Abstract: A deployable fairing for a transport vehicle comprises a flexible, internally pressurizable enclosure supported by a structural frame. The structural frame comprises a plurality of rigid structural members forming at least two subframes that are pivotally coupled to one another and is foldably movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The enclosure moves with the structural frame, unfolds when the structural frame moves into the expanded configuration and folds in upon itself when the structural frame moves into the collapsed configuration. Moving the structural frame into the expanded configuration develops tension on at least part of the outer surface of the enclosure, and movement of the structural frame into the collapsed configuration releases the tension. When the enclosure is internally pressurized while the structural frame is in the expanded configuration, the outer surface of the enclosure is structurally stiff and conforms to a predefined aerodynamic shape.

Abstract: A dilution spacer for a metered-dose inhaler comprises an enclosure defining a dilution chamber. An ambient air inlet and an outlet are in fluid communication with the dilution chamber. The ambient air inlet is positioned opposite the outlet whereby suction through the outlet from outside the enclosure draws ambient air into the enclosure through the ambient air inlet to generate an airflow path from the ambient air inlet through the dilution chamber and out of the outlet. The dilution spacer may include an actuator inlet configured to securely releasably interengage a metered-dose inhaler actuator mouthpiece, or may include a receptacle having an actuator nozzle and configured to receive a metered-dose inhaler canister, A metered-dose inhaler plume entering the dilution chamber intersects the airflow path thereto and airflow along the airflow path entrains and redirects at least a portion of the metered-dose inhaler plume toward the outlet.

Abstract: A deployable fairing for a transport vehicle comprises a flexible, internally pressurizable enclosure supported by a structural frame. The structural frame comprises a plurality of rigid structural members forming at least two subframes that are pivotally coupled to one another and is foldably movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The enclosure moves with the structural frame, unfolds when the structural frame moves into the expanded configuration and folds in upon itself when the structural frame moves into the collapsed configuration. Moving the structural frame into the expanded configuration develops tension on at least part of the outer surface of the enclosure, and movement of the structural frame into the collapsed configuration releases the tension. When the enclosure is internally pressurized while the structural frame is in the expanded configuration, the outer surface of the enclosure is structurally stiff and conforms to a predefined aerodynamic shape.

Abstract: A dilution spacer for a metered-dose inhaler comprises an enclosure defining a dilution chamber. An ambient air inlet and an outlet are in fluid communication with the dilution chamber. The ambient air inlet is positioned opposite the outlet whereby suction through the outlet from outside the enclosure draws ambient air into the enclosure through the ambient air inlet to generate an airflow path from the ambient air inlet through the dilution chamber and out of the outlet. The dilution spacer may include an actuator inlet configured to securely releasably interengage a metered-dose inhaler actuator mouthpiece, or may include a receptacle having an actuator nozzle and configured to receive a metered-dose inhaler canister, A metered-dose inhaler plume entering the dilution chamber intersects the airflow path thereto and airflow along the airflow path entrains and redirects at least a portion of the metered-dose inhaler plume toward the outlet.

Abstract: A dilution spacer for a metered-dose inhaler comprises an enclosure defining a dilution chamber. An ambient air inlet and an outlet are in fluid communication with the dilution chamber. The ambient air inlet is positioned opposite the outlet whereby suction through the outlet from outside the enclosure draws ambient air into the enclosure through the ambient air inlet to generate an airflow path from the ambient air inlet through the dilution chamber and out of the outlet. The dilution spacer may include an actuator inlet configured to securely releasably interengage a metered-dose inhaler actuator mouthpiece, or may include a receptacle having an actuator nozzle and configured to receive a metered-dose inhaler canister. A metered-dose inhaler plume entering the dilution chamber intersects the airflow path thereto and airflow along the airflow path entrains and redirects at least a portion of the metered-dose inhaler plume toward the outlet.

Abstract: A medical aerosol delivery device comprises a housing having a first opening and a second opening and defining a fluid passage between the first and second openings. The housing comprising a pressurized medical aerosol canister actuator having a canister receptacle disposed within the fluid passage and having a valve chamber comprising a fine bore nozzle positioned to direct atomized medicament toward the first opening. The fluid passage includes an annular portion bypassing the canister receptacle and the housing comprises a movable closure member for selectively obstructing the fluid passage.

Abstract: A medical aerosol delivery device comprises a housing having a first opening and a second opening and defining a fluid passage between the first and second openings. The housing comprising a pressurized medical aerosol canister actuator having a canister receptacle disposed within the fluid passage and having a valve chamber comprising a fine bore nozzle positioned to direct atomized medicament toward the first opening. The fluid passage includes an annular portion bypassing the canister receptacle and the housing comprises a movable closure member for selectively obstructing the fluid passage.

Abstract: A flexible bag aerosol holding chamber is sealed around the outlet passage of the actuator for a pressurized metered-dose inhaler. An elastic-loaded mouthpiece is sealed around the inlet passage of the actuator so that the user may intermittently break the seal around the inlet passage by withdrawing the mouthpiece, thus allowing inhalation of a portion of the aerosol contents of the chamber. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aerosol contains a compound which has traditionally been smoked such as nicotine or a cannabinoid. The user may draw upon the chamber's contents a number of times at a frequency analogous to smoking until the chamber is fully collapsed. One inhaler actuation, and one filled chamber, are comparable to one cigarette. The collapsible bag chamber allows for economy of inhaler actuations relative to user inhalations, without the aerosol being diluted by ambient air.

