Abstract: A crankshaft and piston arrangement for a combustion engine including a piston pivotally connected to a crankshaft by a connecting rod and two balance structures each including a balance structure connecting rod connected to the crankshaft and a balance arm having a longitudinal axis and pivotally connected to the balance structure connecting rod. The balance arm is pivotally connectable at an end remote from the balance structure connecting rod to the engine. The longitudinal axes of the balance arms extend in substantially opposite directions to one another and are substantially perpendicular to a plane through the crankshaft rotational axis (C) and center of the piston when the piston is at substantially mid-stroke and rotate in opposite directions to one another in use. Each balance structure is substantially diametrically opposed to a piston with respect to the crankshaft rotational axis thereby operably to balance forces generated by the acceleration and deceleration of the piston in use.

Abstract: Profiles in personal communication devices are updated by a method called lazy updates or demand-driven updates. In a lazy update, information is transmitted between users of personal communication devices and updates are performed only when the users communicate for other purposes. Users and service providers may update their profiles as often as they wish. Then, when a call or service request is initiated based on a given profile, the initiator of the call or service request ensures that the profile that is being used is sufficiently up-to-date for the present purpose and, if it is not, updates the profile. Lazy updates can occur when communication occurs for reasons other than solely updating the information. Examples of such updates include modification of a user's schedule or changes in the services that a service provider offers. Updates that affect future communication, such as changes in address information, telephone numbers or email addresses, happen much less frequently.

Abstract: An exhaust gas heat exchanger including a stack of heat exchanger plates that form separate flow channels that run parallel to each other, collection spaces, and inlets and outlets for the exhaust gas and for the preferably liquid coolant. The flow channels for the one of the media formed from heat exchanger plates are longer than the flow channels for the other medium, and pass through the collection space for this other medium. The heat exchanger also includes a region without a housing in which the two flow channels run parallel to each other.

Abstract: A power transmission belt comprising: a body comprising rubber comprising an ethylene-&agr;-olefin elastomer and N,N′-m-phenylene dimaleimide added in an amount of 0.2-10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of ethylene-&agr;-olefin elastomer.

Abstract: An educational and entertainment device includes n layers stackable in a predetermined order one on top of the other to define a tower having n layers. The xth layer, where x varies between 1 and n, is divided into x sections, at least one of the x sections of the xth layer having a passage segment formed therethrough such that with the n layers stacked one on top of the other in the predetermined order, the passage segments of the n layers are in communication with each other to define a passage which extends through the tower. The device also includes an indicator element passable through the passage to confirm that the n layers have been assembled in the predetermined order.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a hand-held wireless telephone having a housing and operating in a first operational state of a plurality of sequential operational states. The control apparatus changes the operational state of the wireless telephone from the first operational state to a second operational state. The control apparatus itself comprises a detector that produces a signal responsive to a user grasping the housing of the wireless telephone and a controller responsive to receiving the signal produced by the detector and configured to select another operational state following the first operational state in a predetermined sequence of operational states.

Abstract: A valve (20B) is provided is provided for regulating the pressure differential between a high pressure side (16) and a low pressure side (18) of a fluid system component (14). The valve (20B) utilizes a damping washer (60) to restrict the flow of fluid from a valve bore (32) in response to translation of a valve spool (30) in the valve bore (32). The damping washer (60) includes an aperture (78) that is piloted on a valve stem (41) extending from the valve spool (30). The damping washing (60) is biased against an open end (66) of the valve bore (32) by a spring (62) engaged between the damping washer (60) and a spring seat (48) that is engaged with the valve stem (41). A separate spring (46) is provided to bias the valve spool (30) against the high pressure fluid acting on the valve spool (30).

Abstract: An applicator that makes it unlikely for an ink, particularly water-based or alcohol solvent ink, to become blurred and assures smooth writing, including an ink reservoir accommodating an ink, a penpoint tip for ink application, and a valve mechanism, wherein the valve mechanism has an axially movable valve body, a valve seat situated on the side of the ink reservoir with respect to the valve body, and a valve support situated on the side of the tip with respect to the valve body; the valve support can anchor the valve body and has an interstice between it and the valve body through which the ink passes; when the tip is disposed upward, the valve body contacts the valve seat to prevent backflow of ink from the tip toward the ink reservoir; and when the tip is disposed downward, the valve body contacts the valve support, allowing the ink to flow through the interstice toward the tip; characterized in that a portion of the valve body that contacts the valve support is formed spherical, and the projected area of

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) assembly (200) includes an LCD (100), a registration member (206) attached to the LCD and a connector (202). The connector defines a slot (208) sized to receive the edge (106) of the LCD and a channel (204) positioned to receive the registration member. In one embodiment, the registration member is an inactive electrical component placed on the surface of the LCD solely to provide registration for the connector. The electrical component is very inexpensive and greatly reduces the opportunity for misalignment.

