Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to a sensor interface, and more generally to a universal sensor interface capable of providing a common hardware approach to interfacing multiple sensors of the same, similar or different applications and electronic features.

Abstract: A fleet management system and method includes a monitoring system equipped in each of a plurality of vehicles, wherein the monitoring system includes a network interface to a wireless network and a location determining device; and a back-end system communicatively coupled to the monitoring system in each of the plurality of vehicles; wherein the back-end system is configured to: communicate with a plurality of passengers to provide real-time updates based on the monitoring system; and monitor and manage a fleet including the plurality of vehicles by an administrator based on data from the monitoring system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tower (12) configured to support a wind turbine (18, 20). The tower (12) comprises a mass assembly (22) suspended by suspension apparatus (24) from the tower (12) such that the mass assembly (22) is movable to and fro in relation to the tower. The tower (12) also comprises at least one coupling apparatus mechanically coupled to the mass assembly (22) and to the tower (12), the coupling apparatus being operable to couple energy between the mass assembly and the tower as the mass assembly (22) moves to and fro.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an attachment arrangement that comprises a body, an attachment component and a fastener. One of the body (20) and the attachment component defines a protrusion (22) and the other of the body (20) and the attachment component defines a recess configured to receive the protrusion (22). The fastener is operative to resist separation of the body (20) and the attachment component when the protrusion (22) is received in the recess. Each of the protrusion (22) and the recess defines a surface profile (28, 30) with the surface profiles cooperating with each other to force the body (20) and the attachment component progressively apart from each other against the operation of the fastener as the body (20) and the attachment component are rotated in relation to each other when the protrusion (22) is received in the recess.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hand held tool monitoring apparatus (10). The hand held tool monitoring apparatus (10) comprises a mount, which in use of the hand held tool monitoring apparatus forms part of a hand held tool (22), and a monitoring component (12) configured to be releasably attached to the mount. The monitoring component (12) comprises an operative part of the hand held tool monitoring apparatus (10) and the hand held tool monitoring apparatus further comprises a vibration sensor and a timer. The vibration sensor is operable to sense vibration of the hand held tool (22) and to provide a vibration signal in response to sensed vibration when the monitoring component is attached to the mount. The timer is operative in dependence on the vibration signal to record a duration of vibration of the hand held tool (22).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tower (12) configured to support a wind turbine (18, 20). The tower (12) comprises a mass assembly (22) suspended by suspension apparatus (24) from the tower (12) such that the mass assembly (22) is movable to and fro in relation to the tower. The tower (12) also comprises at least one coupling apparatus mechanically coupled to the mass assembly (22) and to the tower (12), the coupling apparatus being operable to couple energy between the mass assembly and the tower as the mass assembly (22) moves to and fro.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an attachment arrangement that comprises a body, an attachment component and a fastener. One of the body (20) and the attachment component defines a protrusion (22) and the other of the body (20) and the attachment component defines a recess configured to receive the protrusion (22). The fastener is operative to resist separation of the body (20) and the attachment component when the protrusion (22) is received in the recess. Each of the protrusion (22) and the recess defines a surface profile (28, 30) with the surface profiles cooperating with each other to force the body (20) and the attachment component progressively apart from each other against the operation of the fastener as the body (20) and the attachment component are rotated in relation to each other when the protrusion (22) is received in the recess.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hand held tool monitoring apparatus (10). The hand held tool monitoring apparatus (10) comprises a mount, which in use of the hand held tool monitoring apparatus forms part of a hand held tool (22), and a monitoring component (12) configured to be releasably attached to the mount. The monitoring component (12) comprises an operative part of the hand held tool monitoring apparatus (10) and the hand held tool monitoring apparatus further comprises a vibration sensor and a timer. The vibration sensor is operable to sense vibration of the hand held tool (22) and to provide a vibration signal in response to sensed vibration when the monitoring component is attached to the mount. The timer is operative in dependence on the vibration signal to record a duration of vibration of the hand held tool (22).

