Abstract: An outer housing and method of forming a mounting boss therein, the outer housing comprising: an elongated housing portion defining an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the elongated housing portion having a thickened area defined by an overlapping portion of the elongated housing; a sensor mounting boss formed in the overlapping portion with only displaced portions of the overlapping portion; and a plurality of threads disposed in the sensor mounting boss.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an exhaust treatment device comprises: a housing, a substrate disposed within the housing, and a mat wrapped around the substrate in a helical configuration, wherein the mat has a length that is greater than or equal to about three times the mat width and is disposed between the substrate and the housing. In another embodiment, a method for producing an exhaust treatment device comprises winding a mat around a substrate in a helical configuration to form a substrate/mat sub-assembly and disposing said substrate/mat sub-assembly in a housing. The mat has a length that is greater than or equal to about three times the mat width and is disposed between the substrate and the housing.

Abstract: Kilns for processing ceramics and methods for using such kilns are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a kiln includes an inner body configured to hold one or more ceramic workpieces for processing. The kiln can also include an outer body at least partially surrounding the inner body and spaced apart from the inner body to define an airflow passageway therebetween. The airflow passageway includes an inlet proximate to an upper portion of the outer body and an outlet proximate to a lower portion of the outer body. The kiln can further include an air mover positioned to move air through the airflow passageway from the inlet toward the outlet. In several embodiments, the kiln can additionally include a lid assembly pivotably coupled to the outer body and configured to sealably close against at least the inner body.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is disclosed for mounting a sun visor to a vehicle panel having opposing faces and an aperture therethrough. The mounting assembly includes a mounting component mountable to the vehicle panel. The mounting component includes a first side having a number of spaced apart retaining members extending therefrom and a second side including at least one catch projecting therefrom. The opposing faces of the panel are gripped between the second surface and the catch to retain said mounting component against the vehicle panel. The mounting assembly also includes a bezel component moveably connected to the mounting component by the retaining members.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel ring type sensor for measuring biometric information. The ring sensor includes a rest for an appendage and a wing pivotally connected to the rest. A biasing member supplies a compressive force to the wing (relative to the rest) such that an appendage from which biometric information is to be measured is snuggly held by the rest and the wing.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is disclosed for mounting a sun visor to a vehicle panel having opposing faces and an aperture therethrough. The mounting assembly includes a mounting component mountable to the vehicle panel. The mounting component includes a first side having a number of spaced apart retaining members extending therefrom and a second side including at least one catch projecting therefrom. The opposing faces of the panel are gripped between the second surface and the catch to retain said mounting component against the vehicle panel. The mounting assembly also includes a bezel component moveably connected to the mounting component by the retaining members.

Abstract: A method of reducing stress and wear on one or more components in a keel joint assembly in which a cobalt-based, wear resistant alloy coating is applied to the surfaces of one or more components. The use of the coating reduces stress and wear and achieves improved corrosion, galling, erosion and abrasion resistance as compared to other currently known and applied methods. In the present invention, the coating would preferably would be applied to the surfaces of the mating components of the keel joint.

Abstract: An embodiment of a scanning system is described including optical elements that direct an excitation beam at a probe array, detectors that receive reflected intensity data responsive to the excitation beam, where the reflected intensity data is responsive to a focusing distance between an optical element and the probe array, a transport frame that adjusts the focusing distance in a direction with respect to the probe array, an auto-focuser that determines a best plane of focus based upon characteristics of the reflected intensity data of at least two focusing distances where the detectors further receive pixel intensity values based upon detected emissions from a plurality of probe features disposed on the probe array at the best plane of focus, and an image generator that associates each of the pixel intensity values with at least one image pixel position of a probe array based upon one or more position correction values.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is disclosed for mounting a sun visor to a vehicle panel having opposing faces and an aperture therethrough. The mounting assembly includes a mounting component mountable to the vehicle panel. The mounting component includes a first side having a number of spaced apart retaining members extending therefrom and a second side including at least one catch projecting therefrom. The opposing faces of the panel are gripped between the second surface and the catch to retain said mounting component against the vehicle panel. The mounting assembly also includes a bezel component moveably connected to the mounting component by the retaining members.

Abstract: A system is connected real-time to a video source such as cable tv, satellite receiver, or off-air broadcast to receive video and audio signals to a final viewing screen or monitor. A tuning module breaks down the signal into composite audio-video signals to recognize when a commercial break has been inserted in the source video, to switch to an alternative channel of predetermined length before switching back to the original source. The alternative channel may include a connection to an audio and video source, for example such as a DVD player.

Abstract: A fluidics station is described that includes a housing that accepts removable modules, where each of the removable modules includes; a holder that receives a probe array cartridge, where the probe array cartridge includes a chamber that is fluidically coupled to fluid transfer apertures; a transport mechanism that reversibly transports the holder and the probe array cartridge between a first position and a second position; alignment pins constructed and arranged to engage one or more alignment features of the probe array cartridge, where the probe array cartridge is in the second position; and a needle constructed and arranged to interface with each of the fluid transfer apertures.

Abstract: An embodiment of a scanning system is described including optical elements that direct an excitation beam at a probe array, detectors that receive reflected intensity data responsive to the excitation beam, where the reflected intensity data is responsive to a focusing distance between an optical element and the probe array, a transport frame that adjusts the focusing distance in a direction with respect to the probe array, an auto-focuser that determines a best plane of focus based upon characteristics of the reflected intensity data of at least two focusing distances where the detectors further receive pixel intensity values based upon detected emissions from a plurality of probe features disposed on the probe array at the best plane of focus, and an image generator that associates each of the pixel intensity values with at least one image pixel position of a probe array based upon one or more position correction values.