Abstract: The invention provides novel reagents and methodologies for detecting free versus bound enzyme. It is particularly useful to detect thrombin when it is not bound to A2M in the presence of thrombin bound to A2M by using a modified substrate that is sterically hindered from reacting with the bound thrombin.

Abstract: A gear assembly including a main gear including a first hub, a first gear ring positioned about the first hub, and a first helically splined region. The gear assembly further includes a sub-gear co-axially disposed relative to the main gear with a resilient member disposed therebetween. The sub-gear including a second hub, a second gear ring positioned about the second hub, and a second helically splined region complementary to the first helically splined region.

Abstract: A compliant gear assembly includes a hub subassembly including a first hub component defining a first axis and a second hub component movable relative to the first hub component in a controlled direction perpendicular to the first axis. A gear ring, which is rotatably mounted on the hub subassembly and defines a gear ring axis of rotation, is coupled to move with the second hub component between a biased position in which the gear ring axis of rotation is coaxial with the first axis and a translated intermediate stop position in which the gear ring axis of rotation is parallel to but not coaxial with the first axis. A spring component is coupled between the first and second hub components, biases the second hub component toward the biased position, and provides a variable spring force that increases as the second hub component is moved toward the translated intermediate stop position.

Abstract: A compliant gear assembly includes a hub subassembly including a first hub component defining a first axis and a second hub component movable relative to the first hub component in a controlled direction perpendicular to the first axis. A gear ring, which is rotatably mounted on the hub subassembly and defines a gear ring axis of rotation, is coupled to move with the second hub component between a biased position in which the gear ring axis of rotation is coaxial with the first axis and a translated intermediate stop position in which the gear ring axis of rotation is parallel to but not coaxial with the first axis. A spring component is coupled between the first and second hub components, biases the second hub component toward the biased position, and provides a variable spring force that increases as the second hub component is moved toward the translated intermediate stop position.

Abstract: A gear assembly including a main gear including a first hub, a first gear ring positioned about the first hub, and a first helically splined region. The gear assembly further includes a sub-gear co-axially disposed relative to the main gear with a resilient member disposed therebetween. The sub-gear including a second hub, a second gear ring positioned about the second hub, and a second helically splined region complementary to the first helically splined region.

Abstract: The invention provides novel reagents and methodologies for detecting free versus bound enzyme. It is particularly useful to detect thrombin when it is not bound to A2M in the presence of thrombin bound to A2M by using a modified substrate that is sterically hindered from reacting with the bound thrombin.

Abstract: The invention provides novel reagents and methodologies for detecting free versus bound compounds. It is particularly useful to detect thrombin when it is not bound to A2M in the presence of thrombin bound to A2M by using a modified substrate that is sterically hindered from reacting with the bound thrombin.

Abstract: The invention provides novel reagents and methodologies for detecting free versus bound compounds. It is particularly useful to detect thrombin when it is not bound to A2M in the presence of thrombin bound to A2M by using a modified substrate that is sterically hindered from reacting with the bound thrombin.

Abstract: An elbow connection having coupling members for connecting between components of an internal combustion engine. The elbow connection has a reduced curvature and maintains a proper connection between the components of the internal combustion engine. The elbow connection includes a first end and a second end. A flange is formed near the first end and an o-ring groove is formed between the first end and the flange. A female coupling member is formed at the second end.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine comprising a center electrode having a shank portion which is fluted. The flutes have at least one edge which protrudes through an opening in a ground electrode of the spark plug. The principle use is for lean burn natural gas engines, however any air-fuel mixtures 14 will benefit from this invention. For example, propane or dual fuel engines may have spark plugs with this invention.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating and maintaining a spark in an environment having a varying pressure, such as a combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine, whereby a means for producing a high-frequency alternating electrical current is electrically connected to a pair of electrodes spaced apart by a gap and disposed in the combustion chamber for producing under the influence of a low applied electrical current, a continuous spark between the electrodes at a low pressure condition in the combustion chamber and maintaining the spark as the pressure in the combustion chamber becomes relatively high, aiding the ignition of combustible fuel injected into the combustion chamber during the high pressure condition.

Abstract: A spark ignition system of an internal combustion engine has a first electrode and a second electrode spaced from each other operating at high voltages to produce a spark in a combustion zone of the engine. The construction of the system permits the formation of long length sparks with a train of electrical pulses having a shortened total burst duration having higher power while using lower energy.

Abstract: An outward opening valve system includes an engine having a fluid cavity in fluid communication with an accumulator chamber by a transfer passage, a hollow piston cylinder in fluid communication with a gas passageway via an opening, and an intensifier bore that opens to the hollow piston cylinder. The opening includes an outward valve seat adjacent the gas passageway. An outward valve member with a valve face is moveable between a closed position in which the valve face is against the valve seat closing the opening and an open position in which the valve face is away from the valve seat. A compression spring is utilized to bias the outward valve member toward its open position. An intensifier piston is positioned in the intensifier bore with one end exposed to fluid pressure in the hollow piston cylinder. A coupling linkage interconnects the intensifier piston to the outward valve member.

Abstract: A double-diaphragm gauge protector constructed according to principles of this invention comprises a diaphragm housing formed from a upper housing body, a lower housing body, and a central housing body interconnected between the upper and lower housing bodies. A first diaphragm is disposed within the upper housing body forming an upper chamber therebetween and a liquid pressure-transfer medium is disposed within the upper chamber. The first diaphragm includes a transfer pad that projects outwardly away from a frontside or downwardly facing bottom surface of the first diaphragm toward the lower housing body. A second diaphragm is disposed within the lower housing body forming a lower chamber therebetween. The second diaphragm also includes a transfer pad that projects outwardly away from a frontside or upwardly facing top surface of the second diaphragm toward the first diaphragm. The transfer pads of the first and second diaphragms are positioned one on top of the other.

Abstract: A fuel storage and delivery apparatus for providing one or more non-miscible fuels to a multi-fuel engine has a fuel reservoir adapted for storing first and second non-miscible fuels in communication with each other. The first and second fuels define a phase interface therebetween. The fuel reservoir has a bottom, and first and second outlets adapted to respectfully receive first and second fuels. The first and second outlets are positioned adjacent the bottom and the phase interface. The fuel delivery apparatus has means for respectfully maintaining the first and second outlets adjacent the bottom and the phase interface. The fuel delivery apparatus also has means for sensing the fluid levels of the first and second non-miscible fuels in the reservoir, and producing fluid level signals in response to the sensed fluid levels.

Abstract: A bellows-type pump having a support ring positioned interiorly within the coil of the plastic bellows. The support ring is initially coiled to a diameter smaller than the normal bellows coil diameter. The free ends of the support ring have a telescopic relationship so that, when expanded to form a complete loop for supportive engagement within the bellows coil, the oppose free ends of the loop circumferentially engage one another and are positively held in telescopic engagement due to the circumferential hoop stress of the support ring.

Abstract: A bellows-type pump has a plastic bellows interiorly supported by interior pressure. The interior pressure is supplied by a fluid source which passes through a pressure regulator to control the amount of interior pressure exerted on the bellows. A fiber-optic leak detector can be inserted into the plastic bellows to detect the leakage of process fluid therein.