Abstract: A method and system for managing a fleet of vehicles including a reservation system for generating a reservation code; a key cabinet including user-entry means for entering said reservation code and one or more key compartments storing keys for each vehicle in the fleet; a control module in communication with the reservation system and the key cabinet for assigning an unlocked condition to at least one of the key compartments based on entry of a reservation code.

Abstract: An electromagnetic system consists of an electric circuit comprising two solenoids wired in series, one mounted either side and proximate to a toroid. Voltage is applied across the toroid and the solenoids in a specific sequence which alters the inductance behavior of the system, resulting in an inductance gain and no mutual inductance between the toroid and the two solenoids.

Abstract: An electromagnetic motor system with no counter/back electromotive force due to the ability of the system to change from one magnetic state to another magnetic state in a defined sequence. In the first state a kinetic energy component is added to the system's rotor where two permanent magnetic materials, which are affixed to the rotor, are allowed to come into an angular range such that they act in a symmetrical manner on a fixed soft ferromagnetic material. This fixed soft ferromagnetic material also acts as the core of an electromagnetic coil and when the rotor's permanent magnets are at the closest proximity to the soft ferromagnetic core a voltage is applied across the coil, resulting in the soft ferromagnetic coil being saturated in a horizontal manner where previously it was polarized in a vertical manner while under the influence of the rotor's two permanent magnets.

Abstract: An electromagnetic motor system with no counter/back electromotive force due to the ability of the system to change from one magnetic state to another magnetic state in a defined sequence. In the first state a kinetic energy component is added to the system's rotor where two permanent magnetic materials, which are affixed to the rotor, are allowed to come into an angular range such that they act in a symmetrical manner on a fixed soft ferromagnetic material. This fixed soft ferromagnetic material also acts as the core of an electromagnetic coil and when the rotor's permanent magnets are at the closest proximity to the soft ferromagnetic core a voltage is applied across the coil, resulting in the soft ferromagnetic coil being saturated in a horizontal manner where previously it was polarized in a vertical manner while under the influence of the rotor's two permanent magnets.

Abstract: A method and system for managing a fleet of vehicles including a reservation system for generating a reservation code; a key cabinet including user-entry means for entering said reservation code and one or more key compartments storing keys for each vehicle in the fleet; a control module in communication with the reservation system and the key cabinet for assigning an unlocked condition to at least one of the key compartments based on entry of a reservation code.

Abstract: An electromagnetic system consists of an electric circuit comprising two solenoids wired in series, one mounted either side and proximate to a toroid. Voltage is applied across the toroid and the solenoids in a specific sequence which alters the inductance behaviour of the system, resulting in an inductance gain and no mutual inductance between the toroid and the two solenoids.

Abstract: A passive magnetic bearing which has an exceptionally low friction couple. Radial and axial restraint is achieved through magnetic and mechanical means. The embodiment of the passive magnetic bearing has two axially magnetized rings, which each exhibit at least one pair of north and south poles. The magnetized rings are positioned in a manner where the poles are in a repulsive magnetic interaction such that the plane of symmetry which separates the like poles lies perpendicular to the axis of the rotation of a shaft and this radially constrains the movement of the shaft. Axial rigidity is added to the system by the use of ceramic bearings and related axial retaining mechanisms on one of the ring magnets thus maintaining the magnetic bearing in an otherwise unstable axial plane.

Abstract: A test system for measuring a rotary load comprises a stepper motor drives a gear box that is mounted at one end of a frame. A torque sensor provides a measurement signal transmission. The gear box's output shaft is connected to one of the torque sensor's stubs by means of a universal joint coupling. On the other side of the torque sensor a second universal joint coupling connects the sensor to a stainless steel shaft. A low friction flange bearing is used to provide support for the shaft. An angle encoder is disposed on the end of the shaft distal to the gear box. The gear box's output shaft, the torque sensor's cylindrical shaft hubs and associated couplings are arranged such that they are directly aligned with the shaft. The test system has been designed to take automated torque and angle readings from a shaft capable of rotary motion.

