Abstract: Stabilized, 17-substituted hydrocortisone containing compositions and methods of manufacture are disclosed. Isomerization of the hydrocortisone component of topical steroid compositions is markedly reduced by including an omega-6 acid component in the form of a free acid or as a compound such as an ester. Specifically disclosed are methods for preventing the isomerization of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate into hydrocortisone 21-butyrate through the use of safflower oil.

Abstract: A system and method of vehicular wireless communication over a Dedicated Short Range Communication service band is provided. The system includes a vehicle having a navigation means, a processor, and a communication means for transmitting a message via a wireless communications link. The system includes a control channel for communicating a safety message and a service channel for communicating a non-safety message. The control channel is subdivided into a contention-free period having a safety exchange interval and a contention period having a non-safety service interval. The system further includes a dedicated group manager that partitions the vehicles into groups.

Abstract: An instrument panel is provided for use in a vehicle interior. The instrument panel includes an outer surface, a vent and a step. The vent is arranged along the outer surface to direct forced air toward a specific area of a window in the vehicle. The step is formed along the outer surface of the instrument panel to promote formation of a turbulent buffer that reduces adhesion between air exiting the vent and the outer surface.

Abstract: A storage bin assembly is for use in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes a storage bin and a housing. The storage bin has a storage space extending between spaced apart sides, a guide pin extending outwardly from at least one of the sides of the storage bin, and a pair of retainer clips disposed on opposite sides of the storage bin. The housing has spaced apart side walls for receiving the storage bin therebetween, a pair of bosses each extending through one of the pair of retainer clips for pivotally interconnecting the bin to the housing for movement between open and closed positions relative to tile housing, and a track disposed on at least one of the side walls and in which the guide pin slides during the movement of the storage bin between the open and closed positions. Each of the retainer clips and the track has an open end facilitating removal of the storage bin from the housing and reinstallation of the bin to the housing.

Abstract: An end cap for an H-shaped header bar used to secure a corrugated hurricane shutter attachable to a window frame and having a generally inverted U-shaped pocket adapted in size to receive an upper margin of the hurricane shutter and the end cap at each end of the header bar. The header bar cooperates with a lower support channel also attached to the window frame to support and secure the hurricane shutter over the window. An end cap is positionable and attachable within an inner upright side of the pocket to engage with the upper corner of the hurricane shutter preventing substantial lateral expansion movement or corrugation deformation from being struck by flying objects during heavy hurricane wind.

Abstract: An article, system and method for flattening a three dimensional depression within a substrate floor. A straight edge is applied in a progressive X and Y grid fashion across the depression, with varying levels of shims defining contact locations, thereby establishing a floor template identifying common depths of depression at overlapping perimeter defined boundaries. One or more thermo-polymer sheets is resized to define an outer perimeter matching that of a perimeter boundary. A subset thickness of the sheet is incised around its outer perimeter to establish a feathering effect upon the sheet prior to it overlaying the boundary perimeter and prior to sizing and application of additional overlapping sheets up to an outermost boundary corresponding to a shallowest depression.

Abstract: An artificial joint associated with an implant including a pair of three dimensional and structurally extending bones, each defining a contoured and opposing end face, and which collectively defines a joint location. At least one plasticized layer is applied to one of, or both, the end faces in a coacting and substantially frictional reducing fashion. A lubricating plastic is defined upon an exposed face of the bladder. The plasticized layers may include a fluid receiving and inflatable bladder for filling a three dimensional area associated with the joint location. A curable/settable fluidic material can be injected into the bladder and which includes at least one of an epoxy, a urethane, a gelatin and a two-part hardener. The bones each further include an artificial implant constructed from at least one of a plasticized and a metallic material.

Abstract: A shift lock assembly including a shifter base and a shift lever having a pivot member that is associated with the shifter base. A detent member having an upper portion including engaging features is coupled to the pivot member. A lock lever having opposing sides and a first end pivotally attached to the shifter base and a second end adapted to contact the engaging features of the detent member is also included. At least one solenoid is connected to the lock lever for pivotally moving the lock lever relative to the detent member wherein the at least one solenoid moves the lock lever between low, middle and high positions in response to control parameters.

Abstract: A motor vehicle acoustic noise reduction system is provided. The acoustic noise reduction system particularly reduces or eliminates wind throb in a moving vehicle. The system includes a window sensor operable to sense when a first window of the motor vehicle is open. An air inlet is also included which is actuatable to let air into the motor vehicle when the air inlet is in an open position. An actuator associated with and operable to open or close the air inlet is provided and in communication with a controller. The controller is associated with tie sensor and can energize the actuator to place the air inlet in the open position and let air into the motor vehicle when the window sensor senses the first window is in the open position and communicates this information to the controller.

Abstract: A discharge system for a compressor which includes a first plurality of discharge chambers connected to provide a serial discharge from the compression chamber of the compressor to an outlet and a second set of discharge chambers providing a parallel discharge path from the compression chamber of the compressor to the outlet upon the pressure in the compression chamber exceeding a predetermined value.

