Abstract: A flow regulating valve for a respiratory treatment system is disclosed, as well as a vent arrangement comprising the flow regulating valve. The flow regulating valve may include an inlet, an outlet, and a variable conduit in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The variable conduit may include a movable portion that may move to vary an impedance of the variable conduit, thereby regulating a flow rate of the air travelling through the variable conduit. Advantageously, the flow regulating valve may thus reduce wastage of air (e.g. humidified air) that is exhausted from a respiratory treatment system, while maintaining sufficient washout of air.

Abstract: A panel (assembly) having an inner panel member (sheet) and an outer panel member (sheet), with the member being secured to the member so that the member applies an outward force to the first member.

Abstract: A panel (assembly) having an inner panel member (sheet) and an outer panel member (sheet), with the member being secured to the member so that the member applies an outward force to the first member.

Abstract: A portable lock includes a wireless signal receiver. The lock may be unlocked by transmitting a wireless unlock signal from a portable device such as a cellular telephone. Various actuation mechanisms which may include a solenoid, motor or memory wire of a type that contracts when energized are provided in example embodiments. Self-locking embodiments are readily operated with one hand.

Abstract: A portable lock includes a wireless signal receiver. The lock may be unlocked by transmitting a wireless unlock signal from a portable device such as a cellular telephone. Various actuation mechanisms which may include a solenoid, motor or memory wire of a type that contracts when energized are provided in example embodiments. Self-locking embodiments are readily operated with one hand.

Abstract: The separator/dryer includes a housing, removable collection trays, a separator assembly, a rinse assembly, and a heater/blower. The separator assembly separates the ammunition casings from the clean media and the rinse waste and includes a rotating separator basket disposed within the housing on a motor driven shaft. The rinse assembly provides a water shower to rinse any cleaning residue, carbon particulate and dust from the ammunition casings and the cleaning media. The heater/blower circulates a stream of hot air into the housing interior to dry ammunition casings and the cleaning media. The removable collection trays are vessels for collecting both the rinsed and dried ammunition casings and the rinsed and dried clean media.

Abstract: A portable lock includes a wireless signal receiver. The lock may be unlocked by transmitting a wireless unlock signal from a portable device such as a cellular telephone. Various actuation mechanisms which may include a solenoid, motor or memory wire of a type that contracts when energized are provided in example embodiments. Self-locking embodiments are readily operated with one hand.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to aspects of the subject technology provide for power line communication (PLC) coupling through two-wire and three-wire external power supplies. In some aspects of the subject technology, a three-wire solution is provided that allows the transfer of direct current (DC) power signals, differential PLC signals, and a zero-cross signal between an external power supply and a PLC device using three wires. This may be accomplished by multiplexing two signals on two of the three wires. In some aspects of the subject technology, a two-wire solution is provided that allows the transfer of DC power signals, differential PLC signals, and a zero-cross signal between an external power supply and a PLC device using two wires. This may be accomplished by multiplexing two signals on one of the wires and three signals on the other wire.

Abstract: A portable jig used in light frame construction has a rigid body formed from a resilient material that is approximately rectangular in shape with a central planar web with a peripheral, perpendicular flange, and at least three saddles, attached to the central planar web. The jig also possesses a vertical framing flange that extends from one of the saddles and is parallel to the central planar web. The longitudinal axes of at least two of the saddles are parallel to each other and are spaced apart in conformity with standard building code spacing. The longitudinal axis of at least one of the remaining saddles is perpendicular to the aforementioned parallel saddles. These saddles are used to position the vertical framing elements at the desired spacing and at the same time ensure that they perpendicular to the horizontal framing elements.

Abstract: A portable jig used in light frame construction has a rigid body formed from a resilient material that is approximately rectangular in shape with a central planar web with a peripheral, perpendicular flange, and at least three saddles, attached to the central planar web. The jig also possesses a vertical framing flange that extends from one of the saddles and is parallel to the central planar web. The longitudinal axes of at least two of the saddles are parallel to each other and are spaced apart in conformity with standard building code spacing. The longitudinal axis of at least one of the remaining saddles is perpendicular to the aforementioned parallel saddles. These saddles are used to position the vertical framing elements at the desired spacing and at the same time ensure that they perpendicular to the horizontal framing elements.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for automatically processing and displaying information for managing equipment or services in a network. The information is automatically inserted into a hierarchical data structure, which can then presented in a ticker display for viewing by a user. The information concerning the network equipment or services may also be used to determine the users affected by particular network failures.

