Abstract: A fastener comprises a head end and a tail end. A shaft joins the head end and the tail end.

Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical simulator includes a bone (a simulated bone or cadaver bone). The simulator further includes a base, wherein the bone is operatively connected to the base, an optical system mounted proximate the base, wherein the optical system comprises at least one camera and provides a first view and a second view of an incision area associated with the bone. There are fiducial markers on a surgical wire to represent depth of the surgical wire when a tip of the surgical wire is not visible. The simulator further includes a computing device in operative communication with the camera and configured to track position of a surgical wire by determining position of the surgical wire using the fiducial markers on the surgical wire and to generate imagery based on a three-dimensional model of the bone and position of the surgical wire relative to the bone.

Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical simulator includes a bone (a simulated bone or cadaver bone). The simulator further includes a base, wherein the bone is operatively connected to the base, an optical system mounted proximate the base, wherein the optical system comprises at least one camera and provides a first view and a second view of an incision area associated with the bone. There are fiducial markers on a surgical wire to represent depth of the surgical wire when a tip of the surgical wire is not visible. The simulator further includes a computing device in operative communication with the camera and configured to track position of a surgical wire by determining position of the surgical wire using the fiducial markers on the surgical wire and to generate imagery based on a three-dimensional model of the bone and position of the surgical wire relative to the bone.

Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle includes a regenerative braking module that controls regenerative braking of the hybrid vehicle. Regenerative braking is controlled when an accelerator device is not engaged. A throttle-by-wire control module controls a throttle valve. The throttle-by-wire control module opens the throttle valve and/or holds the throttle valve open in response to regenerative braking module signals when a transmission of the hybrid vehicle is in gear.

Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle includes a regenerative braking module that controls regenerative braking of the hybrid vehicle. Regenerative braking is controlled when an accelerator device is not engaged. A throttle-by-wire control module controls a throttle valve. The throttle-by-wire control module opens the throttle valve and/or holds the throttle valve open in response to regenerative braking module signals when a transmission of the hybrid vehicle is in gear.

Abstract: A frame for a gaseous fueled vehicle is provided. The frame includes a floor pan, a tunnel positioned centrally and longitudinally in the floor pan extending a full length of the frame, and a tank integrated into the tunnel, where the tank is circular in cross-section and has a variable diameter. The tunnel may also integrate two or more tanks.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a dual crankshaft engine system having a first engine and a second engine having a common exhaust member open at an end thereof for venting engine exhaust. A first exhaust member is adapted to be coupled to the first engine and coupled to the common exhaust member. The first exhaust member has a first catalytic converter formed thereon. A second exhaust member is adapted to be coupled to the first engine and coupled to the common exhaust member and has a second catalytic converter formed thereon. A third exhaust member is adapted to be coupled to the second engine and coupled to the common exhaust member. A fourth exhaust member is adapted to be coupled to the second exhaust engine and coupled to the common exhaust member. A third catalytic converter is provided in the exhaust member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing positive crankcase ventilation, for the crankcase of an four-stroke engine having one or more reciprocating pistons exposed on a bottom side thereof to the crankcase, whereby the crankcase and bottom side of the one or more reciprocating pistons define a crankcase volume that varies cyclically with reciprocation of the one or more pistons. The cyclically varying volume of the crankcase, resulting from reciprocation of the one or more pistons, is used for generating a flow of air through the crankcase. The flow of air through the crankcase varies substantially in direct proportion to engine speed. An inlet control device and an outlet control device are attached to the crankcase, for controlling the flow of air through the crankcase.

Abstract: A multi-engine power plant, includes a first internal combustion engine module having an air intake and an output shaft for delivering power, a second internal combustion engine module having an air intake and an output shaft for delivering power, and a single throttle body operatively connected to the air intakes of both the first and second engine modules, for controlling a flow of air to the intakes of the engine modules at a common manifold absolute pressure (MAP) of both engine modules during operation of one or both of the engine modules. The power plant also includes a selectively engagable clutch for operatively coupling the output shaft of the second engine module to the output shaft of the first engine module, to thereby produce a common torque output from the first and second engine modules.

