Abstract: A fibrous, porous web material of the heat seal type having improved particulate retention properties for use in the manufacture of beverage infusion bags. The material comprises juxtaposed, successively wet laid first (1), second (5) and third (7) fibrous layers, at least one of said layers incorporating heat sealable fibres. The fibres in the first layer are of greater aspect ratio than those in the second layer which are of higher aspect ratio than those in the third layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting a sample from a low-yield well or perched aquifer includes a pump and a controller responsive to water level sensors for filling a sample reservoir. The controller activates the pump to fill the reservoir when the water level in the well reaches a high level as indicated by the sensor. The controller deactivates the pump when the water level reaches a lower level as indicated by the sensors. The pump continuously activates and deactivates the pump until the sample reservoir is filled with a desired volume, as indicated by a reservoir sensor. At the beginning of each activation cycle, the controller optionally can select to purge an initial quantity of water prior to filling the sample reservoir. The reservoir can be substantially devoid of air and the pump is a low volumetric flow rate pump. Both the pump and the reservoir can be located either inside or outside the well.

Abstract: A modular erosion and sediment control barrier. The linear modular erosion and sediment control barrier is constructed of fiber logs joined end-to-end. Each fiber log is made of a quantity of loose fibers retained in a tubular casing by a plug. The tubular casing includes an extended section which is peeled back and folds over the end of the coupler fiber log during storage and transportation. When deployed, the extended section is unfolded to receive the end of an adjacent fiber log. The two fiber logs are secured together by a cord and hooks.

Abstract: Manufacturing imperfections and component failures in the fuel system of an engine, can lead to non-uniform torque production among the cylinders. Non-uniform cylinder torques can be observed as small engine speed fluctuations about the average engine speed at any given operating point. Engine speed data contains fluctuations at different frequencies. The amplitude of fluctuations at some known frequencies tell about the health of the fuel injectors and the engine. In the present invention, the instantaneous engine speed data is filtered by discrete second-order band-pass filters to find the engine speed fluctuations at particular frequencies. The output of the filters is identical to power spectral density of speed signal at those frequencies. The amplitude of each filter output is then compared to a predetermined threshold value. If the amplitude is bigger than this threshold, it indicates the existence of low fueling or high fueling fuel injectors.

Abstract: The present invention comprises various combinations of 2″×4″, 2″×6″, 2″×8″, 2″×10″ and 2″×12″ members stacked on top of one another with one longitudinal edge of each member co-aligned. In this configuration, the non-aligned longitudinal edges form shallow steps which act as a ramp, allowing wheeled implements to easily transition form ground level to the floor level of the portable building.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sensor including a magnetic circuit coupled with a primary conductor, a secondary winding coupled with the magnetic circuit, a damping resistor, a magnetic field detector arranged in an air gap of the magnetic circuit and a powering device supplying the secondary winding with a current tending to compensate the magnetic field in the air gap. A measuring resistor is connected in series to the secondary winding and an auxiliary resistor of same value as the damping resistor is connected to the secondary winding and the measuring resistor common connection point. A difference amplifier set is arranged for measuring the voltage at the secondary winding terminals and applying, to the auxiliary resistor, a voltage equal and in opposite direction to the one occurring at the secondary winding terminals.

Abstract: Devices and methods for utilizing dry chemistry dye indicator systems for body fluid analysis such as glucose level in whole blood are provided by incorporating an indicator in a bibulous matrix contained inside a hollow fiber capillary tube adapted to wick the fluid sample into the tube to wet the matrix and indicator system. The devices also enable visual or meter reading of the indicator by positioning the hollow fiber capillary tube in a housing having an optical opening adapted for receiving light form a source and directing the light to the capillary tube and for directing the light reflected therefrom to a detector. An advantage for the individual user is the small fluid, e.g., blood sample required, which enables the user to avoid using finger tip sticks for samples. Another aspect of the device provides a determination of and correction for hematocrit level in whole blood in combination with indicator indication of analyte concentration.

Abstract: A silver-based alloy thin film is provided for the highly reflective or semi-reflective coating layer of optical discs. Alloy additions to silver include zinc, aluminum, zinc plus aluminum, manganese, germanium, and copper plus manganese. These alloys have moderate to high reflectivity and reasonable corrosion resistance in the ambient environment.

Abstract: A novel vehicle signaling converter is disclosed. In one embodiment, inverted logic gates are used to provide low-true signals to a negative-logic power switch, which powers appropriate trailer lighting. In other embodiments, divergent current paths are provided for multiple signals to pass from a vehicle's lighting system to a trailer's lighting system, with each current path being independently current-limited. In still other embodiments, circuitry is placed within each of multiple lighting control signal paths that handles electrostatic discharge within a vehicle-trailer lighting signal converter.

