Abstract: A stabbing board, for a rig and for supporting a worker while stabbing joints of tubular members, comprises a frame member, a platform to support the worker, a carriage, vertical power means for moving the carriage vertically with respect to the frame member, a linkage to connect the platform to the carriage and to facilitate horizontal movement of the platform relative to the carriage and the frame member and horizontal power means for moving the platform horizontally with respect to the frame member. Preferably, the linkage is a scissors linkage.

Abstract: An anchoring device, system and method. The anchoring device, system and method can include one or more rolling hook devices designed to couple or be secured to a projection such as those associated with rooftops. The rolling hook devices can include an arched member and any number of wheels to facilitate positioning. The rolling hook device may further be coupled to one or more tethers that allow it to serve as an anchor or work in conjunction with any number of other devices that function together as an anchoring system.

Abstract: An automatic/active/intelligent stair guide system that will allow children, elderly, disabled or frail people to use the stairs safely by acting as an instant barrier stopping a child or an elderly or frail person from falling even after they have lost their grip on the stairs. Preferably the system can be deployed in any of the three forms firstly as successive barrier(s) in front or behind anyone climbing or descending the stairs, secondly as a single or group of barriers following/tracking the person on the stairs and thirdly as foldable units located at the rungs/step of a stairway that are activated manually or automatically.

Abstract: A sump has a drainage hole and an internally screw-threaded boss surrounding the drainage hole for receiving a drainage plug. In the invention, the boss projects upwards into the sump and has at least one circumferential discontinuity to allow liquid within the sump to flow out of the drainage hole after removal of the drainage plug.

Abstract: A portable automobile lift includes a plurality of portable lifting columns and a portable power unit. Each lifting column includes a column base, a post extending upwardly from the column base, a lifting carriage moveably mounted on a forward side of the post, and a hydraulic actuator connected to the lifting carriage for movement of the lifting carriage along the post. Each column base comprises a respective base plate connected to a lower end of the respective post. The base plate anchor bolt receiving holes extending therethrough for receiving respective anchor bolts. Each column base further includes a pair of wheels positioned to engage a ground surface rearward of the base plate. The lift also includes a portable power unit for providing hydraulic fluid to the actuators. The power unit is mounted on a cart for easy transportation and storage.

Abstract: A drive system for use with a cable and a carrier for raising and lowering a payload between a lower position and an upper position, the carrier being configured to hold the payload, the cable being connected to the carrier, includes a reel, a drive mechanism, a cable slack control mechanism, and a tension adjustment system. The reel is configured to receive the cable. The reel is rotatable in each of a winding direction to wind the cable onto the reel to raise the carrier and an unwinding direction to unwind the cable from the reel to lower the carrier. The drive mechanism includes a drive member and a motor operable to forcibly rotate the drive member in each of a raising direction and a lowering direction.

Abstract: A storm brake for a truck assembly supporting a large industrial device, wherein the truck assembly includes a truck chassis having a mount to support the device and a wheel engaging a raceway along which the truck assembly and device are to travel, the storm brake including: a storm brake shoe pivotably mounted to the truck chassis, wherein the storm brake shoe has a first pivot position in which the brake does not engage the raceway and a second pivot position in which the brake engages the raceway, wherein the storm brake shoe pivots in a direction generally aligned with a direction movement of the truck assembly along the raceway; an actuator having an extendable linkage coupled to the storm brake shoe and at an opposite end to a fixed mounting on the truck chassis, wherein extension of the linkage pivots the storm brake from the first position to the second position, and the fixed mounting provides a slidable engagement between the opposite end of the actuator and the truck chassis.

Abstract: A locking wheel device designed to prevent the unauthorized movement and or roll away of a wheeled vehicle or trailer by locking onto a wheel and having a configuration such that the device also serves to chock the wheel when in the locked on position. A locking wheel chock device which includes two similar matching arms with both a male and female tube attached to one end to allow for the telescopic engagement of said arms. The female tube having attached a lock assembly for locking said arms in a fixed position. Further, the female tube portion has attached to its lower edge, which is closest to the ground, means for contacting the ground in a binding fashion so as to prevent forward rolling movement of the wheel.

