Abstract: An electrical contact includes a contact portion for mating with a mating contact, a wire barrel and an insulation barrel. The insulation barrel has a lead-in projection extending from the insulation barrel toward the wire barrel. The insulation barrel has a first crimping arm and a second crimping arm, with the first crimping arm positioned closer to the wire barrel than the second crimping arm. The lead-in projection is attached to and extends from the first crimping arm. The lead-in projection has a free end which extends proximate to the wire barrel and proximate to an electrical conductor of an electrical wire terminated in the wire barrel. The wire barrel is crimped to the electrical conductor of the electrical wire terminated in the wire barrel and the insulation barrel is crimped to an insulation sleeve of the electrical wire terminated in the wire barrel.

Abstract: The use of liquid metal contacts for devices based on thermotunneling has been investigated. Electric and thermal characteristics of low wetting contact Hg/Si, and high wetting contacts Hg/Cu were determined and compared. Tunneling I-V characteristics for Hg/Si were obtained, while for Hg/Cu, I-V characteristics were ohmic. The tunneling I-V characteristic is explained by the presence of a nanogap between the contact materials. Heat conductance of high wetting and low wetting contacts were compared, using calorimeter measurements. Heat conductance of high wetting contact was 3-4 times more than of low wetting contact. Both electric and thermal characteristics of liquid metal contact indicated that it could be used for thermotunneling devices. To reduce the work function and make liquid metal more suitable for room temperature cooling, Cs was dissolved in liquid Hg. Work function as low as 2.6 eV was obtained.

Abstract: A starter/generator machine for a turbine with a turbine enclosure, an air duct, and a plurality of fan blades is provided. The starter/generator machine includes a plurality of stator elements spaced at intervals in a ring shape adjacent to the air duct and a plurality of rotor elements mounted on the fan blades. The stator elements and the rotor elements are mounted to interact magnetically to exert a force sufficient to move the rotor elements. The stator elements are shaped to minimize air flow interference and are formed with a core, at least one pole, and multiple windings. The spacing between the stator elements and the rotor elements forms an air gap on the order of 5-10 mm, and the number of stator elements is different from the number of rotor elements.

Abstract: An undercarriage wheel is disclosed comprising an axle member that supports a drive member, for example but not limited to a compact high torque electric motor, a wheel member driven by said drive member, and a tire attached to the wheel member, wherein the tire bulges in the width dimension of the wheel, wherein the drive member protrudes from the wheel member and thus occupies at least some of the additional width made available by the bulge of the tire. A further aspect of the invention is an undercarriage wheel that comprises an axle member that supports a drive member, for example but not limited to a compact high torque electric motor, a wheel member driven by said drive member, and a low-profile tire attached to the wheel member. Since the profile of the tire is low, additional space is available inside the wheel for the drive member.

Abstract: An undercarriage wheel is disclosed comprising an axle member that supports a drive member, for example but not limited to a compact high torque electric motor, a wheel member driven by said drive member, and a tire attached to the wheel member, wherein the tire bulges in the width dimension of the wheel, wherein the drive member protrudes from the wheel member and thus occupies at least some of the additional width made available by the bulge of the tire. A further aspect of the invention is an undercarriage wheel that comprises an axle member that supports a drive member, for example but not limited to a compact high torque electric motor, a wheel member driven by said drive member, and a low-profile tire attached to the wheel member. Since the profile of the tire is low, additional space is available inside the wheel for the drive member.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for reliably and securely transferring queued application messages. Application messages are (e.g.,. binary or text) encoded and then encapsulated in transfer messages, enqueue messages, and dequeue responses such that composable protocol elements used in application messages can be reused in the transfer messages, enqueue messages, and dequeue responses. Transfer message headers are encoded and then encapsulated along with encoded application messages such that composable protocol elements used in transfer headers and application messages can be reused in the store and forward messages. Application messages, transfer messages, enqueue messages, dequeue responses, and store and forward messages can all be configured in accordance with the same messaging protocol, such as, for example, Simple Object Access Protocol.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for reliably and securely transferring queued application messages. Application messages are (e.g.,. binary or text) encoded and then encapsulated in transfer messages, enqueue messages, and dequeue responses such that composable protocol elements used in application messages can be reused in the transfer messages, enqueue messages, and dequeue responses. Transfer message headers are encoded and then encapsulated along with encoded application messages such that composable protocol elements used in transfer headers and application messages can be reused in the store and forward messages. Application messages, transfer messages, enqueue messages, dequeue responses, and store and forward messages can all be configured in accordance with the same messaging protocol, such as, for example, Simple Object Access Protocol.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for reliably and securely transferring queued application messages. Application messages are (e.g., binary or text) encoded and then encapsulated in transfer messages, enqueue messages, and dequeue responses such that composable protocol elements used in application messages can be reused in the transfer messages, enqueue messages, and dequeue responses. Transfer message headers are encoded and then encapsulated along with encoded application messages such that composable protocol elements used in transfer headers and application messages can be reused in the store and forward messages. Application messages, transfer messages, enqueue messages, dequeue responses, and store and forward messages can all be configured in accordance with the same messaging protocol, such as, for example, Simple Object Access Protocol.

