Abstract: The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.

Abstract: The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.

Abstract: The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.

Abstract: Device comprising a mobile structure with variable stiffness, preferably with electrostatic control.

Abstract: The invention describes devices for performing thermodynamic work on a fluid, such as pumps, compressors and fans. The thermodynamic work may be used to provide a driving force for moving the fluid. Work performed on the fluid may be transmitted to other devices, such as a piston in a hydraulic actuation device. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to perform thermodynamic work on the fluid. The devices may be designed to efficiently operate at a plurality of operating conditions, such as operating conditions that produce an acoustic signal above or below the human hearing range. The devices may be used in thermal control systems, such as refrigeration system, cooling systems and heating systems.

Abstract: The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.

Abstract: A method is provided of authenticating a user device requesting access to a computer system. The method includes encrypting current session data at a connection application of the user device via which a user requests access to the computer system, the current session data changing with each user request. The encrypted current session data is then included in user authentication data in an access request which is communicated in plain text which is then decrypted. Reference session data is then compared with the decrypted current session data and the user request is selectively categorized dependent upon the outcome of the comparison.

Abstract: A method is provided to securely authenticate user credentials. The method includes encrypting a user credential with a public key at an access device wherein the public key is part of a public/private key pair suitable for use with an encryption algorithm. The encrypted network user credential is transmitted from the access device to a decryption server where it is decrypted with a private key, the private key being part of the public/private key pair suitable for use with the encryption algorithm. The decrypted user credential is then transmitted from the decryption server to an authentication server for verification. The decryption server typically forms part of a multi-party service access environment including a plurality of access providers, the method including decrypting the user credential of a user proximate an access provider associated with the user credential.

Abstract: The carrier includes a cradle having an elongated spine and a number of ribs which are spaced along the length of the spine. The spine is pivotally attached to a larger boat such that an end of the spine may be raised or lowered. When the end of the spine has reached its lowermost extent, it is immersed in water and allows a smaller boat to be floated into the cradle. When the end of the spine is raised to its uppermost extent, the smaller boat is lifted entirely out of water. A hoist or actuator serves to raise and lower the end.

Abstract: The carrier includes a cradle having an elongated spine and a number of ribs which are spaced along the length of the spine. The spine is pivotally attached to a larger boat such that an end of the spine may be raised or lowered. When the end of the spine has reached its lowermost extent, it is immersed in water and allows a smaller boat to be floated into the cradle. When the end of the spine is raised to its uppermost extent, the smaller boat is lifted entirely out of water. A hoist or actuator serves to raise and lower the end.

Abstract: A mobile floor crane has a tubular, rigid stanchion that supports a boom pivotally connected to the top end of the stanchion. The base end of the stanchion is disposed between the adjacently disposed mid portions of the tubular, rigid legs of the crane. A support member extends transversely through the mid portions of the legs and the base end of the stanchion and supports the stanchion. In an alternative embodiment, the legs have telescoping members, and a rolling member is provided on the base end of the stanchion to provide mobility for the crane when the telescoping members are detached for storage.

Abstract: An electrical machine includes one or more multiple-phase electrical power windings and an auxiliary winding. The auxiliary winding when closed generates electromagnetic fields which partially cancel fields generated during the operation of the electrical machine. The result is reduced audible noise from the electrical machine.

Abstract: A process for preparing zinc oxide comprises introducing, into an atmosphere, an aqueous solution of a zinc salt that is thermally decomposable to zinc oxide, the atmosphere having a temperature sufficient to decompose the salt to the oxide, and recovering zinc oxide. The zinc oxide so-prepared is in the form of discrete particles which can have an average particle size of 0.08 .mu.m or less in diameter and a surface area of at least 12.5 m.sup.2 /g and which is also free of zinc metal. The small particle size zinc oxide is particularly useful as a UV absorbing/scattering additive.

Abstract: A system and method for storing data and program code on an external card has been provided. Information is stored on the external card by first transferring data from a source database to a first computer (a server). The data is then transferred from the first computer to at least one additional computer (a loader). The additional computer is then utilized to i) load data on the external card, and to ii) load program code on the external card. Further, an external reader is provided for accepting the external card. The external reader includes circuitry therein which is controlled by the program code on the external card for accessing the data on the external card.

Abstract: In several embodiments of the present invention, an alternator is disclosed. The alternator includes a rotor having both wound-field and permanent magnet poles. The wound-field and permanent magnet poles are disposed about the circumference of the rotor.