Abstract: A valve has a body has a bore into which open an inlet, an outlet, and a workport. A first valve seat is between the inlet and the workport, and a second valve seat is between the outlet and work ports. A poppet slides within the bore and a spring biases the poppet toward the first valve seat. Pressure at the inlet acts on surfaces of the poppet producing opposing forces that respectively tend to move the poppet toward the first and second valve seats. Because of differing surface areas, the nominal inlet port pressure exerts a net force on the poppet which substantially counteracts the spring force. Thus a solenoid actuator needs only to produce a relatively small force to move the poppet away from the first valve seat into engagement with the second valve seat.

Abstract: Different sections of an agricultural implement can be raised and lowered independently and by varying amounts by a unique hydraulic system. That system incorporates a three-position, four-way primary control valve which selectively connects a supply line and a tank return line to first and second hydraulic lines. A plurality of double acting hydraulic cylinders are provided to produce movement of lift assemblies with respect to a frame of the implement. A separate electrohydraulic lift control valve for each hydraulic cylinder couples one cylinder chamber to the first hydraulic line and the other cylinder chamber is connected directly to the second hydraulic line. Operation of the primary control valve determines the movement direction and selective activation of the lift control valves determines whether the associated section of the implement moves and the amount of such movement.

Abstract: An indicator unit is provided to display information to occupants in a motor vehicle. An interface to a communication network provides data required for the specific information being displayed. The indicator unit is adapted to fit into a standard sized aperture found in motor vehicle dashboards, thereby enabling indicators for different operating parameters as desired by the owner to be incorporated into the dashboard of a particular vehicle. An input device also may be provided by which an occupant of the motor vehicle can control operation of the indicator unit.

Abstract: A medicine cabinet for mounting on a wall above a sink includes a cabinet frame and a door pivotally attached to the front of the cabinet frame. A mirror is attached to the exterior surface of the door and has an aperture there through. A shelf assembly slidably extends through the side opening of the cabinet frame, and has a first position in which the shelf assembly is received within the first cavity and a second position in which the shelf assembly projects outwardly from a side of the cabinet frame. A spout passage extends through the aperture in the mirror and emits a stream of water. A control valve can be mounted to the cabinet frame to control the flow of water from a supply to the spout.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a fluid, such as a beverage, includes a housing with a closed chamber that forms bath of a refrigerant. A conduit for the beverage is coiled in the chamber and immersed in the refrigerant to transfer heat from the beverage to the refrigerant. The housing chamber is connected to a compressor and condenser of a standard refrigeration system to extract heat from the refrigerant drawn from the chamber and return the refrigerant to the housing. The refrigerant bath forms an efficient mechanism for cooling the beverage as it flows through the apparatus without requiring the beverage to remain stationary for a period of time.

Abstract: A computed tomography imaging system includes a source of a conical beam of radiation and a two-dimensional detector array arranged on opposite sides of an axis of rotation. Projection data is acquired in a conventional manner as the source and detector array make a full rotation about an object. A conventional half-scan image reconstruction algorithm is applied to the projection data at a plurality of different center-view angles to produce a plurality of sub-images. Image segments, which are centered in each sub-image along the axis of the respective center-view angle, are selected and combined to form a cross-sectional image of the object. The regions of each sub-image preferably are defined by a weighting function.

Abstract: A frame with a pair of primary tracks is positioned on a vehicle. A platform is connected by a plurality of flexible ties to a like plurality of hangers which travel along the primary tracks. An elevator mechanism winds the flexible ties onto reels to rise the platform toward the primary tracks and unwinds the flexible ties to lower the platform. Extension tracks can be removably aligned with the primary tracks to project beyond the vehicle. By moving the hangers onto the extension tracks, the platform can be removed from the vehicle and then lowered to the ground. The reverse process is employed to move the platform and objects thereon from the ground into the vehicle. The extension tracks with the hangers and platform attached thereto can be detached from the primary tracks and placed on a free standing frame to raise and lower the platform remote from the vehicle.

