Abstract: This invention relates to methods, reagents and kits for enriching nucleic acid sequences. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods, reagents and kits for sample preparation including sample modification, sample enrichment and amplification.

Abstract: An electric actuator for an automatic transmission includes an adapter to transmit rotary motion between the adapter and the automatic transmission. An electric motor has an output shaft operably connected to the adapter by a gear set which includes a ring gear. The gear set reduces speed and increases torque supplied by the output shaft of the electric motor and applied to the adapter. A release mechanism is operably connected to the gear set and includes a lock member movable between a first position wherein the lock member is in engagement with the ring gear to lock the ring gear against rotary motion in both directions and a second position wherein the lock member is out of engagement with the ring gear to permit rotary motion of the ring gear in both directions.

Abstract: A powered adjustable seat assembly for a motor vehicle includes a seat, an adjuster mechanism operatively connected to the seat to adjust the seat, a controller operatively connected to the drive motor of the adjuster mechanism to selectively adjust the seat, and a plurality of lights located below the seat and operatively connected to the controller to selectively illuminate the lights upon predetermined conditions. The lights are secured to a moving portion of the adjuster mechanism so that the lights move with the seat. Preferably, one of the lights is positioned to direct illumination in a forward direction toward operator pedals, one of the lights is positioned to direct illumination in a rearward direction toward a rear seat, and one of the lights is positioned to direct light in a lateral direction toward a vehicle door.

Abstract: A tire carrier assembly for storing a spare tire of a motor vehicle includes a tire carrier adapted for supporting the spare tire, a winch assembly operably connected to the tire carrier to raise and lower the tire carrier between a stowed position wherein the tire is inaccessible and a deployed position wherein the tire is accessible, and a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes at least one latch member and an actuator adapted to selectively move the latch member between a locking position wherein the latch member prevents movement of the tire carrier from the stowed position to the deployed position and an unlocking position wherein the latch member permits movement of the tire carrier from the stowed position to the deployed position. The actuator includes a push-pull cable and a pull handle such that the operator manually pulls the cable to move the latch member from the locking position to the unlocking position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back and a seat bottom and is attached to a vehicle support structure by a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes a first track and a second track supported for movement relative to the first track along a first longitudinal axis. The seat bottom is supported on the second track for axial movement with the second track. This allows the seat assembly to be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly by a seat occupant. The seat back can also be moved relative to the second track between an upright position and a recliner position. The seat assembly receives a seat load resulting from the seat occupant sitting in the seat with the seat back in the reclined position and/or from a forward movement of the seat occupant during a deceleration of the vehicle when the seat occupant is belted into the seat.

Abstract: A manual override mechanism for an electric brake includes a flexible cable having an elongate outer conduit and an elongate inner core extending within the conduit, a conduit end fitting secured to an end of the outer conduit, a housing located within the conduit end fitting and rotatable therein and a core end fitting secured to an end of the inner core. The core end fitting is located within the housing and is longitudinally movable from a first position to a second position such that the end of the inner core moves toward the end of the outer conduit. Preferably, a spring element biases the core end fitting into the second position. Movement from the first position to the second position engages the core with a connecting element such as a helical gear to operably connect the core to the electric parking brake for manual operation thereof.

Abstract: A refrigerant flow-control device is automatically operable between a normal or low-flow condition and a pressure relief or high-flow condition in response to pressure drop across the flow-control device, in one embodiment the flow-control device includes a tubular-shaped body having an inlet, an outlet, and a refrigerant passageway extending from the inlet to the outlet, a cylindrically-shaped restrictor secured within the tube and forming a second restriction, and a cylindrically-shaped collar secured within the tube and forming a poppet-valve flow passage. The collar is spaced-apart from the restrictor within the tube. A poppet is located within the tube partially between the restrictor and the collar and carries a valve element. The poppet is movable between a first position closing the poppet-valve flow passage to generally prevent refrigerant flow therethrough and a second position opening the poppet-valve flow passage to permit refrigerant flow therethrough. The poppet forms a first restriction.

Abstract: A refrigerant flow-control valve operable between a no-flow condition and a flow condition in response to a control signal supplied thereto. The flow-control valve includes a tubular-shaped body forming a refrigerant passageway extending from an inlet to an outlet, a cylindrically-shaped restrictor secured within the tube and forming a restriction, and a cylindrically-shaped stop secured within the tube and forming a plunger valve flow passage. The stop is located downstream and spaced-apart from the restrictor and the restriction has a greater resistance to flow than the valve flow passage. A plunger is within the tube between the restrictor and the stop and carries a valve element. The plunger is movable between a first position closing the valve flow passage to generally prevent refrigerant flow therethrough and through the passageway and a second position opening the valve flow passage to permit refrigerant flow therethrough and through the passageway.

Abstract: An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes a first member having a slot formed therein, a pin laterally extending into the slot and having an abutment facing the first member on a side of the first member opposite the second member, and a second member rigidly secured to the pin and movable relative to the first member along the slot. A plastic bushing encircles the pin and extends into the slot. The bushing has a flange engaging the first member on a side of the first member opposite the second member. A plastic washer encircles the pin and is located between the first and second members. A spring washer such as a wave or Belleville washer is located between the abutment and the flange and resiliently biases the second member relative to the first member to resist relative lateral movement between the first and second members to reduce lash therebetween. The pin can be either a guide pin or a drive pin of the control pedal.

