Abstract: A fluid separator device allows for introducing air entrained in a liquid flow to a centrifugal pump in a manner that will not allow the pump to become gas bound. One example device designed according to this invention includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet downstream of the inlet. An air chamber is positioned on an opposite side of the inlet from the outlet. An air flow passage allows air from the air chamber to be introduced near a rotor assembly input of a centrifugal pump such that relatively small air bubbles are introduced to the liquid flow through the rotor assembly in a manner that prevents the air bubbles from recollecting into a larger bubble that would otherwise interfere with the centrifugal pump operation.

Abstract: A damped spring assembly includes a helical spring. The helical spring is movable along an axis and has a winding direction. A damper is movable along the axis and includes a helical shape. The damper is wound in a direction opposite the winding direction. The damper applies a radial load to the spring for damping movement of the spring along the axis as the spring vibrates. The damper has a very low axial spring rate and it contributes very little to the axial load provided by the spring.

Abstract: A low flow rotary separator includes a housing that defines a separator chamber and a liquid/gas mixture inlet. A shaft driven by a motor includes a plurality of disks in frictional contact with the mixture to drive the liquid outward against an inner wall of the separator and displace gas to a central region about the shaft. The liquid exits through a liquid outlet valve into a high-pressure storage container. The pressure of the liquid is increased to allow flow into the high-pressure storage container by a pump driven by the shaft. A level control valve closes in response to a predetermined pressure differential between liquid in the feed line and liquid within the separator chamber to allow liquid flow through an outlet check valve.

Abstract: A rotating shaft seal assembly for a shaft supported for rotation within a housing includes a traction drive rotating a seal ring about the shaft at a speed different from the shaft. The seal ring supports a plurality of seal elements rotated at the speed different from the shaft. The reduced speed of the sealing elements and reduced pressure at each seal reduces the PV level allowing the use of known sealing materials in applications otherwise not within applicable PV levels.

Abstract: A suspended file folder assembly is made from thermoplastic material and uses a thermoplastic sheet folded along at least one score line to define a folder, which has a retaining portion at upper edges thereof. A support bar, having a cavity in a bottom portion thereof, mechanically engages with the retaining portion. The interlock between the retaining portion and the cavity of the support bar is weight bearing and serves to distribute the load of the folder along the length of the cavity of the support bar and the upper edge of the sheet. The support bars have notches therein for engagement with conventional suspension rails as well as at least one indentation for accommodating an index tab. A rotatable index tab, or clip tab, with a lower part that is complimentary in shape to the support bar and the attachable to the support bar is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for management of sample data to enable video rate anti-aliasing convolution for interlaced video frames. Sample data may be moved simultaneously from a sample buffer to a bin scanline cache and from the bin scanline cache to an array of N2 processor—memory units (e.g., 25 for N=5). Pixel data may be convolved from an N×N sample bin array that may be approximately centered on the pixel location. Since each sample bin contains Ns/b samples, Ns/b×N2 samples may be filtered for each pixel (e.g., 400 for N=5 and Ns/b=16). Each processor—memory unit convolves the sample data for one sample bin in the N×N sample bin array and supports a variety of filter functions. Pixel data may be output to a real time video data stream.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack (10) comprises a plurality of modules (12). Each module (12) comprises an elongate hollow member (14). Each hollow member (14) has at least one passage (32) extending longitudinally through the hollow member (14) for the flow of reactant. Each hollow member (14) has two parallel flat surfaces (16,18). At least one of the modules (12A, 12B, 12C) includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells (20). The solid oxide fuel cells (20) are arranged on the flat surfaces (16,18) of the modules (12A, 12B, 12C). At least one end (34) of each module (12) is connected to an end (36) of an adjacent module (12) to allow reactant to flow sequentially through the modules (12). The arrangement of the modules (12) provides compliance in the solid oxide fuel cell stack (10) and thermal and mechanical stresses in the solid oxide fuel cell stack (10) are reduced.

