Abstract: A system for decorticating at least one bone surface includes an elongated soft tissue protector, an elongated drive shaft and a cutter. The elongated soft tissue protector has a bore extending therethrough. The bore has a non-circular lateral cross-section, a maximum lateral extent and a minimum lateral extent. The cutter may be located on or near a distal end of the drive shaft. The cutter has a non-circular lateral cross-section, a maximum lateral extent and a minimum lateral extent. The maximum lateral extent of the cutter is greater than the minimum lateral extent of the bore but is no greater than the maximum lateral extent of the bore. The bore of the soft tissue protector is configured to slidably receive the cutter therethrough. Other systems and methods for decorticating at least one bone surface are also provided.

Abstract: A system for decorticating at least one bone surface includes an elongated soft tissue protector, an elongated drive shaft and a cutter. The elongated soft tissue protector has a bore extending therethrough. The bore has a non-circular lateral cross-section, a maximum lateral extent and a minimum lateral extent. The cutter may be located on or near a distal end of the drive shaft. The cutter has a non-circular lateral cross-section, a maximum lateral extent and a minimum lateral extent. The maximum lateral extent of the cutter is greater than the minimum lateral extent of the bore but is no greater than the maximum lateral extent of the bore. The bore of the soft tissue protector is configured to slidably receive the cutter therethrough. Other systems and methods for decorticating at least one bone surface are also provided.

Abstract: A system for decorticating at least one bone surface includes an elongated soft tissue protector, an elongated drive shaft and a cutter. The elongated soft tissue protector has a bore extending therethrough. The bore has a non-circular lateral cross-section, a maximum lateral extent and a minimum lateral extent. The cutter may be located on or near a distal end of the drive shaft. The cutter has a non-circular lateral cross-section, a maximum lateral extent and a minimum lateral extent. The maximum lateral extent of the cutter is greater than the minimum lateral extent of the bore but is no greater than the maximum lateral extent of the bore. The bore of the soft tissue protector is configured to slidably receive the cutter therethrough. Other systems and methods for decorticating at least one bone surface are also provided.

Abstract: A payload transport aircraft that includes a nacelle including a cockpit, a first wing extending in a first direction from the nacelle and a second wing extending in a second direction from an opposing side of the nacelle. The aircraft also includes a first pair of wheel-struts extending between the first wing and a first set of corresponding wheels and a second pair of wheel-struts extending between the second wing and a second set of corresponding wheels. Each member in the pair of wheel-struts is connected by a wheel-strut stabilizing segmented cross-bar having a rear segment and a front segment joined at a disconnection point by one or more coil-springs, which can be tension springs resistant to stretching mounted to each segment through the use of spring mounting-posts fitted into each segment and protected using a cover that can be removable and transparent for quick visual inspection.

Abstract: A system for decorticating at least one bone surface includes an elongated soft tissue protector, an elongated drive shaft and a cutter. The elongated soft tissue protector has a bore extending therethrough. The bore has a non-circular lateral cross-section, a maximum lateral extent and a minimum lateral extent. The cutter may be located on or near a distal end of the drive shaft. The cutter has a non-circular lateral cross-section, a maximum lateral extent and a minimum lateral extent. The maximum lateral extent of the cutter is greater than the minimum lateral extent of the bore but is no greater than the maximum lateral extent of the bore. The bore of the soft tissue protector is configured to slidably receive the cutter therethrough. Other systems and methods for decorticating at least one bone surface are also provided.

Abstract: A convertible payload transport aircraft (100, 400) is provided that includes a main body having a cockpit (112), a first fixed wing (120) extending from a side of the cockpit (112) and a second fixed wing (120) extending from the opposing side of the cockpit (112). The aircraft (100, 400) also includes a first pair of wheel struts (124) extending between the first fixed wing (120) and a first set of corresponding wheels (128), a second pair of wheel struts (124) extending between the second fixed wing (120) and a second set of corresponding wheels (128), wheel-strut cables (126) that extend between the first pair of wheel struts (124), the second pair of wheel struts (124) and the main body and a payload interface system (102) disposed under the cockpit (112) and between the wheel struts (124) and configured to be coupled to a payload. The aircraft may also include a mast system (106, 406) and a para-wing (404) coupled to the mast system (406) configured to facilitate transport of heavier payloads.

Abstract: Provided is a parts washer that includes a multi-tiered basin, a cleaning fluid and a biological component, living within the fluid, that breaks down organic waste. The multi-tiered basin includes a sink member with a false bottom, and a support grid and filter are interposed between the false bottom and a bottom panel of the sink member. The false bottom support grid, and filler are readily removable from the sink member. The tank is partially filled with the cleaning fluid and a pump and conduit assembly direct a flow of the cleaning fluid to the basin. The cleaning fluid discharged into the basin flows through a drain hole in the false bottom, through the filter and support grid, and then through a drain hole in the bottom panel of the sink member back into the tank for reuse. The cleaning fluid includes, at least, a surfactant that functions to remove organic waste from the parts being washed.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for creating an open network stored benefit account by a purchaser for the benefit of a recipient is disclosed. In one step, a first message is received and includes a purchaser account identifier. The purchaser account identifier and other account information is entered by the purchaser with a web interface. A first message that is received with an application interface of a credit processing system is processed. The purchaser account identifier is used to fund a stored benefit account. A first message response is returned with the application interface that can be used to determining if a first message response is consistent with the other account information. A second message is received with the application interface. The second message is processed and includes recipient account information. The stored benefit account is created with the recipient account information and is backed by an account issuer.

Abstract: Provided is a parts washer that includes a multi-tiered basin, a cleaning fluid and a biological component, living within the fluid, that breaks down organic waste. The multi-tiered basin includes a sink member with a false bottom, and a support grid and filter are interposed between the false bottom and a bottom panel of the sink member. The false bottom, support grid, and filter are readily removable from the sink member. The tank is partially filled with the cleaning fluid and a pump and conduit assembly direct a flow of the cleaning fluid to the basin. The cleaning fluid discharged into the basin flows through a drain hole in the false bottom, through the filter and support grid, and then through a drain hole in the bottom panel of the sink member back into the tank for reuse. The cleaning fluid includes, at least, a surfactant that functions to remove organic waste from the parts being washed.

Abstract: The burner block or tile in industrial furnaces is conventionally made of refractory ceramic material. Such refractories are susceptible to cracking from thermal shock if the temperature of the burner block fluctuates during use. The life of the burner block can be greatly improved by making it in two parts: a cavity bounding inner part made from a material more shock resistant than a conventional refractory and a conventional refractory outer part. Best results are obtained with a thin inner liner of recrystallized silicon carbide having a thermal conductivity of over 18 W/(m K) and a modulus of rupture of at least 120 MPa.

Abstract: Incendiary or flame projectile for use with conventional igniter-tracer sems and capable of being propelled over distances up to about 600 yards to ignite hard-to-ignite combustible materials such as wood or canvas, the projectile being operable and efficient at atmospheric pressures and containing a flame-producing composition similar to gas generator propellants of double-base or ammonium perchlorate formulations.