Abstract: A heating element and, in particular, a ceramic heating element, such as ceramic heating elements used in high temperature glow plugs for diesel engines and gas igniters. The heating element includes an electrical insulator and an electrically conductive layer. The conductive layer is formed from a single material and single composition. The method of manufacture includes the steps of forming the insulative layer and molding a conductive layer around the insulative layer.

Abstract: A monolithic, multi-layer heating element (26, 126, 226) forms the high temperature tip (22, 122, 222) of a glow plug assembly (20). The heating element (26, 126, 226) includes a conductive core (48, 148, 248) which is surrounded by an insulator layer (50, 150, 250), which in turn supports a resistive layer (52, 152, 252). An optional conductive jacket (172) can surround the resistive layer (152). These layered components are pre-formed in prior operations and then assembled one into the other to form a precursor structure. The precursor structure is transferred to a die (54, 64, 164), where it is compressed to form a so-called green part having dimensional attributes proportional to the finished heating element (26, 126, 256). The individual layers remain substantially intact, with some boundary layer mixing possible to enhance material-to-material bonding. The green part is sintered to bond to various materials together into an essentially solid mass.

Abstract: A sound modification system for a musical drum comprising a drumshell, a drumhead with an inner surface and a playing surface, and one or more mounting members adapted to be mounted to the drumhead. Each mounting member includes a first coupling member, which is fixed to the drumhead and projects outwardly from the playing surface, and a second coupling member matable to said first coupling member. Also provided is a sound altering element, which is adapted to removably engage the playing surface of the drumhead and has means cooperable with the matable first and second coupling members to form a detachable connection between the sound altering element and the drumhead. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a sound altering means in a hoop-like or ring configuration having a plurality of openings formed at regular intervals therein and means inserted through each of the openings to snap-fasten the sound altering means to the playing surface of the drumhead.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for cutting a sheet material, one or more sheets of the material are placed over a die attached to a die board. A cutting pad is placed over the sheet material. Seals are placed around or between the die board and cutting pad to create an enclosure. A vacuum is created in the enclosure or between the die board and cutting pad so as to draw the die board and cutting pad together and compress the sheets of material. The resulting assembly is passed through a roller press to cut the sheets of material. A process or apparatus for mounting dies to a die board or stripping scrap from between dies and a quick release fastener are also described.

Abstract: An improved valve disk having a modified cylinder region that includes a first arc section and a second arc section separated by a pair of non-arced sections. These arc sections are positioned to correspond to fill holes in an electronically controlled viscous coupling system. The arc sections have sufficient length and height to seal over the fill holes when the viscous coupling is in a disengaged position. The arc sections each have a face/end portion that each seal to the reservoir cover when the viscous coupling is in the disengaged position. To ensure proper location of the arc sections relative to the fill holes, the valve disk is pinned or otherwise coupled to the input coupling assembly in a way that prevents rotational movement of the valve disk.

Abstract: An electronically-controlled viscous fan drive in which the output drive to the fan is electronically controlled by the movement of viscous fluid from a fluid reservoir and into the operating and working chamber of the coupling during normal operation. A radially balanced valve disk coupled to a spring controls the relative movement of viscous fluid from a fluid reservoir to the working chamber by sealingly engaging and disengaging a fill hole fluidically coupling the fluid reservoir to the working chamber. The clutch plate and cover and body, along with the features defined between the clutch plate and cover and body are cast to the desired size and shape, therein allowing easier and more precise manufacturing and more cost effective manufacturing as compared with traditional designs that are stamped and having machined-in features.

Abstract: A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by having large daisy-form flowers with golden yellow ray florets and very good floral longevity. The plant has strong stems and a strong, spreading growth habit and slightly sparse foliage.

