Abstract: A pressure regulator for regulating the pressure of a fluid from an associated pressure reservoir includes a regulator body housing a shuttle assembly and supporting a multiplicity of radially-distributed service lobes. Each service lobe includes features in fluid communication with one or more chambers within the regular body, and performs a particular function relating to the pressure and contents within those chambers. Such lobes may include one or more of a bias lobe for regulating pressure within the shuttle bias chamber, a fill lobe through which the reservoir may be filled, a gauge lobe which displays the pressure within the reservoir, and a relief lobe including one or more burst disks to relieve over pressurization in the reservoir or output chamber of the regulator. Each service lobe may slideably engage a respective interface on the regulator body, and be releasably secured there by way of a threaded retainer.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a gas pressure regulator comprise a regulator body, an adaptor sleeve, a retainer and an indexing ring. The regulator body includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, a ported intermediate portion therebetween, and a main bore. The adaptor sleeve axially receives the distal portion and includes an outer threading for engaging an air source adaptor of a paintball marker. The retainer threadably engages the main bore within the distal end, thereby axially securing the adaptor sleeve onto the distal end. The indexing ring receives the distal portion therethrough for resiliently biased axial movement of the indexing ring between a locking position and an unlocking position. When the indexing ring is in its unlocking position, the adaptor sleeve is rotatable with respect to the regulator body. When the indexing ring is in its locking position, the adaptor sleeve is rendered substantially non-rotatable with respect to the regulator body.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a gas biased pressure regulator comprise a capsule subassembly and a regulator body. The regulator body is adapted to connect to a source of pressurized gas. The capsule subassembly is removably received within the regulator body and includes a capsule body and a piston. The piston is axially slidable between fluid release and fluid seal configurations. When the piston is in its fluid release configuration, an output chamber is placed in fluid communication with the source. When the piston is in its fluid seal configuration, the output chamber is sealed from fluid communication with the source. A pressurizable bias chamber within the capsule body contains a bias pressure urging the piston toward its fluid release configuration. Pressure from the source urges the piston toward its fluid seal configuration. The piston may also have a fluid charge configuration for facilitating the pressurization of the bias chamber.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a gas pressure regulator comprise a regulator body, an adaptor sleeve, a retainer and an indexing ring. The regulator body includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, a ported intermediate portion therebetween, and a main bore. The adaptor sleeve axially receives the distal portion and includes an outer threading for engaging an air source adaptor of a paintball marker. The retainer threadably engages the main bore within the distal end, thereby axially securing the adaptor sleeve onto the distal end. The indexing ring receives the distal portion therethrough for resiliently biased axial movement of the indexing ring between a locking position and an unlocking position. When the indexing ring is in its unlocking position, the adaptor sleeve is rotatable with respect to the regulator body. When the indexing ring is in its locking position, the adaptor sleeve is rendered substantially non-rotatable with respect to the regulator body.

Abstract: An annular bourdon tube gauge assembly comprises a bourdon tube member, a first flange element, a second flange element and a pressure level indicator, and is adapted to be mounted externally circumferentially of a portion of a body member that is adapted to confining a pressurized fluid, such as a pressure regulator. The bourdon tube is axially disposed between the first and second flange elements, and has a spiral shape, a radially inner end and a radially outer end. The radially inner end is fixed with respect to the portion of the body member. The radially outer end is free to move circumferentially responsive to changes in the fluid pressure entering a pressure receiving port at the radially inner end. The pressure level indicator is mounted to and moveable with the radially outer end, and is viewable from a position located laterally outward of the first and second flange elements.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a gas biased pressure regulator comprise a capsule subassembly and a regulator body. The regulator body is adapted to connect to a source of pressurized gas. The capsule subassembly is removably received within the regulator body and includes a capsule body and a piston. The piston is axially slidable between fluid release and fluid seal configurations. When the piston is in its fluid release configuration, an output chamber is placed in fluid communication with the source. When the piston is in its fluid seal configuration, the output chamber is sealed from fluid communication with the source. A pressurizable bias chamber within the capsule body contains a bias pressure urging the piston toward its fluid release configuration. Pressure from the source urges the piston toward its fluid seal configuration. The piston may also have a fluid charge configuration for facilitating the pressurization of the bias chamber.

