Abstract: A stowing steering column is provided that is capable of a high range of travel at a high rate of speed. The stowing steering column includes a roof bracket for attachment to the instrument panel, a sleeve attached to the bracket, a steering column shaft attached to the sleeve, and a steering wheel fitted to the shaft. The powered steering shaft preferably has a stowing travel range of between about +90 mm and +110 mm from mid-line and a travel speed of between about 20 mm/sec and 40 mm/sec. The stowing range of travel between about +90 and +110 mm is in addition to the functional vehicle-inward movement of +25 mm. This wide range of travel and high speed movement allows for quick positioning and re-positioning of the steering wheel. Optionally the instrument panel includes a steering-wheel receiving pocket into which the steering wheel will nest when in its retracted position.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting a device to support structure has (i) a first side and (ii) second and third sides that extend perpendicularly from opposite edges of the first side in the same direction, such that the second and third sides are parallel to each other. The bracket supports a first mounting configuration in which the first side is attached to a face of the device and the second side is attached to a plane of the support structure such that the side of the device is perpendicular to the plane of the support structure. The bracket also supports a second mounting configuration in which the third side is attached to the face of the device and the second side is attached to the plane of the support structure such that the face of the device is parallel to the plane of the support structure.

Abstract: One embodiment of a quick release fastener insertable into apertures in platen tables and other surfaces, having at one end a threaded recess (30) to receive studs or bolts, and having a transversely displaceable member (60) to secure the fastener in the aperture. The displaceable member (60) is moved between the inoperative and operative positions by a tool engageable operating rod (80).

Abstract: An image display system comprises a camera presence detector for detecting presence of a rear-view camera mounted on a towed unit connected to a towing vehicle, an image display format controller coupled to the camera presence detector, and a rear-view mirror assembly including an image display apparatus. The image display format controller enables a first display mode when the camera presence detector detects the towed unit rear-view camera and enables a second display mode when the camera presence detector fails to detect presence of the towed unit rear-view camera. An image output device of the image display apparatus underlies a central portion of an image display apparatus viewing substrate at a rear surface thereof. An image outputted is viewable through the central portion when the first display mode is implemented. The central portion can provide reflected rear-view imaging utility when the second display mode is implemented.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed which comprises an aryl perfluoropolyether, optionally a halogenated oil, and further optionally a thickening agent. The composition can be used as a lubricant itself or as an additive to an oil or grease lubricant and can withstand temperatures higher than 300° C. without decomposition. The halogenated oil can be a perfluoropolyether, a fluorosilicone, a polytrifluorochloroethylene, or combinations of two or more thereof. The thickening agent can be finely divided silica, boron nitride, clay, soap, poly(tetrafluoroethylene), clay, talc, silica, titanium dioxide, polydimethylsiloxane, polyurea, polyurethane, or combinations of two or more thereof.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed which comprises an aryl perfluoropolyether, optionally a halogenated oil, and further optionally a thickening agent. The composition can be used as a lubricant itself or as an additive to an oil or grease lubricant and can withstand temperatures higher than 300° C. without decomposition. The halogenated oil can be a perfluoropolyether, a fluorosilicone, a polytrifluorochloroethylene, or combinations of two or more thereof. The thickening agent can be finely divided silica, boron nitride, clay, soap, poly(tetrafluoroethylene), clay, talc, silica, titanium dioxide, polydimethylsiloxane, polyurea, polyurethane, or combinations of two or more thereof.

Abstract: A cannula for intraocular surgery including a cup, a tube including a wall and having a tube outer diameter, the tube extending from the cup to a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis. In one implementation, the distal end includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a tip and being narrower than the second portion. A gripping section is formed in the wall. The gripping section has a diameter that is less than the tube outer diameter. The gripping section allows the sclera to deform into the reduced diameter in order to increase a retention force of the cannula in the eye while minimizing damage to the tissue of the eye.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed which comprises an aryl perfluoropolyether, optionally a halogenated oil, and further optionally a thickening agent. The composition can be used as a lubricant itself or as an additive to an oil or grease lubricant and can withstand temperatures higher than 300° C. without decomposition. The halogenated oil can be a perfluoropolyether, a fluorosilicone, a polytrifluorochloroethylene, or combinations of two or more thereof. The thickening agent can be finely divided silica, boron nitride, clay, soap, poly(tetrafluoroethylene), clay, talc, silica, titanium dioxide, polydimethylsiloxane, polyurea, polyurethane, or combinations of two or more thereof.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed which comprises an aryl perfluoropolyether, optionally a halogenated oil, and further optionally a thickening agent. The composition can be used as a lubricant itself or as an additive to an oil or grease lubricant and can withstand temperatures higher than 300° C. without decomposition. The halogenated oil can be a perfluoropolyether, a fluorosilicone, a polytrifluorochloroethylene, or combinations of two or more thereof. The thickening agent can be finely divided silica, boron nitride, clay, soap, poly(tetrafluoroethylene), clay, talc, silica, titanium dioxide, polydimethylsiloxane, polyurea, polyurethane, or combinations of two or more thereof.

