Abstract: A device (10, 40, 50, 60) and a related method for selectively applying pressure to a fiber impregnated resin, where the device includes a thermally expansive material having a body (12) which extends in an axial direction from an upper terminal surface (14) to an opposite lower terminal surface (16), a first retaining member (18) affixed to one of the upper terminal surface and the lower terminal surface, wherein the first retaining member is configured to limit expansion of the thermally expansive material in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction when the thermally expansive material is subjected to an increase in temperature.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite part (10) having a skin (12) and at least one elongated stiffener (14) extending from the skin (12), the method comprising: providing a mold (20) having a mold surface (22, 26) and a respective elongated compaction cavity for each stiffener (14), each compaction cavity (24) opening into the mold surface (22, 26); for each stiffener (14): placing a bagged insert (30) including an insert (40) received in a tubular bag (42) in the respective compaction cavity (24), supporting the stiffener (14) with the bagged insert (30), the stiffener (14) having a first part extending in the compaction cavity (24) snuggly between a side surface of the bagged insert (30) and an adjacent side surface of the mold (20) bordering the compaction cavity (24), the stiffener (14) having a second part connected to the first part and extending over at least one of the mold surface (22, 26) and a top surface of the bagged insert (30); placing a skin (12) over and in contact with the mold surface (22, 26),

Abstract: A device (10, 40, 50, 60) and a related method for selectively applying pressure to a fiber impregnated resin, where the device includes a thermally expansive material having a body (12) which extends in an axial direction from an upper terminal surface (14) to an opposite lower terminal surface (16), a first retaining member (18) affixed to one of the upper terminal surface and the lower terminal surface, wherein the first retaining member is configured to limit expansion of the thermally expansive material in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction when the thermally expansive material is subjected to an increase in temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating true random numbers is provided which is hardware based, and which uses unpredictable physical noise produced by an optoisolator. Specifically, the noises resulting from one or more of quantum shot, thermal noise, flicker, and the photoelectric effect are used as variable energy sources for subsequent conversion into a bitstream used for random number selection. The apparatus is preferably provided with a through hole prototype design and construction which requires minimal number of components reducing overall costs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating true random numbers is provided which is hardware based, and which uses unpredictable physical noise produced by an optoisolator. Specifically, the noises resulting from one or more of quantum shot, thermal noise, flicker, and the photoelectric effect are used as variable energy sources for subsequent conversion into a bitstream used for random number selection. The apparatus is preferably provided with a through hole prototype design and construction which requires minimal number of components reducing overall costs.

Abstract: An improved oven for use in a residence is described. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a programmable controller for executing program instructions, memory media for recording executable program instructions, and at least one controllable cooking system under control of the programmable controller, which provides a data-processing-controlled high speed cooking process which may be applied to food placed in the oven chamber. A plurality of cooking programs are recorded in the memory media of the oven. These define a plurality of high speed cooking routines available for use with the oven. A gateway server is communicatively coupled to the programmable controller. It manages the communication of digital content which is at least in-part related to operation and utilization of the improved oven. A broadband communication channel extends from a source of digital content, which is external to the residence, to the residence.

Abstract: An improved oven for use in a residence is described. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a programmable controller for executing program instructions, memory media for recording executable program instructions, and at least one controllable cooking system under control of the programmable controller, which provides a data-processing-controlled high speed cooking process which may be applied to food placed in the oven chamber. A plurality of cooking programs are recorded in the memory media of the oven. These define a plurality of high speed cooking routines available for use with the oven. A gateway server is communicatively coupled to the programmable controller. It manages the communication of digital content which is at least in-part related to operation and utilization of the improved oven. A broadband communication channel extends from a source of digital content, which is external to the residence, to the residence.

Abstract: An improved oven for use in a residence is described. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a programmable controller for executing program instructions, memory media for recording executable program instructions, and at least one controllable cooking system under control of the programmable controller, which provides a data-processing-controlled high speed cooking process which may be applied to food placed in the oven chamber. A plurality of cooking programs are recorded in the memory media of the oven. These define a plurality of high speed cooking routines available for use with the oven. A gateway server is communicatively coupled to the programmable controller. It manages the communication of digital content which is at least in-part related to operation and utilization of the improved oven. A broadband communication channel extends from a source of digital content, which is external to the residence, to the residence.

Abstract: An improved oven for use in a residence is described. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a programmable controller for executing program instructions, memory media for recording executable program instructions, and at least one controllable cooking system under control of the programmable controller, which provides a data-processing-controlled high speed cooking process which may be applied to food placed in the oven chamber. A plurality of cooking programs are recorded in the memory media of the oven. These define a plurality of high speed cooking routines available for use with the oven. A gateway server is communicatively coupled to the programmable controller. It manages the communication of digital content which is at least in-part related to operation and utilization of the improved oven. A broadband communication channel extends from a source of digital content, which is external to the residence, to the residence.

Abstract: An improved oven for use in a residence is described. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a programmable controller for executing program instructions, memory media for recording executable program instructions, and at least one controllable cooking system under control of the programmable controller, which provides a data-processing-controlled high speed cooking process which may be applied to food placed in the oven chamber. A plurality of cooking programs are recorded in the memory media of the oven. These define a plurality of high speed cooking routines available for use with the oven. A gateway server is communicatively coupled to the programmable controller. It manages the communication of digital content which is at least in-part related to operation and utilization of the improved oven. A broadband communication channel extends from a source of digital content, which is external to the residence, to the residence.

Abstract: An unregulated DC-to-DC power converter suitable for intermediate bus voltage converter applications includes synchronous rectifiers that are driven efficiently to provide faster transition time and reduced loss. The DC-to-DC power converter comprises a transformer having a primary winding and at least first and second secondary windings. An input circuit is coupled to the primary winding and is adapted to apply an alternating polarity square wave voltage to the primary winding. An output circuit comprising an output filter is coupled to a tap of the first secondary winding. The output filter provides a DC output voltage. A first synchronous rectifier is coupled to a first end of the first secondary winding and a second synchronous rectifier is coupled to a second end of the first secondary winding. The second secondary winding has a first end coupled to a control terminal of the first synchronous rectifier and a second end coupled to a control terminal of the second synchronous rectifier.

Abstract: A dispenser of foodstuff is particularly well adapted to deliver cheese for pizza making. A refrigerator contains a bin which may be completely removed from said refrigerator for cleaning, as in a dishwasher, for example. The bin features inwardly sloping walls so that the cheese does not normally stick to the wall. An auger delivers the cheese to a spout where a star wheel meters flow and breaks up any clumps in the cheese. A spring biased trap door closes the spout, especially when the bin is removed from the refrigerator. The refrigerator contains parts which control the opening and closing of the trap door and the turning of the auger. The entire system operates under the control of a programmable microprocessor which includes means for detecting when the bin is empty or is failing to delivery the cheese.

Abstract: A two-part drum includes a blow molded self supporting plastic liner with circumferential reinforcing grooves, and a shell. The shell and the liner have matching cross-sections defined by curved sidewalls and curved sections cooperating to form a nominally rectangular or square cross-section.