Abstract: Methods and apparatuses control light emitted from a mirror platform through an interaction with a user. A first signal is received from a capacitive sensor during the interaction. The capacitive sensor is incorporated on the back side of the mirror platform. The first signal is processed to obtain control parameters for at least two light sources. The at least two light sources are configured with the mirror platform and the at least two light sources produce light at different color temperatures. The control parameters are used to cause the at least two light sources to emit light at a color temperature established during the interaction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting a short circuit in the jaws of an end effector of a surgical instrument. The method includes applying a sub-therapeutic electrical signal to an electrode located in the jaws of the end effector. The sub-therapeutic electrical signal comprises a sequence of exploratory waveforms comprising pulsed current and voltage waveforms. The method includes detecting a shorted electrode when a measured electrical parameter in the jaws of the end effector is less than a predetermined value and modifying electrical current applied to the shorted electrode by the RF generator.

Abstract: A stand-alone putter structured and weight balanced enabling the putter to stand upright in a favorable lie and loft position on a putting surface without any outside support formed of a club head, a shaft connected to the club head, and having a gripping area at the upper end of the shaft. The club head is conventional in design and includes a ball striking face, a rear surface, a heel, a toe, an upper surface and a bottom sole structured to serve as a first ground support surface for the putter in a conventional use position with the bottom sole lying on a putting surface. The club head further includes at least one additional ground engaging support member extending outwardly from the club head forming a second ground support member to maintain the putter in a stand-alone position on the putting surface.

Abstract: A stand-alone putter structured and weight balanced enabling the putter to stand upright in a favorable lie and loft position on a putting surface without any outside support formed of a club head, a shaft connected to the club head, and having a gripping area at the upper end of the shaft. The club head is conventional in design and includes a ball striking face, a rear surface, a heel, a toe, an upper surface and a bottom sole structured to serve as a first ground support surface for the putter in a conventional use position with the bottom sole lying on a putting surface. The club head further includes at least one additional ground engaging support member extending outwardly from the club head forming a second ground support member to maintain the putter in a stand-alone position on the putting surface.

Abstract: A method of machining a blade retention slot with an abrasive water jet machining. A straight blade retention slot along an X-axis then a at least one side of the straight blade retention slot is abrasive water jet machined to generate a curved side of the blade retention slot defined within an X-Y plane.

Abstract: The decorative figurine is formed from at least two golf balls and at least one golf tee. A blind bore is formed in a first golf ball, and a diametrically extending countersunk bore is formed through a second golf ball. A golf tee is then inserted into the golf balls with the shaft extending through the countersunk bore and into the blind bore, the head of the tee being seated in the countersunk portion of the throughbore. Adhesive secures the tee in the bores, forming the body of the figurine. The body is preferably mounted on a base, and the body is decorated with any desired ornamentation and/or props.

Abstract: The decorative figurine is formed from at least two golf balls and at least one golf tee. A blind bore is formed in a first golf ball, and a diametrically extending countersunk bore is formed through a second golf ball. A golf tee is then inserted into the golf balls with the shaft extending through the countersunk bore and into the blind bore, the head of the tee being seated in the countersunk portion of the throughbore. Adhesive secures the tee in the bores, forming the body of the figurine. The body is preferably mounted on a base, and the body is decorated with any desired ornamentation and/or props.

Abstract: A method of machining a blade retention slot with an abrasive water jet machining. A straight blade retention slot along an X-axis then a at least one side of the straight blade retention slot is abrasive water jet machined to generate a curved side of the blade retention slot defined within an X-Y plane.

Abstract: A composite wood product is manufactured by heating and pressing wood materials in contact with a mixture of resin and urea. Gases that evolve from the heating and pressing of the wood materials, resin and urea are collected and are passed through a biological oxidation system to remove volatile organic compounds.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for provisioning a SONET network. One method acquires a SONET Capacity Activation report. The report contains information for telecommunications network equipment connected to the SONET network. A target identification number is generated for the telecommunications network equipment. The target identification number is then exported for provisioning of the SONET network.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for purifying an impaired liquid. In a particular example, the disclosure provides methods and systems for purifying water containing a solute. A feed stream of solute containing water is introduced in a flow chamber. A permeate stream of water at least substantially free of the solute is placed in the flow chamber. A hydrophobic membrane is placed between the feed stream and the permeate stream. A vacuum is applied to the permeate stream. A vapor pressure differential causes water to vaporize from the feed stream, pass through the hydrophobic membrane, and condense in the permeate stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for provisioning a SONET network. One method acquires a SONET Capacity Activation report. The report contains information for telecommunications network equipment connected to the SONET network. A target identification number is generated for the telecommunications network equipment. The target identification number is then exported for provisioning of the SONET network.

