Abstract: Devices and methods for electrical interconnection for microelectronic circuits are disclosed. One method of electrical interconnection includes forming a bundle of microfilaments, wherein at least two of the microfilaments include electrically conductive portions extending along their lengths. The method can also include bonding the microfilaments to corresponding bond pads of a microelectronic circuit substrate to form electrical connections between the electrically conductive portions and the corresponding bond pads. A microelectronic circuit can include a bundle of microfilaments bonded to corresponding bond pads to make electrical connection between corresponding bonds pads and electrically-conductive portions of the microfilaments.

Abstract: Techniques for ultra-high density connection are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultra-high density connector includes a bundle of substantially parallel elongate cylindrical elements, where each cylindrical element is substantially in contact with at least one adjacent cylindrical element. Ends of the elongate cylindrical elements are disposed differentially with respect to each other to define a three-dimensional interdigitating mating surface. At least one of the elongate cylindrical elements has an electrically conductive contact positioned to tangentially engage a corresponding electrical contact of a mating connector.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a multi-cell electronic circuit array and exemplary multi-cell electronic circuit arrays are disclosed. In one embodiment, a multi-cell electronic circuit array includes an elongate substrate having a linear array of first electronic cell components micro fabricated thereon. The elongate substrate is inserted into a tubular enclosure which has at least one second electronic cell component which interacts with the first electronic cell components.

Abstract: A drug administration system configured to administer a drug to a user's ear includes a housing, sized and shaped to substantially fit behind the user's ear, and configured to pump the drug in controlled amounts to the user's middle ear. A drug reservoir is disposed in the housing and includes a drug configured to treat an inner ear condition. A catheter is operatively coupled to the drug reservoir and is sized and shaped to extend from the drug administration unit into the user's middle ear.

Abstract: An energy transducer device for positioning at the ocean floor for converting wave action at an ocean surface above the transducer to electrical current, the device comprising a mounting base 38, 91, 106, 112, 123, 133, 143, 153, 163, and 179 configured for positioning at the ocean floor below a location of possible wave action wherein overhead wave displacement generates reciprocating water displacement along a flow path F near the ocean floor; and an electro-mechanical transducer 22, 72, 92, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180 coupled to the mounting base and configured for positioning within the flow path and responsive to the reciprocating water movement along the flow path to generate electrical current.

Abstract: A technique for reducing the risk of free flow through a pump is disclosed. The technique includes sensing a pressure difference between the pump inlet and outlet. The pressure difference is mechanically communicated to a flow restricting element. The flow restricting element increases resistance to flow exiting the pump outlet in a relation to the pressure difference present between the pump inlet and pump outlet.

Abstract: A serpentine device having a proximal end and a distal end comprising a series of discs arrayed in succession and on center along a common, neutral axis, wherein the discs comprise a first and second surface; and at least one flexible interconnect extending between and connecting each disc to any succeeding disc according to a pre-determined connection configuration, wherein the interconnects are indirectly connected to one another through the discs and configured to provide torsional and bending support to each of the discs connected thereto under an applied load, thus achieving a continuum of flexibility along an entire length of the serpentine device, as well as to facilitate the torquability of the serpentine device. The serpentine device may further comprise a bendable member and at least one transfer element configured to perform one or more transfer functions, namely the transfer of energy, work, fluid, electricity, light energy, sound energy, matter, etc.

Abstract: A phase change driven actuation device comprises an elongate combustion tube having: an inlet section, including an inlet for combustible material; an extinguishing section; and an ignition section, including an igniter displaced along a length of the tube from the inlet section to ignite the combustible material. A fluid is disposed adjacent an exterior surface of the elongate combustion tube and is configured to be heated by heat created by combustion of the combustible material and to at least partially undergo a phase change from a liquid state to a gaseous state upon combustion of the combustible material. At least one energy extraction device is in communication with the fluid to extract energy created by the phase change of the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention describes, generally, a method and system for controlling the dynamics of an actuatable load functioning or operable within a servo or servo-type system, wherein the dynamics of the load are controlled by way of a unique pressure control valve configured to provide intrinsic pressure regulation. The pressure control valve, which may be referred to as a dynamic pressure regulator because of its capabilities, utilizes dual spools that are physically independent of one another and freely supported in the valve body to regulate the pressures acting within the overall system between the control or pilot pressure and the load or load pressure.

Abstract: The present invention features a rapid fire rapid response power conversion system comprising (a) a chamber having at least one fluid port configured to supply combustible fluid to the chamber, and an out-take port; (b) a compressor for supplying compressed combustible fuel to the chamber at a variable pressure to at least partially facilitate combustion therein; (c) a controller for initiating and controlling a combustion of the combustible fluid in a combustion portion of the chamber to generate energy; (d) a rapid response component in fluid communication with the chamber and situated adjacent the combustion portion of the chamber, wherein the rapid response component is configured to draw an optimized portion of the energy generated from the combustion and to convert this optimized portion of energy into kinetic energy; and (e) a dynamic mass structure situated between the rapid response component and an energy transfer component and allowing the rapid response component and the energy transfer component

Abstract: A miniaturized utility device having integrated optical capabilities for use on a high aspect ratio system, wherein the miniaturized utility device comprises: (a) a micro camera comprising a solid state micro imaging device including, as an integral structure, an imaging array electrically coupled to a conductive pad, wherein the solid state imaging device further includes at least one utility aperture passing therethrough, and a lens optically coupled to the imaging array; and (b) a micro utility instrument configured for coordinated operation with the imaging device at a common local site, wherein the micro utility instrument is configured to perform a designated function viewable, preferably in real-time, via a camera image generated by the micro camera.

