A motor vehicle includes a first side member having first lower and upper darts. The motor vehicle also includes a second side member parallel with and spaced apart from the first side member, the second side member having second lower and upper darts. The upper darts are positioned between the lower darts and end portions of the respective first or second side members. The motor vehicle further includes first and second bumper brackets coupled to the end portion of the respective first or second side members, a bumper reinforcement member coupled to the first and second bumper brackets, and a counter rotation bracket coupled to the bumper reinforcement member and extending upwards from the bumper reinforcement member. The lower darts and the upper darts form a preferential buckling zone of the first and the second side members.

Processes for preparation of macroporous membranes having unusually high equilibrium protein binding capacities are described. Membranes include a self-supporting porous membrane substrate and a grafted polymeric film on the pore surfaces of the substrate. A polymeric film may be grafted to the porous membrane substrate using surface-initiated polymerization. The grafted polymer chains within the polymeric film can act as molecular ‘brushes’ or ‘tentacles’ in solution and can contain one or more capture chemistries for biomolecules. Membranes can be used in the separation and purification of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, virus or virus-like particles, endotoxins, and the like.

Disclosed is a pressurized hollow fiber membrane module that exhibits improved durability without deterioration in packing density and permeation flux. The pressurized hollow fiber membrane module includes a composite hollow fiber membrane comprising a tubular braid woven by yarns and a polymer film on the outer surface of the tubular braid. At least one of the yarns comprises a small-fineness filament and a medium-fineness filament. The small-fineness filament comprises first monofilaments having a fineness of 0.01 to 0.4 denier, the medium-fineness filament comprises second monofilaments having a fineness higher than 0.4 and lower than 3, and a ratio of thickness of the tubular braid to outer diameter thereof is 15 to 35%.

Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method of increasing dialysis dose and waste removal with the introduction of mechanical energy, such as vibration, to a hemodiafiltration membrane The method generally includes providing a dialyzer that includes a vibration element in engaged vibratory communication with a hemodiafiltration membrane The method also includes enabling extracorporeal flow of pre-dialyzed blood and a dialysate through the dialyzer and respectively past opposing surfaces of a vibrating hemodiafiltration membrane to achieve a solute clearance from the pre-dialyzed blood that is at least about 10% greater than a solute clearance from the pre-dialyzed blood obtained in the absence of the engaged vibratory communication Various apparatus are also disclosed, each of which includes a vibration element in vibratory communication with the dialyzer.

A support bracket for a cabin air compressor (CAC) assembly includes a CAC mounting portion with a plurality of CAC mounting holes distributed in an arc configuration along a CAC mounting hole circle radius. A support portion includes a ramped face that transitions to an upper lug portion and a substantially perpendicular face relative to the CAC mounting portion. An upper lug extends from the upper lug portion. The upper lug includes a coupling hole that is offset from a first CAC mounting hole of the CAC mounting holes at a length in a first direction and a length in a second direction. A ratio of the CAC mounting hole circle radius to the length in the first direction is between 2.14 and 2.20, and a ratio of the CAC mounting hole circle radius to the length in the second direction is between 1.16 and 1.19.

Membranes for membrane distillation include at least one hollow fiber porous hydrophobic membrane, the at least one membrane including carbon nanotubes incorporated into the pore structure of the membrane. Membrane distillation systems may include a heat exchanger operably connected to a hollow fiber membrane module with one or more membranes including carbon nanotubes. Methods of solvent removal, sample preconcentration and desalination employing hollow fiber porous hydrophobic membranes with carbon nanotubes are disclosed.

A machine (1) for tying vegetation, in particular vine, raspberry or similar branches, including a unit (4) for lifting up the branches, an element (5) for supplying tying-up wires (50) and members (7, 8) for binding the tying-up wires. These binding members include two pivoting arms (7, 8) that are mounted to pivot around vertical axes (A) and be moved by jacks. One of the arms (7) comprises an on-board tie magazine (71) that is arranged in the extension of a tying head (72), and the other arm (8) includes an insertion head (82) cooperating with the tying head (72) when the arms (7, 8) are in a working position in order to fit the tie (60) on the tying-up wires (50).

