Abstract: A process including coating a fuel cell component with an aqueous solution including a polyelectrolyte polymer.

Abstract: A method of making a fuel cell component using a mask, which is removed after further processing to yield a surface with variable properties.

Abstract: A tube assembly, system and method for biological waste containment for sample collection, and for ultrafiltration collection. In one embodiment, the tube assembly of the present invention includes a first tube, a second tube, a mechanism for securing the first and second tubes, and at least one container for operable connection to one or both of the first and second tubes. The securing mechanism orients the first ends of the first and second tubes in a manner such that the first end of the first tube extends beyond the first end of the second tube an interstitial space is created between the outer diameter of the first tube and the inner diameter of the second tube. The tubing mechanism is utilized for retrieval of a biological fluid through the first tube, flushing the first tube and the second tube with a rinse solution, and extraction of waste through the second tube into a waste container.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension comprising a frame and a pair of levers carried by the frame on opposite sides thereof. Each lever is pivotally mounted on the frame for swinging movement on an axis intermediate opposite ends of the lever transverse to the frame. The suspension includes a pair of beams, one extending forward from one of the levers and the other extending forward from the other lever, each of the forwardly-extending beams having a pivotal connection with the respective lever forward of the lever axis and having a support for a forward axle. The suspension also includes a pair of beams, one extending rearward from one of the levers and the other extending rearward from the other lever, each of said rearwardly-extending beams having a pivotal connection with the respective lever rearward of the lever axis and having a support for a rearward axle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods of hydrocarbon detection based on wavelet energy absorption analysis. One disclosed hydrocarbon detection method embodiment comprises: a) obtaining seismic trace data for a region of interest; and b) processing the seismic trace data to determine at least one wavelet energy absorption factor as a function of position within the region of interest. Another disclosed hydrocarbon detection method embodiment comprises: a) receiving from a user an indication of a region of interest in a seismic data set; and b) generating a display of wavelet energy absorption anomalies within the region of interest. One of the disclosed system embodiments comprises a memory and a processor. In this system embodiment, the memory stores hydrocarbon detection software that, when executed by the processor, configures the processor to determine at least one wavelet energy absorption factor from seismic trace data.

Abstract: The Easy Hitch consists of two identical rods 48″ in height which are placed on the ball of towing vehicle and hitch coupler of trailer by magnetic force for aiding a driver to align his towing vehicle hitch to his trailer coupler without the need of another person and eliminating multiple attempts of backing up.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining heat at a pin-in-hole rework site on a printed circuit board during solder fountain rework of the board. A preheated heat retention plate is attached to the rework side of the printed circuit board. The heat retention plate covers a substantial portion of the board surface. During rework of the printed circuit board, the heat retention plate minimizes the temperature gradient between the rework site of the printed circuit board and the remainder of the printed circuit board. During the rework, the heat retention plate can be heated by an active heater in order to maintain a constant temperature gradient between the rework site of the board and the remainder of the board. By minimizing the escape of heat from the rework site, the number of solder cycles required to rework the board is decreased, resulting in reduced board rework times and increased board longevity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining heat at a pin-in-hole rework site on a printed circuit board during solder fountain rework of the board. A preheated heat retention plate is attached to the rework side of the printed circuit board. The heat retention plate covers a substantial portion of the board surface. During rework of the printed circuit board, the heat retention plate minimizes the temperature gradient between the rework site of the printed circuit board and the remainder of the printed circuit board. During the rework, the heat retention plate can be heated by an active heater in order to maintain a constant temperature gradient between the rework site of the board and the remainder of the board. By minimizing the escape of heat from the rework site, the number of solder cycles required to rework the board is decreased, resulting in reduced board rework times and increased board longevity.

Abstract: A clutch and a workpiece support incorporating the same selectively restrict rotation of a rotatable member through the use of one or more rollers that are pinched between the outer surface of the rotatable member and corresponding convergent surfaces disposed on a housing opposing such outer surface. In effect, each roller is interposed between a surface on a fixed housing and an outer surface of a rotatable member such that rotation of the rotatable member rolls the roller toward a converging gap to restrict further rotation of the rotatable member. A biasing mechanism biases the roller toward the converging gap, and a release mechanism is utilized to quickly and efficiently decouple the roller from the rotatable member by biasing the roller in a direction away from the converging gap and thereby preventing the roller from inhibiting rotation of the rotatable member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining heat at a pin-in-hole rework site on a printed circuit board during solder fountain rework of the board. A preheated heat retention plate is attached to the rework side of the printed circuit board. The heat retention plate covers a substantial portion of the board surface. During rework of the printed circuit board, the heat retention plate minimizes the temperature gradient between the rework site of the printed circuit board and the remainder of the printed circuit board. During the rework, the heat retention plate can be heated by an active heater in order to maintain a constant temperature gradient between the rework site of the board and the remainder of the board. By minimizing the escape of heat from the rework site, the number of solder cycles required to rework the board is decreased, resulting in reduced board rework times and increased board longevity.

Abstract: The invention involves a variable valve timing actuator that allows the opening and closing of engine valves to be variably and individually controlled without using a camshaft. The invention utilizes energy regeneration so energy delivered to a valve while accelerating it is recovered while it is decelerating. Regeneration is preferably provided by potential energy storage devices such as springs. Energy losses are made up by adding energy to the actuator while the valve is stationary (or nearly so) in an open or closed state. This is done by (1) moving the spring seats in relation to the valve, thereby “charging” the springs in relation to the valve, and/or by (2) moving the valve with respect to the spring seats to “charge” the springs with respect to the valve. This energy addition is extremely efficient because it is performed after the potential energy within the springs has already been expended and the valve is sitting stationary in its open and closed positions.

