Abstract: Disclosed herein are expanding spinal fusion cage embodiments including an expandable cage assembly configured to expand from a collapsed state to an expanded state in an intervertebral space when inflated with a material. The assembly can include an inflatable section defining an interior volume configured to receive the material and expand the interior volume in response to a pressure from the received material to cause the expandable cage assembly to transition from the collapsed state to the expanded state, and a stabilization section configured to restrain the inflatable section during inflation.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing particulate matter from an enclosure having an internal space and an opening into the internal space, comprising: a cover positionable adjacent the opening so that the cover covers the opening; a gas source external to the internal space; an inlet conduit that in use extends through the cover and is adapted to direct gas from the gas source to at least one gas outlet within the internal space whereby particulate matter within the internal space is dislodged and entrained in gas within the internal space; a source of partial vacuum adapted to maintain a partial vacuum within the enclosed space and to draw gas and particulate matter entrained therein from the internal space firstly through an outlet conduit and then through a particulate matter separation means comprising at least one filter; a sensor for sensing concentration of particulate matter in gas leaving the enclosed space; a display adapted to provide to a user information on concentration of particulate matter leaving the in

Abstract: Disclosed herein are expanding spinal fusion cage embodiments including an expandable cage assembly configured to expand from a collapsed state to an expanded state in an intervertebral space when inflated with a material. The assembly can include an inflatable section defining an interior volume configured to receive the material and expand the interior volume in response to a pressure from the received material to cause the expandable cage assembly to transition from the collapsed state to the expanded state, and a stabilization section configured to restrain the inflatable section during inflation.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing particulate matter from an enclosure having an internal space and an opening into the internal space, comprising: a cover positionable adjacent the opening so that the cover covers the opening; a gas source external to the internal space; an inlet conduit that in use extends through the cover and is adapted to direct gas from the gas source to at least one gas outlet within the internal space whereby particulate matter within the internal space is dislodged and entrained in gas within the internal space; a source of partial vacuum adapted to maintain a partial vacuum within the enclosed space and to draw gas and particulate matter entrained therein from the internal space firstly through an outlet conduit and then through a particulate matter separation means comprising at least one filter; a sensor for sensing concentration of particulate matter in gas leaving the enclosed space; a display adapted to provide to a user information on concentration of particulate matter leaving the inter

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems and methods for monitoring and managing the supply and use of electric power and related resources and for monitoring and managing electric power consumption by individual persons. One embodiment, for example, is directed to a system for distributing and monitoring usage of energy comprising at least one power distribution unit, connectable to an energy source and to one or more energy-consuming devices, and adapted to monitor energy distribution from the energy source through the or each power distribution unit. The system may also include at least one server in communication with the at least one power distribution network via a data network, adapted to receive through the data network data on energy distributed by the or each power distribution unit to the energy-consuming devices.

Abstract: A method for heating a catalyst includes maintaining engine speed at a high rpm when the engine is started. The high rpm is maintained even if the driver shifts the transmission out of neutral. Engine speed is lowered when there is an indication that the driver wishes to drive off, such as the driver releasing the brake pedal. Maintaining the high rpm during the time between shifting the transmission out of neutral and providing an indication that drive off is desired contributes to additional catalyst warm up. The high rpm may be disabled if the catalyst temperature is sufficiently high or if the vehicle is parked on a slope, for example.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for heating a catalyst. When the engine is started, engine speed is maintain at high rpm. This high rpm is maintained even if the driver shifts the transmission out of neutral, at time (A). Engine speed is lowered if an indication that the driver wishes to drive off is detected, at time (C), e.g. release of the brake pedal. The shaded area shows the additional contribution to catalyst warm up. The high rpm may be disabled if catalyst temperature is high enough or if the vehicle is parked on a slope. The invention also relates to a vehicle carrying out the method.

Abstract: A cross-linked development and deployment system that links system design, simulation, real-time emulation, integration, and in-system verification to system implementation in the field, creating final products that are field programmable systems on printed circuit boards or field programmable systems on silicon. In a preferred embodiment, hardware and software models are created and verified in an integrated co-development environment. These models can be synchronized with each other and can also be used for in-circuit emulation and in-system verification of the system under development. Once the system has gone through verification and completed system integration, the system design database that has been generated from that testing is used to program either a field programmable printed circuit board or a field programmable system on silicon.

Abstract: A system for coating discontinuous fibers with a liquid coating material uses a hopper/blender which entrains the fiber particles in a toroidal mass of moving fibers. The hopper/blender has an inverted conical section with an agitator assembly rotated therein. The agitator assembly has a base disc with tubular blades projecting outwardly therefrom into the conical section. Aft swept lifter blades relative to the direction of rotation are mounted to the agitator disc. A method of applying a liquid coating material to discontinuous fibers is also disclosed.