Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for locating an item within an enclosure is described. The method includes affixing a first-tier label to a fixture within the enclosure, identifying a first location of the first-tier label based on at least three distance measurements between the first-tier label and a respective plane of the three orthogonal planar surfaces, identifying a second-tier label in proximity to the first-tier label, wherein the second-tier label is associated with an item, determining a first relative position of the second-tier label with respect to the first location of the first-tier label, and determining a second location of the second-tier label based on the first relative position with respect to the first location and the first location.

Abstract: A coupling system for attaching a first part to a second part using a locator and expansion shear pin is disclosed. The first part has a first flange and may be a formed part, such as an intake manifold. The second part has a second flange and may be a component, such as a throttle body, for attachment to the first part. The component includes a fastener-passing bore having an inner diameter. The locator and expansion shear pin extends perpendicularly from the first flange. The pin includes an expansion wall extending beyond the surface of the flange. A fastener-receiving bore is formed concentrically in the pin relative to the wall. The wall is expandable from a first diameter to a second diameter. The first diameter is less than the inner diameter of the fastener-passing bore. The second diameter is at least equal to the inner diameter of the fastener-passing bore.

Abstract: A coupling system for attaching a first part to a second part using a locator and expansion shear pin is disclosed. The first part has a first flange and may be a formed part, such as an intake manifold. The second part has a second flange and may be a component, such as a throttle body, for attachment to the first part. The component includes a fastener-passing bore having an inner diameter. The locator and expansion shear pin extends perpendicularly from the first flange. The pin includes an expansion wall extending beyond the surface of the flange. A fastener-receiving bore is formed concentrically in the pin relative to the wall. The wall is expandable from a first diameter to a second diameter. The first diameter is less than the inner diameter of the fastener-passing bore. The second diameter is at least equal to the inner diameter of the fastener-passing bore.

Abstract: A throttle valve for an internal combustion engine includes a cylindrical valve housing and a spherical segment valve disc mounted within the valve housing. The spherical segment valve disc seals with the valve housing without the need for abutting interference between the valve disc or throttle plate and the valve housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a cup-like first dielectric housing with electrical contacts retained by a base portion of the housing is disclosed. The electrical contacts are disposed in a region spaced from a sidewall portion. An adhesive filled capsule is disposed in the region. A second dielectric housing is configured for insertion into the cup-like first dielectric housing and having second electrical contacts retained by the second housing configured for mating with the first electrical contacts. The second dielectric housing has a sidewall with a frontal portion disposed in the region for engaging and rupturing the capsule when the second dielectric housing is inserted within the first dielectric housing to release adhesive from the adhesive filled capsule into the cup-like, first dielectric housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a cup-like first dielectric housing with electrical contacts retained by a base portion of the housing is disclosed. The electrical contacts are disposed in a region spaced from a sidewall portion. An adhesive filled capsule is disposed in the region. A second dielectric housing is configured for insertion into the cup-like first dielectric housing and having second electrical contacts retained by the second housing configured for mating with the first electrical contacts. The second dielectric housing has a sidewall with a frontal portion disposed in the region for engaging and rupturing the capsule when the second dielectric housing is inserted within the first dielectric housing to release adhesive from the adhesive filled capsule into the cup-like, first dielectric housing.

Abstract: A throttle valve for an internal combustion engine includes a cylindrical valve housing and a spherical segment valve disc mounted within the valve housing. The spherical segment valve disc seals with the valve housing without the need for abutting interference between the valve disc or throttle plate and the valve housing.

Abstract: A preferred method for acquiring information during an underground drilling operation includes providing a sensing device capable of acquiring information concerning the underground drilling operation from a down-hole location on a selective basis in response to an input from the surface, and drilling for a first period of time. The preferred method also includes sending the input to the sensing device after drilling for the first period of time, and drilling during a second period of time while acquiring the information using the sensing device.

Abstract: A preferred method for transmitting digital information through a fluid medium includes generating a first and a second pressure pulse in the fluid medium, and encoding the digital information in the second pressure pulse by generating the second pressure pulse a predetermined amount of time after generating the first pressure pulse. The preferred method also includes sensing the first and the second pressure pulses, and decoding the digital information by determining the elapsed time between the first pressure pulse and the second pressure pulse.

Abstract: An electronically actuated, air control valve regulates the flow of combustion air to an internal combustion engine. The valve includes an air passage having a throttle valve rotatable therein between a first, minimum air flow position and a second, maximum air flow position. Between the minimum and the maximum air flow positions is a default air flow position for operation of the engine during actuator inoperativeness. A biasing member has a first end operable to impart a force on the valve member in the direction of the default air flow position when the valve member in operable between the minimum air flow position and the default position. Likewise, the biasing member has a second end operable to impart a force on the valve member in the direction of the default air flow position when the valve member is operated in the range between the default air flow position and the maximum air flow position.