Abstract: A method identifies, for a vehicle, a low friction surface from a road surface with a slope. With the vehicle at standstill, the vehicle ignition is switched on. A normal load for the vehicle is calculated. It is determined if the vehicle is moving, and if the vehicle is moving, a vehicle load is calculated using suspension information from the vehicle. A road slope angle is calculated based on the calculated vehicle load and calculated normal load. A normal slope angle is calculated and is compared to the calculated road slope angle to determine if the vehicle is on a low friction surface or on a sloped surface. In accordance with another aspect of an embodiment, a method determines whether a trailer is coupled to a vehicle.

Abstract: A method optimizes trailer braking gain for a trailer that is towed behind a vehicle. The method receives an operator selected trailer gain. During a braking event, braking data from at least one sensor is received. Based on the received data and the selected trailer gain, an output trailer gain is provided. During the braking event, pressure in a master cylinder of a vehicle and an actual deceleration of the vehicle is monitored. The method determines if the actual deceleration is sufficient for the monitored master cylinder pressure and if not sufficient, the output trailer gain is automatically adjusted to provide an optimized trailer gain to brakes of the trailer until the actual deceleration of the vehicle matches an expected deceleration at the monitored pressure value.

Abstract: Thermal conditioning for an area surrounding one or more air separation canisters includes directing the exhaust gas of the thermal conditioning unit to the area surrounding the canisters. The area may be defined by a housing in which the canisters are positioned.

Abstract: Thermal conditioning for an area surrounding one or more air separation canisters includes directing the exhaust gas of the thermal conditioning unit to the area surrounding the canisters. The area may be defined by a housing in which the canisters are positioned.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for targeting a geometric feature (12) in a medical implant (14) located in a patient (16), such as a transverse bore (12) in an intramedullary nail (14) implanted in a femur (18) of a patient (16). The system (10) includes one or more emitters (20), one or more receptors (22), and a processor (24). The emitter(s) emits at least one of an acoustic field, a magnetic field, an electric field, or an electromagnetic field that will be altered by the geometric feature (12), and the receptor(s) (22) detects the altered field and generates a signal (26) responsive to the altered field. The processor receives the signal and generates a representation of the altered field.

Abstract: An active-passive rehabilitation device is disclosed providing natural and relatively unconstrained motion of the treated joint, which promotes drainage and mitigates edema in the extrema. This active-passive rehabilitation device enables the application of adjunctive therapeutic modalities such as cryotherapy units and pneumatic sequential compression devices. Electronic controls allow the active-passive rehabilitation device to be programmed to provide resistive load for Active Range of Motion or Active Resistive Range of Motion (AROM or ARROM) for prescribed therapeutic cycles. Speed, range of motion and therapeutic torque limitations are some of the parameters that may be user controlled and/or programmable. Historical data can be stored in the device and can be downloaded electronically in real-time or at discrete intervals, allowing caretakers to monitor progress and even modify load cycles via electronic communication means.

Abstract: An electromagnetic thrust bearing having reduced windage losses, improved structural integrity, and enhanced electromagnetic flux density. The present invention provides an electromagnetic thrust bearing having a first annular stator segment and a second annular stator segment joined thereto to define an annular electromagnetic coil chamber having an L-shaped cross-section. By employing first and second stator segments, the electromagnetic coil can be precision wound onto one segment without interference from the other segment, and then the two segments can be joined after the precision winding has been performed. The first segment is joined to the second segment at a location remote from the stator poles to thereby provide a more structurally sound assembly able to better withstand loads imposed thereon. The stator segment pole faces include axially extending lips to maximize electromagnetic flux density and thus load carrying capacity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cooling apparatus for at least one electronic component. The cooling apparatus includes a first member which has an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface of the first member is adapted for mounting the electronic component thereon at a preselected location. The cooling apparatus also includes a venturi member which is fixedly secured to the inner surface of the first member. The venturi member is positioned to direct a cooling fluid to flow in thermal communication with the inner surface of the first member. The venturi member is also positioned to control a flow velocity of the cooling fluid flowing in thermal communication with a preselected portion of the inner surface of the first member. The preselected portion of the inner surface of the first member is opposite to the preselected location of the outer surface of the first member.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for aircraft electronics. The present invention provides a plurality of reflux coolers wherein each reflux cooler is primarily dedicated to cooling a specific electronic component, such as one phase of a multiphase device. The reflux coolers are undersized to adequately cool the individual phases to which each are dedicated, but are interconnected and cross-linked such that the heat dissipation demand is shared amongst the plurality of reflux coolers. Moreover, the heat pipes interconnecting the reflux coolers can be provided with additional surface area in the form of fins to further augment the heat dissipation capacity of the system. Therefore, in the event a single reflux cooler is damaged, for example, during military engagement, the remaining reflux coolers are able to share the load primarily designed to be dissipated by the damaged reflux cooler.

