Abstract: A method and apparatus are each disclosed that are capable of providing a simplified neuromuscular transmission score utilizing multiple conventional stimulus modes. After applying a neuromuscular stimuli to a patient and measuring a neuromuscular response from the patient, a universal value is assigned to the neuromuscular response signal. The universal value is applicable to a single progressive scale that encompasses the multiple conventional stimulus mode scales. A neuromuscular transmission monitor is disclosed having at least one electrode, a transducer, and a processing unit to process the data and determine a correct stimulus mode for the neuromuscular response signal and produce a non-mode specific value applicable to the single universal scale. The technique is implemented in a computer program which may reside in the memory of either the neuromuscular transmission monitor, or a host patient monitor.

Abstract: An infrared receiver mount is disclosed that is capable of directional reception with discrete positions and is applicable for use in a mobile carriage system. An infrared receiver is mounted within a conical section of an outer cover which directs the infrared receiver to receive infrared transmission from a first given angle of reception. The outer cover contains a plurality of grooves, which are engageable with a plurality of tabs located on a base plate to prevent rotation of the infrared receiver. The tab and groove system provides a discrete number of directions for the infrared receiver to receive infrared transmission from a second angle of reception. While this second angle of reception is adjustable, the first angle of reception is predetermined. In one application, the infrared receiver is mounted to the lower portion of a carriage in order to receive light beams from an infrared transmitter.

Abstract: An encapsulated device and method for making such encapsulated device containing a bladder disposed between a wall of the case and the encapsulant. The bladder defines a space devoid of encapsulant and contains a collapsible insert such as an open cell foam material, thereby allowing the unimpeded thermal expansion of the encapsulant. By reducing thermal expansion stresses on the encapsulated devices, the reliability of the encapsulated device is improved.

Abstract: A fuel storage and supply apparatus (22) for a watercraft (10) incorporating a plurality of connections (50,66) penetrating a housing (32) in a single opening in a fuel tank (12). Each connection is sealed by a radial O-ring (56,68) so that the connection may be rotated about a longitudinal axis without adversely affecting the seal. A single opening (34) in the tank may thereby be used to provide connections for a fill tube (66), fuel tube (50), vent (86), and electrical penetrations (150) for an intank pump (136) or level sensor (156).

Abstract: An isolation valve and regulator assembly is disclosed for use in a lubrication system of an outboard marine engine. The valve is used to inject and regulate oil flow into the fuel system of the outboard marine engine. The regulating valve has a housing with an inlet to receive a first hose and an outlet to receive a second hose wherein the first and second hoses are non-interchangeable. Since the construction of the valve requires different sized inlet and outlet hoses, reverse installation is prevented. A passage between the inlet and the outlet includes a check valve for allowing fluid flow in only one direction. A regulating nozzle is provided that works in conjunction with the check valve to inject and regulate lubrication flow.

Abstract: The invention includes a switch and sealing arrangement that provides positive sealing and is easy to assemble. The invention includes a switch housing having an upper compartment that is in communication with an exterior of the switch housing and has drainage slots therein. The upper compartment is separated from a lower compartment by an inner base in which a cylindrical barrel extends upwardly from the inner base. The lower compartment of the switch housing receives an electrical contact switch therein that is controlled by an actuator lever that is in contact with a post extending through the cylindrical barrel from a rocker button. A seal is provided that has an outer lip and an inner opening and is mounted on the upwardly extending cylindrical barrel such that the outer lip engages an outer surface of the cylindrical barrel. The post of the rocker button fits into the inner opening of the seal and seals the lower compartment from upper compartment when the rocker button is engaged to the switch housing.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing contact weld under various fault current conditions is disclosed. The system includes a contactor having stationary and movable contacts biased towards each other and switchable between an open and closed position. Energization of an electromagnetic coil engages the contacts creating an electric path for current flow through the contactor. Pulse width modulation is used to lower the power to the coil and maintain the contacts in the closed position. The contactor is equipped with safeguards to prevent contact welding. Under low fault currents, welding is prevented by contact material composition. Under intermediate fault currents, the contacts are blown open and remain open using magnetic components until the arc dissipates and the contacts have cooled sufficiently. Under high fault currents, the arrangement causes the contacts to blow open and separate the armature from the coil preventing re-engagement of the contacts until the coil is energized again.

Abstract: A system and method for creating MR images using mask data that is copied forward for on-the-fly image subtraction for use within such techniques as MR angiography is disclosed. The invention includes acquiring an MR mask image comprised of a plurality of k-space lines, and then copying the k-space line data of the MR mask image into a number of different memory locations. The number of different memory locations corresponds to a preselected number of MR image acquisitions as set by an MR operator. The invention next includes acquiring the preselected number of MR images, each comprised of k-space line data. As the k-space line data is acquired, it is then immediately accumulated in one of the memory locations having the MR mask image k-space line data. By setting a polarity of the data stored, each acquired k-space line of an acquired MR image is subtracted from a corresponding k-space line of the MR mask image in real time. The image is then reconstructed using the subtracted k-space line data.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system having an integral-piece gimbal ring and steering means is provided. The system is made up of a gimbal housing affixed through the rear of a boat transom and a gimbal ring pivotally connected to the gimbal housing. The system is further made up of a steering assembly configured to provide pivotal movement of the gimbal ring relative to the gimbal housing about a steering axis. The gimbal ring and the steering assembly comprise an integral-piece assembly.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system (10) including a vertical drive unit (12) adapted to have a common upper gear case housing (26) for use with either one of a cone clutch shifting apparatus (60) or a clutch dog shifting apparatus (120). The upper gear case housing is designed to have bearing support surfaces (38) common to both applications and to have a bottom mating surface (27) adapted for attachment to a lower gear case (16) including either a clutch dog shifting apparatus (120) or a non-shifting power transfer apparatus (140). A shift linkage (110) is designed to have a first set of parts (80,82) adapted for connection to the cone clutch shifting apparatus (90) and having a second set of parts (102,104,106) adapted for connection to the clutch dog shifting apparatus (120) and having a third common set of parts (44,48,50) necessary for connection to either the cone clutch shifting apparatus or the clutch dog shifting apparatus.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device (12) including a sleeve (32) formed around an exhaust conduit (26) to form an air cooling passage (34) there between. Cooling air (38) is moved through the cooling passage (34) by an active fan (42) and/or a passive venturi (56). Cooling air (38) is drawn from within an engine compartment (24) for a predetermined time before and after the engine (16) is operated. A water-cooled discharge support (70) is located above the waterline (28), thereby preventing the intermixing of exhaust gasses (36) with the environmental water (27).

