Abstract: A variable grip blind rivet has a rivet body with a first shank adapted to be inserted into a hole in a workpiece and having an axial bore, and a flange at a first end of the first shank for abutting the workpiece when the first shank is inserted into the hole in the workpiece. A mandrel has a head, for engaging a second end of the first shank, and a second shank adapted to extend through the axial bore. The head has an abutment portion for abutting the first end of the first shank. At least one protrusion adjacent the abutment portion defines a recess for receiving the first end of the first shank during setting of the rivet.

Abstract: A variable grip blind rivet includes a tubular rivet body and a mandrel. The rivet body has a first shank, insertable into a hole in a workpiece, and a flange at a first end of the first shank for abutting the workpiece when so inserted. The mandrel has a head, for engaging a second end of the first shank, and a second shank adapted to extend through the axial bore of the rivet body. The head has an abutment portion for abutting the first end of the first shank, and the second shank has a first reduced diameter portion adapted to break when a predetermined tensile is loaded applied. At least one protrusion adjacent the abutment portion defines a recess for receiving the first end of the first shank during setting of the rivet.

Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating the uterus and/or cervix of a patient, the apparatus comprising: an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an annular rim connected to the distal end of the elongated shaft; and a projection extending distally from the annular rim, the projection being coaxial with the annular rim and having a helical thread on its outer surface.

Abstract: A variable grip blind rivet includes a tubular rivet body and a mandrel. The rivet body has a first shank, insertable into a hole in a workpiece, and a flange at a first end of the first shank for abutting the workpiece when so inserted. The mandrel has a head, for engaging a second end of the first shank, and a second shank adapted to extend through the axial bore of the rivet body. The head has an abutment portion for abutting the first end of the first shank, and the second shank has a first reduced diameter portion adapted to break when a predetermined tensile is loaded applied. At least one protrusion adjacent the abutment portion defines a recess for receiving the first end of the first shank during setting of the rivet.

Abstract: According to one embodiment a replaceable filter element includes a substantially annular filter media extending from a first end to a second end and has an exterior, a substantially hollow interior, and a first permeability. A first end plate is coupled to the first end of the substantially annular filter media. The first end plate includes an aperture leading to the substantially hollow interior of the substantially annular filter media. The replaceable filter element includes a filter media piece positioned adjacent the second end of the substantially annular filter media and has a second permeability less than the first permeability. The replaceable filter element includes an outer wrap extending from the second end of the substantially annular filter media along a portion of the exterior of the substantially annular filter media. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.

Abstract: A container (1) for releasing a chemical additive (7) in a fluid material selected from a lubricant or hydraulic fluid composition comprises a fluid material-impermeable casing (3) having a hollow interior and an additive composition (7) comprising at least one fluid material-soluble additive. The additive (7) is held within the container (1) by a least one fluid material-permeable element (11) provided at or near an opening (13) in the casing (1) and is effective to provide for release of additive(s) (7) into the fluid material. Methods of releasing additives (7) into fluid material are also provided.

Abstract: A container (1) for releasing a chemical additive (7) in a fluid material selected from a lubricant or hydraulic fluid composition comprises a fluid material-impermeable casing (3) having a hollow interior and an additive composition (7) comprising at least one fluid material-soluble additive. The additive (7) is held within the container (1) by a least one fluid material-permeable element (11) provided at or near an opening (13) in the casing (1) and is effective to provide for release of additive(s) (7) into the fluid material. Methods of releasing additives (7) into fluid material are also provided.

Abstract: A container (1) for releasing a chemical additive (7) in a fluid material selected from a lubricant or hydraulic fluid composition comprises a fluid material-impermeable casing (3) having a hollow interior and an additive composition (7) comprising at least one fluid material-soluble additive. The additive (7) is held within the container (1) by a least one fluid material-permeable element (11) provided at or near an opening (13) in the casing (1) and is effective to provide for release of additive(s) (7) into the fluid material. Methods of releasing additives (7) into fluid material are also provided.

Abstract: A container (1) for releasing a chemical additive (7) in a fluid material selected from a lubricant or hydraulic fluid composition comprises a fluid material-impermeable casing (3) having a hollow interior and an additive composition (7) comprising at least one fluid material-soluble additive. The additive (7) is held within the container (1) by a least one fluid material-permeable element (11) provided at or near an opening (13) in the casing (1) and is effective to provide for release of additive(s) (7) into the fluid material. Methods of releasing additives (7) into fluid material are also provided.

Abstract: A container for releasing a chemical additive into a coolant composition comprises a coolant-impermeable casing having a hollow interior and an additive composition comprising at least one coolant soluble additive. The additive is held within the container by at least one coolant-permeable element provided at or near an opening in the casing and is effective to provide for release of additive(s) into the coolant composition. Methods of releasing additives into coolant compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A maximum timeout time for a communication between devices is determined. A time period is determined for a plurality of time zones based upon the maximum timeout time. A current time zone is updated every time period. A timeout zone for an outstanding transaction is associated with a first time zone to indicate when the outstanding transaction will timeout if not completed. In one embodiment, the time period for each time zone is approximately equal to the maximum timeout period divided by a predetermined number of time zones, which may be the total number of time zones, e.g. eight or sixteen.

