41results about How to "Minimal mass" patented technology

A medical electrical lead system for neurological applications has a distal portion having a plurality of independently positionable seed electrodes, each of which may be connected via an interface to an implantable medical device. The interface allows the seed electrodes to be positioned, then excess wire trimmed, facilitating simplified connection of multiple independent electrodes to a single device. Seed electrodes according to the invention are small, have relatively low mass, and are minimally destructive of surrounding tissue.

The invention relates to a protection device (9) for the floor (8) of a vehicle cab (2), device comprising at least one armour plate (10) that is arranged at a distance from the cab floor (8) and which is connected to the latter by deformable linking means.In this device at least one of the deformable linking means is constituted by a compartmented caisson (11), that is fastened to the cab (2) on a substantially vertical lateral partition (2a, 2b) of the latter, the compartmented caisson (11) comprising at least two walls (12a, 12b) that are substantially perpendicular to the armour plate (10) and which are integral firstly with a lower wall (14) on which the armour plate (10) presses and secondly with an upper wall (13) which presses on the cab (2), the walls (12a, 12b) having dimensions such that they buckle on impact.

A drum tuning system which rotates clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust the tension of a drum head fitted over the open end of a drum body. It utilizes a rotating ring having numerous opposing equally spaced vertically projecting tabs along the top of the body's diameter, each with inward facing wheels that ride on the horizontal surface of a separate inner hoop bearing down on the drum head. The rotating actuator ring is fitted with multiple radial cleats projecting from its outside diameter for grasping it. A radius plate having horizontal holes extends from the drum body, and a tool engages the radial cleats on the rotating actuator ring to facilitate rotation. Multiple adjustable eccentric lugs are used to raise and lower the drum camming mechanism in relation to the open end of the drum body where attached. Horizontal projecting links support the drum attached to suspension mounting systems.

A specimen positioning mechanism (10) includes a movable stage (12) movable along multiple axes, a plate (35) connected to and supporting a specimen mounting chuck (14), multiple linear displacement mechanisms (36, 38) coupling the plate to the movable stage and mutually spaced apart at different locations between the movable stage and the plate and separately controllable to change distances between the movable stage and the plate, and a flexible member (22) coupling the movable stage and the plate. The flexible member is motion compliant in three axes of motion. The flexible member in response to linear displacements of the linear displacement mechanisms allows linear and rotational movement of the specimen mounting chuck in the three axes of motion compliance.

The present invention is a hollow body stringed musical instrument that utilizes a low mass, soundboard having a 12 to 25 foot radius dome configuration. The soundboard is made of a three ply torsion box design utilizing a honeycomb stiffening layer as the central core. Linear adjustable tuning braces are incorporated in the hollow body. The side and back of the instrument are also of a three ply construction having a polymer ir inorganic foam as the central layer. (Preferably this will be a closed cell foam.) The back also has a domed configuration with a 12 to 15 foot radius. All structural braces are eliminated from the interior of the instrument's body.

A system for harnessing power from wind using a wind capturing structure. An axis of rotation could be central to the system, and the lines could rotate around this axis. Features for the wind capturing structure include effective downwind power generation using a durable, lightweight, inexpensive structure that may be safe in the event of a crash, and easily modified to reduce drag for retraction. The capturing structure creates lift in a low altitude environment, capable of operating in high wind conditions. The lines include minimal mass to permit lift at low altitudes, and are constructed with maximum tensile strength to prevent failure in high winds. A versatile wind capturing structure could include a kite operable in variable conditions for efficient and consistent production of force. The power producing cycle of a system capturing power from wind should maximize the efficiency of the system.

