Abstract: A self-venting device includes a first component having an interior, a second component coupled to the first component so as to close the interior, and seal structure engaged between the first and second components in a sealed state so as to seal the interior from external agents. The seal structure includes a plurality of seal members, each having a resilient seal tip extending therefrom. The seal tips are constructed and arranged such that 1) when pressure inside the interior is equal to pressure outside of the device, the seal tips are compressed between the first and second components in the sealed state, and 2) when pressure in the interior is greater than the pressure outside of the device causing the second component to move away from the first component, the seal tips move to an unsealed state, permitting air to exit from the interior.

Abstract: A reconfigurable, modular ergonomic sit harness or saddle for use by linesmen, arborists, or the like includes a gender-specific back pad assembly that supports a number of removable, optional attachments allowing customization for user preference or job environment. Gender-specific angled wing portions of the back pad contain an armor layer and extra padding to protect the bony protrusions of both the male and female pelvis. A “one size fits all” approach includes a waistband having length adjustability over approximately a 3:1 range. Each component and sub-system of the sit harness is ergonomically designed to maximize comfort and minimize stresses on a user's body. The back pad features interchangeable lumbar support pads. Optional, removable features include a seat, an abdominal support, and a body harness for use with a fall restraint device. Interchangeable suspension bridges allow user attachment to a wide range of support systems.

Abstract: A polymeric film or sheet comprising an ionomeric composition comprising ionomeric copolymer of an alpha olefin and about 1 to about 30 wt % of alpha,beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbons, based on the total weight of the ionomeric copolymer, wherein the carboxylic acid is neutralized to a level of 1 to 100 mol %, with one or more metal ions, based on the total number of moles of carboxylate groups in the ionomeric copolymer, and wherein the ionomeric copolymer has a Melt Index of about 20 to about 300 g/10 min. The ionomeric composition preferably comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of silane coupling agent, organic peroxide, and combinations thereof. In addition, an article comprising an interlayer formed of the polymeric film or sheet and an additional layer selected from the group consisting of glass, other polymeric interlayer sheets, polymeric film layers, and metal films or sheets. Examples of articles include safety windows and solar cells.

Abstract: A polymeric film or sheet comprising an acid copolymer composition comprising acid copolymer of an alpha olefin and about 1 to about 30 wt % of alpha,beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbons, based on the total weight of the acid copolymer composition, wherein the acid copolymer has a Melt Index of about 75 to about 600 g/10 min. The acid copolymer composition preferably comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of silane coupling agent, organic peroxide, and combinations thereof. In addition, an article comprising an interlayer formed of the polymeric film or sheet and an additional layer selected from the group consisting of glass, other polymeric interlayer sheets, polymeric film layers, and metal films or sheets. Examples of articles include safety windows and solar cells.

Abstract: A polymeric film or sheet comprising an ionomeric composition comprising ionomeric copolymer of an alpha olefin and about 1 to about 30 wt % of alpha,beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbons, based on the total weight of the ionomeric copolymer, wherein the carboxylic acid is neutralized to a level of 1 to 100 mol %, with one or more metal ions, based on the total number of moles of carboxylate groups in the ionomeric copolymer, and wherein the ionomeric copolymer has a Melt Index of about 20 to about 300 g/10 min. The ionomeric composition preferably comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of silane coupling agent, organic peroxide, and combinations thereof. In addition, an article comprising an interlayer formed of the polymeric film or sheet and an additional layer selected from the group consisting of glass, other polymeric interlayer sheets, polymeric film layers, and metal films or sheets. Examples of articles include safety windows and solar cells.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a solar cell module, the process comprising: (i) providing a solar cell pre-laminate assembly comprising a solar cell component comprising one or a plurality of solar cells and an encapsulant film or sheet consisting essentially of a non-neutralized acid copolymer composition prepared from (a) non-neutralized acid copolymer of an alpha olefin and about 15 to about 23 wt % of alpha,beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbons, based on the total weight of the acid copolymer, wherein the acid copolymer has a Melt Index of greater than 100 to about 600 g/10 min, and (b) about 0.01 to about 10 wt %, based upon the total weight of the acid copolymer composition, of organic peroxide; and (ii) laminating the pre-laminate assembly to form the solar cell module by subjecting the assembly to heat and, optionally, vacuum.

