Flodesign Sonics, Inc.

Eastman-kodak Company

Flodesign Wind Turbine Corporation

Mentor Worldwide LLC

Flodesign, Inc.

Wardwell Braiding Machine Company

Stanley J Kowalski, Iii

Thomas J Kennedy, Iii

Walter M Presz, Jr

Bart Lipkens

Louis Masi

Jason Dionne

Brian Dutra

Ari Mercado

Arthur Martin

Jason Barnes

Michael R Thering

Paul N Winberg

Chris Leidel

David J Bassett

Timothy Hickey

Michael W Shields, Sr

William A Gagnon

Michael J Werle

Robert H Dold

William Scott Keeley

Dane Mealey

Brian McCarthy

James V Masi

Ben Ross-Johnsrud

Jason Gawencki

John Rozembersky

Anthony E English

W Scott Keeley

Fyodor Grechka

John Urbanowicz

Walter M Prez, Jr

Louis C Masi

A series of multi-dimensional acoustic standing waves is set up inside a growth volume of a bioreactor. The acoustic standing waves are used to hold a cell culture in place as a nutrient fluid stream flows through the cell culture. The nutrient fluid stream dislodges some cells from the cell culture, which can then be recovered for cell therapy applications. The cell culture continues to expand and reproduce, permitting continuous recovery of cells from the bioreactor.

Acoustic bioreactor processes

A perfusion bioreactor includes at least one ultrasonic transducer that can acoustically generate a multi-dimensional standing wave. The standing wave can be used to retain cells in the bioreactor, and can also be utilized to dewater or further harvest product from the waste materials produced in a bioreactor.

Bioreactor using acoustic standing waves

An acoustophoresis device made up of modular components is disclosed. Several modules are disclosed herein, including ultrasonic transducer modules, input/output modules, collection well modules, and various connector modules. These permit different systems to be constructed that have appropriate fluid dynamics for separation of particles, such as biological cells, from a fluid.

Acoustophoresis device with modular components

A series of multi-dimensional acoustic standing waves is set up inside a growth volume of a bioreactor. The acoustic standing waves are used to hold a cell culture in place as a nutrient fluid stream flows through the cell culture. Biomolecules produced by the cell culture are collected by the nutrient fluid stream and separated downstream of the cell culture.

Systems for protecting a wind turbine in high wind conditions are disclosed. A shrouded turbine may have an ejector shroud disposed adjacent and downstream of a turbine shroud. In one version, the ejector shroud can move to surround the turbine shroud. In another version, the turbine can be pivoted on a support tower to cover the intake end of the turbine and rotate the turbine about an axis at a right angle to the tower axis. In another version, the turbine is supported by a telescoping tower which may be retracted to lower the turbine in high winds. In another version, the tower sections may be connected by a pivotable connection and supported by guy wire(s) which may be lengthened to lower the upper tower section pivotally.

Systems and methods for protecting a wind turbine in high wind conditions

A mixer-ejector wind turbine uses an ultracapacitor system to store power from the variable generation of power by a permanent magnet generator. The system takes advantage of the MEWT area ratio, the higher velocity at the outer radius of the turbine, and the ability of the ultracapacitor system to store almost all of the input charge.

Ultracapacitor interface in wind turbine and ring generator

A flow delivery system including a syringe that includes an outer plastic shell, a leur and a plunger; and a needle and/or a catheter that embodies a hub and a cannula which delivers a solution of a material. Various structures are included to provide locking engagements, torque sensitive connections, sufficient interfacing between components and visual conformation of connectors. The syringe assembly can also include an approach to a filter. Moreover, an approach to sterilization is provided.

Syringe for use in medical applications

A fluid nozzle system (nicknamed the 'RAP nozzle system') is disclosed that combines a pulse flow device with a toroidal vortex generator to create a high momentum, self propelling jet for increasing long-range jet impact forces. In a preferred embodiment, the RAP nozzle system comprises a fluid switch, without any moving mechanical part, which takes continuous flow normally exited through a nozzle and breaks it into discrete patterns of pulsed flow. The unsteady characteristics of the pulsed flow are then used with either single-stage ejectors, multi-stage ejectors or other devices to increase the momentum and/or the lateral size of the individual pulses. These fluid pulses are then used to generate a jet with large scale, stable toroidal vortices which travel long distances, downstream of the ejector(s), and apply large forces at impact. Unlike the prior art, such toroidal vortices are stable, carry large flow momentum, and propel themselves through the air (or other fluid) at a speed approximately &#xbc; the pulsed velocity of the fluid used to generate the vortices. Furthermore, the toroidal vortices travel beyond the RAP nozzle system with minimal mixing and minimal losses. Tests conducted have demonstrated that these toroidal vortices travel up to 10 times the distance of current continuous flow jets and can deliver an order of magnitude larger force to move particles at large distances from the nozzle exit when compared to the same energy, continuous jet. The same toroidal vortices generate stirring mechanisms at impact which can be useful in many applications. The RAP nozzle system can significantly improve the performance of leaf blowers, shop air nozzles, and all other products that utilize jet impact forces for particle movement. The same RAP nozzle system concept can be used in a significant number of other applications where fluid pulsations could be beneficial. Fluid pulsations increase the force of a fluid jet by adding impulsive forces similar to a jack hammer. These unsteady forces can be quite large and are directly related to the velocity of the jet at impact. In an alternate embodiment, the RAP nozzle concept can also carry a secondary fluid over a large distance without mixing the secondary fluid with the ambient fluid. The secondary fluid is carried in the core of the toroidal vortices generated.

Fluid nozzle system using self-propelling toroidal vortices for long-range jet impact

A Powered Lower Bobbin Feed ('PLBF') system is disclosed for improving the operation of deflector type rotary braiding machines, such as the Wardwell Rapid Braider. The PLBF eliminates or reduces the impulsive tension spikes set up by the deflection and feed process in current rotary braiding machines by uniquely controlling the lower bobbin filament feed. These tension spikes result from: the rapid rotational acceleration and deceleration required of the lower bobbin as a result of the feed process; the lever arm tension control and bobbin ratchet mechanism; and the shape of the filament deflector surface. Such failure limits the operating speed of rotary braiding machines, the minimum size of filament that can be braided effectively, or the ability to maintain the quality of the braid produced. By eliminating or reducing these spikes, the PLBF therefore can increase the working speed of circular braiding machines and improve the uniformity of braided filaments generated by such machines at a given speed. In the preferred embodiment, the PLBF comprises: a slip ring designed to provide power to the lower bobbins; a variable speed powered lower bobbin concept; a feedback control system for the bobbins to assure bobbin feed matches braid consumption; and an improved, more contoured, deflector surface to minimize feed tension spikes. The new contour can be created: by retrofitting existing deflectors with a spline; or, by making new deflectors that incorporate the overall contour of a retrofitted deflector.

Powered lower bobbin feed system for deflector type rotary braiding machines

Growing community of inventors

Wilbraham, MA, United States of America

Stanley J Kowalski, Iii