Abstract: An infrared emitter is formed having a reduced thermal mass and increased thermal conductivity to effectively deliver and dissipate heat from a heating element that emits electromagnetic radiation. The improved thermal dynamic process may enhance one or both of power consumption and/or longevity.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of infections associated with respiratory disorders in a mammal with a mixture for use as an inhalable medicament. The apparatus includes a patient interface, at least one source of helium for providing gaseous helium, at least one source of oxygen for providing gaseous oxygen, an application device for providing a mixture to the patient interface, at least one source of nitric oxide for providing gaseous nitric oxide, a gas injector for injecting the nitric oxide into the mixture, an injector for injecting a means for inhibiting growth of pulmonary pathogens, a controller programmed for controlling the gas injector, the application device and the injector.

Abstract: Methods and systems for vaporizing and recovering LNG are provided. One method includes: a) heating at least a portion of the LNG to provide a boil-off gas stream and a liquid quench stream; b) routing the boil-off gas stream and the liquid quench stream to a quench system, wherein the quench system cools the boil-off gas stream to provide a quenched stream; and c) compressing the quenched stream to provide a compressed quenched stream.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a bottom frame, a seat back connected to the frame, and an armrest capable of upward and downward movement. The armrest includes a seat bracket connecting the armrest to the frame and a vertically variable adjustment mechanism. The mechanism has a control disposed in the armrest, a lock actuated to an engaged or disengaged position by the control, a rack disposed in a generally vertical direction, and a one-way bearing acting as pinion and having two rotational states. The first rotational state is a locked state where the lock is engaged and prevents the one-way bearing from rotating, preventing the rack and armrest from a downward movement. The second rotational state is a free state where the lock is in the engaged position and a force is applied in the upward direction, the one-way bearing can rotate, allowing the rack and armrest an upward movement.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a bottom frame, a seat back connected to the frame, and an armrest capable of upward and downward movement. The armrest includes a seat bracket connecting the armrest to the frame and a vertically variable adjustment mechanism. The mechanism has a control disposed in the armrest, a lock actuated to an engaged or disengaged position by the control, a rack disposed in a generally vertical direction, and a one-way bearing acting as pinion and having two rotational states. The first rotational state is a locked state where the lock is engaged and prevents the one-way bearing from rotating, preventing the rack and armrest from a downward movement. The second rotational state is a free state where the lock is in the engaged position and a force is applied in the upward direction, the one-way bearing can rotate, allowing the rack and armrest an upward movement.

Abstract: An infrared emitter is formed having a reduced thermal mass and increased thermal conductivity to effectively deliver and dissipate heat from a heating element that emits electromagnetic radiation. The improved thermal dynamic process may enhance one or both of power consumption and/or longevity.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment comprises detecting a change in a rotational velocity of a magnetic disk or a spindle coupled to the magnetic disk, the change being caused by head-disk contact. A method for detecting head-disk contact according to another embodiment comprises measuring a rotational velocity of a magnetic disk or a spindle coupled to the magnetic disk; detecting a change in the rotational velocity, the change being caused by head-disk contact; and correlating the change in rotational velocity with the head-disk contact.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment comprises detecting a change in a rotational velocity of a magnetic disk or a spindle coupled to the magnetic disk, the change being caused by head-disk contact. A method for detecting head-disk contact according to another embodiment comprises measuring a rotational velocity of a magnetic disk or a spindle coupled to the magnetic disk; detecting a change in the rotational velocity, the change being caused by head-disk contact; and correlating the change in rotational velocity with the head-disk contact.

Abstract: An automatic blade-retracting box cutter utility knife has a handle with ergonomic hand grip proportions for comfortable gripping and handling during repetitive cutting operations. A blade-actuating hand-grip lever is mounted on the housing for movement about a pivotal axis. A blade shuffle is mounted for longitudinal sliding reciprocal movement in the housing from a rear retracted end position in which the blade is wholly received in the housing, to a front extended end position in which the blade is extended forward from the housing. The blade shuttle is extended in response to gripping actuation of the hand-grip lever. Extension and retraction forces are transferred from the hand-grip lever to a compression spring and to the blade shuttle via a power transmission assembly that includes a torque plate that is mounted for clockwise and counterclockwise rotation on the housing. Top access to a working blade and a replacement blade stored on the shuttle is provided for blade loading and security.

Abstract: An oil well pumping apparatus for pumping oil from a well to a wellhead provides a tool body that is sized and shaped to be lowered into the production tubing string of the oil well. A working fluid is provided that can be pumped into the production tubing. A prime mover is provided for pumping the working fluid. A flow channel into the well bore enables the working fluid to be circulated from the prime mover via the production tubing to the tool body at a location in the well and then back to the wellhead area. A pumping mechanism is provided on the tool body, the pumping mechanism including first and second gerotors. The first gerotor is driven by the working fluid. The second gerotor is rotated by the first gerotor. The two gerotors are connected with a common shaft. The tool body has flow conveying portions that mix the working fluid and the produced oil as the oil is pumped.

