Abstract: Turbochargers comprise a compressor housing having an air inlet passage for receiving inlet airflow, an air outlet passage for passing pressurized air to an engine combustion system, and a compressor impeller rotatably disposed within the housing for receiving air from the air inlet passage, pressurizing the inlet air, and passing the pressurized air to the air outlet passage. An air flow conditioner is placed into air flow communication with the compressor housing air inlet passage, and can be disposed within an air inlet section of the compressor itself, or can be placed within a vehicle air ducting positioned upstream from the turbocharger.

Abstract: An assembly and methods are disclosed for constructing a Monowell having a monodiameter casing disposed in a monodiameter wellbore having diametric efficiency with a monobore production delivery system disposed within the monodiameter casing. An assembly for constructing a monodiameter wellbore includes a bottomhole assembly having a overgauge hole drilling member, a directional steering assembly, a measurement while drilling tool, and a logging while drilling tool; a work string attached to the bottomhole assembly and extending to the surface; drilling fluids flowing through the work string and bottomhole assembly; chemical casing casing the borehole; expandable casing disposed in the wellbore; and a sealing composition disposed between the expandable casing and the wellbore.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle with submersible capacity includes a first portion and a second portion, coupled by an extension, and a valve assembly. The first portion is capable of floating on water while the second portion is contemporaneously submerged beneath the surface and performing a variety of operations on the water's bottom. The valve assembly allows the vehicle to move between an amphibious mode and a submerged mode.

Abstract: A compressor impeller for use with a boreless turbocharger is provided in accordance with this invention. The compressor impeller comprises an integral hub projecting axially therefrom that includes a partial bore therein that extends from an open to a close bore end. The bore includes a threaded portion that is configured to accommodate threaded engagement with an end of a common shaft disposed through a turbocharger housing and attached at an opposite end to a turbine wheel. The hub is specially configured so that the threaded portion has a relatively increased wall thickness when compared to a remaining portion of the bore disposed between the threaded portion and the end of the bore. The bore is configured providing a section having a reduced wall thickness, between the threaded portion and the bore closed end, for purposes of providing a preferential stress relief mechanism.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle with submersible capacity includes a first portion and a second portion, coupled by an extension, and a valve assembly. The first portion is capable of floating on water while the second portion is contemporaneously submerged beneath the surface and performing a variety of operations on the water's bottom. The valve assembly allows the vehicle to move between an amphibious mode and a submerged mode.

Abstract: Microelectronic packages include a first microelectronic substrate having a first face and a first AC-coupled interconnect element on the first face. A second microelectronic substrate includes a second face and a second AC-coupled interconnect element on the second face. A buried solder bump extends between the first and second faces, and is at least partially buried beneath the first and/or second faces, to maintain the first and second AC-coupled interconnect elements in closely spaced apart relation. The buried solder bump also may couple DC power between the first and second substrates. Other technologies also may be used to maintain the AC-coupled interconnect elements in closely spaced apart relation and to couple DC power between the substrates. The first and second AC-coupled interconnect elements may be first and second capacitor plates, first and second inductors and/or first and second combined inductive and capacitive elements.

Abstract: A stacked camera system in which several cameras are stacked such that the nodal point of each camera lens is aligned with a predefined axis, and each camera is directed outward from the predefined axis to capture a designated region of the surrounding environment. In one embodiment, each camera of a four-camera system captures one-quarter of a surrounding environment, with each capture region originating from a vertical axis such that horizontal blind spots and parallax are minimized.

Abstract: A method for increasing chick production by increasing the level of L-DOPA in the bloodstream of breeder hens is described. Chick production is increased by increasing rates of egg laying, fertility of laid eggs, and number of fertile eggs that hatch. Methods for reducing the effects of stress on egg laying by increasing the level of L-DOPA in the bloodstream of breeder hens are also described.

Abstract: A system for creating and titling reports from a database by using a graphical title bar navigator to create and depict a natural language phrase to query a database and title the resulting report such that the navigator itself becomes the title, is provided. A set of parameters embodying the various tables and fields in a traditional database system is provided for selection in a menu by the user through this navigator. The user selects a first parameter through the navigator. Based on this selection, a further set of parameters is made available. Another selection is made and so on, until the specificity of the query has been achieved. Each selection that is made grammatically follows the selection before it such that the navigator depicts a complete sentence in natural language form. The query is communicated from the interface to the database management system which, in turn, accesses the data. The natural language phrase persists and becomes the title of the report.

