Abstract: A multipurpose tool system that can be assembled into multiple configurations by a user. The tool system may comprise a plurality of components, including tool heads, shaft segments, and handle ends. The components of the tool system can be combined in various configurations to provide different functions, at different lengths. Connectors may be utilized to connect the various components of the system using a twist lock mechanism. The connectors may include a tubular sleeve member having a biased locking shaft that interacts with a locking groove.

Abstract: A landscape feature placement tool, system, and associated methods are disclosed. The landscape feature placement tool can comprise a first segment, a second segment pivotally coupled to the first segment, a third segment pivotally coupled to the second segment, a first indicator configured to indicate a first angle between the first segment and the second segment, and a second indicator configured to indicate a second angle between the second segment and the third segment. The first, second, and/or third segments are selectively positioned relative to a reference and the first and/or second angles are selected to determine a location for placement of a landscape feature relative to the reference.

Abstract: A multipurpose tool system that can be assembled into multiple configurations by a user. The tool system may comprise a plurality of components, including tool heads, shaft segments, and handle ends. The components of the tool system can be combined in various configurations to provide different functions, at different lengths. Connectors may be utilized to connect the various components of the system using a twist lock mechanism. The connectors may include a tubular sleeve member having a biased locking shaft that interacts with a locking groove.

Abstract: A landscape feature placement tool, system, and associated methods are disclosed. The landscape feature placement tool can comprise a first segment, a second segment pivotally coupled to the first segment, a third segment pivotally coupled to the second segment, a first indicator configured to indicate a first angle between the first segment and the second segment, and a second indicator configured to indicate a second angle between the second segment and the third segment. The first, second, and/or third segments are selectively positioned relative to a reference and the first and/or second angles are selected to determine a location for placement of a landscape feature relative to the reference.

Abstract: A multipurpose tool system that can be assembled into multiple configurations by a user. The tool system may comprise a plurality of components, including tool heads, shaft segments, and handle ends. The components of the tool system can be combined in various configurations to provide different functions, at different lengths. Connectors may be utilized to connect the various components of the system using a twist lock mechanism. The connectors may include a tubular sleeve member having a biased locking shaft that interacts with a locking groove.

Abstract: A wireless switch is provided having a twenty-year life energy harvesting arrangement for self-powering a wireless transmitter. The energy harvesting arrangement is implemented in one embodiment using a piezoelectric switch element. A tritium light source and photovoltaic device are used in a second embodiment, while a black light source and photovoltaic device are used in a third embodiment. The energy harvesting wireless switch arrangement of the present invention can be combined, for example, with a vehicle side mirror switch, to reduce the complexity of the wire harness feeding the door. The wireless switch can be located without regard to accessability of a wiring harness or connector.

Abstract: A wireless switch is provided having a twenty-year life energy harvesting arrangement for self-powering a wireless transmitter. The energy harvesting arrangement is implemented in one embodiment using a piezoelectric switch element. A tritium light source and photovoltaic device are used in a second embodiment, while a black light source and photovoltaic device are used in a third embodiment. The energy harvesting wireless switch arrangement of the present invention can be combined, for example, with a vehicle side mirror switch, to reduce the complexity of the wire harness feeding the door. The wireless switch can be located without regard to accessability of a wiring harness or connector.

Abstract: A wireless switch is provided having a twenty-year life energy harvesting arrangement for self-powering a wireless transmitter. The energy harvesting arrangement is implemented in one embodiment using a piezoelectric switch element. A tritium light source and photovoltaic device are used in a second embodiment, while a black light source and photovoltaic device are used in a third embodiment. The energy harvesting wireless switch arrangement of the present invention can be combined, for example, with a vehicle side mirror switch, to reduce the complexity of the wire harness feeding the door. The wireless switch can be located without regard to accessability of a wiring harness or connector.

Abstract: A biosensor 10 provides for real time monitoring a selected aspect of an air conditioning or a refrigeration process and system. The biosensor 10 includes a biocomponent element 20 carrying a bioagent 22 operative to detect one or more analytes indicative of the selected aspect of the climate control process to be monitored.

Abstract: A wireless switch is provided having a twenty-year life energy harvesting arrangement for self-powering a wireless transmitter. The energy harvesting arrangement is implemented in one embodiment using a piezoelectric switch element. A tritium light source and photovoltaic device are used in a second embodiment, while a black light source and photovoltaic device are used in a third embodiment. The energy harvesting wireless switch arrangement of the present invention can be combined, for example, with a vehicle side mirror switch, to reduce the complexity of the wire harness feeding the door. The wireless switch can be located without regard to accessability of a wiring harness or connector.