Abstract: An analyte detection system is provided with calibration information uniquely specific to the set of test strips to which the sample is to be applied. The calibration information may be stored in permanent memory of the testing device, such that the device is discarded after use of all the test strips in a kit, or it may be stored in a calibration chip accompanying the set of test strips and distributed therewith, thereby enabling re-use of the testing device with a different set of test strips and associated calibration chip.

Abstract: A kit of tooling components for use in facilitating the removal as well as the installation of a crankshaft seal includes a housing assembly which is constructed and arranged for attachment to a crankshaft seal during the removal procedure and for pushing the crankshaft seal into position during the installation procedure. The kit further includes a guide pin which is constructed and arranged for insertion through the crankshaft seal and into one of the crankshaft seal mounting holes in order to establish proper alignment for the crankshaft seal as it is pulled off during the removal procedure and as it is pushed on during the installation procedure. The kit further includes a plurality of self-tapping screws which are used during the removal procedure for attaching the housing assembly to the crankshaft seal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an engine diagnostic system for detecting malfunctions in an engine system having a variable geometry turbine exhaust system. The engine diagnosis system includes an electronic control module adapted to periodically initiate a preprogrammed variable geometry turbine diagnostic routine.

Abstract: An elastically deformable indwelling catheter formed as a hollow spring having a coiled portion positioned between a first and a second substantially straight portion. The catheter may be straightened for insertion into a patient, wherein the catheter is allowed to resume its coiled shape. A flexible connector extending at least partially through the catheter is used to “lock” the catheter into its coiled shape. The flexible connector extends through the first substantially straight portion and the coiled portion and penetrates through the wall of the second substantially straight portion. The flexible connector is anchored in the first substantially straight portion and extends through the helically coiled portion, penetrates through the catheter wall of the second substantially straight portion and returns to the exterior of the first substantially straight portion. The flexible connector may be secured relative the catheter to prevent further elastic deformation of the spring portion.

Abstract: A lottery played via the Internet, the lottery comprising a Web site arranged to present a player with a set of brands, and arranged to allow a player to select a subset of the set of brands, the Web site recording the selected subset of brands together with information identifying the player, a subset of brands subsequently being selected at random from the set of brands, the player being awarded a prize if the player's selected subset of brands corresponds to the randomly selected subset of brands.

Abstract: Improved milk replacer and dry feed compositions for young mammals are provided that employ a high quality inedible egg product to minimize or eliminate the need for milk source ingredients or plasma-enhanced food compositions. These improved compositions include one or more high quality inedible egg products in an amount from about 1% to 100% of the total weight of the composition. The balance of these improved compositions may consist of any ingredient(s) in any combination when such composition is capable of meeting or exceeding the nutritional requirements of the species to be fed.

Abstract: An intervertebral joint prosthesis having a ball component (22) for engagement with a first vertebra (26) and a trough component (24) for engagement with a second vertebra (27) adjacent to the first vertebra is disclosed. The trough component (24) includes a generally concave surface (50) having a substantially flat portion (52). When the ball component (22) and the trough component (24) are engaged to their respective vertebrae, the ball component (72) and the trough component (24) engage each other, permitting rotation and translation of the vertebrae with respect to each other. Both components include a flange (34,56) for engaging a vertebra. The invention also contemplates a method for and a tool for use in implanting a two-piece intervertebral joint prosthesis.

Abstract: A method for analyzing and designing structures with structural aliasing. The concept of structural aliasing applies in one embodiment of the present invention to structural systems which are cyclically symmetric. In analyzing and designing structural systems such as wheel assemblies of gas turbine engines, it is possible to group the discrete components so as to aliasingly couple particular ordered excitations and harmonic families. With structural aliasing, it is possible to couple the ordered excitations and harmonic families such that resonant response of the wheel assembly does not occur within the operating range of the engine, and also to have the resonant vibratory mode excited in such a manner that the drive coupling of the wheel dampens the wheel assembly.

Abstract: A coil spring assembly is provided that includes rows of pocketed coil springs, a top securing sheet and a bottom securing sheet. The assembly may be partitioned into sections of varying firmness. The rows of coil springs are positioned between the top and bottom securing sheets. Coil spring assemblies are provided that further include top and bottom securing members that further stabilize the pocketed coil springs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a porous plastic article for dispensing a soluble or dispersible dispensate into a fluid stream. An inventive article preferably comprise polyethylene or polypropylene and has defined therein a network of passages in fluid communication with pores on the exposed surface of the article, the pores preferably having a diameter of from about 20 microns to about 200 microns. In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, the dispensing article may be removably attached to a beverage container cap, a bottle neck or a conduit such as, for example, a sports-bottle straw, to introduce the substance into a fluid coming into contact with the article.