Abstract: A turbine starter/generator machine for a turbine, said turbine comprising: at least one fan blade; at least one turbine enclosure; said starter/generator machine comprising: at least one rotor having rotor elements; at least one stator having stator elements; wherein said stator elements are mounted on said at least one air duct and said rotor elements are mounted on said at least one fan blade; whereby said stator elements magnetically interact with said rotor elements.

Abstract: A software product having instructions, stored on computer-readable media, wherein the instructions, when executed by a computer, perform steps for operating a web site to encourage a broker to process real estate opportunities includes instructions for identifying the broker interacting with the web site, instructions for receiving a proposal from the broker, the proposal including at least one of the real estate opportunities, instructions for presenting compensation options to the broker, instruction for accepting selection of one of the compensation options by the broker, and instructions for facilitating compensation of the broker upon closure of the real estate opportunity based upon broker's selection of compensation options.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicular seat assembly that may be configured in four different arrangements to accommodate an adult in its first position, a youth in its second position, a toddler in its third position, and infant in its fourth position. When configured to seat an infant, the infant is retrained using a restraint system that is integral to the seat assembly, and when configured to seat a toddler, the toddler is restrained by a separate and distinct restraint system that is also integral to the seat assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for fabricating two layers separated by a gap comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first material; (b) treating the first material to reduce the number of available bonding centers; (c) placing a second material over the first material and allowing bonds to form between the two materials to form a composite; and (d) separating the composite so formed along the boundary of the two materials. In a further aspect, subsequent layers of material may be introduced to the composite by repeating steps (b) and (c) under conditions where adhesion between the subsequent layers is greater, smaller or substantially the same as the adhesion between the first and second material.

Abstract: According to various aspects of the present disclosure, there are provided various exemplary embodiments of covers, systems and methods for covering boards and deck components. In one exemplary embodiment, a cover generally includes an upper portion and generally downwardly extending side portions. The cover's upper and side portions are configured to generally cover at least the top and sides of the outdoor deck component. The cover's side portions may include through-holes to allow venting of moisture from an area between the cover and the outdoor deck component when the cover is positioned on the outdoor deck component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a child seat assembly that may be characterized, at least in one embodiment, as being substantially integral with a seat of a motor vehicle. This child seat assembly is at least generally capable of being disposed in first, second, third, and fourth positions to enable the seat of the motor vehicle to be configured to appropriately accommodate an infant, a toddler, a child (as in a booster seat), or an adult.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispersing a volatile composition, which method comprises dispersing the volatile composition into an air steam; and generating an ion wind, thereby causing the molecules of the composition to become electrically charged.

Abstract: Covers, systems and methods for covering boards and deck components, such as the floorboards, side rails, among other elongate structural deck components. In one embodiment, a system for covering a board includes at least one cover and at least two couplings. Each of the couplings is adjacent a corresponding one of the pair of opposed sides of the board. The couplings each define a channel adapted to receive and retain therein a corresponding portion of the cover when the cover is positioned on the board.

Abstract: Covers, systems and methods for covering boards and deck components, such as the floorboards, side rails, among other elongate structural deck components. In one embodiment, a cover generally includes a top portion and a pair of opposed side portions downwardly depending from the top portion to frictionally receive and grip the board between the side portions when the cover is positioned on the board. Each of the cover's side portions define at least one slot adapted to extend around portions of another board or joist positioned below the board when the cover is positioned on the board.

Abstract: A method of dispersing a volatile composition which method comprises dispersing a volatile composition into an air steam; and generating an ion wind, thus causing the molecules of the volatile to become electrically charged. An apparatus for use in the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispersing a volatile composition, which comprises dispersing the composition into an air stream and generating an ion wind, thereby causing the molecules of the composition to become electrically charged. The composition can be an insect repellent, an insecticide, an anti-microbial, an anti-allergenic or a room-fragrancing composition.