Abstract: A method of processing a casting is described. The method comprises removing a mold from a cast metal part without cold working surfaces of the cast metal part and thermally treating the cast metal part. The method can further comprise finishing the surfaces of the cast metal part after thermally treating such that any cold working of the surfaces of the cast metal part occurs after thermally treating such that no recast layer is formed in the cast metal part.

Abstract: A method of tracking multiple touches over time on a touch sensor, for example a capacitive touch screen. The method analyses first and second touch data sets from adjacent first and second time frames. First, the touch data sets are analyzed to determine the closest touch in the second time frame to each of the touches in the first time frame, and calculating the separation between each such pair of touches. Then, starting with the pair of touches having the smallest separation, each pair is validated until a pairing is attempted between touches for which the touch in the second time frame has already been paired. At this point, the as-yet unpaired touches from the first and second touch data sets are re-processed by re-applying the computations but only including the as-yet unpaired touches. This re-processing is iterated until no further pairings need to be made. The method avoids complex algebra and floating point operations, and has little memory requirement.

Abstract: A method of determining touches from a data set output from a touch screen comprising an array of sensing nodes. The method comprises analyzing the dataset and identifies a node with a maximum signal value among all unassigned nodes, and, if present, assigns that node to a touch. A logical test is applied to each node that is a neighbor to the assigned node to determine if that node should also be assigned to the touch and the logical test is repeatedly applied to the unassigned neighbors of each newly assigned node until there are no more newly assigned nodes, or no more unassigned nodes, thereby assigning a group of nodes to the touch defining its area. This process can be repeated until all of the nodes of a touch panel are assigned to a touch. The method is ideally suited to implementation on a microcontroller.

Abstract: In a touch sensor comprising a plurality of sensing nodes, the touch location in each dimension is obtained from the node at which the sum of the signal values assigned to the touch on either side of said node are equal or approximately equal. Each of the sensing nodes is replaced by a plurality of notional sensing nodes distributed around its respective sensing node over a distance corresponding to an internode spacing. Signal values 2, 6, 11, 5 and 2 have been obtained for the distribution of signal across the touch sensor. These signals are notionally split in equal spacings in the range covered by each node, each notional signal being shown with vertical tally sticks. The touch coordinate is then determined by finding the position of the median tally stick. Since there are 26 notional signals, each with a signal value of 1, the position of the median signal is between the 13th and 14th notional signals, as indicated by the thick arrow.

Abstract: The present inventive subject matter relates to networked computing environments and more specifically to dynamic identification and administration of networked clients. Various embodiments of the present inventive subject matter include systems and methods for defining, on a server, a configuration of interest comprising one or more potential properties of a client, communicating the configurations of interest over a network to one or more clients, dynamically evaluating a client state relative to the configurations of interest, and communicating a representation of the client state in relation to the configuration of interest to the server. Further embodiments include automatically creating and displaying associations of clients based on configurations of interest. Yet further embodiments include clients requesting and receiving updates to the configurations of interest. Still further embodiments include actions associated with configurations of interest.

Abstract: An anterior support for the head of a person seated in a wheelchair or other type of chair. The support can be pivoted from a position behind the chair to a position wherein a forehead strap engages the anterior portion of the head to hold the head adjacent a headrest pad. The forehead strap is attached to slide along one or more head bands which extend around the head to allow the head to turn without loss of support.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell for a medium-temperature thermal battery includes an electrolyte having a melting point between 75° C. and 200° C., a thermal decomposition temperature above 300° C., and consisting essentially of at least one organic salt. The electrolyte is ionically conductive at temperatures from the melting point to at least the thermal decomposition temperature, generating a voltage across a cathode and an anode of the cell. The electrolyte is ionically non-conductive at temperatures below the melting point.

Abstract: An external counterpulsation apparatus has an efficient cuff and bladder system. Embodiments of this system generally allow effective treatment at lower pressures and a reduced total body surface area being compressed. An accurate and reliable combination of automatic and preset timing for inflation and deflation of the bladder system is used to simplify use of the apparatus.

Abstract: The embodiments of the invention generally provide an external counterpulsation apparatus having an efficient cuff and bladder system. The embodiments generally allow effective treatment at lower pressures and a reduced total body surface area being compressed. An accurate and reliable combination of automatic and preset timing for inflation and deflation of the bladder system is used to simplify use of the apparatus.

