Abstract: A fan air flow measurement sensor comprising a housing having a sensor cap, a thermistor pair disposed within the housing, each thermistor projecting through the sensor cap a predetermined distance above the sensor cap, a flange extending normally from the housing, the flange engagable with a mounting surface, a sensor circuit comprising a multiplexer for controlling each thermistor, and for measuring a condition of each thermistor, and for receiving and transmitting signals, and a cable for connecting the sensor to a multiplexing circuit.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator for engaging and actuating a device. The actuator includes an engagement mechanism, a bias element, and a SMA object(s). The SMA actuator may automatically and passively transfer to a backup or redundant feature that resets or extends the actuator's operational life. In one embodiment, the SMA actuator includes an additional SMA object(s) that replaces the primary SMA object(s) in the event the primary SMA object(s) breaks. The SMA actuator may also be configured to apply a dynamic stress to the SMA object during transition of the object to modify the transition temperatures of the object. The SMA actuator may be part of a fluid distribution system, such as a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and used to control the flow of fluid, such as air, from the distribution system.

Abstract: An improved spa nozzle that is capable of entraining high air flow rates from the surrounding environment, said nozzle of the type having a water input conduit of diameter D, a flow output conduit having entry and diameter of DID, a transition conduit having a diameter of ID and a length of PL, and an air entrainment conduit, and wherein the following ratios are defined to describe the relative geometry of the nozzle: ?=PL/(DID?ID), ?=DID/ID and ?=D/ID, the improvement comprising: the water input, transition and output conduits being configured such that ? is in the range of 1.3-5 and ? is>1.9.

Abstract: An instrument housing comprising a first portion having a wedge form, a third portion having a wedge form, a second portion between the first portion and the third portion, a first hinge portion between the first portion and the second portion, the first hinge portion extending normal to a major axis A-A, a second hinge portion between the second portion and the third portion, the second hinge portion extending normal to a major axis A-A, and the second portion having a portion for receiving an instrument.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base, an arm pivotally engaged with the base, a pulley journalled to the arm, a torsion spring engaged between the arm and the base, the base comprising a cantilever leaf spring, a first friction disk operationally disposed between the cantilever leaf spring and the arm, the cantilever leaf spring biasing the first friction disk into frictional contact with the arm, the first friction disk rotationally fixed with respect to the base, a second friction disk rotationally fixed with respect to the base, a separator member disposed between the first friction disk and the second friction disk, the first friction disk and the second friction disk each having a wet coefficient of friction of approximately 0.12, and the separator member rotationally fixed with respect to the arm.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base, an arm engaged with the base for oscillatory movement, a torsion spring engaged with the base and the arm, the torsion spring exerting a force on the arm, a damping mechanism exerting a frictional damping force between the base and the arm for damping an arm oscillation, the damping mechanism comprising a Belleville spring, the frictional damping force instantaneously adjustable by changing a Belleville spring force.

Abstract: A belt rib wear gauge comprising a body, an elongate member having a length and extending from the body, the elongate member having an arcuate surface, the elongate member further comprising a tactile surface cooperatively disposed with respect to the arcuate surface, and the arcuate surface having a predetermined radial dimension wherein engagement of the elongate member within a belt groove and the position of the tactile surface relative to a datum plane at a tip of belt ribs disposed immediately adjacent to the belt groove indicates a state of wear of the belt ribs.

Abstract: In a liquid sensing system, an RF signal is applied to a series-resonant circuit. The coil of the resonant circuit is placed proximate to a fuel tank, causing electromagnetic radiation to propagate into the fuel space. The fuel acts as an electrical load to the resonant circuit in a manner proportionate to the volume of fuel in the tank and/or to variations in electrical properties of the fuel itself. The loading effect of the fuel can change the resonant frequency and/or the Q of the resonant circuit. The loading effect of the fuel is determined by monitoring a change in one or more electrical parameters associated with the excited resonant circuit, such as a voltage across the resistor in the resonant circuit. Changes in this voltage are analyzed by a controller, the result of which is used to output a value indicative of level and/or composition of the fuel.

Abstract: A tire monitor system includes a tire monitor sensor unit that has a tire pressure detector, a coupler and a tire valve. The tire valve operates as an antenna to transmit tire data from the tire pressure detector. The coupler provides a capacitive coupling that removably couples the tire pressure detector and the tire valve. The coupler includes two metal layers separated by a dielectric layer. The two metal layers may be formed by the tire valve and a connection tube.