Abstract: A lubricant oil for a refrigeration machine, and refrigeration machine, said refrigeration machine being of the type that operates with a refrigerant consisting of at least one component of the HC (hydrocarbon) group, the lubricant oil consisting of an alkylbenzene oil containing at least 80% by weight of alkylbenzene having a molecular weight of 120-288 and having a viscosity between about 3.0 and 7.0 cSt at a temperature of 40° C. and the lubricant composition consisting of said alkylbenzene oil and until about 8% by weight of one or more additives selected from a group consisting of improvers of oxidation resistance and thermal stability, corrosion inhibitors, metal inactivators, lubricity additives, viscosity index improvers, reducers of fluidity and flocculation point, detergents, dispersants, antifoaming agents, antiwear agents and extreme pressure resistant additives.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting the cutting gap on a cutting device for cutting food products. According to said method, the actual distance between the blade and the cutting edge is first determined and a desired distance between the blade and the cutting edge is subsequently set by an electric repositioning device, taking into consideration said actual distance.

Abstract: A milling station and a method for grinding milling material using at least one coarse grinding circuit and at least one fine grinding circuit. The coarse grinding circuit includes a classifier and a material bed roller mill. The fine grinding circuit includes a tube mill with at least two grinding chambers, a central outlet, and a divider. In some instances, at least some of the milling material from the coarse grinding circuit is subdivided in the divider and delivered to the at least two grinding chambers of the fine grinding circuit while some of the milling material is jointly discharged from the at least two grinding chambers through the central outlet.

Abstract: A sea wall system incorporated into a continuous and foundation supported structure, including a plurality of panels which are displaced in either of vertical or horizontal fashion from interior locations associated with the foundation structure. The panels are each constructed of a lightweight and fluid resistant material and are each displaceable from a first retracted position to an extended position, whereby the components collectively establish a heightened water barrier. A fluid communicating opening is defined in the foundation support and, in response to a rising water level, vertically displaces the panels.

Abstract: A method for signaling a driver of a motor vehicle that the motor vehicle is operating in a stoichiometric air/fuel mode or a non-stoichiometric air/fuel mode. The method includes providing an air/fuel sensor, the air/fuel sensor providing a signal that is representative of a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio mixture or a non-stoichiometric air/fuel ratio mixture being supplied to or burned by the motor vehicle. The method also includes providing a powertrain control module that is operable to receive the signal from the air/fuel sensor and to energize a light source when a non-stoichiometric air/fuel ratio mixture signal is received.

Abstract: A method and system for locating a sound source within a defined area in which the sound data is collected with a plurality of spaced apart microphones. The sound data received by the microphones is processed to form a cross spectral density matrix containing vectors of cross correlations and auto correlations of the sound data. A replica vector matrix containing sound data from at least one test sound at a plurality of predetermined locations within the defined area is then constructed. The sound data vectors in the cross spectral density matrix are then projected on the replica vectors in the replica vector matrix to obtain a probability of the location of the sound source at each predetermined location within the defined area. These probabilities form a distribution within the defined area in which the largest probability distribution correlates with the location of the sound source.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lighting assembly wherein a trim ring, containing a lighting assembly, is mounted on a vehicle headliner. The lighting assembly contains a lighting element having a light engine. The light engine having a housing and a light source mounted within the housing. The housing optionally containing a circuit board adapted to control light emitting from the light source. The light source contained within the housing may either be an LED or a traditional light bulb. The light source may optionally be colored, or textured, to provide unique ambient mood light options. The assembly further provides a light pipe having at least one light pipe aperture. The lighting element positioned adjacent, or connected to, the light pipe aperture. The light source in the lighting element directs light down the light pipe thereby creating a uniform output of light along the light pipe.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described which provide secure interactive communication of text and image information between a central server computer and one or more client computers located at remote sites for the purpose of storing and retrieving files describing and identifying unique products, services, or individuals. A feature of the system is the ability to associate an identification image with a plurality of accounts, transactions, or records and identify a user not physically present at the client computer. Textual information and image data from one or more of the remote sites are stored separately at the location of the central server computer, requests for information are entered from remote terminals, the system being able to respond to multiple user requests simultaneously, and the information requested is recalled and downloaded for review to be displayed at the remote site.

Abstract: Bonded aggregate compositions such as concrete, concrete repair products, high temperature refractories, high temperature insulation and fire resistant insulation are made from an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid and a separate, storable dry mixture of suitable aggregate, monocalcium phosphate, and calcium in the form of calcium aluminate cement or calcium oxide. The proportion of wet to dry constituents is variable so as to select the working time and strength of the aggregate composition, typically on the order of ten to fifteen minutes. The mixture of the preferred dry constituents, and the binder to be mixed with the aggregate to yield the preferred dry mixture, are also disclosed.