Abstract: An improvement to the Waissi type opposed piston internal combustion (IC) engine is proposed. The engine has at least one pair of aligned and opposed cylinders with one reciprocating double-headed piston assembly in each cylinder pair. The reciprocating motion of the piston is transmitted to the driveshaft by a rotating crankdisk, which is mounted off-centered to the driveshaft. When the crankdisk rotates, the flat linear sections on the outer perimeter of the bearing ring prevent the bearing ring from rotating, hydrodynamic lubrication conditions are created on both the outer flat linear interfaces and the inner perimeter of the bearing ring.

Abstract: A firearm apparatus that is operable to provide faster reloading of an ammunition magazine through operable engagement of the trigger, the hammer or the bolt carrier. The firearm apparatus of the present invention includes a magazine that is configured to receive and store a plurality of bullets within the interior volume thereof on an ammunition support member. The ammunition support member is movable intermediate a first and second position and in the second position, an engagement member operably coupled to the ammunition support member is operable to engage the arm member. The arm member is moved to its second position wherein the arm member in its second position inhibits the firing of the firearm and maintains the bolt in a closed position. The arm member can be provided in alternative embodiments so as to operably coupled with the aforementioned elements of the firing assembly.

Abstract: A variable compression cylinder head assembly usable with an internal combustion engine having at least one piston, the cylinder head assembly including a cylinder head housing having a combustion chamber formed therein, a compression control piston disposed within the combustion chamber, a compression head actuator coupled to the cylinder head housing, the compression head actuator including an actuator housing defining an actuator reservoir, a fluid port coupled to the actuator housing to receive a fluid, a movable force plate disposed within the actuator reservoir and coupled to the compression control piston, wherein the force plate and the compression control piston move between a first position and a second position when the fluid enters the actuator reservoir.

Abstract: A rug cleaning apparatus to rinse, decontaminate and evacuate fluid or undesirable particulates from the rug with enhanced efficiency is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a tubular member having a first end, a second end and a side wall, the tubular member having a plurality of openings disposed thereto evenly throughout the side wall, a cap coupled to the second end of the tubular member, and a vacuum coupled to the first end of the tubular member. The tubular member permits the rug to be disposed around the side wall. The vacuum activates to generate sufficient airflow and pressure within the tubular member to draw fluid or undesirable particulates in the rug through the openings of the tubular member and out to the vacuum for a disposal.

Abstract: A variable compression cylinder head assembly usable with an internal combustion engine having at least one piston, the cylinder head assembly including a cylinder head housing having a combustion chamber formed therein, a compression control piston disposed within the combustion chamber, a compression head actuator coupled to the cylinder head housing, the compression head actuator including an actuator housing defining an actuator reservoir, a fluid port coupled to the actuator housing to receive a fluid, a movable force plate disposed within the actuator reservoir and coupled to the compression control piston, wherein the force plate and the compression control piston move between a first position and a second position when the fluid enters the actuator reservoir.

Abstract: A variable compression cylinder head assembly usable with an internal combustion engine having at least one piston, the cylinder head assembly including a cylinder head housing having a combustion chamber formed therein, a compression control piston disposed within the combustion chamber, a compression head actuator coupled to the cylinder head housing, the compression head actuator including an actuator housing defining an actuator reservoir, a fluid port coupled to the actuator housing to receive a fluid, a movable force plate disposed within the actuator reservoir and coupled to the compression control piston, wherein the force plate and the compression control piston move between a first position and a second position when the fluid enters the actuator reservoir.

Abstract: An improvement to the Waissi type opposed piston internal combustion engine is proposed. The engine has at least one pair of aligned and opposed cylinders with one reciprocating double-headed piston assembly in each cylinder pair. The reciprocating motion of the piston is transmitted to the driveshaft by a rotating crankdisk, which is off-centered mounted to the driveshaft. The high friction metal to metal contact between the crankdisk and the piston contact wall is replaced by a combination of a roll resistance and friction under hydrodynamic conditions resulting to a significantly reduced total resistance between the piston and the crankdisk. This is accomplished by utilizing a bearing ring assembly slidably installed on the annular perimeter surface of the crankdisk. The bearing ring is held in place by a linear U-profile groove, which is casted or machined on each the piston contact slot wall of the integrated piston assembly respectively.

Abstract: An improvement to the Waissi type opposed piston internal combustion (IC) engine is proposed. The engine has at least one pair of aligned and opposed cylinders with one reciprocating double-headed piston assembly in each cylinder pair. The reciprocating motion of the piston is transmitted to the driveshaft by a rotating crankdisk, which is off-centered mounted to the driveshaft. The high friction metal to metal contact between the crankdisk and the piston contact wall is replaced by a combination of a roll resistance and friction under hydrodynamic conditions resulting to a significantly reduced total resistance between the piston and the crankdisk. This is accomplished by utilizing a bearing ring assembly slidably installed on the annular perimeter surface of the crankdisk. When the crankdisk rotates the bearing ring is held in its designed place in a slot bounded laterally only by the connecting members of the integrated double-headed piston assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing complex presentation objects using globally-unique identifiers. Downloaded objects are identified by globally-unique identifiers to maintain object integrity and to facilitate capturing downloaded objects for reuse without additional download time overhead. An object may be referenced by selected indicia, such as a name, a globally-unique identifier or a globally-unique identifier and an object locator, The object is located by the selected indicia. Then, a decision is made whether to allow capture of the object based upon whether the selected indicia includes a globally-unique identifier and is secure.