Abstract: The present invention is a live saving devise to quickly assist those involved in an imminent accident and panic to respond to apply the vehicle's brake pedal. This devise with the push of the button #2 applying a positive current #1A to activated the solenoid #5, for a quick action to stop the vehicle. This action function as follow: When Push-Pull switch #2, is push down, it electrically activate solenoid #5. A magnetic force is produced retracting piston and pull rod #9, at the same time brackets #6A and #6B, pull down the existing brake pedal #3, as result of these actions the existing brake pump #4 is push producing a hydraulic pressure to be transmitted to each wheel's brake cylinders expanding the brake fiber bands again the wheel's wall of the steel wheel's drum, or in a disk-brake system, getting the vehicle to stop, and stop stay until the push-pull switch is pulled up, releasing the magnetic action of the solenoid #5 making the vehicle's wheel free.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a plastic housing, where at least one first plastic housing part with at least one guide or bearing for at least one mechanically movable component, in particular a sensor, is produced in a first molding step, the at least one first plastic housing part is overmolded in a second molding step while a second plastic housing part is being formed, in order to form an integral plastic housing. Moreover, the invention relates to a plastic housing with at least one first plastic housing part including at least one guide or bearing for at least one mechanically movable component, where the at least one plastic housing part is entirely or partially overmolded by a second plastic housing part so that the integral plastic housing is formed.

Abstract: A suitcase comprises a body and a frame, said frame movable from a first position contained within said suitcase when said suitcase is closed, to a second position extending from said suitcase when said suitcase is open, said frame including a shield portion supporting a canopy, said canopy movably mounted on said shield portion.

Abstract: A mobile office system configured to retain files and other business necessities in a readily accessible manner. In particular, the mobile office system may be formed from a mobile office bag body defining a main compartment formed from a plurality of outer sidewalls and a bottom wall that is generally orthogonal to the outer sidewalls. The mobile office system may include a support structure included within the mobile office bag body that maintains the sidewalls in a generally erect position in which the main compartment maintains an opening opposite to the bottom wall. A plurality of wheels may extend outwardly from the mobile office bag body such that the plurality of wheels are capable of supporting the mobile office body and enabling the mobile office bag body to be movable by tilting the mobile office bag body such that the mobile office bag body is supported by the plurality of wheels.

Abstract: A power transmission apparatus includes a drive roller and a driven roller made of magnetic material, which are rotatable about different axes, and which are provided with a gap therebetween, a case enclosing the rollers, an input shaft and an output shaft connected coaxially with the rollers through the case, respectively, and a magnetic fluid housed in the case to fill the gap. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic coil for generating magnetism, and a magnetic path of the magnetism generated by the electromagnetic coil is formed so that a magnetic field is generated from the drive roller or the driven roller toward the driven roller or the drive roller via the gap.

Abstract: The object is to provide a switching device for switching driving force between forward and reverse directions in which the same intermediate shaft can be used both when a spring clutch is used and when a roller clutch is used. The switching device includes an input gear 14, an output gear 15, and a switching mechanism 10 for switching the rotational direction disposed between the input and output gears. The switching mechanism 10 includes an intermediate bevel gears 22 supported on an intermediate shaft 12 and meshing with an input bevel gear 16 and an output bevel gear 17, a control gear 39 having a release arm portion 41 and a stopper arm portion 42, and a one-way clutch fitted in a radially inner surface of a clutch receiving portion integral with the input bevel gear 16. When a spring clutch 25 is used as the one-way clutch, an adaptor portion 30 is provided on a coupling member 28 of the spring clutch 25, which is fitted on the intermediate shaft 12.

Abstract: The present invention provides a one-way clutch comprising an outer race, an inner race, a roller adapted to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race, a cage having a window for holding the roller, a spring disposed in the pocket and adapted to bias the roller toward an engagement direction with respect to the cam surface, and a side plate provided at its inner diameter portion with spline grooves into which a crankshaft of an engine is fitted, and wherein the side plate is secured to the outer race by inserting rivets into through holes provided in the outer race and through holes provided in the side plate and by caulking the rivets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dual clutch for a dual clutch transmission for transmitting a torque from a drive shaft to at least one drive shaft, which comprises a first clutch, a second clutch, and an electrical actuating device. The actuating device comprises a coupling slide, wherein a first slide of the coupling slide acts on the first clutch, and a second slide of the coupling slide acts on the second clutch, and the two slides are movable in such a way that by displacing the slides a recoupling process is controlled.

