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 motor vehicle seat adjuster includes a DC motor and a control system operably connected to the motor to control seat motion to a desired motion profile. Power to the motor is variable from less than 100% of normal power to greater than 100% of normal power. The desired motion profile preferably includes a normal operating power and a boost operating power and the control system automatically increases motor power to the boost operating power after one of a predetermined period of time, a predetermined distance of travel, or a predetermined sensed condition. Parameters of the motion profile are preferably customizable.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods of making and uses for wide spectrum disinfectants including as components an alcohol, O-phenylphenol, chlorhexidine gluconate, nonoxynol-9, benzalkonium chloride, and deionised double distilled water wherein on a weight/volume ratio the alcohol comprises from 50 to 80%, the O-phenylphenol comprises from 0.1% to 0.8%, the chlorhexidine gluconate comprises from 0.01 to 1%, the nonoxynol-9 comprises from 0.02 to 1%, and the benzalkonium chloride comprises from 0.15 to 1%.

Abstract: An organizer releasable attachable to a rim of a bucket comprising a rounded end conforming to the rim of the bucket such that a handle of the bucket freely rotates to a position in a plane above the organizer from the rounded end side of the bucket when the organizer is attached to the bucket and a second end opposite the rounded end cantilevers over the other side of the bucket. The organizer comprising one or more compartment having at least one of a solid floor and one or more opening.

Abstract: A unitary one piece molded metatarsal guard has a convex arch portion over the wearer's instep extending from the rear of the wearer's toes to the top of the wearer's instep and integrally molded concave right and left support legs overlying a shoe sole. The right and left support legs extend on opposite sides of the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A system for increasing the overall efficiency of a hydrogen fueled vehicle and refilling station infrastructure wherein the process of (1) consuming pressurized hydrogen gas that is stored in on board tanks used to power hydrogen fueled motor vehicles and (2) refueling the vehicle tanks at a hydrogen refilling station after the available on board fuel supply in the tanks is consumed is controlled according to a predetermined sequence involving the utilization of the hydrogen in the on board tanks.

Abstract: A bi-laterally surfaced substrate in which the first surface consists of one or more than one of cerium oxide, aluminum oxide, tin oxide manganese oxide, copper oxide, cobalt oxide, nickel oxide, praseodymium oxide, terbium oxide, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, iridium, platinum and gold and the second surface consists of one or more than one of ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, iridium, platinum and gold and micro channel micro component reactors including such substrates in a predetermined formed shape and methods for making the same utilizing a thermal spray on one side and a physical deposition process on the other side.

Abstract: A method for reusing a conductive (carbon) core/glass or sapphire cylinder test electrode comprising expelling spent core material from the tip of the electrode and refinishing the electrode tip for use in further tests and refinished test electrodes produced in accordance with the method.

Abstract: An extruded railroad tie comprising a bottom, a first side and a second side essentially opposite each other and extending from opposite ends of the bottom and a top surface shaped to receive and support the bottom of a steel tie. The extruded tie is useful for support of railways in mines, tunnels and the like. The tie is compatible with steel ties and can withstand heavy loads, impacts, standing water, insects, bacteria, molds and the like. The tie is such that the steel tie associated with it is easily replaceable.

Abstract: A hoist apparatus (10) including a rope sensing device (14) for detecting rope fouling events. The rope sensing device (14) includes a lever arm (74) having a first end portion (74g), a second end portion (74h), and a pivot point (74j) located between the first (74g) and second (74h) end portions along the lever arm (74). The lever arm (74) is pivotably mounted to a frame (18) of the hoist apparatus for movement between a sensing position and a fouled position. A follower (78) is connected to the first end portion (74g) and positioned adjacent and spaced from a drum (30) of the hoist apparatus such that rope (38) winds on to the drum spaced from and relative to the follower (78) when the rope sensing device is in the sensing position. A switch actuator (82) is connected to the second end portion (74h) adjacent a switch (86) such that the switch is actuated to a motor stop position when a rope fouling event occurs.

Abstract: A firmness tester is disclosed which conducts its test through one or more rolling indenters impinging upon the surface of a subject. Most firmness sensors require the sample to be held stationary relative to the tester's reference plane. This invention allows the tester to differentiate between the firmness of the sample and movement of the sample relative to the sensing device. This is desirable in the application of an automatic massage chair where the roller/sensor presses upon the user's back and may cause the point of contact on the user's body to move away by means of the user flexing at the hips or arching through the back. The rolling feature is desirable in the field of automated chair massage where the massage indenters slide across the user's back with significant pressure through a membrane. This membrane would wear quickly if the indenters were not equipped with such a rolling mechanism.

Abstract: A fall protection device for an opening in a roof includes at least one rail section having a vertical member. The vertical member is preferably in the form of a metal tube having an open lower end. A bearing foot has a connecting portion and a bearing portion and is secured to the lower end of the vertical member by the connecting portion so that the bearing portion supports the vertical member above the roof. The connecting portion of the bearing foot preferably extends into the open lower end of the tube and resiliently engages an interior surface of the tube to secure the bearing foot thereto. A hardness of the bearing portion is greater than a hardness of the connecting portion. The connecting portion and the bearing portion are preferably plastic and co-molded so that the bearing foot is of unitary construction.

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: The present invention provides a composition for water-removable ink with an effect of coupling retardation by using an aliphatic alcohol as a solvent, which is selected from a group comprising n-butyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and pentanol, so that the curiosity of infants or juveniles can be stimulated to enhance the learning effect and also various desires of students or adults can be satisfied in terms of ornamental purposes.

Abstract: A crane having an upper block, a lower block, a drum, and two ropes. The upper block includes an equalizer having a yoke to which the ropes are connected. The connections between the ropes and the yoke include load cells that measure the forces carried by each of the ropes. The upper block includes a fail-safe system that prevents failure of the upper block in overload conditions.

Abstract: A lift and secure latch assembly for a vehicle tailgate includes a pair of cables capable of applying upward force to the tailgate and a tensioning mechanism positioned within the tailgate and connected to the support members to apply tension thereto. One of the cables extends from a first lateral end of the tailgate and the other of the cables extends from a second lateral end of the tailgate. The tensioning mechanism is operable between a first position wherein the cables are retracted with the tailgate closed and a second position wherein the cables are extended with the tailgate open. The tensioning mechanism includes a spring member biasing the tensioning mechanism toward the first position. A latch selectively engages the tensioning mechanism to releasably secure the tensioning mechanism in the first position with the tailgate closed. Preferably, the latch is centrally positioned between lateral ends of the tailgate.

Abstract: An improved railway frog having opposite side flangeways, each flangeway comprising a channel with an ending width greater than a corresponding channel width of a conventional frog. The improved frog channel further comprising a first segment and a second segment. The second segment having an outside wall angled greater than a corresponding first segment outside wall in relation to an inner wall of the channel.

Abstract: Aqueous coating slurries useful in depositing a dense coating of a ceramic electrolyte material (e.g., yttrium-stabilized zirconia) onto a porous substrate of a ceramic electrode material (e.g., lanthanum strontium manganite or nickel/zirconia) and processes for preparing an aqueous suspension of a ceramic electrolyte material and an aqueous spray coating slurry including a ceramic electrolyte material. The invention also includes processes for depositing an aqueous spray coating slurry including a ceramic electrolyte material onto pre-sintered, partially sintered, and unsintered ceramic substrates and products made by this process.