Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a desired pressure in a positive airway pressure (PAP) device are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) providing breathing gas under positive pressure to a patient via a PAP device based on current desired pressure, b) monitoring a characteristic of the breathing gas, patient, or PAP device indicative of respiration, c) creating a breathing cycle signal having a first level associated with inhalation and a second level associated with exhalation, the signal being based on the monitored respiration characteristic, d) performing an abnormal breathing check based on the monitored respiration characteristic and the breathing cycle signal, and e) if abnormal breathing is detected, increasing the current desired pressure until a maximum desired pressure is reached, otherwise, decreasing the current desired pressure until a minimum desired pressure is reached. Several embodiments of an apparatus associated with the method are also provided.

Abstract: A bed with a leg assembly coupled to a support link assembly by a joint, the joint comprising a slot having at least two paths. A support link assembly defining a length that automatically varies as the support link assembly moves relative to the leg assembly.

Abstract: Process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).

Abstract: A quantity of wire is associated with a number of interruptions that occurred during the production and/or subsequent processing of the wire. The number of interruptions is used to classify the wire as being of a particular quality and/or suitable for a particular task.

Abstract: In an induction heater, preheated, pressurized air is further heated in the heating cabinet and also drawn into the coil tube via a suction fan. The simultaneous pulling and pushing of the twice-heated air through the tube provides superior air flow to pick up more moisture from the can ends being dried. The tube ends rest on upwardly concave collars and are held in place by gravity, with a single screw acting as a stop above to prevent upward movement. Removal requires only removing the single screw at each end then lifting the tube straight up out of the cabinet, which is facilitated by providing a hinged cover on the cabinet.

Abstract: Welds made in TRIP steel workpieces by non-autogenous welding techniques can be made to approximate both the composition and microstructure of the TRIP steel being welded by formulating the weld to have controlled amounts of ? phase (austenite) stabilizers and cementite suppressors.

Abstract: A heavy vehicle trailer antilock braking system module includes a module control port receiving a pressure signal, a module exhaust port fluidly communicating with atmosphere, a first switching valve, a second switching valve, a relay valve, and control logic. The first switching valve includes an input port and an output port. The first switching valve input port fluidly communicates with the module control port. The second switching valve includes an input port and an output port. The second switching valve output port fluidly communicates with the module exhaust port. A relay valve includes a supply port, a delivery port, an exhaust port, and a control port. The relay valve control port fluidly communicates with the first switching valve output port and the second switching valve input port. The delivery port fluidly communicates with the supply port and the exhaust port as a function of a pressure signal at the relay valve control port.

Abstract: A device for suctioning material out of an instrument channel during an endoscopic procedure. The device includes a biopsy valve having a first end, a second end, and an outer circumferential surface. The biopsy valve defines an internal passage leading from the first end to the second end, wherein the first end is adapted for connection to an endoscope instrument channel inlet port. Tubing connects the biopsy valve second end to a suction source connector disposed remote from the biopsy valve. A flow controller is fixed to the tubing and disposed between the biopsy valve second end and the suction source connector. The device may include an irrigation port and an instrument entry port.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for lifting and transporting patients. The apparatus may include a base frame, a central frame, a knee pad, and a boom configured to pivot relative to the central frame. The knee pad may have a guide and a rail configured to travel within the guide to allow positioning and adjustment of the knee pad relative to the central frame. The guide may be configured to selectively secure the rail at any location within an adjustment range of the knee pad. The boom may have at least one hook portion for attachment of a device for holding the patient during lifting. The hook portion may include a hook formed from a curved portion of a central member and a clip attached to the curved portion and movable between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: Stem (12) is secured to fork (6). Head (27), bearing surface (28), recessed portions (29 and 21), and bearing surface (31) successively engage the interior of housing (13), comprising first bearing (14), laterally movable locking ring (18) and second bearing (15). Locking ring (18) is repelled to the left in diametral direction against spring means urging ring (18). When shoulder (20) has arrived at the height of rim portion (32) of ring (18) the spring means are released. Ring (18) displaces to the right and portion (32) engages groove (29) thus locking the stem in the axial direction. Due to the side location of the button 9, the device can easily be handled using the palm of a hand.

