Abstract: A tibial implant includes one or more stiffness-modifying features to reduce the stiffness of one or more sections of the tibial implant. The stiffness-modifying features may include slots, recesses, or passageways defined in various locations of the tibial implant to selectively reduce the stiffness of a tibial insert and/or tibial base of the tibial implant.

Abstract: A unique point absorber type wave energy conversion device is disclosed that includes a Power Take Off (PTO) which uses a torsion spring to return a vertical shaft to its original position after being rotated by a rope or cord that pulls a reel via a guide system. This spring return allows the PTO and housing to stay stationary under the wave energy while a buoy at the surface provides an oscillating linear movement. The oscillating rotary motion caused by the interaction of the buoy and spring is converted into a one directional motion via a one-way clutch and is transmitted to generators using a gearbox that increases rotational speed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for authorizing, managing, and brokering services for and between a plurality of service providers. A provisionable-services clearinghouse maintains in data storage a plurality of records that each identify (i) a respective mobile device, (ii) one or more types of service for which the respective mobile device can be provisioned, and (iii) a respective provider of each of the so-identified types of service for which the respective mobile device is currently provisioned. Subsequent provisioning requests identifying (i) a particular mobile device that itself is identified by a particular record from among the plurality of records, (ii) a first type of service, and (iii) a particular provider, and compared against the records in order to determine whether the requested provisioning can, or should be, authorized and/or recorded. Other information, such as contract terms, geographic limitations, etc., could also be included in the request and/or record.

Abstract: A method and system for laser ablating a target material in an ambient atmosphere are disclosed. The method includes generating one or more laser pulses, each of the laser pulses having a pulse width of 1 picosecond (ps) or less and a pulse energy of 50 micro joules (?J) or more. The laser pulses are directed towards the target material such that the laser pulses interact with a gas to form a plasma. The plasma removes a portion of the target material by interaction of the plasma with the target material.

Abstract: A method and system for laser ablating a target material in an ambient atmosphere are disclosed. The method includes generating one or more laser pulses, each of the laser pulses having a pulse width of 1 picosecond (ps) or less and a pulse energy of 50 micro joules (&mgr;J) or more. The laser pulses are directed towards the target material such that the laser pulses interact with a gas to form a plasma. The plasma removes a portion of the target material by interaction of the plasma with the target material.

Abstract: An elastomerized phenolic resin ablative insulation particularly suitable for use in connection with the thermal insulation of selected components of rocket motors. A composition for making the elastomerized ablative insulation is disclosed. Furthermore, an associated method of forming calendered sheets of material formed of the composition is disclosed. The preferred ingredients of the disclosed composition include acrylonitryle butadiene rubber, zinc borate, and phenol formaldehyde resin which can be cured and bonded to structures such as domes of open-ended rocket motors and other rocket motor components. The subject elastomerized ablative insulation is well suited for use independently or in connection with other insulative materials to form a thermal barrier which is highly resistant to the heat and the erosive nature associated with the combustion of propellant fuels, for example.

Abstract: An elastomerized phenolic resin ablative insulation particularly suitable for use in connection with the thermal insulation of selected components of rocket motors. A composition for making the elastomerized ablative insulation is disclosed. Furthermore, an associated method of forming calendered sheets of material formed of the composition is disclosed. The preferred ingredients of the disclosed composition include acrylonitryle butadiene rubber, zinc borate, and phenol formaldehyde resin which can be cured and bonded to structures such as domes of open-ended rocket motors and other rocket motor components. The subject elastomerized ablative insulation is well suited for use independently or in connection with other insulative materials to form a thermal barrier which is highly resistant to the heat and the erosive nature associated with the combustion of propellant fuels, for example.

Abstract: An elastomerized phenolic resin ablative insulation particularly suitable for use in connection with the thermal insulation of selected components of rocket motors. A composition for making the elastomerized ablative insulation is disclosed. Furthermore, an associated method of forming calendered sheets of material formed of the composition is disclosed. The preferred ingredients of the disclosed composition include acrylonitryle butadiene rubber, zinc borate, and phenol formaldehyde resin which can be cured and bonded to structures such as domes of open-ended rocket motors and other rocket motor components. The subject elastomerized ablative insulation is well suited for use independently or in connection with other insulative materials to form a thermal barrier which is highly resistant to the heat and the erosive nature associated with the combustion of propellant fuels, for example.

Abstract: The present apparatus is a personal restraint device for fully restraining the wearer while providing flexibility and limited movement during use. The personal restraint device of this invention comprises a harness with a central portion having spaced apart top, bottom and lateral edges that define the parameter of the central portion and portion for securing the personal restraint device to an existing seat.

Abstract: A dispersive laser pulse stretcher and compressor comprises a stretcher portion and a compressor portion. A first mirror, a second mirror, a third mirror, a first grating, a first lens, and a first vertical retroreflector block comprise the stretcher portion. A fourth mirror, a second grating, a horizontal retroreflector, and a second vertical retroreflector block preferably comprise the compressor portion. The input beams for the stretcher and compressor are preferably parallel beams. The present invention also positions the first grating of the stretcher in a parallel plane with the second grating of the compressor.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the surface temperature of a fusing roller of the type having a heat-insulative, release surface over a thermally conductive core, by (1) internally heating the core, (2) sensing the temperature of the core rather than of the external release surface, (3) providing different temperature control settings for the core sensor and (4) selectively switching the internal heating means into operative relation with a predetermined control setting in anticipation of changes in heat loss from the external surface. The core of the fusing roll is thereby controlled toward the different temperature control settings, one at the "copy run" condition, another at the "idle" condition, and in some instances the same control setting is used for the "copy run" and the "idle" condition.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus for making a coupling to a pipe or the like and which apparatus is provided with detachable and removable setting means in the form of hydraulic cylinders which may be reused to subsequently actuate other couplings. The coupling includes a housing which contains gripping and seal means for gripping and sealing with the pipe to which connection is to be made. Thrust means are provided and interposed between the aforesaid actuation means and the sealing and gripping means for urging the latter to the set position. Means in the form of either a split gripping ring or a plurality of gripping slips which are arranged for engaging the internal surface of the housing and retaining the first mentioned gripping means and seal means in the set position when the actuation means are removed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cleaning the exterior surface of a pipe such as a pipe located in a sub-sea location having a coating of concrete or the like thereabout. The apparatus includes a generally longitudinal frame which supports a carriage for longitudinal traverse therealong. The carriage supports a high-pressure fluid nozzle which is arranged to direct the discharge thereof against the pipe coating which is to be removed. The carriage is arranged for longitudinal traverse along the frame, to thereby direct a high-pressure fluid stream into contact with the surface of the pipe. The frame is also arranged for rotation about the pipe, whereby a section of the pipe can be cleaned about its full circumference by a number of generally longitudinal runs along the pipe section being cleaned. The carriage may also support a wire cutter for cutting any re-enforcing wire after the concrete has been dislodged by the fluid nozzle.