Abstract: A power driven, telescoping steering column having a tubular outer jacket, a tubular inner jacket, and a tubular intermediate jacket arranged for coaxial telescopic movement relative with one another via actuation of an actuator assembly includes, a mounting device operably coupled against relative axial movement with the tubular outer jacket, with the actuator assembly being coupled to the mounting device without being fixedly connected or attached to the tubular outer jacket.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application relate to an adjustable ostomy wafer system including an ostomy wafer and an insert ring. The ostomy wafer includes an adjustable layer with an effluent opening through which effluent flows, and the adjustable layer has a body-facing side and a non-body-facing side. The insert ring is capable of providing or increasing convexity of the adjustable layer when the insert ring is pressed against the non-body-facing side of the adjustable layer.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application relate to an adjustable ostomy wafer system including an ostomy wafer and an insert ring 100. The ostomy wafer includes an adjustable layer with an effluent opening through which effluent flows, and the adjustable layer has a body-facing side and a non-body-facing side. The insert ring 100 is capable of providing or increasing convexity of the adjustable layer when the insert ring 100 is pressed against the non-body-facing side of the adjustable layer.

Abstract: Described herein is a medical device with an opening system. The medical device is foldable from an open to a closed condition. It is secured in its closed condition. In certain embodiments, the medical device is an ostomy pouch.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application relate to an adjustable ostomy wafer system including an ostomy wafer and an insert ring 100. The ostomy wafer includes an adjustable layer with an effluent opening through which effluent flows, and the adjustable layer has a body-facing side and a non-body-facing side. The insert ring 100 is capable of providing or increasing convexity of the adjustable layer when the insert ring 100 is pressed against the non-body-facing side of the adjustable layer.

Abstract: A dual-phase spring assembly configured for use with a fuel injector system includes a metal main body and a rubber ring. The main body includes a base integrally connected to a circumferential wall having a radially-canted lip. The base defines a central opening. The radially-canted lip angles away from a center of the main body. The rubber ring secures over the base and to an internal surface of the circumferential wall. The rubber ring covers a ledge of the base, while the radially-canted lip is exposed. The rubber ring is configured to directly abut at least a first portion of the fuel injector system, and the radially-canted lip is configured to directly abut a second portion of the fuel injector system.

Abstract: A dual-phase spring assembly configured for use with a fuel injector system includes a metal main body and a rubber ring. The main body includes a base integrally connected to a circumferential wall having a radially-canted lip. The base defines a central opening. The radially-canted lip angles away from a center of the main body. The rubber ring secures over the base and to an internal surface of the circumferential wall. The rubber ring covers a ledge of the base, while the radially-canted lip is exposed. The rubber ring is configured to directly abut at least a first portion of the fuel injector system, and the radially-canted lip is configured to directly abut a second portion of the fuel injector system.

Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods for ejecting a removable disk drive. To prevent data corruption from the eject operation, a shell extension can be stored in the server requesting the eject. The shell extension can monitor and intercept eject commands from the operating system of the server and send the commands to an eject service. The eject service, in embodiments, checks the status of the removable disk drive and ejects the removable disk drive only when the removable disk drive is not busy with another operation.

Abstract: Data are stored on a random-access storage medium. A user set of data is received. The user set of data is mapped to multiple frames. For each frame, error-correction bytes are generated over the data mapped to that frame. In addition, the data mapped to that frame are written to a number of data blocks of that frame and the error-correction bytes generated for that frame are written to a number of error-correction blocks of that frame. At least one of the number of error-correction blocks and the number of data blocks differs among at least some of the frames.

