Abstract: A power driven wheelchair and a method for operating same are provided. In one embodiment, the power driven wheelchair includes a system controller with a main controller, a storage device, and at least one input device, a motor assembly, and a common bus. The motor assembly may include a drive motor, a local controller, and a sensor sensing a condition associated with the drive motor and in communication with the local controller. In another embodiment, the power driven wheelchair includes the system controller, an actuator assembly, and the common bus. The actuator assembly may include an actuator mechanism, a local controller, and a sensor sensing a condition associated with the actuator mechanism and in communication with the local controller. Multiple embodiments of the method are related to controlling various arrangements of motor assemblies or actuator assemblies.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a method and apparatus for detecting interventricular dyssynchrony are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an image segment processor and an image classifier. The image segment processor may segment left and right ventricles in source images of a subject's heart to form left and right ventricle segments in segmented images. Each source image may include cross sections of the right and left ventricles in common spatial relation along the short axis plane and in common temporal relation in reference to a cardiac cycle. The source images and corresponding segmented images may be temporally-spaced in relation to the cardiac cycle. The image classifier may determine first and second cross-sectional areas associated with the left and right ventricle segments for each segmented image, compare the first and second cross-sectional areas, and classify the subject's heart in an interventricular dyssynchronous class or a non-dyssynchronous class.

Abstract: A DC arc start function for a welder. The arc start function is realized using a universal input DC regulator coupled to a DC to DC converter that produces a regulated DC voltage that is sufficient to strike an arc at an electrode of the welder.

Abstract: A nozzle for a powder spray gun optionally includes an internal filter that allows air to be added to the powder flow within the nozzle shell. The nozzle may optionally include an off-axis outlet slot relative to a main flow axis of the powder into the nozzle shell so that powder encounters an obstruction before exiting through the outlet slot.

Abstract: This relates to an improved delivery system for accurately loading and controlling the delivery of flowable material to a patient. Particularly, the system may be used in the injection of hard tissue implant materials such as PMMA under pressures up to about 4000 psi. The system includes an applicator with a first column having an implant material introduction section adapted to provide for effective loading of the implant material and a second column housing a piston. The introduction section has a larger size than that of a vessel section or bore in which the requisite pressure seal between the piston and bore wall is formed. The first column may include an introduction section flared open to an included larger funnel-like opening or a separate funnel may be used that interfaces with the introduction section to facilitate the introduction of implant material.

Abstract: The drying time for aqueous asphalt emulsions used in the roofing and other waterproofing industries is shortened by separately applying an emulsion breaking agent to the substrate to be waterproofed, to the aqueous asphalt emulsion after it is applied, or both.

Abstract: A multiple-stage gas compressor is disclosed by this application. The compressor has a plurality of pistons, including at least one wobble piston assembly and at least one cylinder piston assembly for compressing pressurized gas from the at least one wobble piston. The wobble piston assembly includes a wobble piston head fixed to a wobble piston connecting rod. The cylinder piston assembly includes a cylindrical piston head pivotally connected to a cylindrical piston connecting rod.

Abstract: Seats that are moveable from a seating orientation, which allows a user to sit on the seat, to a standing orientation, where the seat at least partially supports the user in a standing posture are disclosed. At least a portion of the seat is moveable away from the user's legs when the seat is in the standing position.

Abstract: This invention is a novel composition for preserving fresh cut apples comprising a mixture of ascorbic acid, and one or more of calcium chloride, calcium carbonate, magnesium chloride, calcium hydroxide, and optionally, citric acid or sodium citrate. This invention also relates to a method of preserving fresh cut apples by treating the cut apples with the novel composition dissolved in water and packaging the treated fresh cut apples in a modified atmosphere package.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making polystyrene foam which utilizes one or more atmospheric gases, particularly combinations of HFCs and CO2, as the blowing system in combination with a polymer processing aid (PPA), typically an ester that is relatively non-volatile at the extrusion temperature range. The blowing system and the PPA may both be introduced into the molten thermoplastic polystyrene resin or the PPA may be incorporated in the solid source polystyrene resins. The resulting foams will typically exhibit improved dimensional stability at ambient temperatures.

Abstract: An air drying arrangement for a commercial vehicle is provided having two or more desiccant canisters arranged in parallel on a single air dryer body. The arrangement may include a coupling device that attaches to the body and allows the two or more desiccant containing canisters to mount to the device. The arrangement may be configured to balance the flow of air to each of the desiccant containing canisters when drying air and/or when regenerating the desiccant.

Abstract: Forehearths that create a substantially homogeneous temperature to molten glass forming materials across the end position are provided. A gas cavity, a weir, a refractory block, or a heating element in the forehearth may be utilized to reduce a temperature gradient of molten glass forming materials across the end position. Reducing the temperature difference of the molten glass forming material across the end position permits for improved chemical and physical properties of the glass fibers and the end products formed from the glass fibers. In addition, a reduction in the temperature gradient across the end position produces a more homogenous glass fiber and glass product. Further, a reduction in the shear break rate occurs when the molten glass forming material has a temperature that is substantially the same across the end position, which results in a reduction in the breakage of glass fibers and an increase in manufacturing efficiency.

Abstract: Described are CO sensors, methods for making the CO sensors, and methods for using the CO sensors. An exemplary CO sensor includes a ruthenium oxide present in a form having one or more surfaces, a pair of conductive electrodes operatively connected to a surface of the ruthenium oxide, and an electrical device operatively connected to the pair of conductive electrodes. The gas mixture contacts at least one surface of the ruthenium oxide during operation of the sensor and the electrical device applies a constant potential (or current) and measures a current (or potential) between the pair of conductive electrodes, from which a resistance can be derived as the gas mixture contacts at least one surface of the ruthenium oxide. The ruthenium oxide may have varying levels of hydration. Furthermore, the sensor operates at a temperature range of from about 25° C. to about 300° C.

Abstract: The wheelchair comprises a seat back a module (2) movably coupled to a seat module (5). Two lateral plates (10, 10?) are secured to the seat back module (2) and pivotally mounted on the seat module (5). Each of said plate is provided with a recess (18, 18?) adapted to lodge an excenter member (19) comprising two parallel side faces (26, 27) and being perforated by three holes (21, 22 and 23), adapted to receive a spring release locking pins for locking the angle position of said seat back module. Due to the positioning of said three holes and the possibility of lodging the excenter member with either one of its two side faces (26 or 27) inside the recess (18), five different locking angle positions of the seat back module are possible.

Abstract: A one-handle valve cartridge has a housing that functions as a stop for an actuating mechanism of the valve cartridge to define a range of flow rates and/or temperatures for which the water flowing through the valve cartridge is delivered.