591results about How to "Simple and cheap to manufacture" patented technology

A transducer is provided for use in a position sensor which senses the position of two relatively movable members. In one form, the transducer has a plurality of sensor windings having a number of loops arranged in succession and connected in series so that signals induced in adjacent loops by a common electromagnetic field oppose each other and an excitation winding having at least one loop super-imposed on but electrically isolated from the loops of the sensor windings.

A microstructure-based polarizer is described. The device acts as an electromagnetic wave filter in the optical region of the spectrum, filtering multiple wavelength bands and polarization states. The apparatus comprises a substrate having a surface relief structure containing dielectric bodies with physical dimensions smaller than the wavelength of the filtered electromagnetic waves, such structures repeated in an array covering at least a portion of the surface of the substrate. The disclosed structure is particularly useful as a reflective polarizer in a liquid crystal display, or as polarizing color filter elements at each pixel in a display. Other applications such as polarization encoded security labels, polarized room lighting, and color filter arrays for electronic imaging systems are made practical by the device.

An accumulator for an air-conditioning (refrigeration or heat pump) system is designed to reduce flooding due to greater effective internal volume while at the same time incorporating an internal heat exchanger for better system performance, and providing better evaporation and controlled thermal properties. The accumulator embodies an outer housing that co-axially surrounds an inner liner. The inlet directs the refrigerant into the inner volume formed by the liner, wherein the liquid refrigerant and compressor oil are contained and insulated from the wall of the outer housing. A heat exchanger is arranged in the annular space between the outer housing and the inner liner and circulates a flow of condensate therethrough before delivering it to the expansion device. In this way the condensate is cooled for higher performance and at the same time refrigerant passing out of the accumulator is vaporized more completely.

Disclosed is an introducer apparatus comprising an sleeve fixation mechanism or introducer member, such as a catheter, introducer, or ring-like structure, which is attached to a protective sleeve comprising a thin flexible material such a polymeric film. The sleeve is inverted into the passageway of a second member, such as a catheter, feeding tube, introducer, etc., that is advanced through the passageway of the introducer member and is introduced into a bodily passage of a patient, such as the bile duct, nasal passages, colon, etc. The sleeve everts from the passageway of the second member during its advancement to lay down a friction-reducing surface. The sleeve prevents frictional contact between the second member and delicate or sensitive tissues.

A protective cover unfolding and positioning device has a position restoring element installed at a folding portion adjacent to upper and lower support portions of a first protective plate for providing a restoring resilience for bending or folding the upper and lower support portions. A telecommunication product or an electronic device may be disposed obliquely on a peripheral surface of a second protective plate peripheral surface, The weight of the telecommunication product or electronic device exerted on the first protective plate upper, the lower support portions and the restoring resilience provided by the position restoring element to the upper and lower support portions Maintain stability of the that the telecommunication product or electronic device.

An apparatus, system and method controls and interacts within an interaction volume within a height over the coordinate plane of a computer such as a computer screen, interactive whiteboard, horizontal interaction surface, video / web-conference system, document camera, rear-projection screen, digital signage surface, television screen or gaming device, to provide pointing, hovering, selecting, tapping, gesturing, scaling, drawing, writing and erasing, using one or more interacting objects, for example, fingers, hands, feet, and other objects, for example, pens, brushes, wipers and even more specialized tools. The apparatus and method be used together with, or even be integrated into, data projectors of all types and its fixtures / stands, and used together with flat screens to render display systems interactive. The apparatus has a single camera covering the interaction volume from either a very short distance or from a larger distance to determine the lateral positions and to capture the pose of the interacting object(s).

A mask for supplying gas under pressure to the nasal airway of a human includes a series of flexible stretchable straps formed from an elastomeric material for locating the mask against the human face. The straps are integrally formed or joined to define a perimeter enclosing an aperture adapted to fit around the nasal area of a human. The straps are configured to approximate to the three dimensional shape of the region around the nasal area of the human face as they arm stretched, to form a tight fitting seal. The mask may be used with or without a manifold.

The present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, is directed to portable electronic devices which operate on exhaustible power sources, for example, batteries. The electronic devices of the present invention comprise at least one signal switch and a microchip in communication with the switch wherein the switch is only capable of transmitting a signal to the microchip that the switch has been activated or deactivated. The microchip is in communication with the exhaustible power source of the electronic device and controls (i) the power on / off function of the device, (ii) at least one other function of the device in response to activation and deactivation signals from the switch, and (iii) an automatic shut off function in response to the receipt of an activation signal from the switch.

