Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090273878 | GAS BEARING ELECTROSTATIC CHUCK - An electrostatic clamp is provided having a clamping plate, wherein the clamping plate has a central region and an annulus region. A plurality of gas supply orifices are defined in the central region of the clamping plate, wherein the plurality of gas supply orifices are in fluid communication with a pressurized gas supply, and wherein the pressurized gas supply is configured to provide a cushion of gas between the clamping surface and the workpiece in the central region of the clamping plate via the plurality of gas supply orifices. One or more gas return orifices defined in one or more of the central region and annulus region of the clamping plate, wherein the one or more gas return orifices are in fluid communication with a vacuum source, therein generally defining an exhaust path for the cushion of gas. A seal is disposed in the annulus region of the clamping plate, wherein the seal is configured to generally prevent a leakage of the cushion of gas from the central region to an environment external to the annulus region. One or more electrodes are further electrically connected to a first voltage potential to provide a first clamping force. | 11-05-2009 |
20090311166 | Continuous Process for the Production of Nanostructures Including Nanotubes - The present invention provides methods for uniform growth of nanostructures such as nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes) on the surface of a substrate, wherein the long axes of the nanostructures may be substantially aligned. The nanostructures may be further processed for use in various applications, such as composite materials. For example, a set of aligned nanostructures may be formed and transferred, either in bulk or to another surface, to another material to enhance the properties of the material. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance the mechanical properties of a material, for example, providing mechanical reinforcement at an interface between two materials or plies. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance thermal and/or electronic properties of a material. The present invention also provides systems and methods for growth of nanostructures, including batch processes and continuous processes. | 12-17-2009 |
20100300752 | Method and apparatus for penetrating particulate substrates - A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention relates to penetrating a particulate substrate using a compact, lightweight, low-energy, reversible, and dynamic device for burrowing through particulate substrates. In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one vessel and a displacement module coupled with the vessel. The actuation of the displacement module fluidizes the particulate substrate proximate to the vessel and thereby reduces resistance of the particulate substrate to movement of the vessel and causes further penetration of the apparatus through the particulate substrate. The example embodiment utilizes volume contraction and localized fluidizing to efficiently move through substrates. | 12-02-2010 |
20120222488 | ROLLING DIAPHRAGM PRESSURE SENSOR - A system for measuring and indicating pressure that uses as its pressure sensing element an outer resilient tube, an inner resilient tube, and a rolling diaphragm connecting the inner and outer tubes, and held inside a protective enshrouding structure where pressure applied to the annulus between the tubes causes the diaphragm to deform and roll to axial extend the outer tube by an amount proportional to the applied pressure. The structure has features that enable visual correlation of the partially rolled tube's unrolled state with the applied pressure. The system can be incorporated into a syringe to create a pressure measuring syringe for inflating endotracheal cuffs while providing a reading of the cuff pressure | 09-06-2012 |
20120319396 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR SPLICING CONDUITS AND HOSES SUBSEA - A hose connection system comprises a body including an internal cavity and a port in fluid communication with a portion of the internal cavity. In addition, the system comprises a hose end fitting positioned in the cavity. The hose end fitting includes an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member concentrically disposed about the inner tubular member. The outer tubular member includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced axial slits. Further, the system comprises a plurality of wedge members arranged circumferentially about the outer tubular member. Still further, the system comprises an annular piston movably disposed within the internal cavity of the body. An end of the piston has an inner frustoconical surface that slidingly engages the plurality of wedge members. The piston is configured to move axially through the body and compress the wedge members and the outer tubular member radially inward. | 12-20-2012 |
20130019689 | TAPERED SPIRAL BELLOWS PRESSURE SENSOR - A pressure measuring device includes a resilient expandable pressure sensor element having an open end and an opposite closed end. The pressure sensor element includes spiral flutes extending between the open and closed ends defining spiral bellows. The pressure sensor element is tapered over at least a portion of its length from the open end to the closed end. The pressure measuring device also includes a supporting structure having a pressure indicating scale. The supporting structure holds the pressure sensor element such that the open end of the pressure sensor element is in communication with a fluid whose pressure is to be measured and pressure applied by the fluid causes the pressure sensor element to expand axially and be visibly displaced relative to the pressure indicating scale by a distance related to the pressure applied by the fluid. | 01-24-2013 |
20140069723 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PENETRATING PARTICULATE SUBSTRATES - A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention relates to penetrating a particulate substrate using a compact, lightweight, low-energy, reversible, and dynamic device for burrowing through particulate substrates. In one preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one vessel and a displacement module coupled with the vessel. The actuation of the displacement module fluidizes the particulate substrate proximate to the vessel and thereby reduces resistance of the particulate substrate to movement of the vessel and causes further penetration of the apparatus through the particulate substrate. The example embodiment utilizes volume contraction and localized fluidizing to efficiently move through substrates. | 03-13-2014 |