Abstract: The present invention is a valve opening mechanism which has been designed so as to be able to open an actuator pin (30), on which a stop (31) is provided that is through-mounted to slide freely facing in a vertical direction in relation to the top of a rocker arm (7) and which is restrained by the bottom of the rocker arm (7) tip at a specified uppermost position, and the engine valves (4), by pushing downward during the exhaust stroke of a rocker arm (7).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved assembly for operating at least one exhaust valve and at least one intake valve in a cylinder in an engine. The assembly includes a rocker shaft, an intake rocker arm pivotally mounted on the rocker shaft for operating at least one intake valve of the engine cylinder, an exhaust rocker arm pivotally mounted on the rocker shaft for operating at least one exhaust valve of the engine cylinder. The improved assembly includes a lash adjusting assembly for adjusting a lash between at least one of the intake rocker arm and the at least one intake valve, and the exhaust rocker arm and the at least one exhaust valve. The improvement further includes a fluid supply assembly for supplying fluid to the lash adjusting assembly to operate the lash adjusting assembly. The improved assembly further includes a control assembly for controlling the operation of the supply assembly in response to predetermined engine operating conditions.

Abstract: A process for treating contaminated fluid is disclosed. An apparatus for treatment of contaminated fluid comprises: an integral tank; an inlet for introducing a mixture of flocculent polymer and contaminated fluid; a mixer in the bottom of an innermost cylinder that has first stage aerating means; a rotary skimmer above the fluid level of the innermost cylinder and a second stage aeration cylinder that has second stage aerating means surrounding the innermost cylinder; a de-aeration baffle on the same plane as the rotary skimmer and extending around an outermost cylinder; fluid level control means between the second stage aeration cylinder and the outermost cylinder, directing fluid flow from the second stage aeration cylinder out of the tank; means for powering the mixer and the rotary skimmer; and an outlet permitting clear fluid to exit the tank and an outlet permitting waste effluent to exit the tank.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a suture support assembly for use during a surgical procedure. The suture support assembly in accordance with the present invention includes an elongated main body portion, and a proximal end portion having a passageway formed therein for receiving at least one suture therein. The proximal end portion and at least a portion of the elongated main body portion are adapted to be located within a vessel during the surgical procedure. The suture support assembly may be inserted into the vessel via an axillary incision, a brachial incision, or a femoral or a common iliac arteriotomy, and may be used in connection with the repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system and method for actuating one or more valves in an internal combustion engine. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method that may provide lost motion valve actuation of intake, exhaust, and auxiliary valves in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method and rocker arm assembly for actuating an engine valve are disclosed. The rocker arm may include an integrated hydraulic circuit used to control a lost motion piston. A reset piston may be included in the rocker arm to selectively reset the position of the lost motion piston. A control piston may also be included in the rocker arm to selectively lock the reset piston into a reset position. The rocker arm assembly may be used to achieve compression-release or bleeder braking, main intake, main exhaust, brake gas recirculation, and/or exhaust gas recirculation valve events.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of improving engine braking of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine by variable valve actuation. One embodiment of the present invention enables independent two-valve actuation for each cylinder, and engine braking horsepower can be optimized using two-valve braking at high engine speeds and one-valve braking at low speeds. Another embodiment of the present invention enables better a sequential valve actuation to reduce engine braking load and compliance. Another embodiment of the present invention enables better engine starting and warming up by controlling timing and lift of each valve.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stent assembly for use in temporarily securing a surgical component during a surgical procedure. The stent assembly includes a catheter assembly having at least one primary passageway extending there through. The stent assembly further includes a securing assembly for exerting a force against the surgical component for temporarily securing the surgical component during the surgical procedure. The securing assembly includes a portion that extends through the at least one primary passageway. The catheter assembly may include a secondary passageway. The secondary passageway is adapted to receive a guide device therein. The securing assembly has a retracted position and an extended position. The securing assembly exerts a force against the surgical component while the securing means is in the extended position. The securing assembly may contain a coating which increases the gripping force of the securing assembly.

