Abstract: A method for the assessment of various properties of bone is provided. The method includes applying a pair of ultrasound transducers to skin on opposite sides of the bone and generating an ultrasound signal and directing the signal through both the bone to obtain a bone output signal. The method further includes establishing a set of parameters associated with the bone output signal and then further processing the parameters in order to obtain the desired bone property. Two novel parameters are also disclosed, namely the net time delay (NTD) and mean time duration (MTD) parameters. An apparatus for the assessment of various properties of bone is also provided. The apparatus includes a pair of ultrasound transducers which may be single-element transducers or array transducers in any combination. The apparatus further includes various computer hardware components and computer software for generating and directing the ultrasound signal, establishing the parameter set and performing the processing.

Abstract: A method for closed loop controlling the air system in an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel internal combustion engine with a first actuating element for recirculated exhaust gas in the exhaust gas recirculation tract and a second actuating element for air in the inlet tract, the two actuating elements being adjusted as a function of each other. In order to increase the quality of closed loop control, provision is made for each actuating element to be controlled separately by its own respective controller, each controller being optimally configured for the respective controlled system, and a target value being provided for each controller.

Abstract: A hinge construction, suitable for a wing mirror unit for a motor vehicle, includes a first hinge part configured for mounting on the motor vehicle and a second hinge part, pivotably connected with the first hinge part via a base shaft. The second hinge part is configured to support a mirror support. In an embodiment, the base shaft is translatably connected with one of the hinge parts, the other hinge part is arranged pivotably about the base shaft, and the hinge parts cooperate via a track guide, which causes the hinge parts upon pivoting to rotate relative to each other, and a straight guide, which cases the hinge parts upon pivoting to translate relative to each other.

Abstract: A composition comprising particles for damping vibrations performed by cooperating surfaces of a mirror adjustment mechanism relative to each other. The cooperating surfaces adjustably connect a mirror holder for supporting the mirror element with a base plate that can be fixedly mounted to a motor vehicle. In an embodiment, the particles positioned close to one of the surfaces are arranged to move to a lesser extent relative to that surface upon a high-frequency pivoting of the cooperating surfaces than particles that are further removed from that surface. A method for assembling a mirror adjustment mechanism for adjusting a mirror element of a mirror unit of a motor vehicle mirror and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a mirror element of a mirror unit are also disclosed.

Abstract: An image forming method for use in an inkjet head includes a pressure chamber filled with ink, a nozzle which communicates with the pressure chamber and in which a meniscus of the ink is formed, a piezoelectric element which pressurizes the pressure chamber, and a drive circuit which performs an operation of ejecting the ink in a printing state and generates a basic pulse for vibrating the meniscus in a non-printing state. The basic pulse is generated by turning off a voltage applied to the piezoelectric element for substantially the same period as a natural vibration period of the ink. An additional pulse is generated at least once before or after the basic pulse when the basic pulse is generated by the drive circuit in the non-printing state. The additional pulse is generated by turning off the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A modular drive system, in particular for a driven angular adjustment of a rearview mirror support of a motor vehicle, comprising at least two drive modules, each provided with a housing with an electric motor and a drive portion driven by the electric motor, and a drivable portion for cooperation with a drive portion of another drive module, further comprising coupling means for attaching two drive modules to each other with one rotational degree of freedom by cooperation of a drive portion and a drivable portion, respectively.

Abstract: An actuator comprising a reversible electric motor, which over a gearing, drives an activation element which can move back and forth. The activation element is of the non-self-locking type. Furthermore the motor and gearing are of a non self locking type. A brake holds the activation element in any position, when the electric motor is inactive, said brake can be released by means of a release mechanism. The motor is used as generator when the brake is released and the generator voltage from it is used to adjust the velocity of the activation element. Thus, a quick release is provided, where the activation element can be disengaged and adjusted evading gear and motor, and where the movement of the activation element, during the disengagement, occurs with a controlled velocity.

Abstract: Actuator of the type where a driving rod (11) is extended by a nut (10) on a driven spindle. A manually operated emergency lowering device (14) for the driving rod (11) is mounted between the driving rod (11) and a mounting bracket (16) at the end thereof. The emergency lowering device (14) comprises a first cylindrical part (15) connected with the mounting bracket (16) and a second cylindrical part (17) connected with the driving rod (11). The two cylindrical parts are coupled together by a screw spring (21). The spring is released by an operating grip (19) constructed as a bushing in which the one end (22) of the spring (21) is secured. The other end (23) of the spring (21) is secured in the cylindrical part (17) connected with the driving rod (11). Rotation of the bushing causes the spring (21) to be released, whereby the driving rod (11) may be screwed back by the manually applied torque.

