Abstract:
A welded intermediate transfer belt and process for making the same having a substrate made primarily of at least one polyimide polymer. The weld may be ultrasonically or otherwise welded and may have favorable properties such as relatively thin seam thickness and small weld steps. The weld may be overlapped or miter cut.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the portable antenna positioner described provide a lightweight, collapsible and rugged antenna positioner for use in receiving low earth orbit, geostationary and geosynchronous satellite transmissions. By collapsing the antenna positioner, it may be readily carried by one person or shipped in a compact container. The antenna positioner may be used in remote locations with simple or automated setup and orientation. In order to operate the apparatus, azimuth is adjusted by rotating an antenna in relation to a positioner base and elevation is adjusted by rotating an elevation motor coupled with the antenna. The apparatus may update ephemeris data via satellite, may comprise a built-in receiver and may couple with a second positioner base comprising cryptographic, router or power functionality. The apparatus may comprise storage devices such as a hard drive or flash disk for storing data to and from at least one satellite.
Abstract:
A system for providing an application with a plurality of methods for accessing memory of a programmable logic controller includes an application, an interface for establishing communication between the application and a programmable logic controller, and a shared memory area initiated by the application or the programmable logic controller. The shared memory area includes an input memory and an output memory. The application is enabled by the interface to write to the input memory and to read from the output memory.
Abstract:
Complex computer graphics forms and motions can be constructed either by hand or with motion or geometry capture technologies, once they are created, they are difficult to modify, particularly at runtime. Interpolation provides a way to leverage artist-generated source material. Methodologies for efficient runtime interpolation between multiple forms or multiple motion segments enables computers to perform more realistic animation in real-time. Shape interpolation is applied to predefined figures to create smoothly skinned figures that deform in natural ways. Predefined figures are selected using a search technique that reduces the amount of interpolation required to produce real-time animation.
Abstract:
An inventive process is disclosed for linking credentialing information with a medical malpractice insurance application. The credentialing information is automatically transferred from the credentialing questionnaire to an insurance application, and this credentialing information is then used to generate a medical malpractice insurance policy. The medical malpractice insurance policy is a two year policy, in order to coincide with the required re-credentialing of the healthcare provider. The inventive process also includes linking an information database, not created for insurance purposes, with an insurance application.
Abstract:
A surge protection device includes a gas discharge tube surge protector connected between a Tip line and a Ring line, and further includes solid state heat-generating resistive elements in the Tip and Ring lines, and thermally-responsive sneak current grounding switches in the Tip and Ring lines that have an untripped position connecting Tip and Ring line terminals of the surge protector respectively to the Tip and Ring line resistive elements, and a tripped position in which they ground the Tip and Ring line terminals. The switches are switched to their tripped position in response to the heat generated in the resistive elements as a consequence of current passing through them that exceeds a predetermined current level. A surge suppression element is connected in parallel with each of the resistive elements. The resistive elements are preferably carbon film resistors, and the surge suppression elements are preferably transient voltage suppression diodes.
Abstract:
A termite detection system is disclosed herein. The system comprises a sensor and associated microprocessor detect the presence of gases emitted by termites. The processor relays a signal to an appropriate output device to alert a user that the system has detected the presence of termites.
Abstract:
Several motor driven embodiments are discussed which provide linear motion to a downhole flow control device. The embodiments employ ball screw assemblies or lead screw assemblies. A device for rotational actuation of a downhole flow control device is also disclosed.
Abstract:
The present invention encompasses methods for preventing and treating multiple sclerosis by administering to patients in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of IFN-con in combination with IL-1ra.
Abstract:
A dual drive conveyor system which has a vibration control mechanism for adjusting the application of vibratory force to the material-conveying member without changing the direction of the resultant line of vibratory force generated thereby, wherein the vibration generator connected to the material-conveying member includes a pair of opposing parallel counter-rotating eccentrically weighted master shafts driven by a first drive motor, and a pair of opposing parallel counter-rotating eccentrically weighted slave shafts driven by a second drive motor, the master and slave shafts rotating in such manner that the direction of the resultant line of vibratory force is substantially only parallel with the longitudinal centroidal axis of the material-conveying member. The vibration control mechanism monitors the angular position of the eccentric weights carried by the slave shafts relative to the eccentric weights carried by the master shafts and compares the relative angular displacement therebetween to a preselected target angular displacement, and automatically and periodically adjusts the speed of the drive motor for the slave shafts in order to change the angular position of the eccentric weights carried thereby to cause the relative angular displacement between the eccentric weights carried by the slave and master shafts to match the preselected target angular displacement therebetween. The target angular displacement may be changed during the operation of the conveyor system to cause the vibration control mechanism to readjust the relative positions of eccentric weights carried by the master and slave shafts to meet a newly selected target angular displacement therebetween. By monitoring the speed of conveyance of a given material for various selected angular displacements between eccentric weights carried by the slave and master shafts, an optimal application of vibratory force can be determined for providing the best conveyance for any such material.