Abstract: A thermal energy storage assembly characterized by a housing having first and second chambers characterized by first and second phase-change media, respectively, is generally provided. The housing includes first and second housing portions and a partition structure, the housing portions and the partition structure united about their peripheries via an ultrasonic weldment so as to delimit the housing chambers. The second housing chamber includes condenser and evaporator chamber portions or segments. The partition structure and the second housing portion are selectively united via ultrasonic weldment in furtherance of forming tensioning elements within same. A wicking structure and spacing element reside within the second housing chamber to aid phase-change of the second phase change media.

Abstract: A thermal ground plane includes a casing having a first casing portion and a second casing portion, the first casing portion united with the second case portion via an ultrasonic weldment so as to delimit a hermetically sealed casing chamber. A phase-change media, a wicking structure and a spacing element are further characteristic of the device, each of which resides within the casing member. The wicking structure is adjacent the first casing portion of the casing, with the spacing element intermediate the wicking structure and the second casing portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a body lift-assist walker device for gait training is provided by the invention. The patient wears a pressurized body suit over all or a portion of his lower body, and the suit is attached to the walker device. A positive pressure or vacuum condition is applied to the interior of the suit, so that the differential pressure condition across the suit offloads a portion of the patient's body weight to the ground through the supportive walker device to make it easier for him to walk or run. The walker device also includes a lift-assisted body weight support device operated by a constant force mechanism like a pneumatic air cylinder that can lift the patient from a sitting position to a standing position with minimal physical effort.

Abstract: The present invention provides a body lift-assist walker device for gait training is provided by the invention. The patient wears a pressurized body suit over all or a portion of his lower body, and the suit is attached to the walker device. A positive pressure or vacuum condition is applied to the interior of the suit, so that the differential pressure condition across the suit offloads a portion of the patient's body weight to the ground through the supportive walker device to make it easier for him to walk or run. The walker device also includes a lift-assisted body weight support device operated by a constant force mechanism like a pneumatic air cylinder that can lift the patient from a sitting position to a standing position with minimal physical effort.

Abstract: An assembly suitable for controlling the temperature of a workpiece operatively engaged thereby is provided. The assembly generally comprises a housing characterized by first and second housing members sealingly united at their peripheries, and a heater cartridge enclosed within the housing and compressively retained interior of the sealingly united peripheries of the housing members. The heater cartridge comprises a heat conducting casing characterized by first and second heat conducting casing members and a composite heating element compressively retained between the heat conducting casing members. The first and second heat conducting casing members are selectively united interior of their peripheries so as to delimit heat conduits for the heater cartridge.

Abstract: An assembly suitable for controlling the temperature of a workpiece operatively engaged thereby is provided. The assembly generally comprises a housing characterized by first and second housing members sealingly united at their peripheries, and a heater cartridge enclosed within the housing and compressively retained interior of the sealingly united peripheries of the housing members. The heater cartridge comprises a heat conducting casing characterized by first and second heat conducting casing members and a composite heating element compressively retained between the heat conducting casing members. The first and second heat conducting casing members are selectively united interior of their peripheries so as to delimit heat conduits for the heater cartridge.

Abstract: A non-film based, thermally conditionable light transmitting article is provided. The article includes an adhesively coated resistive wire and a substrate suitably selected for light transmittance. The adhesively coated resistive wire is solely and directly adhesively affixed to the substrate so as to be thereby supported upon and by the substrate. A layer of adhesive, in the form of an adhesive linkage originating from the adhesive of the adhesively coated resistive wire, is present between the resistive wire and the substrate.