Abstract: A switch-type power converter comprising an PET switch operating in a variable duty cycle mode under the control of a Unitrode 3846 integrated circuit controller. Indications of excess input voltage and reverse battery connections are provided by circuits including an element which permanently changes state. A cooling fan mounted on a finned heat sink is operated in a variable speed mode. A single thermistor sensor provides inputs to both the fan speed control and a thermal shutdown circuit connected to shut down the gate drives to the FET switch in the event of a high temperature condition. Another shutdown function is provided in response to an input overvoltage condition by way of an operational amplifier. The converter uses foldback for short circuit protection and is compatible with microprocessor units to selectively provide multiple output voltage levels.

Abstract: An adjustable clamp apparatus for use in automated handling equipment includes a ball mount portion that provides rotational adjustment and a clamp portion for securing a support arm in a plurality of different positions. The clamp portion comprises an opening having a rectilinear cross-section.

Abstract: A telescopic aircraft wing having an articulated structural spar. The telescopic wing includes a root portion and a tip portion that is telescopically related to the root portion. A spar assembly connects the root portion to the tip portion for providing structural support to the tip portion, and the spar assembly has a plurality of links that are pivotally connected to one another. The spar assembly moves the tip portion with respect to the root portion between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: An apparatus for isolating and leveling a machine foundation with respect to a substructure of a building or the ground. The apparatus of the present invention provides an enclosure connectable to the machine foundation. A load bearing member is disposed within and adjustably connected to the enclosure. A primary support member and a secondary support member are positioned between the bearing member and the substructure for isolating the machine foundation from the substructure. The magnitude of force carried by the secondary support member may be adjusted to consequently adjust the natural frequency of the machine foundation.

Abstract: A tool mount assembly includes drop down connections to aid in mounting of a tool to a moving base and a fail-safe tool mounting system for preventing installation of a tool in an undesired or incorrect manner. A plurality of tool mount rails are received within mounts and are uniquely tailored to assure proper placement of tools such as grippers or vacuum cups at desired locations specific to the application requirements.

Abstract: A myo-inositol derivative: R1, R2, R3 and R4 are identical, being selected from PO3H2, PO3Na2, PO3K2, PO3Li2, PO3Ca, PO3Mg, PO3(NH4)2, PO3(RNH3)2, PO3(R2NH2)2, PO3(R4N)2, PO(OR)2, H, COZ and BHPP, where R is benzyl or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and Z is an alkyl or arylalky group providing a cleavable protecting group; R5 is one of H, benzyl, 4-methoxybenzyl, COZ, PO3H2, PO3Na2, PO3K2, PO3Li2, PO3Ca, PO3Mg, PO3(NH4)2, PO3(RNH3)2, PO3(R2NH2)2, PO3(R4N)2, PO(OR)2, and BHPP, where R is benzyl or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and Z is an alkyl or arylalky group providing a cleavable protecting group; X is one of CH2, CH2CH2O, and CH2CH2CH2O; n is an integer from 1 to 8; L1 is a single bond or CH2; L2 is one of a single bond, CONH, CH2CONH, CH2CH2CONH, CH2CH2NHCO, CH2CH2NHCONH, CH2CH2NHCSNH, CH2CH2NHSO2, CH2CH2CH2NHCO, CH2CH2CH2NHCONH, CH2CH2CH2NHCSNH, CH2CH2CH2NHSO2, NHCO, NHCONH, NHCSNH, OCONH, CH2, CH2CH2, CH2CH2O, CH2CH2S, CH2CH2NH, CH2CH2CH2, CH2CH2CH2O, CH2CH2CH2S, CH2CH2CH2NH, and NH—SO2; and R6 is a U

Abstract: A plastic pallet comprising an upper plastic sheet and a lower plastic sheet. The lower sheet has a generally rectangular configuration, including sidewalls and end walls, and includes a plurality of separate parallel upwardly opening longitudinally extending U-shaped grooves extending from end to end of the sheet and a plurality of downwardly opening U-shaped grooves interspersed between the upwardly opening grooves and opening in the end walls of the sheet. The upper sheet defines a top wall and a plurality of upwardly opening U-shaped protrusions extending downwardly from the top wall and sized to nest within the upwardly opening grooves of the lower sheet, whereby the sheets may be fused together to form double thickness U-shaped wall structures at the interfaces of the protrusions and the upwardly opening grooves. The pallet further includes a pair of longitudinally extending metallic beams positioned between the upper and lower sheets.

Abstract: A sliding fifth wheel assembly for slidably connecting a trailer hitch to a vehicle, comprising at least one rail connectable to the vehicle and a platform connectable to the trailer hitch. The platform is slidably mounted to the rail for movement between a forward position and a rearward position. At least one stop bar is connected to the platform, and at least one locking bar is pivotally mounted to the rail for selective engagement with the stop bar to retain the platform in either the forward position or the rearward position. The locking bar may be selectively engaged by at least one actuator.