Abstract: A gas turbine by-pass system is used between a gas turbine generator outlet nozzle and the inlet of a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). The system allows operators to divert gasses from the HRSG in combined cycle mode to a silencer assembly to operate in simple cycle mode. The system thereby allows maintenance to be performed to the HRSG by crew of human workers without danger of an encounter with hot lethal gasses. The system includes a monorail and a series of hoists which operators use to position a blank off plate and an expansion joint as necessary with respect to the HRSG and diverter box. Consequently, the system provides for safe operation of a gas turbine in both combined cycle mode and simple cycle mode.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for management of sample data to enable video rate anti-aliasing convolution for interlaced video frames. Sample data may be moved simultaneously from a sample buffer to a bin scanline cache and from the bin scanline cache to an array of N2 processor—memory units (e.g. 25 for N=5). Pixel data may be convolved from an N×N sample bin array that may be approximately centered on the pixel location. Since each sample bin contains Ns/b samples, Ns/b×N2 samples may be filtered for each pixel (e.g. 400 for N=5 and Ns/b=16). Each processor—memory unit convolves the sample data for one sample bin in the N×N sample bin array and supports a variety of filter functions. Pixel data may be output to a real time video data stream.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for management of sample data to enable video rate anti-aliasing convolution for interlaced video frames. Sample data may be moved simultaneously from a sample buffer to a bin scanline cache and from the bin scanline cache to an array of N2 processor-memory units (e.g., 25 for N=5). Pixel data may be convolved from an N×N sample bin array that may be approximately centered on the pixel location. Since each sample bin contains Ns/b samples, Ns/b×N2 samples may be filtered for each pixel (e.g., 400 for N=5 and Ns/b=16). Each processor-memory unit convolves the sample data for one sample bin in the N×N sample bin array and supports a variety of filter functions. Pixel data may be output to a real time video data stream.

Abstract: A preferably non-electric, non-mechanically actuated toothbrush is provided having a generally U-shaped appearance with a rotary brush located, during use, on each side of a tooth to be cleaned. The brushes are configured to rotate about an axis which is parallel to the long axis of the tooth to be cleaned, and essentially perpendicular to the buccal and lingual gum line, of the user. The brushes are preferably held in contact with the teeth and gum tissue by a resilient section of the toothbrush. In this fashion, a pushing and pulling motion during brushing results in a rotational motion of the brushes. An improved method for cleansing teeth, cleaning the opening to the gingival crevice area, and stimulation of the gingival tissue is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a computer system usage profile, and transmitting the computer system usage profile to a server which targets content to the computer system in response to the usage profile is described. A basic input output system (BIOS) module and/or an operating system module obtain computer system usage profile information by tracking events such as the frequency of re-boots, the time required to boot-up and shut-down the operating system on the computer system, the amount of time the computer system is “used”, and the frequency and amount of time the computer system is connected to the Internet. This data is collected and communicated to a profile server. The profile server targets content such as messages with graphics or informational material, etc. to the computer system based upon the computer system usage profile. In one embodiment, the content is displayed during boot-up and shut-down of the operating system.

Abstract: A suspended file folder assembly is made from thermoplastic material and uses a thermoplastic sheet folded along at least one score line to define a folder, which has a retaining portion at upper edges thereof. A support bar, having a cavity in a bottom portion thereof, mechanically engages with the retaining portion. The interlock between the retaining portion and the cavity of the support bar is weight bearing and serves to distribute the load of the folder along the length of the cavity of the support bar and the upper edge of the sheet. The support bars have notches therein for engagement with conventional suspension rails as well as at least one indentation for accommodating an index tab. A rotatable index tab, or clip tab, with a lower part that is complimentary in shape to the support bar and the attachable to the support bar is also provided.