Abstract: A transmission device includes a first transmission mechanism and a second transmission mechanism. The first transmission mechanism includes a first rotating portion and an engaging portion fixed on the first rotating portion. The second transmission mechanism includes a second rotating portion and at least one overload protection subassembly. The at least one overload protection subassembly includes a transmission member pivotally attached on the second rotating portion and two flexible members resisting against an opposite end of the transmission member at two opposite rotating directions of the transmission member to make the transmission member locate at a non-rotatable position with respect to the first rotating portion. An end of the transmission member engages the engaging portion to rotate with the first transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A drive arrangement comprising a drive shaft, a clutch arrangement operable, upon axial movement of the drive shaft occurring, to interrupt drive to the drive shaft, an axially movable interrupt shaft, a gear arrangement whereby the interrupt shaft is driven for rotation by the drive shaft at a speed slower than the rotary speed of the drive shaft, disconnect means operable to cause axial movement of the interrupt shaft, and transmission means for transmitting axial movement of the interrupt shaft to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A multiple disc clutch apparatus can comprise a plurality of driving clutch plates spline-fitted axially slidably on an input member rotated by a driving source, a plurality of driven clutch plates arranged alternately with the driving clutch plates and spline-fitted axially slidably on an output member, a clutch piston having one surface facing toward an oil pressure chamber and the other surface facing toward the driving clutch plates or driven clutch plates and adapted to be displaced toward a clutch-on side by supplying oil to the oil pressure chamber to pressure-contact the driving clutch plates and driven clutch plates each other so as to transmit a driving force of the input member to the output member and also adapted to be returned toward a clutch-off side by discharging the oil in the oil pressure chamber to separate the driving and driven clutch plates and from each other so as to cut off the transmission of driving force from the input member to the output member.

Abstract: A fulcrum cam (24) for moving the fulcrum of a parking lock pole 22 is configured to move the fulcrum of a parking lock pole (22) such that the widthwise center of a protrusion (22a) of the parking lock pole (22) is moved along a radial line L extending from the axis of rotation P of the parking gear (21) through the circumferential center of a corresponding notch (21b) from point X1 through point X2 to point X3.

Abstract: A method of determining the wear condition of a shifting clutch (1) of a motor vehicle which is provided either for interrupting the force flow or equalizing the rotation speed between a drive output shaft (2) of an internal combustion engine (3) and a drivetrain (4). The wear condition of the clutch (1) is determined from the parameters of clutch release path (sausrück) the and release force (Fausrück), at a release bearing (5) of the clutch (1) and, for this purpose, a difference between the clutch release path (sausrück), at a first increase-point (11; 12) of the release force (Fausrück) and at a reference point (13) represented by a second increase of the release force (Fausrück), is measured when the clutch is actuated.

Abstract: A bill acceptor for use with an automatic vending machine is disclosed to include a body having a bill/license insertion slot and a passage extending backwards from the bill/license insertion slot, and a circuit assembly, which includes a bill recognition unit for checking the authenticity and par value of a bill, a license recognition unit for checking the authenticity obtaining a predetermined data of a license, a communication interface module for data communication between the bill recognition unit/license recognition unit and the automatic vending machine, and a power-saving power supply module electrically connected with the communication interface module for controlling the automatic vending machine to enter the sleep mode when the automatic b vending machine is not used within a predetermined time period after startup and for providing power supply to wake up the automatic vending machine upon insertion of a bill/license and recognition of the authenticity of the inserted bill/license.

Abstract: An angled arrangement of a currency document handling device and a second unit and an angle arrangement of two currency document handling devices, components of the same, and methods of coupling and using the same. For example, a currency document processing system for processing currency documents including currency bills comprises a currency handling device, a first currency document receiving unit, and a first angular transport unit. The first currency document receiving unit is adapted to receive at least some bills processed by the currency handling device. The first angular transport unit is adapted to receive bills from the currency handling device and transport bills to the first currency document receiving unit. The angular transport unit is adapted to be coupled between the currency handling device and the first currency document receiving unit such that the currency handling device and the first currency document receiving units are angled relative to each other such as by ninety degrees (90°).

Abstract: A device for the accumulation and release of products (P) arranged in ranks, comprising an accumulation buffer (2) with corresponding openings (4, 6) for receiving and delivering products, a plurality of container elements (7) guided so as to move within the buffer between the receiving and delivery openings, each container element being provided with a plurality of supporting planes (9) for containing ranks of products, means (10, 11, 42, 50) for driving the container elements (7) to control movement of the containers in the accumulation buffer so as to present each container element which has to be filled at the receiving opening (4) in sequence in order to load ranks of products arriving on the corresponding supporting planes (9) in the container and conveying containers previously filled with products to the delivery opening (6) for release of the corresponding ranks of products out of the accumulation buffer.