Abstract: A powered lift mechanism for stowing and deploying scooters relative to the cargo area of a conventional SUV. The lift mechanism comprises an L-shaped box-section boom which is pivotally attached to the D-pillar on the inside of the SUV cargo area so as to leave the floor of the cargo area available. A powered linear actuator controls the angle of the boom relative to the D-pillar mounting structure to raise and lower the loaded scooter. The entire lift mechanism swings in the vehicle and permits the lift gate to be fully closed with both the lift mechanism and the scooter stored within the SUV. A releasable suspension linkage is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fishing lure for spraying water droplets fore and aft of the fishing lure. The fishing lure has a monolithic fishing lure body extending along an axis from a head end to a tail end of the fishing lure body. A first substantially planar surface is formed at the head end of the fishing lure body such that the first substantially planar surface forms a first angle with respect to the axis. A second substantially planar surface is formed at the head end of the fishing lure body such that the second substantially planar surface forms a second angle with respect to the axis. A third angle is formed with respect to the first and second substantially planar surfaces such that the third angle is the sum of the first angle and the second angle. A crotch is defined by the intersection of the first substantially planar surface and the second substantially planar surface.

Abstract: A security system and security device for securing a piece of luggage having a locking means, the security system and security device having a housing with two or more passageways and defined therethrough and a pawl, wherein said a pawl projects into said two or more passageways, and a security strap that is adapted to be inserted into the locking means and the two or more passageways, wherein the security strap is adapted to engage with the pawl to securely link the housing to the piece of luggage.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the synthesis of methanol from methane comprising three reaction steps operated in tandem. In the first step methylene chloride is produced by the reaction of methane with oxygen and hydrogen chloride. In the second step, methylene chloride is hydrolyzed to formaldehyde, which is hydrogenated in the third step to provide the product methanol.

Abstract: An aircraft exhaust vent assembly for venting an exhaust gas through a window opening formed in an airplane fuselage. The aircraft exhaust vent assembly has an enclosure connected to the airplane fuselage and at least partially disposed within the window opening. An inlet is formed in the enclosure and connectable to an exhaust gas source for directing the exhaust gas into the enclosure. An outlet is formed in the enclosure for venting said exhaust gas to the exterior of the airplane fuselage. An outlet flap is connected to the enclosure for movement between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the outlet flap substantially seals the outlet in the enclosure when the exhaust gas is not supplied to the enclosure. In the second position, the outlet flap does not seal the outlet in the enclosure to allow for venting of the exhaust gas to the exterior of the airplane fuselage.

Abstract: A power adapter for an aircraft. The aircraft has an electrical system and an auxiliary electrical system disposed thereon, wherein the auxiliary electrical system is not integrated with the electrical system. The power adapter has a body portion, a first connector terminal disposed on the body portion for receiving electrical power from an external power source, a second connector terminal disposed on the body portion and electrically connected to the first connector terminal for supplying electrical power to the electrical system of the aircraft, and a third connector terminal electrically connected to the first connector terminal for supplying electrical power to the auxiliary electrical system.

Abstract: A lock ring for use in mounting a watthour meter, meter socket enclosure cover or a watthour meter socket adapter to each other. The lock ring includes a ring member and a housing carried on the first and second ends of the ring member. The housing may be separate housings carried on the first and second ends of the ring member. A lock is insertable into mated first and second housing members in one of a plurality of variably selectable positions that vary the circumference of the ring member to accommodate varied circumferences of watthour meters, meter socket adapters and meter socket enclosure cover mounting rings. Finger grips are formed on the housing members to facilitate closure of the housing. A plurality of axially spaced grooves are formed in one of the members for receiving lock members carried by the lock.

Abstract: A remote user interface transmits a digital media request through a communication link to a control which is coupled to a digital audio-visual playback device for selecting and playing a stored digital media by the playback device. The control receives the digital media request and transmits digital media selection and/or the selected digital media content directly to a selected playback device or indirectly to the selected playback device through a playback device server. The communication between the control and the playback device can be through a global communication network.

Abstract: An emergency notification and directional signaling apparatus includes an alarm remotely mountable from and responsive to an emergency event detector and alarm. The remote alarm activates one of a supplementary visual and audible alarm which may include one or more different colored lights, one of which is a pulsed strobe, and an audible sound which may include a recorded voice message. A temperature sensor in the remote alarm housing activates a second notification and signaling event when the ambient temperature surrounding the remote alarm reaches a preset threshold. The remote alarm may be mounted in a portable housing, on a faceplate of an existing wall electrical junction box, or in an electrical duplex body mounted in a junction box.

Abstract: A headrest frame fabricated from a plastic material and having a core material with a cross-sectional shape that provides rigidity equal to that of a headrest frame fabricated from iron. The headrest frame has at least a first elongate leg having a core material embedded within a first plastic material. The first plastic material has a substantially round cross-sectional shape in the first elongate leg. At least a portion of the core material in said first elongate leg has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus, for use with an actuator, has a housing with a guide track mounted on or formed in the housing. A roller or cam operably engages with the guide track such that the cam can be moved and positioned along the guide track by way of the actuator. At least one pivoting arm is pivotally mounted on the housing adjacent to and spaced from the guide track. Each pivoting arm has an elongate slot adjacent to the shoulder. The elongate slot has two arcuate surfaces positioned parallel to each other and has two end surfaces joining the arcuate surfaces to define a closed loop surface. The cam is positioned within the elongate slot of each pivoting arm to pivot each pivoting arm between a clamped position and a released position as the cam is moved along the guide track and driven against the arcuate surfaces of each pivoting arm.