The invention is a projectile, device and system having a roll control device which may be fixed or deployable, for providing torque counter to the spin of the projectile and providing drag on the projectile. The roll control device includes a guidance collar rotatably attached to the projectile located near a front end of the projectile wherein the guidance collar includes one or more guidance collar aero-surfaces shaped to provide torque counter to the spin on the projectile. The guidance collar aero-surfaces may be controlled by a brake and guidance electronics on the projectile. The invention also includes a body collar fixedly attached to the projectile aft of the guidance collar, wherein the body collar includes one or more body collar aero-surfaces and fixed or deployable drag devices. Another embodiment use only a guidance collar aero-surfaces to orient a fixed drag device relative to an Earth inertial reference frame to create asymmetrical drag on the projectile and thereby altering its trajectory.

A system for securing a first tubular to a second tubular including a housing having at least one group of at least one window therein. A gripping assembly is disposed in the housing and has at least one member operatively arranged for selectably extending through the at least one window for internally gripping the first tubular. A coupling unit is included having a first clamping mechanism and a second clamping mechanism. The first clamping mechanism is operatively arranged for externally clamping the housing, and the second clamping mechanism is operatively arranged for externally clamping the second tubular component. A method of securing together two tubular components is also included.

An improved rapid thermal conversion process for efficiently converting wood, other biomass materials, and other carbonaceous feedstock (including hydrocarbons) into high yields of valuable liquid product, e.g., bio-oil, on a large scale production, is disclosed. In the process, biomass material, e.g., wood, is fed to a conversion system where the biomass material is mixed with an upward stream of hot heat carriers, e.g., sand, that thermally convert the biomass into a hot vapor stream. The hot vapor stream is rapidly quenched with quench media in one or more condensing chambers located downstream of the conversion system. The rapid quenching condenses the vapor stream into liquid product, which is collected from the condensing chambers as a valuable liquid product.

A workpiece elevating support device which can be utilized by being installed in a carriage-type conveying apparatus for conveying an automobile body while changing the height thereof in each section in an automobile assembly line. The workpiece elevating support device includes at least two center-folding double link mechanisms arranged in parallel on a base, each of which is composed of a lower parallel link, an intermediate link member, an upper parallel link, and an upper link member. The upper link member is consecutively provided with a workpiece support. There is juxtaposed a lock to hold the center-folding double link mechanisms in an expanding-rising posture, which is taken when the upper link members are vertically raised to a predetermined height.

A spin stand device has an adjustable base frame to allow width and depth profile adjustments and a multitude of mounting accessories which can account for efficiently painting a body part or item of many different types, makes, models, and years of vehicles; with minimized drying time and greatly reduced painting time due to the variety of positions achievable during the painting process.

An eyebrow shaping method includes providing an image of a face. Three guidelines are determined on the image and thee points are located via the guidelines. An eyebrow is shaped to have Golden Ration proportions via the three points.

Keratinous fiber treatment formulations and methods of providing a long lasting set in keratinous fibers such as hair by applying a polymer system to the hair which provides a stable set to the hair which will last at least until the hair is thoroughly washed. The set is made more permanent by incorporating a reducing agent such as L-cysteine into the polymer system and allowing the system to air oxidize over time or optionally applying a second chemical oxidizing system to the treated hair which will accelerate the oxidation process and the setting rate of the hair.

Synthetic microfiber articles of manufacture and methods for use in consumer applications for absorbing liquids and cleaning surfaces.

A hairpiece or wig is formed of a substrate having at least two layers or sets of fibers. The hairpiece has a wig cap section which forming the core of the hairpiece to be placed on the head of an individual. The wig cap may be formed of a plurality of selectively-deformable rings adapted to adjustably conform to a head of an individual. A mesh section of the wig cap may adorn the portion of the wig cap corresponding to the forehead of the individual. The mesh section may have opposing parting areas on the left and right anterior portions of wig cap formed by recesses extending into the deformable ring portion of the wig cap. Hair strands extending from each parting area may have different shades and/or colors from one another and/or any hair strands extending from the deformable ring portion of the wig cap.