A radiotherapy apparatus comprises a means for producing a beam of radiation directed along a beam axis and having a width in first and second directions transverse to the beam axis, a multi-leaf collimator for selectively limiting the width of the beam in at least the first direction, a block collimator for selectively limiting the width of the beam in at least the second direction, the block collimator comprising a diaphragm moveable into and out of the beam and having a thickness in the direction of the beam axis that varies. The diaphragm can have a front edge of greater thickness than at least one region behind the front edge. It can also have a spine region extending from a rear part thereof towards the front edge that is greater thickness than at least one region displaced laterally with respect thereto. Together, these can cover the areas that will not be fully shadowed by a dynamically moving MLC. A control means for the multi-leaf collimator can be arranged to extend leaves of the multi-leaf collimator to shadow regions of the beam that are blocked by a relatively thinner section of the diaphragm. This is made easier if the spine region extends from the rearmost part of the diaphragm, the spine region extends to the front edge of the diaphragm, the spine region is straight, the spine region is a central region of the diaphragm, and if the width of the spine region increases towards the front edge of the diaphragm. The present invention also relates to a radiotherapy apparatus comprising a multi-leaf collimator and a block collimator, the block collimator comprising a diaphragm with variable thickness, and to a block collimator for use in radiotherapy apparatus comprising a diaphragm moveable into and out of a beam, and having a thickness in the direction of the beam axis that varies.

The invention concerns a converter which includes two input terminals and two output terminals, a main transformer presenting primary and secondary windings connected between the input terminals and the output terminals respectively, a switching device, a first inductance and a first capacitance forming a first resonant circuit with the primary winding of the main transformer, a wound regulation transformer, presenting a primary winding, and a secondary winding connected in series with one of the windings of the main transformer, a switching device, a second inductance and a second capacitance forming a second resonant circuit with the primary winding of the regulation transformer and with this switching device and a command forming the first and second resonant circuits at a resonance frequency less than or equal to the resonance frequencies of the resonant circuits.

A floating base (22) for a building, the base (22) comprising at least one buoyant basement unit (30) defining a basement level, and a reinforced concrete transfer slab (32) atop the or each basement unit (30). The basement level provides habitable or functional space for the building, and the transfer slab (32) has at least one access opening giving access to the basement level. Preferably, the base comprises at least two buoyant basement units, wherein each of the basement units is independently buoyant for assembly with at least one other basement unit during construction of the base, said basement units thereby assuming a final position in which said units are closely adjacent or in contact to define a basement level comprising two or more of said units. The invention also extends to a method for constructing a floating base for a building, and a method for launching a buoyant basement unit.

A resistance exercise and physical therapy apparatus is provided. The resistance exercise and physical therapy apparatus includes: an elongate resilient member having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the elongate resilient member includes an elastic material with a first enlargement at the proximal end, a second enlargement at the distal end, and one or more spaced-apart third enlargements along the length of the elongate resilient member, wherein the first enlargement is grasped by a first foot of a human user or by one or more floor or wall mounted sockets. A method of resistance exercise and a kit including the resistance exercise and physical therapy apparatus are also provided.

A floating base for a building, the base comprising at least one buoyant basement unit defining a basement level, and a reinforced concrete transfer slab atop the or each basement unit. The basement level provides habitable or functional space for the building, and the transfer slab has at least one access opening giving access to the basement level. Preferably, the base comprises at least two buoyant basement units, wherein each of the basement units is independently buoyant for assembly with at least one other basement unit during construction of the base, said basement units thereby assuming a final position in which said units are closely adjacent or in contact to define a basement level comprising two or more of said units. The invention also extends to a method for constructing a floating base for a building, and a method for launching a buoyant basement unit.

The present invention contemplates a method for the attachment of a component to a honeycomb structure comprising forming a cavity in the honeycomb structure whereby the cavity is formed within one or more honeycomb cells; placing an insert adapted to enable the attachment of the component to the honeycomb structure whereby a reformable epoxy resin adhesive is injected about the insert or an expandable reformable epoxy resin adhesive is overmolded onto the insert; heating the reformable epoxy resin adhesive; and hardening and adhering the reformable epoxy resin adhesive to one or more interior walls of the cavity upon cooling.

