Abstract: A dispensing system for simultaneously dispensing a plurality of reactive materials. The system includes a multiple-barreled syringe having at least two barrels joined by a flange and containing respective different reactive materials. Parallel plungers joined by a flange force sealing members through the barrels to discharge the materials. A static mixer element having an applicator attaches to the syringe, and a means for re-sealing the syringe for subsequent use is provided. A sliding clip engaging a complementary shape removably fixes a loose static mixer element to the syringe, reducing the risk of misplacement and loss.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjustably securing a boat accessory to a boat. A first member has a plug and a second member has a socket. The plug has a rosette shape with rounded protrusions and the socket has a corresponding mating shape. Both the plug and the socket have openings for a fastener to secure the plug in the socket. The first member is one of a mounting base and an accessory base, and the second member is the other one. In one embodiment, an extension is positioned adjacent the plug so as to separate the first and second members. In another embodiment, the extension has a plug on each end and the first and second members have sockets. In another such embodiment, the extension has two members joined with a rosette-shaped plug and socket.

Abstract: A stored gas inflator having a chamber. The chamber houses a quantity of stored gas. The chamber is sealed by a burst disk. A frangible support is also added. The frangible support is designed to support the burst disk. The frangible support breaks during deployment of the inflator. The inflator is further constructed such that when the temperature of the inflator exceeds a threshold level, the gas is vented out of the chamber through the frangible member.

Abstract: A system for generating electrical energy from ambient energy such as the energy of ambient motion and acoustic vibrations. The system has at least two stages, a resonating electrical generator and a kinetic energy conversion system. The stages have differing resonant frequencies to enable harvesting energy from lower frequency ambient motion and converting the energy to higher frequency resonant oscillation for efficiently generating electrical energy. A multiaxial system having a plurality of systems for generating electrical energy from ambient motion each oriented to be responsive to motion along a different axis. An embodiment of a system for generating electrical energy from ambient motion for which the resonating electrical generator is at least part of a driving mass of the kinetic energy conversion system.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle vacuum brake hose that resists degradation when exposed to elevated temperatures up to about 175° C. for prolonged periods of time, the automotive vehicle vacuum brake hose comprising; an inner tubular member having an elastomeric matrix selected from the group consisting of acrylic elastomer and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and a protective cover around the inner tubular member. Preferably, the high temperature-resistant vacuum brake hose includes a reinforcement member around the inner tubular member and a protective cover around the reinforcement member.

Abstract: A biofuel hose that resists degradation when exposed to biofuels such as ethanol, an ethanol-hydrocarbon blend, and biodiesel, etc. for prolonged periods of time. The hose has an inner tubular member formed from a vulcanizable, hydrogenated, ?, ?-unsaturated nitrile-C4-C6 conjugated diene copolymer rubber or a blend of a vulcanizable, hydrogenated, ?, ?-unsaturated nitrile-C4-C6 conjugated diene copolymer rubber with a compatible polymer; a backing member around the inner tubular member wherein the backing member is formed from a vulcanizable, a, 1-unsaturated nitrile-C4-C6 conjugated diene copolymer rubber or a blend of a vulcanizable, ?, ?-unsaturated nitrile-C4-C6 conjugated diene copolymer rubber with a compatible polymer; and an ozone-resistant protective cover forming an outer surface of the biofuel hose. Preferably, the multilayer, biofuel-compatible hose includes a reinforcement member disposed between the backing layer and the ozone-resistant protective cover.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing melting of titanium for processing into ingots or end products. The apparatus provides a main hearth, a plurality of optional refining hearths, and a plurality of casting molds or direct molds whereby direct arc electrodes melt the titanium in the main hearth while plasma torches melt the titanium in the refining chambers and/or adjacent the molds. Each of the direct arc electrodes and plasma torches is extendable and retractable into the melting environment and moveable in a circular pivoting or side to side linear motion.

Abstract: An airbag inflator that includes a pyrotechnic material capable of producing a quantity of gas during deployment. The inflator also includes a filter. The filter may be an expanded metal filter that is wrapped about the pyrotechnic material. When this filter is wrapped about the pyrotechnic material, the filter forms a plurality of layers having holes that are a different size. This filter also includes a first set of barriers and a second set of barriers that are positioned exterior of the first set of barriers, the second set of barriers being offset from the first set of barriers. Gas passing through the filter will encounter the first set of barriers, be re-directed, encounter the second set of barriers, be re-directed, and then flow out of the filter.

Abstract: A dual stage inflator device including a housing defining first and second chamber each containing a quantity of gas generant material ignitable to produce combustion products. A divider plate, separating the first chamber from the second chamber, is disposed and fixed within the housing. The divider plate includes an opening to allow gas flow communication from the second chamber to the first chamber. A removable plug element is normally disposed in the divider plate opening to prevent gas flow communication between the first chamber and the second chamber when in a static state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing melting of titanium for processing into ingots or end products. The apparatus provides a main hearth, a plurality of optional refining hearths, and a plurality of casting molds or direct molds whereby direct arc electrodes melt the titanium in the main hearth while plasma torches melt the titanium in the refining chambers and/or adjacent the molds. Each of the direct arc electrodes and plasma torches is extendable and retractable into the melting environment and moveable in a circular pivoting or side to side linear motion.

