Abstract: Materials, components, and methods consistent with the present invention are directed to the fabrication and use of micro-scale channels with a fluid, where the temperature and flow of the fluid is controlled through the geometry of the micro-scale channel and the configuration of at least a portion of the wall of the micro-scale channel and the constituent particles that make up the fluid. Moreover, the wall of the micro-scale channel and the constituent particles are configured such that collisions between the constituent particles and the wall are substantially specular.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device comprising a body that defines a first surface and a second surface and defines a first, second, third and fourth lateral sides. In one embodiment, the first surface defines a first aperture and a second aperture. In one embodiment, the thickness of the body along the first lateral side is greater than the thickness of the body along the third lateral side such that the first surface slopes downwards from the first lateral side towards the third lateral side. The device not only reduces the pressure on the tailbone or on the hemorrhoids for a person in a seated position, but also reduces the discomfort or pain associated with settling into a seated position or emerging from a seated position.

Abstract: Methods and systems for accessing databases using a common web interface are provided. A method for transmitting data retrieved from an endpoint device to a client device using a common web interface includes providing the common web interface to the client device. The common web interface allows access to a plurality of endpoint devices, each endpoint device comprising a unique endpoint address. The method further includes receiving, by a computer, identification data from the client device, retrieving an endpoint address for one of the plurality of endpoint devices based on the identification data, connecting to the endpoint device corresponding to the endpoint address, retrieving data from the endpoint device, and transmitting the retrieved data to the client device.

Abstract: An stent delivery system may include a delivery device and a tubular body having a lumen sized to slidably fit about an outer diameter of the delivery device and a drainage stent having an anchoring mechanism, wherein the delivery device includes a constraining member configured to engage an external portion of the tubular body at the proximal end of the delivery device. A method of delivering a stent may include inserting a tubular body into the port of an endoscope, inserting a stent delivery device and a stent having an anchoring mechanism into the tubular body, wherein the delivery device includes a constraining member configured to engage and retain the tubular body at the proximal end of the delivery device, advancing the drainage stent distally through the tubular body, sliding the tubular body proximally, and engaging an external portion of the tubular body with the constraining member.

Abstract: A swim paddle can include a low profile housing body including a hand surface and a water surface. The low profile housing body can further include a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the length of a hand of a swimmer and a transverse axis that is parallel to a width of the hand, wherein the longitudinal axis is longer than the transverse axis, and wherein the hand surface is adjacent to a palm of the hand. The paddle can further include a strap that can secure the low profile housing body with the hand of the swimmer. The swim paddle can further include an electronics package that can be affixed to the low profile housing body.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT), wherein the CVT includes a housing having an inner cover and an outer cover connected to the inner cover to provide the housing having an interior chamber defined therein. The CVT additionally comprises a clutch assembly disposed within the housing interior chamber, wherein the clutch assembly comprises a clutch post that is connectable to an output shaft of a vehicle prime mover, a movable sheave movably mounted on the clutch post, and a stationary sheave fixedly mounted on the clutch post opposite a front face of the movable sheave. The clutch assembly additionally comprises an intake fan fixedly mounted to the clutch post opposite a rear face of the movable sheave such that the intake fan is separate, independent and spaced apart from the movable sheave.

Abstract: A swim paddle can include a low profile housing body including a hand surface and a water surface. The low profile housing body can further include a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the length of a hand of a swimmer and a transverse axis that is parallel to a width of the hand, wherein the longitudinal axis is longer than the transverse axis, and wherein the hand surface is adjacent to a palm of the hand. The paddle can further include a strap that can secure the low profile housing body with the hand of the swimmer. The swim paddle can further include an electronics package that can be affixed to the low profile housing body.

Abstract: A vehicle lock for a door or a flap of a motor vehicle, the vehicle lock including a locking mechanism with a catch and a pawl for latching the catch as well as a gear mechanism with a spindle for moving a nut and for transferring a motion and/or force to the locking mechanism by the nut movement for locking or unlocking the vehicle lock, and a clip for holding the spindle in an axial position. A simple and easy to produce vehicle lock with reduced number of parts, in particular without thrust plates, can be obtained.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a valve assembly for use with a combustion engine. The valve assembly can include a valve stem having a plunger end, and a valve head having a stem portion disposed along a central axis and connected to the plunger end of the valve stem. The valve head can have a hollow interior portion defining interior floor and ceiling surfaces, and include ribs that extend between the interior floor and ceiling surfaces. The ribs can also extend radially around the central axis of the valve head from the stem portion to an outer circumference of the hollow interior portion. Additionally, the ribs can be configured such that a majority of an upper surface of each rib contacts the ceiling surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a cushion apparatus comprising a resilient spring member. Typically, the cushion apparatus in configured to provide flexible support to a user, allow air circulation through and within the cushion apparatus and allow ventilation of excess heat. In some embodiments, the cushion apparatus comprises a resilient spring member and a cushion cover member at least partially enclosing the spring member. In some embodiments, the cushion cover member is structured to be removable attached to the resilient spring member.

