Abstract: A butterfly valve for handling materials where the temperature of the materials flowing through the butterfly valve can exceed the breakdown temperature of the sealing member with the butterfly valve inhibiting contact of hot transportable materials with the sealing member to isolate the hot transportable materials from the sealing member. Cooling conduits maintain at least portions of the valve that contacts the sealing member at a temperature below the breakdown temperature of the sealing member to prevent seal failure.

Abstract: A connector assembly may be formed by the combination of a latch member and a connector member. The latch member has an annular collar and an arcuate latch wall extending from a circumferential edge of the annular collar. A latch recess and a latch arm are defined within the latch wall. A grip wing extends from an exterior surface of the latch wall adjacent the latch recess and is configured to reinforce the latch arm by countering a tendency of the latch arm to flex radially outward when the connector assembly is subject to a tension load along a longitudinal axis of the connector assembly. A plurality of snap arms are arranged about a circumference of the interior surface of the annular collar to engage the connector member. The connector member receives and retains the latch member directly about an outer male insertion surface thereof rather than passing a barbed end of the connector member through the latch member.

Abstract: A method for a structure having a countersunk fastener head includes forcing an aliphatic urethane surfacer into a void around the fastener head.

Abstract: A method of auditing electronic device shipments is provided. The method comprises electronically reading a first serial number on an electronic device, a second serial number on a point-of-sale package containing the electronic device, and a third serial number stored in a memory of the electronic device; storing the first serial number, the second serial number, and a third serial number in a non-transitory memory separate from the electronic device; and automatically comparing the first serial number, the second serial number, and the third serial number. The method further comprises automatically reading from the memory of the electronic device a software version identity associated with software installed on the electronic device and automatically comparing the software version identity with an approved software version identity. The method further comprises, when any miscompare occurs, automatically presenting a notification of an error.

Abstract: A magnetic separator comprising a vibratory conveyor for vibratorily flowing non-ferrous articles and articles containing ferrous material within the magnetic field of a transverse extending magnet to magnetically capture the articles containing the ferrous material while allowing the non-ferrous articles to flow therepast. The magnet is periodically retractable to remove ferrous articles magnetically adhered thereto. The use of a set of transverse extending magnets enables a continuous on-the-go separation of articles containing ferrous material from non-ferrous articles without having to shut down the vibratory conveyor.

Abstract: An emergency crash cart includes a sealing structure that enables multiple storage sections of the cart to be locked and sealed simultaneously. The locking structure enables one of the storage sections to be unlocked and unsealed without unlocking or unsealing the other storage sections. The locking structure also can be actuated to unlock and unseal all storage sections simultaneously for rapid access to the contents of all storage sections of the cart.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for restricting access to one or more email attachments includes receiving an email addressed to a first recipient and including at least a first attachment. The email is processed to determine whether a valid authorization code is associated with the email (and/or the attachment(s)). The valid authorization code identifies the email (and/or the attachment(s)) as an authorized communication. Access by the recipient to the first attachment is prevented if the processing of the email determined that no valid authorization code is associated with the email (and/or the attachment(s)).

Abstract: The present invention provides an essentially crystal-free, highly bioavailable and absorbable coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) composition including CoQ10, a solvent, and a carrier oil for supplementing nutrition and for use as an antioxidant. The present invention further provides method of increasing the absorption and bioavailability levels of coenzyme Q10 in the blood plasma and a method of producing a highly absorbable CoQ10 composition.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an electric machine module including a housing. The module can include an electric machine positioned within the housing. The electric machine can include a field coil and a stator assembly. The module can include a rectifier assembly coupled to the housing and electrically connect to the stator assembly. The rectifier assembly can include at least one output post. A voltage regulator is coupled to the housing and includes at least one field post and a sense post. The voltage regulator is electrically connected to the rectifier assembly. The module can include a remote sense terminal coupled to the housing. A sense switch circuit is electrically coupled to at least the remote sense terminal, the sense post, and the at least one output post.

Abstract: Articles made of shape memory alloys having improved fatigue performance and to methods of treating articles formed from shape memory alloy materials by pre-straining the articles (or desired portions of the articles) in a controlled manner so that the resultant articles exhibit improved fatigue performance. The shape memory articles are preferably medical devices, more preferably implantable medical devices. They are most preferably devices of nitinol shape memory alloy, most particularly that is superelastic at normal body temperature. The pre-straining method of the present invention as performed on such articles includes the controlled introduction of non-recoverable tensile strains greater than about 0.20% at the surface of a desired portion of a shape memory alloy article. Controlled pre-straining operations are performed on the shape-set nitinol metal to achieve non-recoverable tensile strain greater than about 0.20% at or near the surface of selected regions in the nitinol metal article.