Abstract: A high impedance bicone antenna system supporting ultra wideband operation. The antenna may comprise a reduced aperture size and reduced half-angles of the conductive cones forming the antenna. Reduction in cone angles may increase the impedance of the cones. An impedance matching mechanism for interfacing to the high impedance bicone may be positioned within one of the cones by a dielectric material. The impedance matching mechanism may be a flat conductive taper functioning as an impedance matching transmission line between an external feed line and the antenna. The conductive taper may function as a center conductor of a coaxial feed mechanism where the inside of the cone around the taper serves as the outside conductor, or return, of the tapered feed. The geometry of the cones may be modified to provide one or more end segments that are substantially cylindrical.

Abstract: A broadband omni-directional bicone antenna. The antenna can comprise conductive surfaces of conical voids provided within a solid dielectric structure. The outside surface of the solid structure can support a radio frequency (RF) lens geometry operable for beam forming. The beam forming can modify the elevation pattern of the electromagnetic radiation from the bicone antenna. The solid dielectric structure may be machined or molded from a single piece of material. The conical voids provided within the solid structure can be metallized to provide conductive bicone radiators. The outer surface beam shaping lenses can be zoned or continuous and can provide elevation patterns with increased gain, cosecant squared falloff, or various other patterns. The beam shaping lens may be formed from any low-loss dielectric. Alternatively, the lens may be formed from a less dense material such as dielectric foam that can support radial conductive beam forming vanes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a positive image in a photothermographic film exposed by electrons in a transmission electron microscope to form a latent image in the film. The photothermographic film has at least one imaging layer comprising a potentially negative-working emulsion, but wherein thermal development of unexposed silver salts in exposed areas relative to unexposed areas is inhibited when thermally developing the imagewise exposed assembly, thereby producing a positive image. The present invention is also directed to the processing of the photothermographic film in which a positive image characterized by high speed and discrimination is formed in the film when heated above 150° C.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating coronary artery disease in a human patient comprising directly injecting into an ischemic cardiac muscle, via multiple injections to different points of the cardiac muscle, a dose of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a replication-deficient adenoviral vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an angiogenic peptide operably linked to a promoter, whereby the coronary artery disease is treated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a RF/ID transponder to an object is described. The transponder is integrated within an attaching device to protect the transponder from damage, hazardous environments and tampering. Further, by integrating the transponder within the attaching device, the device can be countersunk to further protect the transponder. Further still, manufacturing the device from a non-ferrous material prevents degradation of the transponder reading range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying, locating, and monitoring equipment or other objects is described wherein a radio frequency identification transponder (RFID) is housed on, around, or within a connector, such as an electrical plug used for powering electrical or electronic equipment. The transponder can then be automatically read by a RFID reader housed at a connector receptacle, such as within an electrical outlet, whenever the connector is attached same. The present invention allows an equipment tracking system to automatically identify, locate, and/or monitor equipment or other objects.

Abstract: A remote alarm system provides a transmitter having an audio frequency signal generator circuit, a modulator circuit forming a current source modulated by the audio frequency signal and a radio frequency oscillator circuit modulated by the current source, and a receiver having a super-regenerative detector, an amplifier connected thereto, a notch filter for selectively filtering the audio frequency signal, an alternating current rectifier for rectifying the audio frequency signal, a delay circuit for delaying activation of an alarm signal until a signal from the rectifier circuit is present for a predetermined amount of time and for determining a period of time for activation of an alarm signal, and an alarm means for generating an alarm signal in response to the output of the delay circuit.

Abstract: A device including a chamber having two inlets and an outlet. One inlet is connected to an expiratory valve in a lung ventilator or like machine, the other inlet is in communication with a whistle and the outlet is connected to an aspirator. The device gives an intermittent audible signal when the ventilator is operating and saves the operator of the ventilator from having to look at the expiratory valve thereof to verify its correct operation.