Abstract: The invention pertains to implants that facilitate tissue expansion while not substantially inhibiting normal anatomical movement. The implants may be made of different materials or made in different configurations such that such that a measured property at a first location on said implant is different than said same measured property at a second location on said implant. In one particular embodiment the implants may be a cosmetic penile implant.

Abstract: The invention pertains to implants that facilitate tissue expansion while not substantially inhibiting normal anatomical movement. The implants may be made of different materials or made in different configurations such that such that a measured property at a first location on said implant is different than said same measured property at a second location on said implant. In one particular embodiment the implants may be a cosmetic penile implant.

Abstract: A method and a system on a vehicle for activating a pedestrian protection device that has one or more sensors coupled to a fascia of the vehicle and activates the pedestrian protection device if the signal from a sensor is greater than a minimum threshold and less than a maximum threshold. Coupling the one or more sensors to the fascia improves sensitivity for detecting a collision with a pedestrian when compared to systems that do not couple the sensors to the fascia. Comparing the sensor signal to a minimum threshold and a maximum threshold helps avoid inappropriate or ineffective deployment of the pedestrian protection device. When multiple sensors are used, the location of the pedestrian collision on the fascia may be determined.

Abstract: An artificial weed system for attracting fish while ice fishing, includes a flexible line having a distal end. At least one elongated rod is affixed to the line at a predetermined position. At least one artificial weed bundle is affixed to the rod and includes a first end that is affixed to the rod. The at least one artificial weed bundles include a plurality of strands extending from the first end. Each strand has a specific gravity that is no greater than 1.0 and each strand includes a synthetic filament. A weight is affixed to the distal end of the line.

Abstract: An artificial weed system for attracting fish includes a circular hoop and a plurality of spaced apart artificial weed bundles. The circular hoop has a first end and a opposite second end. Each of the plurality of spaced apart artificial weed bundles is affixed to the hoop. Each weed bundle includes a first end that is affixed to the hoop, each of the plurality of artificial weed bundles includes a plurality of strands extending from the first end. Each strand has a specific gravity that is no greater than 1.0 and each strand includes a synthetic filament. A first attachment device is affixed to the first end of the hoop and a second attachment device is affixed to the second end of the hoop.

Abstract: A method and a system on a vehicle for activating a pedestrian protection device that has one or more sensors coupled to a fascia of the vehicle and activates the pedestrian protection device if the signal from a sensor is greater than a minimum threshold and less than a maximum threshold. Coupling the one or more sensors to the fascia improves sensitivity for detecting a collision with a pedestrian when compared to systems that do not couple the sensors to the fascia. Comparing the sensor signal to a minimum threshold and a maximum threshold helps avoid inappropriate or ineffective deployment of the pedestrian protection device. When multiple sensors are used, the location of the pedestrian collision on the fascia may be determined.

Abstract: The absolute roll angle of a vehicle body is estimated by blending two preliminary roll angle estimates based on their frequency so that the blended estimate continuously favors the more accurate of the preliminary roll angle estimates. A first preliminary roll angle estimate based on the measured roll rate is improved by initially compensating the roll rate signal for bias error using roll rate estimates inferred from other measured parameters. And a second preliminary roll angle estimate is determined based on the kinematic relationship among roll angle, lateral acceleration, yaw rate and vehicle speed. The blended estimate of roll angle utilizes a blending coefficient that varies with the frequency of the preliminary roll angle signals, and a blending factor used in the blending coefficient is set to different values depending whether the vehicle is in a steady-state or transient condition.

Abstract: A crash sensing system for determining a vehicle impact includes an electronic controller for activating impact mitigation equipment during both a first stage event and a second stage event. One or more sensors are used for determining the magnitude of both frontal and side impact forces during the vehicle impact. The controller operates to adjust the sensitivity of the sensors based upon vehicle speed measurements.

Abstract: A vehicle rollover detection apparatus and method are provided for detecting an overturn condition of the vehicle. The rollover detection apparatus includes an angular rate sensor sensing angular rate of the vehicle, and a vertical accelerometer for sensing vertical acceleration of the vehicle. A controller processes the sensed angular rate signal and integrates it to produce an attitude angle. The vertical acceleration signal is processed to determine an inclination angle of the vehicle. The rollover detection apparatus adjusts the attitude angle as a function of the inclination angle and compares the adjusted attitude angle and the processed angular rate signal to a threshold level to provide a vehicle overturn condition output signal. Additionally, the rollover detection apparatus detects a near-rollover event and adjusts the variable threshold in response thereto to prevent deployment of a vehicle overturn condition, thus providing immunity to such events.

Abstract: A sprocket ring has outwardly protruding spaced teeth to engage the motorcycle drive chain and an inner circular flange to interconnect with the sprocket hub. The sprocket hub has an outer circular flange to interconnect with the sprocket ring. Mating holes in the flanges receive bolts therethrough to interconnect the ring and the hub.

Abstract: A vehicle rollover detection apparatus and method are provided for detecting an overturn condition of the vehicle. The rollover detection apparatus includes an angular rate sensor sensing angular rate of the vehicle, and a vertical accelerometer for sensing vertical acceleration of the vehicle. A controller processes the sensed angular rate signal and integrates it to produce an attitude angle. The vertical acceleration signal is processed to determine an inclination angle of the vehicle. The rollover detection apparatus adjusts the attitude angle as a function of the inclination angle and compares the adjusted attitude angle and the processed angular rate signal to a threshold level to provide a vehicle overturn condition output signal. Additionally, the rollover detection apparatus detects a near-rollover event and adjusts the variable threshold in response thereto to prevent deployment of a vehicle overturn condition, thus providing immunity to such events.

Abstract: An industrial oven, including the combination of a steam generating tank having a water inlet and a steam outlet; walls depending from said tank for defining a combustion chamber therebelow; a preheater associated with one of the said walls exteriorially of said combustion chamber and having a water inlet therein and a water outlet thereof; said preheater water outlet communicating with said tank water inlet; means for generating heat energy within said combustion chamber so as to preheat water within said preheater and generate steam from water within said tank; and means for controlling the introduction of water into said preheater and into said tank so as to minimize the drop of steam pressure in said tank during introduction of water into said tank.