Abstract: Blood pressure is measured using the pulse transit time required for the blood volume pulse to propagate between two locations in an animal. Impedance plethysmography is employed to detect when the blood volume pulse occurs at one location. The plethysmograph may detect thoracic impedance to determine when the aortic heart valve opens or it may detect impedance at one location on a limb of the animal. Occurrence of the blood volume pulse at another location can be determined by impedance plethysmography or another technique, such as pulse oximetry. The calculation of cardiac stroke volume can be employed to compensate the derivation of the blood pressure for effects due to blood vessel compliance. A nonblood pressure monitor may periodically provide a reference blood pressure measurement that is used calibrate derivation of the blood pressure based on the pulse transit time.

Abstract: An educational institution requires that each student demonstrate proficiency in a plurality of abilities in order to receive a degree. A database is employed to store a portfolio of information evidencing each student's work related to those abilities. A user interface is provided to selectively present information from the portfolio in a plurality of formats, thereby enabling a student or a faculty member to evaluate the student's progress toward mastering the abilities and associated knowledge in order to make informed plans for improvement.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a crankcase and a crankshaft mounted vertically in the crankcase. The crankshaft has an end that extends outwardly from the bottom of the crankcase for attachment to a primary implement, such as a lawnmower blade, that is to be driven by the engine. Another end of the crankshaft extends outwardly from the top of the crankcase and has a coupling to engage an accessory device. The accessory device may be permanently or removably attached to the engine. Preferably, a cover extends over the top of the crankcase and has an exterior surface from which a well extends toward the crankcase. The coupling projects into the well, but does not extend outwardly beyond the exterior surface of the cover so that the well thereby shields the rotating coupling from inadvertent contact by the user of the equipment on which the engine is mounted. A cap also may close the well when an accessory device is not connected to the coupling to further safeguard against inadvertent contact.

Abstract: A lighting assembly for illuminating a vehicle interior has an elongated housing which supports a printed circuit board that has an electrically conductive pattern. A plurality of electrical terminals are connected to the electrically conductive pattern for coupling the lighting assembly to a source of electricity. A plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged in a plurality of rows on the printed circuit board. The light emitting diodes in each row being electrically connected in series between two of the electrical terminals. The light emitting diodes are so connected that application of electricity to selected ones of the electrical terminals causes illumination of different combinations of the rows of light emitting diodes which results in the lighting assembly producing different light intensity levels in the vehicle interior.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve has a valve body with a plurality of ports and a spool slidable within the body to interconnect the ports in different combinations. A solenoid, which is coupled to drive the spool, has a coil wound on an annular bobbin with a tube of an electrically conductive, non-magnetic metal within the bobbin. A first pole piece extends into one end of the tube and a second pole piece extends into another end of the tube. A separate bushing is located in an aperture in each pole piece. Each bushing has a tubular body with a first end section that has a larger outer diameter than a second end section and the second end section that has a smaller inner diameter than the first end section. The solenoid further includes an armature that is slidably received in the bushings and engaging the spool.

Abstract: A proportional hydraulic valve has a primary control spool with a force feedback actuator attached to one end, wherein the control spool meters flow of fluid to a work port. The force feedback actuator includes a piston coupled to the control spool and defining a first control chamber and a second control chamber on opposite sides of the piston. The surface of the piston has a depression with a first tapered section and a second tapered section. The force feedback actuator includes first electrohydraulic valve with a valve element that meters pressurized fluid selectively to the first and second control chambers to move the piston in opposite directions and produce motion of the control spool. A solenoid exerts a first force that on the valve element. A pilot pin engages the piston and the valve element, whereby, movement of the pilot pin on the first and second tapered sections of the piston applies a second force to the valve element.

