Abstract: A zero-gravity hoist system including a chain fall, a motor coupled to the chain fall and configured to drive the chain fall in one or more directions, a power supply configured to provide power to the motor, and a controller having one or more electronic processors. The one or more electronic processors are configured to measure a first force of a load in response to receiving an input, store the measured first force in a memory of the controller, measure a second force of the load, determine a difference between the second measured force and the first measured force, and adjust a height of the load based on determining that the second force differs from the first force by a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A piston unit for coupling to a crosshead piston rod with a crosshead piston pin includes a piston crown member and an integrated crosshead pin support and skirt member. The piston crown member consists essentially of forged steel. An integrated crosshead pin support and skirt member consists essentially of forged steel. The integrated pin support and skirt member is affixed to the piston crown member and is configured to support the crosshead piston pin. In a method of making a crosshead piston, a piston crown member is forged from steel. An integrated crosshead pin support and skirt member is forged from steel. The piston crown member is welded to the integrated crosshead pin support and skirt member.

Abstract: A piston assembly includes a cross-head piston and a cylindrical cross pin. The cross-head piston includes a piston head having a cylindrical wall, a lateral surface and an opposite inward surface. Two spaced-apart connection ears, each having a proximal end and an opposite distal end, extend outwardly from the inward surface. Each proximal end is affixed to the inward surface and each distal end defines a pin bore passing therethrough. A piston well is defined by the inward surface and the connection ears. The cylindrical cross pin is disposed coaxially with a central axis so as to be engaged with both pin bores. The cross pin defines a central cross pin oil passage passing transversely to the central axis. The cross pin is placed in relation to the piston head so that the second end of the cross pin oil passage is directed to the piston well.

Abstract: An adjustable angle cutting jig device and associated method of using the device for use with a table saw having a circular blade, a rip fence and a miter groove is disclosed. The device comprising the interconnected elements of a rip fence guide, a first shank, a second shank, a cross member, a first rotating arm, a first threaded bolt, a second rotating arm, a second threaded bolt, cross brace, a first angle guide, a first wingnut, a second angle guide, a second wingnut, and at least one clamp. The method of using comprises the steps of adjoining, affixing, aligning, angling, cutting, fastening, grabbing, identifying, inserting, loosening, obtaining, placing, pushing, raising, sliding, tightening, turning, and untightening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating sleep apnea includes a bilevel flow generator having an alternating current (AC) synchronous motor coupled to a low inertia centrifugal rotor/impeller. The process of acceleration and deceleration of the rotor involves moving from frequency A, amplitude A to frequency B, amplitude B in an optimal linear fashion using the so-called Bresenham algorithm. This is coupled with a tuned increase of the amplitude during the acceleration process which will produce the acceleration using minimum current allowing the use of smaller power supplies. During deceleration the process is accomplished in reverse fashion using a tuned decrease of the amplitude coupled with a special shunt circuit to prevent power supply voltage changes. These changes in amplitude overlay a current feedback mechanism used to prevent loss of synchronization of the motor by changing amplitude. Speed changes can also be timed so as to prevent desynchronization.

Abstract: An adaptor for coupling rapid exchange-type catheters to a catheter re-sterilizing system. Specifically, the adaptor fluidly couples the guidewire lumen of a rapid exchange-type catheter to a source of sterilant so that the sterilant may be positively directed to and through the guidewire lumen, thereby allowing the catheter to be properly "reprocessed" or sterilized for reuse.

Abstract: A system for reprocessing and sterilizing a previously used catheter having at least one lumen is disclosed. The catheter is provided with a housing and enclosed within the housing. Heated sterilant is provided to the housing and the catheter. The lumen is tested during the reprocessing and sterilizing cycle for blockages and integrity. If the catheter is of a type having a balloon tip, the balloon is also tested for integrity by inflating and deflating it a plurality of times. The housing is pressurized to a level above the ambient pressure and maintained at such pressure whereby the sterility of the catheter is maintained for up to one week. Further disclosed is an apparatus for selectively coupling used catheters to a source of sterilant. The apparatus includes a housing having a tray for holding the catheter in place during reprocessing, a door for enclosing and locking the catheter within the housing, and a plurality of valves for coupling the housing to a source of sterilant.

Abstract: A mounting structure for detachably connecting a backhoe to the rear of a tractor comprising a unitary frame forming a vertical pivot for the backhoe and having attaching members located at the underside of the tractor to receive connecting elements all of which are disposed in a common horizontal plane and form the sole connection between the vehicle and backhoe.