Abstract: Connexin modulation for the treatment of wounds that do not heal at expected rates, including delayed healing wounds, incompletely healing wounds, and chronic wounds, and associated methods, compositions and articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing the proximity of a first vehicle (79) to an object such as a second vehicle (82). The apparatus includes an array of sensor assemblies (80) mounted on the first vehicle (79). The sensor assemblies (80) include Hall effect sensors (184). The array of sensor assemblies (80) provide an output signal when located within the proximity of the second vehicle (82).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for sensing the position of a vehicle seat (12) movable between a forward position and a rearward position includes a Hall effect device (80) and a magnet (82) that produces a magnetic field that acts on the Hall effect device. A member (100) is constructed of a ferromagnetic material and has a portion (110) positioned adjacent the magnet (82). The portion (110) has a size that is unique for every different position of the vehicle seat (12) between the forward and rearward positions. The portion (110) of the member (100) alters the flux path of the magnetic field which varies the portion of the magnetic field acting on the Hall effect device (80) to a degree that depends on the size of the portion. The Hall effect device (80) provides a signal functionally related to the magnitude of the magnetic field acting on the Hall effect device.

Abstract: A sensor (80) for sensing the position of a ferromagnetic target (82) relative to the sensor includes a Hall effect device (184) responsive to a change in a magnetic field (240) acting on the Hall effect device. A magnet (182) produces a magnetic field (240) that acts on the Hall effect device (184). The target (82) changes the magnetic field (240) acting on the Hall effect device (184) as the position of the target relative to the sensor (80) changes. First and second flux collectors (186 and 190) are located on one side (194) of the magnet (182) for concentrating the magnetic field (240) on the Hall effect device (184). A third flux collector (192) is located on a second side (196) of the magnet (182) opposite the one side (194) for reducing the reluctance of a magnetic flux path through the target (82).

Abstract: A code wheel (32) is rotatable with a vehicle steering wheel (12). A magnet (78) mounted on a rotatable driven component (34) indicates the number of revolutions of the code wheel (32). A sensing device (74) is provided to sense a flux field provided by the magnet (78). The magnetic flux field varies relative to the sensing device (74) as the driven component (34) is rotated by the code wheel (32).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for sensing the position of a vehicle seat (12) movable between a forward position and a rearward position includes a Hall effect device (80) and a magnet (82) that produces a magnetic field that acts on the Hall effect device. A member (100) is constructed of a ferromagnetic material and has a portion (110) positioned adjacent the magnet (82). The portion (110) has a size that is unique for every different position of the vehicle seat (12) between the forward and rearward positions. The portion (110) of the member (100) alters the flux path of the magnetic field which varies the portion of the magnetic field acting on the Hall effect device (80) to a degree that depends on the size of the portion. The Hall effect device (80) provides a signal functionally related to the magnitude of the magnetic field acting on the Hall effect device.

Abstract: A switch (10) for controlling operation of vehicle lamps (e.g., 16) comprises a base (30) and a manually engageable assembly (50) rotatable about an axis (32) relative to the base for controlling operation of the lamps. The assembly (50) comprises a magnetic member (56) that rotates with the assembly about the axis (32). The base (30) comprises at least one magnetic sensor (e.g., 40-44) and control circuitry connecting the sensor with the vehicle lamps (e.g., 16). The magnetic member (56) is rotatable about the axis (32) into a plurality of different rotational positions relative to the sensor (e.g., 40-44) to provide an output signal at the control circuitry (70) that is indicative of the relative rotational position of the assembly (50). The magnetic member (56) is spaced apart from the base (30) to provide contactless operation of the switch (10).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for sensing when a rail member (48) of a vehicle seat (12) is located in a reference position relative to a seat bracket (30) of the vehicle seat (12) comprises a magnetic sensor (76) for generating a magnetic field and for sensing a flux density of the magnetic field. The apparatus (10) further comprises a cover (86) for enclosing the magnetic sensor (76). The cover (86), when in a first position, forms a zone for preventing the flux density from increasing above a threshold level. The cover (86) is moved into a second position when the rail member (48) is located in the reference position relative to the seat bracket (30). In the second position, the flux density is increased above the threshold level.