An object is to overcome the drawbacks of conventional blue phthalocyanine pigments upon the formation of images, and to develop a blue pigment that can satisfactorily exhibit a greenish blue color high in chroma and excellent in colorfulness, brightness, dispersibility, hue, tinting power and the like and that is applicable to various image recording methods. The object can be achieved by a greenish blue pigment, which exhibits a greenish blue hue of high chroma and contains a pigment represented by the following formula (I): wherein the number, m, of substituent phthalimidomethyl group(s) is in a range of 1.0≦m≦5.0, and the number, n, of a substituent sulfonic group R1 is in a range of 0.05≦n≦1.0.

Aqueous binder compositions with reduced rates of salt precipitation are described. The compositions may include a carbohydrate and a sequestrant for sequestering one or more multivalent ions (e.g., Ca2+, Mg2+, Ba2+, Al3+, Fe2+, Fe3+, etc.). The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the aqueous binder composition. Methods of reducing salt precipitation from a binder composition are also described. The methods may include the steps of providing an aqueous binder solution having one or more carbohydrates. They may also include adding a sequestrant for one or more multivalent ions to the aqueous binder solution. The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the binder composition.

A non-aqueous drywall compound being the combination of a first component mixture of acetone, a non-aqueous liquid adhesive containing ethyl cyanoacrylate, and a powder containing calcium sulfate hemihydrate (plaster of Paris), the mixture being a pliable putty capable of adhering to gypsum wallboard or similar work surfaces. The second component of the drywall compound is an accelerator or activator containing acetone and toluene. The first component is applied to a defect in a work surface using a spreading tool and the second component is then applied to the exposed surface of the first component, such as by spraying or brushing, whereupon the drywall compound cures, hardens or sets within less than ten minutes to a state capable of being sanded into a smooth, hard surface and painted.

A self-actuating tension head for a strapping machine includes a body defining a strap path, a drive wheel, a tension wheel a fixed distance from the drive wheel and a pinch wheel. The strap path extends between the tension and pinch wheels. A first link operably connects the drive and tension wheels and defines a first pivot arm that is pivotable about the drive wheel axis of rotation. A second link operably connects the tension and pinch wheels and defines a second pivot arm that is pivotable about the pinch wheel axis and movable along the second pivot arm to move the tension wheel into and out of engagement with the pinch wheel. The first and second pivot arms define an energizing angle therebetween that decreases as the tension wheel is moved into engagement with the pinch wheel and increases as the tension wheel is moved out of engagement with the pinch wheel.

The invention relates to a method for shaping a barrel spring made of a unitary ribbon of metallic glass that comprises calculating the theoretical shape to be given to said unitary ribbon of metallic glass so that each segment, once the spring is fitted in the barrel, is subjected to the maximum bending momentum, shaping said ribbon by imparting bends thereto characteristic of said free theoretical shape in order to take into account a potential reduction of the bends once the ribbon is released, relaxing the ribbon in order to set the shape thereof by heating the same, and cooling down said ribbon.

A plier tool for crimping electrical connectors to wires includes two plier handles that are pivotally connected together by a pivotal coupling that allows for rotation of the handles, towards and away from one another. The two plier handles each have gripping portions that are graspable by a user to rotate the plier handles about the axis of rotation. A crimping die is located on each plier handle, at an end opposite of the gripping portion thereof, and rotation of the plier handles causes the crimping dies to be moved towards and away from one another between engaging and non-engaging positions. The crimping die, together, define an opening that is configured to receive an electrical connector in a manner that positions the electrical connector in an endwise direction that is generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

A lead pin correction device includes a holding unit holding an electronic device having lead pins; a pressing unit pressing the electronic device held by the holding unit in an extending direction of the lead pins; and a correction fixture including holes having a shape corresponding to a shape of the lead pins after correction. Further, the shape of the lead pins is corrected so as to fit the shape of the holes by inserting the lead pins into the holes by pressing the electronic device with the pressing unit while distal ends of the lead pins are inserted into the holes, the electronic device being held by the holding unit.