Abstract: A low energy magnet actuator allows magnetic fields to be turned on and off using a small amount of energy. The magnetic actuator according to the invention generally includes a base suitable for the support of a plurality of magnets. An actuatable shield is positioned in relation to the plurality of magnets so that it effectively blocks the magnetic field when it is positioned over at least one of the magnets. The magnetic fields of the plurality of magnets interact in a manner that allows low energy actuation of the shield.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for measuring magnetic force response time due to the magnetic viscosity of materials and for measuring total energy exchanged due to relative motion of magnetic materials. Voltage and current versus time through an electromagnet is measured and recorded. Corresponding force versus time is measured for magnetic forces applied to a material under test in response to energizing the electromagnet to determine effects of magnetic viscosity of the material under test. A test system is also provided for measuring energy exchanged due to the relative motion of magnetic materials. Absolute values of transferred mechanical energy and electrical energy are combined to determine the total energy exchanged by interaction of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet.

Abstract: A test system for measuring a rotary load comprises a stepper motor drives a gear box that is mounted at one end of a frame. A torque sensor provides a measurement signal transmission. The gear box's output shaft is connected to one of the torque sensor's stubs by means of a universal joint coupling. On the other side of the torque sensor a second universal joint coupling connects the sensor to a stainless steel shaft. A low friction flange bearing is used to provide support for the shaft. An angle encoder is disposed on the end of the shaft distal to the gear box. The gear box's output shaft, the torque sensor's cylindrical shaft hubs and associated couplings are arranged such that they are directly aligned with the shaft. The test system has been designed to take automated torque and angle readings from a shaft capable of rotary motion.

Abstract: A method is provided of predicting changes in market share, in the form of Preference Shares, in a market associated with proposed performance changes. The initial step is to provide a set of market research data suitable for CVA, including current market share data. The next step is to perform a CVA analysis through regression analysis in order to determine WWP parameters, so that for the market as a whole, a set of coefficients determining relative importance of each value driver to WWP, and for each market participant, a set of performance scores for each value driver, and an overall WWP value. The method continues by postulating a changed value in the performance score for one or more value drivers for a selected market participant. The postulated changed value is used to determine a predicted WWP value through relative impacts of the components associated with the WWP model.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a domain of Trk as a therapeutic agent and for screening purposes and rational design of NGF nimetics.

Abstract: A low energy magnet actuator allows magnetic fields to be turned on and off using a small amount of energy. The magnetic actuator according to the invention generally includes a base suitable for the support of a plurality of magnets. An actuatable shield is positioned in relation to the plurality of magnets so that it effectively blocks the magnetic field when it is positioned over at least one of the magnets. The magnetic fields of the plurality of magnets interact in a manner that allows low energy actuation of the shield.

Abstract: There is provided an acoustic sound reproducing apparatus for a first audio signal and having an input terminal for receiving a second audio signal, a selector switch and at least one loudspeaker. The at least one loudspeaker is driven by an output signal from one of the first or second audio signal through the selector switch. As a result, the acoustic sound reproducing apparatus, and the apparatus providing the second audio signal, can commonly use a single loudspeaker or set of loudspeakers. When the external audio signal is selected, the internal loudspeaker(s) becomes part of the external loudspeaker arrangement for a surround sound system. When more than one loudspeaker is used, the loudspeakers are connected to each other in series when they are connected to be driven by the external second audio input signal instead of each being driven by their respective amplifiers.

Abstract: There is provided an acoustic sound reproducing apparatus for a first audio signal and having an input terminal for receiving a second audio signal, a selector switch and at least one loudspeaker. The at least one loudspeaker is driven by an output signal from one of the first or second audio signal through the selector switch. As a result, the acoustic sound reproducing apparatus, and the apparatus providing the second audio signal, can commonly use a single loudspeaker or set of loudspeakers. When the external audio signal is selected, the internal loudspeaker(s) becomes part of the external loudspeaker arrangement for a surround sound system. When more than one loudspeaker is used, the loudspeakers are connected to each other in series when they are connected to be driven by the external second audio input signal instead of each being driven by their respective amplifiers.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a system and controller for distribution of audio/video signals on a pay-for-use basis, to a customer in a controlled environment such as a motel, hotel, bus station, bar or apartment building. The system includes a global authorization computer which transmits authorization to the customer over a telephone line. The customer has a telephone line/television control interface which receives the dual-tone multi-frequency authorization and allows the customer to select the authorized channel for a defined length of time. Without authorization, the telephone line/television control interface will deny the customer's attempt to tune his television to a pay-for-use channel. When the authorized time expires, the telephone line/television control interface tunes the customer's television to a non-pay-for-use channel. Additional options and embodiments are also presented.