Abstract: A system for assisting the alignment of a hitch pin mounted on the rear of a vehicle with a hitch socket mounted on the front of a trailer. The system includes a camera mounted to the vehicle and positioned to capture an image rearwardly of the vehicle. A video display is contained within the vehicle which displays the image captured by the camera. A processor is also contained in the vehicle which calculates a preferred path of travel of the vehicle to position the hitch pin in alignment with the hitch socket. The processor is programmed to provide instructions to an operator of the vehicle of the required steering to maintain the vehicle on the preferred path of travel. The processor recalculates the preferred path of travel whenever the vehicle veers from the preferred path of travel by a preset threshold.

Abstract: A power seat assembly with motor actuated release and rewind of a seatback sector. First and second support plates sandwich a forwardly biased seatback sector and a cam engaged with the seatback sector in an upright position. A first pin extends from said cam offset its pivotal connection and passes through a slot defined in the second support plate to define a range of pivotal motion of the cam. A toothed gear sector rotatably mounted to an exterior of the second support plates and exhibits a polygonal shaped portion as well as an end shoulder offset and inwardly recessed from exteriorly defined teeth and the polygonal shaped portion. An electric motor includes an output gear in toothed engagement with the gear sector and for rotating the gear sector in a first direction so that the polygonal shaped portion contacts and deflects the pin and cam out of contact with the seatback, causing it to rotate to a forward dump position.

Abstract: A valve assembly controls the flow of boosted gas and naturally aspirated gas between an air inlet leading into an intercooler and an oil separator disposed in a head cover in a turbocharged motor vehicle engine. The valve assembly includes a housing defining a first channel through which the natural aspirated gas can pass and a second channel through which the boosted gas can pass. The housing encloses both a check valve and a PCV valve in the second channel. The check valve controls the flow of gas between the first and second channels during normal and boosted engine operation, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (100) for the storing and dispensing of products. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus (100) for the storing and dispensing of inter-reactive compounds wherein the inter-reactive compounds are efficiently mixed on extrusion or expulsion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for grinding iron ore or iron ore concentrate is able to grind iron ore or iron ore concentrate economically. In the method and apparatus disclosed, the material is ground in circulation in a material bed roll mill, one fraction of the iron ore or iron ore concentrate ground in the material bed roll mill is recirculated to the material bed roll mill and the other fraction of the iron ore or iron ore concentrate is classified into oversize material and fines, and the oversize material is returned to the material bed roll mill.

Abstract: A non-vacuum-based, non-collodial chemistry-based method of synthesizing metal nanoparticles and nanoparticle-nanostructured material composites obtained by that method. An embodiment of the method of this invention for fabricating a nanoparticle-nanostructured material composite and synthesizing nanoparticles includes preparing a nanostructured/nanotextured material, and, contacting the nanostructured/nanotextured material with a solution. Nanoparticles are synthesized on the nanostructured/nanotextured material as a result of the contact. The method of the present invention can be utilized to fabricate SPR and SERS substrates for sensing and detection. Additional systems based on this approach (e.g., surface plasmon resonance absorption and alloying sensors and nanocatalysts) are described.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for liquefying the vitreous humor of an eye. The process includes the steps of delivering plasmin into the vitreous of the eye and incubating the vitreous and plasmin together for a period of time. Plasmin may be introduced through injection or a sustained release device. Plasmin may be used to treat a pathological condition of the eye such as diabetic retinopathy, macular hole, macular pucker, intraocular infection, foreign intraocular material and retinal detachment.

Abstract: Particles having a non-uniform property, such as non-uniform charge, can be used to form complex yet controlled particle assemblies. In one method of fabrication, particles are located on a substrate, and a surface treatment applied to the exposed portion of the particle surface. The surface treatment modifies the particle properties within the exposed portion. One or more lithographed regions are not exposed to the surface treatment, providing spatial selectivity in inter-particle bonding after the particles are removed from the substrate.

Abstract: A stacking chair having a seat, a back support, and a frame for supporting the seat and back support. The frame includes a pair of spaced apart leg members, a back support member, and a seat support member. The leg members have a front portion and rear portion interconnected by a connecting portion to give the leg members a generally U or V shape. The chair further includes a stacking member disposed on each leg member. The stacking member shaped to receive the upper surface of a leg member of a like chair such that the stacking member rests on the connection portion of a like chair and the upper chair in the stack is positioned forward of the lower chair thereby offsetting the stack's tendency to lean back due to the weight and position of the back support thus providing for the stability of a stack of chairs.

Abstract: An electroactive transducer converts between acoustical power and electrical power. The transducer includes a diaphragm and a perimeter member. The perimeter member includes at least one electroactive element and is mechanically coupled to the perimeter of the diaphragm such that displacement of the diaphragm stresses the electroactive element.

