Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a system and method for enhanced monitoring and/or controlling a flow of a media. For example, the flow of the media may be controlled and/or monitored over an enhanced range of flow rates; control over the flow of the media may be highly linear; the flow of an aggressive media may be controlled and/or monitored; or, other advantages may be provided.

Abstract: A grip for attachment to a firearm is provided. The firearm grip includes a housing having an internal storage cavity and a pull tab fixedly attached to the housing. The pull tab includes a body and a stopper attached to the body, which removably engages a wall that defines an open end of the internal storage cavity to removably cover the internal storage cavity.

Abstract: A low emission turbine includes a reverse flow can-type combustor that generally includes a primary and secondary fuel delivery system that can be independently controlled to produce low CO, UHC, and NOx emissions at design set point and at conditions other than design set point. The reverse flow can-type combustor generally includes an annularly arranged array of swirler and mixer assemblies within the combustor, wherein each swirler and mixer in the array includes a primary and secondary fuel delivery system that can be independently controlled. Also disclosed herein is a can-type combustor that includes fluid passageways that perpendicularly impinge the outer surface of a heat shield. Processes for operating the can-type combustors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multiple dose delivery device for delivering a medicament into an oral cavity of a patient is provided. The device includes a sachet pack including a plurality of unit doses of a medicament enclosed between a first strip and a second strip. The device further includes a sachet advance mechanism and a mouthpiece. Upon actuation by a user, the sachet advance mechanism, which is engaged with the sachet pack, separates the first strip from the second strip to release one of the plurality of the unit doses from the sachet pack. The mouthpiece includes an opening, and each released unit dose passes through the opening.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a turbine is provided wherein the heat exchanger comprises a heat transfer cell comprising a sheet of material having two opposed ends and two opposed sides. In addition, a plurality of concavities are disposed on a surface portion of the sheet of material so as to cause hydrodynamic interactions and affect a heat transfer rate of the turbine between a fluid and the concavities when the fluid is disposed over the concavities.

Abstract: A method of forming a vehicle component, particularly an elongated impact beam, having an open section structure, in a manner to provide predetermined strategically strengthened portions, comprising the steps of cold forming unhardened steel into a workpiece having mounting surfaces, selectively fixturing the mounting surfaces, static induction heating the workpiece with lengthwise surface eddy currents on selected portions, followed by quenching of the fixtured heated workpiece to form strengthened portions, and unfixturing the resulting component. Also disclosed is apparatus to accomplish this, and the resulting novel vehicle component.

Abstract: A grip for attachment to a firearm is provided. The grip includes an internal battery storage chamber having at least one inwardly stepped storage cavity that includes a plurality of battery compartments for storing a plurality of batteries.

Abstract: In energy management system is provided for a power generating device having a working fluid intake in which the energy management system comprises an electrical dissipation device coupled to the power generating device and a dissipation device cooling system configured to direct a portion of a working fluid to the electrical dissipation device so as to provide thermal control to the electrical dissipation device.

Abstract: In energy management system is provided for a power generating device having a working fluid intake in which the energy management system comprises an electrical dissipation device coupled to the power generating device and a dissipation device cooling system configured to direct a portion of a working fluid to the electrical dissipation device so as to provide thermal control to the electrical dissipation device.

Abstract: A grip for attachment to a firearm is provided. The grip includes an internal battery storage chamber having at least one inwardly stepped storage cavity that includes a plurality of battery compartments for storing a plurality of batteries.

Abstract: A method for testing computer software is described. The method is intended for operation on software which may or may not have been previously subjected to unit and integration tests, to determine if it will meet the specific requirements of an end user. The method is applicable to internally developed, contractor developed, or vendor supplied software. The method includes application in six key process areas. The six key process areas are development of a test plan, development of test cases to support the plan, development of an environment to simulate the technical environment in which the program will operate, test execution in which the tests are executed in a technical environment, compiling and analyzing the results and finally reporting the results in a form whereby the end user can determine both the feasibility of the software system for the specific requirements and any areas where additional testing or modifications are necessary.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a gas-fired heater to maintain temperature within a zone. The gas-fired heater is modulated between a higher firing rate and a lower firing rate within a pseudo steady-state mode until a current firing rate exceeds a predetermined maximum time period ttrans. The gas-fired heater is then modulated between an updated higher firing rate and an updated lower firing rate within a transient mode until an updated current firing rate exceeds a predetermined maximum time period tdiag. Finally, the higher firing rate and the lower firing rate are redefined in a diagnostic mode until the gas-fired heater returns to the pseudo steady-state mode.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a turbine is provided wherein the heat exchanger comprises a heat transfer cell comprising a sheet of material having two opposed ends and two opposed sides. In addition, a plurality of concavities are disposed on a surface portion of the sheet of material so as to cause hydrodynamic interactions and affect a heat transfer rate of the turbine between a fluid and the concavities when the fluid is disposed over the concavities.

