Abstract: A silica-based dry refractory composition (“DRC”) comprising, by weight, about 95% to about 99.9% silica, and about 0.1 to about 5% binder, wherein the silica comprises about 40% to about 80% quartz and about 20% to about 60% fused silica, and the DRC has less than about 5% crystalline silica having a size less than 10 ?m. A method of forming a refractory lining is also provided.

Abstract: A set of toric contact lenses, where each lens in the set includes a posterior surface and an anterior surface. For each lens in the set, at least one of the posterior and anterior surfaces includes a toric optical zone. Each lens in the set has a common effective base curve and a common overall diameter, but a different cylindrical correction. Lenses in the set have a peripheral zone and a blend zone disposed between the peripheral zone and the toric optical zone. In lenses of such a set, the width of said blend zone at a common location on at least two of the lenses are selected to be different so that the thicknesses at a common position on the lenses are substantially the same for all lenses in the set.

Abstract: A set of toric contact lenses, each lens in the set including a posterior surface, an anterior surface, a peripheral zone and a center thickness for each lens. At least one of said surfaces includes a toric optical zone, and each lens in the set having different cylindrical correction. The center thicknesses of the lenses decreasing monotonically with increased cylindrical power.

Abstract: A contact lens, comprising a first surface and a toric second surface. The toric surface has a first meridian and a second meridian, and the toric surface has a first aspheric component in the first meridian. At least one of the first surface and the second meridian of the second surface has a second aspheric component, such that spherical aberration in the first meridian is within 0.1 microns (um) of being equal to the spherical aberration in the second meridian.

Abstract: A system and method for deriving compliance requirements from statutes, regulations, case law, official interpretations, attorney general opinions, determination and other interpretive letters, administrative agency regulations, and sources prescribing and interpreting compliance requirements for a jurisdiction, preparing compliance rules documentation that reflect these regulatory requirements, creating computer-encoded compliance rules from the compliance rules documentation, and storing these computer-encoded compliance rules in a compliance rules repository within a regulatory compliance computer system. The jurisdiction may be Federal, state or local authority.

Abstract: A set of toric contact lenses, each lens in the set including a posterior surface, an anterior surface, a peripheral zone and a center thickness for each lens. At least one of said surfaces includes a toric optical zone, and each lens in the set having different cylindrical correction. The center thicknesses of the lenses decreasing monotonically with increased cylindrical power.

Abstract: A set of toric contact lenses, where each lens in the set includes a posterior surface and an anterior surface. For each lens in the set, at least one of the posterior and anterior surfaces includes a toric optical zone. Each lens in the set has a common effective base curve and a common overall diameter, but a different cylindrical correction. Lenses in the set have a peripheral zone and a blend zone disposed between the peripheral zone and the toric optical zone. In lenses of such a set, the width of said blend zone at a common location on at least two of the lenses are selected to be different so that the thicknesses at a common position on the lenses are substantially the same for all lenses in the set.

Abstract: A package designed for monitoring fluid pressure in a manifold includes one or more pressure transducers and a microprocessor incorporated into a package to form a single, modular fluid pressure sensing device. The transducers may be arranged on one or more substrates to allow direct connection between the transducers and pressure ports in the manifold or be disposed on supports having support ports that couple with the pressure ports to carry fluid to the transducers. The package provides pressure-sensing capabilities without requiring reconfiguration of the manifold itself.

Abstract: Pressure transducers are incorporated as part of a transmission control unit TCU rather than placed in a remote location. This configuration eliminates the need to link the pressure transducers to the TCU via a long electrical connection, thereby shortening the signal path of the low-level signals output from the pressure transducers and reducing the complexity of the overall system. The transducers may be disposed either directly or on supports having support ports that align with pressure ports in the manifold to form fluidic paths between the manifold and the transducer.

Abstract: A bridge sensor emulator includes a first emulation circuit programmable to emulate an output signal of the bridge circuit under 11 conditions each including a different combination of applied stimulus and temperature. A second emulation circuit is programmable to emulate the temperature-sensing device for 3 temperatures. An excitation signal is applied to the first emulation circuit. One rotary switch is coupled to the first emulation circuit to select from it and emulate a bridge output signal. An emulated common mode sensor output voltage is also generated. Another rotary switch is coupled to the second emulation circuit to select from it and emulate one of three temperature output signals. In another embodiment, a microcontroller, nonvolatile memory, and three digital to analog converters are utilized to emulate the bridge sensor for the 11 conditions.

Abstract: Contact lenses, such as prism ballasted toric lenses, having anterior and posterior surfaces related by way of non-axisymmetric thickness variation can exhibit a third-order aberration, particularly vertical coma. A wavefront modifier, such as an aspheric surface modification, is incorporated into the lenses to at least partially compensate for the wavefront aberration associated with the non-axisymmetric thickness variation. A magnitude of the modifications can be adjusted to set a target value for any remaining wavefront aberration of the lenses based on a population-wide goal.