Abstract: An isolator decoupler comprising a first tapered portion for connecting to a driving shaft, a second tapered portion cooperatively engaging the first tapered portion, the second tapered portion having a frictional engagement with a pulley, and an elastomeric member operatingly disposed between the second tapered portion and the pulley.

Abstract: A bicycle drop out comprising a seat stay mount having a first receiving portion, a chain stay mount having a second receiving portion, a back plate releasably connected to the seat stay mount and the chain stay mount, the back plate comprising a first member for engaging the first receiving portion and a second member for engaging the second receiving portion, the back plate comprising a third slot for receiving an axle, the slot cooperatively disposed between the seat stay mount and the chain stay mount, and the seat stay mount and the chain stay mount having a gap therebetween for receiving a belt.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one compound of e.g. the formulas (Ie) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier which is useful in a medicine wherein the symbols and substituents have the following meaning —X— is e.g. and Y is e.g. or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters or amides and prodrugs of the above identified compounds can be applied to modulate the in-vitro and in-vivo binding processes mediated by E-, P- or L-selectin binding.

Abstract: A flex fuel sensor is deployed in conjunction with the fuel transfer line (e.g. around a plastic fuel line) or at the bottom/side of a fuel tank. An RF signal of a constant frequency may be generated across a resonant circuit, which comprises of an inductor and a PCB trace capacitor, capacitor plates, semi cylindrical capacitor plates, or the like. Electromagnetic radiation is propagated into the passing fuel in the transfer pipe. The conductivity and dielectric properties of the fuel change the capacitance of the trace capacitor/capacitor plates. These changes are proportional to ethanol/alcohol content of the fuel and are preferably detected by a microcontroller, or the like, and then transmitted to a flex fuel vehicle Engine Management System.

Abstract: A planetary transmission comprising an input member, an output member, a planetary gear assembly mechanically disposed between the input member and the output member, a centrifugal clutch mechanically disposed between the input member and the output member, a one-way clutch mechanically disposed between the input member and the output member, the one-way clutch for directly coupling the input member and the output member from zero rotational speed up to a first rotational speed, the centrifugal clutch for directly coupling the input member and the output member from a second rotational speed greater than zero rotational speed to a third rotational speed which is in excess of the first rotational speed, and a brake member for selectively controlling rotation of the planetary gear assembly.

Abstract: A compact audio reproduction system for two input signals includes at least four loudspeakers disposed at the vertices of a quadrilateral not more than two feet on any side and such that no two loudspeakers are located at a distance from one another which is less than one-fourth the greatest distance between any two loudspeakers. The two input signals are connected to alternate speakers such that no two loudspeakers at adjacent vertices of the quadrilateral produce the same signal such that a listener at an arbitrary location perceives a sound source larger than the quadrilateral and significant stereo image. The signals received by two loudspeakers located at adjacent vertices may receive signals which are equalized separately from the signals received by the other loudspeakers for the purpose of reducing comb filtering and improving the tolerance of the device to placement near walls and other obstructions.

Abstract: A transfer case comprising a rotational input member, a rotational output member, a rotational planetary gear portion operatingly engaged between the input member and the output member, a moveable cam member selectively engagable with the planetary gear portion, whereby the rotation of the planetary gear portion is stopped when the cam member is engaged with the planetary gear portion, the rotational direction of the output member is in the same direction as the input member when the cam member is not engaged with the planetary gear portion, and the rotational direction of the output member is opposite the rotational direction of the input member when the cam member is engaged with the planetary gear portion.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base, a pivot arm pivotally engaged with the base, a torsion spring engaged between the base and the pivot arm for biasing the pivot arm, a first damping member and a second damping member disposed between the pivot arm and the base, the first damping member wedgingly engagable between the pivot arm and the second damping member, and the second damping member frictionally engaged between the first damping member and the base.

Abstract: A dual ratio belt drive system comprising a clutch unit mounted directly to a driver rotating shaft, a one-way clutch mounted directly to the driver rotating shaft, a plurality of rotating accessories rotatably connected to the clutch unit and rotatably connected to the driver rotating shaft through the one-way clutch such that the accessories are driven by the clutch unit at a first speed ratio and driven directly by the driver rotating shaft through said one-way clutch at a second speed ratio, with the clutch unit operating at a predetermined value of an engine operating condition thereby defining the transition between the first and second speed ratios, and the clutch unit being engaged at engine start.