Abstract: A fill nipple assembly for use as a fill interface on a pressure regulator may comprise a fill nipple body, a strut member and a seal member. The fill nipple body includes a main bore with a tapered section. The strut member includes a complimentary tapered surface with a seal groove for retaining a seal member. The seal member extends partially outward of the tapered surface. The tapered section and tapered surface may have respective taper angles which are substantially the same. The rear portion of the strut member may include a radially-extending strut flange adapted to axially engage the proximal end of the fill nipple body. The strut member is received by the main bore for axial movement into and out of a sealing configuration with respect to the main bore. The seal member sealingly engages the tapered section when the strut member is in its sealing configuration.

Abstract: A pressure regulator for regulating the pressure of a fluid from an associated pressure reservoir includes a regulator body housing a shuttle assembly and supporting a multiplicity of radially-distributed service lobes. Each service lobe includes features in fluid communication with one or more chambers within the regular body, and performs a particular function relating to the pressure and contents within those chambers. Such lobes may include one or more of a bias lobe for regulating pressure within the shuttle bias chamber, a fill lobe through which the reservoir may be filled, a gauge lobe which displays the pressure within the reservoir, and a relief lobe including one or more burst disks to relieve over pressurization in the reservoir or output chamber of the regulator. Each service lobe may slideably engage a respective interface on the regulator body, and be releasably secured there by way of a threaded retainer.

Abstract: A rapid infusion system for the intravenous delivery of fluids at standard and rapid flow rates. The system includes a pump assembly, a drive assembly to power the pump, and a fluid containment system that keeps the infused fluid out of direct contact with the pump assembly and that is preferably disposable and removable. In one embodiment the drive assembly includes a differential drive that interacts with more than one motor. In one embodiment, the pump assembly includes a roller pump and the pump chamber is a collapsible, preformed tube that is preferably attached to a pump cartridge frame. Optionally, the system includes a self-leveling drip chamber and the fluid containment system is disposable and includes a pump cartridge containing the drip chamber and the pump chamber, I.V. tubing, outlet infusion tubing, and a heater cartridge.

Abstract: A combination valve assembly is adapted to being an interface for filling and relieving excess pressure from a closed fluid system such as a propane tank, and to enable the regulation of fluid height within the closed fluid system via a dip tube and a bleeder set screw. The system generally comprises a pin valve element, an insert shell element, a main housing element, a relief system, and a dip tube member in fluid communication with an overfill port in the main housing. The dip tube member may be adapted to extend outward of the distal end of the man housing element.

Abstract: An annular bourdon tube gauge assembly comprises a bourdon tube member, a first flange element, a second flange element and a pressure level indicator, and is adapted to be mounted externally circumferentially of a portion of a body member that is adapted to confining a pressurized fluid, such as a pressure regulator. The bourdon tube is axially disposed between the first and second flange elements, and has a spiral shape, a radially inner end and a radially outer end. The radially inner end is fixed with respect to the portion of the body member. The radially outer end is free to move circumferentially responsive to changes in the fluid pressure entering a pressure receiving port at the radially inner end. The pressure level indicator is mounted to and moveable with the radially outer end, and is viewable from a position located laterally outward of the first and second flange elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a deformable implant and a deformation apparatus. The implant has an elongated shape and may be inserted into the intramedullary canal of a fractured bone. The implant may have a support structure and thermo-chemically activated matrix material, deformable at a first state and hardened at a second state, surrounding the support structure. The deformation apparatus is shaped to be inserted co-axially into the implant, and includes a tube co-axially positioned inside a balloon, and a set of hoses connected to the tube and the balloon. A heat source, a cartridge and a pump may be connected to the apparatus to supply heat, and regulate temperature and pressure of a liquid or gas and circulate it through the balloon. Liquid or gas is introduced through the hoses into the balloon to inflate the balloon and cause the surrounding implant to expand radially, providing support to the fractured bone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating digital data on a bus arrangement is provided. The bus arrangement includes one or more encoding circuits, decoding circuits, and transmission mediums. Each encoding circuit includes a digital-to-analog converter circuit communicatively coupled to a multi-phase analog encoding circuit. Each decoding circuit corresponds to a respective encoding circuit and includes a multi-phase analog decoding circuit communicatively coupled to an analog-to-digital converter circuit, and a multiplexing circuit communicatively coupled to the analog-to-digital converter circuit. Each respective encoding circuit and a corresponding decoding circuit is communicatively coupled by a transmission medium. Digital data is converted to at least one analog signal and encoded upon a radio frequency carrier signal. The carrier signal is transmitted to a destination where it is decoded and the digital data reconstituted.

