the vertebrae. The window is preferably, but not necessarily, sized for maximum exposure of the graft area and/or the vertebral body without compromising plate strength, particularly with respect to federal standards for such devices. The window is centrally positioned on the plate and is sized to provide alignment of the plate onto the vertebrae at the base of the vertebra fastener or screw holes of the plate. In a dynamic form of this cervical bone plate, the graft window expands and contracts with respective expansion and contraction of the dynamic plate after attachment to the vertebrae (i.e. “dynamizes”). In another form, a three-component dynamic bone plate is configured such that a middle component accepts an identical end component at both ends of the middle component. The end component is a 180° interchangeable part.

Abstract: N-level internally dynamizing cervical plates and cervical plate constructs in accordance with the present principles, provide unconstrained sliding interconnection between the various plate components after installation on a cervical spine. A tongue-and-groove configuration between the various plate segments provides a constant thickness over the dynamizing portions. Detents provided relative the tongue-and-groove portions allows the various plate components to be permanently joined, but movable relative to one another. Various bone screw anti-backing, anti-rotation or locking devices for cervical bone plates are also provided that allow releasable locking of bone screws relative to the cervical plate.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable, waterproof storage case for placement on or about the neck, arm, ankle, wrist or waist of an individual involved in outdoor activities includes a storage case body defining an interior chamber wherein personal items and effects can be held and a secondary storage compartment adjoined to the storage case body and of a smaller dimension for receiving and holding therein paper items such as amusement park passes, a driver's license or credit cards. In addition, a lid is pivotally attached to the body of the storage case for waterproof sealing of the chamber from the external environment, and the lid is sealably fastened to the storage case body by a closure member. The storage case can be attached to the individual's neck, arm, ankle, wrist or waist, or an article of clothing, by a cord or lanyard, a flexible strap, or a side waist clip.

Abstract: A strength monitor for a wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) communication system in which the carriers comprising WDM signal do not need to spatially separated to determine their strengths. The strength monitor provides local modulation of a carrier to measured. In some embodiments, a strength monitor uses a digital channel equalizer to modulate a given carrier whose strength is to be measured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an injection moulded plastics article comprises introducing a supply of plastics material (20) into a mould space (13), supplying a first stream of pressurised fluid into the molten plastics material to form a fluid containing cavity (25) therein, maintaining fluid pressure in the cavity until the plastics material can sustain the form dictated by the mould surface. During the step of maintaining fluid pressure in the cavity, at least a portion of the first stream of pressurised fluid is vented or allowed to vent from the cavity, and simultaneously a second stream of pressurised fluid from a second source (26; 40; 41) is supplied to the cavity, which second stream replaces that portion of the first stream which has vented from the cavity.

Abstract: A micro acoustic spectrum analyzer for determining the frequency components of a fluctuating sound signal comprises a microphone to pick up the fluctuating sound signal and produce an alternating current electrical signal; at least one microfabricated resonator, each resonator having a different resonant frequency, that vibrate in response to the alternating current electrical signal; and at least one detector to detect the vibration of the microfabricated resonators. The micro acoustic spectrum analyzer can further comprise a mixer to mix a reference signal with the alternating current electrical signal from the microphone to shift the frequency spectrum to a frequency range that is a better matched to the resonant frequencies of the microfabricated resonators. The micro acoustic spectrum analyzer can be designed specifically for portability, size, cost, accuracy, speed, power requirements, and use in a harsh environment.

Abstract: A proposed system and method for validation and confirmation of the authenticity of trading cards or other printed collectibles. By providing suitable embedded code coupled with hidden feature information as authentication information, printed on the trading card at time of manufacture, the card owner or dealer may readily ascertain the match of a given card with stored data and thereby know if that card is genuine and thus the true value of the trading card.

Abstract: A proposed system and method for validation, confirmation and customization of trading cards or other printed collectibles. By providing suitable software to a consumer, unique personalized trading cards may be provided as mementos of particular occasions or as secure personalized examples for personal collecting. The resultant trading card may be then sent to the consumer, a friend, or relative.