Abstract: A pressure gradient dosing system is provided for a fluid supply system. A flow passage has first and second pressure zones having a pressure gradient therebetween. An additive reservoir in an additive delivery system responds to the pressure gradient to release additive to the flow passage.

Abstract: A method for fixing a portion of a piece of tissue in a bone tunnel comprising the steps of placing the portion of a piece of tissue in the bone tunnel, advancing spaced-apart first and second metal wires though the bone, transversely of the bone tunnel, so as to intersect the bone tunnel and extend into the portion of a piece of tissue, removing one of the wires and replacing the one removed wire with a first rod, and removing the other of the wires and replacing the other removed wire with a second rod, whereby to retain the portion of a piece of tissue in the bone tunnel with the rods.

Abstract: A graft ligament anchor comprises a graft ligament engagement member disposed in an opening in a bone, the graft ligament engagement member being arranged to receive a graft ligament alongside the engagement member, and a locking member for disposition in the opening, and at least in part engageable with the graft ligament engagement member. Movement of the locking member in the opening causes the locking member to urge the engagement member, and the graft ligament therewith, toward a wall of the opening, to secure the graft ligament to the wall of the opening.

Abstract: An energy management system may include a refrigeration apparatus such as may be used to form an ice rink. Heat rejected from that apparatus may be used to address heating loads elsewhere. The apparatus may include a thermal storage apparatus, such as may be charged with ice, or another phase change material. The refrigeration apparatus may then be run for the purpose of obtaining the rejected heat, with the cooling of the thermal storage material as a by-product of operation to obtain extra rejected heat. The cold reservoir then developed in the thermal storage material may be used subsequently to provide cooling to a different load, at a different time of day. The thermal storage element may be used to provide cooling to a condensor of the refrigeration apparatus, or may be placed in series with a cooling load, such as an ice sheet or refrigerated enclosure. The apparatus may be electronically controlled, may used ammonia as an operating fluid in a vapour cycle system.

Abstract: An energy management system may include a refrigeration apparatus such as may be used to form an ice rink. Heat rejected from that apparatus may be used to address heating loads elsewhere. The apparatus may include a thermal storage apparatus, such as may be charged with ice, or another phase change material. The refrigeration apparatus may then be run for the purpose of obtaining the rejected heat, with the cooling of the thermal storage material as a by-product of operation to obtain extra rejected heat. The cold reservoir then developed in the thermal storage material may be used subsequently to provide cooling to a different load, at a different time of day. The thermal storage element may be used to provide cooling to a condensor of the refrigeration apparatus, or may be placed in series with a cooling load, such as an ice sheet or refrigerated enclosure. The apparatus may be electronically controlled, may used ammonia as an operating fluid in a vapour cycle system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filter assembly containing a filter element and a container as a depot for a liquid additive. The container can include an inlet and an outlet, which are configured to allow a liquid to flow into the container mix with the contained additive and then flow out into the system. It has been observed that a liquid flowing through a filter assembly exhibits a pressure gradient within the filter. Consequently, the inlets and outlets to the container can be positioned to take advantage of the pressure gradient to enhance the addition of the additive to the liquid in the filter assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filter assembly containing a filter element and a container as a depot for a liquid additive. The container can include an inlet and an outlet, which are configured to allow a liquid to flow into the container mix with the contained additive and then flow out into the system. It has been observed that a liquid flowing through a filter assembly exhibits a pressure gradient within the filter. Consequently, the inlets and outlets to the container can be positioned to take advantage of the pressure gradient to enhance the addition of the additive to the liquid in the filter assembly.

Abstract: Hashing and pattern matching are used in an information processing system to process incoming messages from a network such as an Ethernet-based network. Using hashing and pattern matching increases the efficiency of message acceptance and rejection without increasing software-based processor tasks. A hash function and a pattern matching function are performed on a message received by an information processing system, and the message is selectively accepted based on at least one of a hash result and a pattern matching result. The incoming message can be searched for the existence of patterns and the absence of the patterns. The incoming message can be searched for the existence of multiple patterns. The results of pattern matching can be used not only for acceptance and rejection of messages, but also for other post-receipt tasks such as selective storage of incoming messages according to identified relative priorities or absolute criticality of messages having particular pattern matches.

Abstract: Hashing and pattern matching are used in an information processing system to process incoming messages from a network such as an Ethernet-based network. Using hashing and pattern matching increases the efficiency of message acceptance and rejection without increasing software-based processor tasks. A hash function and a pattern matching function are performed on a message received by an information processing system, and the message is selectively accepted based on at least one of a hash result and a pattern matching result. The incoming message can be searched for the existence of patterns and the absence of the patterns. The incoming message can be searched for the existence of multiple patterns. The results of pattern matching can be used not only for acceptance and rejection of messages, but also for other post-receipt tasks such as selective storage of incoming messages according to identified relative priorities or absolute criticality of messages having particular pattern matches.