Abstract: A solenoid valve includes a valve housing having first, second, and third valve ports, an actuation rod, a first tip valve actuated by the first end of the actuation rod to allow or block fluid passage through the first valve port, and a second tip valve actuated by the second end of the actuation rod to allow or block passage through the second valve port. A vacuum booster diaphragm subassembly includes a vacuum booster diaphragm and a grommet attached to the vacuum booster diaphragm. A vacuum booster assembly includes the above-described solenoid valve, includes primary and secondary diaphragms, and includes the above-described grommet attached to the secondary diaphragm, wherein the secondary diaphragm is the above-described vacuum booster diaphragm.

Abstract: A severable horizontal portion of a fuse link is formed relative to a vertically configured structure in an IC to promote separation of the severable portion upon applying energy from a laser beam. The vertically configured structure may be a reduced vertical thickness of the severable portion, an elevated lower surface of the severable portion above adjoining portions of the fuse link, a protrusion which supports the severable portion at a height greater than a height of the adjoining portions of the fuse link, flowing the melted severable portion down sloped surfaces away from a break point, and a propellent material beneath the severable portion which explodes to ablate the severable portion.

Abstract: A remotely configurable locator system includes a detection device to locate concealed underground conductors. The detection device is configured to connect to a communications network via a graphical user interface. Also included is a database management tool configured to connect to the communications network and communicate with the detection device via the communications network. A database is included and is adapted to store data related to the detection device wherein the data is configured to be accessed by the database management tool. Finally, the graphical user interface is configured to permit a user to remotely perform one of updating, analyzing, and diagnosing the detection device based upon the accessed stored data.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp includes a glass envelope having a sealed end portion, an insulator disk positioned on the envelope end portion, and a collar of shrink wrap material disposed around the envelope end portion and the insulator disk, the shrink wrap material being shrunken and compressing against the envelope end portion and the insulator disk, to fix the insulator disk on the envelope end portion.

Abstract: An optical module has port housing comprised of a material that does not substantially shield EMI, such as an optical plastic. The port housings have a receiving ferrule disposed in an aperture of an electrically conductive shell. The ferrule is movably coupled to the shell to permit it to respond to loads imposed by an optical fiber connector and includes an electrically conductive cap to shield a portion of the port housing proximate the ferrule.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods for enhancing recombinational cloning of nucleic acid molecules. In particular, the invention relates to compositions comprising one or more ribosomal proteins and one or more additional protein components required for recombinational cloning. More particularly, the invention relates to such compositions wherein the ribosomal proteins are one or more E. coli ribosomal proteins, still more particularly wherein the ribosomal proteins are selected from the group of E. coli ribosomal proteins consisting of S10, S14, S15, S16, S17, S18, S19, S20, S21, L20, L21, and L23 through L34, and most particularly S20, L27, and S15. The invention also relates to the use of these compositions in methods for recombinational cloning of nucleic acids, in vitro and in vivo, to provide chimeric DNA molecules that have particular characteristics and/or DNA segments.

Abstract: A vehicle engine control system controls an engine that includes a plurality of cylinders and that generates exhaust gas. An air-assisted direct injection fuel system supplies an air/fuel mixture to the cylinders. A catalytic converter reduces harmful emissions from the exhaust gas after the catalytic converter reaches a light-off temperature. A controller communicates with the engine, the catalytic converter and the air-assisted direct injection fuel system. The controller optimizes cam phasing, the air/fuel mixture and spark angle for full and partial engine operating modes. The controller deactivates at least one of the cylinders of the engine before the catalytic converter achieves the light-off temperature to hasten light-off of the catalytic converter.

Abstract: This invention is a management system and method executed on a computer system as part of a computer program utilizing a computer database for integrating all types of management information pertaining to activities conducted and data gathered by an organization.

Abstract: A system for inspecting the joint of a composite structure includes a transmitting transceiver and a receiving transceiver, as well as a processing element. Typically, the composite structure includes first and second panels that are connected to define the joint, with the second panel extending outwardly from the first panel of the joint. Moreover, the composite structure includes a filler disposed at the joint. The transmitting transducer is disposed proximate an input side of the second panel and can transmit an ultrasonic signal into the second panel such that at least a portion of the signal reflects off of the first panel at the joint and exits an output side of the second panel. A receiving transducer disposed proximate the output side of the second panel can receive a reflected portion of the ultrasonic signal. And a processing element is capable of identifying a defect in the composite structure.