Abstract: A fail-safe system and method for an electro-hydraulic system. The system includes a controller, sensor, directional control valve, interlock, hydraulic valve and movement actuator. The directional control valve moves when the controller is moved. The interlock is hydraulically coupled to the directional control valve; and is in active position when the directional control valve is moved, and in shutoff position when the directional control valve is not moved. The hydraulic valve has an input side coupled to a flow source and an output side coupled to a hydraulic function. The movement actuator moves the hydraulic valve to a desired position as directed by the controller when the interlock is in the active position, and does not move the hydraulic valve when the interlock is in the shutoff position. The sensor detects movement of the controller and sends a control signal to the first valve actuator.

Abstract: An automotive key fob includes a leaf-style spring positioned within the key fob so that, while a removable key is inserted into the key fob, the removable key engages, and at least partially collapses, the spring thereby reducing movement of the key within the key fob and thereby reducing noise associated with movement of the key within the key fob. The leaf-style spring may be positioned in a spring-surrounding pocket within an external housing of the key fob. The spring-surrounding pocket may be at least partially defined by a wall having a height that is less than a height of the leaf-style spring while the spring is installed within the key fob.

Abstract: An apparatus for venting an annular space between a liner and a pipeline of a subsea riser used for conveying hydrocarbons, the apparatus comprising a permeate recovery device for recovering permeate passing through the liner into the annular space. The permeate recovery device includes a first vent port in a wall of the pipeline at or adjacent a lower region of the pipeline and communicating with a permeate recovery line defining a flow path between the annular space and a permeate collection vessel. A one-way valve is associated with the permeate recovery line for preventing flow from the permeate recovery line into the annular space. A gaseous permeate recovery line connected to a second vent port at an upper region of the pipeline defining a flow of gaseous permeate from the annular space.

Abstract: A reconfigurable, modular ergonomic sit harness or saddle for use by linesmen, arborists, or the like includes a gender-specific back pad assembly that supports a number of removable, optional attachments allowing customization for user preference or job environment. Gender-specific angled wing portions of the back pad contain an armor layer and extra padding to protect the bony protrusions of both the male and female pelvis. A “one size fits all” approach includes a waistband having length adjustability over approximately a 3:1 range. Each component and sub-system of the sit harness is ergonomically designed to maximize comfort and minimize stresses on a user's body. The back pad features interchangeable lumbar support pads. Optional, removable features include a seat, an abdominal support, and a body harness for use with a fall restraint device. Interchangeable suspension bridges allow user attachment to a wide range of support systems.

Abstract: A fail-safe system and method for an electro-hydraulic system. The system includes a controller, sensor, directional control valve, interlock, hydraulic valve and movement actuator. The directional control valve moves when the controller is moved. The interlock is hydraulically coupled to the directional control valve; and is in active position when the directional control valve is moved, and in shutoff position when the directional control valve is not moved. The hydraulic valve has an input side coupled to a flow source and an output side coupled to a hydraulic function. The movement actuator moves the hydraulic valve to a desired position as directed by the controller when the interlock is in the active position, and does not move the hydraulic valve when the interlock is in the shutoff position. The sensor detects movement of the controller and sends a control signal to the first valve actuator.

