Abstract: Disclosed is an endoprosthetic implant for a human spinal disc. The structure of the implant allows it to be inserted posteriorly. This insertion is accomplished by performing a partial discectomy in the affected region. An intervertebral space is then created by removing the fibrocartilage between the facing surfaces of adjacent vertebrae. The implant is then inserted into the intervertebral space. The implant is thus adapted to replace damaged or worn intervertebral discs. Furthermore, the structure of the implant, and its posterior insertion, alleviate most spinal pathologies.

Abstract: An adjustable bone fusion implant includes a first plate having an interior face with a plurality of spaced apart first support members projecting therefrom. Each support member has a plurality of teeth projecting therefrom. A second plate has an interior face with a plurality of spaced apart second support members projecting therefrom. Each second support member has at least one tooth or one adjustment hole formed thereon. A portion of the plurality of teeth of each first support member mechanically engage with the at least one tooth or one adjustment hole of a corresponding second support member so that the first plate and the second plate can be selectively separated forming a compartment therebetween. A reinforcing member is disposed between the first plate and the second plate such that the application of a compressive force between the first plate and the second plate applies compression on the reinforcing member.

Abstract: A cataract instrument has a tubular body. The tubular body has an aperture defined at a tapering front end thereof and an end cover provided at a rear and thereof. A shaft is received in the tubular body and has a loop formed at a front end of the shaft. Two flexible leaves are oppositely mounted on the tubular body and operatively mounted on the shaft. A resilient member is mounted between a rear end of the shaft and the end cover. When the flexible leaves are pressed, the shaft is moved forward and the loop is extended out from the aperture to attach with a cataract opaque tissue in a patient's eye. Then, the flexible leaves are released, the shaft is pulled backward by the resilient member and the loop is retracted in the tubular body to remove the cataract opaque tissue.

Abstract: A variable reluctance solenoid includes an armature and a yoke located axially beyond one end of the armature. Magnetic attraction across an axial gap between the armature and yoke causes the armature to move axially and close the gap. The armature includes ferromagnetic laminations lying in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. These laminations may include slots, proportioned and directed to combat eddy currents and reduce moving mass while avoiding creation of flux bottlenecks. The solenoid may have two yokes on opposite sides of the armature, providing reciprocating armature motion.

Abstract: A refill ring for a flush valve that is attached to a guide member of a valve assembly and is positioned for contact with a passage of the flush valve is described. The refill ring includes an annular-shaped solid resilient member, such as an O-ring. The refill ring is received on the guide member. Alternatively, the refill ring can be integrally formed on an underside of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A system for containing leakage along a pintle shaft in a pintle-type gas control valve, such as an exhaust gas recirculation valve for an internal combustion engine or a reformate diverter valve for a fuel cell, comprising a novel seal element and means for sealing the element to the valve's pintle shaft bearing and to an interrupted pintle shaft. The system comprises two elements: a positive vapor block in the form of an elastomeric boot or folded diaphragm disposed across the pintle interruption, and a pintle shaft bearing disposable in the valve's body and sealingly secured to the boot or diaphragm. The system may include a coil spring disposed in compression within the boot or diaphragm.

Abstract: A needless valve is described which avoids the suctioning problems of the prior needleless devices upon deactivation and which preferably provides a positive self-purging effect. The valve is self-purging at the end of an administration cycle, avoiding clogging of attached catheters or other devices, and ensures that substantially all of liquid received into the valve is delivered to the receiver. The valve is also extremely simple in design and easy to construct and assemble, since it consists of only three pieces. The valve has a base with a connector for fluid communication attachment to tubing or other device, a solid elongated fluid channeling rod, and an internal fluid flow conduit; a flexible hollow expandable and contractible plug fitting over and moveable along the rod; and a tubular housing fitting over the plug and attached to the base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve for controlling the quantity of exhaust gas recycled in an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine, comprising a shutoff valve (3) disposed in a conduit, rotating drive means (1) and a cam (11) for moving, via said rotating drive means, said shutoff valve from its closed position to an open position and vice versa. This valve comprises a compensator (9) rotationally integral with the output shaft (2) of the rotating drive means, a transverse axle (12) translationally integral with the shutoff valve and rotationally integral with said compensator, and fixed helical guide grooves (11) in which the ends of said transverse axle are engaged.

Abstract: A modular electronic throttle valve system for an internal combustion engine. A modular subassembly including at least a housing, motor, gear train and electronic sensors are mated with a two-piece air passageway subassembly. Bearings on the throttle shaft hold the throttle shaft in position in the clamshell member. A throttle shaft and throttle valve plate are either positioned in the modular subassembly with the housing, motor, gear train and electronic sensors, or included in the clamshell subassembly with a coupling member. The clamshell member and modular housing are secured together to form the completed electronic throttle control mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for snap-fit attachment of a throttle shaft to a throttle body. A pair of resilient cantilevered tangs is formed on a distal end of the throttle shaft. Bearings are installed within a bore formed in the throttle body to rotatably support the shaft. The shaft is inserted through an opening in the bearings to compress the tangs and the tangs are resiliently returned to an extended position to prevent withdrawal of the shaft from the throttle body.

