Abstract: A device for assisting a user in getting into and out of sitting and prone positions on a piece of furniture, like a bed, which has a large base o fit between the mattress and box springs of a bed and that includes a receiving portion and an adjustable handle for the user to grasp while getting into and our of bed and while adjusting positions in the bed.

Abstract: A sealing device for downhole use, one of which is for casing, when drilling with casing, which allows the casing to be closed off if the bottom hole assembly needs to come out for any reason. In one embodiment, the internal packer is triggered to set in a variety of ways upon removal of the bottom hole assembly. It can be drilled out when the new bottom hole assembly is run in later. In an alternative design, a flapper can be used that is held open for the initial insertion of the bottom hole assembly and is released to spring shut upon removal of the assembly. Multiple flappers or packers or other types of closure devices are envisioned to allow removal of the bottom hole assembly more than once and still retain blowout protection on each removal of the bottom hole assembly. A variety of applications are contemplated some of which are perforation, side tracking, fracturing, and gravel packing, to name a few examples.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for allocating computing resources comprises executing a plurality of applications and a grid virtual system within a shared resource domain, assigning computing resources to the plurality of applications to process application transactions, dynamically reallocating computing resources associated with the plurality of applications to the grid virtual system when the computing resources are idle, registering availability of grid services in response to the reallocating, scheduling grid jobs for execution within the grid virtual system, and modifying at least one reallocation parameter in response to the scheduling.

Abstract: The implantable lenses described herein provide for modified edge regions. In one example embodiment an implantable lens includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface and an outer edge surface separating the anterior and posterior surfaces. The anterior surface can include a corrective portion and a beveled portion. The beveled portion can be located between the corrective portion and the outer edge surface. The outer edge surface can have a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion abuts the posterior surface and the second portion, and where the second portion further abuts the beveled portion. The modified edge region provides a more gradual transition between the anterior and posterior surfaces.

Abstract: A corneal implant having an aspheric surface for modifying the cornea curvature and altering the corneal refractive power. The corneal implant has a lens body formed of an optically clear bio-compatible material, preferably with an index of refraction substantially similar to that of human corneal tissue (1.376). The aspheric surface is comprised of a continuous aspheric surface from the apex of the implant to beveled surface. The beveled surface, positioned near the outer diameter of the implant, is used to reduce the thickness of the aspheric surface on the periphery of the lens to the outer diameter edge. The body of the implant has a diameter between about 2.0 mm and 7.0 mm and a thickness less than about 0.150 mm.

Abstract: An elliptical exercise apparatus including a frame, a crank, a pair of guide tracks, and a pair of flexibly resilient foot supports that provide elliptical exercises. Each foot support comprises a leaf spring and a foot engagement pad configured to receive the foot of a user. The foot engagement pads rotate in elliptical paths and the leaf springs flex in varying degree to accommodate for varying forces and gaits of different users. The leaf springs provide upward biasing forces in direct response to sudden and irregular downward forces, thereby flexing to improve the feel of the exercise.

Abstract: A damper includes a piston that carries a relatively compact control valve for controlling fluid flow through the piston. The control valve provides a variable amount of damping by regulating damper fluid flow between the extension chamber and the compression chamber of the damper during extension and compression strokes. Pressure regulation across the piston is controlled through a flow path as determined by the control valve. The damping force of the damper varies depending upon the loading conditions of the vehicle. The control valve is air pressure actuated to adjust the damping force and control the flow of fluid in the flow path. The piston and rod assembly include unique features such as a seal plate design, and spring retainer that aid in the efficient and reliable assembly in a commercial production setting.

Abstract: A device for assisting a user in getting into and out of sitting and prone positions on a piece of furniture, like a bed, which has a large base o fit between the mattress and box springs of a bed and that includes a receiving portion and an adjustable handle for the user to grasp while getting into and our of bed and while adjusting positions in the bed.

Abstract: The invention provides a damper assembly (10) comprising a housing (12) defining an inner chamber (22, 24) having a damping fluid disposed therein. A piston rod (14) is slidably retained by the housing (12), and at least partially extends into, the chamber (22, 24). A piston (18) is disposed at a first distal end (21) of the piston rod (14) and strokes inside the housing (12). The piston (18) defines a first chamber (22) and a second chamber (24) within the housing (12) and includes at least one aperture (26) for allowing damping fluid to flow between the first (22) and second (24) chambers. An actuator (30) is disposed within the piston (18) for varying the flow of damping fluid through the aperture (26) between the first (22) and second (24) chambers within the housing (12). The piston rod (14) includes an inner bore (16) that receives pressurized air from an external source for communicating pneumatic control signals to the actuator (30).

Abstract: The problem of flow induced instability in a control valve for a vehicle damper is solved by a generally tubular shaped valve spool having an open, bridged, flow-through end, rather than side flow openings. The flow-through end of the spool has a narrow flat edge oriented perpendicularly to the axis of the spool, with an inside surface of the spool forming a 55 to 90 degree angle with the flat edge, and meeting the flat edge in a sharp corner.

Abstract: A valve spool for a suspension damper comprises a body portion and a bridge connected to the body portion. The body portion has an upper edge, and the bridge extends at least partially beyond the upper edge of the body portion.

