Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling the source of sound emitted from a mobile terminal used in a wireless communication system. The apparatus comprises a housing defining first and second acoustic ports communicating with the exterior of the mobile terminal. A switch is disposed in the housing for movement between a first position where the switch covers the first port to substantially prevent sound produced by a speaker from passing to the exterior of the mobile terminal while allowing sound to pass from the second port. In the second position, the switch covers the second port to substantially prevent sound from passing through the second port to the exterior of the mobile terminal while allowing sound to pass from the first port. A controller distinguishes among the different operating modes of the mobile terminal and is operable to access a plurality of audio settings representative of the sound level to be emitted which is associated each operating mode.

Abstract: A status of one or more subsystems positioned on one or more trailers is communicated to a tractor electrically and mechanically connected to the trailer. The status may be automatically supplied by the subsystem or may be requested either by the operator of the tractor/trailer combination or automatically by another subsystem on either the tractor or the trailer. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the status of a respective subsystem is superposed on the power bus. The status of the respective subsystem can then be determined from the spread spectrum data communications signal. Preferably, the status of the subsystem is indicated to an operator positioned on the tractor. A command for controlling a subsystem on a trailer can also be communicated from the tractor to the trailer over the power bus. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the command is produced on the power bus, and the subsystem is controlled based on the spread spectrum data communications signal.

Abstract: The exit device of the present invention has an elongated securing member, such as a deadbolt or the like, adapted to be mounted horizontally adjacent the free end of a door and a pivoting member inward of the door. The pivoting member has a peripheral portion which rolls against the securing member and serves as an anti-friction bearing and counters against the inward force on the securing member opposing the opening force on the door. In one embodiment, the pivoting member is pivoted by a press bar assembly, and engages and retracts the securing member. In another embodiment, the securing member is retracted by the actuating means. The pivoting member may also include a keeper contact surface which, as the door closes, is contacted by the keeper and the pivoting member is pivoted inward to retract the securing member.

Abstract: A suture anchor for approximating tissue to bone comprises an anchor member for securing the suture anchor to the bone and a plurality of sutures mounted to the anchor member so that the sutures extend outwardly from the anchor member. Each suture has a sharp pointed end for penetrating the tissue and a plurality of barbs which permit movement of the sutures through the tissue in one direction of movement of the pointed end and prevent movement of the sutures relative to the tissue in the opposite direction. The ends of the sutures are inserted and pushed through the tissue along a curvilinear path in a direction away from the bone. The sutures are drawn from exit points longitudinally spaced from the points of insertion and reinserted and advanced along a curvilinear path in the direction away from the bone. The sutures are drawn through the tissue while approximating the tissue adjacent the bone along the suture and leaving a length of the sutures in the tissue.

Abstract: Water is supplied to a water user outlet facility by maintaining a tappable flow of water in a recirculating loop that includes a pump such as a centrifugal pump driven by a substantially constant speed motor to establish the flow, a water delivery path that extends from the pump to the outlet facility, and a water return path that extends from the outlet facility back to the pump. The flow is permitted to be controllably tapped at the facility by a water user while directing any untapped portion of the flow into the water return path. Such recirculation avoids stagnation and thereby impedes deterioration in the potability of the water. Further such recirculation makes the recirculating loop and water within the loop less sensitive to the temperature of the surrounding environment. The recirculating loop may include a water purifier such as an ultra-violet lamp source to kill organic contaminants and, as well, may include a filter to remove inorganic material.

Abstract: A method of maneuvering target tracing is disclosed. The present invention relates to the field of target tracking and more generally to a method of employing multiple model and variable sampling rate technique, which achieve good tracking performance for a high-g maneuvering target. The results show that the present invention can handle the missile sudden maneuver better and are accurate.

Abstract: A particle collector comprises a housing defining an enclosed chamber. An inlet opening in the housing provides fluid communication between a source of gas and particles and the chamber and an outlet opening provides fluid communication between the chamber and the exterior of the housing. The outlet opening is connected to a pump for drawing gas and particles through the housing from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. A collecting member having an adhesive on at least a portion of the surface is disposed in the chamber between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. The adhesive surface of the collecting member is positioned adjacent to the inlet opening. When gas and particles are drawn through the housing, the inlet opening directs a stream of gas and particles at the surface of the collecting member. Particles having an aerodynamic equivalent diameter of less than about 2.5 &mgr;m are captured.

Abstract: An active mount is provided for use in a rotary wing aircraft between each of the gearbox and airframe mounting locations for mechanically suspending the airframe from the gearbox. The active mount comprises first and second linear hydraulic actuators each having a principal axis. The length of the actuators is variable along the principal axis for providing relative movement between the airframe and the gearbox. The principal axes of the actuators are adapted to lie in the directional planes of the primary forces necessary for supporting the airframe and acting on the transmission gearbox mounting locations for providing movement of the gearbox relative to the airframe in the planes at a frequency for reducing the transfer of vibration through the active mount to the airframe. A system for reducing vibration in the rotary wing aircraft further comprises a hydraulic system for supplying a controlled flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the actuators.