Abstract: In an actuator, a quick release unit is introduced in a transmission between an activating element and a reversible electric motor for disengaging the activating element (5) from the electric motor and the part of the transmission (6) which is disposed from the motor to the quick release unit. This quick release unit comprises two cylindrical coupling parts (8, 9) provided with axially extending and mutually engaging torque-transferring means (21a, 21b), and where the two coupling parts (8, 9) are mutually axially displaceable and kept in engagement with each other by a spring (25). The two coupling parts may be displaced mutually against the spring (25) by a release mechanism, so that the torque-transferring connection (21a, 21b) between the two coupling parts (8, 9) is interrupted. The quick release unit may be made compact, and especially in connection with a worm wheel (6) with a cylindrical part on the side it may be substantially received in the cylindrical part.

Abstract: A steerable catheter or sheath control handle for steering a distal end of a tubular catheter body or sheath body having first and second actuation wires extending from a proximal end of the body comprises a grip portion, a bearing assembly, and an actuator. The first grip potion includes a pivot and an actuation wire pathway. The bearing assembly is located on the grip portion proximal to the pivot. The actuator is pivotally coupled to the pivot and includes first and second ends that are on opposite sides of the centerline from each other. When the distal end of the handle is coupled to the proximal end of the body, the first and second actuation wires extend along the pathway to the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly diverts the first actuation wire to a first connection point on the actuator and the second actuation wire to a second connection point on the actuator.

Abstract: A segmented piston ring assembly includes piston ring segments 2 having stepped ends 5, 6, at least one piston ring segment 2 including a radial step on a radially inner peripheral surface 9 over a part of the width of the piston ring segment 2, and a single-cut sealing ring 3, which bears radially against the inside of the peripheral surface 9 of the piston ring segments 2, the sealing ring 3 including an axial recess 10, 12 which cooperates with the radial step 4 of the piston ring segment 2 to prevent relative rotation therebetween.

Abstract: An electrode for use on a medical device is disclosed. The electrode may have a main body of electrically conductive material extending along an axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. The body may be configured to emit electrical energy in accordance with a predefined diagnostic or therapeutic function. The body may have a groove disposed over an outermost surface of the body. The electrode may also include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tracking coil disposed in said groove. The MRI tracking coil may comprise electrically insulated wire, for example. A catheter including an electrode, as well as a method for determining the location of an electrode, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A crankcase breathing system (1) for an internal combustion engine includes at least one oil separating apparatus with a preliminary separator (3) and a main separator (4) arranged downstream of the same, with the preliminary separator (3) including a diffuser (11) between an inlet (7) and an outlet (8) which expands in the direction of flow. In order to achieve high separation rates in the simplest possible way it is provided that the preliminary separator (3) is arranged integrally with the main separator (4), with preferably the preliminary separator (3) and the main separator (4) forming a separator unit (2).

Abstract: To reduce the complexity of an indicating system 6 on an internal combustion engine for determining a parameter, the invention provides that on the basis of the measured variable a computing unit 8 for the indicating system 6 computes crank angle information, and on the basis of the crank angle information thus computed and the measured variable determines an engine parameter.

Abstract: A differential is provided that includes a first and second side gear and a reaction block disposed between the first and second side gear. The differential further includes an engagement mechanism configured to have at least a portion of the engagement mechanism that is moveable from a retracted position to an extended position and a lock-out mechanism that is configured to engage the portion of the engagement mechanism. The lock-out mechanism is mounted to the reaction block. A reaction block for a differential in which a lock-out mechanism is mounted on the reaction block is also provided.

Abstract: A medical catheter assembly includes a deflectable catheter shaft, a distal tip with tip element and a mounting shaft, and a pull ring assembly, the distal tip defining guide channels through which pull wires of the pull ring assembly pass such that the pull wires will initially extend from the pull ring toward the tip element and then loop back toward and through the catheter shaft and to a handle actuator. Pulling of the pull wires by the handle actuator to tilt the pull ring and deflect the catheter shaft will cause the pull ring to move toward tip element. The pull ring and tip element are thus interlocked. Stress forces on the connection joints between the pull wires and the pull ring will be dissipated, reducing the incidence of failure of the pull ring assembly. The medical catheter can be a non-irrigated ablation catheter wherein the tip element is a tip electrode, or an irrigated ablation catheter wherein the tip element is a tip electrode and a fluid manifold.