Abstract: A system and method for removing a piece of tramp metal from particulate material transported by a conveyor is provided. A metal detector is used to detect tramp metal in the particulate material traveling along the conveyor. When a piece of tramp metal is detected, a redirection device positioned at the end of the conveyor is used to reject a portion of the particulate material that contains the tramp metal, by temporarily redirecting the flow of particulate material discharging from the conveyor. After the portion of particulate material containing the piece of tramp metal has been redirected by the redirection device, the system resumes normal operation.

Abstract: A bottle orienting device for orienting bottles including a neck with an opening on one end thereof in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a first belt operable to advance a bottle in a first direction, a stationary kicker extending upward relative to a lower surface of the bottle as it moves in the first direction and positioned in a path of travel of the bottle such that the bottle will rotate around the kicker as it passes the kicker, and a rotation deflector positioned above the kicker and upstream from the kicker, the rotation deflector positioned such that it prevents rotation of the bottle when desired.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring a vehicle from a first dual belt conveyor to a second dual belt conveyor utilizes transitions between the belts of the first and second conveyors which are offset along a direction of travel. The offset transitions result in only one wheel of the vehicle at a time crossing a transition. The transitions utilize fixed rollers positioned on either side of a plurality of recirculation rollers. The fixed rollers minimize the gap between the ends of the belts and the transitions while permitting the belts, particularly with cleats, to pass by the fixed rollers.

Abstract: A conveyor and methods for turning cases. The conveyor includes a pair of side-by-side belts running preferably at different speeds. The different belt speeds cause the leading edge of a package straddling both belts to move toward the slower belt. The two belts include transverse rollers that can be selectively actuated in a series of actuation zones along the conveyor to push packages conveyed atop them to the right or to the left. A controller controls the actuation of the belt rollers in each zone sequentially so that the belt rollers supporting the leading edge of the package push it towards the slower belt and the belt rollers supporting the trailing edge of the package push it towards the faster belt to accelerate the turning of the package as the belts advance.

Abstract: A moving device comprises at least a first element which is movable in a direction of movement by means of a drive unit, which first element at least comprises at least one first magnetic part. The moving device further comprises a second element, with respect to which the first element is movable at least from at least one operative position spaced from the second element to a rest position near the second element. The second element comprises at least one second magnetic part, which is polarized in a polarization direction opposed to the polarization direction of the first magnetic part. The polarization directions extend transversely to the direction of movement and also transversely to surfaces of the first and second elements that are positioned opposite each other in the rest position.

Abstract: A transfer conveyor comprises a transfer tube supporting a transfer auger rotatably therein and a transfer drive mechanism arranged to drive rotation of the transfer auger so as to convey material from the inlet opening to the outlet opening of the transfer tube. A collector housing, typically in the form of a hopper, is supported for relative sliding movement along the transfer tube between an extended position in which the collector housing communicates with the outlet opening of the transfer tube and a retracted position in which the collector housing is closer to the inlet end of the transfer tube than in the extended position. Mounting of the collector housing on the inlet end of an implement, for example an agricultural conveyor, permits the inlet end of the transfer conveyor to be extended and retracted relative to the implement.

Abstract: A squaring-up device for a package converting line, located between a blank folding section and a folded-blank assembly section. The device has a frame, at least one jogger, having a deployed active position for correcting a geometry of a folded blank, and a drive for transporting the jogger. The squaring-up device includes an effector for moving the jogger from the active position to a retracted inactive position, and vice versa, and control the effector.

Abstract: A drive roller controller for accumulating conveyor system has a casing and a circuit board. The casing has a front face, two opposite sides and multiple openings respectively defined on opposite sides. The circuit board is mounted inside the casing and has at least a processor, a first and second communicating ports and an input device. The first and second communicating ports are respectively mounted inside openings on the opposite sides of the casing, so a wire is connected between the first and second communicating ports on opposite sides of the adjacent two drive roller controllers. Therefore, the wire is not easily protruded outside the accumulating conveyor unit, so the connection of wire and the drive roller controller is not easily disconnected.

