Abstract: A planetary gear system for setting a drive ratio of a transmission includes an outer ring gear; a plurality of planetary gears; an inner sun gear; a first rotary input coupled to one of the outer ring gear, the plurality of planetary gears, and the inner sun gear; a second rotary input coupled to another one of the outer ring gear, the plurality of planetary gears, and the inner sun gear; and a rotary output coupled to a remaining one of the outer ring gear, the plurality of planetary gears the inner sun gear. In some cases, the planetary gear system is combined with a second planetary gear system, and the first rotary input of the planetary gear system and the first rotary input of the second planetary gear system are the same, allowing generation of two independent outputs from three inputs.

Abstract: The present application relates to an aluminum alloy, in particular a cast aluminum alloy, a method for producing an engine component, in particular a piston for an internal combustion engine, in which an aluminum alloy is cast using the gravity die casting method, and an engine component, in particular a piston for an internal combustion engine, consisting at least partially of an aluminum alloy. The aluminum alloy consists of the following alloy elements: silicon: 10% by weight to <13% by weight, nickel: up to <0.6% by weight, copper: 1.5% by weight to <3.6% by weight, magnesium: 0.5% by weight to 1.5% by weight, iron: 0.1% by weight to 0.7% by weight, manganese: 0.1 to 0.4% by weight, zirconium: >0.1 to <0.3% by weight, vanadium: >0.08 to <0.2% by weight, titanium: 0.05 to <0.2% by weight, phosphorus: 0.0025 to 0.008% by weight, and the remainder being aluminum and unavoidable impurities. Furthermore, the microstructure of the alloy has spheroidized primary precipitates.

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine, in particular for a diesel engine, comprises an iron-based alloy having the following alloy elements in percent by weight (wt %): Carbon (C): 0.07 to 0.24; Chromium (Cr): >7.0 to 12.5; Molybdenum (Mo): 0.3 to 1.2; Manganese (Mn): 0.3 to 0.9; Silicon (Si): <0.5; Copper (Cu): <0.3; Nickel (Ni): <0.8; Vanadium (V): 0.15 to 0.35; Sulfur (S): <0.015; Phosphorus (P): <0.025; Niobium (Nb): <0.1; Nitrogen (N): <0.07; Aluminum (Al): <0.04; Tungsten (W): <2.5 and the remainder being iron (Fe) and unavoidable impurities. Further included is the use of such an iron-based alloy for pistons of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a diesel engine.

Abstract: A hydraulic lockout lever failure detection system preferably includes a first analog sensor, a second analog sensor, at least one electronic control module (ECU) and a solenoid valve. The voltage output level of the first and second analog sensors is monitored by the ECU. The solenoid valve controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to operate an excavator or other equipment. The operation of the solenoid valve is controlled by the ECU. However, a second ECU may be used to control the operation of the solenoid valve. A hydraulic lockout lever causes the first and second analog sensors to output either a low voltage to indicate a closed position, or to indicate an open position to the ECU. If the first and second analog sensors output a voltage that is above a low set value or above a high set value, a fault is detected.