Apparatus and methods for filament crimping. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a body and a filament crimp element. The filament crimp element comprises a first set of cavities disposed at a spacing which creates a first set of features and a second set of cavities disposed at a spacing which creates a second set of features. The first and second set cavities are substantially opposite one another. The first set of features are adapted to be placed at least partially within the second set of cavities and the second set of features are adapted to be placed at least partially within the first set of cavities. Methods and apparatus for the manufacture of the device are also disclosed. In addition, methods for automated placement and manufacture of assemblies using the crimp elements are also disclosed.

A crane jib system having a main jib, an auxiliary jib, and a telescoping cylinder. The main jib is comprised of main telescoping portions and the auxiliary jib is attached to the main jib and comprises auxiliary telescoping portions. The telescoping cylinder has a first telescopic part locking unit disposed on a base portion of the telescoping cylinder. The first telescopic locking unit is adapted to selectively engage the main telescoping portions. A second telescopic part locking unit is disposed on the telescoping cylinder above the first telescopic part locking unit. The second telescopic part locking unit is adapted to selectively engage the auxiliary telescoping portions.

A pipe handling apparatus has a frame, a boom pivotally connected to the frame so as to be movable between a first position and a second position, an arm extending outwardly of the boom when the boom is in the second position, a gripper affixed to the end of the arm opposite the boom, a first line having a first end affixed to the boom, a second line interconnected to an opposite end of the first line and connected to the frame, and an actuator interconnected to the first and second lines. The actuator changes an angular relationship of the first and second lines so as to selectively tension the lines. The second line includes a first cable offset from linear alignment with the first line and a second cable extending in angular relationship with the first cable.

A method and an apparatus for handling and/or servicing components of a wind turbine, such as installing and/or dismantling components into or from a wind turbine nacelle or such as servicing exterior components such as blades, hub, tower and nacelle of the wind turbine are disclosed. The gripping apparatus comprising at least one arm for gripping around the wind turbine tower, the at least one arm capable of forming a gap between gripping elements of the gripping apparatus. The at least one arm extends around the entire outer circumference, seen perpendicular to a horizontal plane, of the wind turbine tower.

A method of swing stopping control of a suspended load of a crane including a hoist and a trolley solves an equation of motion, given as an equation with respect to the deviation angle of a suspended load from the vertical direction when the trolley travels, for the trolley acceleration to thereby obtain the value of the acceleration or deceleration of the trolley, obtains speed patterns corresponding to the values of the acceleration or deceleration, drives the trolley according to the obtained speed patterns, and carries out control so that the deviation angle of the suspended load from the vertical direction becomes zero at the time when the acceleration or deceleration of the trolley is ended. Thus, even if the length of a rope holding the suspended load up is changed, a required speed pattern is produced to permit highly accurate positioning.

The invention relates to a liquid supply system wherein liquid, such as for example, a supply of warm water, circulates. Said system consists of thick outer tubes, the inner chamber of said thick outer tubes allowing a liquid to flow through, a thin inner tube is respectively placed inside the outer tube in which the liquid can flow in the direction counter to that in the inner chamber. In the path of at least one outer tube, a first tube branch is introduced enabling the first inner tube to be withdrawn, and in said first branch, at least one functional component, such as a shut-off valve, is introduced into the inner tube and guided to a second tube branch in the path of an outer tube and extends further through said tube branch and then into the inner chamber of the latter outer tube.

