Abstract: A method for capturing trapped powder from a part during an additive manufacturing process, the method comprising defining parameters for a part, the part defining an interior passageway defined by interior sidewalls, defining parameters for a powder removal cap, the powder removal cap comprising a body portion and a thin radial membrane connected to the interior sidewalls of the part, simultaneously creating the part and the powder removal cap via additive manufacturing, wherein the powder removal cap is created within the interior passageway and, upon completion of the creation of the part and the powder removal cap, the powder removal cap traps excess powder within the interior passageway, removing the powder removal cap from the interior passageway by breaking the radial membrane from the interior sidewalls to permit access to the interior passageway, and capturing the excess powder within the interior passageway.

Abstract: A method and system for composite molding, and the method includes additively manufacturing a mold shell that includes a part forming cavity. The method includes filling at least a portion of the mold shell with a strengthening agent. The method includes hardening the strengthening agent to form a mold, and laying-up a composite material on the part forming cavity. The method includes curing the mold to form a composite part.

Abstract: Interworking between different layer two (L2) medias using network tunnels is provided by receiving, at a virtual gateway network element (GNE), a packet from a first L2 media type network for transmission to a second L2 media type network under the control of a different entities, wherein the first and second L2 media type networks are incompatible for direct packet transmission; removing, at the virtual GNE, ethernet encapsulation from the packet; re-encapsulating, at a network device located between the virtual GNE and a packet network, the packet in a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) encapsulation; forwarding, over the packet network, the packet from the network device to a digital communication channel (DCC) associated with the second L2 media type network; replacing, at the DCC, the MPLS encapsulation with a link access protocol (LAP) encapsulation; and transmitting the packet encapsulated with the LAP encapsulation to the second L2 media type network.

Abstract: Interworking between different layer two (L2) medias using network tunnels is provided by receiving, at a virtual gateway network element (GNE), a packet from a first L2 media type network for transmission to a second L2 media type network under the control of a different entities, wherein the first and second L2 media type networks are incompatible for direct packet transmission; removing, at the virtual GNE, ethernet encapsulation from the packet; re-encapsulating, at a network device located between the virtual GNE and a packet network, the packet in a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) encapsulation; forwarding, over the packet network, the packet from the network device to a digital communication channel (DCC) associated with the second L2 media type network; replacing, at the DCC, the MPLS encapsulation with a link access protocol (LAP) encapsulation; and transmitting the packet encapsulated with the LAP encapsulation to the second L2 media type network.

Abstract: A flow control valve is disclosed wherein a housing defines a flow chamber with an inlet and an outlet. Disposed within the flow chamber is a poppet assembly comprising an inner poppet and an outer poppet. A first spring is selected to bias the outer poppet to seal closed the inlet below a predetermined fluid flow rate. Above the fluid flow rate, the force of the fluid against the outer poppet compresses the spring, breaking the seal and allowing fluid to flow into the fluid flow chamber. Inside the outer poppet is an inner poppet which extends from the outer poppet. A second spring biases the inner poppet predominantly within the outer poppet, but an increased pressure inside the outer poppet collapses the second spring and extends the inner poppet in a fully extended position. Fully extended the inner poppet shuts the outlet of the fluid chamber thereby arresting the flow.

Abstract: A flow control valve is disclosed wherein a housing defines a flow chamber with an inlet and an outlet. Disposed within the flow chamber is a poppet assembly comprising an inner poppet and an outer poppet. A first spring is selected to bias the outer poppet to seal closed the inlet below a predetermined fluid flow rate. Above the fluid flow rate, the force of the fluid against the outer poppet compresses the spring, breaking the seal and allowing fluid to flow into the fluid flow chamber. Inside the outer poppet is an inner poppet which extends from the outer poppet. A second spring biases the inner poppet predominantly within the outer poppet, but an increased pressure inside the outer poppet collapses the second spring and extends the inner poppet in a fully extended position. Fully extended the inner poppet shuts the outlet of the fluid chamber thereby arresting the flow.