Abstract: A non-wood building material having a simulated wood-grain appearance of a target natural wood comprising a body defined by an outer surface, the body being formed from a composite material comprising a first amount of a matrix component and a second amount of a filler component; and a third amount of a coloring agent deposited on the outer surface of the body; the outer surface of the body comprising a plurality of grooves configured to (1) expose filler component along the surface of the grooves, and (2) simulate the texture of the target natural wood along the outer surface of the body, the grooves defining an exposed surface of the body; wherein the filler component is present in an amount effective to absorb the coloring agent on the exposed surface in an amount effective for the body to simulate the color of the target natural wood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel automated inspection systems and related methods of use. In particular, the present invention provides an automated threaded fastener inspection system, and related methods of use. Furthermore, the present invention provides systems and methods for identifying damaged threaded fasteners prior to industrial use.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a multi-part component that dampens vibration and noise caused by forces acting on the component. A pre-formed first part is treated for application of a resilient material. The material is dissolved in a solvent and is selectively applied to areas of the first part that are subject to strong forces. A second part is mechanically attached to the first part, and the entire component is cured so that the resilient material is cured, the solvent is evaporated and the parts are bonded together.

Abstract: A drain valve for an oil pan of a vehicle lubrication system includes an aperture and a drain plug. The drain plug is rotatable relative to the aperture between closed and opened positions with less than a full rotation of the plug. The plug remains secured to the aperture even when the valve is opened.

Abstract: A crack test for a tubular structure includes a sensor ring disposed radially outward from a flare pin in a flaring press. The sensor ring is responsive to physical contact from a cracked flared end of a tube processed in the press.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel automated inspection systems and related methods of use. In particular, the present invention provides an automated threaded fastener inspection system, and related methods of use. Furthermore, the present invention provides systems and methods for identifying damaged threaded fasteners prior to industrial use.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thermoplastic composite wood material. First, a first quantity of a first wood component of wood chips having long axes and a first size range is mixed with a second quantity of a second wood component of wood particles having a second size and a third quantity of a first thermoplastic polymer component of molten thermoplastic polymer until substantially all of the wood chips and the wood particles are encapsulated by the thermoplastic polymer. The second size range is distinct from the first size range and has substantially smaller values than the first size range. Next, the long axes of the wood chips of the first wood component are oriented such that they are substantially parallel to a predetermined plane.

Abstract: The instant invention is drawn towards transformed strains of Fusarium sporotrichioides effective for the production of lycopene. The transformed strains comprise an expression cassette having three genes encoding, respectively, geranylgeranyl-pyrophosphate synthase, phytoene synthase and phytoene desaturase (i.e. Tri5crtE, Tri5crtB and Tri5crtl). The transformed strains of Fusarium sporotrichioides of the instant invention produce lycopene at levels of up to 0.5 milligrams per gram culture dry weight.

Abstract: A composite material comprises a first wood component of substantially axially aligned wood chips having a first size range and being distributed throughout the composite material in a first discontinuous phase, a second wood component of wood particles having a second size range and being distributed between the wood chips in a second discontinuous phase, the second size range being distinct from the first size range and having substantially smaller values than the first size range, and a thermoplastic polymer component encapsulating the wood chips and the wood particles and forming a continuous phase extending throughout the composite material. The wood chips constitute from about 100 to about 0 weight percent of a total weight of the first and second wood components and the wood particles constitute from about 0 to about 100 weight percent of the total weight of the first and second wood components.

Abstract: A method which combines the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or oligonucleotide linkers and restriction enzymes which cleave degenerate or variable recognition site sequences to allow the cloning of multiple DNA sequences into a vector is disclosed. In this invention, a plurality of unrelated DNA sequences may be directionally cloned within a single vector by adding onto the ends of the sequences, restriction sites with specific sequences which are cleaved by corresponding restriction endonucleases which recognize degenerate or variable recognition sites and which generate cohesive ends upon cleavage. The compatibility (or ability to anneal) of the cohesive ends on different DNA sequences is controlled by the choice of the nucleotide sequence within the recognition sequences of the restriction endonucleases, allowing the DNA sequences to be inserted or joined in any desired orientation.

Abstract: A fastener retention system having a retention member with an opening therein, a flange protruding outwardly from the retention member, a plurality of resilient work piece engagement tabs protruding outwardly from retention member, and a shank disposed in the retention member opening and engaged by a plurality of fastener engagement tabs, whereby the retention member is axially retained about the shank.