Abstract: Support structures are used in certain additive fabrication processes to permit fabrication of a greater range of object geometries. For additive fabrication processes with materials that are subsequently sintered into a final part, an interface layer is formed between the object and support in order to inhibit bonding between adjacent surfaces of the support structure and the object during sintering.

Abstract: A system for fluid management in low or micro gravity environment, the system including: a two-phase gas-liquid tank suitable for storage of a two-phase gas-liquid, the two-phase gas-liquid tank including an outer surface, an inner cavity, and an outlet between the inner cavity and the outer surface. The system further includes a thermal or electromagnetic device disposed on or proximal to the two-phase gas-liquid tank. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the thermal or electromagnetic device, the controller being configured to energize the thermal or electromagnetic device in a controlled manner (i) to generate a thermal or electromagnetic gradient heat in the two-phase gas-liquid and (ii) urge a portion of the two-phase gas-liquid to the outlet of the two-phase gas-liquid tank.

Abstract: This invention defines a facility that accepts and mechanically parks automobiles. The facility is a group of adjacent bays; each bay is one car wide, has a ground floor that provides access and egress to entrance and delivery portals, and has multiple levels of storage above (or below) the ground floor. Each storage level of each bay has four storage stalls, two longitudinally forward of and two longitudinally behind a central elevator shaft. Vehicles are stored on pallets; there is a pallet for every storage stall. A single-wide or multiple-wide elevator operates within the elevator shaft of each bay or group of bays. The elevators are double-deck; the upper deck is a temporary storage stall, and the lower deck is the basic transport floor. Horizontal travel of pallets is accomplished by gearmotor-driven pinions in all stalls that mesh with toothed racks on the undersides of the pallets.

Abstract: Two pincer bucket halves, each including a horizontal blade, are mounted on a frame for opposed pivotal movement in a normally horizontal plane about respective parallel normally vertical axes. An upstanding back spans the axes and upstanding sides extend perpendicularly from the outer edges of the pincer blades. To pick up material, such as a pile of leaves or branches, from a ground surface, the pincer bucket halves are opened and advanced toward the pile with the opposed blades in contact with the ground surface. After the bucket halves are located on opposite sides of the pile, the bucket halves are brought together so that the blades are closed, thereby undercutting and supporting the material, with the vertical sides of the buckets confining the material in combination with the vertical back. The embraced material may then be elevated and transported within the bucket. The material is discharged by tilting the bucket forwardly and opening the bucket halves.