Disclosed is an introducer apparatus comprising an sleeve fixation mechanism or introducer member, such as a catheter, introducer, or ring-like structure, which is attached to a protective sleeve comprising a thin flexible material such a polymeric film. The sleeve is inverted into the passageway of a second member, such as a catheter, feeding tube, introducer, etc., that is advanced through the passageway of the introducer member and is introduced into a bodily passage of a patient, such as the bile duct, nasal passages, colon, etc. The sleeve everts from the passageway of the second member during its advancement to lay down a friction-reducing surface. The sleeve prevents frictional contact between the second member and delicate or sensitive tissues.

Disclosed is an apparatus for oxygenating and controlling the temperature of blood in an extracorporeal circuit. The apparatus has an inlet and an outlet that is located radially outward from the inlet in order to define a flowpath through the apparatus. The apparatus comprises: a core that is substantially centrally located in the apparatus and to which blood from a patient can be supplied through the inlet; a heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat transfer elements that are arranged around the core and between which blood from the core can move radially outward; and an oxygenator comprising a plurality of gas exchange elements that are arranged around the heat exchanger and between which blood from the heat exchanger can move radially outward before exiting the apparatus through the outlet.

A system of satellite communications provides high throughput data transmission rates for mobile terrestrial terminals. The system may allow point to point communication between two terrestrial terminals. Further, the system may allow point to multipoint communication from an initiating terrestrial terminal to a plurality of target terrestrial terminals. Still further, the system may allow multipoint to multipoint communication from a plurality of initiating terrestrial terminals to a plurality of target terrestrial terminals. The satellites in the system may utilizes on-board functionality such as routing, network management and other data handling functionality. Further, the satellites in the system may communicate amongst each other and route signals through in-box and inter-box communication.

Described is a method of making an apparatus for oxygenating and controlling the temperature of blood in an extracorporeal circuit, the steps comprising: providing a core through which blood can be supplied to the apparatus from a patient; providing a heat exchanger about the core such that blood from the core can move radially outward through the heat exchanger; providing an oxygenator about the heat exchanger such that blood from the heat exchanger can move radially outward through the oxygenator; and placing the core, heat exchanger and oxygenator in a housing that includes an inlet in communication with the core and an outlet that is located radially outward from the inlet in order to define a flowpath for blood through the apparatus.

An electronic circuit for use with an exhaustible power source and load such as a light bulb, a radio or motor, includes a microchip with an input that transmits a signal to the microchip when the load is activated or deactivated. The input does not form a serial link between the power source and the load. The power switch, by on / off switching, controls energy flow from the power source to the load. The electronic circuit has an automatic delayed shut-off function for the load and, a find-in-the-dark indicator and a power source level indicator which are active when the load is not energized and the power source is not being charged. The input to the microchip acts as an activation / deactivation user interface. The microchip allows the user to select specific functions based on the time duration of activation signals, the time duration between activation signals and the number of activation signals at the input.

A multiband base station antenna for communicating with a plurality of terrestrial mobile devices is described. The antenna including one or modules, each module including a low frequency ring element; and a high frequency dipole element superposed with the low frequency ring element. The element includes a ground plane; and a feed probe directed away from the ground plane and having a coupling part positioned proximate to the ring to enable the feed probe to electromagnetically couple with the ring. A dielectric clip provides a spacer between the feed probe and the ring, and also connects the ring to the ground plane. An antenna element is also described including a ring, and one or more feed probes extending from the ring, wherein the ring and feed probe(s) are formed from a unitary piece.

A module for controlling power supply to a load in a product which includes a microchip, and an electromechanical switch and a proximity / touch sensor connected to the microchip, preferably to the same input. The switch is primarily used to activate or deactivate the load and the proximity / touch sensor to vary the effect of operating the switch, or to control additional functions such as the activation of a signal, typically a light signal, which helps to locate the product, particularly in the dark, and to vary the duration of an automatic time-out period at the end of which the load is deactivated.

A system for protecting the battery of a vehicle includes a device (1) for electrically disconnecting of connecting the battery (BA) with respect to an electric load (CS). The device (1) includes a switch (20, 21) and a microprocessor control circuit (15). The control circuit (15) includes a unit for calculating a mean value of the voltage of the battery (BA) and comparing it with a threshold value, in order to control the switch (20, 21). The threshold value is variable as a function of the ambient temperature and the time of inactivity of the motor. The switch includes a bistable electromagnetic arrangement, capable of passing from a first to a second stable condition following a pulse generated by the control circuit (15).

The present invention provides a planar multiband antenna having a ground area, a first radiation electrode, a second radiation electrode, a third radiation electrode and a feeder. The feeder is implemented to feed the first radiation electrode. The first radiation electrode is arranged at least partly between the ground area and the second radiation electrode and does not protrude from an external periphery of the third radiation electrode. The third radiation electrode is arranged such that it completely surrounds an external periphery of the second radiation electrode, wherein there is a gap between the second radiation electrode and the third radiation electrode.