Abstract: A preferably non-electric, non-mechanically actuated toothbrush is provided having a generally U-shaped appearance with a rotary brush located, during use, on each side of a tooth to be cleaned. The brushes are configured to rotate about an axis which is parallel to the long axis of the tooth to be cleaned, and essentially perpendicular to the buccal and lingual gum line, of the user. The brushes are preferably held in contact with the teeth and gum tissue by a resilient section of the toothbrush. In this fashion, a pushing and pulling motion during brushing results in a rotational motion of the brushes. An improved method for cleansing teeth, cleaning the opening to the gingival crevice area, and stimulation of the gingival tissue is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a computer system usage profile, and transmitting the computer system usage profile to a server which targets content to the computer system in response to the usage profile is described. A basic input output system (BIOS) module and/or an operating system module obtain computer system usage profile information by tracking events such as the frequency of re-boots, the time required to boot-up and shut-down the operating system on the computer system, the amount of time the computer system is “used”, and the frequency and amount of time the computer system is connected to the Internet. This data is collected and communicated to a profile server. The profile server targets content such as messages with graphics or informational material, etc. to the computer system based upon the computer system usage profile. In one embodiment, the content is displayed during boot-up and shut-down of the operating system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a computer system usage profile, and transmitting the computer system usage profile to a server which targets content to the computer system in response to the usage profile is described. A basic input output system (BIOS) module and/or an operating system module obtain computer system usage profile information by tracking events such as the frequency of re-boots, the time required to boot-up and shut-down the operating system on the computer system, the amount of time the computer system is “used”, and the frequency and amount of time the computer system is connected to the Internet. This data is collected and communicated to a profile server. The profile server targets content such as messages with graphics or informational material, etc. to the computer system based upon the computer system usage profile. In one embodiment, the content is displayed during boot-up and shut-down of the operating system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a non-aqueous fluorocarbon composition for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or radiographic imaging (X-ray or computed tomography), particularly imaging of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; an improved fluorocarbon composition with enhanced contrast effects in the GI tract; a fluorocarbon composition having improved palatability; a fluorocarbon composition for delivering drugs or bioactive agents; improved preparations for radiographic imaging or MRI; methods for producing and using such preparations; methods for improving the palatability of non-aqueous liquids; and methods for improving imaging.

Abstract: Described is the use, [in the absence of (a) fertilizers and (b) Periodic Table Group IIa and greater Group metal cations and chelated metals], of aqueous solutions of the N-substituted aspartic acids, (i) N-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)aspartic acid [‘IDS’] and (ii) N,N′-1,2-ethanediylbis-aspartic acid [‘EDDS’], ammonium salts, alkali metal salts, ammonium-alkali metal salts and optical isomers thereof in stimulating or regulating the growth of a living, growing plant precursor [germinating seed] or plant [from the ‘seedling stage’ to the ‘late-maturity stage’]. Such use, optionally, is in the presence of aditional adjuvants free from fertilizer as well as Periodic Table Group IIa and greater metal Group cations and chelated metals.

Abstract: This invention relates to a non-aqueous fluorocarbon composition for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or radiographic imaging (X-ray or computed tomography), particularly imaging of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; an improved fluorocarbon composition with enhanced contrast effects in the GI tract; a fluorocarbon composition having improved palatability; a fluorocarbon composition for delivering drugs or bioactive agents; improved preparations for radiographic imaging or MRI; methods for producing and using such preparations; methods for improving the palatability of non-aqueous liquids; and methods for improving imaging.

Abstract: Described is the use, [in the absence of (a) fertilizers and (b) Periodic Table Group IIa and greater Group metal cations and chelated metals], of aqueous solutions of the N-substituted aspartic acids, (i) N-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)aspartic acid [‘IDS’] and (ii) N,N′-1,2-ethanediylbis-aspartic acid [‘EDDS’], ammonium salts, alkali metal salts, ammonium-alkali metal salts and optical isomers thereof in stimulating or regulating the growth of a living, growing plant precursor [germinating seed] or plant [from the ‘seedling stage’ to the ‘late-maturity stage’]. Such use, optionally, is in the presence of aditional adjuvants free from fertilizer as well as Periodic Table Group IIa and greater metal Group cations and chelated metals.