Abstract: A hydraulic lockout lever failure detection system preferably includes a first analog sensor, a second analog sensor, at least one electronic control module (ECU) and a solenoid valve. The voltage output level of the first and second analog sensors is monitored by the ECU. The solenoid valve controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to operate an excavator or other equipment. The operation of the solenoid valve is controlled by the ECU. However, a second ECU may be used to control the operation of the solenoid valve. A hydraulic lockout lever causes the first and second analog sensors to output either a low voltage to indicate a closed position, or to indicate an open position to the ECU. If the first and second analog sensors output a voltage that is above a low set value or above a high set value, a fault is detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an engine component, in particular a piston for an internal combustion engine, wherein an aluminum alloy is cast in the gravity die casting process and wherein the aluminum alloy has 7 to <14.5 wt % silicon, >1.2 to ?4 wt % nickel, >3.7 to <10 wt % copper, <1 wt % cobalt, 0.1 to 1.5 wt % magnesium, 0.1 to ?0.7 wt % iron, 0.1 to ?0.7 wt % manganese, >0.1 to <0.5 wt % zirconium, ?0.1 to ?0.3 wt % vanadium, 0.05 to 0.5 wt % titanium, and 0.004 to ?0.05 wt % phosphorus as alloying elements and aluminum and unavoidable contaminants as the remainder. The aluminum alloy can optionally comprise beryllium, wherein the calcium content is limited to a low level.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy, and in particular a cast aluminum alloy, for producing an engine component, in particular a piston for an internal combustion engine, consists of the following alloying elements: Silicon: 10% by weight to <13% by weight, nickel: to <0.6% by weight, copper: 1.5% by weight to <3.6% by weight, magnesium: 0.5% by weight to 1.5% by weight, iron: 0.1% by weight to 0.7% by weight, manganese: 0.1 to 0.4% by weight, zirconium: >0.1 to <0.3% by weight, vanadium: >0.08 to <0.2% by weight, titanium: 0.05 to <0.2% by weight, phosphorus: 0.0025 to 0.008% by weight, and as balance aluminum and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: We propose to patent the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases in the central nervous system using the external application of ultra-low-intensity oscillating magnetic fields in the gamma frequency band that will stimulate neuron currents and activate the natural healing processes of microglia. Observed magnetoencephalographic emissions are thought to be generated by neuron-cluster current loops producing equivalent current dipoles (ECDs). Our analysis of these ECDs concludes that adequate neuron stimulation will require a field threshold above a pico-Tesla. Some experimental testing will be required to ascertain the threshold for effective microglial activation. Our invention is human headgear containing a set of orthogonal current coils for magnetic stimulation of neurons to activate brain microglia. Other coil configurations may be useful for ganglia activation elsewhere in the body.

Abstract: A method for producing an engine component, more particularly a piston for an internal combustion engine, in which an aluminum alloy is cast using the gravity die casting method is provided. The aluminum alloy comprises: 9 to ?10.5% by weight silicon, >2.0 to <3.5% by weight nickel, >3.7 to 5.2% by weight copper, <1% by weight cobalt, 0.5 to 1.5% by weight magnesium, 0.1 to 0.7% by weight iron, 0.1 to 0.4% by weight manganese, >0.1 to <0.2% by weight zirconium, >0.1 to <0.2% by weight vanadium, 0.05 to <0.2% by weight titanium, 0.004 to 0.008% by weight phosphorus, with aluminum and unavoidable impurities constituting the rest. An engine component, in particular a piston, wherein the engine component consists, at least partially, of the aluminum alloy, and the use of an aluminum alloy to produce the engine component, is also provided.

Abstract: A method is described for producing an engine component, more particularly a piston for an internal combustion engine, in which an aluminium alloy is cast using the gravity die casting method and wherein the aluminium alloy comprises the following alloy elements: 9 to ?10.5% by weight silicon, >2.0 to <3.5% by weight nickel, >3.7 to 5.2% by weight copper, <1% by weight cobalt, 0.5 to 1.5% by weight magnesium, 0.1 to 0.7% by weight iron, 0.1 to 0.4% by weight manganese, >0.1 to <0.2% by weight zirconium, >0.1 to <0.2% by weight vanadium, 0.05 to <0.2% by weight titanium, 0.004 to 0.008% by weight phosphorus, wherein said aluminium alloy further comprises aluminium and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: A method for producing an engine component, more particularly a piston for an internal combustion engine, in which an aluminium alloy is cast using the gravity die casting method is provided. The aluminium alloy comprises: 9 to ?10.5% by weight silicon, >2.0 to <3.5% by weight nickel, >3.7 to 5.2% by weight copper, <1% by weight cobalt, 0.5 to 1.5% by weight magnesium, 0.1 to 0.7% by weight iron, 0.1 to 0.4% by weight manganese, >0.1 to <0.2% by weight zirconium, >0.1 to <0.2% by weight vanadium, 0.05 to <0.2% by weight titanium, 0.004 to 0.008% by weight phosphorus, with aluminium and unavoidable impurities constituting the rest. An engine component, in particular a piston, wherein the engine component consists, at least partially, of the aluminium alloy, and the use of an aluminium alloy to produce the engine component, is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an engine component, in particular a piston for an internal combustion engine, wherein an aluminum alloy is cast in the gravity die casting process and wherein the aluminum alloy has 7 to <14.5 wt % silicon, >1.2 to ?4 wt % nickel, >3.7 to <10 wt % copper, <1 wt % cobalt, 0.1 to 1.5 wt % magnesium, 0.1 to ?0.7 wt % iron, 0.1 to ?0.7 wt % manganese, >0.1 to <0.5 wt % zirconium, ?0.1 to ?0.3 wt % vanadium, 0.05 to 0.5 wt % titanium, and 0.004 to ?0.05 wt % phosphorus as alloying elements and aluminum and unavoidable contaminants as the remainder. The aluminum alloy can optionally comprise beryllium, wherein the calcium content is limited to a low level.