Abstract: Device (10) for transferring containers (2) from a feed rail (9) to a rotary star wheel (3), said device (10) comprising: a transfer wheel (11) provided, on its periphery, with a plurality of recesses (12) for engaging containers (2) under their neck (7) and moving the containers (2) along a transfer path (15) extending from a loading point (13) at an end of the feed rail (9) to an unloading point (16) at the periphery of the rotary star wheel (3), a guiding member (18) having a flat lower surface (19) extending at least partly above said transfer path (15) at a distance from the transfer wheel (11) substantially equal to the height of the container neck (7).

Abstract: A conveyor system is disclosed herein. An embodiment of the conveyor system comprises a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side. A belt extends between the first end and the second end. The belt has a belt first side located proximate the first side of the conveyor. A first magnetic force acts on the belt first side relative to the first side of the conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a plurality of spaced rods transversely disposed with respect to a direction of travel and a plurality of plate elements overlying at least some of the rods so as to provide a support surface which imparts a predetermined marking or lack of marking to the product being conveyed.

Abstract: The present invention includes a knob assembly which provides rotational movement and translational travel along an axis of dual and independent rotary knobs. The present invention controls electronics within a housing, without requiring protrusion into the housing. Having no protrusions into the housing avoids exposure of the electronics within the housing to environmental contaminants or electromagnetic interference. The components of the dual independent push button rotary knob assembly may operate without need for O-rings, gaskets, or any other applied sealants to prevent containments from entering the housing. Assembly of the knob assembly is simplified, because the rotary knob assembly may be installed and replaced without any tools and without need to access the interior of the housing. Furthermore, if any part of the assembly is damaged, the rotary knob assembly, in part or whole, may be replaced without compromising any seal provided to the exterior surfaces of the housing.

Abstract: An installation switching device includes an insulating housing having a front face, and a switching handle disposed on the front face and configured to be operated by an operator and switched between a switched-on position and a switched-off position. The installation switching device also includes a slide fitted to the front face and moveable between a locked position and a released position. The slide is in the form of a frame and having at least one transverse web transverse to a movement direction of the slide and a holding projection configured to block any switching of the switching handle when the slide is in the locked position and to release the switching handle for switching when the slide is in the released position. The front face includes at least one structural element corresponding to the at least one transverse web.

Abstract: A Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) G-switch includes one or more actuators formed between fixed driving stages and moveable driving stages. A proof mass is attached to the moveable driving stages and flexibly attached to a substrate through one or more spring members. A voltage control circuit applies working voltages to the driving stages. With a first working voltage applied between the moveable and the fixed driving stages, moving of the driving stages' sensing direction towards gravity at a first critical angle will cause moveable driving stages to collapse and touch the fixed driving stage on the substrate and thus turn on the MEMS G-switch. After turning on the G-switch, a second working voltage is applied and moving of the driving stages' sensing direction away from gravity at a second critical angle will cause moveable electrodes to deviate from the fixed electrodes and thus turn off the MEMS G-switch.

Abstract: Embodiments of crossbar devices constructed with Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) switches are disclosed herein. A crossbar device may comprise m input terminals, n output terminals, n control lines and m×n MEMS switches coupled to the n control lines to selectively couple the m input terminals to the n output terminal. Each of the MEMS switches may comprise a contact node coupled to one of the m input terminals, a cantilever coupled to one of the n output terminals, a control node coupled to one of the n control lines to electrostatically control the cantilever to contact the contact node or be away from the contact node using electrostatic attractive or repulsive force respectively. The cantilever and the contact node are configured to remain in contact by molecular adhesion force, after the cantilever has been electrostatically controlled to contact the contact node, and the electrostatic attractive force has been removed. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A switching device includes a stationary portion, a movable portion having a movable land portion, and a first beam portion and a second beam portion that couple the movable land portion and the stationary portion with each other. A first signal line extends over the movable land portion, the first beam portion, and the stationary portion, and has a movable contact portion on the movable land portion, a second signal line faces the movable contact portion, a first driving line extends over the movable land portion, the second beam portion, and the stationary portion, and has a movable driving electrode portion on the movable land portion, and a second driving line having a stationary driving electrode portion faces the movable driving electrode portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-emitting keyboard, comprising: a membrane circuit board whose bottom surface is printed with a light guide ink; a light source provided on one side of the membrane circuit board for projecting light to enter the light guide ink of the membrane circuit board; a first reflector disposed underneath the membrane circuit board to reflect a portion of the light that escapes from the membrane circuit board to enter the light guide ink of the membrane circuit board; a second reflector provided on top of the membrane circuit board to reflect a portion of the light that does not pass therethrough back towards the light guide ink; a supporting plate disposed on top of the second reflector; a scissor assembly disposed on top of the supporting plate; a keycap disposed on top of the scissor assembly; and an elastic contact body having a contact portion.

