Abstract: Aqueous corrosion inhibitor compositions, preferably storage-stable, useful in acidic cleaning solutions for cleaning the surfaces of metal, comprising reaction products of at least one rosin amine component, at least one non-flammable liquid ketone component, at least one carboxylic acid component, at least one paraformaldehyde component and water; aqueous acidic cleaners prepared therefrom; and methods of their use. The inventive corrosion inhibitor compositions are made by a simple process which reduces the presence of toxic and/or flammable raw materials, co-products, residual reactants and chloride ion while providing acid inhibition in aqueous acidic cleaners.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided that automatically characterizes and verifies stationarity of a training image for use in multipoint geostatistical analysis. The stationarity is preferably characterized by statistical measures of orientation stationarity, scale stationarity, and category distribution stationarity.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system includes a plurality of inflatable devices, at least one fluid source for supplying a pressurized fluid for the vehicle occupant protection system, and at least one gas-tight manifold coupled to the at least one fluid source for receiving pressurized fluid from the at least one fluid source. The at least one manifold is also coupled to the plurality of inflatable devices such that, upon activation of the vehicle occupant protection system, the plurality of inflatable devices receive from the at least one manifold sufficient pressurized fluid to inflate the plurality of inflatable devices.

Abstract: A gas generating system for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system is provided wherein an end closure is coupled to an outer housing at a first end, in a metal-to-metal seal. The gas generating system may also include a baffle system having a plurality of flow orifices defining a flow path for generated gases through an interior of the gas generating system, and a plurality of particulate aggregation surfaces positioned along the flow path of the gases for changing a flow direction of gases impinging on the aggregation surfaces. Each aggregation surface of the plurality of aggregation surfaces is oriented such that a difference between a flow direction of the gases prior to impinging on the aggregation surface and a flow direction of the gases after impinging on the aggregation surface is at least approximately 90°, wherein particulates in gases impinging on the aggregation surfaces aggregate on the surfaces.

Abstract: Coaching methods and systems are provided in which assessment data is received from a user, the assessment data is used along with course selection rules to select a plurality of courses for the user, and a plurality of electronic messages comprising content of the plurality of courses is sent to the user on a scheduled basis.

Abstract: Aqueous concentrates of non-toxic corrosion inhibitors, preferably storage-stable, useful in acidic cleaning solutions for cleaning the surfaces of metal that contacts food or potable water, the concentrates comprising at least one polymer, which may be protein-derived or synthetic; at least one iodine ion providing compound; an acidifier; and optionally, at least one anionic, nonionic or amphoteric surfactant; at least one coupling agent; and a pH adjuster; the concentrates being substantially free of nonylphenol derivatives and compounds containing elemental iodine and providing an improved acid inhibition and less foaming than similar compositions comprising nonylphenol derivatives and elemental iodine when mixed with aqueous acidic cleaners; acidic solutions prepared therefrom; and methods of their use.

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) including a baffle system (42) for modifying the temperature and pressure of a gas generated by the system, and to remove particulates from the gas. The gas generating system includes a first combustion chamber (34a), a second combustion chamber (36a), and the baffle system (42) adjacent both the first and second combustion chambers so as to enable fluid communication with the combustion chambers upon activation of the gas generating system. In another aspect of the present invention, a baffle system (42) is provided including a first end plate (44) having an opening (44b) formed therein for enabling fluid communication with a first fluid source (34a), a second end plate (46) having an opening (46b) formed therein for enabling fluid communication with a second fluid source (36a), and a sequence of baffle elements (48) extending between the first and second end plates.

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) including a baffle system for cooling a gas generated by the gas generating system. The baffle system (40) includes a first enclosure and a second enclosure (80) spaced apart from a wall (14) of the first enclosure to define a first fluid flow passage (86) extending between the second enclosure (80) and the wall (14). The second enclosure (80) defines a baffle chamber (92) therein. The second enclosure (80) also includes at least one opening (94) for enabling fluid communication between a gas source and the second enclosure baffle chamber (92), and at least one opening (96) for enabling fluid communication between the second enclosure baffle chamber (92) and the first fluid flow passage (86). A third enclosure (32) is also provided spaced apart from the wall (14) of the first enclosure to define a second fluid flow passage (98) extending between the third enclosure (32) and the wall (14).

Abstract: An inflator (10) for a vehicle occupant restraint system. The inflator (10) includes a housing (12) having apertures (13) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between an interior of the housing (12) and an exterior of the housing. A first baffle (14) is positioned in the housing interior. The baffle (14) is spaced apart from the housing (12) to define a fluid channel (33) therebetween in communication with the housing apertures (13). The baffle (14) includes a first opening (17) for fluid communication between an interior of the baffle (14) and the fluid channel (33), and an open end portion for fluid communication between the baffle interior and the baffle exterior. A spacer (18) positioned in the housing interior cavity defines an enclosure (18c) and includes an aperture (19) formed therein for fluid communication between the enclosure (18c) and the open end portion of the baffle. A gas generant (30) is positioned within the spacer enclosure (18c).