Abstract: An improvement to the Waissi type opposed piston internal combustion engine is proposed. The engine has at least one pair of aligned and opposed cylinders with one reciprocating double-headed piston assembly in each cylinder pair. The reciprocating motion of the piston is transmitted to the driveshaft by a rotating crankdisk, which is rigidly and off-centered mounted to the driveshaft. The high friction metal to metal contact between the crankdisk and the piston contact wall is replaced by a combination of a roll resistance and friction under hydrodynamic conditions resulting to a significantly reduced total resistance between the piston and the crankdisk. This is accomplished by utilizing a bearing ring assembly slidably installed on the annular perimeter surface of the crankdisk. When the crankdisk rotates the bearing ring is held in place by U-profile flanges, which are either part of the bearing ring or part of the crankdisk. Alternatively, the bearing ring is replaced by a roller bearing or ball bearing.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for amplification of DNA are provided that use sonic energy in place of conventional thermocyclers. In one embodiment, sonic energy is applied to a PCR cocktail to effect dissociation of double stranded DNA into single strands of DNA. A quiescence stage, where no sonic energy is applied, results in amplification of DNA. Repetition of the cycles of application of sonic energy and cessation of application of sonic energy results in DNA amplification.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for amplification of DNA are provided that use sonic energy in place of conventional thermocyclers. In one embodiment, sonic energy is applied to a PCR cocktail to effect dissociation of double stranded DNA into single strands of DNA. A quiescence stage, where no sonic energy is applied, results in amplification of DNA. Repetition of the cycles of application of sonic energy and cessation of application of sonic energy results in DNA amplification.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for amplification of DNA are provided that use sonic energy in place of conventional thermocyclers. In one embodiment, sonic energy is applied to a PCR cocktail to effect dissociation of double stranded DNA into single strands of DNA. A quiescence stage, where no sonic energy is applied, results in amplification of DNA. Repetition of the cycles of application of sonic energy and cessation of application of sonic energy results in DNA amplification.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided, wherein the bandwidth necessary to transmit an item of image data is reduced. When items of image data are identified in a datastream, they are extracted from the datastream. The image data item is then divided into a series of subregions of variable size. Where efficiency dictates that the operation is appropriate, the subregions are replaced in the image data item with a unique identifier to produce a reduced image. The reduced image is then packaged into a new data structure containing a header, the reduced image, and a decoding table that will allow the replacement of the identifiers with the extracted subregions. Where subregions are repeated, as they frequently are in images of large size, this arrangement will allow for the compression of the image by the elimination of redundant data that merely represents a repeated subregions. When the image reaches its destination, the it is decoded to reproduce the original image.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for exciting and detecting fluorescence in samples are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sample holder for holding a plurality of samples is provided together with an optical manifold having an excitation source, a photo receiver, or both, for each of the plurality of samples. In another embodiment, the optical manifold contains only the excitation source or a photo receiver, and the other is associated with the sample holder. This system permits for rapid excitation and measurement of fluorescence without the use of moving parts and without any opto-mechanical or electronic disturbance. It exhibits an exceptional signal to noise ratio, which permits it to differentiate between very low level differences in fluorescence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing complex presentation objects using globally-unique identifiers. Downloaded objects are identified by globally-unique identifiers to maintain object integrity and to facilitate capturing downloaded objects for reuse without additional download time overhead. An object may be referenced by selected indicia, such as a name, a globally-unique identifier or a globally-unique identifier and an object locator, The object is located by the selected indicia. Then, a decision is made whether to allow capture of the object based upon whether the selected indicia includes a globally-unique identifier and is secure.

Abstract: An occupant protection apparatus comprises an inflatable airbag with a panel, the panel including a first vent opening that permits inflation fluid to escape out of the airbag; and a valve sheet including a second vent opening movable relative to the first vent opening, the valve sheet having opposite ends that are each fixed to a surface of the airbag. One end of the valve sheet moves with the panel during inflation of the airbag to move the second vent opening relative to the first vent opening. The apparatus also includes a valve guide to guide movement of the valve sheet relative to the panel, the valve sheet is capable of sliding between the valve guide and the panel. Both ends of the valve sheet remain fixed to the panel during and after inflation of the airbag.

Abstract: A two stroke cycle internal combustion engine machine that does not require lubricating oil to be mixed with its fuel, producing greater efficiency, higher power to weight ratio, cooler operating temperatures, a wider speed range, greater simplicity, and lower toxic emissions, many of the improvements also transferable to four stroke engines.

Abstract: A temporary rooftop and stairway safety rail system (16a & 16b) adapted to prevent workers from falling from a work surface at a height. The system includes a plurality of safety rail support assemblies (16) having a vertical support member (52) with members for retaining horizontally disposed safety rail boards (58). The safety rail support assemblies (16) may be mounted on walls (22) and roof rafters (18), and the pitch of the vertical support members is easily adjusted to the slope of the work surface using a system of removable pins (32).

Abstract: A method and system for removing redundant or repeated information from a multiple-page document file is described. A master prolog is created for storing information which is repeated in two or more pages within the document file. Repeated information that is stored in both the master prolog and one or more pages within the document file are identified. The repeated information is then removed from one or more of the pages within the document file. The master prolog is implemented within one or more of the pages to provide a more efficient representation of the repeated information.