Abstract: A process for removing a modulation sinusoidal error from signals of a rotating load cell measuring forces and/or moments with respect to a non-rotating orthogonal coordinate system includes mounting the load cell to the rotating object and obtaining a first set of signals from the load cell, wherein at least one signal of the first set of signals is indicative of a load as the object rotates. A characterization of a modulation error is obtained from the first set of signals. The modulation error is a periodic signal having a frequency greater than and proportional to a frequency of revolution of the load cell. A second set of signals is obtained from the load cell pursuant to object loading. A modulation error in the second set of signals is calculated as a function of the characterization of the modulation error from the first set. The calculated modulation error in the second set of signals is subtracted from the second set of signals.

Abstract: A test specimen holder for holding a test specimen in a material testing machine includes a base member having a piston chamber, a valve chamber fluidly coupled to the piston chamber, a port fluidly coupled to the valve chamber and an end couplable to a material testing machine. A piston is movable relative to the piston chamber. A pair of first and second jaw assemblies are supported by the base members so as to be opposite each other. The jaw assemblies are operably coupled to the piston. A valve is disposed in the valve chamber and a valve stem is coupled to the valve. The valve stem is supported by the base member and is twistable to operate the valve. A user operable knob is coupled to the valve stem.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of operating a rolling wheel testing apparatus includes driving a tire and wheel assembly about an axis of rotation with a tire in rolling contact with a rotatable drum. Torque is sensed about the axis of rotation and rotation of the drum is inhibited so as to develop a selected amount of torque about the axis of rotation as the tire and wheel assembly is rotated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive unit for a closure of an open roof construction. It comprises an electric motor having a drive shaft and transmission means and an electric circuit including said motor and control means to actuate the motor. An emergency clutch is coupled to at least one of the drive shaft and the transmission means and is reachable to enable hand actuation of the movable part in case of an emergency. The emergency clutch is covered by a part of the electric circuit, which must be disconnected to reach the clutch. The part of the electronic circuit is provided on a breakable seal, which is a pierceable metal foil strip. As a result it is possible to observe the use of the clutch, either visibly or electronically.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve rotator tool includes an operator actuated member and a rotator engageable with a prosthetic heart valve for selectively rotating the prosthetic heart valve. An elongated bendable member has a first end secured to the operator actuated member and a second end secured to the rotator. The elongated bendable member transfers torque between the operator actuated member and the rotator. A covering member covers at least a portion of the elongated bendable member.

Abstract: A DC—DC power converter includes input terminals and a rectifier circuit. An additional circuit is connected to the input terminals and the rectifier. The latter circuit is adapted to generate a varying voltage at output terminals of the rectifier that varies in amplitude from a maximum voltage value to a non-zero voltage value between the maximum voltage value and zero.

Abstract: A kit for a parts washer includes a flexible bag adapted to fit inside the parts washer, and a fastener to hold an open end of the flexible bag.

Abstract: A remote control for controlling a plurality of controllable devices includes a processor, a display screen coupled to the processor, and memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes a program module to solicit information from a user regarding operation of the plurality of controllable devices to perform an activity.

Abstract: A transducer includes a body mountable to a vehicle spindle and a plurality of accelerometers coupled to the body. The plurality of accelerometers measure acceleration of the body. A calculation circuit coupled to the plurality of accelerometers receives output signals therefrom and converts the measured acceleration to displacement signals indicative of displacement of the body in a coordinate system.

Abstract: Predictive keyboards, such as predictive soft keyboards, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method predicts at least one key to be entered next within a sequence of keys. The method displays a soft keyboard where the predicted keys are displayed on the soft keyboard differently than the other keys on the keyboard. For example, the predicted keys may be larger in size on the soft keyboard as compared to the other keys. This makes the predicted keys more easily typed by a user as compared to the other keys.