Abstract: A gas generator 10 and a gas generant packet 30 for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system. The gas generator includes a housing 12, an igniter 18, and one or more gas generants 23 and/or 40 are positioned in a combustion chamber 24 defined by the housing 12. One or more of the gas generants 23 and/or 40 are enclosed in a substantially gas-and-moisture-impermeable container 30 disconnected from the housing 12, or suspended within the chamber 24, thereby forming pocket of gas generant therein. The container 30 may be formed from a polymer or polyester film. The gas generant packet may be variably positionable within the combustion chamber 24 prior to activation of the igniter 18. A method for manufacturing a gas generator 10 and a method for activating a gas generator 10 are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air bag device with improved initial restraining capability includes an inflator that provides for shortening the starting time for rising the pressure of an airbag and also the time required for the pressure to reach the maximum value. The inflator includes a propellant, an igniter for igniting the propellant, a combustion chamber in which the propellant is burned, a filter chamber in which a filter is accommodated, a partition separating the combustion chamber and the filter chamber, communication orifices formed in the partition for allowing the communication between the combustion chamber and the filter chamber, and gas ports for supplying inflating gas into an airbag, and further comprises aluminum films which are broken and open the communication orifices at a predetermined pressure inside the combustion chamber and air-tightly close the communication orifices until the pressure reaches the predetermined pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides inexpensive and disposable strapping devices for fixedly binding a supine subject to a rigid board, such as a body board. The invention strapping devices are adaptable to the girth and length of a subject in the range from about 40 pounds to 350 pounds, having straps of adjustable length and adjustable position along the length of the subject and are suitable for use with a subject whose head and/or neck is immobilized in a head block to prevent a potential shearing point at the neck of the subject. In another embodiment, the invention provides heavy duty reusable strapping devices for securely strapping a patient into a litter, such as a Stokes basket, for transport. The heavy duty litter strapping devices are adjustable to the size of the subject and are quick and easy to apply, but are of sufficient strength to be utilized in emergency rescue situations.

Abstract: An air bag device with improved initial restraining capability includes an inflator that provides for shortening the starting time for rising the pressure of an airbag and also the time required for the pressure to reach the maximum value. The inflator includes a propellant, an igniter for igniting the propellant, a combustion chamber in which the propellant is burned, a filter chamber in which a filter is accommodated, a partition separating the combustion chamber and the filter chamber, communication orifices formed in the partition for allowing the communication between the combustion chamber and the filter chamber, and gas ports for supplying inflating gas into an airbag, and further comprises aluminum films which are broken and open the communication orifices at a predetermined pressure inside the combustion chamber and air-tightly close the communication orifices until the pressure reaches the predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A network management system monitors and controls a frame relay network using management information transmitted directly or across the frame relay network itself in network management services vectors intended for the sole purpose of transmitting network management information to the network management system. Newly defined network management major vector formats are used to transmit detailed information concerning both the status of the various virtual circuit segments in the network and the configuration of the switched connections between those segments to form virtual circuits through the network for communication between users of the network. More particularly, status bits are defined to indicate that data links nodes are not supported by adjacent nodes of the network, and status bits to indicate likely physical failures in the hardware used to realize the data links, or logical faults involved in inconsistent indications from adjacent nodes.

Abstract: A lightweight device for transporting a patient under emergency conditions is provided. The invention patient transport device comprises a substantially rectangular sheet with at least two spaced apart lengthwise reinforcing members attached along at least the mid- portion of the length of the sheet, at least two spaced apart crosswise reinforcing members attached to the sheet and to the lengthwise reinforcing members, and weight-bearing handles attached to the crosswise reinforcing members. The invention device, which is optionally disposable, is adapted to bear the full weight of a patient lying on the sheet when the sheet is lifted by the handles and is particularly well suited to removing injured individuals or animals from an accident site and for placement onto a gurney or other means of patient transport.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding an orally routed apparatus and for holding a flanged end of a body, the apparatus comprising a base including a channel, a bite block detachably engagable with the base and having a channel substantially alignable with the channel of the base, with the bite block engaged with the base defining a first configuration of the apparatus, the channel of the base and the channel of the bite block to substantially align and receive the orally routed apparatus, with the bite block detached from the base defining a second configuration of the apparatus, the channel of the base to receive a body having a flanged end with portions of the flanged end to overly and engage portions of the base, and an engagement assembly for securing the orally routed apparatus and the body with the base in the first and second configurations, respectively.

Abstract: A single use protective barrier medical accessory serves to isolate a sphygmomanometer cuff from a patient whose blood pressure is to be taken in order to prevent contamination of the cuff by the patient's bodily fluids such as blood. The medical accessory constitutes an open ended tubular sleeve fabricated from readily foldable, fluid impervious material. Each open end is provided with an elastic band to snugly close around the patient's arm. In use, the tubular sleeve is introduced over a patient's arm and slid into position. A sphygmomanometer cuff is then fixed in place over the sleeve in the usual position on the patient's arm. Then, an upper portion of the sleeve is folded over to completely cover the sphygmomanometer cuff while permitting admission of a tube coupled to a bulb for pressurizing the cuff. After the patient's blood pressure has been taken, the upper portion is unfolded, the cuff is removed and the sleeve is removed and disposed of, preferably according to established procedures.