The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic braking apparatus for a crane drive for carrying out crane work, in particular a slewing gear, having at least one hydraulic stopping brake for braking the drive movement of the crane drive in an emergency situation, wherein at least one pressure regulation valve is provided for controlling at least one stopping brake to ensure a time-delayed braking torque build-up.

In one implementation, a method for providing a fluid at a target pressure may include providing a fluid at a velocity to a supply line through a dispenser, measuring a pressure of the fluid flowing through the supply line, comparing the measured pressure with the target pressure, and adjusting the velocity based on the results of the comparison.

A method and apparatus for fabricating microbraided structures is provided. A microbraiding device includes first and second carrier members that are movable with respect to each other. Each carrier includes a plurality of shelters. Spool-less strands of microfiber are retained in shuttles that are movable between the first and second shelters under magnetic forces. The microbraid structure is fabricated as the shuttles move between the first shelters, and as the first carrier member moves relative to the second carrier member.

A braided carbon nanotube thread includes at least three carbon nanotube filaments braided into a thread. The carbon nanotube filaments include a plurality of carbon nanotubes, each of the carbon nanotubes having a length L. The carbon nanotube filaments are braided such that the carbon nanotube thread has at least 8 intersections per the length L of each carbon nanotube. The carbon nanotube thread has a tensile strength greater than the tensile strength of the constituent carbon nanotube filaments.

A medical balloon with a variable diameter that is reinforced with continuous fibers woven to form a fabric with a varying number of layers and fiber densities. Portions of the balloon having a relatively smaller diameter are reinforced with a fabric having a reduced fiber density and an increased number of layers to facilitate the placement of the layers. The fabric also includes a braiding pattern that facilitates the transition from a single layer fabric to a multiple layer fabric. Also described is a manufacturing method for the braiding and layering.

Branched braided stent or graft devices and processes for fabrication of the devices are disclosed in which a trunk portion and two hinge leg portions are fabricated in one piece braided from a single plurality of filaments, whereby the legs contain the full plurality of filaments and the trunk portion contains a subset of the same plurality of filaments. The fabrication process involves braiding the hinged legs on a mandrel while retaining loops of filament between the hinged leg portions for subsequent braiding of the trunk portion of the stent or graft.

A self-expanding, pseudo-braided device embodying a high expansion ratio and flexibility as well as comformability and improved radial force. The pseudo-braided device is particularly suited for advancement through and deployment within highly tortuous and very distal vasculature. Various forms of the pseudo-braided device are adapted for the repair of aneurysms and stenoses as well as for use in thrombectomies and embolic protection therapy.

A braider for braiding wires to a tube comprising an iris assembly having stacked iris plates. Each of the iris plates includes a center aperture, a wire orifice disposed radially outward from the center aperture, and an arcuate channel. The iris plates are rotatable relative to each other to adjust a circumferential orientation of the wire orifices relative to each other. The arcuate channel(s) of each respective iris plate is coincident with the wire orifice(s) of the remaining iris(es). The braider comprises a feeder assembly configured for advancing the tube through the center apertures, and advancing the wires through the respective wire orifices. The braider further comprises a braiding assembly configured for braiding a plurality of filaments around the tube and the plurality of wires as they are fed through the iris assembly, thereby creating a braided tube assembly.

This invention provides new above knee (AK) and below the knee (BK) prosthetic sockets and implements specific manufacturing processes for the production of prosthetic sockets through the automated, computer controlled bi-axial and tri-axial braiding of sockets, over a mold or mandrel made of carved foam, plaster material or wax that is a replica of the patient's truncated limb, and is created by a Computer Aided Design (CAD) file controlling a Numerically Controlled (CNC) machine tool. This method of manufacture using aerospace fibers such as graphite or Kevlar, and high performance resins, is used to create a socket which is stronger and lighter weight than conventionally manufactured sockets. Braiding also allows incorporation of woven cloth, tapes and other reinforcements into the braiding process for added strength at selected areas. The method dramatically decreases the production time and cost of the prosthetic relative to conventional methods.