The present invention includes a method for the attachment of a bracket to a panel structure comprising providing an adhesive for attaching the bracket to the panel structure; placing the bracket in a desired location on the panel structure; heating the adhesive; and hardening the adhesive so the bracket is adhered to the panel structure.

The present invention relates generally to microscopy and, more particularly, to a novel specimen heating and retaining assembly designed to eliminate or reduce z-axis drift during microscopic examination of heated specimens. Attributes of the novel system of the present invention include that it has a minimal thermal mass allowing temperature to be changed / controlled more rapidly. Additionally the heat dissipated by this minimal thermal mass is insulated from the stage of the microscope which greatly reduces the thermal expansion of the scope stage and scope body. The support surface of the heated plate is coplanar with the specimen plane so that the dimensional changes that occur due to changes in heat do not affect the Z axis position of the specimen. The novel system of the present invention is also adjustable so that the end user can compensate for variations in the thicknesses of a variety of commercially available plastic ware and glass slides.

The present invention is a hollow body stringed musical instrument that utilizes a low mass, soundboard having a 12 to 25 foot radius dome configuration. The soundboard is made of a three ply torsion box design utilizing a honeycomb stiffening layer as the central core. Linear adjustable tuning braces are incorporated in the hollow body. The side and back of the instrument are also of a three ply construction having a polymer ir inorganic foam as the central layer. (Preferably this will be a closed cell foam.) The back also has a domed configuration with a 12 to 15 foot radius. All structural braces are eliminated from the interior of the instrument's body.

Method for making plastic fiber for application in concrete with largest grain diameters >4 mm, with an average diameter of 0.15 to 2 mm, corresponding to approximately 160 to 28,000 dtex. Using a co-extrusion process, a bi-component fiber is formed having a central core and a casing around the central core, the central core and the casing contain different pure polymers or polymer mixtures, and then the co-extruded bi-component fiber is stretched by a factor of 5 to 15, and thereafter a structured or grooved surface is embossed onto the co-extruded stretched bi-component fiber. The embossing is performed such that a depth of the embossing is more than 10% of an average fiber diameter, and a maximal distances of structure tips within incorporated structures of the embossing in an axial direction lie in a region between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.

A thermal processing apparatus is disclosed which separates the load bearing components from the thermal components, improving heating time, cooling time, thermal response, and energy efficiency. The thermal processing apparatus comprises an array of cylindrical heating elements which rest on support plates of high temperature, low density material. The support plates and heating elements are then supported by a rigid skeletal structure for load bearing support.

A plurality of floatable constructions are provided, the constructions including a floating base for a building, the base having at least one buoyant basement unit defining a basement level, and a reinforced concrete transfer platform atop the basement unit. The basement level can provide habitable or functional space for the building, and the transfer platform has at least one access opening giving access to the basement level which is enhanced by windows for light and ventilation. Methods and means of tying modular components of the structures together, and materials suitable for manufacturing such ties, are also provided.

A stabilizing system for a pneumatic tire and wheel assembly includes complimentary projections and grooves on internal regions of the tire which contact each during an under-inflated condition. The projections and grooves mate with each other during the under-inflated condition to provide mechanical and positive interconnection between the regions in a direction of travel thereby inhibiting lateral movement between the tire and the rim.

The invention relates to a streamer ball 10 for use in tennis-type bat and bouncing ball games played with bats having rigid, untensioned ball-striking surfaces and comprises an impact body 12, a tail 14 and a spacer stem 16. The impact body comprises a hemispherical front compression body part 24 including a resiliently compressible frontal impact zone; and a hemispherical rear ballast body part 26. The spacer stem includes a stem formation 17, an anchor formation 28 embedded in the rear ballast body part 26 and an attachment formation 32 for the tail comprising elongate streamers which extend rearwardly from the spacer stem in flight. The rear ballast body part has a greater density than that of the front compression body part and the combined mass of the rear ballast body part and the spacer stem provides ballast rearwardly of the front compression body part providing for adequate compression of the frontal impact zone upon impact.