Abstract: An alternator comprises a regulator configured to control the electric current to a field coil. The regulator includes a field driver circuit, the field driver circuit configured to deliver the electric current to the field coil at a switching frequency. The regulator further includes a controller configured to vary the switching frequency of the field driver circuit between a plurality of different switching frequencies. The alternator further comprises a sensor configured to detect a predetermined alternator condition, and the controller is configured to adjust the switching frequency of the field driver circuit in response to the sensed predetermined condition such as, for example, a rotor speed, a pulse width from the field driver circuit, an efficiency of the alternator, a temperature within the alternator, a temperature outside of the alternator, or magnetic noise of the alternator.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating hair clips having a heatable member comprises a base, a heating structure, and means for providing electricity to the heating structure. The heating structure can comprise an elongated electrical heater having opposed sides, a plurality of thermally conductive heating elements in pairs on each side of the electrical heater, and a thermal insulator between the heating elements separating the heating elements from each other.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable media for providing an encryption key to a user are provided. The system may include a key storage module, an interface module, and an authentication module. The key storage module may be configured to store an encryption key for a user on an encryption key server, wherein the encryption key is used with user data on a data storage server. The interface module may be configured to receive a request for the encryption key from a client machine associated with the user. The authentication module may be configured to authenticate the user, wherein the interface module may further be configured to transmit the encryption key to the client machine in response to authenticating the user.

Abstract: A butterfly valve for handling materials where the temperature of the materials flowing through the butterfly valve can exceed the breakdown temperature of the sealing member with the butterfly valve inhibiting contact of hot transportable materials with the sealing member to isolate the hot transportable materials from the sealing member. Cooling conduits maintain at least portions of the valve that contacts the sealing member at a temperature below the breakdown temperature of the sealing member to prevent seal failure.

Abstract: A sanitary fitting has a flange portion, a connector portion, and a parabolic entrance disposed therebetween. The flange portion has a planar ring surface that defines a central opening. The connector portion defines a lumen extending from the central opening toward an outlet port. The parabolic entrance surface extends from the planar ring surface and transitions into the connector portion to define a portion of the lumen. One or more suction-relief ribs may be arranged along the surface of the flange portion and extend into the parabolic entrance. The suction-relief ribs may have a twisting curvature for causing rotation of fluid flow through the sanitary fitting.

Abstract: A butterfly valve for handling materials where the temperature of the materials flowing through the butterfly valve can exceed the breakdown temperature of the sealing member with the butterfly valve inhibiting contact of hot transportable materials with the sealing member to isolate the hot transportable materials from the sealing member. Cooling conduits maintain at least portions of the valve that contacts the sealing member at a temperature below the breakdown temperature of the sealing member to prevent seal failure.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating hair clips having a heatable member comprises a base, a heating structure, and means for providing electricity to the heating structure. The heating structure can comprise an elongated electrical heater having opposed sides, a plurality of thermally conductive heating elements in pairs on each side of the electrical heater, and a thermal insulator between the heating elements separating the heating elements from each other.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing and/or simulating weather related information, including temperature information are provided. Weather related data can be obtained from any convenient source. A temperature indication surface can be used to match a temperature value from the weather related data. Indications can also be provided regarding wind speed and general weather condition corresponding to the weather related data.

Abstract: Articles made of shape memory alloys having improved fatigue performance and to methods of treating articles formed from shape memory alloy materials by pre-straining the articles (or desired portions of the articles) in a controlled manner so that the resultant articles exhibit improved fatigue performance. The shape memory articles are preferably medical devices, more preferably implantable medical devices. They are most preferably devices of nitinol shape memory alloy, most particularly that is superelastic at normal body temperature. The pre-straining method of the present invention as performed on such articles includes the controlled introduction of non-recoverable tensile strains greater than about 0.20% at the surface of a desired portion of a shape memory alloy article. Controlled pre-straining operations are performed on the shape-set nitinol metal to achieve non-recoverable tensile strain greater than about 0.20% at or near the surface of selected regions in the nitinol metal article.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for capturing an image of information on a device. The information is stored on the device. The device is reset, and information from the captured image is restored on the device.