Abstract: A biological filter element includes a support element of generally ellipsoidal configuration. The support element has two opposite polar regions and includes a medial ring intermediate the two opposite polar regions and a plurality of arcuate ribs extending from the medial ring to each polar region. Adjacent arcuate ribs are angularly spaced to provide access to an interior space of the support element. A cohesive body of biologically active material surrounds the support element and penetrates the interior space of the support element.

Abstract: A biological filter element includes a support element of generally ellipsoidal configuration. The support element has two opposite polar regions and includes a medial ring intermediate the two opposite polar regions and a plurality of arcuate ribs extending from the medial ring to each polar region. Adjacent arcuate ribs are angularly spaced to provide access to an interior space of the support element. A cohesive body of biologically active material surrounds the support element and penetrates the interior space of the support element.

Abstract: An integrated intra-bay transfer, storage and delivery system is provided for moving an article between a conveyor and a station such as a work station. The system includes a transfer assembly which includes a lift mechanism and a displacement mechanism. The transfer assembly transfers the article between the conveyor system and a buffer or storage station for storage of the article. A delivery robot transfers the article between the buffer or storage station and a work station for delivery to the station. The robot includes a vertical movement mechanism and a horizontal movement mechanism. The robot also includes an arm that is adapted to grip the article, particularly an article of a standard configuration having a mushroom-shaped handle on top. The arm engages the handle and lifts the article or transport pod from the storage station to a load port of the work station. In one embodiment, the arm includes a C-shaped adaptation that passively engages the handle from a side thereof.

Abstract: A brush seal arrangement for sealing cooperation between a shaft and a surrounding member which is relatively rotatable with respect to the shaft. The brush seal includes an annular rotor disposed in surrounding relationship to the shaft and sealed with respect to the housing, and the rotor mounts thereon first and second annular bush members which are disposed in axially spaced relation and which have annular edge portions which create a frictional and sealing engagement with the shaft to nonrotatably and sealingly couple the rotor to the shaft. A passage extends through the rotor for communication with an annular region defined between the annular brushes in surrounding relationship to the shaft, and a pressurized buffer gas is supplied through the passage into the annular region.

Abstract: A shade holder is provided for use with table and floor lamps having separately ballasted non-incandescent lamps. The shade holder includes the combination of a saddle and harp, the saddle having a central base element with spacer members extending angularly from opposite ends thereof. The harp is generally elliptical or oval in shape and is received by the saddle at ends of the angularly extending spacer members. The resultant shade holder provides for receipt of a disk-like or cylindrical ballast adjacent the saddle, with the ballast receiving an appropriate non-incandescent lamp, such as a high intensity discharge, inductive or compact fluorescent lamp. The saddle and harp are configured with appropriate angles and bends to accomodate both the ballast and the lamps while providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Abstract: A control device for converting a manual input into an electrical signal is provided. The control device includes a control button, a first magnet having a first predetermined polarity, a second magnet having a second predetermined polarity, and a hall-effect sensor located adjacent to the control button. The control button is mounted for pivotal displacement about a neutral position in accordance with the manual input. The first magnet and the second magnet are mounted to the control button. The polarity of the second magnet is opposite the polarity of the first magnet. The hall-effect sensor has an electrical input and an electrical output. The electrical signal produced by the control device may, for example, be used to control the velocity of a motor, which rotates an ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: An improved gas seal having inboard and outboard seal units each defined by a pair of opposed and relatively rotatable seal faces, one face of each pair having appropriate grooves which communicate with a pressurized barrier gas, preferably an inert gas such as nitrogen. The inboard seal unit, at its other seal periphery, communicates with a process fluid being handled by a rotating equipment, namely a pump. Each seal unit has one of the seal rings, the nonrotating ring in the preferred embodiment, urged axially toward its opposed ring by a compact bellows which axially cooperates between the respective seal ring and a backing member. The bellows is positioned to create an isolation between the barrier and process fluids and to provide an effective diameter to provide desirable balance of pressures as imposed on the axially moving seal ring to optimize seal performance. The bellows is preferably a single convolution which is free of fixed securement to the moving seal ring.