Abstract: A device (60) for inflating an air bag (36) adapted within a steering wheel comprising: a pressure vessel (66; 166; 210) formed of a length of narrow tubing for storing a quantity of inert gas under pressure and a rupturable disk (80) for enclosing a first end of the tubing; an activator or initiator such as a squib (120) responsive to a control signal indicative of a vehicular crash situation for opening the seal means to permit the pressurized gas to inflate the air bag and a manifold (50) for communicating released gas to an air bag.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator (10) for a cushion or air bag comprising: a pressure vessel means (16) for storing a volume of stored gas at an elevated pressure, including at least one opening (22) adapted to communicate gas within the pressure vessel to a cushion (84), a mixing chamber (60) defining a volume significantly smaller than the remaining volume of the pressure vessel; a disk (70) for providing a rupturable seal in the pressure vessel; a heat and gas generator (30,32,40,42,52,54) responsive to a control signal, for generating heated media for increasing the temperature of the stored gas at least in the mixing chamber (60), and for directing the heated media into the mixing chamber (60) and onto the disk for opening same.

Abstract: An electrical lock-out mechanism for a door mounted, vehicle-sensitive, seat belt retractor to prevent the retractor from locking up in response to the normal opening of the vehicle's door. The lock-out mechanism has a lock-out finger attached to either the retractor's lock-bar or top to the pawl of a piloted pawl type retractor. A solenoid is positioned adjacent to the free end of the lock-out finger and has a plunger which is displaceable between a retracted and an extended position. An electrical switch responsive to the unlatching of the door's locking mechanism energizes the solenoid to displace the plunger to its extended position to inhibit the displacement of the lock-out finger and the lock-up of the retractor with acceleration below two G's experienced by the retractor's crash sensor when the vehicle's door is normally opened.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a simplified glow plug controller for energizing glow plugs to start a diesel engine, in a single, easy-to-mount enclosure including a first chamber and a second chamber, one chamber containing control circuitry and the second chamber containing a power relay.

Abstract: A glow plug controller for diesel engines includes a two-chamber housing, with a low-level control circuit module in a first chamber and a high-level switching means in the form of a relay or contactor in a second chamber, so that the controller can be repaired or modified by replacement of a single module, and heat generated in one chamber has no effect on the other chamber. The controller is adapted for use with positive-temperature-coefficient glow plugs, and includes at least one temperature-actuated switch means and a second relay means, functioning respectively as timer means and lockout means. An overvoltage switch and a wait-lamp switch may also be provided. The low-level control circuit includes a connector insert portion molded into an insulating block, which is severed through apertures in the insulating block to define appropriate circuit elements for mounting series-connected switch means to the circuit elements.

Abstract: An improved safety belt retractor assembly is provided wherein the support shaft for the retractor spool having a belt wound thereon is directly mounted on a pair of integral raised flanges on a vehicle structural support member. The ends of the shaft engage the flange by a J-shaped anchor and the load caused by the restraining force of the belt is thus transmitted directly to the structural support member. In addition, the lock dog is directly supported in a V-shaped cutout for direct transmission of the force to the structural support. A plastic cover having openings in the sides locate the ends of the shaft and the lock dog during pre-assembly. A crosspiece for the pendulum actuator is also pre-located in the cover.

Abstract: A belt clamping apparatus is disclosed including a pivotal lever over which the belt is directed. A universal mounting bracket assembly is provided for the lever. A clamp bar is carried by the lever including a first clamping area for contacting the belt and clamping the belt against a corresponding second clamping area substantially fixed relative to the mounting bracket. The clamping bar is retained within an open channel and is provided with a centrally located spherical dome on its back side to provide point contact with the internal flat surface of the retainer channel on the mounting lever. The point contact assures multi-directional rocking or floating movement of the bar when the lever is actuated by a predetermined force on the belt assuring maximum restraining action.

Abstract: Energy absorbing seat belt restraint comprising a thin, flexible elongated element having a length substantially greater than its width and adapted for securing a wearer in a vehicle, the element being provided with at least one integral discontinuity along its length, whereby said element is capable of absorbing kinetic energy imparted thereto by movement of the wearer thereagainst.

Abstract: An electrically-operated pressure control apparatus is adapted to perform switching and actuating functions and is capable of operating in response to high pressure or in response to an absence of pressure, that is, a vacuum. The apparatus includes: a first pressure conduit, a second pressure conduit, a third pressure conduit, a coil assembly and an armature assembly. The armature assembly is adapted to be operated electromagnetically when the coil assembly is energized. The armature assembly includes a sealing lever, an armature lever, a return spring, and a pivot means. The sealing lever has sealing means, preferably at one end thereof, adapted to open and close a first passageway in the first pressure conduit, and adapted to close and open a second passageway in the second pressure conduit. The effective, operating length of the armature lever is greater than the effective, operating length of the sealing lever.