Recently Issued Patents

A linear actuator provides linear displacement of an actuator plate. The linear actuator includes a set of base flexures that extend from a base plate to an actuator plate and a set of arm flexures that extend from a base arm to an actuator arm. The base arm of the base frame extends up perpendicularly from the base plate and the actuator arm, of the actuator frame, extends perpendicularly from the actuator plate. A base frame and actuator frame may be elbows that are arranged to form a box with the base flexures and arm flexures extending orthogonally within the cavity of the box. A flexure may include an extension element such as a pleated portion of the flexure that has stored length that enables the flexure to extend to increase the linear displacement region. The arm flexures prevent the base flexures from following a radius of motion.

An electrochemical system having an electrochemical compressor with an operating voltage that is controlled by a controller is described. The operating voltage between a first and second electrodes separated by an ion conducting material, such as a proton conducting polymer, may be oscillated in a waveform. The controller may reduce the voltage to low pressure side of the electrochemical compressor to initiate electrolysis for a set time interval and then may change the operating voltage to operate the electrochemical cell in a compressor mode. When the electrochemical cell is operating in an electrolysis mode, in situ hydrogen is produced on the low pressure side that may be used as a electrochemically active component of the working fluid when the electrochemical cell is switched to a compressor mode. The controller may have a control program that automatically controls the operating waveform as a function of sensor input.

A tri-band multiwell radome includes a dense polymeric strike plate that is configured on the outside of the radome, a capture layer and a tuning layer. The polymeric strike plate is a tough polymer, such as a polycarbonate and breaks a bullet into fragments that are more easily captured by the capture layer. The capture layer includes a number of fabric sheets of highly oriented fibers, such as polyethylene fibers, and a binder. The tuning layer may be a low density foam that is configured inside of the capture layer and provided to reduce reflective losses and improve ballistic performance. A tri-band radome cover may have a dB loss over a wavelength of 8 to 40 kHz of no more than 1 dB. A tri-band radome cover may be formed in a dome shape.

A bone manipulator system incorporates a bone manipulator and bone plate that enables two degrees of motion to position a fractured bone, including axial and lateral translation of a bone portion. The bone manipulator system incorporates a bone plate having a plurality of apertures and a bone manipulator having a fastener-arm and a foot-arm for engagement with the bone plate. The fastener coupler of the fastener-arm is configured for rotational engagement with a fastener inserted through one of the apertures of the bone plate and secured into the bone thereunder. The foot-arm has a flared foot end for engagement with a separate aperture of the bone plate. The fractured bone is manipulated by movement of the bone plate by the flared foot end while the bone plate slides and/or rotates about the fastener in the slotted aperture.

A variable pitch propeller apparatus enables a propeller to have different pitch angles in one revolution about the drive shaft. The propellers are coupled to a race that is flexible and actuated into different offset distances by a race-deflector. A race-linkage may extend between the race and the propeller or drive shaft coupler to rotate the propeller to a pitch angle as determined by the offset distance to the race. A race-linkage may incorporate one or more wheels that engages with the race and rolls along the race and about the drive shaft. An aircraft utilizing one or more of the variable pitch propeller apparatus may be able to produce downward thrust for vertical take-off and landing and transition to forward flight. The pitch of the propellers may be changed from take-off to flight to provide the required propulsion for the aircraft.

A powder scented fishing lure has a substantially uniform dispersion of scent powder throughout the body of the lure. The scent powder is a screened scent powder having no particles greater than about 400 microns. The powder scented fishing lure has a prolonged release of the scent during use and has no substantial reduction in mechanical durability as a result of the addition of the scent powder. The powder scented fishing lure may be in any suitable shape, size and color and enables unique attractant properties over conventional plastic fishing lures.

A serving spoon has a spoon portion with a depression portion that forms a depression in a serving of malleable food product, thereby allowing some other food product to be retained within the depression. The serving spoon includes a spoon portion and a handle portion. The spoon portion has a concave body and a depression portion configured within the concave body, wherein the depression portion extends up from the bottom of the concave body. The depression portion forms a depression, in a malleable food product. The spoon portion may be detachable from the handle portion.

A trailer refrigeration system incorporates a trailer refrigeration unit that is powered by multiple sources including a generator coupled to the truck, photovoltaic cells and a battery pack. The trailer refrigeration unit may be a conventional refrigerator having a compressor, an evaporator and a compressible refrigerant. The refrigeration unit may be powered by one or more electric motors, such as an axial flux or transverse flux motor that has high efficiency, high torque at low revolutions per minute (RPM). The refrigeration unit is powered at least in part by the generator when the truck is running below a threshold power level and may be powered by the battery pack and/or photovoltaic cells when the truck engine is not running or running above a threshold power level. A power management system including the battery management system is used to control the flow of power to the refrigeration unit and to and from the battery pack.

A bowed barrier extends across a passageway to prevent pets or children from moving through the passageway. The bowed barrier has a barrier panel, such as a plastic sheet, and a perimeter retainer, such as foam, that extends along the left and right sides of the barrier panel. The perimeter retainer interfaces with the sides of the passageway to retain the bowed barrier in place. The stress induced in the bowed barrier panel creates a force that retains the bowed barrier in a bowed configuration across the passageway. The convex side of the bowed barrier faces a barrier area, or area where a pet or small child may be confined to. If the child or pet pushes on the convex side of the bowed barrier the bowed barrier will increase the force against the passageway, thereby preventing the bowed barrier panel from being dislodged.

A wiping solution dispenser utilizes a motorized dispenser mechanism that moves a nozzle back and forth along a stroke to dispense a wide band of wiping solution onto toilet tissue. A motor may be coupled with a nozzle that moves back and forth or rotates about a pivot point to dispense a band of wiping solution. Wiping solution may be within a solution container that is configured for insertion into the dispenser housing and may be automatically ruptured by a puncture feature. A pump may force the wiping solution from the nozzle, or the solution may be gravity fed. A motion detector may be incorporated to control the actuation and dispensing of the solution. A near field communication transceiver may be used to receive payment before solution is dispensed.