Abstract:
An implantable device for treating a patient using sensory substitution includes a wearable article in which are disposed one or more sensors for detecting the phase of the gait cycle of the patient, a controller for receiving signals from the sensors indicative of the phase of the gait, and one more stimulators for stimulating the patient based on signals from the controller that are issued in response to the sensor signals.
Abstract:
A method for depositing a thin film includes the steps of providing a vapor including at least one selected vapor phase component into an evacuated chamber and condensing the vapor onto a heated substrate to form a liquid phase deposit wherein a temperature of the substrate is lower than the condensation temperature of the component. The liquid deposit is then cooled to produce a solid phase film. The invention can provide two or more vapor phase components. The invention can be used to deposit a wide variety of layers, including thin films of metallic, semiconductor and nonmetallic inorganic materials. The invention is useful for forming solid electrolytes and the electrodes for batteries, fuel cells and other electromagnetically active devices.
Abstract:
A base station has a processor to generate a Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”) data frame. The CDMA data frame comprises a plurality of Basic Frames. At least one of the plurality of Basic Frames comprises a vendor-specific field. A modem transports the CDMA data frame over a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (“UMTS”)-compatible link between the base station and a remote head having a transceiver.
Abstract:
A system for non-destructive non-contact quality inspection of dry electrode units of energy storage includes an eddy current-based inspection system having a conveyor belt, and a hollow dielectric shell. An outer surface of the shell has a plurality of spaced apart measuring transducers. Each of the transducers include a feed-through eddy current probe and at least two strap capacitors spatially linked therewith. In the related method, an electrode unit to be inspected is placed on the conveyor belt and enters and moves through the dielectric shell. The electrode unit is excited using a magnetic field from the eddy current probe as it passes by each of the plurality of transducers, where eddy currents at a plurality of frequencies are induced in the electrode unit. The modulation characteristics of impedance at a plurality of frequencies are measured by the probes, and from the impedance data it is determined whether the electrode unit is defective.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for dissolving gas or gases in liquid fuel to improve combustion of the liquid fuel when injected into a combustion chamber is provided. A gas-charger unit is provided to dissolve the gas into liquid fuel at a first pressure. The pressure of the fuel/gas solution is raised to a second pressure before injection of the atomized fuel into a combustion chamber. In one embodiment, a high pressure gas or gasses is/are introduced into the gas charger at a crosscurrent to the liquid fuel. In another embodiment, a gas charger for dissolving gas into a liquid fuel is provided including a plurality of highly porous baffles to increase the contact surfaces between the gas and the liquid.
Abstract:
A recirculating reagent fuel-cell includes an ion-exchange membrane interposed between an anode and cathode anode to form a membrane/electrode assembly (MEA), the MEA interposed between a fuel gas diffusion layer and an air (oxidant gas) diffusion layer. An air and fuel flow network are provided having an input portion for supplying reagent and an output portion for removing reagent after electrochemical reaction. At least one of the air flow network and fuel flow network includes a recirculation loop, the recirculation loop feeding back a portion of the fuel or air after electrochemical reaction to their respective input portion. The air flow network can include a water vapor condenser where water formed on the cathodes in proportion to the external load on the fuel cell stack is extracted and the fuel flow network can include an evaporator, where water is fed to the evaporator in the fuel feed loop from the condenser of the air feed loop.
Abstract:
A cathode composition for lithium ion and lithium metal batteries includes a transitional metal oxide and an adsorbate layer disposed on a surface of the transitional metal oxide. The transitional metal oxide and the adsorbate layer are both electrochemically active. A method of forming cathode materials for lithium ion and lithium metal batteries includes the steps of providing reagents including at least one elemental chalcogenide or chalcogenic oxide and a transitional metal oxide. The reagents are heated, wherein a cathode composition is formed having a chalcogenic complex adsorbed to a bulk material, the bulk material being a modification of the transitional metal oxide. The transitional metal oxide is preferably a vanadium oxide.
Abstract:
Methods are disclosed for controlling an internal combustion engine in a vehicle which include detecting the value of a variable associated with an operating condition of the engine including the rotational speed and the load of the engine, determining a temperature value of a temperature-critical component associated with the engine, and controlling the thermal load of the engine based upon the predetermined temperature value by adding surplus fuel to the engine in a manner which gradually increases the supply of the surplus fuel based upon the value of the predetermined variable derived from the inherent thermal inertia in the temperature-critical component. Apparatus for controlling the engine in the vehicle is also disclosed.
Abstract:
The cartridge indicator is a rod slidably mounted in a cavity in the breech slide of a firearm to allow checking for the presence of a cartridge in the chamber. The rod has a check end which protrudes out of the breech slide as biased by a spring at the chamber end of the rod in the cavity. The chamber end of the rod has attached a chamber pin which slides in a pin cavity in the breech slide. When the check end is pushed into the breech slide by the user, if the chamber has no cartridge, the chamber pin moves into the chamber and the check end is pushed into the breech slide thereby indicating an empty chamber. If the chamber pin encounters a cartridge, the check end can not be pushed into the breech slide.
Abstract:
A mobile storage and transportation unit for machine tools employing a frame rack having at least one frame, the frame being provided with at least one chassis engaging device. The unit also employs a plurality of elongated tool storage magazines, each magazine having an elongated front face and an opposite elongated rear face and having opposite ends. The front face of each magazine is adapted to removably receive and store a plurality of tools in adjacent side by side positions, the tools being disposed along a common row. The unit also employs a like plurality of chassis, each chassis being secured to the rear face of a corresponding one of the magazines adjacent a corresponding one of the two opposite ends thereof. All of the chassis engage the chassis engaging device to suspend the magazines in parallel abutting position on the frame.