462 results about "Mass distribution" patented technology

The method for repetitively determining a profile of quantitative features for different cells in a sample by collecting and analyzing information on the mass distribution in cells or portions of cells and comparing the collected information to values from a relational database is disclosed.

Asymmetric membrane capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (“cMUT”) devices and fabrication methods are provided. In a preferred embodiment, a cMUT device according to the present invention generally comprises a membrane having asymmetric properties. The membrane can have a varied width across its length so that its ends have different widths. The asymmetric membrane can have varied flex characteristics due to its varied width dimensions. In another preferred embodiment, a cMUT device according to the present invention generally comprises an electrode element having asymmetric properties. The electrode element can have a varied width across its length so that its ends have different widths. The asymmetric electrode element can have different reception and transmission characteristics due to its varied width dimensions. In another preferred embodiment, a mass load positioned along the membrane can alter the mass distribution of the membrane. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

Energy for in-tire use is generated from the load induced reciprocating deflection of the tire inner walls above the tire-to-road contact patch adjacent to the shoulder of the tire. This energy is used to power in-tire monitoring electronics. For pulsatile energy generation with capacitive capture, the capacitor is optimally selected in real-time as a function of pulse width to maximize energy capture, or as a function of the pulse-captured energy. The resulting energy pulses are also used to measure the time duration of the contact patch from which the contact patch length is determined thus providing real-time tire geometry and, with tire pressure, real time tire load and, with temperature, tire air molar content. The loads on all tires provide real time vehicle mass and mass distribution. For electrical energy generation, magnet-coil, piezo-electric, and other power conversions are applicable. For non-electric energy generation, fluid bellows, rotary pump, and other power conversions are applicable. Further, run flat tires are designed with a cutout to accommodate and protect electronic devices mounted on an inner surface when running flat.

Harmonic capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (“cMUT”) devices and fabrication methods are provided. In a preferred embodiment, a harmonic cMUT device generally comprises a membrane having a non-uniform mass distribution. A mass load positioned along the membrane can be utilized to alter the mass distribution of the membrane. The mass load can be a part of the membrane and formed of the same material or a different material as the membrane. The mass load can be positioned to correspond with a vibration mode of the membrane, and also to adjust or shift a vibration mode of the membrane. The mass load can also be positioned at predetermined locations along the membrane to control the harmonic vibrations of the membrane. A cMUT can also comprise a cavity defined by the membrane, a first electrode proximate the membrane, and a second electrode proximate a substrate. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

The invention involves an artificial leg for human-simulating double-foot robot and is within the scope of robot technology. The artificial leg consists of the coax joint, knee joint, anklebone, foot, thigh connecting rod and calf connecting rod, characterized in that a knee joint driving motor is equipped on the thigh connecting rod between the coax joint and the knee joint. The knee joints are two closed-chain structure comprising of four connecting rods. The knee joint driving motor is connected with the rear rods of the four-connecting-rod structure through the parallel four connecting rod mechanism. A stop piece is fixed on the front end of the four-connecting-rod mechanism. An encoder is equipped on the spindle, which is located on the upper end of the four-connecting-rod mechanism. The advantages of this invention are: the distance between the lifted foot and the ground is increased, enhancing the robot's ability of avoid obstacles while it is walking; the calves don't tough the ground during their swinging process, improving the robot's stability and efficiency in walking; the mass distribution in the leg is more similar to that of human being, producing a compact overall structure and high precision in transmission.

An improved golf putter incorporating a weight management system that allows for adjustment of a golf club head weighting by incorporating an adjustable weight system wherein weights may be removed and replaced quickly and easily without requiring a specialized tool is disclosed. Weights received within weight ports formed in the heel and toe portions of the putter are maintained securely affixed within the club head body by plugs adapted for snap fit engagement with the club head. Unlike other putter weight adjustment systems disclosed in the art, the present invention does not require use of a special tool, such as a wrench, to remove and replace the weights. While the preferred golf club embodiment disclosed is a putter, the present invention contemplates incorporating any of the features and/or advancements disclosed herein into any golf club. In addition, the present invention further includes novel aspects relating to overall design, including mass distribution and a rearwardly projecting portion having an upwardly sloped sole that prevents the club from snagging the turf. Furthermore a hollowed out area formed within the rearwardly projecting portion is sized and shaped to receive a correspondingly sized and shaped sensing module adapted to measure club head movement and wirelessly transmit data to a remote graphical user interface.