Abstract: Circuit boards are formed within the boundaries of an insulative sheet or panel such that the panel may be automatably processed. The periphery of each printed circuit board is defined by at least a plurality of score lines which do not extend to the edge of the sheets and may include also uncut and/or unscored areas to provide stability to either the sheet or segments of scrap material, lending rigidity to the sheet. Following complete fabrication of the printed circuit board, the sheet is cut by a routing process to extend selected score lines to the edges of the sheet to destroy the integrity of the frame of scrap material surrounding the printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A clutch and a workpiece support incorporating the same selectively restrict rotation of a rotatable member through the use of one or more rollers that are pinched between the outer surface of the rotatable member and corresponding convergent surfaces disposed on a housing opposing such outer surface. In effect, each roller is interposed between a surface on a fixed housing and an outer surface of a rotatable member such that rotation of the rotatable member rolls the roller toward a converging gap to restrict further rotation of the rotatable member. A biasing mechanism biases the roller toward the converging gap, and a release mechanism is utilized to quickly and efficiently decouple the roller from the rotatable member by biasing the roller in a direction away from the converging gap and thereby preventing the roller from inhibiting rotation of the rotatable member.

Abstract: An electronic system contains a backplane circuit card assembly for distribution of electrical signals among component devices. Power is distributed in embedded power planes, one of which is associated with ground. The backplane also contains multiple embedded ground planes. The circuit card assembly is divided by an axis into two halves, each half receiving and consuming approximately equal power. Electrical couplings for power sources and power planes in each half of the backplane are located symmetrically with respect to the axis. A row of ground vias along the axis couples the ground planes to the associated power plane. At all other locations on the backplane, the ground planes are electrically isolated from the associated power plane. Preferably, the backplane assembly comprises a pair of base cards, connected by a single smaller jumper card in which all ground vias are located. Each base card lies on a respective side of the axis, the jumper straddling the axis.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve is shown which incorporates a valve body design and leaflet pivot arrangements that minimize turbulence and shear stresses having a tendency to generate thrombosis. A valve body having an axially curved entrance that is smoothly joined to a generally cylindrical body of extended axial length provides excellent fluid flow characteristics when combined with leaflets that can assume orientations perfectly aligned with the downstream flow of blood. By constructing such a pyrocarbon valve body which receives a metal ring at an appropriate location, suture rings that permit the tissue annulus to directly contact the exterior surface of the cylindrical valve body are accommodated.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve is shown which incorporates a valve body design and leaflet pivot arrangements that minimize turbulence and shear stresses having a tendency to generate thrombosis. A valve body having an axially curved entrance that is smoothly joined to a generally cylindrical body of extended axial length provides excellent fluid flow characteristics when combined with leaflets that can assume orientations perfectly aligned with the downstream flow of blood. By constructing such a pyrocarbon valve body which receives a metal ring at an appropriate location, suture rings that permit the tissue annulus to directly contact the exterior surface of the cylindrical valve body are accommodated.

Abstract: A bileaflet heart valve incorporates a pivot arrangement that minimizes resistance to downstream blood flow in the open position yet has prompt response and therefore minimal regurgitation upon flow reversal. A valve body having an axially curved entrance that smoothly joins a generally cylindrical body of extended axial length provides excellent fluid flow characteristics when combined with leaflets that can assume orientations perfectly aligned with the downstream flow of blood. Identical flat leaflets can assume a parallel orientation in the fully open position during downstream blood flow or can assume other low energy positions. Flat ears, which extend laterally from opposite surfaces of the leaflets, interengage with cavities of unique design having upstream and downstream lobes separated by an intermediate throat portion defined by inward and outward fulcrums.

Abstract: A bileaflet heart valve is shown which incorporates a pivot arrangement that minimizes resistance to downstream blood flow in the open position yet has prompt response and therefore minimal regurgitation upon flow reversal. The valve employs a pair of identical flat leaflets that can assume a precisely parallel orientation in the fully open position at or near peak downstream blood flow or can alternatively assume other low energy positions. As the downstream flow of blood slows near the end of a pumping stroke, downstream displacement of the leaflets results in their prerotation toward the closed position orientation, all being controlled by the interengagement of flat ears, which extend laterally from opposite surfaces of the leaflets, and receiving cavities of unique design. The cavities include upstream and downstream lobes separated by an intermediate throat portion defined by inward and outward fulcrums.

Abstract: Mechanical heart valve prostheses having either a single occluder or a pair of occluders are designed to permit such occluders to assume an open position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve passageway. The pivot arrangements are such that an occluder pivots about a constant center or pivot axis substantially offset from the locations where engagement occurs between the occluder and the valve body, whereby prompt smooth pivoting movement toward the closed position is initiated from an open position parallel to the valve centerline. For example, elongated arcuate shoes protruding from lateral edges of the occluders follow arcuate paths of matching complementary curvature defined by grooves in diametrically opposed flat sidewall sections of the valve body.

Abstract: Heart valves are shown which utilize pivot arrangements that create prompt response to flow reversal and minimize resistance to blood flow in the open position. Illustrated are valves having a pair of identical leaflets that can assume an orientation in the fully open position near maximum blood flow rate that is precisely parallel to the centerline of the passageway. The ability of the leaflets to assume a precisely parallel or low energy position in the bloodstream reduces pressure drop across the valve and results in improved flow characteristics. A camming action adjacent the upstream edges of the leaflets in combination with interengagement at downstream locations on the valve body, spaced from the locations where the camming action with said upstream edges occurs, positively guide the leaflets to assure effective closing movement regardless of momentary deviations in the dynamics of the reverse flow of blood through the valve.