Abstract: A connector system for connecting first and second elongate conductors includes a wedge connector and a hydraulic power drive tool assembly. The wedge connector includes: a sleeve member defining a sleeve cavity and mountable on the first and second conductors; a wedge member; and a lubricant coating disposed on at least one of the sleeve member and the wedge member. The hydraulic power drive tool assembly is adapted to drive the wedge member into the sleeve cavity when the sleeve member is mounted on the first and second conductors to secure the wedge connector to each of the first and second conductors. According to some embodiments, the lubricant is a wax.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for power utility transmission conductors includes a first conductive member having a tap conductor engagement surface adapted for interfacing with a tap conductor and a main conductor engagement surface adapted for interfacing with a main conductor. The first conductive member also includes a conductive member engagement surface adapted for interfacing with a second conductive member. The second conductive member is mechanically and electrically coupled to the first conductive member. The second conductive member has a tap conductor engagement surface adapted for interfacing with the tap conductor and a main conductor engagement surface adapted for interfacing with the main conductor. The second conductive member also includes a conductive member engagement surface adapted for interfacing with the conductive member engagement surface of the first conductive member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multipurpose flow module comprising flow plates and/or heat exchanger plates stacked together, which flow plate having a flow channel and one or more connection ports. To each flow plate or heat exchanger plate one or more barrier plates may be attached. The present invention further relates to a method for extraction, for reaction, for mixing, or combinations thereof in the multipurpose flow module, and to uses of the multipurpose flow module.

Abstract: A display system comprises a controller having a plurality of TTL inputs and a corresponding plurality of LVDS output pairs, the controller configured to receive display data comprising a first plurality of TTL signals at the plurality of TTL inputs, to convert each of the first plurality of TTL signals to a corresponding LVDS signal, and to output each of the plurality of LVDS signals at one of the plurality of LVDS output pairs. The system further comprises a bus operatively coupled with the controller, the bus having a plurality of parallel channels, each channel being configured to carry one of the plurality of LVDS signals, a LVDS-to-TTL converter operatively coupled with the bus, the LVDS-to-TTL converter being configured to receive the plurality of LVDS signals from the bus and to convert each of the plurality of LVDS signals to a corresponding TTL signal, and a display configured to receive the plurality of TTL signals from the LVDS-to-TTL converter.

Abstract: A method for connecting first and second elongate conductors using a wedge connector includes: providing a wedge connector including a sleeve member, a wedge member, and a lubricant coating disposed on at least one of the sleeve member and the wedge member, the sleeve member defining a sleeve cavity; mounting the sleeve member on the first and second conductors; and driving the wedge member into the sleeve cavity using a hydraulic power drive tool assembly to secure the wedge connector to each of the first and second conductors.

Abstract: An adjustable storage seat for recreation and utility vehicles is disclosed. The adjustable storage seat may be used for snowmobiles, watercraft, all-terrain vehicles, or other similar small vehicle intended for entertainment and transportation. The adjustable storage seat comprises a cushion mounted over a frame which is attached to the chassis of the vehicle. The seat is provided with an adjustable backrest which can be adjusted forward or backward in increments to increase the comfort of the rider when a button on the seat is pushed, but otherwise remains fixed in place. The adjustable backrest can also be removed from the seat to reveal a storage compartment after turning it 90 degrees. The seat may be provided with a lock to secure the storage compartment. Additional embodiments of the adjustable storage seat are convertible for one or two person use, and may be provided with internal storage or item racks.

Abstract: A method for connecting first and second elongate conductors using a wedge connector includes: providing a wedge connector including a sleeve member, a wedge member, and a lubricant coating disposed on at least one of the sleeve member and the wedge member, the sleeve member defining a sleeve cavity; mounting the sleeve member on the first and second conductors; and driving the wedge member into the sleeve cavity using a hydraulic power drive tool assembly to secure the wedge connector to each of the first and second conductors.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a first conductive member having a first hook portion and a first base portion, wherein the first hook portion extends from the first base portion, and a second conductive member having a second hook portion and a second base portion, wherein the second hook portion extends from the second base portion. A wedge member is nested between the first and second base portions, wherein the wedge member is movable in a loading direction. The wedge member drives the first and second base portions away from one another as the wedge member is moved in the loading direction. The first hook portion and the second base portion cooperate to securely engage a first conductor therebetween, and the second hook portion and the first base portion cooperate to securely engage a second conductor therebetween.

Abstract: Hepatitis C virus inhibitors having the general formula are disclosed. Compositions comprising the compounds and methods for using the compounds to inhibit HCV are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a first conductive member having a first hook portion and a first base portion, wherein the first hook portion extends from the first base portion, and a second conductive member having a second hook portion and a second base portion, wherein the second hook portion extends from the second base portion. A wedge member is nested between the first and second base portions, wherein the wedge member is movable in a loading direction. The wedge member drives the first and second base portions away from one another as the wedge member is moved in the loading direction. The first hook portion and the second base portion cooperate to securely engage a first conductor therebetween, and the second hook portion and the first base portion cooperate to securely engage a second conductor therebetween.