Abstract: A switch (10) for controlling operation of vehicle lamps (e.g., 16) comprises a base (30) and a manually engageable assembly (50) rotatable about an axis (32) relative to the base for controlling operation of the lamps. The assembly (50) comprises a magnetic member (56) that rotates with the assembly about the axis (32). The base (30) comprises at least one magnetic sensor (e.g., 40-44) and control circuitry connecting the sensor with the vehicle lamps (e.g., 16). The magnetic member (56) is rotatable about the axis (32) into a plurality of different rotational positions relative to the sensor (e.g., 40-44) to provide an output signal at the control circuitry (70) that is indicative of the relative rotational position of the assembly (50). The magnetic member (56) is spaced apart from the base (30) to provide contactless operation of the switch (10).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for sensing when a rail member (48) of a vehicle seat (12) is located in a reference position relative to a seat bracket (30) of the vehicle seat (12) comprises a magnetic sensor (76) for generating a magnetic field and for sensing a flux density of the magnetic field. The apparatus (10) further comprises a cover (86) for enclosing the magnetic sensor (76). The cover (86), when in a first position, forms a zone for preventing the flux density from increasing above a threshold level. The cover (86) is moved into a second position when the rail member (48) is located in the reference position relative to the seat bracket (30). In the second position, the flux density is increased above the threshold level.

Abstract: A device (10) for sensing a predetermined relative position of first and second parts (12 and 18) which are movable relative to each other includes a magnet (92) which creates a magnetic field and a pivotal lever (100) which has first and second opposite surfaces (104 and 106). The lever (100) has a first position in the magnetic field wherein the first surface (104) has a first magnetic polarity and the second surface (106) has a magnetic polarity opposite the first magnetic polarity. The lever (100) has a second position in the magnetic field when the first and second parts (12 and 18) are in the predetermined relative position. The first and second surfaces (104 and 106) move away from the magnet (92) as the lever (100) pivots from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic latch (42) is moveable from a first position to a second position in which the latch locks a lockable element (16) against movement in a passage (22) in a buckle (12). The buckle (12) also includes a switch (60) which includes a ferromagnetic support member (62). The switch (60) also includes a ferromagnetic flux collecting member (70), a Hall effect device (72), and a magnet (74) fixed to the support member (62). The magnet (74) creates a magnetic field that is conducted by the flux collecting member (70) and the latch (42) away from the Hall effect device (72) when the latch is in the first position. The magnetic field is conducted by the flux collecting member (70) and the support member (62) towards the Hall effect device (72) when the latch (42) is moved away from the switch (60) to the second position. The Hall effect device (72) senses a first flux density when the latch (42) is in the first position which causes the Hall effect device (72) to provide a first output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a lockable element (16) and a buckle (12). The buckle (12) includes a base (28) that defines a passage (32) for receiving the lockable element (16), a latch (42), a Hall effect device (60), and a magnet (62). The latch (42) is movable from a non-locking position to a locking position in which it engages the lockable element (16). The magnet (62) is fixed to and moves with the latch (42). In the non-locking position, the latch (42) conducts low density magnetic flux from the magnet (62) to the Hall effect device (60). In the locking position, the latch (42) and the lockable element (16) conduct high density magnetic flux from the magnet (62) to the Hall effect device (60). The Hall effect device (60) thus has a first output when the latch (42) is in the non-locking position, and a second, different output when the latch (42) is in the locking position.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for sensing a forward position of a vehicle seat (12)in a vehicle includes a permanent magnet (72) that is located adjacent the forward position and produces a magnetic field. A Hall effect device (70) is disposed in the magnetic field. A first member is mountable to the vehicle seat (12) and is movable with the seat in a path that extends adjacent the magnetic field to a predetermined forward position adjacent the Hall effect device (70) and the magnet (72). The first member is made of a ferromagnetic material. The magnet (72) creates a magnetic field of a first flux density that acts on the Hall effect device (70) to cause the Hall effect device (70) to provide a first output signal when the first member is rearward of the predetermined forward position.

Abstract: A method of testing concrete in a structure in situ, by: directing a succession of pulses of laser radiation at a point on the structure so that each pulse effects removal of a quantity of concrete and transfers energy to the concrete; detecting a characteristic of energy which has been transferred to the concrete; determining, separately from the detecting step, the total quantity of concrete removed by the succession of pulses; and calculating a property of the concrete on the basis of the detected energy characteristic and the determined total quantity of concrete removed.

Abstract: A combined bearing/diaphragm seal for use in a solenoid valve assembly or the like is disclosed which provides a flexible fluid seal between the solenoid sub-assembly and the valve sub-assembly. The solenoid and valve sub-assemblies communicate mechanically via a portion of a solenoid armature which translates through the combined bearing/diaphragm seal and controls elements of the valve sub-assembly for regulating outlet fluid pressure. The bearing portion of the combined bearing/diaphragm seal comprises a flat spring-plate that is adapted to resiliently deflect in response to movement of the solenoid armature. The diaphragm portion of the combined bearing/diaphragm seal is an elastomeric seal material applied to at least one side of the spring plate.