Abstract: A non-linear cut-rate multiplier for a vitreous cutter is provided whereby a signal from a host drive system may be multiplied in non-linear fashion to achieve significantly higher cut-rates for the vitreous cutter. Depending upon the cut-rate received from the host drive system, the multiplier may be configured to generate a subsequent cut-rate which is, potentially, linear for lower cut-rates of the host drive system and variably non-linear for higher cut-rates of the host drive system.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed which comprises an aryl perfluoropolyether, optionally a halogenated oil, and further optionally a thickening agent. The composition can be used as a lubricant itself or as an additive to an oil or grease lubricant and can withstand temperatures higher than 300° C. without decomposition. The halogenated oil can be a perfluoropolyether, a fluorosilicone, a polytrifluorochloroethylene, or combinations of two or more thereof. The thickening agent can be finely divided silica, boron nitride, clay, soap, poly(tetrafluoroethylene), clay, talc, silica, titanium dioxide, polydimethylsiloxane, polyurea, polyurethane, or combinations of two or more thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are imaging systems, methods, and computer program products that generate estimates of scattered radiation in tomographic imaging systems, such as cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) systems, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, a first group of projections is taken of an object with the radiation covering a wide band of the object, and a second group of projections is taken of the object with the radiation covering a narrower band of the object. The projections of the second group cover less of the object, but have less scattered radiation. The scattered radiation within the narrower band may be estimated from differences between projections from the first and second groups, or from representations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are imaging systems, methods, and computer program products that generate estimates of scattered radiation in tomographic imaging systems, such as cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) systems, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, a first group of projections is taken of an object with the radiation covering a wide band of the object, and a second group of projections is taken of the object with the radiation covering a narrower band of the object. The projections of the second group cover less of the object, but have less scattered radiation. The scattered radiation within the narrower band may be estimated from differences between projections from the first and second groups, or from representations thereof.

Abstract: A perfluoropolyether, a composition comprising the perfluoropolyether, a process for producing the perfluoropolyether, and a process for improving the thermostability of grease or lubricant are provided. The perfluoropolyether comprises perfluoroalkyl radical end groups in which the radical has at least 3 carbon atoms per radical and is substantially free of perfluoromethyl and perfluoroethyl end groups. The process for producing the perfluoropolyether can comprise (1) contacting a perfluoro acid halide, a C2-to C4-substituted ethyl epoxide, or a C3+ fluoroketone with a metal halide to produce an alkoxide; (2) contacting the alkoxide with either hexafluoropropylene oxide or tetrafluorooxetane to produce a second acid halide; (3) esterifying the second acid halide to an ester; (4) reducing the ester to its corresponding alcohol; (5) converting the alcohol with a base to a salt form; (6) contacting the salt form with a C3 or higher olefin to produce a fluoropolyether; and (7) fluorinating the fluoropolyether.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a beam spot width includes scanning a phantom with an electron beam having a beam spot width to obtain data; and adjusting the beam spot width using the obtained data.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a beam spot width includes scanning a phantom with an electron beam having a beam spot width to obtain data; and adjusting the beam spot width using the obtained data.

Abstract: A form-fitting cover has a top panel that has an elastic stretch in a least one linear direction in the range of 25 to 150% and a skirt attached to and depending from the periphery of the top panel. The skirt has an upper edge that has an elastic stretch at least equal to the elastic stretch of the periphery of the top panel. The skirt further has of an elastic or inelastic stretch that is at least as large as the elastic stretch of the periphery of the top panel.

Abstract: A golf ball lifter and retriever made of a flexible, resilient, yet relatively stiff elastomeric plastic or rubber material for durability and function during repeated and extended use. The lifter may be mounted on the butt end of a club grip and is generally cylindrical having a ball engaging end portion and a club grip engaging end portion separated by a solid wall, the ball engaging end portion having four tapered fingers formed, by lengthwise slits extending inward from the ball engaging end of the lifter. The tapered fingers have gripping lips at the ball-engaging end. The slits are formed by the longitudinal edges of the tapered fingers and end in a circular bore acting as an edge joint and have two parallel circumferential ribs extending inward from the inner wall of the fingers for gripping the golf ball, the first rib being an inward extension of the gripping lips.

Abstract: A composition that is or comprises a phosphorus-, perfluoropolyether-, and perfluoroalkyl-containing compound is provided. The compound comprises either (i) mono- or polyalkylene oxide linking groups between the phosphorus and the fluorocarbon group, or (ii) no linking group between the phosphorus and fluorocarbon group, or (iii) individual mixtures of (i) and (ii); and the fluorocarbon group can be the perfluoropolyether or perfluoroalkyl group. The compound can also be a partially esterified phosphate, a partially esterified phosphonate, a salt of a partially esterified phosphate, a salt of a partially esterified phosphonate, or mixtures of two or more thereof.

Abstract: A form-fitting cover has a top panel that has an elastic stretch in a least one linear direction in the range of 25 to 150% and a skirt attached to and depending from the periphery of the top panel. The skirt has an upper edge that has an elastic stretch at least equal to the elastic stretch of the periphery of the top panel. The skirt further has of an elastic and/or inelastic stretch that is at least as large as the elastic stretch of the periphery of the top panel.