Abstract: A network amplifier is provided. The network amplifier includes a variable equalizer having at least one control input and a variable attenuator having at least one control input. The network amplifier also includes at least one amplifier circuit that is coupled in series with the variable equalizer and the variable attenuator in a signal path of the network amplifier. The network amplifier also includes an automatic gain control circuit with a processor that monitors signals in the signal path and generates control signals for the control input of the variable equalizer and the control input of the variable attenuator to control at least one characteristic of the network amplifier.

Abstract: A switch apparatus is used in the transmission of a redundant Cable TV (CTV) signal. The redundant CTV signal can be a symmetric split linked redundant CTV signal or an asymmetric split linked redundant CTV signal. The switch apparatus is capable of handling both the symmetric and asymmetric redundant CTV signal where primary channels are split into multiple parts. The asymmetrical splitting of the primary channels is where one part contains more channels than another part. The switch apparatus includes a plurality of switches and a monitor device to detect a failure in the split signal path before the split signals are combined to be transmitted to downstream end-users. Upon detecting a failure, the switches are switched from primary channels to secondary channels by a controller. After the signal is returned, the switches are switched back to the primary channels. A delay timer may be included in the switch apparatus to avoid incidental or temporary signal recovery.

Abstract: An amplifier switch controller is provided for use in a headend cable transmission system having first and second amplifiers and amplifier input and output paths connected to one of the first and second amplifiers, which becomes the currently activated amplifier. The amplifier switch controller comprises an input sampler for sampling a combined signal on the input signal path and measuring an input signal level. The amplifier switch controller also comprises an output sampler for sampling the amplified combined signal on the output signal path and measuring an output signal level. A program means receives the input and output signal levels and determines whether the currently activated amplifier is not functioning properly. If it is not functioning properly, the program means generates a control signal to a switch.

Abstract: A combiner-amplifier is provided which has first current feedback amplifier which amplifies a first received signal by a predetermined gain value. A second current feedback amplifier amplifies a second received signal by the predetermined gain value. A combiner is operatively coupled to the first and the second current feedback amplifiers to combine the amplified first received signal with the second received signal together to generate a combined signal which is attenuated by the predetermined gain value such that the combined signal has approximately a unity gain over the first and the second received signals within a bandwidth of at least 45 megahertz.

Abstract: A pump 10 for delivering a precise selected output volume has a rigid pump housing 12. A diaphragm 16 is in fluid right abutment with the pump housing 12 to define a pump chamber 40 therebetween. The diaphragm 16 is resiliently biased towed a selected metering position 46 wherein the diaphragm 16 assumes a cup-shaped configuration and the pump chamber 40 has a selected metering volume. The diaphragm 16 is drivable to a discharged position 52 wherein the pump chamber 40 has a selected discharge volume less than the metering volume by a selected output volume. The diaphragm 16 maintains the output volume substantially constant notwithstanding substantial variations in fluid pressure from the fluid supply of variations in ambient pressure. An inlet 32 selectively allows fluid to flow between a fluid supply 45 and the pump chamber 40 as the diaphragm 16 moves from the discharged position 52 to the metering position 46.