Abstract: A connecting means provides a connecting passage between a first compartment of a vehicle and a storage means located in a second compartment of the vehicle. The first and the second compartment are separated by a wall. A catering system for a vehicle includes the connecting means. A method provides a sealed connecting passage between a first compartment of a vehicle and a storage means located in second compartment of a vehicle. The connecting means includes a frame, a hatch arrangement for selectively closing and opening a frame aperture with a hatch cover and a bellows arrangement including a flexible bellows. The flexible bellows can be extended from the frame to a storage means located in the second compartment of the vehicle. A continuous passage defined by the flexible bellows and the frame provides a sealed connecting passage between the first compartment and the storage means.

Abstract: A self-aligning connector for data and/or power transmission includes a base plate, a plurality of data and/or power contact elements arranged on the base plate, first and second positioning means attached to the base plate, a mounting means and a frame assembly connecting the base plate to the mounting means and comprising a plurality of frames. Each frame is directly connected to exactly two elements selected from a group consisting of the plurality of frames, the mounting means and the base plate. Each frame is tiltable at least about one axis and/or displaceable in at least one direction with respect to each element it is directly connected to. A connector assembly includes a first self-aligning connector and a second connector. A vehicle includes a first compartment and a second compartment separated by a wall, a bellows assembly and the connector assembly.

Abstract: A linear actuator system is described that includes a linear actuator, a first motor, and a second motor. The linear actuator is configured to transmit rotational motion to linear motion. The first motor is operatively connected to the linear actuator. The second motor is also operatively connected to the linear actuator. The first motor is configured to provide a different amount of force and a different speed to the linear actuator than the second motor. Methods of operating a linear actuator are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inventive vehicle leasing or purchase evaluation system which includes a computer; a database of vehicle information; a computer program configured to run in the computer and having access to the database of vehicle information, and the computer program configured to provide a list of vehicles having a monthly payment falling within a user defined range, given a term and interest rate. The list may be sorted and filtered based on user provided criteria.

Abstract: A rigidly spaced, cyclodextrin dimers having a preselected breaking point within the spacer sequence so as to controllably release the active pharmaceutically active substance only after it reaches the desired treatment site is described. These preselected breaking points are stable in blood but are cleavable within cells. In preferred embodiments, the cyclodextrin-pharmaceutically active substance complex is targeted to specific sites via incorporation of specific antibodies for the targeted sites, typically by complexing a biotin-avidin system to specific antibodies which thereby targets the complex to a specific site. Once at the site as the complex is taken up into the cell the preselected break point is cleaved and the encapsulated pharmaceutically active substance becomes available for action within the targeted cell.

Abstract: A rigidly spaced, cyclodextrin dimers having a preselected breaking point within the spacer sequence so as to controllably release the active pharmaceutically active substance only after it reaches the desired treatment site is described. These preselected breaking points are stable in blood but are cleavable within cells. In preferred embodiments, the cyclodextrin-pharmaceutically active substance complex is targeted to specific sites via incorporation of specific antibodies for the targeted sites, typically by complexing a biotin-avidin system to specific antibodies which thereby targets the complex to a specific site. Once at the site as the complex is taken up into the cell the preselected break point is cleaved and the encapsulated pharmaceutically active substance becomes available for action within the targeted cell.

Abstract: A compact integrated servo motor and gear reducer assembly that includes a rotor having a rotor shaft and a stator, and a planetary gear system including a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears and an outer ring gear. First and second bearings support the planetary gear system. The first and second bearings are located on opposing sides of the planetary gear system, and the first bearing has a first diameter and the second bearing has a second diameter. A third bearing supports the rotor shaft, and the third bearing has a third diameter that is less than the first and second diameters. Moreover, the third bearing is positioned between an edge of the first bearing and an edge of the second bearing. The assembly can be used in applications requiring high torque output but yet with size and/or space limitations.

Abstract: A circuit configuration for automotive vehicles with traction slip control, by which traction slip control signals are derived from sensor signals of the driven and the non-driven wheels. Circuits for detecting roadway obstructions and for suppressing control actions in consequence of these roadway obstructions, disable the traction slip control or reduce the sensitivity of the traction slip control or reduce the sensitivity of the traction slip control for a predetermined period of time (T) upon the occurrence of positive slip on a non-driven wheel and/or in the event of acceleration of a non-driven wheel. When a control in which a vehicle reference speed (V.sub.Ref) is formed, the vehicle reference speed is increased for a predetermined period of time for the purpose of suppressing undesirable control actions.

Abstract: An outer envelope trochoidal device is provided. The device includes a rotor shaft and rotor assembly, the rotor assembly having a peripheral surface that defines a trochoidal curve and includes a first and a second rotor half. Each rotor half has a trochoidal profile surface and an inner circular surface. The rotor shaft includes secured thereto a cylindrical sleeve that includes a radial flange to which at least one of the rotor halves is secured. The rotor halves are secured to each other by counterbolt means extending laterally through the rotor halves. One rotor half can include a tapped hole in the outer peripheral surface of the rotor and a channel extending from the end of the tapped hole to the sleeve on the rotor shaft. A chamber is defined by a portion of the sleeve and a portion of the rotor half pinned to the sleeve, the chamber being in fluid communication with the channel.

Abstract: A seal assembly for an outer envelope trochoidal rotary device having a rotor that planetates around a housing is provided. The seal arrangement comprises a series of side seals disposed in side walls in the housing, the side seals being interconnected by button seals disposed in the side walls of the housing between side seals. The side seals and button seals are spring biased outwardly against the rotor. Each side seal includes a pair of identical oppositely disposed seal strips having an elongated body member and a triangular portion. The elongated body member includes a triangularly shaped relieved portion that has a shape corresponding to a side of the triangular portion. The seal strips are interconnected between two button seals so that the triangular portion of a first seal strip abuts a first button seal and the triangular portion of a second seal strip abuts a second button seal. The button seal includes a relieved area.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for an outer envelope trochoidal device. The rotor assembly has an outer peripheral surface that defines a trochoidal curve and includes at least one tapped hole on one lobe. The tapped hole includes an adjustable balancing member for balancing the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A driveshaft arrangement is provided for use with trochoidal rotary expansible chamber devices to afford increased driveshaft diameters for such devices. The driveshaft arrangement includes a cluster gear assembly for driving connection between a gear coaxial and mounted for rotation with the rotor and the driveshaft. A cluster gear assembly has a first gear rotatable about the centerline axis of the driveshaft and mounted in driving engagement with the rotor gear. In the case of an inner envelope type rotary device, the first gear is a pinion having a pitch diameter greater than heretofore conventionally required, thereby permitting the diameter of the driveshaft to be increased. In the case of an outer envelope type device, the rotor gear is a pinion with a pitch diameter greater than typically desired enabling an increased diameter for the driveshaft.