Abstract: An adjustable vehicle suspension system includes a plurality of damping members and an air spring operatively associated with each of the damping members. The suspension system also includes a compressed air source, a valve assembly, and a controller. The compressed air source is in fluid communication with each of the air springs. The valve assembly is operatively disposed between the compressed air source and each of the air springs. The controller is operatively associated with the valve assembly for selective activation thereof. A user can selectively adjust one of a damping rate of the damping members, a spring rate of the air springs, and a ride height of the air springs, such as by using a control panel. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensing and communication system includes a transceiver broadcasting an electromagnetic wave, a transponder supported on an associated structural member at a distance from the transceiver that receives the electromagnetic wave, and a sensor adjacent the transponder and in communication therewith. The sensor being operable to sense an input acting on the associated structural member and communicate a signal corresponding to the input to the transponder. The transponder is adapted to induce a modulation of the electromagnetic wave in relation to at least one of the sensor signal and the distance between the transceiver and the transponder. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of positioning a vehicle chassis of a stationary vehicle in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum is provided. The vehicle has an axle and a fluid suspension system. The fluid suspension system includes a control device, a pressurized fluid source and an exhaust passage. The pressurized fluid source and the exhaust passage are in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid suspension members through the control device. The vehicle also includes an electronic control unit operatively associated with the control device. The method including steps of providing an alignment sensor supported on the chassis for outputting a signal indicative of the orientation of the chassis to the electronic control unit and acquiring a signal output by the alignment sensor. Another step includes comparing the signal from the alignment sensor to alignment data stored in the electronic control unit.

Abstract: A composition for inhibiting spontaneous myometrial contraction or bradykinin-induced contraction, comprising adrenomedullin. The composition of the present invention may be used to selectively inhibit spontaneous myometrial contraction or bradykinin-induced contraction to prevent premature labor, prevent miscarriage, arrest parturition prior to cesarean section, or to treat dysmenorrhea.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling video cameras (15, 16) using microphones (10) where the space-time coordinates of a sound event are calculated by first estimating with high precision the time delays of arrival for select microphone pairs, and then applying the Total Least Squares method.

Abstract: The device for sorting items, such as rolls, is provided downstream of a first number (N) of feeding channels (Ca) of items (R), which feeding channels (Ca) are provided with dispensing members (8) for a controlled release of the items (R). The device (100) includes: a number of mobile tracks (5) equal to the first number (N), arranged downstream of the N feeding channels (Ca) and operatively associated in pairs, so as to define operating gaps (H1) between successive pairs. The first mobile tracks (5) are movable in reciprocal synchronism, transversally (W) to the feeding channels (Ca). A second number (M) of second mobile tracks (6) are arranged downstream of the feeding channels (Ca) and are disposed each one between successive pairs of the first tracks (5) at the operating gaps (H1).

Abstract: The present application provides systems and/or methods for accessing a portion of a mass-fragment spectrum, constructing a vector that is responsive to an intensity-balance of the spectrum, and selecting the spectrum responsive to the vector.

Abstract: The invention enables to monitor a magnetic field drift of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus on the basis of the magnetic resonance signals, which are acquired during magnetic resonance image data acquisition, such as by single shot EPI or by a gradient echo sequence. The phases of at least two magnetic resonance signals are acquired an echo time after the corresponding RF excitations. This corresponds to the central k-space line, which has frequency encoding but no phase encoding. The difference of two consecutive phase measurements, which are acquired at a certain time interval provides the shift of the resonance frequency. This enables monitoring of the shift of the resonance frequency and compensation of the magnetic field drift.

Abstract: A frame assembly for at least partially enclosing a raised floor structure includes a bottom frame member positioned adjacent an associated raised floor structure. A pair of spaced apart side frame members are connected to and extend upwardly from the bottom frame member. A top frame member is spaced from the bottom frame member and connected to the pair of side frame members. At least one picket extends between and is connected to the top and bottom frame members. The at least one picket is oriented approximately parallel to the side frame members. A screen is selectively mounted to at least one of the top and bottom frame members and the side frame members. The screen is located adjacent the at least one picket.

Abstract: A process for the casting of metals includes the steps of providing a mold, delivering a molten metal into the mold, solidifying the molten metal, and removing at least a portion of the mold. The step of removing at least a portion of the mold begins before the step of solidifying the molten metal has been finished. An apparatus to deliver a solvent to a mold is also provided.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for reducing a deadlock probability during transaction processing in a computer network system having a plurality of users of the network system that comprises a content management system performing implicit transactions via API calls to a library server on a plurality of entities shareable by users of the network. The computer-implemented method comprises invoking a transaction sequence in response to a transaction request, performing a prepare portion of the transaction sequence, implicitly committing the prepare portion of the transaction, performing an update portion of the transaction sequence, and fully committing the transaction.

Abstract: A telephone set includes a cradle for receiving a selected electronic device, such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). The cradle comprises a cradle base and a cradle cover coupled to the cradle base. The cradle cover includes a support for selectively securing the selected electronic device thereto. Means for coupling the cradle to the telephone set, which preferably comprises a snap device, is provided. A connector is coupled to the cradle in order to enable communication between the selected electronic device and the telephone set. The cradle can be selectively removed from the telephone set by decoupling the cradle base from the telephone set.

Abstract: A mower head has a deck with at least three sides and at least one side wall depending from the deck. A cutting blade is rotatably mounted to the deck on an axis extending through the deck. The deck is disposed above and generally parallel to the blade. A guard assembly includes an actuating member mounted on the deck. The guard is attached to the actuating member and pivotally attached to the deck via a hinge along two sides of the deck. A flap depends from the guard. A flap also depends from one of the three sides of said deck. A top surface of the guard and a top surface of the deck can be located in the same plane. In a second embodiment, the guard includes a first wall having a plurality of angled sections which matingly interconnect with angled sections of one of the deck sides. In a third embodiment, the top surface of the guard and the top surface of the deck are located in different planes.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively controlling supplied power to an ink melt heater for maintaining a desired ink melt rate despite a varying ambient parameter affecting an actual melt rate. A predetermined amount of power is supplied to the ink melt heater intended to cause the desired ink melt rate. The ambient parameter is detected by the ink melt heater. A determination is made if the detected ambient parameter will cause a variance in the actual ink melt rate from the desired ink melt rate. If a variance is so determined, the supplied power is adjusted from the predetermined amount to an adjusted amount for realizing desired ink melt rate. The ambient parameter preferably comprises sensing a factor representative of at least one of local environmental air temperature to the printing system or adjacent ink temperature to the heat plate.

Abstract: A system and method for welding with a first and second arc between a first and second electrode, respectively, and a common workpiece, where each of the electrodes is driven by a single power source, where there is a first inductor connected in series with the first electrode and a second inductor connected in series with the second electrode and each of the inductors has sufficient inductive reactance to store enough energy to maintain an existing arc associated with one of the electrodes for a selected general time with essentially no current to the one electrode.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light irradiation apparatus providing combined mechanical and chemical cleaning of light irradiation tubes for removing radiation blocking precipitates from the surface of the tubes. A scraper ring is fitted to the outside of each of the tubes and includes a chamber for receiving a relatively small quantity of cleaning solution. The scraper rings are reciprocated in a sliding action along the tubes which action synergistically acts with the cleaning solution to remove precipitates from the tube surface including fine particles lodged in concave pits in the tube surface.