Sandia Corporation

University of Texas System

Veritran, Inc.

Mark R Vaughn

A Keith Miller

Mark C Grubelich

John R Bode

Alva Keith Miller

Roy S Baty

Rush D Robinett, Iii

Steven G Thoma

Chad Staiger

Yarom Polsky

Stephen Montague

Mathias C Celina

Christopher J Cornelius

Joseph A Sember, Iii

Steven D Knudsen

Steven M Harris

Robert Michael Felton

Marcus J Martinez

Gordon E Groves

Edward J Constantineau

Don M Van Zuiden

John R Phelan

Everett S Hafenrichter

Agapito C Chapa

The present invention discloses an isolation system, comprising a flexible, portable, disposable membrane with no rigid structures. The membrane inflates from a contracted state having a small form-factor for storage to an inflated state for use. The membrane has an opening on one side defining a chamber within, with the opening having a sealing member that when closed, seals off the chamber. The membrane includes a first port for ingress of gas into the chamber a second port for egress of exhaust gas via an associated exhaust filter assembly, with the second port intrinsically functioning as a passive pressure regulator.

Isolation system

A self-consuming structure is disclosed that is formed from a self-consuming composition based on an epoxy or polyurethane having fuel and/or oxidizer molecularly dispersed and/or as particulates in the epoxy or polyurethane. The composition may be used to form self-consuming structural components.

Self-consuming materials

A push plate that includes springs in the form of cantilever flexures and an inspection window is disclosed. The push plate provides a known, uniform, down force and minimal torque to a package to be tested. The cantilevers have a known, calculable down force producing stiffness. The window provides for viewing of the package during testing.

Push plate, mounting assembly, circuit board, and method of assembling thereof for ball grid array packages

A method and means of minimizing the effect of elastic valve recoil in impact applications, such as percussive drilling, where sliding spool valves used inside the percussive device are subject to poor positioning control due to elastic recoil effects experienced when the valve impacts a stroke limiting surface. The improved valve design reduces the reflected velocity of the valve by using either an energy damping material, or a valve assembly with internal damping built-in, to dissipate the compression stress wave produced during impact.

Reduced-impact sliding pressure control valve for pneumatic hammer drill

A portable, non-cryogenic, oxygen generation system capable of delivering oxygen gas at purities greater than 98% and flow rates of 15 L/min or more is described. The system consists of two major components. The first component is a high efficiency membrane capable of separating argon and a portion of the nitrogen content from air, yielding an oxygen-enriched permeate flow. This is then fed to the second component, a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit utilizing a commercially available, but specifically formulated zeolite compound to remove the remainder of the nitrogen from the flow. The system is a unique gas separation system that can operate at ambient temperatures, for producing high purity oxygen for various applications (medical, refining, chemical production, enhanced combustion, fuel cells, etc . . . ) and represents a significant advance compared to current technologies.

Hybrid membrane&#x2014;PSA system for separating oxygen from air

A system for clamping two tubular members together in an end-to-end relationship uses a split ring with a V-shaped outer rim that can engage a clamping surface on each member. The split ring has a relaxed closed state where the ends of the ring are adjacent and the outside diameter of the split ring is less than the minimum inside diameter of the members at their ends. The members are clamped when the split ring is spread into an elastically stretched position where the ring rim is pressed tightly against the interior surfaces of the members. Mechanisms are provided for removing the spreader so the split ring will return to the relaxed state, releasing the clamped members.

Internal V-band clamp

An infinite variable transmission with input shaft (), planetary carrier (), planetary pulleys () and planetary gears () with planetary axles () equiangularly disposed on the carrier (). Variable pitch pulley () adjust a serpentine belt () which adjust the rotation of the planetary gears () to adjust the output shaft ().

Infinitely variable epicyclic transmissions

An infinite variable transmission with input shaft ( ), planetary carrier ( ), planetary pulleys ( ) and planetary gears ( ) with planetary axles ( ) equiangularly disposed on the carrier ( ). Variable pitch pulley ( ) adjust a serpentine belt ( ) which adjust the rotation of the planetary gears ( ) to adjust the output shaft ( ).

The mathematical foundations of conventional numerical simulation of physical systems provide no consistent description of the behavior of such systems when subjected to discontinuous physical influences. As a result, the numerical simulation of such problems requires ad hoc encoding of specific experimental results in order to address the behavior of such discontinuous physical systems. In the present invention, these foundations are replaced by a new combination of generalized function theory and nonstandard analysis. The result is a class of new approaches to the numerical simulation of physical systems which allows the accurate and well-behaved simulation of discontinuous and other difficult physical systems, as well as simpler physical systems. Applications of this new class of numerical simulation techniques to process control, robotics, and apparatus design are outlined.

Method for simulating discontinuous physical systems

An inexpensive mechanical indicator for measuring low pressure in an inflating bag includes a pair of sides connected to each other at one edge and pivotally connected at spaced parallel locations on the bag. A spring biases the sides towards each other in opposition to tension in the inflating bag. The distance between the sides is indicative of the pressure in the bag. The device is accurate at pressures below 0.05 psi.

Bag pressure monitor

An efficient pump system for transferring air between sets of bladders in a cushion. The pump system utilizes a reversible piston within a cylinder in conjunction with an equalizing valve in the piston which opens when the piston reaches the end of travel in one direction. The weight of a seated user then forces air back across the piston from an inflated bladder to the previously deflated bladder until the pressure is equalized. In this fashion the work done by the pump is cut in half. The inflation and deflation of the different bladders is controlled to vary the pressure on the several pressure points of a seated user. A principal application is for wheel chair use to prevent pressure ulcers.

Reduced energy and volume air pump for a seat cushion

A new class of coplanar two-axis angular effectors. These effectors combine a two-axis rotational joint analogous to a Cardan joint with linear actuators in a manner to produce a wider range of rotational motion about both axes defined by the joint. This new class of effectors also allows design of robotic manipulators having very high strength and efficiency. These effectors are particularly suited for remote operation in unknown surroundings, because of their extraordinary versatility. An immediate application is to the problems which arise in nuclear waste remediation.

Two-axis angular effector

Apparatus for insertion of an object into a close clearance hole utilizing a double taper starter system. The apparatus includes a first taper to align the object radially; a narrow section of length such that with the object tilted to the angle of the first taper, clearance in the hole is maintained; a cut-back segment of either constant diameter or reverse taper geometry; and a second taper of approximately the same size and shape as the first taper to align the object angularly. The apparatus of the invention can be advantageously used in mechanized assembly processes, the assembly of shafts into bearings, and in thermally assembled or regular interference fits.

Apparatus for insertion of an object into a close clearance hole

The invention disclosed herein relates to an inherent variable fluid restrictor for regulating fluid pressure in a hydrostatic bearing. The inherent variable fluid restrictor is comprised of a restrictor land surrounding a fluid supply port, a collection gallery around the restrictor land and containing a fluid cross-feed port, an isolation land around the collection gallery, and a bearing pocket around the isolation land. A flow channel connects the fluid cross-feed port to a diametrically opposed bearing pocket.

Growing community of inventors

Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

Mark R Vaughn