Abstract: An EGR valve position control system includes an EGR valve manager responsive to an EGR valve command to drive an EGR valve actuator. The EGR valve manager is operable to schedule control gains as a function of valve actuation direction to provide for faster response during valve closing events. Valve closing events are also staged such that a large valve position step is followed by a steady ramp to the valve closed position to thereby prevent damage to the valve and/or valve seat. The EGR valve manager further includes a prioritized switching feature for strategically switching between closed and open loop control modes, and a forward gain adjustment feature responsive to battery voltage to maintain constant system DC gain under changing battery voltage conditions.

Abstract: A safety syringe has a retaining device formed on a front end of the barrel, multiple bosses formed on the needle hub to rotatably correspond to the retaining device, multiple recesses defined inside the needle hub and multiple inclined teeth formed on the plunger to correspond to the recesses, such that the engagement between the retaining device and the bosses of the needle hub is able to be released by the rotational movement of the plunger together with the needle hub due to the combination of the inclined teeth and the recesses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine. The engine includes a variable flow exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. The method includes providing a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) in communication with the EGR system for controlling exhaust gas recirculation. The geometry of the VGT is varied by adjustably controlling a rotary electric actuator (REA) operatively connected to the VGT. A position-adjustable proportional flow EGR valve is adjusted by adjustably controlling a second rotary electric actuator (REA) operatively connected to the position-adjustable proportional flow valve.

Abstract: An automotive emission control valve, such as an EGR valve, has a solenoid for operating a valve element. The solenoid has a stator and an armature. A pole piece of the stator is cooperatively associated with a wall of the armature and comprises a channel that is annular about, and concentric with, a centerline of armature motion. In radial cross section the channel is defined by radially inner and outer walls that form an open throat for the channel, allowing an end portion of the armature wall to move within the channel as the armature is displaced along the centerline. Various constructions for the inner and outer walls are disclosed, including tapers for both walls.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding intraocular lenses and apparatus for holding intraocular lens injectors are provided which provide convenient and effective packaging systems for intraocular lenses and allow convenient and effective transfer of an intraocular lens to an injector in preparation for insertion of the intraocular lens into an eye.

Abstract: An induction manifold for an internal-combustion engine, comprising an elongate main body having longitudinal inner cavity provided with an opening adapted to communicate with the intake orifices of the engine, an inlet duct provided with an air-inlet opening and communicating with the cavity, a feed duct for EGR gases formed integrally with the manifold and comprising a first portion extending inside the main body from an inlet orifice for EGR gases to the air-inlet duct and from a second portion extending inside the inlet duct and provided with an outlet opening in the inlet duct itself, and a baffle disposed in the inlet duct between the air-inlet opening and the outlet opening of the feed duct for directing the air and the EGR gases towards a mixing zone inside the inlet duct and situated at a predetermined distance from the cavity of the main body.

Abstract: A cylinder identifying system for an internal combustion engine capable of establishing a complicated cam signal pulse pattern without need for setting specific periods for cylinder identification while enhancing control performance by reducing a crank rotation angle required for cylinder identification. A cylinder identifying means (10) for identifying discriminatively individual cylinders on the basis of a crank angle pulse signal (SGT) and a cam pulse signal (SGC) includes a pulse signal number storage means (12) for counting for storage signal numbers of specific pulses generated over a plurality of subperiods which are defined by dividing an ignition control period for each of the individual cylinders into plural subperiods, and an information series storage means (15) for storing information series each composed of a combination of the signal numbers generated during plural subperiods, respectively. The individual cylinders are identified on the basis of the information series.

Abstract: A process for performing energy conversion that converts pressurized combustants to produce to expansive work in one or more devices selected from the group including a reversible fuel cell, expansion engine, and heat releasing combustor.

Abstract: A target homogeneous mode throttle opening TA1 that is suitable for homogeneous stoichiometric combustion without EGR is computed regardless of the current combustion mode. During homogeneous stoichiometric combustion without EGR, the opening of a throttle valve is controlled based on the target opening TA1. During homogeneous stoichiometric combustion with EGR, an opening adjustment value TAo is added to the target opening TA1 and the resultant is set as a target EGR throttle opening TA2. The opening of the throttle valve is controlled based on the target opening TA2. During stratified lean combustion, the fuel injection amount is controlled based on a hypothetical throttle opening TA1, which corresponds to the target opening TA1. In either combustion mode, the engine torque is adjusted based on a common control value, which is the target opening TA1. Therefore, the engine torque is not abruptly changed when the combustion mode is switched.

Abstract: An automotive emission control valve, such as an EGR valve, has a solenoid for operating a valve element. The solenoid stator has an annular air gap disposed within an electromagnet coil. An annular wall of an armature is disposed in the air gap. The armature is displaced by magnetic flux in the air gap. The air gap is cooperatively defined by juxtaposed walls of the stator that are spaced radially a distance greater than radial thickness of the annular wall of the armature. The annular wall of the armature is disposed radially intermediate the stator walls and spaced from each stator wall. The radially inner stator wall is tapered. Lost-motion is present between the armature and valve element so that initial armature displacement is not transmitted to the valve element. Dimensions of the stator walls and armature at the air gap may be selected to improve linearity of operation.