Abstract: In order to allow a two-sided instrument case to also serve as a stand for guitars and the like, when the case is in its open position, a flat plate having a central notch in one end is adapted to be supported between the open case side so it is closely spaced relative to the hinge which joins the case sides. When the case is moved to the closed position, the plate may either be removed for storage in the case with the instrument, or may be alternatively positioned so that it may be folded into a closed position within the case.

Abstract: Resonator arrangement in an acoustic muffler for a refrigeration compressor having a shell (1), inside which is mounted an acoustic muffler comprising a hollow body (10) defining at least one dampening chamber (13), which carries a gas inlet duct (20) and a gas outlet duct (30), each presenting a respective length and having a respective wall thickness, at least one of the gas inlet and gas outlet ducts (20, 30) carrying, extending along at least part of its length, a respective plurality of tube type resonant ducts (40), each resonant duct (40) presenting a first end (41), open to the interior of the respective gas duct (20, 30) and a second end (42), opposed to and spaced from the first end (41), each said resonant duct (40) being dimensioned to present a determined length and a determined diameter, which are calculated to define a certain reactive impedance and a certain dissipative impedance for the acoustic muffler, in a determined frequency band.

Abstract: A retaining member 16 is provided for use with a frame 10 for packaging elongate members, such as sections of tubular, for example casing, liner or drill pipe. The retaining member 16 comprises a pressure plate 18 on which is mounted a pair of pivoting hooks 20 for engaging with protrusions 36 formed on the frame 10. The hooks 20 are connected to threaded rods 28 received in a sleeve 30. A ratcheted handle 34 allows selective rotation of the sleeve 30 to draw the rods 28 therein, and so to pivot the hooks 20 to urge the pressure plate 18 against members received within the frame 10. A quick release mechanism is provided to allow easy release of the hooks 20 and the retaining member 16.

Abstract: A power tool (10) is provided having a plastic casing (12) and a scraper blade (14). The blade (14) is caused to reciprocate by an internal low power rotary motor (24) which drives a cylinder cam (28) having a sinusoidal cam track (34). A pair of studs (36) ride in the cam track (34), and drive the reciprocal movement of the blade (14). The tool (10) is substantially sealed against liquid ingress by means of an elastomeric membrane within the casing (12), and may be used as a marine growth remover, for defouling boats and the like.

Abstract: A forward/rearward slidable and upwardly pivotable armrest supported upon an open center console. Retractable pins associated with inner underside locations of the armrest are displaced upon actuation of a lever component associated with the armrest, and which selectively reseats the armrest at linear travel locations along first and second rails defined upon the side walls of the console. Seating locations established between a slidable and upper support portion of the armrest and the recessed stops defined along inwardly facing surfaces of the rails permit the armrest to be translated to either forward or rearward locations of a center nominal position, relative to a fixed lower carriage with pivot support bracket.

Abstract: A variable mechanical valve train for actuating a valve in an internal combustion engine includes a two-part follower operatively coupled between a cam shaft and a valve, so that the follower: in a fully-activated mode, causes a maximum lift of the valve in response to a rotation of the cam shaft; in a partial load mode, collapses partially so as to cause a partial valve lift during the rotation of the cam shaft; and in a deactivated mode, collapses in response to the rotation of the cam resulting in no valve lift.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for locating a nuclear quadrupole resonance are described. In an example method, a search frequency is adjusted using a blind search until a resonance absorption of an analyte is detected, and then an extremum seeking search to be used to locate an extremum frequency.

Abstract: A stack of metallic laminations, a metallic lamination and a process for forming a lamination stack. The stack of laminations includes at least one locking lamination provided with at least two locking openings and at least one passage lamination comprising at least two passage openings, each locking lamination incorporating a tab that passes through a passage opening of a lamination seated against the locking lamination, said tab being bent so as to be contained in said passage opening and seated on an edge portion of the latter, deformed to the inside of the locking opening of the locking lamination, and at least one of the parts of locking lamination and passage lamination further comprising a lock means actuating in a lock receiving means provided in the other of said parts.

Abstract: A single photon emission computed tomography system includes a detector assembly adjacent a field of view and a collimating assembly disposed between the detector assembly and the field of view. The collimating assembly includes at least two spaced-apart collimating vanes of photon-attenuating material. The system further includes a photon-blocking member disposed between the field of view and the detector. The blocking member has an aperture defined therethrough. The system further includes a mask disposed adjacent the detector assembly having at least one aperture defined therethrough. A displacement actuator moves the photon-blocking member relative to the detector assembly.

Abstract: A trim panel assembly configured to displace so as to allow an airbag to deploy. The trim panel assembly is mounted to the vehicle body structure and the airbag is housed between the vehicle body structure and the trim panel assembly. The trim panel assembly includes a trim panel body, a trim component, and a retainer. The trim panel body includes an aperture and the trim component is seated within the aperture. The trim component may include vehicle accessories such as a map light, or a handle. The retainer is mounted to the hidden surface of the trim panel body and attached to the trim component so as to retain the trim component to the trim panel body during airbag deployment.