Abstract: A programmable controller, for operating a machine such as one having a hydraulic system, includes a memory that stores a plurality of software function routines. A memory contains a first data file with address pointers to the function routines where the address pointers are listed in the order that the function routines may be executed. A second data file has a separate record associated with each of the address pointers and each record identifies the data variables required by the corresponding function routine. A third data file contains information about each of the variables. A code sequencer accesses the first data file and directs execution of the function routine in the order designated by the pointers. As each function routine executes, the respective record in the second data file is used to access the required variable information.

Abstract: A washing platform has a generally flat upper work surface. A spout is located adjacent the washing platform and provides a stream of fluid which impinges the work surface. The bowl can be removably placed on the washing platform to receive water from the spout. The bowl has an aperture through the bottom and a gasket which is attached to an exterior surface of the bowl around the aperture. When the bowl is placed on the work surface, the gasket provides a seal that inhibits flow of fluid there between until a user lifts the bowl to drain the water there from.

Abstract: A database is created that contains a plurality of data items gathered from many human beings wherein the data items affect the heart rate of a patient during a CT imaging procedure. Regression analysis is performed on the data in the database to derive an algorithm which defines an predicted heart rate value as a function of the plurality of data items. Specifically, values for the plurality of data items are obtained for the particular patient to be imaged and the algorithm is applied to those data items to predict the patient's heart rate which will occur during the CT imaging procedure. The predicted heart rate is employed to defined operating parameters of the CT procedure, such as the rate at which the x-ray source and detector rotate around a patient and the speed at which the patient moves through the imaging plane.

Abstract: A label for identifying an object includes a radio frequency transponder and a hologram. The radio frequency transponder has an antenna and a transponder circuit sandwiched between two layers of material which form exterior surfaces of the transponder. The hologram comprises a first layer of non-metallic material applied to one of the exterior surfaces and forming a non-metallic reflector of light. A generally transparent second layer contains a holographic image and extends across the first layer. Because the reflective first layer is made of a non-metallic material, its close proximity to the radio frequency transponder does not detune the transponder as may occur when metallic holograms are placed in close proximity to the transponder. Thus the hologram provides a deterrent to unauthorized use of the label without affecting the operation of the radio frequency transponder.

Abstract: A plurality of radio frequency semi-passive transponders are attached to an animal's organ, such as the heart. Each semi-passive transponder may be attached to the surface of the organ or mounted on a stent that is implanted in a blood vessel of the organ. An interrogator periodically sends a signal to each semi-passive transponder which reacts by transmitting a reply signal. The interrogator processes the reply signals to derive information regarding activity of the organ. In one embodiment, the position of each semi-passive transponder is determined from the reply signals, thereby enabling information about organ movement and volume change to be derived. In another embodiment, data from a sensor on the semi-passive transponder is sent via the reply signal.

Abstract: Torque in a torsion member, such as a rotating shaft, is sensed by a piezoelectric element that is attached to the torsion member. The piezoelectric element has a resonant frequency that varies with changes in the torque and is part of a transducer oscillator that produces a first signal. A reference oscillator has a similar piezoelectric element and produces a second signal having a frequency that varies in response to environmental parameters. The first and second signals are heterodyned, thereby cancelling the effects due to environmental parameters acting on both piezoelectric elements and producing a resultant signal that has a frequency which corresponds to the torque applied to the torsion member.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension has one or more hydraulic cylinders connecting an axle to a frame of the vehicle and each cylinder has a first and second chambers. The suspension operates in either a regeneration mode, in which a fluid path is provided between the first and second chambers, and a double acting mode, in which the first and second chambers are isolated from each other and fluid flows between each chamber and a separate accumulator. The selection between the regeneration and double acting modes is made in response to the pressure level in the cylinder as determined by a pressure sensor of a closed loop control system or by the pressure versus current characteristics of a electrically operated valve in the suspension for a loop control system. The hydraulic system also is able to raise and lower the suspension as necessary due to changes in the load carried by the vehicle.