Abstract: A chamber for use in plungers used in wells that produce liquids and/or gases under, which is connected to an internal flow passage to facilitate more rapid descent of the plunger to the well stop. A closure means is housed within the chamber, and is in the open position when the plunger descends down the tubulars. The closure means is actuated when the plunger and stopper stem reach the well stop. Once the closure means is seated, it is held in the closed position by the build up of pressure below the plunger. The invention also covers a plunger and a method of using the plunger.

Abstract: A system and method for determining mismatched or faulty data records in a telecommunications or other system containing large data sets from records in first and second data sets identifies potentially mismatched or faulty data records in the first data set at least in part by comparing records in the first data set to records in the second data set. The potentially mismatched or faulty records identified as potentially mismatched or faulty are verified as defective using at least one predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A circuit is provided to regulate an output voltage. The circuit includes an upper transistor connected to an input voltage from a voltage source, a lower transistor connected to the upper transistor, a pulse width modulator for generating control signals for the upper and lower transistors and a voltage protection circuit. The voltage protection circuit includes an over-voltage detector circuit powered by the regulated voltage. The voltage protection circuit can cause the lower transistor to draw sufficient current from the voltage source such that an over-voltage condition becomes abated.

Abstract: An automotive hinge facilitates substantially rotary motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed body structure by means of a single resilient member configured to carry all required structural and operational loadings.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention a circuit is used for providing a regulated voltage. The circuit comprises an upper transistor connected to an input voltage from a voltage source, a lower transistor connected to the upper transistor, a pulse width modulator for generating control signals for the upper and lower transistors and a voltage protection circuit. The voltage protection circuit comprises an over-voltage detector circuit powered by the regulated voltage. The voltage protection circuit can cause the lower transistor to draw sufficient current from the voltage source such that an over-voltage condition becomes abated.

Abstract: A switching regulator having an active droop voltage generator that is responsive to a drain-to-source current of a current sense element within the switching regulator. A droop signal affects the duty cycle of a pulse-width modulated signal generated by control loop. The pulse width modulated signal is fed back to the input of the switching regulator to control the amount of droop. The droop voltage generator is programmable, having a selectable gain-setting resistor.

Abstract: An automatic suspension lockout assembly for bicycles comprises a pedal, crankarm, chainwheel, crankshaft and bearing assembly compliantly mounted to a frame such that a combination of pedaling forces and uphill bicycle inclination creates a small motion suitable for controlling a hydraulic valve in a shock absorber of the bicycle suspension assembly resulting in lockout of the suspension.

Abstract: An automotive hinge facilitates substantially rotary motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed body structure by means of a single resilient member configured to carry all required structural and operational loadings.

Abstract: A software development tool utilizes an intermediate object modeling language. The structure of the desired program is first described graphically by generating rule diagrams, state diagrams, and object diagrams such as user interface diagrams, event diagrams and other object diagrams. The development tool employs the diagrams to generate a working model of the program expressed in the object modeling language. The working model of the program can be executed without lengthy compiling, and hence program behavior can be quickly observed and tested. Further, the behavior of the working model can be quickly and easily changed by modifying the diagrams until the desired result is achieved. Source code is then generated from the object modeling language and compiled to create the final program.

Abstract: A compressor system for creating essentially liquid-free fluid flows includes a screw compressor that has an inlet port for receiving a low pressure gas stream, a main lubrication injection port for receiving an injection branch of a filtered lubrication stream, an inlet bearing lubrication port for receiving an inlet branch of the filtered lubrication stream, a discharge bearing and seal lubrication port for receiving a discharge branch of the filtered lubrication stream, a prime mover for powering the rotary screw compressor and a discharge port for discharging a high pressure compressed gas mixture stream from the compressor. The system further includes a separator for receiving the compressed gas mixture stream from the compressor. The separator has at least a primary and a secondary coalescer devices connected in series, such that the primary coalescer device has a smaller surface area than the secondary coalescer device.

Abstract: A method for fighting wildland and forest fire and a hitch assembly is described that allows a tank of fluid to be towed by a fire tractor to a fire location especially for the purpose of spraying and creating a foam fire break line. The hitch assembly attaches to a fire tractor and uses fifth wheel plate and kingpin coupling to releasably lockingly connect a continuous track vehicle to a tank in the configuration of an over-the-road semi trailer or to the drawbar eye of a tank in the configuration of an over-the-road A-train trailer.

Abstract: A control apparatus, for measuring pressure in relation to a rotary screw compressor with capacity control means and a prime mover, including a pressure sensor to monitor the prime mover manifold pressure, and a series of relays which when tripped by the pressure sensor will engage a pressure mechanism to engage the capacity control means on the compressor. The pressure mechanism may be a hydraulic or a pneumatic pressure mechanism and the apparatus may further include a second pressure sensor to monitor the inlet gas pressure to the compressor and a third pressure sensor to monitor discharge pressure of the gas compressor.

Abstract: A flexible articular conditioning system includes a plurality of elongated, solid, non-shifting weight members. The weight members may be removable for cleaning, and may be replaced by progressively heavier weight sets. Weight is not merely added to the wearer. The weights are advantageously evenly distributed across the body and located above and below the respective joint cavities. The disclosed systems are particularly well suited for sports specific training. The articulates may be properly and safely conditioned while exercising the muscles that control those articulates.

Abstract: A method for generically describing measured results which includes defining a class of entities to be measured, and a set of criteria which distinguish entities within the class of entities to be measured. A computer display format is dynamically configured based on the set of criteria. The set of criteria is displayed on the computer display according to the computer display format. The values related to an individual entity are interactively specified. The set of measurements related to class of entities to be measured is displayed on the computer display screen and are associated with the set of criteria.