Abstract:
A process and apparatus for planting aquatic plants underwater on the bottom of estuaries in damaged areas and for encouraging plant growth in seabeds and banks. Aquatic plant shoots are transplanted by positioning shoots in a sediment container which is in turn placed in the targeted area. When the sediment container is placed, the sea grass shoots are held in position for an extended period of time to allow the sea grass shoots to take root. The sediment containers may be preformed or they may be formed just prior to their placement. A watercraft may be used to position the sediment containers with and without sea grass shoots over an area of the propeller scar. With the process and apparatus of this invention, sea grass plants can be cultivated. Further in accordance with another embodiment of this invention a container or other obstruction without plant is placed to impede water flow over the area being cultivated. When water flow is impeded natural plant growth is encouraged.
Abstract:
A bearing seal assembly includes a pair segmented circumferential or a carbon ring seals to contain oil in the bearing compartments of a gas turbine engine or other mechanical device. The pair of seals, an oil-side seal and an air-side seal, are axially-spaced between the oil and the air in the housing. Air at an elevated pressure is introduced between the seals. This elevated air pressure urges the seals axially apart from one another and radially inward to improve the seal. A backup seal is provided adjacent either the oil-side seal or the air-side seal. In the event of failure of either the oil-side seal or the air-side seal which results in the loss of air pressure, the backup seal will provide at least a minimum level of seal between the oil compartment and the air in the housing.
Abstract:
A replaceable tank for attachment to a micro-fluid ejection head containing a multi-function thermoplastic elastomer layer, a method for sealing an exit port of a removable fluid reservoir for a micro-fluid ejection head using the multi-function thermoplastic elastomer layer, and a method for improving the handling and shipping of replaceable fluid cartridges for micro-fluid ejection heads using the multi-function thermoplastic elastomer layer. The multi-function thermoplastic elastomer layer is disposed in the exit port and on at least a portion of an outer surface of the reservoir.
Abstract:
Products and methods for the in vivo production of monatin sweetener are provided. The products include microorganisms that are genetically modified to secrete or to improve secretion of monatin; microorganisms that are genetically modified to produce monatin; and microorganisms that are genetically modified to both secrete or improve secretion of monatin and produce monatin. The methods include producing monatin in such genetically engineered microorganisms.
Abstract:
A method of compensating a photo sensor (and a corresponding photo sensor with compensation) insures the accuracy of the photo sensor, e.g., over environmental variations or photo cell variations. The method comprises: providing a first signal indicative of a light level; providing a second signal indicative of an environmental parameter, e.g., temperature; and calculating, responsive to the first signal and the second signal, a compensated signal that is indicative of an absolute light level. The calculating can be performed by a processor and utilize calibration and compensation information or parameters, which can be obtained experimentally.
Abstract:
An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The sensor system and controller determine not only the magnitude of an impact upon the vehicle, but also track subsequent motion of the vehicle, as well as the time which has elapsed since an impact, so as to decide if and when the fire suppressant agent should be dispersed. Alternatively, the fire suppressant agent may be dispersed following activation of a manual switch.
Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to perfusion catheters and distal protection devices. According to an embodiment, the present invention includes a distal protection filter comprising an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a distal protection device disposed at the distal end, a coupling member that couples the elongate shaft to the distal protection device, and a first space between the coupling member and the elongate shaft. A method of filtering debris from a blood vessel is also disclosed.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to arrangements of tapered data storage tape guides which can improve the guiding of data storage tape. Tapered data storage tape guides having specific sizes relative to the data storage tape are also disclosed. The tapered data storage tape guides and arrangements of tapered guides can improve the ability to properly guide the data storage tape, e.g., during media fabrication, servo recording or readout, data recording or data readout. In one embodiment, a data storage tape guiding system may include a first tapered guide and a second tapered guide. The taper in the first guide can be opposite the taper in the second guide such that the data storage tape is forced against an upper flange of the first guide and forced against a lower flange of the second guide, or vice versa.
Abstract:
A CHMSL (16) or other lighting system feature of an automobile (10) includes a feature for presenting personal expressions in the form of words or symbols but is automatically deactivated when the regular vehicle lighting system is in use. The personal expression is fixed in a tangible medium by way of phosphor-coated indicia (34) placed within a UV impervious housing (18). A secondary UV light source (36) selectively energizes the phosphor-coated indicia (34) so that the irradiated material glows and is visible through a light transmissive screen (20). The light transmissive screen (20) is provided with a UV blocking agent so that harmful UV rays do not escape the housing (18). The phosphor-coated indicia (34) can be mounted on a removable transparent plate (30), on light dispersion optics (24, 26), or on the inner face of the light transmissive screen (20). A control circuit (42″) manages the primary light source (22) and the secondary UV light source (36) so that only one of the light sources can be energized at any one time.
Abstract:
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for authenticating a user of a device comprises: generating at least one arrangement comprising a sub-set of a plurality of stored objects, the sub-set comprising at least one authenticating object that forms at least part of a user's authentication key and the sub-set further comprising at least one non-authenticating object, wherein such generating comprises randomly selecting a position within the at least one arrangement for the at least one authenticating object and randomly selecting the at least one non-authenticating object from the plurality of stored objects; presenting to a user the generated at least one arrangement; receiving input that comprises a selection of at least one of the objects from the at least one arrangement; and determining whether the selection identifies the authentication key.