Abstract: For a cell-phone or PDA, the rows of key-caps include respective light-strips, which pick up light from respective LEDs surface-mounted on the PCB. The light-strips are sandwiched between the key-caps and the key-switch actuators (whereby the light-strips move with the keys when the keys are depressed). Sockets for receiving the key-caps are co-molded to the light-strips. Sockets are provided in the resilient webs of the keys for receiving under-blocks co-molded to the light-strips.

Abstract: A slide-type button assembly includes a body member, a sliding member slidably mounted in the body member, and an elastic member. The body member includes a sidewall, the sidewall defining an opening. The sliding member is slidably mounted in the body member, and partially exposing out of the opening. The elastic member is disposed between the body member and the sliding member, providing a force against the sliding member and press the sliding member against the interior surface of the sidewall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a contact system (2) comprising a contact bridge (15) that can be pivoted about an articulated axis (16) and is provided with a moving contact (11b, 12b) on the respective opposing ends (13, 14) thereof, each moving contact forming a contact point (K1, K2) with a fixed contact (11a, 11b) associated therewith. The articulated axis (16) is arranged in such a way that it can be displaced in the opening direction (19) of the contact points (K1, K2) along a guide (17) such that only a first contact point (K1) opens during normal operation, while both contact points (K1, K2) open in the event of an overcurrent and/or short circuit.

Abstract: A control element including at least four switches for electrical/electronic functions having a precise guidance for operation, where mount arms are disposed in a cross shape on their underside on a tip disposed in a housing, and on their top side in a spherical shell, and a pin is attached to the housing in each corner formed by the arms.

Abstract: To provide a metal dome sheet 10 to which a metal dome 8 is attached. The metal dome 8 elastically deforms with a pressing operation of a key top 16, thereby to have electrical conduction with a contact 6 provided on a substrate 2, and restores from a deformed state when the pressing operation is released, thereby to release the conduction with the contact. The metal dome sheet 10 has an elastic pressing projection 12 which transmits pressing force applied from the key top 16 side to a top 8a of the metal dome 8.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating a multi-component fluid are provided. The method can include introducing a multi-component fluid to a dividing wall column. The multi-component fluid can be heated to provide a first product, a second product, an intermediate distillate, and a process fluid. At lest a portion of the first product can be compressed to provide a compressed first product. Heat can be indirectly transferred from the compressed first product to at least a portion of the intermediate distillate to provide a heated intermediate distillate. The heated intermediate distillate can be recycled to the dividing wall column. The compressed first product can be expanded.

Abstract: A mixed anatase-rutile phase, non-stoichiometric titania photocatalyst material is a highly reactive and is a UV and visible light responsive photocastalyst in the as-deposited condition (i.e. without the need for a subsequent thermal treatment). The mixed phase, non-stoichiometric titania thin film material is non-stoichiometric in terms of its oxygen content such that the thin film material shows a marked red-shift in photoresponse.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means of producing nitric oxide (NO) by photolysis of nitrous oxide (N2O) at ultraviolet wavelengths. One application is the production of a known concentration of NO in a diluent gas for calibration of analytical instruments that measure nitric oxide in gases such as exhaled breath, ambient air and automobile exhaust. A potentially important medical application is the production of NO for inhalation therapy, an advantage being that very little toxic NO2 gas is produced. The method is useful for producing NO for industrial applications as well. Advantages of this method of NO production include the use of a single, inexpensive, readily available reagent gas of very low toxicity. Furthermore, the concentration of NO produced can be easily controlled by varying the ultraviolet (UV) lamp intensity and relative gas flow rates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for functionalizing metal oxides, including tin dioxide. The methods comprise contacting at least one linker precursor comprising a first functional group to a metal oxide and exposing the linker precursor to UV light. The first functional group covalently binds to the metal oxide via a UV light induced reaction. The linker precursor may be an alkene having a vinyl group or an alkyne having an ethynyl group. Other molecules, such as biomolecules and dye molecules, may be bound to the linker precursors. The functionalized metal oxides may be used alone or as coatings on a substrate and find use in a variety of devices, including biosensors and dye sensitized solar cells.