Abstract: A device for repelling insects from the vicinity of a support surface for the repelling device. The repelling device has a base which can be placed against an upwardly facing support surface to thereby maintain the repelling device in an operative position, a first arm connected to the base and in an elevated position above the upwardly facing surface on which the repelling device is maintained in the operative position and rotatable around a vertically extending axis, a first element depending from the first arm and rotatable with the first arm around the vertically extending axis, and a drive which is operable to rotate the first arm around the vertically extending axis to thereby cause the first element to trace an annular path around the vertically extending axis.

Abstract: Increased efficiency of operation in pressurized aircraft may be obtained by employing pressurized air to be discharged from an aircraft cabin 10 as combustion air by applying it to the inlet 42 of a cycle compressor 40 whereat it is compressed before being fed to a combustor 52. Fuel from a source 64 is combusted within the combustor 52 and drives a high pressure turbine 48 as well as a low pressure turbine 30, either one of which may drive a load 56, 58 to provide electrical power for the aircraft. In addition, a load compressor 20 provides air to an environmental control system including an ECS turbo machine 88 and a bypass 110 for delivering conditioned air to the cabin 10.

Abstract: A portable dialysis system has a self-contained dialysis unit and a support for the dialysis unit to maintain the dialysis unit in an elevated position relative to a subjacent surface. The support has a length, a width, and a height, with the height of the support not exceeding four feet, the width of the support not exceeding three feet, and the length of the support not exceeding four feet. The unit is provided on a support, with there being structure on the support for facilitating movement of the support with the dialysis unit in the operative position thereon relative to the subjacent surface.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a frame and an operating mechanism on the frame. The operating mechanism has a line carrying spool that is movable guidingly and reciprocatingly in a first path in first and second opposite directions, a bail assembly which is rotatable around a first axis to direct line onto the line carrying spool, a drive element that is operable to rotate the bail assembly, and an oscillating assembly. The oscillating assembly is driven by operation of the drive element and thereby causes the line carrying spool to move in the first path. The oscillating assembly has a first gear element that is rotatably driven by operation of the drive element around a second axis that is transverse to the first axis and a second gear element that is in mesh with the first gear element. The second gear element extends both a) in the first direction beyond the second axis and b) in the second direction beyond the second axis as the fishing reel is operated.

Abstract: There is disclosed the process of forming a gate conductor for a semiconductor device. The process begins with the step of providing a semiconductor substrate having a gate stack formed thereon, the gate stack including a sidewall. Dielectric spacers are formed on the gate conductor sidewalls, the dielectric spacers comprising an inner spacer and an outer spacer, the outer spacer being of a doped glass material. Ions are implanted into the semiconductor substrate outwardly of the dielectric spacers. The outer spacers are then removed.

Abstract: A cartridge comprises a case consisting of upper and lower shells joined and containing a medium, a shutter which slides astride over one edge portion of the case to open or close a slot formed in the case to expose the medium partly, and a locking member which keeps the shutter in the closing position immovably. The locking member is normally, except when unlocked, exposed partly in a recess for the access of an unlocking member, so that a push of the exposed portion of the locking member disengages it from a projection formed on the inner side of the outer edge of the shutter. Confining structure is provided for confining the position of the exposed portion of the locking member always to the inside of the line extended from the end face of the shutter is provided between the exposed portion and the interior surface of the case.

Abstract: The combination of a medical instrument having a main body and a support. The support includes a base, a seating assembly on the base having a first seating surface against which the main body of the medical instrument abuts with the medical instrument in the operative position on the support, and a keeper assembly. The keeper assembly is mounted for guided movement relative to the base between a first position, wherein the keeper assembly maintains the medical instrument in the operative position, and a second position, wherein the medical instrument can be removed from the operative position.

Abstract: The combination of a lawn mower assembly and a clamp assembly. The lawn mower assembly has a housing defining a cutting chamber, a shaft journalled for rotation in the housing around an axis, and a cutting blade that is selectively a) releasably attached to the shaft to rotate with the shaft in a predetermined path around the shaft axis and b) separable from the shaft as to facilitate reconditioning or replacement of the cutting blade. The clamp assembly includes a first jaw having a first surface and a second jaw having a second surface. The second jaw is movable relative to the first jaw between i) a first relative position wherein the first and second surfaces are spaced from each other a first distance and ii) a second relative position wherein the first and second surfaces are spaced from each other a second distance that is less than the first distance.