Abstract: A seal assembly is provided for use in a hydraulic actuator of the type including a cylinder, a piston movably disposed in the cylinder, and a piston rod connected to the piston and extending from an end of the cylinder. The seal assembly comprises a seal member formed of a material impervious to hydraulic fluid and having an inner edge and an outer peripheral edge. The inner edge of the seal member defines a central opening which is larger than the outside diameter of the piston rod for receiving the rod. The outer edges of the seal member are attached adjacent the end of the cylinder so that the inner edge of the seal member is radially spaced from the outside diameter of the piston rod and the seal member forms a fluid impervious wall for preventing hydraulic fluid from contacting the elastomeric portion of the bearing assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an impact against a target object comprises a driver reciprocally disposed in a housing. The driver includes a hollow tube having a closed end and a nozzle sealing the other end. A piston is slidably positioned in the tube. Propellant is disposed between the piston and the closed end of the tube and fluid is disposed between the nozzle and the piston. A rupture disc is provided for sealing the nozzle which is adapted to rupture when the pressure in the tube exceeds a predetermined pressure. A striker is also mounted in the housing so that in a retracted position of the striker a head portion is proximate the driver and a portion of a shaft extends outwardly from the housing. The striker member is movable between the retracted position and an extended position. The propellant is ignited so that combustion gases build pressure in the tube between the piston and the closed end of the tube causing the pressure in the tube to exceed the predetermined pressure for rupturing the disc.

Abstract: A cardiac phantom is provided for simulating a dynamic cardiac ventricle. The phantom comprises two concentrically-disposed, fluid-tight, flexible membranes defining a closed space between the walls of the membranes. A pump is operatively connected to the inner membrane for reciprocally delivering a volume of fluid to the inner membrane to inflate and deflate both membranes in simulating systole and diastole of a heart. A medium is disposed within the closed space defined between the walls of the membranes for maintaining a uniform distance between the walls of the membranes during inflation and deflation. The phantom is provided for evaluation of medical imaging systems. A method, computer system and a computer-readable medium are also provided for controlling the phantom.

Abstract: A door latch operator mount comprises a coupling member and a bearing member. The coupling member includes a plurality radial flanges and an integral resilient arcuate tab member projecting angularly outwardly of the outer surface of the coupling member. The coupling member is mounted to a door for receiving the bearing member. The bearing member has an opening for rotatably receiving a shaft of the latch operator. The bearing member also includes a plurality of flanges and an arcuate channel which tapers in depth. When the bearing member is positioned against the coupling member, the distance of the bearing member flanges from the surface of the coupling member is less than the distance of the coupling member flanges form the surface. The tab member is received in the deeper portion of the arcuate channel.

Abstract: A discontinuous lignocellulose fiber is described for use as a reinforcing filler for thermoplastic composite compositions. The fiber filler includes a significant percentage by weight of long, “hair-like” fibers. Specifically, at least about 20 percent by weight of the fiber filler is discontinuous lignocellulose fiber with a fiber length greater than about 15 millimeters and a fiber diameter less than about 0.5 millimeters. A moldable thermoplastic composite composition including the discontinuous lignocellulose fiber comprises about 20 to about 50 percent by weight of the fiber filler and about 50 to about 80 percent by weight thermoplastic. The discontinuous lignocellulose fiber filler yields thermoplastic composite compositions having improved physical properties over basic thermoplastic. The improved physical properties can be achieved without the use of coupling agents, although coupling agents may be used to further enhance the composite properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides several apparatus, methods, and computer program products for establishing a data communication link between an interrogation device and the data bus of a vehicle. Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention provides apparatus, methods, and computer program products that process data transmitted to and from the data bus of a vehicle one bit at a time with minimal delay. The apparatus, methods, and computer program products of this embodiment also prevent propagation of false data to both the data bus and the interrogation device, which is generated by the transmission of data to and from the data bus. The present invention also provides apparatus and methods that reduce the introduction of false data in the form of signal noise onto the data bus of a vehicle when the data bus is not transmitting data to or receiving data from a remote location.

Abstract: A method is provided for joining and holding closed a wound in bodily tissue using a barbed suture including sharp pointed ends. The pointed end of the suture is inserted on a first side of the wound and pushed through the faces of the wound to an exit point on the second side of the wound that is longitudinally spaced in a first direction from the insertion point in the first side of the wound. The first end of the suture is pulled out of the tissue for drawing the first portion of the suture through the tissue while bringing the two sides of the wound together to a closed position along the first portion of the suture in the tissue. The second pointed end of the suture is inserted into the tissue at one side of the wound and pushed through the faces of the wound to an exit point on the other side of the wound longitudinally spaced in a second direction from the point of insertion of the second end of the suture at the one side of the wound.

Abstract: A status of one or more subsystems positioned on one or more trailers is communicated to a tractor electrically and mechanically connected to the trailer. The status may be automatically supplied by the subsystem or may be requested either by the operator of the tractor/trailer combination or automatically by another subsystem on either the tractor or the trailer. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the status of a respective subsystem is superposed on the power bus. The status of the respective subsystem can then be determined from the spread spectrum data communications signal. Preferably, the status of the subsystem is indicated to an operator positioned on the tractor. A command for controlling a subsystem on a trailer can also be communicated from the tractor to the trailer over the power bus. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the command is produced on the power bus, and the subsystem is controlled based on the spread spectrum data communications signal.