Abstract: A system and method of moving and stretching plastic tissue using dynamic force. An elastomeric driver is adjustably attachable to one or more anchors for securing the elastomer to the plastic tissue, providing a self adjusting system that is capable of exerting relatively constant tension over a certain distance.

Abstract: A system and method of moving and stretching plastic tissue using dynamic force. A preferably non-reactive force applying component is adjustably attachable to one or more tissue attachment structures for securing the force applying component to the plastic tissue, providing a self adjusting system that is capable of exerting relatively constant tension over a certain distance.

Abstract: A carrier for a rasp that serves to support the rasp when it is in use and store the rasp when it is not being used. The rasp carrier includes a bottom, two side walls, a back wall, and a tab positioned on the back wall. To support the rasp, the rasp is positioned atop the carrier. The side edges of the rasp fit over the side walls of the carrier to prevent lateral movement of the rasp relative to the carrier. A mounting hole on the rasp engages the tab on the rasp carrier to prevent linear movement of the rasp along the carrier. To store the rasp, the rasp is removed from the top of the carrier and slid between the side walls of the carrier.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for repairing leaks in turbine generators that have water cooled stator coils with hollow conductor strands. Such generators have a tendency to leak where the stator coil joins a header. Once a leak is detected the repair is accomplished by following the steps off the invention. First, the header is cut into an outboard section, and into an inboard section that remains attached to the conductor strands. Second, the exposed lead ends of the conductor strands and the attached inboard section are cleaned to remove oxidation. Third, a water-tight braze seal is applied over the lead ends of the conductor strands. And finally, the stator coil and the inboard section are joined to a new outboard section.

Abstract: A method for installing a header cap on a water header both positioned on a stator coil. The method includes the steps of creating a generally smooth surface on the water header for providing a mating surface on the water header. A seal is interposed between the mating surface of the water header and the header cap for providing a material used to provide a sealed boundary between the cap and mating surface. The header cap and the mating surface of the water header are placed in abutting relationship with the seal for forming a layered, contiguous connection. A pressure device is attached in operative association with the header cap for operatively applying a pressure to the header cap. A spring which is received by the pressure device is compressed for applying a constant and unidirectional pressure to the pressure device which, in turn, transmits the constant and unidirectional pressure to the header cap.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved device and method for plicating tissue. The apparatus of the present invention employs a ligament of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene or similar material which is of sufficient width to allow it to be retained in place by sewing through it using conventional sutures. The present invention is particularly applicable to the repair of heart valves where it can be relatively rapidly installed around a weakened heart valve yet is not susceptible to "guitar string" pull-out or similar problems.

Abstract: An aircraft engine sideways mount assembly includes a thrust mount and an engine suspension for suspending the engine structure sideways from the aircraft such that the thrust mount is operable to react substantially all the thrust load forces from the engine to the aircraft. The thrust mount has a thrust bar extending between the engine structure and a structure fixed to the aircraft such that the thrust bar has a line of action which intersects the engine centerline in a support mount plane through which the engine suspension suspends the engine and which is generally perpendicular the engine centerline. The thrust bar has two thrust links pivotably joined to the aircraft at their aft ends and pivotably joined to the engine structure between the pivotal support mounts at their forward ends and include lines of force which intersect the engine centerline at the forward mount plane through which the forward pivotal support mount acts to support the engine.

Abstract: Flexible printed circuits comprising cobalt circuitry electrolessly deposited on an activated ink coating prepared by heating a wet ink comprising a polymer, e.g. a vinyl polymer such as polyvinyl chloride or polyvinyl alcohol or an unsaturated polymer such as polybutadiene, and a Group 1B or 8 compound, e.g. palladium dichloride, which is adapted to drying at room temperature to a catalytically inert ink. Selective areas of the ink activated by application of heat or light are catalytic to electroless deposition of cobalt.

Abstract: A header cap and the mating surface of a water header are placed in abutting relationship with a seal for forming a layered, contiguous connection. A pressure device is attached in operative association with the header cap for operatively applying a pressure to the header cap. A spring which is received by the pressure device is compressed for applying a constant and unidirectional pressure to the pressure device which, in turn, transmits the constant and unidirectional pressure to the header cap. The connection is finally heated for brazing the header cap and water header together and for forming a seal.