Abstract: A multiple dose delivery device for delivering a medicament into an oral cavity of a patient is provided. The device includes a sachet pack including a plurality of unit doses of a medicament enclosed between a first strip and a second strip. The device further includes a sachet advance mechanism and a mouthpiece. Upon actuation by a user, the sachet advance mechanism, which is engaged with the sachet pack, separates the first strip from the second strip to release one of the plurality of the unit doses from the sachet pack. The mouthpiece includes an opening, and each released unit dose passes through the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a pilot burner apparatus and a main burner apparatus of a gas-fired appliance. The pilot burner apparatus draws combustion air from a first environment. The main combustion apparatus draws air from a second environment. In a shutdown condition, such as when a flammable vapor source is accidentally exposed to the second environment, the pilot burner apparatus draws air containing an undesired flammable vapor which eliminates the pilot flame, triggering a gas valve to close and shut down the fuel gas supply to the main burner apparatus and the pilot burner apparatus.

Abstract: A method and a system for a radio listener or a television viewer to retrieve a stored broadcast segment, such a song title or a sound recording, upon receiving a transmitted broadcast segment. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method and system facilitates retrieving a stored broadcast segment associated with a transmitted broadcast segment in response to a user inquiry, wherein the user inquiry references a time and a date of a broadcast and a station identifier of the transmitted broadcast segment. The user initiates the inquiry upon receiving the transmitted broadcast segment that interests the user. The method includes configuring a broadcast segment database with a plurality of stored broadcast segments associated with respective broadcast times, broadcast dates, station identifiers and identification information.

Abstract: A gas-fired heater includes a plurality of burners and one or more valves corresponding to one of the burners and operating between a closed position and an open position. A fuel supply is in fluidic communication with at least one of the burners when the one or more valves are in the open position. A modulator receives a temperature signal and computes, as a function of the temperature signal, and emits at least one control signal. The modulator then operates the one or more valves between the open position and the closed position as a function of the at least one control signal and controls the one or more valves to either activate or deactivate the burners for incrementally modulating a heat input to the gas-fired heater.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a gas-fired heater to maintain temperature within a zone. The gas-fired heater is modulated between a higher firing rate and a lower firing rate within a pseudo steady-state mode until a current firing rate exceeds a predetermined maximum time period ttrans. The gas-fired heater is then modulated between an updated higher firing rate and an updated lower firing rate within a transient mode until an updated current firing rate exceeds a predetermined maximum time period tdiag. Finally, the higher firing rate and the lower firing rate are redefined in a diagnostic mode until the gas-fired heater returns to the pseudo steady-state mode.

Abstract: A dose counter for a metered dose inhaler comprises actuator means (341), drive means (350) for driving a rotary gear (360) in step-wise fashion in response to displacement of said actuator means (341), said rotary gear (360) comprising a wheel having a plurality of ratchet teeth (not shown) around its periphery. Means (364) are provided to prevent reverse rotation of the rotary gear (360). A flexible tape (368) is provided with a visible array of incrementing integers on its surface indicating the number of medicament doses remaining in the inhaler. The tape (368) indexes by a single integer in response to each step of the step-wise rotary motion of the rotary gear (360). A control surface (371) regulates the position of engagement and disengagement between the drive means (350) and the rotary gear (360). In an alternative embodiment (FIG. 6), the control surface (371) is omitted and the means for preventing reverse rotation comprise a stepless restraint (664).

Abstract: The method for turbocharging an engine of a locomotive in which the engine is operable at a plurality of discrete operating power levels includes controlling at least one of energy to a motor-assisted turbocharger at a plurality of discrete energy levels and air pressure from the motor-assisted turbocharger to the engine at a plurality of discrete air pressure levels above ambient air pressure based on at least some of the plurality of discrete operating power levels (e.g., low power levels) of the engine. Desirably, the method also includes controlling generation of electrical energy from the motor-assisted turbocharger at some of the plurality of discrete operating power levels (e.g., high power levels) of the engine. Apparatus for turbocharging a diesel engine of a locomotive incorporating the above methods are also disclosed.