Abstract:
Techniques for reducing anxiety in domestic animal are provided. An example of an alternating pressure garment according to the disclosure includes a fabric shell configured to fit around at least a portion of a companion animal, a plurality of bladders disposed between the fabric shell and the companion animal, and a pressurizing module fluidly coupled to the plurality of bladders and configured to alternately pressurize at least a first group of the plurality of bladders and a second group of the plurality bladders.
Abstract:
A Cassegrain-type concentrating solar collector cell includes primary and secondary mirrors disposed on opposing convex and concave surfaces of a light-transparent (e.g., glass) optical element. Light enters an aperture surface surrounding the secondary mirror, and is reflected by the primary mirror and the secondary mirror onto a photovoltaic cell, which is disposed in a central cavity formed in the optical element. A resilient, optically transmissive material is disposed in the central cavity between the PV cell and the optical element. The photovoltaic cell has a squarish upper surface including metal electrical contact structures disposed on each of the four corners of the upper surface and arranged to define a circular active area. The PV cell is mounted on a heat slug that is disposed in the central cavity during assembly. The heat slug includes resilient fingers that contact the surface of the cavity to facilitate self-alignment of the PV cell.
Abstract:
A flexible media transport system includes a director element having articulating tips that provide access to selected media paths. The director element(s) can be incorporated into a director module. Multiple director modules can then be combined into a highly flexible and reconfigurable media transport system. By implementing the joints between the articulating tips and the body of the director element such that a continuous surface is provided in the path of the flexible media, stubbing of the moving media can be avoided. The continuous-surface joint interface can be provided via flexible skins, monolithic articulating tip-director element structures, and preconfigured resilient plate structures, among others.
Abstract:
In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, a universal interface is provided for operatively connecting and feeding sequential copy sheet output of various selectable first sheet processing machines to various selectable second sheet processing machines spaced apart horizontally or horizontally and vertically from the first sheet processing machines by widely varying ranges of horizontal distances. The universal interface includes a frame and a universal interface module providing a sheet feeding path repositionable relative to the frame therethrough, from one side to the other of the module, for transporting the copy sheet output of the first sheet processing machine to the copy sheet input of the second sheet processing machine. Further, the universal interface module includes an integral horizontally or horizontally and vertically repositionable sheet receiving and sheet discharging sheet path ends opening at opposite sides of the universal interface module. At least one of the sheet receiving path end and the sheet discharging sheet path end are independently positionable relative to the other of the sheet receiving and sheet discharging sheet path ends over a horizontal range. In a further form, the universal interface module is bidirectional for a bidirectional paper path. Interdigitated sheet guides are provided for defining the sheet path in the bidirectional modules.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an water lighting system for illuminating the features of water displays where the system can be maintained with relative ease. The system has a plurality of finger clamps disposed about the perimeter of a housing that permit the installation and removal of a front lens without tools. With the front lens removed, the system further has an optical cassette that can easily be removed without tools to expose the lamp. The lamp then can be replaced without the need for tools or without accidentally touching a lens in the optical cassette. Other features are disclosed.
Abstract:
A portable, wearable active appendage, including an arm having a base end and a working end, a docking plate that mechanically and electrically connects the base end to a mounting base, an end-effector mechanically connected to the working end, and a controller that controls movement. In various embodiments the arm is reversible, has multiple degrees of freedom of motion, the mounting base is attached to clothing worn by a human, and the controller can learn a movement and controls the movement to replicate a human arm or control a motion that is relative to a human operator. In various embodiments the end-effector is also removably, electrically connected to the working end of the arm such that it can be replaced with a different end-effector. Some embodiments include a node that branches the arm into a Y shape. Some embodiments include verbal and manual user interfaces, a remote operator and a feedback device. Some embodiments include a plurality of appendages that can merge or split acting in concert.
Abstract:
A media path jam clearance apparatus installable in a supporting structure includes media drive mechanisms for moving flexible media through media paths and a rotatable, removable jam clearance element. Within the jam clearance element facing surfaces of guide elements define guide surfaces for media paths, with the guide elements having external surfaces capable of supporting the flexible media as it is wrapped around the external surfaces. A pivotal support element supports and enables rotational movement of the jam clearance element within the supporting structure. The jam clearance element may be partially or entirely extracted from the supporting structure.
Abstract:
A media path jam clearance apparatus installable in a supporting structure includes media drive mechanisms for moving flexible media through media paths and a rotatable, removable jam clearance element. Within the jam clearance element facing surfaces of guide elements define guide surfaces for media paths, with the guide elements having external surfaces capable of supporting the flexible media as it is wrapped around the external surfaces. A pivotal support element supports and enables rotational movement of the jam clearance element within the supporting structure. The jam clearance element may be partially or entirely extracted from the supporting structure.
Abstract:
An improved fuel cell is described. The invention addresses the problem of mechanical failure in thin electrolytes. One embodiment varies the thickness of the electrolyte and positions at least either the anode or cathode in the recessed region to provide a short travel distance for ions traveling from the anode to the cathode or from the cathode to the anode. A second embodiment uses a uniquely shaped manifold cover to allow close positioning of the anode to the cathode. Using the described structures results in a substantial improvement in fuel cell reliability and performance.
Abstract:
An overdeck assembly for use in a sofa bed mechanism consisting of a plurality of sections foldable between collapsed sofa positions in which sections are stacked vertically and extended bed positions in which the sections extend in substantially horizontal alignment. The overdeck assembly includes a flexible over deck member formed of a polypropylene sheet and secured to the sofa bed mechanism by a tensioning mechanism which allows the deck member to hang loosely below the sofa bed sections in the extended bed position of the mechanism and is stretched across the top of the stacked sections in the sofa position so as to provide a taut uninterrupted support surface for the sofa cushion or cushions.