Abstract: A method is described for producing an engine component, more particularly a piston for an internal combustion engine, in which an aluminium alloy is cast using the gravity die casting method and wherein the aluminium alloy comprises the following alloy elements: 9 to ?10.5% by weight silicon, >2.0 to <3.5% by weight nickel, >3.7 to 5.2% by weight copper, <1% by weight cobalt, 0.5 to 1.5% by weight magnesium, 0.1 to 0.7% by weight iron, 0.1 to 0.4% by weight manganese, >0.1 to <0.2% by weight zirconium, >0.1 to <0.2% by weight vanadium, 0.05 to <0.2% by weight titanium, 0.004 to 0.008% by weight phosphorus, wherein said aluminium alloy further comprises aluminium and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to desiccant cartridges for use in R/Ds or accumulators canisters of automotive air conditioning systems. More specifically, this invention relates to a desiccant cartridge including a cup having inner and outer walls coaxially disposed wherein the inner wall defines an elongated center tube having opposing first and second ends. The first end of the center tube communicating with the outlet port in an R/D or accumulator canister to eliminate the fluid flow tube used therein.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to desiccant cartridges for use in R/Ds or accumulators canisters of automotive air conditioning systems. More specifically, this invention relates to a desiccant cartridge including a cup having inner and outer walls coaxially disposed wherein the inner wall defines an elongated center tube having opposing first and second ends. The first end of the center tube communicating with the outlet port in an R/D or accumulator canister to eliminate the fluid flow tube used therein.

Abstract: Method and system for allocating predictable costs for consumable items of a laser system includes determining an average or predicted lifetime of one or more components of a laser system. Then, costs are estimated for the repair and/or replacement of the components in advance of their predicted failure. The costs are then scheduled to be paid at a known time or known times. The average or predicted lifetime may be determined in terms of time, pulse count, accumulated energy input to the discharge, number of workpieces processed or another countable parameter. Also, the component or components predicted to fail may be ordered in advance for rapid delivery at the time of failure. The components may include a laser tube, tube windows, a line-narrowing optical component, a line-narrowing module, a monitor optics module and a halogen filter, the pulser module for a gas discharge laser and/or containers of laser gas.

Abstract: An improved ice protection apparatus 8 includes a top polyurethane layer 10, an active layer 12, and a base layer 14 cured together into a unitary matrix, wherein the base layer is either polyurethane or chloroprene. The active layer may be either a thermal ice protector, a pneumatic ice protector, or an electro magnetic protection apparatus.

Abstract: A dual addressing arrangement comprises a complex address pointer within entries of a communication queue used by a port driver and an port adapter when exchanging information in a host computer. The complex address pointer comprises a virtual address portion and a physical address portion. The port driver uses the virtual address portion to ascertain the location of entry structures, while the port adapter uses the physical address portion to locate the structures in a host memory. The arrangement and interpretation of the address portions of the complex pointers within an entry depend upon the direction of information flow, i.e., the passing of messages from the port driver to the port adapter using a driver-to adapter queue or the passing of responses from the adapter to the driver using an adapter-to-driver queue.

Abstract: A memory mapping system for use by a port adapter in a computer facilitates access to named data buffers in host memory. The system generally comprises a mechanism that enables the adapter to efficiently translate the data buffer name to physical address locations in host memory without knowledge of the memory management policies of the computer. Specifically, the system includes various data structures and pointers that allow the port adapter to view host memory in "port pages" when accessing memory locations of a named data buffer. The data locations are virtually, but not physically, contiguous and the invention provides efficient identification of the physical addresses of the locations.