Abstract: A process for continuously controlling the transfer of torque within a differential where a target delta (&Dgr;T) value is determined as a function of a first differential output shaft speed (&ohgr;a) and a second differential output shaft speed (&ohgr;b) and then normalized according to the vehicle speed when the vehicle is being driven under a no wheel slip condition. A normalized actual delta (&Dgr;A) is also determined as a function of the first output shaft speed (&ohgr;a) and the second output shaft speed (&ohgr;b), a comparison is made between &Dgr;T and &Dgr;A and torque is transferred between the first and second output shafts of the differential according to a logic control methodology such as proportional, integral, and/or derivative (PID) control methodologies if the comparison result of &Dgr;A to &Dgr;T is outside of a tolerance range established around &Dgr;T.

Abstract: An alarm system which incorporates a plurality of highly sensitive, early warning, smoke detectors incorporates functionality for distinguishing between detector signals in response to ambient smoke and detector signals in response to the presence of non-smoke, fibrous materials. Detectors are spatially arranged in predetermined regions. Information concerning the arrangement of detectors is stored in the common control unit. Additionally, a performance history for each of the detectors is also stored in the control unit. If one of the detectors exhibits a relatively large output which is large enough to indicate a possible fire, a previously stored history from the outputs of that detector is analyzed. If the previously stored history indicates a fire related profile, such as a relatively gradual increase in smoke level over a period of time, the signal from that detector is regarded as being indicative of smoke and an alarm is indicated.

Abstract: A system and a method for dynamically adjusting a level of filtering or smoothing applied to data received from fire detectors produces shortened response times for detection of a fire condition while at the same time minimizing the effects of uncorrelated noise in the absence of any fire condition. An increasing probability of a fire results in less filtering. Increasing values of the input signal from a respective detector, indicative of an increasing selected ambient condition such as combustion or temperature, provide a control input for reducing or bypassing the level of filtering of the respective input signal thereby reducing system response time. Where the unfiltered input data from a respective detector indicates a combustion or temperature profile moving toward clear air, the filtering or smoothing level can also be dynamically decreased thereby enabling the filtered signal values to return to their respective clear air values faster than would otherwise be the case.

Abstract: A fire detection system provides multiple levels of signal processing so as to minimize the effects of noise from various sources. In a first level of processing any DC bias in signals received from detectors is removed. In a second level of processing, signal values from current sample times for a given detector are compared to one or more prior sample values from that detector for purposes of removing large transient pulses due to dust particles and the like. In a third level of processing, high frequency noise, perhaps from electrical sources, is filtered from the representation of the signal. Finally, the fully processed signal value is compared to one or more threshold values so as to make a determination as to the presence or absence of a pre-alarm or a fire condition.

Abstract: A fire alarm system includes a control unit which communicates with a plurality of spaced apart smoke detectors by a bi-directional communications link. The smoke detectors are separate from one another, and spaced apart, and are associated together in different, overlapping groups. Each group of detectors is physically arranged with the members of the group adjacent to one another in a relatively localized area. Signals from the detectors are transmitted to the control element for processing. The control element squares each of the signals for a given group, sums those signals and then takes a square root. The resultant processed value is associated with a selected one of the detectors of the group. Similar processing takes place for each of the groups. As a result of the processing, each of the detectors has associated therewith a processed smoke value which takes into account not only values received from the associated detector, but also values received from one or more adjacent detectors in a group.

Abstract: A pulsed airflow generating mechanism for a blower dryer includes an elongated shaft, a stationary disc, a housing, and a spinning disc. The stationary disc is disposed over the shaft and has at least one port radially spaced from the shaft. The housing defines an elongated passageway for guiding a constant airflow therethrough. The housing rotatably mounts the shaft and stationarily mounts the disc relative to the shaft. The spinning disc is disposed over and connected to the shaft for rotation therewith relative to housing and the stationary disc. The spinning disc is located upstream of the stationary disc relative to the direction of airflow. The spinning disc has at least one aperture radially spaced from the shaft for moving intermittently into and out of registry with the port of the stationary disc to convert the constant airflow received by housing passageway into a pulsating airflow discharged from the housing passageway as the spinning disc is rotated relative to the stationary disc.

Abstract: A liquid level indication device including a reed switch activating assembly having a magnet moveable in response to a change in the level of the liquid to effect the closing of the reed switch contact elements when a designated liquid level is reached. The device has a built-in time delay feature to prevent the premature actuation of the reed switch by the magnet should the liquid level in the container only temporarily drop.