A monocentric lens-based multi-scale imaging system is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention comprise a monocentric lens as an objective lens that collects light from a scene. Monocentric lenses in accordance with the present invention include a spherical central lens element and a plurality of lens shell sections that collectively reduce at least one of spherical and chromatic aberration from the magnitude introduced by the spherical lens element itself. A plurality of secondary lenses image the scene through the objective lens and further reduce the magnitude of aberrations introduced by the objective lens. A plurality of sensor arrays converts optical sub-images of the scene into a plurality of digital images, which can then be used to form a composite image of the scene.

Described is an apparatus for oxygenating and controlling the temperature of blood in an extracorporeal circuit, the apparatus having an inlet and an outlet that is located radially outward from the inlet in order to define a flowpath through the apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a core in communication with the inlet such that blood from a patient can be supplied to the core, the core comprising a first element and a second element that interfit to define openings, wherein the elements and the openings together enhance flow of blood from the patient radially outward from the core; a heat exchanger that is arranged about the core and through which blood from the core can move radially outward; and an oxygenator that is arranged about the heat exchanger and through which blood from the heat exchanger can move radially outward before exiting the apparatus through the outlet.

Wave-generating apparatus (1) that is installed in an aquatic environment (3) and which comprises, as its main elements, at least one elongated profile (5) that moves tangentially in relation in relation to a uniformly-deep floor (4) by the action of a drive mechanism (6). As a result, a wave (2) forms on the profile (5) and moves along with the profile (2). The profile (5) is disposed to form an angle (8) other than 90° with the direction of displacement (7), the purpose being to generate a wave (2) with an escape area and which can therefore be surfed. Some parameters of the apparatus (1) may be adjusted for the purpose of changing the degree of difficulty of the wave (2) that is generated.

The invention provides a tunable laser with high reliability and high performance, and of low cost. A tunable laser (10) comprises a double ring resonator (11) where ring resonators (111, 112) of different sizes are coupled through a directional coupler (122), an LD side waveguide (13) connected at one end (131) to the ring resonator (111) through a directional coupler (121), a reflection side waveguide (14) connected at one end (141) to the ring resonator (112) through a directional coupler (123), a PLC board (15) on which the ring resonator (111) and the like are formed, a high reflection film (16) provided at the other end (142) of the reflection side waveguide (14), an LD chip (17) having a low reflection film (18) formed on either of two opposite emission end faces (171, 172) and coupled optically with the other end (132) of the LD side waveguide (13), and film-like heaters (191-194) for varying the resonance wavelength of the double ring resonator (11).

The invention relates to a method for preparing a ceramic crucible. The following steps are proposed: providing a curable slurry; providing a casting mold (10) for a ceramic crucible, pouring the slurry into the casting mold, allowing the slurry to solidify in the mold by: (a) freezing and / or (b ) changing the pH value of the slurry to obtain a preformed body, and heat-treating the preformed body to obtain a ceramic crucible. The present invention also relates to a ceramic crucible prepared by said method and a complete set of equipment for preparing said ceramic crucible, comprising: a casting mold for a ceramic crucible, preferably a metal mold; a sol, preferably SiO2 water containing nano-ceramic particle components Sols; ceramic particles comprising particulate ceramic components; optionally metal powders consisting of metals and / or alloys and / or intermetallic compounds; optionally one or more other additives and optionally organic or inorganic binders . The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.

A lockout device and method of operation for enclosing, protecting and inhibiting a heat-activated fire extinguisher sprinkler head in a workplace during construction and maintenance therein. The device has two hinged semi-cylindrical clamping elements which clamp on to the end of a sprinkler supply pipe without tools, and has two hinged shell portions defining a cavity for protectively enclosing the said sprinkler head. Captive bolts and thumbscrews provide hand operated securing means to hold the clamping means and shell portions together, and a padlock provides locking means to prevent unauthorized removal of the device. Visible indicia means are provided for informing persons in said workplace of the presence and purpose of the sprinkler head lockout devices. The method of use includes providing a highly visible lockout device for each sprinkler head in the workplace, locking and tagging each device with information including the purpose of the lockout, the persons responsible for the lockout, and the time when the sprinkler heads will be returned to normal operation. Alternate embodiments of the device permit actuation of the sprinkler heads while the device is in place by means of openings in the shell portions, or by constructing the shell portions of meltable material, which in either case will allow the entry of combustion products if the workplace fire is sufficiently intense.