Abstract: A hybrid gas turbine engine rotor blade includes an airfoil and a dovetail integrally joined thereto. The airfoil includes an inner portion disposed adjacent to the dovetail to provide a structural transition, and an outer portion disposed thereabove for effecting a pressure rise in airflow channeled thereacross. A nosepiece is disposed adjacent to the leading edge of the airfoil inner portion, and a tailpiece is disposed adjacent to the trailing edge of the airfoil inner portion. The nosepiece, tailpiece, and airfoil inner portion are collectively aerodynamically configured for effecting a pressure rise in the airflow channeled thereacross.

Abstract: A siphon pump system for pumping water from a water source to a supply destination. The system includes a holding canister through which the water flows, and a first timing bucket associated with the holding canister for controlling the admission of air into the system to thereby permit flow of water contained within the holding canister. A lower flow control chamber is provided adjacent the outlet from a long, second siphon conduit extending from the holding canister to control the refilling of the holding canister in an automatic manner and without the need for connections with a source of electrical power.

Abstract: A method and assembly are effective for air-starting an aircraft gas turbine engine having a fan powered by a low pressure turbine through a first shaft, and a compressor powered by a high pressure turbine through a second shaft disposed coaxially therewith. A gear train is selectively operatively joined between the first and second shafts by selectively engaging a first clutch for transmitting torque through the first clutch only in one direction from the first shaft to the second shaft when the fan is windmilling for driving the second shaft to allow an air-start of the gas turbine engine during flight. In a preferred embodiment, a second clutch is operatively joined to the gear train and is selectively engageable at speeds of the second shaft below a predetermined release speed, and disengageable at the release speed and above for disconnecting the air-start assembly once the engine has been started.

Abstract: Flexible printed circuits comprising copper circuitry electrolessly deposited on an activated ink coating prepared by heating a wet ink comprising a polymer, e.g. polyvinyl chloride or a butadiene polymer, and a Group 1B or 8 compound, e.g. palladium dichloride, which is adapted to drying at room temperature to a catalytically inert ink. Selective areas of the ink activated by application of heat or light, e.g. a laser, are catalytic to electroless deposition of copper.

Abstract: A woodworking bench and related fixtures providing an integrated system of bench features, vises, dogs, panel clamps, hold-downs and fixtures that cooperate to provide a highly flexible workpiece holding and clamping apparatus able to accommodate a wide variety of shapes and sizes of workpieces and hold such workpieces in an enormous variety of positions during numerous different operations. Two substantial slabs provide the bench top surface and carry a rectilinear pattern (in rows and files) of round, vertical bench dog holes. The rectilinear pattern of round bench dog holes with specific, equal spacing between holes, and similar holes in the edge of the top, facilitate great flexibility in clamping using conventional round dogs in the bench top holes and corresponding dogs in bench edge-mounted, or end-mounted vises. Such holes also accommodate other clamping, fixing and hold-down fixtures that contribute to flexibility and utility.

Abstract: An improved photofinishing packaging apparatus and related method is described in which a film bar code is read, and identification indicia which may be different from the film bar code is encoded onto the corresponding prints generated from the film. The film bar code is then paired with the identification indicia, which pairing is stored in a computer. Later, the packager uses the pairing to match up the film with the corresponding prints.

Abstract: An improved photofinishing packaging apparatus and related method is described in which a film bar code is read, and identification indicia which may be different from the film bar code is encoded onto the corresponding prints generated from the film. The film bar code is then paired with the identification indicia, which pairing is stored in a computer. Later, the packager uses the pairing to match up the film with the corresponding prints.

Abstract: Catalytically inert films comprising complexes of polymer with a compound of a Group 1B or Group 8 metal at unusually low proportions of metal can be selectively activated, e.g. to provide a catalytic surface. Such films can be advantageously activatable to electroless deposition, e.g. of oxidation resistant layers of copper.

Abstract: Catalytically inert films comprising complexes of polymer with a compound of a Group 1B or Group 8 metal at unusually low proportions of metal can be selectively activated, e.g. to provide a catalytic surface. Such films can be advantageously activatable to electroless deposition, e.g. of oxidation resistant layers of copper.