A method and system for securing a data product for mass distribution. An authorization server may encrypt a portion of a data product. Further, the authorization server may assemble an authorization key that includes information indicative of an entity authorized to store the data product, and the authorization server may encrypt the authorization key. To encrypt the authorization key, the authorization server may apply a symmetric encryption algorithm based on a cryptographic key that is derived as a function of an identification code associated with the authorized entity. The encrypted portion of the data product, the encrypted authentication key, and the remainder of the data product may then be stored on the authorized entity, which may be provided to a machine authorized to access the data product. The machine is preferably programmed to derive the second decryption key, use it to decrypt the authentication key, and then use the authentication key to validate use of the data product. Advantageously, if the data product is copied to an unauthorized entity and that entity is then provided to the machine, the machine may be unable to obtain the necessary identification code and may therefore be unable to derive the cryptographic key, to decrypt the authentication key, or to validate access to the data product.

An engine hood for motor vehicles possesses a deformable head impact zone for the protection of pedestrians in the event of a collision with the motor vehicle. The engine hood is composed of two or more load-bearing shells and has a flexural strength profile which is low adjacent the edges and increases continuously toward the middle of the hood. At the same time, the engine hood has a uniform mass distribution ovcr the entire surface. Consequently, irrespective of the position the engine hood, the same characteristic for the head impact is achieved everywhere. The advantageous embodiment of the engine hood provides a reinforcing panel with regularly arranged beads, at most three beads forming a junction point so as to reduce local rigidities.

A roadway system and method for energy generation and distribution are presented. This system allows a geothermal infrastructure to be tied into the roadway system electricity grid. The geothermal infrastructure may include energy exchangers that are electrically connected to the roadway system electricity grid. By connecting the energy exchangers electrically to the roadway system electricity grid, the energy exchangers may be powered by solar and/or wind generating devices. In one embodiment of the invention, a roadway system for energy generation and distribution comprises a plurality of energy harnessing devices (e.g., solar and/or wind generating devices). The roadway system electricity grid is configured for mass distribution of electricity. The energy exchangers are configured to electrically connect to the roadway system electricity grid. Each of substantially all of the energy harnessing devices, is electrically connected to the roadway system electricity grid and positioned on part of one of the roads.

A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long, mid- and short irons with channel back configurations and a mass control insert. The mass of the insert is systematically varied through the set such that the mass distribution properties of the set may be systematically varied while retaining a continuous look and feel through the set. The mass of the insert is varied by altering the volume or the density of the insert through the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. In one embodiment, the mass control insert comprises a dense insert and a lightweight cover. The density of the dense insert can be easily varied to change the mass distribution properties of the club head. One application of the mass control insert is to provide customization of the club head at the point of sale or distribution.

Mass distribution within programmable surface control devices is controlled growing or dissolving an electrodeposition of metal and/or metal ions from a solid solution upon application of a suitable electric field. One such programmable surface control device includes a tunable cantilever assembly whose resonant frequency is changed by depositing and dissolving an electrodeposit on a surface of the assembly using an electric field.

This invention provides a stabilizing system and method for two-wheeled vehicles that affords the rider no restriction on the full range of movements (banks, leans, etc.) common to bicycles, but that provides greater stability during turns and other maneuvers so that an unintentional bank or tilt (potentially causing a fall) is less likely, even at relatively slow speeds and startup. A rotating mass of predetermined mass-value and radial mass-distribution is provided coaxially with the front axle. The mass is supported on bearings so as to freewheel with respect to the rotation of the front wheel. As such it can be induced to spin significantly faster than the front wheel thereby generating a gyroscopic effect at the front wheel about the axle. This gyroscopic effect influences the steering of the wheel by the rider. Due to precession, the wheel tends to follow any excessive bank by the vehicle, ensuring that the rider can “steer-out-of” an unintended tilt or bank. Likewise, the gyroscopic effect limits the rider's ability to execute excessive steering, thereby preventing jackknife movements. The mass can be an electric-motor-driven flywheel within a shell housing that includes a battery, control system and drive motor. The drive motor engages a surface of the flywheel with a drive tire in a resilient manner to reduce potential damage to the motor.

The present invention generally provides methods and apparatus for controlling ion dosage in real time during plasma processes. In one embodiment, ion dosages may be controlled using in-situ measurement of the plasma from a mass distribution sensor combined with in-situ measurement from an RF probe.

The invention relates to a mechanism to control the pitch and/or roll and/or center of gravity of a vehicle. The first embodiment is a track-based mass transfer system in which pathways are positioned along or radially terminate at a central horizontal plane of the vehicle to move one or more mass transfer devices to a desired location to control the pitch and/or roll and/or center of gravity of the vehicle. A second embodiment is a fluid mass distribution system in which one or more conduits selectively distribute a fluid to one or more tanks positioned near a central horizontal plane of the vehicle to control the pitch and/or roll and/or center of gravity of the vehicle.