A valve assembly (10) is to be used in conjunction with a tubular member having an internal surface surrounding a passage into which the valve assembly is to be sealingly inserted. The valve assembly includes a tubular body (25) having a longitudinal passage and an outer surface to be located adjacent the internal surface. A seal (29) is mounted on the outer surface to engage the internal surface to sealingly connect the tubular body with the tubular member. A movable valve member (33) is movable between an open position providing for the flow of water from an upstream end to a downstream end of the passage of the tubular body and a closed position closing the passage. Resilient means, such as a spring (34) urges the valve member to the closed position. The resilient means is configured to provide for displacement of the valve member toward the open position when pressure beyond a predetermined pressure is applied upon the movable valve member.

An elastic longitudinal net (1) for longitudinal food products, especially cold meat products, is formed as a sleeve having at least one longitudinal main warp (21) of a tightening chain weave having at least one substantially inextensible thread (213, 214), and at least one weft (3) having at least one elastic fiber and circumferential sections (31), the ends of which are interweaved substantially perpendicularly between the substantially inextensible fiber and longitudinal sections (32) existing between neighboring circumferential sections (31) and running in a concurrent manner relative to and weaved with at least one main warp (21). The longitudinal sections are interweaved through at least one main warp (21) substantially perpendicularly relative to its longitudinal axis, passing through loops (215, 216) of the at least one substantially inextensible thread (213, 214) of the main warp, forming a serpentine run having at least two external loops (321).

Compounds of Formula I, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts, as well as compositions containing these compounds, have activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and may be useful in treating those infected with HCV:

The present invention is directed to a flexible concrete form system having both flexible and rigid parts that are easily assembled and disassembled using a multi-contact point connection system. The concrete form system can be extended or stacked in a wide variety of configurations to accommodate almost any desired concrete shape.

The invention relates to a molding tool for the production of components composed of fiber composite materials, in which the molding tool has a fiber composite structure and an electrical resistance heating element, whereby carbon fibers or carbon filaments are embedded into the fiber composite structure of the molding tool in a plastic matrix, close to the shaping surface of the molding tool. Such a molding tool is further developed in that the carbon fibers or carbon filaments in the plastic matrix, close to the shaping surface, essentially determine the mechanical strength of the molding tool, and that the electrical resistance heating element is interconnected in such a manner that at least individual sections of the electrical resistance heating element form an electrical parallel circuit with one another.

The present invention discloses a method and a forming system that reduces the hydrostatic pressure caused by casting freshly mixed concrete or other cementicious material into vertical forms. Reducing the hydrostatic pressure in forms enables relatively weak materials to be used as form boards and minimizes the amount of bracing necessary to support the form boards—both of which lead to lower construction costs. The method uses the highly thixotropic properties of no-slump or low-slump concrete which enable the concrete to be quickly changed from a semi-solid state to a liquid and back to a semi-solid state numerous times before it hardens and without affecting the concrete's quality. Since hydrostatic pressure is only present when a liquid state exists, minimizing the amount of liquid concrete in vertical forms will also minimize the hydrostatic pressure present.

An edge form system has a molded liner and a form board. The molded liner has a textured imprinting on the inner surface for forming a simulated stone coping and a first interlocking element. The form board has a base for mounting the form board on a vertical structure, a coping support wall, a liner receiver, and a second interlocking element for interlocking with the first interlocking element.

A system for accelerated manufacturing of concrete modular housing units including a first deck platform including a plurality of exterior movable wall forms. A second deck platform including a plurality of exterior movable wall forms. A first concrete slab is placed on the first deck platform. At least one core including a plurality of core walls placed on the first concrete slab. The exterior movable wall forms of the first deck platform are positioned proximate the core walls to define a wall space there between configured to receive wet concrete and create a first concrete modular housing unit. A second concrete slab is placed on the second deck platform. Wet concrete in the wall space is allowed to set a until it is partially cured and then the at least one core is removed from the first concrete slab and placed on the second concrete slab such that the at least one core can be reused one or more times during a predetermined amount of time to create a least a second concrete modular housing unit while the first concrete modular housing unit is still curing.

