Abstract: An oil pressure regulator includes a chamber that extends between an oil supply line and an oil bypass line. The chamber extends from a closed end of the chamber to an open end of the chamber. The regulator includes a plunger that is positioned within the chamber. The plunger is movable within the chamber between a first position preventing oil flow from the oil supply line to the oil bypass line, and a second position allowing oil flow from the oil supply line to the oil bypass line. Also, the regulator includes a compression spring that is positioned within the chamber between the plunger and the closed end. When the plunger is in the first position, the compression spring is in an uncompressed state, and when the plunger is in the second position, the compression spring is in a compressed state.

Abstract: This disclosure provides crankshaft damper and tone wheel assembly having a low noise characteristic. The crankshaft damper and tone wheel assembly can provides both damping of vibrations excited in a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and an indication of the rotational speed or position of the crankshaft. The crankshaft damper including a hub portion and a ring-shaped portion connected to the hub portion by plural spokes, and the ring-shaped portion has an inner circumference that surrounds an area including the hub portion and the plural spokes. The tone wheel includes an annular-shaped portion connected to the crankshaft damper and having an inner diameter, an outer diameter, plural teeth arranged at an equal pitch along the outer diameter, and a same rotational axis as the crankshaft damper.

Abstract: A method of controlling use of one or more peripheral devices with an electronic gaming device, the method including: determining whether at least one peripheral device is authorised for operation with the electronic gaming device by determining whether there is a dongle fitted to the electronic gaming device containing an authorisation of the at least one peripheral device; and at least partially disabling the operation of any peripheral device for which it is determined that there is not a dongle fitted to the electronic gaming device containing an authorisation of the peripheral device.

Abstract: A pump comprises a housing, with an interior defining a rotor path, an inlet formed in the housing at a first position on said rotor path, an outlet formed in the housing at a second position on said rotor path spaced from said first position. A rotor is rotatable in the housing with a first surface that seals against the housing. A second surface is formed on said rotor circumferentially spaced from said first surface and forms a chamber that travels around said rotor path to convey fluid from the inlet to the outlet. A resilient seal formed with the housing is located on the rotor path to prevent fluid flow from said outlet to said inlet past the seal. A passage may be provided to supply fluid to an under surface of the seal at a pressure that acts to urge the seal against the rotor.

Abstract: One embodiment is a fuel system for an internal combustion engine including a fuel pump having a fuel pump gear operable to drive the fuel pump to pressurize fuel. The fuel pump gear is offset relative to engine top dead center by a predetermined angle to reduce a sound or noise. The offset can be determined by selecting the minimum sound produced over a range of offsets or operating conditions.

Abstract: This disclosure provides crankshaft damper and tone wheel assembly having a low noise characteristic. The crankshaft damper and tone wheel assembly can provides both damping of vibrations excited in a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and an indication of the rotational speed or position of the crankshaft. The crankshaft damper including a hub portion and a ring-shaped portion connected to the hub portion by plural spokes, and the ring-shaped portion has an inner circumference that surrounds an area including the hub portion and the plural spokes. The tone wheel includes an annular-shaped portion connected to the crankshaft damper and having an inner diameter, an outer diameter, plural teeth arranged at an equal pitch along the outer diameter, and a same rotational axis as the crankshaft damper.

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to a method for generating location data using a wireless mobile device, the wireless mobile device adapted to communicate with a plurality of location services, each service associated with one of a plurality of networks. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: selecting a first location service from the plurality of location services; transmitting a first request for location data to the first location service; if the first request fails, selecting a second location service from the plurality of location services; and receiving location data from one of the first and the second location services.

Abstract: One embodiment is a fuel system for an internal combustion engine including a fuel pump having a fuel pump gear operable to drive the fuel pump to pressurize fuel. The fuel pump gear is offset relative to engine top dead center by a predetermined angle to reduce a sound or noise. The offset can be determined by selecting the minimum sound produced over a range of offsets or operating conditions.

Abstract: A method of controlling use of one or more peripheral devices with an electronic gaming device, the method including: determining whether at least one peripheral device is authorised for operation with the electronic gaming device by determining whether there is a dongle fitted to the electronic gaming device containing an authorisation of the at least one peripheral device; and at least partially disabling the operation of any peripheral device for which it is determined that there is not a dongle fitted to the electronic gaming device containing an authorisation of the peripheral device.

