Abstract: A refrigerator includes a dispenser having a dispenser well, a control for regulating a product dispensing operation, and a select fill sensor system for automatically initiating and terminating the dispensing operation. The sensor system includes a touch sensor mounted in the dispenser well and configured to sense the selection of a desired product level. A feedback array indicates the product level selected and tracks the product level within a container during the dispensing operation. The control automatically initiates a product dispensing operation based on the selection of a product level and the presence of the container in the dispenser well, and automatically terminates the dispensing operation when the product level in the container reaches the selected product level. In this manner, a hands-free dispenser is provided that can be utilized regardless of the shape or size of container utilized.

Abstract: A medical device holder assembly includes a medical storage device for storing a medical instrument on a support rail convenient to a patient. The storage device includes a housing and a universal attachment member which forms an elastomeric loop adapted to secure the housing to the support rail. The storage device includes a locking slot formed in an upper portion adapted to receive at least a portion of the instrument to retain the instrument within the housing. The housing may also include an internal retention mechanism to aid in retaining the device within the housing, as well as air holes, drain holes, external hooks for retaining the elastomeric loop in place, external retention features to aid in retaining the storage device in place on the support rail, and/or a sump to prevent the instrument from contacting fluid in the bottom of the housing.

Abstract: A microwave cooking appliance includes first and second side mounted microwave systems, each including an associated antenna. Drive structure is provided to establish an oscillating operation for each of the antennae, wherein the angles through which the antennae rotate are configured to assure that the cooking appliance operates in favorable mode patterns. In accordance with the invention, the antenna preferably only oscillates through less than or equal to 180° and, most preferably, approximately 150°.

Abstract: A system and method for remote acquisition and delivery of goods includes a server in communication with customer computers, such as through a user interface via the internet. The server can store customer information including billing information, and may include a real-time video processor. A mobile delivery system in communication with the server includes an energy efficient vehicle, a real-time video device, a global positioning system, a communication device and a printer. In use, a customer communicates with a mobile delivery agent via the real-time video device and the communication device to remotely acquire a product. Once acquired, the delivery agent delivers the product to a designated delivery location. The real-time video device can be utilized during the entire transaction. The system preferably includes a processor for optimizing system efficiencies, including selecting a delivery agent based on the product, pick-up location and delivery site.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprising a collision, fragmentation or reaction cell (4) is disclosed. The collision, fragmentation or reaction cell (4) is repeatedly switched back and forth between a high fragmentation mode of operation and a low fragmentation mode of operation. Mass spectral data sets are obtained in both modes of operation. A decimal mass filter is applied to one or both sets of data. In particular, fragment ions or metabolites related to a parent or precursor ion of interest are identified on the basis of having a decimal mass which is similar to that of the parent or precursor ion of interest.

Abstract: Lost circulation of drilling fluid is one of the most serious and expensive problems facing the drilling industry. The present invention relates to an improved drilling fluid for reducing or preventing lost circulation to an underground formation surrounding a well bore in the process of drilling a well. The drilling fluid comprises a base fluid and wax or waxy substance as a primary seepage loss agent. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the seepage loss agent does not include particles having a blend of natural wax and synthetic wax together in a single particle. The invention also provides a method of reducing or preventing lost circulation to an underground formation surrounding a well bore in the process of drilling a well using the drilling fluid of the invention, wherein the primary seepage loss agent is added to the drilling fluid, either before or during drilling, and the drilling fluid is pumped down hole during drilling.

Abstract: A semi-actuated above knee prosthetic system, which is mostly passive in nature and includes a shank link coupled to an artificial foot, a knee mechanism connected to the shank link and a thigh link attached to an above-knee remaining lower limb of an amputee, is operable in either an actuated mode or an un-actuated mode controlled by a signal processor linked to various prosthetic mounted sensors which may include combinations of knee angle, stance, thigh angle and shank angle sensors. Power is delivered through an electric motor connected to a battery source and employed to drive a hydraulic pump which is part of an overall hydraulic power unit including the torque generator. A signal processor selects a swing state from at least forward, combination forward and descent, combination forward and ascent, reverse, combination reverse and descent, and combination reverse and ascent swing states.

Abstract: Method for installing (or replacing) a unit on the tower of an offshore wind turbine, which unit comprises a rotor including a hub and one or two rotor blades, and a nacelle receiving a gearbox and a generator. The method is characterized by pre-assembling the substantially functional unit ashore or on a platform, placing the functional unit on a watercraft in such a manner that the center of gravitation of the unit lies in the region of the longitudinal axis of the watercraft and the rotor blades extend in the longitudinal direction of the watercraft, transporting the functional unit to the site of the offshore wind turbine, lifting the functional unit from the watercraft using a crane aboard the watercraft, placing the functional unit on the tower of the offshore wind turbine, and fastening the functional unit on the tower of the offshore wind turbine.

Abstract: An ion trap mass analyser is disclosed comprising a segmented rod set. Ions are trapped radially within the mass analyser by a radial pseudo-potential well. The ions are also confined axially within a quadratic axial potential well. A supplemental AC voltage or potential is applied to the electrodes comprising the ion trap mass analyser in order to excite parametrically ions within the ion trap.