Abstract: A lightweight multilayer heat reflective concrete cure blanket having a moisture-impervious top outer layer, a moisture-impervious bottom outer layer, and the top and bottom layers sealingly connected to each other at the boundaries of the layers to form a moisture-impervious chamber between the first and second layers. The chamber includes at least one bubble type insulative layer therein, and the bottom surface of the blanket comprises a heat reflective material to reflect heat emanating from the concrete when the blanket is placed over the concrete. In a further embodiment, heat reflective material is applied to at least one inner bubble type layer to reflect additional heat which radiates from the concrete through the insulative layer and back towards the concrete.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide approaches that facilitate decoding in the context of video coding standards that allow for complicated dependencies among pictures of an encoded sequence of pictures. In some embodiments, the notion of a random access point or “RAP” is utilized. A random access point is effectively a location within a picture sequence that contains information that facilitates random access of the sequence. In some embodiments, a random access point can contain different types of data. Such data can be defined, in some embodiments, in terms of picture count and/or time. In some embodiments, a random access point's data can comprise one or more of an entry point and a recovery point. These points effectively provide measures that a decoder can use to ascertain when its decoding activities will result in accurately and suitably decoded pictures.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed comprising virus in a formulation comprising a polyhydroxy hydrocarbon buffered to maintain a pH in a range from about 7 to about 8.5 at a temperature in the range from about 2° C. to 27° C. Methods for concentrating and purifying virus preparations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for labeling data in a networked environment. The method and system comprise determining if a label should be added to a portion of data having an associated first header. If so, a second header is constructed containing a label. The second header is indicated in a reference in the first header. The label contains at least one attribute of the data. The second header is attached to the first header. The portion of data is then transmitted, along with the headers. In one embodiment, the second header may contain credential information related to the data portion.

Abstract: A fault detection circuit in a boiler-water level system includes a dual-frequency signal generator which develops two AC components with no associated DC component. The two frequencies are mixed and sent through an impedance matching circuit to match the impedance of the signal generating portion of the system with the impedance of the boiler water under measurement. The impedance-matched signal is then directed to two legs, one leg directed through one of a plurality of electrode probes and then to a first filter circuit, and the other leg is directed a second set of filters. In combination, the filters pass either the higher or the lower of the two frequencies to determine an open or short condition in the level sensing circuitry, as well as a steam vs. water condition.

Abstract: The current invention discloses an improved clinometer which can be used as an inexpensive form of builder's level or transit due to its capability of orienting itself to a predetermined vertical angle, and maintaining said angle through the use of gravity.

Abstract: A method for tracking multiple SKUs of ophthalmic devices in a manufacturing line, comprises the steps of: assembling first molding devices, at least one of the first molding devices having an identification device, such as, a bar-code or an inductive transmitting/receiving device; reading the identification device of the first molding devices; forming first molded parts using the first molding devices; providing a plurality of carriers, the carriers having carrier indicators; transferring the first molded parts to at least one of a plurality of carriers; reading the carrier indicator of the carrier carrying the first molded parts; and storing in machine-accessible memory the information associated with the identification device of the first molding devices and the information associated with the carrier indicator of the carrier carrying the first molded parts.

Abstract: A tissue stabilizer includes a pneumatic rigidifying bladder which is flexible when at ambient pressure and rigid when at negative pressure or evacuated. Structure such as straps with hook-and-eye fasteners attaches the rigidifying bladder to tissue to be stabilized, such as a broken arm. When positioned on the tissue, the bladder is evacuated, thereby rigidifying the bladder and supporting the tissue. The tissue stabilizer may be configured for use in surgical procedures, such as performing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on a warm, beating heart. In a cardiac embodiment, the tissue stabilizer includes an attaching bladder with a plurality of openings. When suction is applied at a port of the attaching bladder, suction is applied at the openings, which is utilized to attach the stabilizer to the epicardium of the heart. Once in position on the heart, suction may be applied at a port of the rigidifying bladder. When rigid, the heart may be moved as desired to perform CABG procedures.

Abstract: A ring-wing aircraft suited particularly, although not exclusively, to use in micro-unmanned air vehicles (UAV's) with ring-wings. An aircraft (10) according to the invention comprises a ring-wing (11) defining a duct (16) with a longitudinally-extending central axis (31), propulsion element (15) located within the duct and moveable aerofoils (13, 18) for controlling the aircraft in flight, the ring-wing being truncated obliquely at one end, that end being the rear (11b) when in horizontal flight, to form a ring-wing with opposed sides of unequal length. This arrangement produces center of mass offset from the central axis of the ring-wing, the pendulum effect will ensure that the aircraft will roll so that its center of mass will always be at the lowest height possible when the aircraft is airborne. Therefore the aircraft has a preferred orientation, and the control surfaces can be oriented with respect to this preferred orientation.

Abstract: A voice networking switching (VNS) appliance and methods for its use are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the VNS is an adjunct processor attached to a WAN node and software-configured to provide switching services for private network PBXs and PSTN central offices that have trunks ported to a WAN node. The switching services offered by the VNS allows PBXs to establish voice and data connections between each other, as well as with the PSTN, dynamically via Switched Virtual Circuits (SVCs) that are routed directly across a WAN. This arrangement eliminates the need for an extensive mesh of PVCs or leased “tie lines” carrying voice and data traffic between ported trunks across the WAN. Furthermore, private network end users can connect to the PSTN without their PBX having a direct connection to the PSTN. Likewise, a private network connection to a PSTN central office can be established in a location where no PBX is present.