Abstract: A system for fabricating a part (12) comprises a build chamber (14), a powder feed system (18) for feeding a polymeric powder (22) to the build chamber, a heating system (40) for melting and fusing the polymeric powder to form a fused polymeric part in the build chamber, and a vacuum system (50) to apply a specified vacuum pressure to the build chamber, wherein the vacuum pressure is at or below a threshold pressure so that a porosity of the fused polymeric part is at or below a specified threshold porosity.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an online or mobile application for playing a location-based multiplayer game. In one configuration and by non-limiting example, the game is a cross-platform, location-based, massively-multiplayer game of strategy. Players interact to capture millions of battle zones that correspond to real world locations in hundreds of countries using their mobile devices, web browsers, and consoles.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting electronic equipment on the exterior of an outdoor structure includes a base member configured to be coupled to the exterior of the outdoor structure, a first housing coupled to the base member, and at least one shelf disposed within the first housing. Each shelf includes a support surface, a plurality of support orifices disposed therethrough, and at least one first communication orifice disposed therethrough. A plurality of support members is configured to be inserted through the support orifices. A floor member is coupled to the first housing and has at least one second communication orifice disposed therethrough. The plurality of support members is configured to couple the at least one shelf to the floor member. A substantially transparent second housing is mounted on the floor member.

Abstract: An article of illuminated headwear having a top portion, a left side, and a right side, the article of headwear including a controllable power source, a lamp disposed on the top portion of the article of headwear, the lamp in electrical communication with the power source, a first lens configured to cast white light in a 360 degree pattern around the lamp, a second lens disposed on the right side of the headwear, the second lens configured to cast light of a first color to the right side of the headwear, and a third lens disposed on the left side of the headwear, the third lens configured to cast light of a second color to the left side of the headwear.

Abstract: Presented herein are various methods for using head positioning pillows to optimize respiratory titration. More specifically, the method includes a first step of determining an optimal relative angle between the patient's mouth and throat at which the patient's airway is optimally opened. The method also includes a second step of adjusting a head positioning pillow relative to the patient's head and neck to modify and transform the configuration of the pillow to achieve a pillow position that achieves the optimal relative angle.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a valve assembly for use with a combustion engine. The valve assembly can include a valve stem having a plunger end, and a valve head having a stem portion disposed along a central axis and connected to the plunger end of the valve stem. The valve head can have a hollow interior portion defining interior floor and ceiling surfaces, and include ribs that extend between the interior floor and ceiling surfaces. The ribs can also extend radially around the central axis of the valve head from the stem portion to an outer circumference of the hollow interior portion. Additionally, the ribs can be configured such that a majority of an upper surface of each rib contacts the ceiling surface.

Abstract: A steam quality meter includes a pipe with an inlet and an outlet. A rod is located within the pipe between the inlet and the outlet. The rod defines an annular flow passage between an outer wall of the rod and an inner wall of the pipe. A mixing device is located within the pipe between the inlet and an upstream end of the rod. Spaced sensors are located within the annular flow passage. Each sensor is configured to sense capacitance and/or impedance of steam flowing through the annular flow passage.

Abstract: A cover for a tablet computer incorporates a built-in stand, allowing viewing angles in portrait and landscape orientations. The cover includes a front cover that is connected to a back cover. In an implementation, the front cover has at least five fold lines formed in the cover. These fold lines meet at an intersection point. These fold lines are not parallel to any edges of the front cover. And these fold lines divide the front cover to have least three triangular sections.

Abstract: An aero-contoured coating system is provided. The system has an aerodynamically functional coating having at least one or more color layers, one or more first clearcoat layers over the color layer(s) to obtain a pre-aero-contoured coating, the one or more first clearcoat layers configured for abrasion and aero-contouring to obtain an aero-contoured surface, and one or more additional clearcoat layers over the aero-contoured surface. The system further has a structure having a prepared and primed substrate surface with a primer layer. The system further has an aero-contouring device to abrade a plurality of flow surfaces on a pre-aero-contoured coated surface and to mechanically aero-contour a plurality of coating edges to reduce one or more coating edge peaks and coating edge angles of abutting coating edges between the one or more color layers. The system further has one or more masking elements for masking the one or more color layers.