Abstract: A universal chassis which may be assembled with modular componentry allowing for a play pattern with the user in which modification of the overall construction of the vehicle is encouraged. The modularity is purposely built in to allow users to modify their Battlebot chassis. In operating the configured vehicle, two motors, i.e., left and right, are provided with pulsed controlled operation to facilitate two-speed performance. The ability to transmit/receive IR signals modulated on one or more of multiple carriers facilitates the play pattern with simultaneous operation of multiple vehicles. An impact sensor or the like provides for detecting impacts, and processor control may be used for counting impacts in order to modify the functionality accorded to the user with the universal chassis.

Abstract: To provide peak cylinder pressure control, an eccentric bearing is biased toward a first angular position wherein an attached piston is raised to a maximum compression ratio position in the cylinder. The compression ratio may remain constant at lower loads and above until a predetermined force generated by cylinder pressure is reached. At this point, the force acting on the eccentric lever arm or eccentricity of the bearing overcomes the restraining biasing force, causing the eccentric bearing to rotate in the connecting rod to move the eccentric end of the rod outward, away from the cylinder. This motion effectively shortens the length of the connecting rod and moves the piston downward relative to a connected crankpin. In this manner, the effective compression ratio of the cylinder is temporarily reduced and the pressure developed in the cylinder is controlled by the mechanical mechanism.

Abstract: An earmold, including retention flaps to more securely hold an audio device coupled to the earmold, is provided. In some embodiments, the audio device includes both a microphone and a speaker while in other embodiments the audio device is a speaker associated with a portable audio system.

Abstract: To provide peak cylinder pressure control, an eccentric bearing is biased toward a first angular position wherein an attached piston is raised to a maximum compression ratio position in the cylinder. The compression ratio may remain constant at lower loads and above until a predetermined force generated by cylinder pressure is reached. At this point, the force acting on the eccentric lever arm or eccentricity of the bearing overcomes the restraining biasing force, causing the eccentric bearing to rotate in the connecting rod to move the eccentric end of the rod outward, away from the cylinder. This motion effectively shortens the length of the connecting rod and moves the piston downward relative to a connected crankpin. In this manner, the effective compression ratio of the cylinder is temporarily reduced and the pressure developed in the cylinder is controlled by the mechanical mechanism.

Abstract: An earmold, including retention flaps to more securely hold an audio device coupled to the earmold, is provided. In some embodiments, the audio device includes both a microphone and a speaker while in other embodiments the audio device is a speaker associated with a portable audio system.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic emergency incident notification system (“EEINS”) which allows subscribers to transmit notification of a nuclear/chemical/biological release to a central server for transmittal to the appropriate governmental agencies. In the preferred embodiment, a subscriber would utilize a user interface device to transmit spatial data and an incident report to the central server, typically using the Internet. The central server would map the spatial data onto a GIS database to determine which agencies require notification, and would then transmit the incident report to the receiving nodes at the appropriate agencies. At the local level, the receiving node may include software to automatically activate the appropriate public warning systems. The EEINS is sufficiently flexible to service both fixed and mobile sites.

Abstract: An inventive method and computer system convert known or unknown input file formats to a common file format with a reduced amount of human intervention and greater speed, in comparison to prior-art methods and products. The conversion involves the viewing, by an operator, of a given input file; the determination as to whether or not the format of the input file matches a known format; the specification of data coordinates within each record in the input file; and the conversion of the input file to the common file format. Newly created file formats may be stored and used as existing file formats. A “garbage collection” module automatically removes extraneous unprintable characters and helps to standardize the control character formats, prior to matching.