An early-stripping formwork system for concreting of constructions comprising beams, slab and columns comprises several rectangular standard formworks (1), props with multiple early-stripping support mechanisms (2), several filler beams (3) and filler panels. The standard formwork (1) consists of a panel (11) and a formwork frame (12), and the formwork frame (12) is provided with L-shaped corners (121) at its four corners. Each of the early-stripping prop (2) consists of an upper support inner tube (21) and a lower support tube (22) which form a telescopic connection, a rectangular head plate (23) is disposed at the top end of the upper support inner tube (21), one corner of the head plate (23) fits an internal corner of any one of the L-shaped corners (121) on the formwork frame (12). A load-releasing mechanism (24) is connected between the upper support inner tube (21) and the lower support outer tube (22). An early stripping mechanism (25) for early stripping of the standard formwork (1) is disposed on the upper support inner tube (21), short posts (251) for supporting the formwork frame (12) are disposed at four corners of the early stripping mechanism (25), and a structure for preventing the formwork frame (12) from slipping outwards is formed between the short post (251) and the L-shaped corner (121). The formwork frame (12), the filler panel, the filler beam (3), and a bridge beam (4) may be all in a detachable combined structure. In the formwork system, transport and storage of the formwork are convenient, and manufacturing cost is reduced.

A machine for carving workpieces having substantially similar configurations generally including a base member, means disposed on the base member for retaining at least one workpiece thereon, means for rotationally indexing the workpiece disposed on the retaining means, about an axis, a working tool operatively engageable with a workpiece disposed between the retaining means, supported on the base member and displaceable along x, y and z axes pursuant to a programmed sequence of motions coordinated with the workpiece indexing means for shaping the workpiece in a selected configuration, and at least one means for successively positioning a plurality of similarly configured workpieces in a selected orientation including a support member, a jointed linkage supported on the base member, supporting the support member and manipulatable to position the support member into a support relationship with an initial one of the workpieces disposed in the selected orientation and held by the retaining means, means for fixing the interrelationship of the components of the linkage when the support member is positioned in the support relationship with the initial workpiece to place the positioning means in an operative condition and means for displacing the positioning means when in the operative condition between an operative position for supporting a sequential one of the workpieces in the selected orientation and an inoperative position.

A machine for shaping curved wooden molding includes an arbor mounted on a housing for receiving a cylindrical workpiece formed from four lengths of curved molding blanks, a drive for rotating the arbor, and a pivot arm carrying a blade at the top end thereof for movement towards and away from a workpiece mounted on the arbor, whereby, when the top end of the pivot arm is rotated towards the arbor, the blade engages the rapidly rotating workpiece to shape the latter.

An automatic lathe is provided including a table stand having a top with a plurality of legs coupled thereto and extending downwardly therefrom. A pair of spindle spinning assemblies are positioned on the top of the table stand. Each spindle spinning assembly has a securement rod rotatably mounted thereon which is adapted to releasably secure to an end of a spindle for spinning the same. A carriage assembly is adapted to slide between each spindle spinning assembly. The carriage assembly has a blade mechanism mounted thereon for engaging a front surface of the spindle secured between the spindle assemblies. The carriage assembly further includes a carriage motor functioning to move the carriage in a forward direction upon the receipt of a forward signal and move the carriage in a reverse direction upon the receipt of a reverse signal only when the carriage motor is actuated. Finally, a reverse direction mechanism serves to transmit the forward signal to the carriage motor when the carriage is moving in a reverse direction and reaches a first end of the top of the table stand. Further, the reverse direction mechanism transmits the reverse signal to the carriage motor when the carriage is moving in a forward direction and reaches a second end of the top of the table stand.