Abstract: A composition for the manufacture of high strength glass fibers suitable for manufacture in both precious metal lined furnaces and refractory lined glass melter is disclosed. The glass composition of the present invention includes 62-68 weight % SiO2, 22-26 weight % Al2O3, 8-15 weight % MgO and 0.1 to 3.0 weight % Li2O. One suitable composition of the present invention includes 64-66.5 weight percent SiO2, 23-24.5 weight percent Al2O3, 9-11 weight percent MgO and 0.3-0.35 weight percent Li2O. Another suitable composition includes 66.5 weight percent SiO2, 23.4 weight percent Al2O3, 9.8 weight percent MgO and 0.3 weight percent Li2O. Yet another suitable composition is about 66 weight percent SiO2, about 23 weight percent Al2O3, about 10.5 weight percent MgO and about 0.3 weight percent Li2O. Fibers formed by the present invention are also disclosed. The fibers have a fiberizing temperature of less than 2650° F., a ?T of at least 25° F.

Abstract: Methods of providing flexible duct are provided. The methods include the steps of providing an inner core, the inner core having a cylindrical shape and an outer surface, providing a layer of insulation having a constant uncompressed thickness, fiber diameter and density, wrapping the layer of insulation around the outer surface of the inner core thereby forming a layered assembly, selecting an outer jacket from a set of outer jackets of different diameters, the selected outer jacket configured to compress the layer of insulation to a desired thickness and inserting the layered assembly into the selected outer jacket thereby forming flexible duct. The thickness of the compressed layer of insulation provides a desired insulative value. The outer jackets included in the set of outer jackets are configured to compress the layer of insulation into a plurality of flexible duct having different insulative values from each other.

Abstract: Methods and valve arrangements for controlling the flow of pressurized air from a tractor to a trailer reservoir and to a trailer spring brake chamber. In one exemplary embodiment, pressurized air from a tractor is supplied from a tractor to the trailer reservoir and to the trailer spring brake in different filling modes based on a user input. In another exemplary embodiment, pressurized service air is used to charge or partially charge the trailer reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention provides a faucet including structure to ensure components of the faucet are properly and securely assembled together. In one embodiment, the faucet includes a valve body, a mounting tube, and a hose retainer. The valve body is operable to receive at least a portion of a cartridge assembly and to connect to at least two hoses. The mounting tube is operable to mount the faucet to a surface, to receive at least a portion of the valve body, and to connect to at least two hoses. The hose retainer is operable to interface between the valve body and the mounting tube and to connect to at least two hoses. The valve body, the mounting tube, the hose retainer, and the hoses include structure to ensure that the valve body, the mounting tube, the hose retainer, and the hoses are properly and securely assembled together.

Abstract: A cabinet includes a frame portion and a door hingedly connected to the frame portion. A member is rigidly connected to the door and includes a flange portion extending from and spaced apart from an outer surface of the door. A handle is pivotably connected to the door and includes a user graspable portion disposed between the first outer surface of the door and the flange portion of the member. A catch member is rigidly connected to the user graspable portion and extends through a slot in the door for interlocking engagement with a retention feature disposed on the frame portion. When the door is in a closed position, handle is pivotable with respect to the door from a door retention position to a door release position for disengagement of the catch member from the door retention feature.

Abstract: An authoring tool provides a storage receptacle for text components of graphics designs. In one embodiment, the storage receptacle is a computer readable media (e.g., a hard drive or memory). The storage receptacle is easily accessed from within the graphics authoring environment and allows for the text to be changed independently of the graphics authoring environment, for possible future insertion into graphics files. Once a text item from the storage receptacle has been inserted in a graphics file, a relationship is maintained between the graphics file and the text item in the receptacle. This relationship can then be used in many ways, in particular to keep the text in the graphics file and the text in the receptacle synchronized. The storage receptacle can be implemented as a database system.