Abstract: A control arm used as a suspension link within a vehicle suspension system has two similar members. Each member has a substantially W shaped cross section and circular endplates. The endplates are coupled together with bushings that include a compressible member. During normal loading, this bushing arrangement keeps the two members spaced apart. This allows each member to bend and flex when subjected to longitudinal forces. As transverse loading occurs, the two members are caused to move together, and eventually abut one another. This abutment greatly increases the overall strength of the control arm, allowing it to withstand severe transverse forces without buckling.

Abstract: Tubular members for use in vehicle frames are easily and economically produced using a hydroforming process in which a high pressure fluid is presented to the interior of a tubular member, thus causing the tube to expand to meet the interior walls of a forming die. Tubular members can be formed having significant variations in their circumference, diameter along their lengths, or gage along their lengths by using a stamped blank having a predetermined shape which is formed into a preformed tube which roughly mirrors the shape of the desired finished tubular member.

Abstract: A method of connecting elements in a vehicle frame includes fixing the elements in a desired orientation, positioning dies to surround a portion of each element, and introducing material into the die cavity thereby casting a node around the elements.

Abstract: A method, circuit and system for selectively and adaptively effecting conditioning of selected samples of a read signal in storage technologies. A circuit embodying the present invention includes sample logic, arithmetic logic and conditioning logic. The sample logic receives samples and provides a main sample and one or more selected neighbor samples. The arithmetic logic compares the main sample to the neighbor samples toward determining satisfaction of selected conditioning criteria. If the selected conditioning criteria are satisfied, the conditioning logic selectively and adaptively effects level conditioning as to the main sample. Further, the level conditioning is combined with a rule compliance system to insure the read data is following the protocol of the data coding format being used.

Abstract: A control system is provided for use in conjunction with a lighting fixture which will provide additional safety by avoiding the risk of fire. The safety system provides a number of sensors which are capable of detecting the presence of objects in close proximity to the lighting element and appropriately switching power off when such objects are detected. The actual detection is accomplished by use of a plurality of infrared sensors which create an infrared shield around the bulb of the lighting fixture and insure no objects intrude upon the shielded space while the lighting system is in operation. A second safety benefit is provided by the use of a tilt switch. The tilt switch cuts off power to the lamp if the lamp is tipped or knocked over.

Abstract: The food viscometer of the present invention includes a microprocessor controlled fluid viscometer assembly contained in a housing configured for easy mounting on the upper edge of a glass or other conventional drinking utensil. Projecting from the housing of the food viscometer is a probe that is placed in the liquid contained in the liquid container. The housing adjustably engages a base assembly that permits raising and lowering of the housing to ensure that the probe is placed a predetermined depth into the liquid. The base assembly also securely engages the upper edge of the liquid container to ensure the generally vertical positioning of the probe within the liquid, and also to ensure that the probe is spaced a predetermined minimum distance from the edges of the liquid container.

Abstract: The present invention includes an enclosure with a floor that include an upper side and a lower side opposing the upper side. The lower side contacts a surface and is reversibly attachable to the surface. The enclosure also includes a sidewall attached to the floor.

Abstract: A quadrupole mass spectrometer comprises an ion source (20), a mass filter (22) and an ion collector (24). The ion source comprises an array (30) of quantum wires. The mass filter comprises four glass fibres (32) coated with nickel and the ion collector is an a electrode connected to an integrated complementary metal oxide semiconductor temperature compensated integrated amplifier.

Abstract: The device of the present invention, positionable in or on a golf bag, monitors golf club location. The device includes a marker mechanism, positionable on a golf club that imparts a unique identification to the club. The device also includes sensing mechanisms for sensing removal and return of the golf club into or out of the bag by sensing a change with respect to the marker. The device also includes a readout mechanism that receives a signal from the return and removal mechanisms and transmits the status to the golfer.

Abstract: The three dimensional probe device of the present invention is mountable on a working end of a fully automated and articulated robotic arm movable through at least five degrees of axial freedom in a global dimensional reference. The three dimensional probe device comprises a base, a carriage, a probe, a Z axis measuring apparatus and a tilt measuring apparatus. The probe tip contacts the work piece surface to be traced with deflections in the workpiece seam or path resulting in movement of the carriage and probe. The probe includes a plate and a ball which is pivotable in a ball socket portion of the carriage. Movement of the carriage in relation to the base provides measurement data for rotational change in the direction of the workpiece path or seam. Tilting of the probe provides measurement data for translational change in the direction of the workpiece path or seam.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for enabling farmers and producers to record, store and retrieve information about production data related to farming to utilize in managing crops and evaluating crop yield and characteristics.

Abstract: A distributed, compiler-oriented database is disclosed with operating modes including parallel compilation, parallel simulation and parallel execution of computer programs and hardware models. The invention utilizes a hardware apparatus consisting of shared memory multiprocessors, optionally augmented by processors with re-configurable logic execution pipelines or independently scheduled re-configurable logic blocks and a software database apparatus, manifest in the hardware apparatus, in order to efficiently support parallel database clients such as a source code analyzer, an elaborator, an optimizer, mapping and scheduling, code generation, linking/loading, execution/simulation, debugging, profiling, user interface and a file interface.

Abstract: A switchable active filter circuit is formed which employs a ground based switch to direct a portion of a feedback current away from a virtual ground terminal of an operational amplifier, thereby providing enhanced circuit Q and greater phase control at frequencies approaching an octave from the unity gain crossover frequency of an operational amplifier used to form the filter. The circuit employs a switchable feedback tee which includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a third capacitor and a switch. The first capacitor and the second capacitor form a first series circuit which is connected from the output terminal to the input terminal of the operational amplifier. The third capacitor and the first switch are connected as a second series circuit which is coupled from circuit ground potential to a junction of the first capacitor and the second capacitor.