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to a method for generating location data using a wireless mobile device, the wireless mobile device adapted to communicate with a plurality of location services, each service associated with one of a plurality of networks. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: selecting a first location service from the plurality of location services; transmitting a first request for location data to the first location service; if the first request fails, selecting a second location service from the plurality of location services; and receiving location data from one of the first and the second location services.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided by which a mobile device may be configured to display a list of available networks in response to a single action. In particular, some embodiments of the present invention include a softkey that may be programmed to view a menu of available wireless networks.

Abstract: Embodiments of the claimed invention provide systems and methods whereby the functionality of soft keys on a mobile electronic device may be shifted depending on the orientation of the device. The device detects its orientation and then maps a different function to the appropriate soft keys to ensure that the soft keys retain their functionalities from the end-user's perspective.

Abstract: A fragrance disperser includes a first source (25) of fragrance associated with a first flowpath (21) and a second source of fragrance (26) associated with a second flowpath (23). A fan (17) provides a flow of air along the first flowpath (21) or the second flowpath (23) to release the associated fragrance. A flow controller (38, 52) is movable by an actuator (34) to open and close the flowpaths (21, 23) so that only one fragrance is released at a time or a proportionate mixture of the two fragrances is released.

Abstract: A wireless electrical power metering system is provided. A processor having a multichannel power line transceiver, a wireless transceiver, and a power meter attached thereto measures power consumption information on a power line inductively coupled with the power meter. The processor converts the power consumption information into IP-based data, and transmits same over the wireless transceiver. The information can be wirelessly received by a remote monitoring station or transmitted across the Internet for storage, analysis, and billing. The processor generates appliance control signals and generates same across the multichannel power line transceiver to remotely control appliances in response to power consumption trends. The processor provides firewall capabilities, and relays information between a wired or wireless network and a power line network, thereby expanding the size of existing household networks.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser uses a flexible bag having expansible and collapsible cells. A rigid manifold is provided in the bag to keep passages open in use and to isolate one of the cells from the remaining cells. In one application, a concentrated drink mix may be held in a reservoir and diluted within other cells in the bag for dispensing to a cup or the like. A valve system allows for the particulates in the liquid without compromising the function of the valve.

Abstract: Both location and identification of a buried or otherwise hidden conductive body is achieved by impressing a known electromagnetic waveform upon the conductive body, using at least one sensor to detect radiation emitted by the conductive body in response to the impressed waveform, locating the source of the emitted waveform based on comparison of the amplitudes of signals received by the at least two sensors, and evaluating the emitted radiation for deviations from the impressed waveform in order to determine the pattern of distortion caused by the conductive body and thereby identify the conductive body.

Abstract: A fragrance emitting device comprising a container containing two differently colored, differently fragranced immiscible liquids, and a light source. The light source is located in the base of the device and shines through the container heating a first of said two immiscible liquids. Portions of said first immiscible liquid rise from a layer formed by said first immiscible liquid at the bottom of said container into a layer formed immediately above said first layer by said second immiscible liquid thereby heating said second immiscible liquid. Vapors are released from the device when portions of the first immiscible liquid reach the uppermost surface of the second immiscible liquid and also when the second immiscible liquid reaches a specified temperature. Preferably a replacement container and a cap are removable from the base for easy, inexpensive replacement of said immiscible liquids.

Abstract: A vacuum excavation system which incorporates a low consumption air lance, a highly efficient multi-stage vacuum generation system effectively isolated from the waste stream and the air source, and a highly portable material collection system. The air lance includes a cylindrical main body which narrows to a flat taper nozzle at the digging end, and a tee-shaped handle with a swivel type air fitting at one end, while the vacuum generation system is a multi-stage ejector fitted onto a collection drum and consisting of successive venturi tubes with pressure equalizing check valves on the second and higher stages, the material collection system consisting of the drum and hoses or pipes connected to the drum through a separate opening.

Abstract: A vacuum excavation system which incorporates a low consumption air lance, a highly efficient multi-stage vacuum generation system effectively isolated from the waste stream and the air source, and a highly portable material collection system. The air lance includes a cylindrical main body which narrows to a flat taper nozzle at the digging end, and a tee-shaped handle with a swivel type air fitting at one end, while the vacuum generation system is a multi-stage ejector fitted onto a collection drum and consisting of successive venturi tubes with pressure equalizing check valves on the second and higher stages, the material collection system consisting of the drum and hoses or pipes connected to the drum through a separate opening.