Abstract: An improved antenna array (100) comprises a set of array elements (102 a-p) electromagnetically coupled to a transmission line. The transmission line comprises a live conductor (122) and a return conductor, and the live conductor (122) is terminated by a direct connection to the return conductor. An input signal fed to the live conductor (122) is radiated by the array elements (102 a-p) and the antenna array (100) is arranged such that any portion of the input signal reaching the termination is reflected at the termination so as to form a reflected signal that superimposes with the input signal to produce a predetermined farfield radiation pattern.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a solar cell module, the process comprising: (i) providing a solar cell pre-laminate assembly comprising a solar cell component comprising one or a plurality of solar cells and an encapsulant film or sheet consisting essentially of a non-neutralized acid copolymer composition prepared from (a) non-neutralized acid copolymer of an alpha olefin and about 15 to about 23 wt % of alpha,beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbons, based on the total weight of the acid copolymer, wherein the acid copolymer has a Melt Index of greater than 100 to about 600 g/10 min, and (b) about 0.01 to about 10 wt %, based upon the total weight of the acid copolymer composition, of organic peroxide; and (ii) laminating the pre-laminate assembly to form the solar cell module by subjecting the assembly to heat and, optionally, vacuum.

Abstract: An automotive key fob includes a leaf-style spring positioned within the key fob so that, while a removable key is inserted into the key fob, the removable key engages, and at least partially collapses, the spring thereby reducing movement of the key within the key fob and thereby reducing noise associated with movement of the key within the key fob. The leaf-style spring may be positioned in a spring-surrounding pocket within an external housing of the key fob. The spring-surrounding pocket may be at least partially defined by a wall having a height that is less than a height of the leaf-style spring while the spring is installed within the key fob.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for improving the performance of a network system having one or more sending systems and one or more receiving systems may include determining the digital signature of a received digital file, comparing the digital signature against stored digital signatures of digital files accessible to the receiving system, and determining whether to store the received digital file and/or a location identifier for the stored version of the received digital file based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising a cathode material contacted to a perforated current collector having a portion left uncovered and an anode material contacted to an anode current collector is described. A separator sheet segregating the anode from direct contact with the cathode is folded back upon itself along a crease with an upper portion at least partially sealed to a lower portion along an aligned peripheral edge to form an envelope. A first envelope portion houses the cathode having the uncovered portion of the cathode current collector spaced from the crease and a second envelope portion houses the anode. The first envelope portion is sealed to the second envelope portion through the uncovered perforations of the cathode current collector to lock the anode aligned with the cathode. The anode and cathode are then wound into a jellyroll electrode assembly housed in a cylindrical casing and activated with an electrolyte.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell is described. A separator sheet segregating the anode from direct contact with the cathode is folded back upon itself along a crease with an upper portion at least partially sealed to a lower portion along an aligned peripheral edge to form an envelope. A first envelope portion houses the cathode having an uncovered portion of the cathode current collector spaced from the crease and a second envelope portion houses the anode. The first envelope portion is sealed to the second envelope portion through uncovered perforations of the cathode current collector to lock the anode aligned with the cathode. The anode and cathode are then wound into a jellyroll electrode assembly housed in a cylindrical casing and activated with an electrolyte.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for improving the performance of a network system having one or more sending systems and one or more receiving systems may include determining the digital signature of a received embedded digital resource, comparing the digital signature against stored digital signatures of digital resources accessible to the receiving system, and determining whether to store the received embedded digital resource and/or a location identifier for the stored version of the received embedded digital resource based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A composition and an article comprising or produced from the composition are disclosed. The composition comprises an ionomer and a reducing static charge-buildup amount of potassium ion wherein the ionomer is neutralized with sodium, zinc, or magnesium ions. The article can be a film including a multilayer film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an outdoor portable cooling system for patios, campsites, and other related areas. The invention is primarily to be used as a portable cooling system, but may be adapted as a permanently affixed cooling system. The invention includes a housing that contains an absorption system that would be powered by a propane burner. Heat generated by the burning propane gas can be used to operate the fan motor via a module that produces electricity from heat or whereby the motor is powered by a battery supply. The battery supply may be recharged by a solar panel or by a standard electrical line.