Abstract: A closed loop adaptive fluid control system and method for use in hydraulic applications monitors one or more fluid characteristics, such as pressure, flow rate, accumulation time in an actuator, fill volume, etc., and compares the characteristic with a target response. A fluid characteristic sensor detects at least one fluid characteristic at a hydraulically-actuated device that is actuated by a electrically-operated. The sensor sends a device signal corresponding to the actual sensed characteristic to an electronic controller, which compares the device signal with a target response. The controller then identifies any differences between the device signal and the target response and provides a feedback signal to the electrically-operated valve to adjust the current to the valve, which in turn adjusts the electrically-operated valve so that the device signal corresponding to the sensed characteristic at the device converges toward the target response.

Abstract: An automated system and method for ensuring that information in the form of data files provided by highly regulated businesses, such as financial institutions, comply with the most currently applicable Federal, state and local laws and regulations. This may be accomplished by applying a set of computer-encoded compliance rules to the transaction data files from these businesses in a two-pass regulatory compliance review methodology. In a first pass, a limited set of input data elements from one or more input transaction data files is used that results in an extremum or worst-case condition for compliance assessment by using one or more compliance rule sets. The transaction data files that are found to be not in compliance when using this limited set of data elements may or may not be in compliance when using a more complete and detailed set of data elements in a second pass.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve has a pressure transducer sensing valve outlet pressure integrally formed in the valve body, such as by overmolding. Upon connection of the transducer and solenoid to an electronic controller, the controller generates a valve energization signal in response to a desired valve pressure output and the transducer input for providing closed loop control of the valve outlet pressure. An ASIC may also be integrally formed in the valve body, such as by overmolding for providing integrated signal conditioning; and, the optional ASIC, if employed, may also include the circuitry for the electronic controller for providing a “smart” pressure control valve.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic manifold assembly with a plurality of solenoid operated valves disposed on a manifold block and each operable to control pressure from the inlet to a separate outlet. Sensing ports are provided in each outlet with a pressure sensor sealed over the sensing port for providing a signal indicative of the sensed pressure. The pressure sensors are mounted on a interface and electrically connected to the interface. The interface has slots therein which permit the frame to be simultaneously electrically connected by bayonet connection to the terminals on each solenoid valve as the transducers are sealed over the sensing ports and the interface attached to the manifold block.

Abstract: A golf putter head generally includes a first striking surface, a second surface extending above the first striking surface, a third surface extending rearwardly behind the first striking surface, and indicators for indicating to a user when the user's head is at a predetermined position relative to the golf putter head.

Abstract: A golf putter head that generally includes a striking surface and a reflective surface extending above the striking surface for reflecting an image of a golf ball, or at least a portion thereof, to a user when the striking surface is positioned adjacent the golf ball. The golf putter head further includes an alignment surface positioned behind the striking surface. The alignment surface includes at least one indicator for aligning the striking surface with the golf ball.

Abstract: A golf club (110) has a head (111) with a curved reflective surface (128) for visually aligning a shot. The club head is counterbalanced above the plane of the ball (120) and has balance weights (116, 118) which may be selected to accommodate the style and preference of the user. The striking surface may be of a different material than the surrounding club head to dampen vibration on the stroke and may be of a material tailored to the user's preference. The other parts of the club may also be composites of several materials to assist in dampening vibration. An alternative aligning structure uses lenticular lens (142, 144, 146) to provide guiding images to the user.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus and a torsion oscillator are capable of operating across a dynamic range of possible operating frequencies. The image scanning apparatus uses a light source to produce a light beam, and the oscillator scans the light beam through a scanning pattern. The oscillator includes a plate member having a non-rectangular shape. At least one magnet is disposed on the plate. A surface of the plate member includes a reflective surface for reflecting a light beam. A frame is disposed in a spaced apart relation to a lower surface of the plate member. The frame includes at least one coil configured to induce an electromagnetic force on the at least one magnet to thereby oscillate the reflective surface to a rotational angle of oscillation at an oscillation frequency. The system also includes an imaging surface disposed in the path of the scanning pattern so that the light beam scans across the imaging surface, and a mechanical drive to move the imaging surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning various components of a semiconductor processing system is disclosed. A calibration tool positioned on the main body of the processing chamber is used to align the coordinates of the susceptor, wafer lifting pins, susceptor shaft, wafer handling blade and the rotational axis of the susceptor with that of the main body. By aligning the various components to a common coordinate system, it is possible to more precisely control the angular orientation of a wafer being processed with that of the processing gas flow.