A system for making braided barbed sutures includes a filament winding assembly, and a guide assembly including at least one barbed insert dispenser opening defining a passageway for orienting a barbed insert. The guide assembly is adapted to dispense at least one barbed insert from the dispenser opening into the filament winding assembly for winding a plurality of filaments around the at least one barbed insert for making a braided barbed suture. The passageway of the dispenser opening is adapted to allow longitudinal movement of the barbed insert relative to the passageway while simultaneously preventing twisting movement of the barbed insert relative to the passageway. As the barbed insert is being dispensed, the barbed insert dispenser opening is selectively rotatable for imparting rotation to the barbed insert as the filaments are wound about the barbed insert. The passageway may be an elongated slit having a greater width than height.

A braider comprises a plurality of horngears. The horngears can be arranged for forming at least two closed paths for braiding. Each horngear has a driving gear and a hornplate. Each horngear can be selectably operated in a first mode, to rotate with the driving gear, and in a second mode, in which the driving gear rotates, but the hornplate does not. Bobbin carriers are positioned on some of the horngears. A track is configurable in: a first flat braiding mode with the carriers arranged on the horngears, so that there is one or more separate closed path for forming a first flat braid configuration; and a second flat braiding mode for forming a second flat braid configuration different from the first flat braid configuration. A switch is provided for changing a configuration of the track between the first and second flat braiding modes.

A manufacture method of a three dimensional (3D) braided composite tube with a throat section includes: providing an assembled mandrel comprising an upper mandrel and a lower mandrel, and braiding an 3D braided inner layer on the upper mandrel; winding fiber yarns to form a fiber yarn layer over the 3D braided inner layer; tightening the 3D braided inner layer to the assembled mandrel by an appropriate tension force when winding; and infiltrating resin and increasing temperature to cure the resin for obtaining a composite tube with a narrower throat section. The present invention takes advantage of winding fiber yarn outer layer to keep the radius of the throat of the 3D braided inner layer to meet design requirement. Additionally, the hoop strength of the throat section is increased so that the metal shell can be made thinner to reduce the weight of the rocket nozzle.

A tubular braid and mechanisms for forming the braid are described. The mechanism for braiding includes a disc, a mandrel, a plurality of catch mechanisms, and a plurality of actuators. The disc defines a plane and a circumferential edge. The mandrel extends from a center of the disc and is adapted to hold a plurality of filaments extending radially from the mandrel toward the circumferential edge of the disc. The plurality of catch mechanisms are positioned circumferentially around the edge of the disc and are adapted to engage a filament. The plurality of actuators are configured to move relative to one another and are adapted to move the plurality of catch mechanisms in a substantially radial direction relative to the circumferential edge of the disc.

Devices and methods for forming a tubular braid comprising a plurality of filaments. The braiding machine includes a circular array of filament guiding members defining a plane; a mandrel defining an axis and adapted to carry one or more filaments extending from the mandrel to the circular array; a plurality of filaments extending from the mandrel in a radial array; a plurality of actuator mechanisms disposed operably about the disc; and a rotating mechanism adapted to rotate one or more filaments. The actuator mechanisms and rotating mechanism are configured to move each of the one or more filaments about the mandrel axis in a path comprising a series of arcs and radial movements. The braiding machine may alternately first and second annular members, a mandrel, first and second plurality of tubular wire guides, and a plurality of wires extending from the mandrel.

Devices and methods for forming a tubular braid comprising a plurality of filaments. The method for braiding includes the step of loading a plurality of filaments on a mandrel and extending the filaments radially from the mandrel, the plurality of filaments have a first subset and a second subset. Tension is applied to the plurality of filaments using a weight attached to each filament. The first subset of the plurality of filaments is engaged, moved circumferentially relative to the second subset, and then released. The second subset of filaments is then engaged and moved circumferentially relative to the first subset of filaments, such that a tubular braid of filaments is formed.

A continuous braid structure has one or more first braid sections, each having a respective single flat braid or a respective single tubular braid. A plurality of second braid sections each have at least two flat braids with a gap between them. The second braid sections alternate with the one or more first braid sections. The adjacent first and second braid sections are continuous with each other. A length of material extends through the respective gap of at least one of the one or more second braid sections, so the length of material crosses one or more times between a first side of the continuous braid and a second side of the continuous braid.