Abstract: A method and system of performing confidence measure in a speech recognition system includes receiving an utterance of input speech and creating a near-miss pattern or a near-miss list of possible word entries for the utterance. Each word entry includes an associated value of probability that the utterance corresponds to the word entry. The near-miss list of possible word entries is compared with corresponding stored near-miss confidence templates. Each word in the vocabulary (or keyword list) of near-miss confidence template, which includes a list of word entries and each word entry in each list includes an associated value. Confidence measure for a particular hypothesis word is performed based on the comparison of the values in the near-miss list of possible word entries with the values of the corresponding near-miss confidence template.

Abstract: A telescoping tube assembly includes a frame and a first longitudinal tube section mounted on the frame. A second longitudinal tube section is disposed within the first longitudinal tube section and adapted for telescoping motion into and out of the first longitudinal tube section. The telescoping tube assembly includes a cabling system that includes a top pulley assembly and a bottom pulley assembly, the bottom pulley assembly adapted for movement in response to the telescoping motion of the second longitudinal tube section. One or more cables extend from the remote end of the innermost longitudinal tube section and traverse the top pulley assembly, the bottom pulley assembly and are fixed relative to the frame.

Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle having an opening in its fixed roof has a stationary part to be fixed to the roof and a closure element supported by the stationary part. The closure element is slidably guided along guideways in the stationary part at its side edges by means of sliding shoes. The sliding shoes form part of a sliding shoe unit. The guideway comprises a flange having opposed sides, on which the sliding shoes engage. The sliding shoes of the sliding shoe units respectively engage one of the sides of the flange, and in that the sliding shoes engaging the opposed sides of the flange are so designed that they clamp the flange between them under spring pressure.

Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having an opening in its fixed roof comprises a stationary part with at least one guide rail, which is to be secured to the roof. An adjustable closure panel is supported by a mechanism which is capable of sliding movement in the guide rail. The closure panel can be adjusted between a closed position, in which it closes the roof opening, and an open position, in which it at least partially releases the roof opening. The guide rail is provided with an adjustable cover, which can be adjusted synchronously with the movements of the mechanism, or can be made deformable locally.

Abstract: A test specimen holder for holding a test specimen in a material testing machine includes screw operated actuators with removable blocks of material. Preferably, a plurality of blocks of material is provided with a varying degree of compliance. Alignment guides indicating the relative position of jaw plates are also provided.

Abstract: In a winding mechanism for a sun screen comprising a winding tube which is rotatable about a central axis for winding and unwinding the sun screen and driving means for said winding tube, the central axis is curved and the winding tube is flexible. A possible use of such a winding mechanism is in an open roof construction of a vehicle.

Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle for a vehicle having an opening in its fixed roof comprises a stationary part to be fixed to the roof. The stationary part includes at least one stationary guide rail at the edge of the roof opening, which extends in the longitudinal direction of vehicle. A panel is adjustable between a closed position, in which it closes the roof opening, and an open position, in which it has been moved rearwards to an upwardly sloping position at least partially above the fixed roof, in which position it opens the roof opening at least partially, An operating mechanism is provided for adjusting said panel. The operating mechanism includes a driven slide and a panel element, preferably a link plate, which is attached to the panel and which is adjustably connected to said slide. A locking mechanism is provided. The locking mechanism includes a locking element that is slidably connected to the panel element.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for providing input speech into a computer having a speech recognition system and an input device remote from the computer. The input device includes a microphone, an indicator and a user operated switch. To provide input speech, the user operates the user operated switch wherein an activation signal is transmitted from the input device to the computer. A speech recognition ready signal is then transmitted from the computer to the input device when the speech recognition system is operable to receive input speech. The indicator is actuated upon receipt of the speech recognition ready signal.

Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle comprising a roof opening provided in the roof of the vehicle which can be closed by means of a foldable assembly. A flow-influencing panel is pivotable outwardly from a position substantially in line with the roof towards an inclined position and which panel, as seen in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, is positioned at a leading end of the roof opening. The panel, in a position in line with the roof, and the closure assembly, in a position closing the roof opening, mutually overlap.