Abstract: A computer system having a visual display which displays data in an interactive split pie chart and permits a user to modify the input parameters of the pie chart to dynamically alter the configuration of the chart. The split pie chart can be split into two or more sections each corresponding to a different time period. Each section is divided into wedges corresponding to different variables and their corresponding values in two different time periods. Finally, the chart itself is geographically placed on a graphic image of a map. An interface between the computer system and a data storage system to transfer data to be transformed into the graphical representation of the pie chart is provided. The user modifies the input parameters of the pie chart through a user interface which translates the modifications into queries to the database storage system to retrieve the appropriate data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for inter-antenna baseline determination that uses an antenna configuration comprising a pair of relatively closely spaced antennas and other pairs of distant antennas. The closely spaced pair provides a short baseline having an integer ambiguity that may be searched exhaustively to identify the correct set of integers. This baseline is then used as a priori information to aid the determination of longer baselines that, once determined, may be used for accurate run time attitude determination.

Abstract: Effective techniques and equipment are described for maintaining and improving dredge disposal sites. In one aspect, the use of winching equipment is described to move a digging vehicle within a containment area for effective creation of ditching to permit substantial dewatering and drainage of the dredge spoil to dry it. Substantially dried spoil is removed from the containment area pit using amphibious scraper equipment. The substantially dried spoil may then be used to build up the berm surrounding the dredge pit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for modification of a scraper, or similar heavy equipment, for operation in wet or swampy areas including dredge disposal areas. A floatation tire assembly is described which is removably affixable to the scraper to give the scraper the amphibious capability to operate in the wet, swampy environment.

Abstract: A hydraulic winch which is capable of generating significant amounts of torque and providing very high line pull even after a significant amount of cable is wrapped onto its spool. The winch spool is also capable of carrying a large amount of thick cable. It is useful in applications such as assisting maintenance of dredge disposal areas in which a ditching machine must be assisted by a tether across the pit of the disposal area. In the described embodiment, the novel winch includes a transportable base or skid which is affixable to a prime mover vehicle, a heavy duty spool, a chain drive and a power train. The power train for the winch is powered by a hydraulic motor. Through significant gear reduction via the chain drive and a hydraulic gear box, the winch is capable of generating sustained significant torque regardless of the amount of cable on the spool.

Abstract: Effective techniques and equipment are described for maintaining and improving dredge disposal sites. In one aspect, the use of winching equipment is described to move a digging vehicle within a containment area for effective creation of ditching to permit substantial dewatering and drainage of the dredge spoil to dry it. Substantially dried spoil is removed from the containment area pit using amphibious scraper equipment. The substantially dried spoil may then be used to build up the berm surrounding the dredge pit.

Abstract: A method for reducing the total fat and cholesterol contents and the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids and for increasing total protein content in eggs produced by animals is described. The level of L-Dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) in the bloodstream of the poultry is elevated so as to cause the animals to produce eggs which have a reduced cholesterol content and eggs which have a lower ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids. In a preferred embodiment the L-DOPA is orally administered to poultry by incorporation in the food for said poultry.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for regulating or ameliorating lipid metabolism which comprise administration or timed administration of inhibitors of dopamine beta hydroxylase (DBH).

Abstract: An efficient direct drive system is featured which is easier to maintain than conventional systems. The system includes a drive assembly which employs a hydraulic motor to rotate a shaft assembly and power most or all of the drive chains of the vehicle's endless track assembly at once. A laterally located motor directly rotates the shaft assembly. A gear assembly is included in the drive system. A brake assembly may be included in the system. The shaft assembly is made up of an inner shaft and an outer shaft sleeve which are disposed over portions of the inner shaft. Laterally outer drive sprockets are bolted or otherwise affixed to the outer shaft sleeve. The inner shaft and outer shaft sleeve are further keyed together so that the shaft assembly is rotatable as a unitary piece. The shaft assembly may be easily dismantled to change the laterally outer sprockets when necessary.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for modifying metabolism in a vertebrate animal which entails the administration of pantethine or cysteamine at a predetermined time daily. The method is useful in the treatment of hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and hyperinsulinemia.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for improving various aberrant metabolic indices in mammals including humans by administration of muscarinic (particularly M1) receptor antagonists alone or in combination with prolactin inhibiting compounds. Preferably the administration takes place at a predetermined time (or, if a combination of muscarinic receptor antagonist and prolactin inhibitor is used, at different predetermined times) during a 24-hour period when the administration is effective (or its effect more pronounced). The invention has application in the treatment of lipid and glucose metabolism disorders.