Abstract: A vehicle with a continuously variable transmission (continuously variable transmission) includes a torque responsive clutch having a cam and at least one coupling. The cam has a plurality of projecting surfaces, and a plurality of slots being defined between the projecting surfaces. The slots of the cam are used to direct cam followers that move across the slot surfaces as the vehicle is driven forward or in reverse. As the vehicle adjusts from forward to reverse or vice versa, the cam followers may jump from one side of the slot to the other.

Abstract: An adjustable storage seat for recreation and utility vehicles is disclosed. The adjustable storage seat may be used for snowmobiles, watercraft, all-terrain vehicles, or other similar small vehicle intended for entertainment and transportation. The adjustable storage seat comprises a cushion mounted over a frame which is attached to the chassis of the vehicle. The seat is provided with an adjustable backrest which can be adjusted forward or backward in increments to increase the comfort of the rider when a button on the seat is pushed, but otherwise remains fixed in place. The adjustable backrest can also be removed from the seat to reveal a storage compartment after turning it 90 degrees. The seat may be provided with a lock to secure the storage compartment. Additional embodiments of the adjustable storage seat are convertible for one or two person use, and may be provided with internal storage or item racks.

Abstract: A system of reflectors is used to form beam-expanding and collimating electro-optic transducer devices, including radiation sources and/or detectors. Preferably, the reflector system is of the Cassegrainian or Ritchey-Chretien type. Radiation such as light signals can be conducted to or from the transducers by fiber-optic cables. Alignment of optical conductors or “cores” of the fiber-optic cables or the reflector system with a transducer is provided by coupling a magnetic member to the conductor or reflector system and applying a controllable magnetic field from outside of the device to provide alignment, and then fixing the components in place by the use of means such as light-curable epoxy resin.

Abstract: An adjustable storage seat for recreation and utility vehicles is disclosed. The adjustable storage seat may be used for snowmobiles, watercraft, all-terrain vehicles, or other similar small vehicle intended for entertainment and transportation. The adjustable storage seat comprises a cushion mounted over a frame which is attached to the chassis of the vehicle. The seat is provided with an adjustable backrest which can be adjusted forward or backward in increments to increase the comfort of the rider when a button on the seat is pushed, but otherwise remains fixed in place. The adjustable backrest can also be removed from the seat to reveal a storage compartment after turning it 90 degrees. The seat may be provided with a lock to secure the storage compartment. Additional embodiments of the adjustable storage seat are convertible for one or two person use, and may be provided with internal storage or item racks.

Abstract: This invention describes a system and methods for media content subscription service distribution; typical services include cable television, premium content channels, pay-per-view, XM radio, and online mp3 services. Subscribers use portable electronic devices to store digital certificates certifying the subscriber's privileges and an assigned public key. The devices can communicate with specially enabled televisions, radios, computers, or other media presentation apparatuses. These, in turn, can communicate with central databases owned by the provider, for verification purposes. Methods of the invention describe media content subscription service privilege issuing and use. The invention additionally describes methods for protecting media content transmitted to users with a variety of encryption schemes.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein describes a man-machine interface device for controlling access to electronic devices. The man-machine interface device comprises an electronic display unit including a transparent finger touch sensor region that is seated above the display apparatus, which is responsible for determining the presence and absence of a finger and for generating fingerprint images when a finger is detected. The man-machine interface device also includes a controller unit that is coupled to the display apparatus, the finger touch sensor region, and at least one electronic device. The method of the invention describes a process for authenticating individuals and verifying their security privileges to access sensitive data, based on a finger-touch selection of an icon presented on the display apparatus of the man-machine interface device.

Abstract: Macrocyclic isoquinoline peptides are disclosed having the general formula: A compound of formula I: wherein R1 to R9, Q and W are described in the description. Compositions comprising the compounds and methods for using the compounds to inhibit HCV are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is an in-circuit security system for electronic devices. The in-circuit security system incorporates identity credential verification, secure data and instruction storage, and secure data transmission capabilities. It comprises a single semiconductor chip, and is secured using industry-established mechanisms for preventing information tampering or eavesdropping, such as the addition of oxygen reactive layers. This invention also incorporates means for establishing security settings, profiles, and responses for the in-circuit security system and enrolled individuals. The in-circuit security system can be used in a variety of electronic devices, including handheld computers, secure facility keys, vehicle operation/ignition systems, and digital rights management.

Abstract: A vehicle with a continuously variable transmission (continuously variable transmission) includes a torque responsive clutch having a cam and at least one coupling. The cam has a plurality of projecting surfaces, and a plurality of slots being defined between the projecting surfaces. The slots of the cam are used to direct cam followers that move across the slot surfaces as the vehicle is driven forward or in reverse. As the vehicle adjusts from forward to reverse or vice versa, the cam followers may jump from one side of the slot to the other.

Abstract: A tool for creating a mandrel comprises a circular-shaped portion that approximates a circular portion of a desired elliptical shape, and a plurality of facets disposed adjacent to the circular-shaped portion. Each facet approximates a portion of the elliptical shape.