Abstract: A fluid control valve assembly including a microvalve for controlling fluid flow in a fluid circuit having a relatively high fluid pressure requirement, such as vehicular brake system, is fixed to an associated fluid distributing substrate with a high-pressure fluid connection. The fluid distributing substrate is provided with fluid passages adapted for connection to a fluid source to provide communication between the fluid source and the microvalve device. The connection between the microvalve and the fluid distributing substrate may include metallic connections forming electrical current paths between the microvalve and the substrate; solder joints forming part of the pressure boundary of the high-pressure fluid connection; underfill formed of elastomeric or other adhesive; and bonding between the substrate and the microvalves in only selected portions of the surface of the microvalve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control element for media, for instance, a pneumatic valve or a hydraulic valve, comprising a valve body in which one or several channels are arranged, at least one moving element arranged in a channel and means for carrying out a relative movement of and/or deforming the moving element. The means are directly arranged on and/or directly act upon the moving element.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle includes an inlet for the fuel being pumped, a spout for dispensing of the fuel, a poppet valve between the inlet and outlet, and a handle which is operable to move the poppet valve between an opened position in which fuel can flow from the inlet to the and a closed position in which fuel is prevented from flowing from the inlet to the spot. The poppet valve includes a valve member having a cap, a seal received on an under side of the cap, and a skirt, which is movable relative to the cap. The seal engages and is disengaged from the valve seat to close and open the valve. The valve member skirt has a sloped surface which engages the seal. The valve skirt is lifted by a valve stem, and when lifted, the valve member skirt engages the seal to progressively lift the seal off the valve seat.

Abstract: A valve device comprising a stator 22 having a predetermined number of coils arranged with substantially equal intervals in peripheral directions of a stator core, a rotor having a plurality of permanent magnet magnetic poles 29 at positions corresponding to the coils on an outer peripheral surface of the stator 22, a current carrying means 37 commutating a direct current supplied from a power source through the rotor 28 and applying the current to the coils of the stator 22, a shaft member located in a center of the rotor 28 and being movable in a direction of the shaft in response to rotation of the rotor 28, and a valve member 45 opening and closing by movement of the shaft member 30 for providing excellent responsiveness of valve opening and closing operations.

Abstract: A shield for a gas management pintle valve, such as an exhaust gas recirculation valve for an internal combustion engine, for mitigating leakage of gas and moisture along the valve pintle into the actuator, to prevent corrosion and failure of the actuator. The shield is a tubular member having an equatorial radial flange and is slidably mounted on the pintle in an annular chamber between the valve body and the actuator. The inner diameter of the tube is selected to be as close-fitting to the pintle as possible while still being slidable thereupon to be adapted to either of two operating positions. During engine shutdowns, the shield is drawn by gravity toward the valve body to form a first seal with the flange against the pintle bearing or a bearing splash shield, preventing or minimizing the escape of moist, hot gases under low pressure from the valve along the pintle.

Abstract: A seat cup seal for a valve includes a base portion and a nipple portion projecting outwardly from the base portion. The nipple portion and said base portion define a blind bore about a longitudinal axis that opens in the base portion. The nipple portion defines a transverse end wall at an outermost end relative to the base that is adapted for sealingly engaging an associated valve seat. A flexible shoulder portion interconnects the base portion and the nipple portion so that said nipple portion is selectively movable between a first, relaxed position where the transverse end wall is spaced a first distance from the base and a second, retracted position where the transverse end wall is spaced a second distance from the base, with the second distance being less than the first distance. A plurality of biasing ribs projects outwardly from and extending between the base portion and the nipple portion.

Abstract: A valve includes a chamber having an inlet, an outlet, and an annular recess. A movable element is disposed in the chamber to control the flow of fluids between the inlet and the outlet. A stem is secured to a movable element and extends exteriorly through the annular recess. A seal and a fastener are disposed around the stem. The fastener is in displaceable engagement and disengagement with the stem and has recesses formed in each of its exterior side surfaces. A plurality of mounting pads are positioned around the annular recess. The mounting pads are elevated to provide separation between the fastener recesses and a peripheral surface. A method of constructing the mechanical valve includes tightening the fastener around the stem by engaging a recess with an axial tool.

Abstract: A butterfly valve noise suppressor is provided for reducing the noise generated by a gas flow passing through an open butterfly valve having a disc pivotally mounted in a valve housing for rotation about a transverse axis between an open and a closed position thereof. The noise suppressor includes a plurality of flat and perforated baffle plates arranged in a cruciform configuration, mounted in a flow path immediately downstream of the pivotal disc, axially extending and thereby dividing the downstream flow path into four axial and quadrant cross-sectional segments. The gas flow passing the edge of the pivotal disc in the valve generates a flow turbulence to form an unsteady large wake downstream of the valve. This unsteady wake is the source of noise. The cruciform baffle plates permit the gas flow to pass therethrough without obstruction thereto, while allowing the turbulence to communicate laterally through the perforation, thereby dissipating the wake unsteadiness to reduce noise.

Abstract: An electrically controllable valve comprising at least one input port (13) and one or more output ports (12, 14), at least one sealing means (17, 18) being arranged to control the flow of a fluid between said input port and at least one of said output ports, said valve comprises one or more piezo-electric actuators (26) arranged to control the state of said sealing means, whereby the flow of fluid through said valve may be electrically controlled.

Abstract: A deodorizer device for deodorizing shoes, includes a container containing deodorizer material, and a dispenser assembly at one end of the container for dispensing deodorizer material. The dispenser assembly includes a feed tube having one end located within the container and the opposite end communicating with one or more discharge openings for discharging deodorizer material laterally of the container. The dispenser assembly further includes an actuator attached at one end to the feed tube and configured to enable the actuator to be inserted into a shoe, when the container is inverted, to stably support the container in the inverted position, and to be pressed against the inner surface of the shoe bottom for discharging a quantity of deodorizer material from the discharge opening laterally into the shoe.