Abstract: A stored gas inflator having a chamber. The chamber houses a quantity of stored gas. The chamber is sealed by a burst disk. A frangible support is also added. The frangible support is designed to support the burst disk. The frangible support breaks during deployment of the inflator. The inflator is further constructed such that when the temperature of the inflator exceeds a threshold level, the gas is vented out of the chamber through the frangible member.

Abstract: An extruded seal member having a corrugated axial surface exhibiting alternating peaks and valleys extending longitudinally along the axial surface of the seal member; a method for manufacturing the seal member which comprises extruding a tubular structure having a corrugated axial surface, crosslinking the extrude tubular structure, cutting the tubular structure to provide a plurality of uniform seal members and recovering the seal members; and a method of using such multilayer seal members, are described.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an audio receiving device can be configured to couple to and produce an output signal for a portable media device. The audio receiving system can include: (a) a first microphone; (b) a second microphone; (c) a housing; and (d) an audio interface configured to electrically couple to the portable media device and provide the output signal to the portable media device. The first microphone can be coupled to the housing such that the first microphone can be rotated relative to the housing. Similarly, the second microphone can be coupled to the housing such that the second microphone can be rotated relative to the housing. Other embodiments are disclosed in this application.

Abstract: A multi-component dispenser is disclosed which can dispense reactive components in predetermined proportions. The dispenser also combines and mixes the components prior to their dispensing. In a particular version, the multi-component dispenser uses a single valve to simultaneously dispense multiple flowable components.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of identifying at least one transmission frequency in a set of carrier frequencies can include: (a) determining a first signal strength for each carrier frequency in the set of carrier frequencies; (b) choosing a first transmission frequency from the set of carrier frequencies at least partially based on the first signal strength of each of the carrier frequencies of the set of carrier frequencies; and (c) broadcasting electrical signals over the first transmission frequency. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A new type of airbag inflator is described. The airbag inflator includes a chamber that houses a quantity of inflation gas. The inflation gas is capable of filling and deploying an airbag. The inflator also includes a membrane that seals the chamber. A sliding baffle is also added to the inflator. The sliding baffle is positioned proximate the membrane. The sliding baffle has a membrane rupture mechanism and a plurality of gas flow holes. Upon initiation of the inflator, the sliding baffle slides to cause the rupture mechanism to fail the membrane. The rupture mechanism fails the membrane by detaching a single piece from the membrane. The single piece is sufficiently large such that it remains within the inflator (or within the sliding baffle) and does not pass through one of the gas flow holes.

Abstract: An optical harness assembly and method are provided. The optical harness assembly includes at least one optical harness cable having a termination end; at least one electrical connector having connector pins; and at least one active connector conversion unit coupled between the termination end of the optical harness cable and the electrical connector. The method includes: identifying electrical signals present on each pin of each electrical connector presentation; programmatically adjusting an interface based on the identified electrical signals present; and mapping the electrical connector signals to digital signals. The method may further include: providing a personality adaptor coupled between the electrical connector pin outs and signal conditioners; configuring the personality adaptor based on the identified electrical signals present on each pin out of each electrical connector presentation; and providing configured electrical connector presentation signals to the interface.

Abstract: An optical cable harness assembly and method are provided. The optical cable harness assembly includes at least one optical cable harness having a termination end; at least one electrical connector having connector pins; and at least one active connector conversion unit coupled between the termination end of the optical harness cable and the electrical connector. A method for retrofitting an optical harness assembly into an existing platform is disclosed. The method includes removing a legacy wiring harness; installing an optical harness assembly having electrical connectors and an active connector conversion unit; and testing the compatibility of connector pins of the electrical connector to the active connector conversion unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing melting of titanium for processing into ingots or end products. The apparatus provides a main hearth, a plurality of optional refining hearths, and a plurality of casting molds or direct molds whereby direct arc electrodes melt the titanium in the main hearth while plasma torches melt the titanium in the refining chambers and/or adjacent the molds. Each of the direct arc electrodes and plasma torches is extendable and retractable into the melting environment and moveable in a circular pivoting or side to side linear motion.

Abstract: A new type of airbag inflator is described. The airbag inflator includes a chamber that houses a quantity of inflation gas. The inflation gas is capable of filling and deploying an airbag. The inflator also includes a membrane that seals the chamber. A sliding baffle is also added to the inflator. The sliding baffle is positioned proximate the membrane. The sliding baffle has a membrane rupture mechanism and a plurality of gas flow holes. Upon initiation of the inflator, the sliding baffle slides to cause the rupture mechanism to fail the membrane. The rupture mechanism fails the membrane by detaching a single piece from the membrane. The single piece is sufficiently large such that it remains within the inflator (or within the sliding baffle) and does not pass through one of the gas flow holes.