Abstract: The present invention features an intelligent sprinkler irrigation system for delivering fluid to an arbitrarily-shaped area in a precise manner. In general, the system comprises (a) a fluid source comprising a pressurized fluid; (b) at least one programmable sprinkler head fluidly connected to the fluid source; and (c) a computer system configured to control the sprinkler head to precisely deliver fluid according to a pre-determined sprinkler function. The computer system comprises a teach mode, wherein a plurality of drive parameters are learned and recorded. These drive parameters function to dictate the specific vector positioning of the sprinkler head during execution of the sprinkler component. The teach mode is further configured to learn and record a plurality of flow parameters, which function to control the fluid delivery component of the sprinkler head (e.g., the valve or nozzle), and more particularly, the manner in which the fluid is delivered or emitted from this component.

Abstract: The present invention describes, generally, a method and system for controlling the dynamics of an actuatable load functioning or operable within a servo or servo-type system, wherein the dynamics of the load are controlled by way of a unique pressure control valve configured to provide intrinsic pressure regulation. The pressure control valve, which may be referred to as a dynamic pressure regulator because of its capabilities, utilizes dual spools that are physically independent of one another and freely supported in the valve body to regulate the pressures acting within the overall system between the control or pilot pressure and the load or load pressure.

Abstract: The present invention features a sleeve valve comprising an elongate body having an outer surface and including a lumen for receiving a fluid and an associated fluid pressure therein and for defining a flow path of the fluid; at least one fluid flow port formed through the outer surface that is in fluid connection with the lumen; and a sleeve slidably disposed about the outer surface of the body and configured to displace across the fluid flow port to precisely regulate fluid emission through the fluid flow port. The sleeve and elongate body are operably related in a manner so as to provide some degree of fluid force compensation, such that the forces necessary to displace the sleeve across the fluid flow port are substantially unaffected by the fluid pressures acting within the body and at the fluid flow port. In other words, the fluid pressures do not substantially contribute to the resistance in the sleeve during actuation.

Abstract: A roll-style dough product presenting the taste and textural experience of traditional Texas Toast but in a convenient and appealing roll-type format. The roll-style dough product provides a consumer food product having a crust with a crisp, “fried-like” texture and a flavor component. The roll-style dough product can be provided in a variety of preparatory states including a fully baked product or a partially baked or par-baked product. The roll-style dough product can be provided as a raw dough product, a frozen dough product or a refrigerated dough product. The roll-style dough product can be presented in a sectioned or pull-apart configuration. The invention further relates to a process for preparing a roll-style dough product having the textural and taste characteristics associated with Texas Toast. The invention further relates to a refrigerator-to-oven baking kit for preparing roll-style dough products having the textural and taste characteristics of Texas Toast.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting energy from an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes a chamber having a primary piston and a secondary piston with a combustion portion of the chamber situated adjacently between the primary piston and secondary piston. The secondary piston includes a substantially lesser mass than that of the primary piston. The chamber includes at least one fluid port for supplying fuel to the combustion portion and an out-take port for releasing combustive exhaust. The chamber includes a controller for controlling the combustion therein at selected cycles of the primary piston. With this arrangement, the secondary piston is configured to draw a portion of energy from combustion controlled by the controller in the chamber. Such portion of energy is provided with a rapid response to an energy transferring portion interconnected to the secondary piston, which in turn, transfers and/or converts the energy for acting on a load or external application.

Abstract: A reconfigurable leg and wheel device includes an array of components joined in series configurable as i) an articulated leg with the components movable with respect to one another in a walking motion, and reconfigurable as ii) a wheel with the components forming a circular outer surface and being rotatable about an axis in a rotational motion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method providing a system configured to transfer energy from an internal combustion engine to drive a load. The system includes a rapid response component, a valve system and an actuator. The rapid response component is configured to be operatively coupled to a combustion portion of the internal combustion engine. The rapid response component also is configured to draw a portion of energy from the combustion in the internal combustion engine and transfer the portion of energy as a fluid including pulsitile fluid flow. The valve system is operatively coupled to the rapid response component and is operable to receive the pulsitile fluid flow from the rapid response component and controllably direct the pulsitile fluid flow from the rapid response component. The actuator is operatively coupled to the valve system and is configured to be operatively coupled to the load. The actuator is operable to receive the fluid from the valve system to drive the load operatively coupled thereto.

Abstract: A miniaturized imaging device and method of viewing small luminal cavities are described. The imaging device can be used as part of a catheter, and can include a lens, an SSID including an imaging array optically coupled to the lens; an umbilical including a conductive line; and an adaptor configured to support the lens and provide electrical communication between the SSID and conductive line. Alternatively, the adaptor can be a rigid adaptor configured to provide electrical communication between the SSID and the conductive line through a conductive path. The conductive path can be configured along multiple contiguous surfaces of the adaptor such that the SSID is electrically coupled to the conductive path at a first surface, and the conductive line is electrically coupled to the conductive path at a second surface.

Abstract: A molecular drag vacuum pump configured for pumping a gas stream from an inlet to an outlet, the pump including a high-speed spinning disk or rotor disposed within a housing. A passageway is formed inside the housing adjacent the disk, and gas comes in contact with surfaces of the spinning disk in successive stages, conformable wipers being disposed adjacent the spinning disk to direct the gas stream to the successive stages. The disk can be powered by an integrated motor, comprising permanent magnets associated with the disk and cooperating coils associated with the housing. The wipers can include parallel ridges on a contacting face to facilitate creation of a conformable fit with the rotor. Seal rings may be disposed against the disk between gas passageways to reduce leakage therebetween, and the pump may include regenerative pumping pockets to help prevent backflow. The housing may have a modular configuration to allow two or more pump modules to be connected and operate in series.