A wood lathe includes a driving pulley unit disposed around a rotating inner rod, a driven pulley unit disposed around an output shaft that is used to rotate a workpiece, a V-belt unit trained on the driving and driven pulley units, and a speed-adjusting unit. When a rotary knob is rotated, amovable inner half of the driven pulley unit moves toward or away from a fixed outer half of the driven pulley unit so that the V-belt unit moves a movable outer half of the driving pulley unit away from or toward a fixed inner half of the driving pulley unit. As such, the position of the V-belt unit can be adjusted relative to the driving and driven pulley units to change the rotational speed of the output shaft.

An outer-side holding member (5) of a braking device (A) is fitted to the inner side of a large-diameter recessed portion (2g) in a rear portion of the inner side of a fishing-line winding barrel portion (2h) of a spool (2) in such a manner as to be prevented from rotating, and is prevented from coming off. An adjusting member 8 is provided at a distal end portion of the spool shaft for adjusting braking force of the braking device by relatively displacing an outer-side holding member (5) and the inner-side holding member (7) of the braking device in an axial direction.

A thin film transistor (TFT) that includes a control electrode, a semiconductor pattern, a first input electrode, a second input electrode, and an output electrode is disclosed. in one aspect, the semiconductor pattern includes a first input area, a second input area, a channel area, and an output area. The channel area is formed between the first input area and the output area and overlapped with the control electrode to be insulated from the control electrode. The second input area is formed between the first input area and the channel area and doped with a doping concentration different from a doping concentration of the first input areas. The second input electrode makes contact with the second input area and receives a control voltage to control a threshold voltage.

A sealer gun that discharges a liquid of a coating agent or filler from a nozzle on its tip is securely prevented from producing dripping that arises as a liquid drips from the nozzle tip and remains when the liquid discharge stops. A pump including a cylinder and a freely movable piston fitting therein is assembled onto a discharge cylinder of the sealer gun, an operation rod interlocked with the pump piston and a grip are interlocked via an interlock mechanism to perform pump operation of suction-discharge by movement of the piston caused by pivoting of the grip, and a suction-discharge aperture of the pump is positioned in an internal space of the nozzle, and configured so that when the liquid discharge sops by releasing the grip, a negative or positive pressure is introduced into the nozzle because of the pump operation caused by resilient pivoting of the grip.

A fluid pumping device is disclosed. The fluid pumping device includes a housing having a front end and a rear end, a fluid discharge opening in the front end of the housing, a pump assembly, a crank assembly rotatably connected to the pump assembly wherein the crank assembly operates the pump assembly, and a fluid storage reservoir connected to the gear housing from which fluid is drawn into the gear housing to be pumped through the fluid discharge opening.

A self propelled autonomous pipeline tool for use in straight pipe comprising a first part and a second part, a hydraulic system comprising at least one hydraulic piston and means for operating the piston, and a control unit. The hydraulic system is operable to returnably separate the first and second part of the device from each other. The hydraulic system further comprises a plurality of pipeline engaging means positioned along an exterior surface of the device which are operable by the hydraulic system to be engagable with the interior surface of the pipeline. The control unit is in communication with the hydraulic system to control the movement of the pipeline engaging means and the first and second parts such that the pipeline tool is moveable within a straight pipeline. The pipeline tool further comprises a communications module which enables the pipeline tool to utilize ELF communications.

Provided is an in-pipe inspection robot which moves along a path in a pipe to inspect suspected areas such as cracks in the pipe. An in-pipe inspection robot in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a configuration in which two or more operating units having a plurality of arms, which move forward and backward in a radial direction of a pipe, are connected to each other to move in a straight direction or to be bent relative to each other by means of a flexible link mechanism.

The invention relates to a trolley comprising an element for holding and releasing a token, said element comprising a sensor that detects whether the trolley comprising the element for holding and releasing the token is pushed inside another trolley. If this is the case, the element for holding and releasing the token activates the immobilizer and releases the token. In order to use the trolley, a token must be inserted into the element for holding and releasing the token, thus deactivating the immobilizer.

