Abstract: The present teachings disclose a wire mesh heater including: a wire mesh element having a surface area including a non-contact area and a contact area along at least 50% of a wire mesh element length; a primary conductor including a slit having a contact surface, wherein the contact area contacts the contact surface to provide an electrical connection between the wire mesh element and the primary conductor. In some embodiments, the primary conductor is welded to the wire mesh element, wherein the contact area contacts the contact surface to provide an electrical connection between the wire mesh element and the primary conductor. In some embodiments, an elastic is stretched and secured tautly under tension prior to operation of the wire mesh heater, and the elastic keeps the wire mesh element tautly under tension during operation of the wire mesh heater.

Abstract: A device for communicating a physical touch is disclosed. The device including: an array of pistons numbering greater than 25 per square inch, each piston having a contact surface; an actuator array to independently move each piston; and a controller to determine a depth position of each piston in the array of pistons, wherein each of the pistons comprises a cylinder and a pin disposed in the cylinder. The device may be used with a communication system including a high speed data transmission and sensory system to reproduce the sensation of touch by translating an actuation of the array pins. The actuation may be affected by a controlled continuous transfer of a fluid between pressure zones. Additional sensory effects including texture, softness, humidity, chemistry and temperature may be transmittable through the device.

Abstract: A microwave wire mesh oven including: a microwave oven cavity; a wire mesh element positioned to radiate black body radiation into the microwave oven cavity; and a magnetron configured to generate microwaves, wherein some of the generated microwaves impinge on the wire mesh element.

Abstract: A cushioning material and a method to make the same is disclosed. The cushioning material includes: a cellulose base sheet; a co-layer binder disposed on the cellulose base sheet; and a plurality of discrete cuts disposed in the cellulose base sheet, wherein the cellulose base sheet is configured to be expanded and locked using heat activation and a solvent.

Abstract: A device for communicating a physical touch is disclosed. The device including: an array of pistons numbering greater than 25 per square inch, each piston having a contact surface; an actuator array to independently move each piston; and a controller to determine a depth position of each piston in the array of pistons, wherein each of the pistons comprises a cylinder and a pin disposed in the cylinder. The device may be used with a communication system including a high speed data transmission and sensory system to reproduce the sensation of touch by translating an actuation of the array pins. The actuation may be affected by a controlled continuous transfer of a fluid between pressure zones. Additional sensory effects including texture, softness, humidity, chemistry and temperature may be transmittable through the device.

Abstract: A high speed cooking apparatus employing a low voltage high current system for heating foods employing a novel wire mesh heating element. The system herein described providing the benefits of high speed cooking like that further described by U.S. Provisional Application 60/822,028 filed on Aug. 10, 2006, but yet providing significant cost benefit and simplicity over said system.

Abstract: A novel method of concentrating solar energy using wave generators is disclosed. The systems and methods enable the collection of energy over large area at high efficiencies and the concentrating of energy at a target for use and transfer.

Abstract: A low cost solution for detecting the flow of water in a sink using a non-contact vibration sensor coupled with a computer vision system and a passive switched RFID tag that becomes active upon detection of water flow. In some embodiments, the water flow forms an active antennae system for the RFID tag. The sensor comprises a piezo electric film attached at the underside of a water receptacle, for example, a sink so as to collect the sound generated by water splashing or hitting the sink and a vision system using active detection techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mesh heating system including: two or more electrodes configured to supply a current to the wire mesh heating element; a mesh heating element comprising filaments disposed between the two or more electrodes; and a tensioner to maintain the wire mesh heating element at tension along an axis of tension as the wire mesh heating element is heated, wherein some of the filaments of the mesh heating element are disposed to intersect the axis of tension at a non-orthogonal angle.

Abstract: A high speed cooking apparatus employing a low voltage high current system for heating foods employing a novel wire mesh heating element. The system herein described providing the benefits of high speed cooking like that further described by U.S. Provisional Application 60/822,028 filed on Aug. 10, 2006, but yet providing significant cost benefit and simplicity over said system.