Abstract: State-of-the-art fuel injectors can be defined by a third-order polynomial to define their performance curve and to optimize performance of the fuel injected engine. Such systems are preprogrammed to use a set of fixed coefficients when replacing fuel injectors. Therefore, these replacement fuel injectors must be manufactured with very precise tolerances so as to operate efficiently with these fixed coefficients. The present invention includes a method and apparatus that allows the use of production fuel injectors that are more economical since they can be manufactured with wider tolerances. The production fuel injectors are supplied with a computer program and a data file having a set of replacement coefficients that are determined especially for that particular fuel injector. The approach allows the restoration of the existing coefficients if the replacement fuel injector does not solve the service problem experienced by the user of the fuel injected engine.

Abstract: A shift control method and assembly for a marine drive having a transmission with a clutch member movable between a neutral position and a drive position are provided. The assembly includes a first lever responsive to a remotely actuated link and a second lever is connected to drive the clutch member. The assembly further includes a clutch subassembly interconnected between the first and second levers. The clutch subassembly is configured to selectively pivot the second lever to effect movement of the clutch member, and to permit over-travel of the link connected to the first lever without pivoting the second lever upon engagement of the clutch member in the drive position. The clutch member may be returned to neutral without first having to recover any initial overstroke, that is, when it is desired to return the transmission to neutral, rotation of the first lever immediately rotates the second lever, such that the transmission returns to neutral before the first lever reaches neutral.

Abstract: A solid state motor starter, commonly referred to as a soft starter, is constructed in a manner to be easily manufacturable while at the same time combining all the required components in a relatively small package. A solid state power switch is clamped between a pair of bus bars in an offset manner to accommodate a discrete switching relay mounted in an inverted manner between the line input and the bus bar in communication with the load outputs. When in a motor run mode, current is shunted away from the solid state power switching device and through the switching relay, a substantially linear current path is achieved to reduce power loss and heat buildup. The arrangement allows for a heat sink mounted to one of the bus bars with adequate spacing between the heat sink and the discrete relay for insertion of a cooling fan. Current sensing is achieved with a Hall effect sensor mounted to the bus bar in a small current sensing region that is created by having a pair of slots in the bus bar to direct current.

Abstract: A method of MR imaging using fractional MRI acquisitions to reduce total acquisition time includes the steps of: obtaining a scan-specific partial MRI kx data set fraction and a scan-specific partial MRI ky data set fraction at a first location; acquiring a partial MRI kx data set in k-space along a kx direction, the partial MRI kx data set containing the scan-specific partial MRI kx data set fraction amount of direction data; acquiring a partial MRI ky data set in k-space along a ky direction, the partial MRI ky data set containing the scan-specific partial MRI ky data set faction amount of direction; reconstructing an MR image using the partial MRI kx data set and the partial MRI ky data set; and transmitting information relating to the MR image between the first location and a second location remote from the first location.

Abstract: An inboard/outboard powered watercraft (10) incorporating a transmission (30, 80) in its vertical drive unit (24) for providing two forward speeds plus reverse. The transmission is packaged to fit within the vertical drive unit (24) by incorporating a bevel gear apparatus (44, 120). In one embodiment, the transmission (30) also includes a planetary gear apparatus (46) together with two hydraulic clutches (70, 72) and a ring gear brake (56). In a second embodiment, three hydraulic clutches (98, 100, 114) are utilized with bevel gears (94,96,106,110,112) alone to provide the two forward and reverse speeds.

Abstract: A transom seal assembly for sealing an opening in a boat transom is provided. A propulsion system has a part thereof extending through the transom opening. The seal assembly comprises an inflatable seal between respective peripheries of the part and the transom opening to provide water-tight sealing relative to the interior of the boat even in the presence of a seal puncture condition.

Abstract: A flywheel (20) having a molded cage (30) formed around a plurality of magnets (34) attached to the flywheel (20). The cage (30) extends into one or more grooves (40,42) formed in the flywheel (20) to resist the shrinkage of the cage 30 inside diameter as it cools following an injection molding process. The gap (44) between the cage (30) and magnets (34) and an adjacent stator (32) is precisely controlled and minimized. Shutoff surfaces (36,38,46) formed on the flywheel (20) function as a portion of the die for injection molding of the cage (30).

Abstract: A fluid level sensor for a fluid tank of a marine vessel is provided. The sensor includes a sensor mount and further includes a circuit housing that is pivotally connected to the mount to pivot about a predetermined pivot axis. A float assembly is configured to supply an actuating angle substantially impervious to fluid tank tilt and/or fluid splash at least along an axis generally perpendicular to the pivot axis. A circuit in the circuit housing is responsive to the actuating angle from the float assembly to provide an output signal indicative of the fluid level in the tank.