Abstract: An elliptical exercise apparatus including a frame, a crank, a pair of guide tracks, and a pair of flexibly resilient foot supports that provide elliptical exercises. Each foot support comprises a leaf spring and a foot engagement pad configured to receive the foot of a user. The foot engagement pads rotate in elliptical paths and the leaf springs flex in varying degree to accommodate for varying forces and gaits of different users. The leaf springs provide upward biasing forces in direct response to sudden and irregular downward forces, thereby flexing to improve the feel of the exercise.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a vehicle suspension system includes a pumping cylinder concentrically aligned inside a housing defining a pumping chamber having a piston stroking therein for reducing the level of vehicle vibration. An intermediate cylinder defines an intermediate chamber with the pumping cylinder and an outer chamber with the housing. Suspension fluid flows throughout each of the chambers. A valve is operably connected to an air supply of a suspension system having an air pressure relative to a mass loaded on the vehicle. The controls the distribution of fluid between the chambers relative to the pressure of the air supply and controls the amount of vibration damping inside the pumping chamber relative to the mass loaded on the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system includes a steering wheel and a steering shaft coupled between the steering wheel and wheels of the vehicle. The shaft is operable for rotating when the steering wheel is turned to thereby turn the vehicle wheels. A vibration damping system for absorbing vibrations in the steering wheel and shaft includes a rotor coupled to the steering shaft to rotate with the shaft and a case surrounding the rotor and a clutch surface proximate the rotor. A magnetic circuit generates a magnetic flux in the rotor. The rotor is operable to engage the clutch surface and thereby vibrationally couple the steering shaft to the case to absorb vibrations in the shaft, and when a magnetic flux is generated therein, to disengage the clutch surface so that the steering shaft may more freely rotate.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system includes a steering wheel and a steering shaft coupled between the steering wheel and wheels of the vehicle. The shaft is operable for rotating when the steering wheel is turned to thereby turn the vehicle wheels. A vibration damping system for absorbing vibrations in the steering wheel and shaft includes a rotor coupled to the steering shaft to rotate with the shaft and a case surrounding the rotor and a clutch surface proximate the rotor. A magnetic circuit generates a magnetic flux in the rotor. The rotor is operable to engage the clutch surface and thereby vibrationally couple the steering shaft to the case to absorb vibrations in the shaft, and when a magnetic flux is generated therein, to disengage the clutch surface so that the steering shaft may more freely rotate.

Abstract: The problem of flow induced instability in a control valve for a vehicle damper is solved by a generally tubular shaped valve spool having an open, bridged, flow-through end, rather than side flow openings. The flow-through end of the spool has a narrow flat edge oriented perpendicularly to the axis of the spool, with an inside surface of the spool forming a 55 to 90 degree angle with the flat edge, and meeting the flat edge in a sharp corner.

Abstract: The invention provides a damper assembly (10) comprising a housing (12) defining an inner chamber (22, 24) having a damping fluid disposed therein. A piston rod (14) is slidably retained by the housing (12), and at least partially extends into, the chamber (22, 24). A piston (18) is disposed at a first distal end (21) of the piston rod (14) and strokes inside the housing (12). The piston (18) defines a first chamber (22) and a second chamber (24) within the housing (12) and includes at least one aperture (26) for allowing damping fluid to flow between the first (22) and second (24) chambers. An actuator (30) is disposed within the piston (18) for varying the flow of damping fluid through the aperture (26) between the first (22) and second (24) chambers within the housing (12). The piston rod (14) includes an inner bore (16) that receives pressurized air from an external source for communicating pneumatic control signals to the actuator (30).

Abstract: A vibration damper for a vehicle suspension system includes a pumping cylinder concentrically aligned inside a housing defining a pumping chamber having a piston stroking therein for reducing the level of vehicle vibration. An intermediate cylinder defines an intermediate chamber with the pumping cylinder and an outer chamber with the housing. Suspension fluid flows throughout each of the chambers. A valve is operably connected to an air supply of a suspension system having an air pressure relative to a mass loaded on the vehicle. The controls the distribution of fluid between the chambers relative to the pressure of the air supply and controls the amount of vibration damping inside the pumping chamber relative to the mass loaded on the vehicle.

Abstract: A damper includes a piston that carries a relatively compact control valve for controlling fluid flow through the piston. The control valve provides a variable amount of damping by regulating damper fluid flow between the extension chamber and the compression chamber of the damper during extension and compression strokes. Pressure regulation across the piston is controlled through a flow path as determined by the control valve. The damping force of the damper varies depending upon the loading conditions of the vehicle. The control valve is air pressure actuated to adjust the damping force and control the flow of fluid in the flow path. The piston and rod assembly include unique features such as a seal plate design, and spring retainer that aid in the efficient and reliable assembly in a commercial production setting.

Abstract: A device for assisting a user with ingress and egress into and out of automobiles and other modes of transportation that includes an attaching member for attaching the device to the mode of transportation and a connecting member which includes a handle that the user grasps during ingress and egress from the mode of transportation and an adjusting means that allows the device to be strategically located for a user's particular needs or preferences.