Abstract: An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes a pivotable upper pedal arm having an arcuate slot formed therein, a link pivotable relative to the upper pedal arm, and a lower pedal arm having an upper end pivotably connected to the link and a lower end carrying a pedal. A drive assembly includes a screw supported by the upper pedal arm, a motor operatively connected to the screw to selectively rotate the screw, and a nut threadably engaging the screw and adapted to move along the screw upon rotation of the screw. The nut is pivotally connected to the link such that the link pivots relative to the upper pedal arm upon movement of the nut along the screw. A pin connected to the lower pedal arm and laterally extends into the slot such that the pin moves along the slot upon pivotal movement of the link. Also disclosed is a control pedal having a drive block or a pair of spaced apart pins located in a single slot of the upper pedal arm.

Abstract: A piezoelectric micropump is disclosed for pumping fluid from a container to a delivery point in low volumes and at controlled flow rates. The pumping action is created by movement of two or three diaphragms. The movement of each diaphragm is caused by expansion and contraction of an attached piezoelectric actuator. Coordination of the movement of the diaphragms creates unidirectional flow of the fluid. The piezoelectric actuators are cantilevered between the pump body and the diaphragms to provide greater deflection of the diaphragms. The piezoelectric actuators preferably are piezoelectric bimorphs such that the diaphragms can function as both seals and pumps.

Abstract: A refrigerant flow-control valve is operable between a mid-flow condition, a low-flow condition, and a high-flow condition in response to an electronic control signal supplied thereto and a pressure drop across the valve. The valve includes a tubular-shaped body having an inlet and an outlet and forming a refrigerant passageway extending from the inlet to the outlet, a cylindrically-shaped restrictor secured within the tube and forming a first restriction, a cylindrically shaped end stop secured within the tube and spaced-apart from the restrictor, and a plunger within the tube between the restrictor and the end stop. The plunger forms a first valve-element flow passage between its outer periphery and the tube and carries a first valve element which movable between a first position closing the first valve-element flow passage and a second position opening the first valve-element flow passage. The second restriction has a greater resistance to refrigerant flow than the first restriction.

Abstract: A pack boot includes an outsole and a pair of traction devices located on opposite ends of the outsole. The traction devices are substantially the same except oriented in opposite directions. Each traction device includes a generally planar base at a lower side of the outsole and secured to the outsole, a substantially planar anchor plate at an upper side of the outsole, a plurality of rivets extending from the base to the anchor plate and clamping the base to the anchor plate with the outsole therebetween, and a carrier having a pair of crampons and pivotally secured to the base between an active position wherein the crampons are downwardly facing and an inactive position wherein the crampons are upwardly facing. The carrier pivots about a horizontal, transverse pivot axis located at one end so that the carrier “turns over” as it pivots about 180 degrees between the active and inactive positions. The carrier has a generally planar main portion and the crampons are generally perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: A control pedal assembly for a motor vehicle includes a support structure, a pedal arm pivotally mounted to the support structure and carrying a pedal, and a sensor for detecting rotation of the pedal arm and sending an electrical signal to a control device indicating the rotation of the pedal arm. The pedal assembly also includes a hysteresis device adapted to generate a desired feel in response to pivotal movement of the pedal arm. The hysteresis device is secured to the support structure and includes a plunger engaging the pedal arm and is movable within a chamber between an extended position and a depressed position upon rotation of the pedal arm. A pair of coaxial compression springs resiliently bias the plunger to the extended position. The chamber forms a first friction surface and the plunger has a plurality of prongs forming a second friction surface engagable with the first friction surface to resist pivotal movement of the pedal arm.

Abstract: An improved curling apparatus for curling the outer peripheries of container shells includes a plurality of inner rings vertically stacked and a plurality of outer ring-segments vertically stacked. Each of the inner rings have an outer surface and a groove in the outer surface which extends the entire periphery of the inner ring. Each of the outer ring-segments has an inner surface and a groove in the inner surface which extends the length of the outer ring-segment. The outer ring-segments partially encircle the inner rings with the inner ring grooves facing the outer ring-segment grooves. Each of outer ring-segments preferably has a unitary length extending about 240 degrees and an eccentric groove. The curling apparatus also includes a plurality of adjustment devices adapted to selectively move the outer ring segments relative to the inner rings to adjust a distance between the inner ring groove and the outer ring-segment groove at a desired location along the outer ring-segment groove.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor including a motor body, a compliant layer in communication with the motor body, and a predetermined number of legs in communication with the compliant layer, which urges the legs into engagement with a substrate. Each of the legs includes a piezoelectric wafer, preferably operated in the shear mode. The actuation of a piezoelectric wafer causes the corresponding leg to be displaced relative to a substrate. This displacement results in the transfer of strain energy to the compliant layer. The energy stored in the compliant layer may be released, causing the motor to advance along the substrate. The legs may be capable of moving independently from one another and also may be capable of moving sequentially or in a predetermined groups or units. The legs also may be arranged in pairs with the leg pairs being capable of simultaneous actuation. The motor is capable of maintaining a high holding force in the absence of a power input.