Abstract: An oil well pumping apparatus for pumping oil from a well to a wellhead provides a tool body that is sized and shaped to be lowered into the production tubing string of the oil well. A working fluid is provided that can be pumped into the production tubing. A prime mover is provided for pumping the working fluid. A flow channel into the well bore enables the working fluid to be circulated from the prime mover via the production tubing to the tool body at a location in the well and then back to the wellhead area. A pumping mechanism is provided on the tool body, the pumping mechanism including first and second gerotors. The first gerotor is driven by the working fluid. The second gerotor is rotated by the first gerotor. The two gerotors are connected with a common shaft. The tool body has flow conveying portions that mix the working fluid and the produced oil as the oil is pumped.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a motion sensor and a control processor. The motion sensor optically detects motion of the vehicle with respect to an underlying surface. The motion sensor includes a variable focus imager. The control processor receives information from the motion sensor and calculates location of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle and/or acceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A gas measurement system of this invention includes a detector assembly having a beamsplitter adapted to separate infrared radiation into a first beam and a second beam and a mirror adapted to receive the first beam from the beamsplitter. The first and second beams are directed to first and second detectors that are disposed in a common plane. In one embodiment, the optical elements are provided on or in an optical block. In another embodiment, the gas measurement system includes a housing that contains an infrared absorption gas measurement assembly, a luminescence quenching gas measurement assembly, and a processor that is programmed to measure gas constituents of a gas flow based on an output of the infrared absorption gas measurement assembly and the luminescence quenching gas measurement assembly.

Abstract: A holster and belt clip assembly for a box cutter are disclosed. In the holstering system embodiment, a holster releasably retains the box cutter. The holster has a body substantially conforming to the shape of the box cutter, an open top end, and a closed bottom end. A lanyard secures the box cutter to the holster. A belt clip, which is releasably engaged with the holster, mounts the holster to a belt of an operator.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for mixing and maintaining particulates in liquid suspension, the apparatus comprising a reservoir for holding a fluid containing dispersed particles, a substantially horizontally-disposed mixing plate mounted inside the reservoir, the mixing plate having a plurality of vertical holes extending through the plate, and means for raising and lowering the mixing plate inside the reservoir.

Abstract: A heater for a window of an optical gas sensor is provided. The heater may be positioned over a portion of the window or may form at least a portion of the window. Alternatively, the heater may be separate from the optical gas sensor and positionable over the window either in contact therewith or in close proximity thereto. In one embodiment, the heater is substantially transparent to the relevant wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation that are used in optical monitoring of respiratory gases, anesthetic agents, or the like. Alternatively, the heater may be configured so as to provide a substantially unobstructed optical pathway through the window. Optical gas sensors and complementary transducers that include the heater are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling static charges in a fluidized bed olefin polymerization reactor. Static charges which develop in the polymer products are measured and, if they fall outside a predetermined range, static charge control agents are introduced into the reactor. By controlling the static charges in the reactor, sheeting and drooling can be controlled.

Abstract: A catalyst support structure e.g. for use in an ammonia oxidation reactor, comprising a series of primary supports (19) disposed above a catalyst bed, a lattice assembly disposed beneath the catalyst bed and on which the catalyst bed rests, said lattice assembly being suspended from the primary supports (19) by suspending means (27) extending through the catalyst bed. Preferably the support structure includes a static start-up burner arrangement in the form of one or more perforated tubes (24) adjacent the primary supports (19).

Abstract: An apparatus such as a wireless telephone and methods of using the apparatus are disclosed, the apparatus having a dual camera module. The dual camera module includes a flex interconnect on which a first image module and a second image module are attached, each image module adapted to capture images. The two image modules can be placed such that images can be captured in different directions; at different resolutions; at different times; independently or simultaneously; generating independent or composite data streams.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a projectile sensor comprises a support means, a lens means and a photocell comprised of multiple parallel photosensitive elements interposed by one or more diagonal photosensitive elements on or of a substrate disposed so as to provide changes in their electrical response when objects passing linearly through the sensor's field of view form an image through a lens upon the photosensitive elements in sequence. In its simplest embodiment, the photosensitive elements of the sensor substantially form a forward or reversed English letter “N” shape, such that a projectile's image passing over the photosensitive elements produces a series of electrical responses, where the ratios of the times between such changes relate to the velocity and position of the object.