Abstract: An electromechanical strut is provided for moving a pivotal lift gate between an open position and a closed position relative to a motor vehicle body. The electromechanical strut includes a housing connected to one of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. An extensible shaft is slidably mounted to the housing. The extensible shaft is connected to the other of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. A drive mechanism includes a rotatable power screw. The drive mechanism converts rotary motion of the power screw into linear motion of the extensible shaft to move the extensible shaft between a retracted position corresponding to the closed position of the lift gate and an extended position corresponding to the open position of the lift gate. A power spring includes one end connected to the extensible shaft and another end connected to the housing for providing a mechanical counterbalance to the weight of the lift gate.

Abstract: An actuating device is provided for moving a closure panel between an open position spaced apart from a vehicle body and a closed position abutting the vehicle body to close an access opening thereof. The actuating device includes a telescopic arm having a first member coupled to one of the closure panel and the vehicle body and a second member coupled to the other of the closure panel and the vehicle body. The first and second members are slidable relative to one another to move the actuating device between a retracted position corresponding with the closed position and an extended position corresponding with the open position. A screw is rotatable relative to the first member. The screw includes a cavity formed therewithin. A nut is secured to the second member and threadingly engages the screw such that rotation of the screw moves the second member towards and away from the first member to move the actuating device between the respective retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for automatically processing and displaying information for managing equipment or services in a network. The information is automatically inserted into a hierarchical data structure, which can then presented in a ticker display for viewing by a user. The information concerning the network equipment or services may also be used to determine the users affected by particular network failures.

Abstract: An actuating device is provided for moving a closure panel between an open position spaced apart from a vehicle body and a closed position abutting the vehicle body to close an access opening thereof. The actuating device includes a telescopic arm having a first member coupled to one of the closure panel and the vehicle body and a second member coupled to the other of the closure panel and the vehicle body. The first and second members are slidable relative to one another to move the actuating device between a retracted position corresponding with the closed position and an extended position corresponding with the open position. A screw is rotatable relative to the first member. The screw includes a cavity formed therewithin. A nut is secured to the second member and threadingly engages the screw such that rotation of the screw moves the second member towards and away from the first member to move the actuating device between the respective retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: An actuating device is provided for moving a closure panel between an open position spaced apart from a vehicle body and a closed position abutting the vehicle body to close an access opening thereof. The actuating device includes a telescopic arm having a first member coupled to one of the closure panel and the vehicle body and a second member coupled to the other of the closure panel and the vehicle body. The first and second members are slidable relative to one another to move the actuating device between a retracted position corresponding with the closed position and an extended position corresponding with the open position. A screw is rotatable relative to the first member. The screw includes a cavity formed therewithin. A nut is secured to the second member and threadingly engages the screw such that rotation of the screw moves the second member towards and away from the first member to move the actuating device between the respective retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: An electromechanical strut is provided for moving a pivotal lift gate between an open position and a closed position relative to a motor vehicle body. The electromechanical strut includes a housing connected to one of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. An extensible shaft is slidably mounted to the housing. The extensible shaft is connected to the other of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. A drive mechanism includes a rotatable power screw. The drive mechanism converts rotary motion of the power screw into linear motion of the extensible shaft to move the extensible shaft between a retracted position corresponding to the closed position of the lift gate and an extended position corresponding to the open position of the lift gate. A power spring includes one end connected to the extensible shaft and another end connected to the housing for providing a mechanical counterbalance to the weight of the lift gate.

Abstract: An electromechanical strut is provided for moving a pivotal lift gate between an open position and a closed position relative to a motor vehicle body. The electromechanical strut includes a housing connected to one of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. An extensible shaft is slidably mounted to the housing. The extensible shaft is connected to the other of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. A drive mechanism includes a rotatable power screw. The drive mechanism converts rotary motion of the power screw into linear motion of the extensible shaft to move the extensible shaft between a retracted position corresponding to the closed position of the lift gate and an extended position corresponding to the open position of the lift gate. A power spring includes one end connected to the extensible shaft and another end connected to the housing for providing a mechanical counterbalance to the weight of the lift gate.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system includes programming instructions for providing the plurality of wizards, providing a launch button on a launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, where selection of the launch button executes the wizard, and providing information pertaining to the wizard on the launch pad. The information includes a relationship between the wizard and other wizards on the computer system, elements of the computer system affected by the wizard, and/or how to information showing how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task. The launch pads are interactive interfaces between a user of a computer system and wizards which exist on the computer system. The information is provided in the form of text and/or visual objects.

Abstract: A method for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system. The method includes providing the plurality of wizards organized into groups; providing a launch button on a launch pad, wherein the launch button is associated with at least one wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the at least one wizard; providing information pertaining to the at least one wizard when a pointer is positioned over the launch button. The method further includes providing a high-level visual overview of a process corresponding to the plurality of wizards to assist a user when the user may not be familiar with the process before the user selects the launch button to execute the at least one wizard, wherein the high-level overview comprises a relationship between the at least one wizard and other wizards on the computer system.