Abstract: A wireless switch is provided having a twenty-year life energy harvesting arrangement for self-powering a wireless transmitter. The energy harvesting arrangement is implemented in one embodiment using a piezoelectric switch element. A tritium light source and photovoltaic device are used in a second embodiment, while a black light source and photovoltaic device are used in a third embodiment. The energy harvesting wireless switch arrangement of the present invention can be combined, for example, with a vehicle side mirror switch, to reduce the complexity of the wire harness feeding the door. The wireless switch can be located without regard to accessability of a wiring harness or connector.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensor (33) protected from water vapor by a membrane (35) indicates increases in hydrogen concentrations which are indicative of a leak in an absorption chiller (13). A helium detector (43), protected from water vapor and liquid water by a membrane (44) and a vapor trap (46), senses the presence of helium from a spray (40) to locate the position of leaks. A hydrogen removing cell (47) is tested by monitoring the variation with time of the hydrogen concentration before and after the cell is rendered inoperative.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the deoxygenation of liquid fuel in the fuel system of an energy conversion device, such as an aircraft gas turbine engine. A membrane filter is disposed in the fuel system and is selected to remove oxygen from the fuel, typically a hydrocarbon, while excluding the fuel. The membrane filter may be permeable or porous to the oxygen and, in a preferred embodiment, is of polytetraflouroethylene. Fuel with dissolved oxygen (typically from air) is flowed in contact with one surface of the membrane filter, and removed oxygen is collected from the opposite surface of the filter. The difference in the partial pressure of oxygen across the membrane filter may be controlled to regulate the driving force for moving oxygen through the membrane. Reduction of the oxygen concentration in jet fuel to less than 10 ppm at liquid space velocities of 100/hr and greater are attained.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a seal element having a plurality of movable seal segments and further includes a plurality of actuators, each associated with a respective one of the seal segments. Each of the seal segments has a coil that generates electrical energy in the presence of a varying magnetic field. Each of the actuators receives energy from the associated seal segments and in response thereto produces a force that causes the segment to move toward or away from a surface on an opposing seal member.A method for fabricating a seal element for a gas turbine engine includes providing a wafer, forming seal segments on the wafer, dividing the wafer into a plurality of seal segments, and arranging at least two of the plurality of seal segments into a seal element.

Abstract: Illumination of the back-side of a UV transparent medium significantly reduces the decomposition of organic pollutants to carbon dioxide while significantly increasing the amount of radiation available for catalysis of the organic pollutants by a photocatalytic semiconductor. The UV light illuminates the UV transparent medium such that the UV propagates through the medium, illuminating the back-side of a photocatalytic semiconductor coating on the front-side. The photocatalytic semiconductor dissociates water on its surface to form hydroxyl radicals which in turn oxidize organic pollutants.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor for magnetic bearings includes a stator 12, a rotor 14, and an optical transmit/receive fiber 50 which propagates transmit light 112 which is launched across a gap 15 between the stator and the rotor and which receives reflected light 114 that is reflected off of the rotor 14 and travels along the fiber 50 as the light 116. The gap 15 distance is determined by the change in intensity of the return light 114. The transmit/receive fiber 50 may be located radially through or longitudinally along the stator 12. The receive light 116 is detected by a photodetector 120 which provides an electrical signal to a control circuit 124 which controls electromagnetic coils 31-34 of the magnetic bearing. Alternatively, two separate fibers may be used for the transmit and receive light. Also, time or wavelength multiplexing may be employed to allow for remote optical source and detection/control of the gap 15 distance. Further, a plurality of such sensors may be used around the gap 15.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a simplified method for coating a substrate with photocatalytic semiconductor by mixing photocatalytic semiconductor powder with water to form a mixture, reducing said pH of the mixture to below about 4, emulsifying the mixture, coating the substrate therewith, and illuminating the coated substrate with ultra-violet.

Abstract: A gas laser cavity 44 comprising a molecular gas 52, such as a Hydrogen Halide, is pumped by a plurality of semiconductor lasers 20 which provide light carried along optical fibers 26 that provide divergent light 32 to a collimating lens 34 that provides collimated light 36 to a focussing lens 38 that provides pumping light 40 which propagates within the gas laser cavity 44 in a zig-zag pattern, thereby providing a homogeneously excited medium and providing sufficient pathlength to give adequate absorption of the pump light. The pump light 40 has a wavelength within the absorption frequency band of the gas 52 and a wavelength capable of pumping the gas molecules from the ground state to an excited state. Alternatively, the absorption frequency band of the gas 52 may be broadened by adding an inert gas, such as Argon, at a higher pressure than the Hydrogen Halide gas.

Abstract: A gas laser cavity 44 comprises a first (pumped) molecular gas 52 and a second (lasing) molecular gas 52, such as Hydrogen Halides. The first gas is pumped by a plurality of semiconductor lasers 20 which provide light carried along optical fibers 26 that provide divergent light 32 to a collimating lens 34 that provides collimated light 36 to a focussing lens 38 that provides pumping light 40 which propagates within the gas laser cavity 44 in a zig-zag pattern, thereby providing a homogeneously excited medium and providing sufficient pathlength to give adequate absorption of the pump light. The pump light 40 has a wavelength within the absorption frequency band of the first gas 52 and a wavelength capable of pumping the first gas molecules from the ground state to an excited state. The energy of the first gas transfers to the second gas and lasing occurs in the second gas.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage device (2) includes a vessel (4) and a hydrogen storage bed (6) disposed in the vessel (4). The hydrogen storage bed (6) includes a polymeric material (8) having a plurality of micropores less than about 1 nm in diameter and at least one hydride forming metal (10) imbedded within the polymeric material (8). The device also includes means for optically and thermally decomposing the metal hydride to release hydrogen and means for conveying hydrogen into and out of the storage device (2). The hydrogen storage bed (6) may be made by distributing a hydride forming metal (10) within the polymeric material (8) while the polymeric material (8) is in an uncured state. A metal hydride may be formed in the presence of hydrogen at a pressure such that the hydrogen bonds to the hydride forming metal (10) to form a metal hydride within the polymeric material (8).