A method of braiding reinforcing fibers on a mandrel (8) with a machine having a ring (9) carrying at least two series of reels of fibers, by moving the mandrel at a predetermined forward speed while moving the two series of reels along the ring (9) so that they cross while rotating in opposite directions and at a predetermined speed of rotation about an axis (AX) of the ring. The braid is formed on the mandrel (8) in the vicinity of a region of convergence (R) of the fibers that together define a conical shape (C). The method comprises: a step of reconfiguring the machine in which the angle (a2) at the apex of the cone (C) defined by the fibers takes on a new value (a2); and a step of restarting braiding in which the movement of the reels along the ring (9) and the forward movement of the mandrel (8) are re-established with a new speed of rotation and a new speed of advance.

An exhaust connection coupler and a method for manufacturing a braid cover incorporated therein are provided. The method of manufacturing comprises the steps of providing a tubular sleeve formed of braided wire filaments and forming at least one end of the sleeve into shape using a forming die such that the at least one end of the cover includes a circumferential neck portion having a diameter smaller than the diameter of a body portion of the cover. In the method, the sleeve may be pressed between male and female forming dies in order to create the cover's desired shape, which can include a shoulder extending radially outwardly from the cover's neck portion and meeting the cover's body portion at a corner.

A method of manufacturing a corrugated preform that allows a fiber volume fraction and an orientation angle to be substantially the same at a concave portion and at a convex portion when the corrugated preform is manufactured based on a braiding process. The method includes braiding a composite material corresponding to an outer diameter of a cylindrical cylinder shape, braiding the composite material by connecting a plurality of separate composite materials to one side of the braided composite material, and braiding the composite material to one side of the separate composite material corresponding to the outer diameter of the cylindrical cylinder shape.

A method for calibrating a moving object impact detector is disclosed. A controller may receive input indicative of movement of an impact element from a first position to a second position. The controller may also receive an activation signal corresponding to the movement of the impact element. The controller may further receive input indicative of instructions to correlate the activation signal with the movement of the impact element. The controller may selectively set the activation signal as a reference signal for the detector, with the reference signal being indicative of an impact the moving object impact detector is set to detect.

A method for automatically controlling braking of a powered system or consist includes automatically applying a first degree of braking to a consist during a first time period when a powered unit of the consist is being locally or remotely controlled via an onboard control system in an absence of control inputs from an onboard operator. The first degree of braking is based on a first deceleration force selected so that the consist is slowed in a manner effective to limit a peak deceleration rate experienced by the consist sufficient for reducing unintended movement of at least one of one or more riders or cargo onboard the consist. The method also includes automatically applying a second degree of braking to the consist during a second time period following the first time period.

A vibrating machine for producing a molded body by compacting a granular raw mixture includes an oscillatable vibrating table configured to receive a molding box. A clamping device is produced by at least two clamping closures, each including: a pivot bracket having a lower end being pivotally mounted on the vibrating table and an upper end including a cranking which is directed outward; a double-acting hydraulic pivot cylinder pivotally mounted on the vibrating table; a two-armed rocker arm pivotally connected to the pivot bracket and including an inner part that cooperates with the molding box and an outer part that cooperates with the hydraulic pivot cylinder; and a compression spring disposed between the cranking and the outer part of the rocker arm such that the rocker arm releases from a position closing the respective clamping closure upon a pressure in the hydraulic pivot cylinder being relieved.

An adjustable mechanical vibration limiting and absorbing device for an archery bow including a hollow housing and two groups of elastomer washers provided in the hollow housing with a means for preventing the first group from advancing out of the hollow housing and separating the first group from the second group. In addition, a fastener extends through the center of the first and second groups of elastomer washers and a lock nut and weight are provided on the projecting end of the fastener.

An archery bow vibration dampening and balancing device is attachable to an archery bow by means of an elongated clamp with a housing pivotably interconnected to the elongated clamp opposite the attachment point. A vibration dampening and balancing device is secured in an opening formed in the housing.

A vibration dampened barrel for a crossbow preferably includes at least two vibration dampening chambers, which extend at least a portion of a length of the vibration dampened barrel. The at least two vibration dampening chambers are at least partially filled with a vibration dampening material, such as silicone, rubber, low density foam, high density foam, or any other suitable material that absorbs noise and or vibration. The vibration dampening material is preferably applied by injection, compression, spray, pouring or any other suitable method. The vibration dampening material is retained in the at least two vibration dampening chambers by curing or hardening; mechanically confinement including the use of fasteners or a plug; or with any other suitable method. The at least two vibration dampening chambers may be partially or fully filled. The vibration dampening material may also be placed on a surface inside an extruded barrel.