Abstract: A flexible bag aerosol holding chamber is sealed around the outlet passage of the actuator for a pressurized metered-dose inhaler. An elastic-loaded mouthpiece is sealed around the inlet passage of the actuator so that the user may intermittently break the seal around the inlet passage by withdrawing the mouthpiece, thus allowing inhalation of a portion of the aerosol contents of the chamber. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aerosol contains a compound which has traditionally been smoked such as nicotine or a cannabinoid. The user may draw upon the chamber's contents a number of times at a frequency analogous to smoking until the chamber is fully collapsed. One inhaler actuation, and one filled chamber, are comparable to one cigarette. The collapsible bag chamber allows for economy of inhaler actuations relative to user inhalations, without the aerosol being diluted by ambient air.

Abstract: A flexible bag aerosol holding chamber is sealed around the outlet passage of the actuator for a pressurized metered-dose inhaler. An elastic-loaded mouthpiece is sealed around the inlet passage of the actuator so that the user may intermittently break the seal around the inlet passage by withdrawing the mouthpiece, thus allowing inhalation of a portion of the aerosol contents of the chamber. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aerosol contains a compound which has traditionally been smoked such as nicotine or a cannabinoid. The user may draw upon the chamber's contents a number of times at a frequency analogous to smoking until the chamber is fully collapsed. One inhaler actuation, and one filled chamber, are comparable to one cigarette. The collapsible bag chamber allows for economy of inhaler actuations relative to user inhalations, without the aerosol being diluted by ambient air.

Abstract: A ultrablack article made of a resin containing light absorbing pigments or dyes and its method of manufacture. The surface of the article is provided with light reflecting projections that cause incident light to reflect from the sides of such projections at least twice and preferably at least three times before reflecting from the articles surface. The vast majority of the incident light is thereby transmitted into the article where it is absorbed. The projections are advantageously conical, pyramidal or ridge shaped. The total incident light that reflects from the surface and from the interior of the article is not greater than 0.5%.The surface can be made by applying cone or pyramid shaped light beams to photoresist stepwise to make cones and pyramids and by scanning to make ridges. Means are provided to transfer such surfaces to more suitable resins and to do so continuously.

Abstract: An article for presenting dye/pigment images therein comprising a substantially transparent viewing region 20; photodeveloped, printed, deposited or diffused dyes and/or pigments 21 in the viewing region; and a substrate region 22 adjacent to the viewing region. The outer surface 23 of the viewing region is configured in a relief pattern comprising microscopic, smooth, sharp pyramids 31, cones 48, or ridges 29, to provide a series of at least 3 surface reflections of any light impinging thereon, before the light travels toward the viewer's eyes. The reflectivity at any one surface reflection is less than about 5% of normally incident light, so less than about 0.05% (and preferably not more than 0.02%) of such incident light is returned toward the viewer after 3 reflections, and less after 4. A viewer thus can see the dye/pigment images clearly from any direction and free from noticeable reflected light from the outer surface, and without loss of detail or contrast in dark areas.

Abstract: A method for providing intelligible markings that are virtually invisible to the unaided eye on the surface of an article, comprises: applying onto the surface, by a jet printing process, a marking medium comprising a compatible liquid or viscous substance containing an organic laser dye (typically IR-125 in a concentration of about 0.005 to 0.05 percent by weight of the medium) that is poorly absorptive of radiation in the visible range of about 400 to 700 nanometers, is highly absorptive of radiation in the near infrared range of at least about 750 nanometers in wavelength (typically about 750 to 900 nanometers), and fluoresces in response to radiation excitation in the said near infrared range to produce fluorescent radiation of wavelengths longer than the wavelength of the excitation (typically in the range of about 800 to 1100 nanometers). Other useful laser dyes may comprise DTTCI, DNTTCI, HDITCI, DDTTCI, IR-140, DDCI-4, or IR-132.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing patterns of materials, as for color printing. A support member (30) has groups of surface areas (40A,40B, etc.) with each surface area in a given group (e.g. 40A) facing generally in a direction different from that faced by the surface areas in any other group (e.g. 40B, etc.), and an energy-modifiable material (41A,41B, etc.) adjacent to the surface areas in each group. Energy (A,B,C) is directed onto the material adjacent to the surface areas in each group in such manner as to substantially modify some of the material without substantially modifying the material adjacent to the surface areas of the other groups.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for obtaining fluorescence laser EXAFS (Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure). A lens (12) directs a pulse of radiant energy (13) onto a metal target (15) to produce X-rays (16). A baffle (17) directs the X-rays (16) onto a spectral-dispersive monochromator (18) which directs the spectrally-resolved X-rays (16R) therefrom onto a sample (11). Fluorescence X-rays (27) from the sample (11) strike a phosphor (26) on a grid (19). Emitted light (21) from the phosphor (26) corresponds spatially to the spectral resolution of the X-rays (16R). Emitted light intensity at a point along the spatial distribution corresponds to the absorption characteristics of the sample (11) at a particular wavelength of the incoming X-rays (16R). An imaging lens (20) directs the emitted light (21) onto photographic film or an array detector (22).

Abstract: Electrostatic imaging apparatus for transfer development of latent images employing a developer donor member with a plurality of raised micro-pins on the donor surface, for self-spacing the donor from the imaging surface. Methods of producing such donors are disclosed.

Abstract: Feedback circuit for the probe of an d.c. type electrostatic voltmeter to reduce spacing sensitivity thereof. A variable gain amplifier is employed to control the amplitude of the a.c. signal output of a square wave oscillator in response to the potential sensed by the probe. The a.c. signal output drives a high voltage transformer, the output of which is rectified to provide a d.c. signal output matching the potential sensed by the probe. The d.c. output is returned to the probe housing to bias the housing to a potential equal to the potential read by the probe. A sample and hold circuit enables readout of the d.c. signal output.