Abstract: A fuel system component for a direct injection internal combustion engine. The component includes a fuel rail and a plurality of direct injection fuel injectors which are rigidly attached to the rail. Each fuel injector has an elongated body as well as a harness assembly extending laterally outward from the elongated body. Each injector is attached to the fuel rail such that, when viewed along an axis of the fuel injector body, the fuel rail overlies at least a portion of the injector body and at least a portion of the harness assembly.

Abstract: A cast for supporting a limb includes a rigid outer shell, such as provided as first and second assembleable halves interconnected by a plurality of latches. An inner conforming foam insole is supported within the shell and is interconnected by pluralities of linearly extending passageways in combination with radially extending rings and which communicate with additional breathing holes extending through a cross sectional thickness of the insole for introducing an airflow for relieving patient discomfort. A toe attachable fan unit creates the airflow within the insole in communication with a plurality of vents positioned at upper terminating ends of each of the linear extending passageways. A plurality of airbags encircle the insole and are iteratively inflated and deflated to achieve a pulsing massage effect.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lithium titanate material, which may include an additive, and its use as an electrode in a battery. Specifically disclosed is a lithium titanate based material, with primary particle size larger than 100 nm, having very good high rate charge and discharge capabilities when incorporated into a lithium battery.

Abstract: Devices and methods for fixing defects in the anulus fibrosus (vertebral disc) of a patient are described. The devices a mesh patch; first, second, third, and fourth sutures; and first, second, third, and fourth anchors. Each anchor has a first portion adapted for insertion into a bone and a second portion having an opening. The sutures are disposed through the openings of the anchors. The first portions of the first and second anchors are inserted into a cranial vertebra. The first portions of the third and fourth anchors are inserted into a caudal vertebra. The mesh patch is positioned adjacent the defect. An end of first suture can be attached to an end of the third suture. An end of the second suture can be attached to an end of the fourth suture. The other ends of each of the first, second, third, and fourth sutures can then be anchored.

Abstract: A pre-chamber for use with a spark plug or glow plug, the chamber being secured at an upper end attachable unit associated with an internal combustion cylinder. The pre-chamber is designed to promote faster ionization resulting in more efficient spark to flame ignition (due to voltage buildup being delayed until a generated spark jumps the gap), or beat to flame ignition (due to the introduction temperature of the injected plasma) and, in each instance, results in faster propagation of flame within the compressed cylinder, thereby achieving more efficient and consistent (cycle to cycle) output in combination with lower exhaust temperatures. A plurality of outlet ports are defined, such as perimeter/radially extending fashion, in an outlet end of the pre chamber body and communicate the combusted fuels as a plurality of flame outlets with a remaining volume of atomized fuel within the combustion chamber during a power outlet stroke.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a plant diagnostic system for diagnosing a problem with the plant. The plant diagnostic system can include an agent-based plant diagnostic network that has an adaptive global agent located in a central facility, a plant expert agent located at the plant and a plurality of subsystem resident agents. Each of the subsystem resident agents can be assigned to a subsystem of the plant. A diagnosis agent can also be included, the diagnosis agent operable to be instructed by the adaptive global agent, transmitted to the plant expert agent, be received by the plant expert agent, transmitted by the plant expert agent back to the adaptive global agent and be received by the adaptive global agent.

Abstract: A storm reinforcing brace for a corrugated polycarbonate plastic hurricane shutter panel, and the combination thereof. The brace includes an elongated bar member extrusion-formed as a single one-piece unit and having a continuous, uniform generally hat-shaped section defining a central portion, leg or side portions, and mounting flange portions thereof. The central portion is preferably flat with an inwardly extending C-shaped channel sized to entrappingly slidably receive a head of a separate threaded fastener from either end of the channel, the threaded fastener being held in the channel in an outwardly extending adjustably slidable orientation along the length of the brace. Each of the mounting flange portions lie in a plane inwardly offset from the central portion and laterally extending from each corresponding leg portion, each of the mounting flange portions for receiving fasteners therethrough anchoring the brace against the upright side members of a window frame.

Abstract: An energy efficient biped robotic system with passive-dynamic locomotion includes a body having a frame, an energy recapture mechanism, and a leg. The cyclical movement of the leg during passive-dynamic locomotion is transferred to a load through a mechanical energy storage mechanism, and the resulting oscillatory movement of the load is transferred by the mechanical energy input mechanism to an electric energy generating mechanism. The generated electric energy is transferred to the energy storage device for use by the robotic system.

Abstract: A compact vehicle pedal includes a mounting bracket having a lower arm with guide slot. A swing plate having a mounting face and upper arm with guide slot is pivotally interconnected to a mounting bracket upper arm at a first axis by a pivot pin disposed within the swing plate guide slot, and the swing plate upper end has a first degree of freedom. An electronically controlled pedal arm assembly is mounted on the swing plate. A screw member connected to a drive apparatus has an end connected to the swing plate and operatively connected to the mounting bracket slot at the second axis, and the swing plate lower end has a second degree of freedom that is greater than the first. Activation of the drive apparatus displaces the screw member to pivotally constrain movement of the swing plate about the first axis and the second axis.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a speakerbar which mounts above or below a flat screen TV and reproduces the surround sound experience normally associated with speakers placed in five to seven separate locations around the room. This particular invention effectively increases the perceived stereo separation of the left and right front speakers, and creates the perception of two and even four surround speakers typically placed in the rear of the listening area. In addition, it introduces new technology to achieve multichannel bass extension beyond the normal limitations due to the minimal internal volume of a multichannel speakerbar.