Abstract: An attachment assembly and repair graft are disclosed for securing a graft to repair a vessel having an aneurysm therein. The attachment assembly comprises an attachment cuff such that the graft is not dimensionally dependent upon the size of the vessel. A visualization apparatus is also disclosed for real time direct viewing of an interior of a vessel. A penetration apparatus is disclosed for use in forming treatment specific holes in a potentially calcified vessel wall which facilitates thereafter the securing of the graft and attachment assembly to the vessel wall. An introducer sheath device is also disclosed that comprises a sealing assembly for preventing the loss of blood from the vessel during the insertion and subsequent removal of surgical components during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a delivery catheter assembly for advancing a surgical device to a desired location within a vessel during a surgical procedure. The delivery catheter assembly includes an inner sheath assembly through which the surgical device is advanced to the desired location within the vessel. The delivery catheter assembly further includes an outer sheath assembly surrounding the inner sheath assembly. In accordance with the present invention, at least one of the inner sheath assembly and the outer sheath assembly has an angular configuration at a predetermined time during the surgical procedure. The present invention further includes an adjusting assembly for creating the angular configuration of at least one of the inner sheath assembly and the outer sheath assembly. The adjusting assembly may include at least one pull wire positioned within one of the inner sheath and the outer sheath. Furthermore, the inner sheath assembly is movable with respect to the outer sheath assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to loudspeaker cabinets composed of a moldable wood material and a method for making the same. In particular, the present invention relates to loudspeaker cabinets composed of a compression molded cellulose (CMC) material resulting in a cabinet for loudspeakers with improved acoustic and physical properties. In accordance with the present invention, a compression molded cellulose material, and a process for the mixing, extrusion, and compression molding of the compression molded cellulose material has been developed. Cabinet designs with rounded forms are made possible using the compression molded cellulose material and process. The characteristics of the compression molded cellulose material in combination with the unique shape of each cabinet is designed to enhance the fidelity of the sound produced by the loudspeaker mounted in the cabinet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for controlling an engine braking system having an engine with at least one intake and exhaust valve, intake and exhaust manifolds, a turbocharger connected to the intake and exhaust manifolds, and at least one pressure regulation valve. The method may comprise the steps of measuring a value of an engine parameter; adjusting the pressure of the exhaust manifold responsive to the measured engine parameter value; actuating the at least one exhaust valve; and adjusting a pressure gradient across the turbocharger.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an innovative, economical method or system disclosing a captive volume in a hydraulic circuit which can be selectively hydraulically or pneumatically locked, or vented in order to correspondingly maintain, or increase the total volume of the hydraulic circuit. The structural elements of an embodiment of the present invention may include an accumulator with or without a fixed solid stop, which limits its travel. The accumulator can either be a separate entity, or as an assembly within the master or slave pistons.

Abstract: A variable area exhaust nozzle with a variable thrust vector angle for a turbo-fan engine and mounted on the aft portion of the nacelle which wraps said engine. The nozzle may include a fixed structure having at least two lateral arms separating two radial cutouts. The cutouts are positioned one above the other, one being located above the engine axis, the other one below the engine axis. At least two shells close the fixed structure cutouts and are pivotally mounted on the fixed structure to form a portion of the exhaust nozzle of the engine. A sealing means ensures fluid tightness between the shells and the fixed structure for any angular position of said shells. Actuator means are provided for pivoting the shells either to a symmetrical configuration for changing of the value of the exhaust area of the nozzle or to an unsymmetrical configuration for changing the angle of the thrust vector of the exhaust nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for deicing, equipment, particularly aircraft. In one embodiment, the system of the present invention may comprise a vehicle frame; a boom having a first end mounted on the vehicle frame and a free end; a lightweight air source disposed above the first end of the boom; and a deicer air jet nozzle located at the boom and operatively coupled to the air source for receiving air and discharging the air for a deicer application, wherein the lightweight air source is located proximate to the deicer air jet nozzle.

Abstract: The surgical support device is disclosed for use during a surgical procedure. The surgical support device includes a support assembly for supporting a surgical component during the surgical procedure. A stabilizing assembly stabilizes the support device within a vessel during the surgical procedure. The support device further includes a manipulating assembly for adjusting the position of the surgical component. The surgical support device may also be beneficially used as a ‘partial’ or ‘controlled’ occlusion balloon having the benefit of facilitating intermittent or lower level profusion to the extremities during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for winding strip material onto a drum is disclosed. Friction between the surface of the drum and the strip material wound there around, as well as friction between adjacent reels of strip material, may be selectively controlled by controlling the provision of a fluid bed between the strip material and the surface of the drum. Control over this friction allows the individual strips to slip to different degrees relative to the drum on which they are wound. The different amounts of slip permit the strips to be wound on the drum with uniform tension and at a uniform take up speed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fastener assembly for use during a surgical procedure for securing a first component to a second component. The fastener assembly includes a fastening assembly for securing the first component to the second component under a force. The fastening assembly has a first portion located on one side of the first component and the second component, a second portion located on another side of the first component and the second component, and an intermediate portion connecting to the first portion and the second portion. The intermediate portion extends through the second component and the first component. The first portion, the second portion and the intermediate portion act to apply a compressive force to the first component and the second component to secure the first component to the second component. In accordance with the present invention, at least one of the first portion, the second portion and the intermediate portion of fastening assembly is flexible.

Abstract: A gate valve for controlling fluid flow through a housing is disclosed. The gate valve includes a frusto-conical shaped internal cavity having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet formed in the wall thereof. Fluid flow through the cavity (from inlet to outlet) is transverse to the direction of the taper of the frusto-conical cavity. A gate including a frusto-conical portion is disposed within the housing. The frusto-conical portion of the gate may be moved transversely through the fluid flow passing from the internal cavity inlet to the outlet. The frusto-conical portion of the gate is adapted to seat against the frusto-conical shaped internal cavity to block fluid flow there through. The gate does not contact the seat until the point at which all fluid flow is shut off. This reduces wear on the gate and the seat and promotes laminar flow through the valve during the process of closing the valve.

Abstract: Colorless markers for petroleum products and methods and composition for detecting them.