Abstract: A circuit for digitally monitoring a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal is provided. The circuit includes a counter portion, a digital filter, and a data storage device. The counter portion is connectable to receive the pulse width modulated signal and is operable to monitor the pulse width modulated signal for a predetermined time period during which a count value is established. The digital filter is connected to receive the count value established by the counter portion and is also connected to receive a stored count value from the storage device, the digital filter being operable to establish a filtered count value based upon the count value and the stored count value input thereto. The storage device is connected to receive the filtered count value established by the digital filter. Multiple pwm signals may be also be monitored by including multiple counters, multiple storage devices, and one or more multiplexers.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for controlling the amount of fuel delivered to an engine during operation at cold and warm temperatures using different sets of fuel rate maps designed to compensate fuel quantity signals to optimize engine performance. A switching mechanism based on engine coolant temperature is used to select which set of maps to use. When the engine coolant temperature is below a threshold level, a cold torque map provides a signal representing the duration limit of time that fuel is to be injected. A compensating factor derived from a cold temperature smoke map is used to adjust the cold torque map signal to limit the fuel amount to prevent excess smoke. When the engine coolant temperature is above the threshold, a fuel duration limit signal from a standard temperature torque map is compared to a fuel duration limit signal from a standard temperature smoke map, and the minimum between the two signals is selected for output to the fuel injectors.

Abstract: The carburetor includes a fuel holding chamber, an air flow passageway, a primary fuel delivery circuit including a primary fuel delivery passage communicating with the fuel holding chamber for receiving a first flow of fuel therefrom and with a primary fuel delivery orifice communicating with the air flow passageway, at least one secondary fuel delivery circuit including an inlet for receiving a second flow of fuel separately of the first flow of fuel and at least one orifice in communication with the inlet and with the air flow passageway, and at least one connecting passage communicating the at least one secondary fuel delivery circuit with the primary fuel delivery circuit for allowing transfer of the flows of fuel between the circuits through the connecting passage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a blending medical composition with a sustained medicament releasability, which can reduce the amount of medicament required to be contained in the composition, and can control the amount of medicament to be released according to a degree of moisture present at a moist application site. The present composition includes a medicament-containing hydrophilic composition including a water-soluble or water-dispersible hydrophilic composition and a medicament, dispersed and blended into a binding composition capable of retaining the medicament-containing hydrophilic composition.

Abstract: An encoding system for determining the position of a cylinder rod along a path of movement, the encoding system including a sequence of code segments located on the rod along the path of movement, each of the code segments including a distinct pattern of marks extending from a starting position in a direction transverse to the path of movement and identifying the position of the code segment on the rod, the encoding system further including at least one mark on the rod extending substantially continuously along the path of movement in predetermined relation to the starting positions of the patterns of marks for indicating the locations thereof.

Abstract: The transmission system and associated method includes a drive shaft having a first input connected in rotatable communication with an output of a hydrostatic drive, and a second input adapted for connection in rotatable communication with a clutch selectably engageable with an engine for rotating the drive shaft therewith. The hydrostatic drive is selectably operable in at least a first drive mode for rotatably driving the drive shaft within a first or low rotational speed range, in a second drive mode for rotatably driving the drive shaft within a second or low-to-mid rotational speed range, and in a neutral mode for allowing the engine to directly drive the drive shaft when the clutch is engaged.

Abstract: A control system for a hydraulic circuit having a tank, a pump, a supply conduit connected to the pump, a reversible hydraulic motor, an input conduit connected to the motor and an output conduit connected to the motor is disclosed which comprises a first, second, third, and fourth independently operable electrohydraulic metering valve, the second and third valves being disposed between the supply conduit, the first and second valves being disposed between the input conduit, and the third and fourth valves being disposed between the output conduit, a first pressure sensor connected to the supply conduit for sensing a pressure within the supply conduit, a second pressure sensor connected to the input conduit for sensing a pressure within the input conduit, a third pressure sensor connected to the output conduit for sensing a pressure within the output conduit, a speed and directional sensor connected to the motor for sensing the speed and direction of the motor, and a controller connected to the pump, the valv

Abstract: A unidirectional rod sealing ring adapted for forming a sealed condition in association with a member such as a piston rod or shaft axially movable in a bore of a hydraulic cylinder, the sealing ring including an elastomeric ring member having an axially facing sealing face, an opposite axially facing pressure face, a circumferential radial outer surface, and a circumferential radial inner surface, the elastomeric ring member being cooperatively receivable in an annular groove around the bore of a hydraulic cylinder with the sealing face in position in opposed relation to a first axial groove wall, and the pressure face positioned in opposed relation to an opposite second groove wall, the sealing face including at least one continuous annular bead of relatively small radial extent positioned for sealably engaging the first axial groove wall, and the radial inner surface including an inner most circumferential lip of relatively small axial extent positioned for circumferential sealed engagement with the member

Abstract: A method of treating a disorder of an eye, the eye having a macular area and a sclera, comprises the step of placing a strip of material over the macular area, the strip having a pair of opposed ends, and suturing the ends to the sclera. A macular bandage is also disclosed which comprises a strip of material having a pair of ends which are sutured to the sclera of the eye after the strip has been placed around the macular area of the eye.