A trolley braking system for smoothly reducing the speed of a rider supported by a harness on a cable or rope approaching a landing platform comprises a vessel containing a fluid of selected viscosity and having a turbine rotatably mounted on a shaft in the interior. A braking cable is secured to a reel on the turbine shaft outside the cylinder and routed through a pulley to a braking block, which is slidably mounted on the cable between the trolley and the landing platform. The system may also may also include turbine blades of adjustable dimensions, so that the braking force may be controlled. The system may also include a counterweight suspended by a retraction cable which is coupled to the turbine shaft to rewind the braking cable on the reel for repeated use.

A brake for a trolley which travels atop a zip line is presented. The brake includes a brake body having a brake body with a top plate and two side plates extending downward from the top plate, the top plate having an underside which faces the zip line. One or both of the side plates may contain an aperture for accepting a rigid member which secures the trolley to the brake body. A brake pad is preferably positioned on the underside of the top plate. Exemplary embodiments may contain a brake extension which connects with the brake body and extends downward towards the user.

A brake and capture system for zip lining are disclosed. The brake has a housing with first and second ends. Inside the brake are a number of fixed guide plates, each with an angled slot. A number of wheels are mounted are movably mounted within the housing so as to be guided by the angled slots. When the brake is struck by a trolley with sufficient momentum, the wheels within the brake are driven inwardly by the angled slots, into rolling engagement with the zip line, to slow the trolley. The trolley and brake may be provided with complementary engaging structures, such that the brake may be sent out on the zip line to capture the trolley if it has insufficient momentum.

A bellows arrangement on a guide bar of a disc brake, particularly of a commercial vehicle, has an end of the bellows comprising a sealing ring, particularly a quad ring, lying in a circumferential groove of the guide bar. The bellows is pressed into the groove by a retaining ring placed thereon, and is designed so that an air passage can form in the contact area of the sealing ring at the base of the groove, reducing the volume enclosed by the bellows and the guide bar. To this end, the contact shoulder formed on the retaining ring is circumferentially interrupted in segments.

The present application provides for ceramic collars and metal rings for active brazing in sodium-based thermal batteries. The ceramic collar may be an alpha-alumina collar configured for active brazing, and thereby sealing, to outer and inner Ni rings for use in NaMx cells. The portions of the alpha-alumina collar active brazed to the outer and inner Ni rings may be outwardly facing and include inwardly extending recesses. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings active brazed to the outwardly facing portions of the collar may be inwardly facing. The alpha-alumina collar may include a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than each of the outer and inner Ni rings, and the alpha-alumina collar and outer and inner Ni rings may be configured such that a portion of the outer and inner Ni rings is deformed into the inwardly extending recesses of the alpha-alumina collar after active brazing thereof.

A bone conduction hearing aid device comprising a vibrator configured to vibrate in response to sound signals received by the device. The device further comprises a housing mass forming a housing for one or more operational components of the device, wherein the housing mass is attached to the vibrator so as to move in response to the vibration. The device also comprises a coupling configured to attach the device to a recipient so as to deliver the generated mechanical to the recipient's skull.

Systems and associated methods for reciprocity calibration of MIMO wireless communication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a base station, a first set of pilot symbols by receivers (RXes) of the base station based on a first pilot symbol transmitted from a transmitter (TX) of at least one reference antenna, transmitting, by the base station, a second pilot symbol by TXes of the base station, wherein the transmitted second pilot symbol is received by an RX of the at least one reference antenna as a second set of r0,i pilot symbols calculating non-reciprocity compensation factors based on the first set of pilot symbols and the second set of pilot symbols.

Methods and apparatus to calibrate rod pump controllers are described. An example method includes obtaining initial values related to a pumping unit, determining parameters based on the initial values, the parameters including at least one of a leaked off load value, a residual friction value, and a buoyant rod weight value, and based on one or more of the initial values and the parameters, calculating one or more dimensions of a rod string, the one or more dimensions to be used to determine a pump card of the pumping unit.