Abstract: Tools carry structures that are deployed inside bone and, when manipulated, cut cancellous bone to form a cavity.

Abstract: A leakage arresting system comprising a novel gas arrestor for installation on an interrupted pintle shaft in a pintle-type valve, such as an exhaust gas recirculation valve for an internal combustion engine, for preventing leakage of gas and moisture along the pintle shaft into the actuator, to prevent corrosion and failure of the actuator. The system comprises two elements: a pintle shaft which is interrupted outside the actuator, and a positive vapor block in the form of a cup-shaped arrestor disposed across the pintle interruption. The invention is applicable to both unbalanced and force-balanced valves.

Abstract: A bypass venturi assembly for recirculating exhaust gas in an internal combustion engine, Particularly suitable for use in an on-road vehicle, is provided with a housing having an outlet, a combustion air inlet and an exhaust gas inlet. A center piece is Positioned within the housing and is in communication with the combustion air inlet. The center piece defines a combustion air bypass section therein. A combustion air bypass valve is positioned in association with the combustion air bypass section. An exhaust gas valve is positioned in association with the exhaust gas inlet. An elbow is coupled with the outlet and defines a fluid flow path. The elbow includes a vane therein which is positioned in association with the flow path.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to an intraluminal catheter systems including an elongated shaft having proximal and distal shaft sections, and an inflatable member disposed on the distal shaft section and having an interior chamber. A guidewire receiving lumen extends along at least a portion of the proximal shaft section and at least a portion of the distal shaft section and extends distally to the shaft distal end. An inflation lumen extends along at least a portion of the proximal shaft section and at least a portion of the distal shaft section to a point proximal to a shaft distal end and is in fluid communication with the inflatable member interior chamber. The proximal shaft section has multiple non-concentric lumens with at least one lumen forming at least a portion of the guidewire receiving lumen and at least one lumen forming at least a portion of the inflation lumen.

Abstract: An overall cylindrical oil filter and oil cooler are arranged widthwise of the vehicle on the left and right and projected forwards, at the lower front part of the engine case of the engine. The oil filter is disposed offset to the right side of the vehicle's width or to the side opposite to the kickstand with respect to the vehicle's center line while the spacing between the exhaust pipes for #2 and #3 cylinders are arranged vertically below the oil filter when the bike is held with the kickstand set down to the ground.

Abstract: A device for occluding a body lumen, and particularly contraceptive or sterilization device for occluding a reproductive tract or lumen to prevent the passage of reproductive cells through the tract or lumen, generally comprising a tubular member, and a mesh member, transversely disposed on the tubular member lumen. The mesh member is permeable to allow for tissue ingrowth, which produces a tissue impregnated mesh occluding the body lumen. The occluding device of the invention can be used in the fallopian tubes of a female patient, the vas deferens of a male patient, or other body lumen.

Abstract: A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a first portion with an axis approximately parallel to the axis of the cannula and a second portion with an axis skewed relative to the axis of the cannula. The dissection cradle is located at the distal end of the second portion of the retractor, and may include two substantially parallel, spaced legs with the retractor shaped in a loop between and in a plane skewed relative to the axes of the legs, and with the loop directed away from the surgical tool. Thus, in operation, when the surgeon locates a vessel and side branch of interest, the surgeon extends the retractor to cradle the vessel in the dissection cradle. Once cradled, the retractor may be fully extended to urge the vessel away from the axis of the cannula to isolate the side branch for exposure to the surgical tool.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for spreading apart openings of natural orifices or surgically made openings to perform procedures on internal structures and/or organs of a patient. The instrument includes a pair of upper and lower blades that open to spread apart the area being examined so that a surgical tool can be inserted therein. A second pair of lateral blades are fixedly mounted between the spaced pair of upper and lower blades. The instruments can be eliminated from the area of view by allowing the surgical tool to pass up into a gate while maintaining the spread-apart condition of the area being examined. The blades can then be restored to their closed position after the tool is withdrawn. The gate may have a plurality of notches for accommodating differing surgical tools.

Abstract: An air-exhaust mixer assembly includes an air intake to supply air and an exhaust gas intake to supply exhaust gas. A mixer is fluidly coupled to the air intake and the exhaust gas intake. The mixer has an inner passage and an outer passage defined therein along a longitudinal axis. The inner passage and the outer passage are adapted to mix the air and the exhaust gas by expanding the air and the exhaust gas in radially opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An improved laryngoscope blade for use with a conventional laryngoscope handle and conventional means for illumination. The improvements to the blade include a small reverse curve at the tip of the blade to better visualize the depth of insertion of the blade, include a greater width of the portion of the blade proximal to the handle to provide improved means for controlling the tongue, and include a more gradual curvature of the blade to better conform to the shape of the airway opening when the patient is properly positioned for laryngoscopy. The blade may also include a vertical wall which may be thickened to serve as a bite block, and raised areas to define grooves on the surface of the blade for insertion of an endotracheal tube and/or a suction catheter.