Abstract: Medical records, clinical observations, and medical imagery are organized and aggregated into a common database, enabling the data to be viewed and/or updated by medical practitioners world-wide. The information may also be viewed and monitored by patients or their relatives for accuracy, also regardless of their location. The invention further allows the records to be updated by manually controlled or automated instrumentation which measures medical parameters whether located in a doctors office, in a hospital setting, in the patient's home, or worn by the patient. Common access and point-to-point data transmission is via the global grid, or over public access common data networks supporting TCP/IP, most often referred to as the Internet. The same approach can be using insider an organization over an internal network or Intranet.

Abstract: A cast-cutter for use in removing a cast from a patient comprises a body (20), cutting means (18, 148, 230) supported by the body (20), and a protection member (16, 204, 206, 236, 244) supported by the body (20) and adapted to be positioned between the cutting means (18, 148, 230) and the patient, to protect the skin of the patient. In one disclosed embodiment the cutting means cuts a cast by a shearing action. In another disclosed embodiment the cutting means cuts a cast by an abrading action.

Abstract: A connection unit includes a first relay connected between a first electrode of a first battery and a first power feed line towards a vehicle load, a second relay connected between a second electrode of the first battery and a second power feed line towards the vehicle load, a third relay and a current limiting resistor connected in series between the second electrode of the first battery and the second power feed line, a fourth relay connected between an electrode of a second battery having a polarity identical to the polarity of the first electrode and the first power feed line towards the vehicle load, and a conductor line connecting an electrode of the second battery having a polarity identical to the polarity of the second electrode with the second electrode of the first battery. There can be provided a connection unit suppressed in the number of components, suitable for usage in a vehicle incorporating a plurality of power storage devices, and a vehicle incorporating the connection unit.

Abstract: An abnormality determination apparatus for an oxygen sensor provided on the downstream side of a catalyst includes: a first determination portion that determines whether amount of decline in output value of the oxygen sensor during a period from when amount of intake air or exhaust gas declines before a fuel cut is started to when the fuel cut is started is smaller than a reference amount of decline; a second determination portion that determines whether degree of change in the output value when the output value changes from a first reference value to a second reference value that shows a leaner state than the first reference value is more gradual than a set degree of change after the fuel cut is started; and a third determination portion that determines whether the oxygen sensor is abnormal based on determinations by the first determination portion the second determination portion.

Abstract: A video camera system includes a mount with a clip-on structure adapted for attachment to a pair of eyeglass frames, loupes, or a headband. The preferred embodiment includes a camera mounted on a first pivot arm, and a light source mounted on a second pivot arm. One or both of the pivot arms are rotatable, enabling the beam from the light source and field of view of the camera to be aligned for a given working distance. Polarizing filters may be mounted to the camera, light source, or both to control glare, reflection or other undesired visual artifacts.

Abstract: A fibrillar, nanotextured coating is deposited on a substrate by contacting the substrate with a reaction mixture comprising a reagent which is hydrolyzable to produced a cross-linked reaction product, and a first solvent which solvates the reagent and the reaction product. The reagent is hydrolyzed so as to provide a cross-linked reaction product which is bonded to the substrate. The substrate is then contacted with a second solvent which is a non-solvent for the reaction product so as to cause nanoscopic phase separation of the reaction product, resulting in the formation of a fibrillar nanotextured coating which is bonded to the substrate. The thus produced coating may be subjected to further chemical modification. The method may be utilized to produce superhydrophobic coatings. Also disclosed are coatings made by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes: a lap belt that restrains a hip of a seated occupant; a shoulder belt that has a lower end portion coupled to a middle portion of the lap belt in a seat width direction and that is used to restrain an upper body of the seated occupant; a lap belt tensioner that applies tension to the lap belt; and a shoulder belt tensioner that applies tension to the shoulder belt. When a vehicle collision is predicted or detected, the lap belt tensioner is activated before the shoulder belt tensioner is activated.

Abstract: A toy apparatus may include a frame and a shell that may extend over and around the frame so that the apparatus takes on the appearance of an animal or thing. The frame may support a power source, a motor, drive and support wheel(s), a controller, one or more sensors and/or switches, and an audio emitting device(s). The sensor(s) and/or switches may include one or more of a photo sensor; a pressure, touch or contact sensor; an audio sensor; or any combination of these or similar sensors or switches that are positioned on the “front” and “top” of the frame. The apparatus may also be positioned in and interact with one or more separate or interconnected environments. These environments may include one or more platforms or enclosures, ramp(s), “exercise” wheel(s) and other light or sound emitting devices.