Abstract: An exemplary system and method for a single-conductor capacitive touch or contact sensor or human-machine-interface that can be integrated into a 2D or 3D-formed body. The exemplary system and method can be employed in the design and/or construction/fabrication of a tactile sensor-device having minimal instrumentation and wiring to provide interactive functionality. In some embodiments, the exemplary system and method can provide n number of sensing nodes on a device through the use of a single channel input of a controller without multiplexing by evaluating and encoding each sensing node to an RC delay uniquely established for the sensing node.

Abstract: A temperature responsive pressure relief filter vent device for a storage drum having an annular sleeve member composed of a fusible material, such as a polymer or low melt temperature metal. The mating portion of the device is externally threaded and the fusible sleeve member is internally and externally threaded. With this structure, the fusible sleeve is mated with the eternally threaded mating portion and this assembly is then mounted into the threaded opening of a drum, thereby securing the pressure relief device onto the drum. Under elevated temperature conditions, as the temperature of the fusible sleeve approaches or reaches the melting point of the fusible material, the sleeve will soften or melt sufficiently such that pressure buildup within the drum causes the pressure relief device to be expelled from the drum.

Abstract: A compression based foundation having strategically paced padding to guard against the types of injuries most usually sustained during obstacle course racing is provided. Also provided is an energy supplement storage garment where energy supplements are within easy reach during active racing conditions.

Abstract: A compression based foundation having strategically paced padding to guard against the types of injuries most usually sustained during obstacle course racing is provided. Also provided is an energy supplement storage garment where energy supplements are within easy reach during active racing conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for heating a dump body is disclosed. In particular embodiments, a heated dump body comprises a floor including one or more bolsters formed within the floor. The dump body further includes a pair of side sheets, each of the side sheets coupled to one side of the floor, each of the pair of side sheets including one or more bolsters formed within each respective side sheet. The dump body further includes a front sheet coupled to the floor and the side sheets, the front sheet including one or more bolsters formed within the front sheet. The dump body also includes a canopy coupled to the front sheet, the canopy including one or more bolsters formed within the canopy. The bolsters formed in the floor, the pair of side sheets, the front sheet and the canopy are each operable to channel air.

Abstract: A system and method to self-configure a distributed system includes obtaining a description of a distributed system which has a plurality of computing nodes, each node being capable of performing any of a plurality of tasks in the description. At each node, a persona of that node is determined in accordance with the description such that the nodes are assigned tasks in the distributed system. Each node is reconfigured in accordance with the persona such that the nodes are linked in the distributed system to provide a self-configured distributed system for performing at least one application.

Abstract: A system and method to self-configure a distributed system includes obtaining a description of a distributed system which has a plurality of computing nodes, each node being capable of performing any of a plurality of tasks in the description. At each node, a persona of that node is determined in accordance with the description such that the nodes are assigned tasks in the distributed system. Each node is reconfigured in accordance with the persona such that the nodes are linked in the distributed system to provide a self-configured distributed system for performing at least one application.

Abstract: A system for transferring files between a source location and a target location can transfer different portions of the file across two or more logical channels. The portions of the file transmitted over the logical channels can be transmitted independently. In addition, the portions of the file can be transmitted over one or more logical channels asynchronously. The logic controls for managing the file transfer can be distributed over multiple systems located at separate locations and operating independently. During the transfer of the file, markers are generated that point to the location in memory where the file is stored. These markers obviate the need to store the file in a buffer or an archive log during the file transfer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for chromatic dispersion compensation are provided. The apparatus includes a Gires-Tournois etalon, an optical beam separator, a GTE controller, an optical distortion analyzer, and a feedback controller.

Abstract: A birefringence minimizing fluoride crystal vacuum ultraviolet (“VUV”) optical lithography lens element is provided for use with lithography wavelengths<230 nm. The VUV lithography lens element has an optical axis encompassed by a lens perimeter with the fluoride crystal lens having a variation in crystallographic orientation direction which tilts away from the optical center axis towards the lens perimeter to provide minimal birefringence. The invention includes a birefringence minimizing fluoride crystal optical lithography lens blank with a variation in crystallographic orientation direction across the blank.

Abstract: A method of making precision geometry honeycomb material formed of a composite material and exhibiting dimensional uniformity, is disclosed. Composite material is molded in the cavity of a single-sided female mold to form a first web with a plurality of honeycomb cell portions of the desired cell shape in the web. The details of the cavity mold configuration are captured to form the honeycomb cell portions in the composite material during molding the web by applying pressure to the composite material in the mold with an elastomeric pressure intensifier. The composite material of the web is stabilized as by curing. First and second molded webs are precisely aligned in a fixture and joined together at facing cell nodes thereof by bonding yielding a honeycomb material with superior geometric platform.

Abstract: A method of making precision geometry honeycomb material formed of a composite material and exhibiting dimensional uniformity, is disclosed. Composite material is molded in the cavity of a single-sided female mold to form a first web with a plurality of honeycomb cell portions of the desired cell shape in the web. The details of the cavity mold configuration are captured to form the honeycomb cell portions in the composite material during molding the web by applying pressure to the composite material in the mold with an elastomeric pressure intensifier. The composite material of the web is stabilized as by curing. First and second molded webs are precisely aligned in a fixture and joined together at facing cell nodes thereof by bonding yielding a honeycomb material with superior geometric platform.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention comprises a method and apparatus for utilizing online presence information. The invention comprises an interconnection fabric (e.g. a network) configured to transmit data, a plurality of client devices that are each associated with a user, a presence indicator, a presence engine, a translation engine, a communication engine, and a broadcast engine. A presence indicator is a type of cue that may be embedded into a document and configured to provide users with a mechanism for determining when another user is connected to the interconnection fabric (e.g. a visual, audio, or video cue. Each graphic is associated with a particular user and is configured to resemble the status of the user with which the graphic is associated (e.g whether a particular user is connected to the interconnection fabric). The presence engine contains software configured to determine when a user begins and ends using the network.