A laser ablation cell (1) comprises a flow channel (11) having an essentially constant cross-sectional area so as to ensure a strictly laminar flow in the flow channel. A sample chamber (21) is provided adjacent to a lateral opening (14) of the flow channel. A laser beam (41) enters the sample chamber (21) through a lateral window (16) and impinges on a surface (24) of a sample (23) to ablate material from the sample. The sample may be positioned in such a distance from the flow channel that the laser-generated aerosol mass distribution has its center within the flow channel. This leads to short aerosol washout times. The laser ablation cell is particularly well suited for aerosol generation in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), including imaging applications.

A method for reducing drill tubular vibrations includes: constructing a mathematical model the drill tubular having mass distribution, material stiffness and material damping; constructing an equation of motion of the drill tubular in one of a time domain and frequency domain; transforming the equation of motion into a modal domain equation of motion to provide a mode shape of the drill tubular at an eigenfrequency, the mode shape providing an amplitude at a position along the drill tubular; comparing the amplitude at the position along the drill tubular to a threshold amplitude value; modifying at least one of the mass distribution, material stiffness and material damping if the amplitude exceeds the threshold value; and iterating the above step until at least one of the amplitude of the latest mode shape at the position is less than or equal to the threshold amplitude value and a predetermined constraint limits the modifying.

The invention concerns radiographic equipment. The equipment includes a source of substantially mono-energetic fast neutrons produced via the deuterium-tritium or deuterium-deuterium fusion reactions, comprising a sealed-tube or similar generator for producing the neutrons. The equipment further includes a source of X-rays or gamma-rays of sufficient energy to substantially penetrate an object to be imaged and a collimating block surrounding the neutron and gamma-ray sources, apart from the provision of one or more slots emitting substantially fan-shaped radiation beams. Further included is a detector array comprising a multiplicity of individual scintillator pixels to receive radiation energy from the sources and convert the received energy into light pulses, the detector array aligned with the fan-shaped beams emitted from the source collimator and collimated to substantially prevent radiation other than that directly transmitted from the sources reaching the array. Conversion means are included for converting the light pulses produced in the scintillators into electrical signals. Conveying means are included for conveying an object between the sources and the detector array. Computing means are included for determining from the electrical signals the attenuation of the neutrons and the X-ray or gamma-ray beams and to generate output representing the mass distribution and composition of the object interposed between the source and detector array. The equipment further includes a display means for displaying images based on the mass distribution and the composition of the object being scanned.

A golf club head having a striking wall, a front surface, a sole portion extending rearwardly from the rear surface, the sole portion having a forward end, a rearward end, an upper surface and a lower surface. The intersection of the upper surface and the rear surface defines an interior sole line. The intersection of the upper surface and the rearward end defines a trailing edge exterior sole line. The upper surface comprises a sink portion having substantial variation in heel-to-toe contour, including variation of at least one of: the height of the trailing edge or exterior sole line relative to the height of the interior sole line, measured in vertical alignment; the height of the interior sole line relative to the height of the general outer periphery of the golf club head measured in vertical alignment; the height of the trailing edge or exterior sole line relative to the height of the general outer periphery of said golf club head measured in vertical alignment; and concavity as defined by forward-to-rear contour.

A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) scanner may be used in a range of systems including a scanned beam display or a scanned beam image capture system. The MEMS scanner may include provision for movement or oscillation in two or more axes. A mass asymmetry is introduced to the scanner. The mass asymmetry induces an oscillation component in an axis orthogonal to a primary axis of movement. The asymmetric mass may be formed by a number of means including selective application and selective removal. In some applications, the mass may be selectively formed or removed in an array of locations. The frequency, phase, and direction of induced oscillation component may be selected.

A system and method for mass distribution of data products, such as geographic databases. An authorization server maintains a first portion of each of several data products, and each of several data distribution terminals maintains the second portion of each data product. A user may couple a portable data storage device with a data distribution terminal and select a desired data product. The terminal may then responsively obtain from the authorization server the first portion of the selected data product and record onto the data storage device both the first portion and second portion of the data product. The user may then couple the data storage device with a machine, such as a navigation system, which may then access the data product. The authorization server may secure the first portion before sending it to the data distribution terminal. The authorization server may do so by encrypting the first portion and tying the first portion together with an authorization key. The machine may then use the authorization key to validate and/or facilitate access to the first portion and in turn to the data product as a whole.

Improved and more easily implemented methods for predicting high speed radial force variation and uneven mass distribution utilize other measurements such as radial nm out and other parameters. The prediction model for high speed radial force variation uses a speed-dependent calibration term for predicting higher harmonic components, while the same or other models can be used for the first harmonic. The uneven mass distribution prediction model accounts for deformation of the tire along multiple tracks, thus employing a more realistic model of crown deformation that accounts for changing tire stiffness levels across different harmonic components of the measured and predicted parameters.