Abstract: A marine propulsion system comprising a push rod (50) for adjusting the pitch of propeller blades (34). The push rod (50) has a screw-threaded bolt (60) engaged with a nut (78). The nut (78) carries a bevel gear (84) by which the nut (78) can be rotated to cause the bolt (60) and therefore the push rod (50) to move longitudinally. The push rod (50) is connected to a claw with arms couple with pins (170). The pins (170) engage eccentric shafts (174) for unlocking a propeller base (190) so the base (190) can rotate around a transverse axis. The base (190) has an inclined surface which engages with an inclined surface defining an opening in the propeller's hub therefore locking the propeller blade (34) in position. The inclined surfaces are disengaged by rotation of the eccentric shaft (174) thus the propeller blades (34) can be rotated to adjust the pitch and than the inclined surfaces re-engage locking the propeller blade (34) in the pitch adjusted position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a primitive (for potential display as a part of a graphical image on a display device) cause attribute data to be received by a graphics processor as a function of whether the primitive is capable of being viewable in the graphical image on the display device. Before taking that action, however, the method and apparatus assemble the primitive as a function of its positional data, and then determine if the primitive is capable of being viewable in the graphical image on the display device.

Abstract: A method for reducing noise in a voice signal, and a voice operated system utilizing the same are presented. A noise component in a compressed digital signal representative of the voice signal is determined, and subtracted from the compressed digital signal.

Abstract: A light source includes at least one optical fiber having a length and first and second ends and at least one electromagnetic wave source disposed along at least a portion of the length of the fiber for transmitting electromagnetic waves through a side surface of the fiber. A reflective surface is disposed at the first end of the fiber for directing light generated within the fiber toward the second end. A heads-up display can make effective use of the light source.

Abstract: A method and system are associated with distributed generation of electric power. Power demand data of at least one electric power consumer is monitored over time. Power supply data of a regional power distribution system is also monitored over time. The power demand data and the power supply data are analyzed to coordinate control of at least one distributed generation system associated with the electric power consumer.

Abstract: Lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, mevastatin, atorvastatin, and derivatives and analogs thereof are known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and are used as antihypercholesterolemic agents. The majority of them are produced by fermentation using microorganisms of different species identified as species belonging to Aspergillus, Monascus, Nocardia, Amycolatopsis, Mucor or Penicillium genus, Streptomyces, Actinomadura, Micromonospora, some are obtained by treating the fermentation products using the method of chemical synthesis or they are the products of total chemical synthesis. The purity of the active ingredient is an important factor for manufacturing the safe and effective pharmaceutical, especially if the pharmaceutical product must be taken on a longer term basis in the treatment or prevention of high plasma cholesterol. The accumulation of the impurities from the pharmaceuticals of lower purity may cause many side effects during the medical treatment.

Abstract: A SOI-based MEMS device has a base layer, a device layer, and an insulator layer between the base layer and the device layer. The device also has a deposited layer having a portion that is spaced from the device layer. The device layer is between the insulator layer and the deposited layer.

Abstract: Micromachined structures, such as fixed drive or sensing fingers of an inertial sensor, are anchored to a substrate using multiple anchors or elongated anchors in order to reduce the bending or twisting of the micromachined structure about the anchor point.

Abstract: A motion detector capable of sensing motion of an object includes a motion sensor secured to one of a plurality of surfaces of a fastener. The fastener is directly coupleable with the object.

Abstract: Improvements to personal vehicles including self-propelled and balancing personal vehicles. Ready detachability of a seat, footrest, seat back, control unit, wheels and caster assembly is provided using quick disconnect mechanisms.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a device such that device operates in a smooth manner. The system may switch between control architectures or vary gain coefficients used in a control loop to control the device. As the architecture or gains are switched, the control signal may be smoothed so that the device does not experience an abrupt change in the control signal it receives. In one embodiment, the control signal may be smoothed by adding a decaying offset value to the control signal to create a smoothed control signal that is applied to the device.

Abstract: A system for detecting a screening-test error includes a measurement device that measures at least one performance parameter related to at least one screening-test task and a computational device, in communication with the measurement device. The computational device receives the at least one measured performance parameter, calculates at least one performance statistical quantity characterizing the measured performance parameter, and compares the at least one performance statistical quantity to at least one reference statistical quantity associated with an error-free screening test. In accordance with a related embodiment, the system may further include a display device that displays the extent to which the at least one performance statistical quantity differs from the at least one reference statistical quantity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical fiber (12,14) connector (10) comprising a longitudinally extending body (16), said body (16) comprising a first end (18) and a second end (20), and said body having a conduit (22) extending from said first end (18) to said second end (20), and said body (16) comprising a plurality of finger projections (24,26) that extend longitudinally at each end of said first (18) and second ends (20), the connector assembly (10) including a first collar circumferentially coupled to said first end (18) of said connector (10) and a second collar (36) circumferentially coupled to said second end (20) of said connector (10), the connector assembly (10) comprises a connector housing of four portions (38), which, when assembled, define a connector chamber for receiving and retaining a connector (10) as aforesaid.

Abstract: A method is provided for characterizing traffic behavior at an airport. Scheduled and real-time flight information for the airport is obtained and used to determine, over a selected interval of time, flight delay information. The flight delay information is used to characterize an extent of delay for the airport. Various embodiments characterize traffic behavior at a plurality of distinct airports and traffic behavior of a selected airline, both at an airport and at distinct airports.

Abstract: A monochromator 4 is used to direct X-rays from X-ray source 2 onto a sample 14 as a convergent beam. The sample 14 is in a growth chamber. The sample is rotated, and diffraction measurements are made in parallel with multichannel detector 22. A specific reflection is used so that the intensity against angle graph measured in the multichannel detector gives information about the vertical lattice parameter. To compensate for wobble inevitably introduced by the rotation of the sample, short time measurements are made and summed.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling the flow of a gaseous fuel from a fuel supply to a pressurized combustion chamber. A fuel pump is included in the gas train from supply to chamber. The fuel pump increases the pressure of the gas to allow efficient injection into the chamber. The pump is modulated to control the fuel flow. Both alternating current and pulse-width-modulated direct current signals may be used to control the flow. The pump may be a piston pump or a diaphragm pump. Feedback may be provided from sensors that determine operating parameters of the engine and such sensor signals may be used by the controller to maintain a parameter, such as temperature, at a specified value. An acoustic filter can be included in the gas train to significantly reduce gas flow pulsations generated by the pump. This filter improves the uniformity of the combustion process.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds that are heterocyclic derivatives of dipeptides and dipeptides mimetics and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for color conforming video material at a given resolution is provided. The given video material is first converted to a lower resolution version of the same material. Then a color corrected version of the lower resolution version of the video material is obtained. A computer then analyzes the lower resolution version and the color corrected version of the lower resolution version in the same three dimensional color space to determine suitable color values for a color conforming version of the video material at the given resolution.

Abstract: A device for inspecting a cargo container such as a motor vehicle or freight pallet, with penetrating radiation. A source of penetrating radiation is mounted on a moveable bed, thereby allowing a beam of penetrating radiation to sweep the large container. At least one detector is also mounted on the bed, either on the side of the source or on a boom, so that, as the beam is scanned across the container, the container and any contents of the container are characterized by transmitted or scattered radiation, or both.