Abstract: A plastic debris collection system intended for marine use is disclosed. The system includes: a buoyant ring structure; various surface sheathings of plastic disposed on the buoyant ring structure and configured to be joined to a plastic debris; and a heating device disposed on the buoyant ring structure and configured to heat and join the plastic debris to one of the various surface sheathings of plastic.

Abstract: A solar concentration system and a solar collection and concentration system both comprising a wave generator immersed in a fluid and processes for collecting and/or concentrating solar energy are disclosed. The solar collection and concentration system comprises a vibrating ring or ring assembly (1001), a pole or column (1009), a liquid medium used as a reflective surface, a vibration or actuation element (1001, 1003) and an energy absorption, transfer, or converting element (1019, 1020).

Abstract: There is provided a liquid heater including: a conduit; a circuit for carrying a DC current; and a wire mesh segment disposed in the conduit and configured to receive the current, wherein the wire mesh segment has a conically shaped surface. There is provided a liquid heater kit including: a DC power supply; and a wire mesh segment configured to be disposed in a conduit and to receive a current from the DC power supply, wherein the wire mesh segment has a conically shaped surface.

Abstract: There is provided a vapor generator including: a circuit to carry a DC current from an energy device; a wire mesh heating element to receive the DC current; and a sprayer to direct a fine spray of a liquid at the wire mesh heating element to vaporize the liquid, wherein a ratio of a resistance of the wire mesh heating element to a radiative black body area of the wire mesh heating element is less than 2 ohms/m2.

Abstract: A high speed cooking apparatus employing a low voltage high current system for heating foods employing a novel wire mesh heating element. The system herein described providing the benefits of high speed cooking like that further described by U.S. Provisional Application 60/822,028 filed on Aug. 10, 2006, but yet providing significant cost benefit and simplicity over said system.

Abstract: A radiant oven including multiple wire-mesh elements and a method of heating with the same is described. The radiant oven including: a cooking cavity configured to receive a cooking load; a circuit configured to current supplied by one or more stored energy devices; and a main heater comprising a multiple of wire mesh heating elements to be driven by the current, the multiple wire mesh heating elements being sized and positioned to heat the cooking load, and a gap between each of the multiple wire mesh heating elements.

Abstract: A system including a conveyance system and a stored energy cooking oven. The mobile system for heating a product including: an oven including wire mesh heating elements arranged in a parallel circuit and configured to reach 1400 Kelvin in less than about 30 seconds, wherein the heating elements are shaped to include a surface radiating heat; a stored energy device configured to provide direct current to energize the heating elements; and a conveyer configured to convey the product to a heating position facing the surface radiating heat, wherein a distance of an outer surface of the product is less than six inches from the surface radiating heat.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a chance event is described. The method includes: capturing an initial ancillary frame image prior to an occurrence of a chance event, wherein the initial ancillary frame records winning outcomes based on the chance event; calculating motion information of an object in a reference frame, wherein the motion of the object defines the chance event; and capturing a final reference frame image when the chance event has occurred in the reference frame.

Abstract: A robotic exhaust system to connect to a vehicle, a system to collect exhaust gas from a moving vehicle, and a method thereof is described. The robotic exhaust system includes: flexible tubing configured to connect to a tail pipe at a first end and to connect to an exhaust collection tubing interface at a second end; a motor configured to move the flexible tubing; a sensor configured to detect a marker in the road, wherein the marker provides information indicating a position of the exhaust collection tubing interface; and a controller configured to move the second end of the flexible tubing to the position of the exhaust collection tubing interface.

Abstract: A high speed cooking apparatus employing a low voltage high current system for heating foods employing a novel wire mesh heating element. The system herein described providing the benefits of high speed cooking like that further described by U.S. Provisional Application 60/822,028 filed on Aug. 10th, 2006, but yet providing significant cost benefit and simplicity over said system.