Abstract: A universal chassis which may be assembled with modular componentry allowing for a play pattern with the user in which modification of the overall construction of the vehicle is encouraged. The modularity is purposely built in to allow users to modify their Battlebot chassis. In operating the configured vehicle, two motors, i.e., left and right, are provided with pulsed controlled operation to facilitate two-speed performance. The ability to transmit/receive IR signals modulated on one or more of multiple carriers facilitates the play pattern with simultaneous operation of multiple vehicles. An impact sensor or the like provides for detecting impacts, and processor control may be used for counting impacts in order to modify the functionality accorded to the user with the universal chassis.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a mechanism to control the compression ratio of the combustion chamber. The mechanism includes an eccentric journal bearing supporting each piston rod on the crankshaft of the engine. The journal bearing has a gear member secured thereto that meshes with an inner toothed profile of a ring gear which has an outer toothed profile that meshes with an engine-driven gear. The speed of the engine-driven gear is controllable through a differential gear mechanism to adjust the relative position of the eccentricity of the journal bearing relative to the crank throw on which it is supported. This will change the compression ratio of the combustion chamber of the engine. The mechanism, with a modification, can also be employed to control the maximum compression pressure or the maximum combustion pressure in the combustion chambers of engine.

Abstract: A fuel system for an internal combustion engine has an air-assist fuel injection system. An oxygen generator is employed to supply oxygen-enriched air to the fuel injector to create a more readily ignitable mixture in the engine combustion chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine fuel system has an air-assist fuel injection system. An air compressor and an ozone generator are positioned upstream of the injector system to supply a pressurized, ozone-enriched air stream to the air-assist fuel injector.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for automobiles including an elongated tubular shaft having a length consistent with a distance between a steering wheel and accelerator pedal of a motor vehicle. A receiving collar is securable within an opening formed within a floor board of the motor vehicle disposed adjacent to the accelerator pedal. The receiving collar has an open outer end for receiving the lower end of the shaft therein in an operative orientation. A pedal plate is secured to the shaft upwardly of the lower end thereof and is positionable beneath the accelerator pedal in the operative orientation. A locking mechanism is secured to the upper end of the shaft for engaging the steering wheel.

Abstract: A tray for displaying rings and photographs of the rings adjacent to the rings comprises a support upon which each ring is placed in a slot adjacent to the corresponding photograph of that ring. The support includes an internal cavity for storing a booklet, video cassette or other article.

Abstract: A process for making metal features in an insulator layer in integrated circuits is disclosed. The process involves depositing an antireflective coating layer of a material such as TiN over the insulator layer patterning both the ARC and the insulator with a series of channels or apertures vias and depositing a metal such as tungsten over the ARC and in the channels and apertures. The metal can then be planarized by CMP using the insulator as an etch top.

Abstract: A method of cleaning polyurethane foams where the material is transported through a wash station while alternately soaking the polyurethane foam in an organic solvent and squeezing solvent from the polyurethane foam a number of times. Then the polyurethane foam is sent through a rinse or solvent transfer station for reducing the concentration of solvent in the foam. The rinsed polyurethane foam is sent to a drying station wherein the foam is repeatedly squeezed while being exposed to hot air to remove wet air from the foam.

Abstract: A carrier is comprised of a thermoplastic polymer such as polyetheretherketone which is formed or fabricated as a uniform thickness, double sided flat sheet of material with wafer passages therethrough and gear teeth formed or fabricated around the peripheral edge thereof so as to be cooperative with a wafer polishing machine. An extrusion or rolling or calendering process provides a flat carrier which is, optionally, coated with thermoset polymer or thermoplastic film.

Abstract: A FIR digital filter comprises a plurality of cascaded subfilters all operable at the same sampling rate. At least one of the subfilters has a z-transform transfer function defined by a partially factorized, n.sup.th -order polynomial in z.sup.-1, where n>2 whose co-efficients are quantized. A process for deriving the z-transform transfer function of the filter is described.

Abstract: A mechanical press having a very precise shutheight control system is disclosed. The press includes a bed connected to a frame with a slide connected with the frame for reciprocating motion opposing the bed. The slide and bed together define a shutheight of the press. A drive mechanism is attached to the frame for driving the reciprocating slide, the drive mechanism includes a drive piston and a tie rod. The shutheight control system includes a chamber located between the drive piston and tie rod with a pressurizing mechanism in communication with the chamber for selectively pressurizing the chamber with a predetermined pressure. The pressurizing mechanism causes the tie rod to one of expand and contract to thereby control press shutheight.