A check valve includes a ball and a seat. The seat includes a body and a hole extending through the body. The hole is smaller in diameter than the ball. The body of the seat is formed from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. The ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene of the seat has an ASTM D648 heat deflection temperature of 46.7° C. at 1.8 MPa.

A gas separation process that utilizes ejector recycle with a membrane separation step in combination with a second separation step. The second separation step may be a second membrane separation, or may involve a different type of separation process. At least a portion of the non-product (i.e. residue) stream withdrawn from the second separation step is directed back to the ejector to form a processing loop. The ejector drives the gas flow in the loop and recycles the non-product stream to the first separation step.

Rotary cutting apparatus has a frame, a first rotary device and a second rotary device. Each of the first and second rotary devices has a shaft concentrically arranged about a rotational axis and a drum and are arranged in the frame in such a way that said first and second axes are substantially horizontal and substantially in the same vertical plane. A pair of bearing housings is arranged on either side of each of the drums. A first pair of bearing housings is movable relative to the frame in a transverse direction to the first rotational axis by means of a force means. Means is provided for passive vibration attenuation of at least the first shaft that includes a mass damper having a housing and a damping body movably arranged inside the housing, wherein the mass damper is associated with the first pair of bearing housings.

A hair clipper has a base structural housing with a blade set operably secured thereto. The blade set has a stationary blade and a reciprocating blade. The base has at least one support for a rotary motor. A flexible motor vibration and noise damper fits over half of the motor, and a motor cover is secured to the base structural housing over the vibration damper. A secondary housing cover is secured to the base structural housing over the motor cover.

A safety scalpel that incorporates a reusable metal scalpel handle (500) similar in shape and feel to the conventional metal handle preferred by most surgeons, and a disposable blade cartridge (300) that covers the blade (100) before, during and after use, and is easily mounted and released from the scalpel handle. The blade cartridge includes a blade (100) with similar cutting profiles as standard surgical blades, a blade holder that is permanently fixed to the blade, and a blade guard (300) that covers the blade and within which the blade holder (200) is able to slide. The scalpel handle is reusable, while the blade cartridge is disposable. The blade cartridge is attachable and detachable from the scalpel handle and may include a mechanical brake (1301) to prevent movement of the blade except when the reusable handle is in place. A safety latch feature (2230) is provided.

Technologies for controlling timing calibration of a dedicated inter-integrated circuit data bus by a primary microcontroller are disclosed. The primary microcontroller performs a data transfer with a secondary integrated circuit using the dedicated inter-integrated circuit data bus, and determines a duration of the data transfer. If the duration is outside of an acceptable range, the primary microcontroller updates one or more data transfer timing parameters so that the duration of future data transfers are closer to the acceptable range.

A heat transport fluid passage device for a heat transport circuit has a wall defining a passage through which a heat transport fluid flows. The heat transport fluid contains a solvent made of water or an organic substance and fine particles dispersed in the solvent. A hydrophobic membrane is formed on a surface of the wall.

A dressing blade for finishing and reconditioning new and used abrasive grinding and cutting tools has a slab-shaped shank with an extension protruding longitudinally from the shank. Superabrasive grains are disposed on the surface of the extension and held in place by a brazed metal composition. This composition is formed by brazing a powdered mixture of brazing metal components and active metal components. Specific extension configurations are provided which allow aligning the superabrasive grains in single layer arrangement for precise dressing and simple fabrication of the tool. The novel dressing tool exhibits excellent wear characteristics.

A method of dressing a wheel using a polycrystalline CVD synthetic diamond dresser, the method comprising: rotating the wheel; and contacting a working surface of the wheel with a working surface of the polycrystalline CVD synthetic diamond dresser, wherein the polycrystalline CVD synthetic diamond dresser is oriented such that a leading edge of the working surface of the polycrystalline CVD synthetic diamond dresser is formed of larger grains than a trailing edge of the working surface of the polycrystalline CVD synthetic diamond dresser.

A knit fabric having a modified knit structure, having a front layer of knit fabric and a back layer of knit fabric, wherein the front layer and back layer are joined together by rows of tuck stitches formed from a yarn having no more than 3% elongation and wherein the knit fabric is puncture resistant, and optionally cut and/or abrasion resistant, and a protective garment made therefrom.