Abstract: A mechanical leak arresting valve is disclosed in which fluid through the valve is limited to a range between a predetermined minimum flow rate and a predetermined maximum flow rate, and where both a small or large downstream leak mechanically causes the valve to lock closed. The present invention uses a locking mechanism triggered by a pressure differential resulting from the downstream leak to block the flow of fluid through the valve until the fluid source upstream is stopped. Reduction of the upstream pressure by the stopping of the fluid source automatically resets the valve without further manipulation.

Abstract: An improved omnidirectional vibration isolating suspension apparatus for supporting an object in an equilibrium position relative to a base while suppressing transmission of vibratory motion between the object and the base, in which an isolator internal structure resonant frequencies can be significantly increased while the isolator provides low vertical and horizontal stiffness and low resonant frequencies.

Abstract: A variable resistance exercise apparatus is disclosed specifically adapted to provide an improved method or aerobic and anaerobic exercising of the upper extremities and upper body portion of a user. The apparatus is characterized by the use of a hand crank assembly adjustably positioned at a vertical height above a support platform to cause a user to reach and twist during exercise upon the apparatus. The length of the hand crank assembly may be adjusted to accommodate differing extremity lengths of the particular user and the exercise resistance load applied to the hand crank may be varied to accommodate both professional athletic training as well as residential fitness programs.

Abstract: A cardiovascular exercise apparatus is disclosed comprising a support frame adapted to carry a user thereon including a pair of separate means for providing aerobic exercising of both the upper and lower body portions of the user. Both of the exercising means are governed by a hydraulic motor/regulator which applies a preset, variable exercise load or torque to the exercising means. Biofeedback means are additionally provided to monitor the heart rate of the user during the exercise and control the hydraulic regulator to reduce and/or terminate the exercise load in response to the user's heart rate exceeding a preset limit for the particular exercise time period.

Abstract: There is disclosed an adjustable fluid flow restrictor for controlling the rate of fluid flow into a conduit, the restrictor having a body which seals the central opening of a fluid chamber and through which body there is a central opening having a cylinder section and a truncated cone section the cylinder section having a set-screw engaged therein, the threads thereof forming spiral grooves through which fluid maybe conducted at a rate controlled by positioning the end of the set-screw adjacent the walls of the truncated cone section to obstruct and adjustably close the openings into the spiral grooves thereby restricting the rate of fluid flow. An alternate form of the restrictor employs a ball-valve between the set-screw and the truncated cone section, the space between the ball-valve and the walls of the truncated cone section being adjusted by the set-screw to restrict the flow of fluid.

Abstract: There is disclosed a precision drive mechanism having a base member with a drive plate slidably connected thereto, the drive plate having an elongated slot engaged by a bearing member, which in turn is threadably coupled to a lead screw. A pivot frame having an elongated arm is pivotally connected to the base member and is slidably engaged by the bearing member, the pivot frame being adapted to be connected to a source of fixed reciprocating motion whereby the drive plate is moved by the pivot frame in variable reciprocating motion precisely adjusted by moving the bearing member along the elongated arm of the pivot frame through rotation of the lead screw.

Abstract: A fishing lure or plug which includes an elongated L-shaped body made of a buoyant material such as high-strength honeycomb plastic. The tail portion includes hooks loosely suspended therefrom and the head portion has a generally tapered plano-convex cross-sectional form with a generally flat top surface. The top surface is provided with a longitudinal slot having a pin extending laterally through the slot with its ends anchored within the walls thereof. A link member having an eyelet on one end is pivotally mounted loosely on the pin and has its opposite end adapted for attachment to a fishing line. The lateral width of the slot is dimensioned for permitting the eyelet to freely slide laterally back and forth on the pin between the walls of the slot to impart a fluttering or snake-like motion to the tail portion for attracting fish to strike the lure.