Abstract: A computing method and system is presented that modifies a standard operating system utilizing two or more processing units to execute continuous processing tasks; such as processing or generating continuous audio, video or other types of data. One of the processors is tasked with running the operating system while each processing unit is dedicated towards running a single continuous processing task. Communication is provided between both processors enabling the continuous processing task to utilize the operating system without being affected by any operating system scheduling requirements.

Abstract: An interactive security screening system includes a main housing, a contact or palm pad provided on the main housing and a sample sheet positioned upon the contact pad. A sensor is operatively connected to the contact pad to measure pressure applied to the contact pad during a sample collection process. A feedback system, operatively connected to the contact pad and the sensor, provides the subject or screener with at least one of a visual signal and an audio signal to indicate whether requisite pressure was applied to the contact pad. A sample processing system analyzes the sample collection sheet through series, parallel or image processing to determine whether the trace residue sample contains a threat residue. The screening system also employs a spatial recognition system that focuses the sample processing system on particular portions of the sample collection sheet to increase overall system accuracy.

Abstract: A handle assembly for mounting to an appliance door includes a main body member having first and second end portions separated by an intermediate portion. First and second plastic end-caps are tightly fit to the first and second end portions via fasteners. The handle assembly is mounted to a front face of the door through interengagment of the fasteners with clips attached to the appliance door. Latch and ramp portions of clips cooperate with the respective fasteners to draw the end-caps into a close locking engagement with the appliance door.

Abstract: A linear ion trap (6, 7, 8)is disclosed comprising a central quadrupole rod set (6)and a post-filter quadrupole rod set (8). A 180° phase difference is maintained between axially adjacent rod electrodes of the central quadrupole rod set (6) and the post-filter quadrupole (8) so that an axial pseudo-potential barrier is created between the central quadrupole rod set (6) and the post-filter quadrupole (8). A supplementary AC voltage is applied to the rods of the central quadrupole (6) in order to radially excite ions which are desired to be ejected from the ion trap. The ions are ejected from the ion trap (6, 7, 8) non-adiabatically in an axial direction.

Abstract: A rack and pinion storage system for use in a refrigerator compartment defined by a liner includes a pair of supports attached to opposing sidewalls of the liner. First and second gear covers snap-fittingly connect first and second gear wheels to respective first and second mounting brackets extending from a storage basket, such that the gear wheels are rotatably connected to the storage basket and have equal rotational and linear motion along the respective supports. Retaining bars extending from the storage basket are held within channels defined between the bottom walls of the supports and top walls of opposing telescoping slide assemblies used to movably support a door of the compartment. Tabs extending from the supports limit the sliding movement of the storage basket. A removable divider connects to the storage basket, sectioning the basket into multiple storage compartments.

Abstract: A system for heating and cooling the transmission fluid including a heat exchanger adapted to transfer heat between an engine coolant and a transmission fluid and a controller for controlling a valve to place the system into a select one of three modes including a heater core priority mode wherein no engine coolant flows to the heat exchanger, a heating mode wherein hot engine coolant flows directly to the heat exchanger from the engine and a cooling mode wherein cool engine coolant flows directly to the heat exchanger from the radiator, whereby the transmission fluid is heated in an efficient manner with minimal impact on passenger compartment heating.

Abstract: A method for rinsing crockery in a dishwashing machine is disclosed. The dishwashing machine includes a circulation pump, a water heater, an upper spray arm and a lower spray arm both alternatively fed by the circulation pump. The method includes the step of heating of the rinsing circulated water up to a maximum predetermined value. The method further includes the step of interrupting the feeding of the lower spray arm when a threshold water temperature is reached so that only the upper spray arm is fed by the circulated water.

Abstract: A system and method for safely slowing or controlling a vehicle's speed or engine speed by selectively replacing a genuine engine control signal with a spoofed engine control signal to slow or control the vehicle. The operator is allowed control of the vehicle (e.g. genuine engine control signal) if the speed is below a threshold speed and the operator is denied control of the vehicle (e.g. spoofed engine control signal) if the speed is above the threshold speed; similarly, a maximum idle engine speed and time to idle before shut-down is enforced by selectively replacing a genuine engine control signal with a spoofed engine control signal, responsive to a set threshold for each. The threshold is set over the air (OTA).

Abstract: A portable fluid ozonation apparatus includes a container for treating and storing fluid, a filter that attaches to the container and an ozone generator. In use, a fluid is dispensed into the container and optionally passed through the filter. At this point, power is supplied to the ozone generator which operates for a period of time necessary for disinfecting the fluid. Additives and post filters can be utilized in conjunction with the ozonation apparatus in order to obtain sufficient purified fluid within a short time frame.

Abstract: An electromagnetic communication and connection system for self structuring and computing modules includes one or more inductors located on a connecting plate of a first module for communicating signals to one or more inductors located on a connecting plate of a second module. A computer processor and algorithm are utilized to calculate the spatial relationship of the two modules, and to facilitate alignment of respective connecting plates to achieve an aligned mechanical contact between the respective connecting plates. Once connected, a permanent or semi-permanent physical connection is maintained between the connecting plates and the modules may communicate with one another.