Abstract: A rotating flood cooled machine having reduced windage losses comprises a stator having an inner periphery and a rotor rotatably positioned within the stator separated from the stator by a gap which is filled with fluid. A film divider is rotatably positioned within this gap and is allowed to rotate freely. In such a machine, when the rotor rotates at a speed .omega., the film divider is caused to rotate at a speed of approximately .omega./2. At this speed, the film divider obtains a radial position during rotation of approximately midway between the outer periphery of the rotor and the inner periphery of the stator. This radial position is preferably maintained by the hydrodynamic bearing action of the fluid within the gap, or alternatively through the use of radial positioning or retaining mechanisms. The use of axial constraint mechanisms to maintain the film divider within the air gap under the shear forces of the fluid during operation is also contemplated.

Abstract: A combined electronics mounting plate and heat exchanger and method of manufacturing same. The present invention provides an electronics mounting plate formed from a metal matrix composite and a metal heat exchanger in order to combine the low coefficient of thermal expansion and high heat dissipation characteristics of a metal matrix composite, with the cost effectiveness and relatively easy manufacturability of metal. In the preferred embodiment, the metal matrix composite is provided in the form of aluminum and silicon carbide, and the metal heat exchanger is provided in the form of aluminum fins. The method of manufacturing the present invention includes the steps of cleaning the metal matrix composite mounting plate and aluminum heat exchanger in a nitric acid fluoride salt before brazing the elements together.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical device having an integral reflux-type cooler configured to conduct heat generated in a first member of the electro-mechanical device to a heat sink, while not exposing a second member of the device to refrigerant in the reflux cooler is provided. In some embodiments of the invention, the refrigerant is allowed to directly contact electrical windings, or a magnetic core of the electro-magnetic device for maximizing heat transfer. Other embodiments of the invention provide integral phase change material for heat storage capability, and allow flexibility in mounting the condenser of the reflux cooler remotely from the electro-mechanical device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cooling apparatus for at least one electronic component. The cooling apparatus includes a first member which has an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface of the first member is adapted for mounting the electronic component thereon at a preselected location. The cooling apparatus also includes a venturi member which is fixedly secured to the inner surface of the first member. The venturi member is positioned to direct a cooling fluid to flow in thermal communication with the inner surface of the first member. The venturi member is also positioned to control a flow velocity of the cooling fluid flowing in thermal communication with a preselected portion of the inner surface of the first member. The preselected portion of the inner surface of the first member is opposite to the preselected location of the outer surface of the first member.

Abstract: The present invention is a liquid cooled electric machine (10) having enhanced cooling of the end turns (22) by providing intimate contact between the end turns and coolant fluid flowing through a first annular flow channel (34) and a second annular flow channel (50). Furthermore, a cylindrical liner (62) which is force fit within the annulus of the stator 12 forms part of the first and second annular flow channels and further provides support against radially inward deflection of the end turns (22). Furthermore, the invention is a cooling system (200) for an exciter generator in a self-excited electric power generator which has a liquid coolant circuit (216) which splits coolant flow between an inside surface (222) of a fullwave rectifier assembly (214) and an outside surface (226) of the fullwave rectifier assembly which absorbs heat from the rotor of the exciter generator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fishing bait bucket holding apparatus and method of use, especially in a boat. The apparatus comprises a bracket, for mounting to e.g. a boat, straps to embrace the girth of the bucket and thereby stabilize the bucket against lateral movement with respect to the bracket, and a bucket top holding rod mounted to the bracket and vertically biased to exert a downward force on the top of the bucket or bucket lid. Methods of use of the holding apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A static, centrifugal two-phase distributor (20) is constructed to distribute two-phase refrigerant equally on a mass basis to conduits (37) of evaporator circuits. The distributor (20) has an upper section (21) defining a swirl chamber (23) with a tangentially arranged inlet (28) and a lower section (25) in which are arranged curved guide vanes (39) on a hub (38) to divide equally to apertures (36) in an end wall (35) of the distributor (20) the liquid and vapor refrigerant phases separated centrifugally in the second chamber (23). The apertures (36) are connected to conduits (37) of the evaporator circuits.

Abstract: A liquid carrying, thermoplastic coated paperboard container including a top end closure, a four-sided body portion, and a bottom end closure, wherein various end closure panels are folded so as to abut against one another to become sealed thereagainst. To effectuate the sealing, a pressure sensitive, food grade adhesive is applied to at least one of each two abutting surfaces and the abutting surfaces are pressed together without the application of heat or high frequency vibration. The adhesive may be applied to the blank during the converting process, or while the blank is being formed into a container on the forming, filling and sealing machine.