Apparatus and methods for temporarily sealing a pipe including apparatus and methods for creating a temporary airtight seal at the open end of a pipe in a plumbing or refrigeration system. One such apparatus includes a body, grommet, washer, and a nut. Multiple airtight seals are created including a first primary seal between an exterior of the pipe and the grommet and a secondary seal between the open end of the pipe and the washer. The grommet does not require teeth and the apparatus does not require adhesive, sealant, or any other type of similar materials. Use of the apparatus and methods greatly minimizes and/or eliminates the potential for marring or otherwise distorting the open end of the pipe, thereby facilitating reuse of same.

A packer unit for an annular blowout preventer including an annular elastomer body including an elastomer having a unidirectional grain and a quantity of fiber longitudinally aligned with the grain of the elastomer. A method of forming a packing unit for a blowout preventer including forming a fiber reinforced elastomer by aligning fibers with a grain of an elastomer; cutting a portion from the fiber reinforced elastomer in the direction of the grain; loading the cut portion in a packing unit mold such that the grain of the fiber reinforced elastomer of the cut portion is parallel to a packing unit axis; and heating the loaded packing unit mold.

A seal assembly is for sealing between a housing and a rotary shaft includes an annular sealing member coupled with the housing and having inner and outer circumferential surfaces and a plurality of projections extending radially from the outer surface and spaced circumferentially about a central axis. Each projection has first and second axial ends and the plurality of projections define first and second projections. An annular biasing member is disposed about the sealing member outer surface and exerts an inwardly directed force on the sealing member. The biasing member has first and second ends and is arranged on the sealing member with the biasing member first end contacting the second end of each first projection and the biasing member second end contacting the first end of each second projection. As such, the biasing member extends axially and circumferentially between the first and second projections.

Due to increasingly strict requirements and regulations, it is becoming more and more important for piston compressors to reduce the amount of leakage of operating medium through the seal of the piston rod. Conventional seals comprising packing rings and/or packing ring combinations always have a certain amount of leakage, both during operation and when at standstill, which is why they are not usable for certain applications, or the complexity involved in such a seal increases considerably. A further problem involving the seals of piston rods relates to transverse movements by piston rods during which the sealing action of the seal must be maintained. Proposed is, therefore, a sealing arrangement according to the principle of a sealing medium barrier providing that the sealing elements 8, 9 are arranged in radial direction at a distance relative to the radial end of the recess 10 that receives the sealing elements 8, 9.

The attenuation and other optical properties of a medium are exploited to measure a thickness of the medium between a sensor and a target surface. Disclosed herein are various mediums, arrangements of hardware, and processing techniques that can be used to capture these thickness measurements and obtain dynamic three-dimensional images of the target surface in a variety of imaging contexts. This includes general techniques for imaging interior/concave surfaces as well as exterior/convex surfaces, as well as specific adaptations of these techniques to imaging ear canals, human dentition, and so forth.

An acoustic damping article includes a substrate, wherein the substrate has a surface area S. The acoustic composition further includes a polymer resin. The polymer resin coats partially the surface area with a set of areas. The ratio of the coated areas over the surface area S is less than 1 and the polymer resin coverage is not greater than about 500 g/m2.

There is provided a method for optimizing performance of a multi-transducer earpiece, where the multi-transducer earpiece includes a perpendicular flange that partitions the cross sectional area of the acoustic delivery channel in a manner where mixing of signals from both the high frequency transducer and the mid/low frequency transducer is carried out in the ear canal of a user during reproduction of audio signals.

Animal litter having up to a sixty percent reduction in bulk density can be produced by combining flat-shaped cellulosic materials and sodium bentonite clay. Not only is the resulting litter lighter, but it also maintains a high clump strength as compared to clay-based animal litters that contain greater than ninety percent by weight sodium bentonite clay.