Abstract: A system and process for readily determining, for a specified knowledge domain in a given field of endeavor, perturbations applicable to an artificial neural network embodying such a specified knowledge domain that will produce a desired output, comprising a first, previously trained, artificial neural network containing training in some problem domain, which neural network is responsive to the presentment of a set of data inputs at the input portion thereof to produce a set of data outputs at the output portion thereof, a monitoring portion which constantly monitors the outputs of the first neural network to identify the desired outputs, and a network perturbation portion for effecting the application of perturbations, either externally or internally, to the first neural network to thereby effect changes in the output thereof.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method for governing the speed of a device that involves generating a command signal based on a desired change in acceleration, the inertia of the device, and a load associated with the device. The command signal is output to actuating means for changing the acceleration of the device. A speed sensor provides a signal indicative of the speed of the device such as an engine, a movable machine, or a movable component of a machine. An error signal based on the difference between the actual speed of the device and the desired speed of the device is calculated. The desired change in acceleration is computed based on the error signal and a gain factor that is proportional to a desired response time of the control system. The desired change in acceleration is multiplied by an inertial gain factor that is derived from a previous command signal and the change in the speed of the device that resulted from a previous command signal.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for controlling exhaust gas recirculation in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes an exhaust gas recirculation controller that uses sensed engine operating parameters and the engine operational mode to determine whether to enable or disable the exhaust gas recirculation valve. When the valve is enabled, a closed-loop controller determines the desired amount of exhaust gas to recirculate and the corresponding position of the exhaust gas recirculation valve to introduce the desired amount of exhaust gas into the engine's air intake manifold. The desired valve position is converted to a current signal which is transmitted to an actuator to move the valve. When the valve is disabled, the current signal is set to a value to close the valve to prevent exhaust gas from being circulated in the engine's air intake manifold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phytosterol protein complex which is comprised of an amount of phytosterol, an amount of protein, and an amount of edible oil, with the phytosterol protein complex designed to increase the bioavailability of the phytosterol, so that if consumed on a regular basis hopefully cholesterol levels will be lowered in the subject consuming the phytosterol protein complex. The present invention also relates to methods for forming the phytosterol protein complex, methods for potentially lowering cholesterol in humans, and methods for forming food products made from the phytosterol protein complex.

Abstract: A rotational speed sensing device is disclosed which comprises a reference member adapted to be rotated at a reference speed, a rotational device coaxial with the reference member, the rotational device adapted to be rotated at a speed, a sensor associated with either the reference member or the rotational device and being rotated, the sensor for determining a speed differential between the reference member and the rotational device, and a controller electrically connected to the reference member and the sensor, the controller for receiving signals from the reference member and the sensor indicative of the reference speed and the speed differential, the controller for determining the speed of rotation of the rotational device based upon the difference between the reference speed and the speed differential.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus and method for establishing the perimeter of a work site for a mobile machine capable of operating autonomously or semi-autonomously includes activating a learning mode, positioning the mobile machine at a plurality of locations on the perimeter, and recording position data at each location from a sensor system, such as GPS, that provide signals corresponding to the position of the mobile machine. The position data is stored and a data processor associated with a control system generates a display of the perimeter so that an operator may visually verify the size, location, and shape of the work area bounded by the perimeter. Means to allow the operator to modify the entered position data is also provided.

Abstract: A method for transitioning between a first operating mode of a dual fuel engine and a second operating mode of the dual fuel engine includes establishing a final liquid fuel amount desired to be delivered to the engine upon completion of the transition to the second operating mode. Delivery of liquid fuel to the engine is adjusted by a first amount and, correspondingly, delivery of gaseous fuel to the engine is adjusted by a second amount, where an energy content of the first amount of liquid fuel is substantially the same as an energy content of the second amount of gaseous fuel. A determination is made as to whether liquid fuel is being delivered to the engine in an amount which is substantially the same as the desired final liquid amount previously established.

Abstract: A method and components for adapting a standard rectangular or other pre-existing junction box for mounting within cylindrical concrete piers and other curved structures commonly employed for supporting light poles and other mechanisms wherein the front wall portion of the adapted junction box and the face plate member associated therewith for controlling access to the interior portion of the junction box are both shaped and configured to conform to the specific curvature associated with the outer surface of the curved structure into which the adapted junction box will be mounted. The present components enable the adapted junction box to be completely embedded within the curved structure such that the exposed front wall portion thereof including the face plate member lie substantially flush with the outer surface of the curved retaining structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ablative fire resistant hydrophilic polyurea foam made from low molecular weight polyols capped with an isocyanate, with the polyol mixture including a fire retardant polyol that preferably includes carborane disilanol, with the fire retardant polyol containing the carborane disilanol imparting superior fire retardancy characteristics. The present invention also relates to a prepolymer for forming the polyurea foam and the present invention especially relates to the use of a carborane disilanol fire retardant polyol. The present invention also relates to a method for forming the polyurea foam and the prepolymer.

Abstract: A control lever assembly with handle lockout capability including a lever element selectively positionable in a locking position and lockable therein by movement of a handle thereof to a lock position. A first biasing member is disposed on the lever element in an operative position to exert a first biasing force against a detent element, and a second biasing member is disposed in opposition to the first biasing member and is operable to hold the detent element to allow free pivotal movement of the lever element relative to a base.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the exhaust gas hydrocarbon content of an internal combustion engine includes at least one sensing device for detecting whether expected combustion conditions occur within the combustion chambers and responsively producing signals indicative of whether the expected combustion conditions occur. An electronic controller is connected to the at least one sensing device for receiving signals therefrom, the electronic controller being operable to determine an estimated exhaust gas hydrocarbon content based upon the signals received from the at least one sensing device. In particular, an engine misfire rate may be determined by the electronic controller and the estimated exhaust gas hydrocarbon content may then be determined as a function of at least the determined engine misfire rate.