Abstract: An occlusion device for occluding a defect in a spinal disc anulus, including a plate and a retention device. The plate defines an anulus contact face. The retention device extends from the contact face of the plate and defines an anulus engagement portion. The retention device is deflectable relative to the plate such that in a deployed state, the retention device biases the plate against material disposed between the contact face of the plate and the anulus engagement portion. Upon final deployment, the retention device bears against the exterior surface of the anulus, biasing the plate into contact with the interior surface of the anulus. In a preferred embodiment, the retention device includes a pair of L-shaped arms each extending in an opposing, angular fashion from the plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for simulating the playing surface response characteristics of conventional percussion instruments, such as a snare drum, tom-tom, bass drum, cymbals and the like, comprising one or more metal base members with each base member having a top surface and a bottom surface, one or more corresponding percussion pad members with each percussion pad member comprised of a percussion member with an upper playing surface and a bottom surface and a magnetized pad affixed to the bottom surface of each of the percussion members for magnetic coupling with a metal base member. Each of the playing surfaces of a percussion member has response characteristics corresponding to the playing surface characteristic of a particular conventional percussion instrument and each percussion pad is removably positioned relative to each of the metal base members.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for the real-time monitoring and control of field assets. In particular, a monitoring device is disclosed that may be coupled to a field asset. The monitoring device may be designed as a stand-alone unit or it may be designed to leverage one or more technologies included in the field asset to determine the occurrence of one or more error conditions. The error conditions may be detected either as they occur or by testing the field asset at timed intervals. Upon detection of one or more error conditions, the monitoring device may initiate one or more corrective sequences to resolve the error condition. Alternatively, the monitoring device may notify a network operations center, via a wireless network, of the detected error condition. Users may access the network operations center via the Internet using a Internet-enabled remote device. From the Internet-enabled remote device, the user may view status information concerning one or more field assets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for rotating a stripper assembly in use with a rotating drilling head. A drive system is disposed external to the rotating drilling head and generates rotational motion to match the rotation of a drillstring running through the rotating drilling head. A connection transfers rotational motion from the drive system to the stripper assembly. In one embodiment, the drive system comprises a housing disposed about the drillstring and a one or more contact members connected to said housing and operable to contact the drillstring. One or more biasing members urge the contact members into contact with the drillstring so as to transfer rotational motion from the drillstring to the housing.

Abstract: A dispenser (10) for use in dispensing liquid or solid material. The dispenser (10) includes wall portions forming a sealed first chamber (18) containing the material and wall portions forming a second chamber (20) and a molded, rupturable membrane (34) disposed between the first chamber (18) and the second chamber (20). The rupturable membrane (34) is preferably a circular disk with a series of molded radial depressions (40) or weld seams (40) extending from a center point of the disk. When pressure is applied directly to the membrane (34), the membrane (34) is fractured along the depressions (40) or weld seams (40). A method is provided for forming the dispenser (10) by injection molding.

Abstract: A clip includes an integral u-shaped body of insulating material including two parallel fingers joined by a spine to define a gap between the fingers. The fingers have respective holes each sized to receive a screw, the holes being coaxial. At least one of the fingers has a projection that projects into the gap, the hole of the respective finger being contained at least partially within the projection. The body is sufficiently resilient to permit the two parallel fingers to be spread apart.

Abstract: A dispenser (10) for use in dispensing liquid or solid material. The dispenser (10) includes wall portions forming a sealed first chamber (18) containing the material and wall portions forming a second chamber (20) and a molded, rupturable membrane (34) disposed between the first chamber (18) and the second chamber (20). The rupturable membrane (34) is preferably a circular disk with a series of molded radial depressions (40) or weld seams (40) extending from a center point of the disk. When pressure is applied directly to the membrane (34), the membrane (34) is fractured along the depressions (40) or weld seams (40). A method is provided for forming the dispenser (10) by injection molding.

Abstract: An occlusion device for occluding a defect in a spinal disc anulus, including a plate and a retention device. The plate defines an anulus contact face. The retention device extends from the contact face of the plate and defines an anulus engagement portion. The retention device is deflectable relative to the plate such that in a deployed state, the retention device biases the plate against material disposed between the contact face of the plate and the anulus engagement portion. Upon final deployment, the retention device bears against the exterior surface of the anulus, biasing the plate into contact with the interior surface of the anulus. In a preferred embodiment, the retention device includes a pair of L-shaped arms each extending in an opposing, angular fashion from the plate.

Abstract: An occlusion device for occluding a defect in a spinal disc anulus having interior and exterior surfaces, and defining an internal cavity. The occlusion device includes a first member, a second member, and a connector. The first member is configured for deployment within the internal cavity and placement against the interior surface of the anulus. The second member is configured for placement against the exterior surface of the anulus. Finally, the connector connects the first and second members and is preferably adapted to provide an adjustable spacing therebetween. With this construction, the device is configured such that upon final deployment, the first and second members are rigidly secured against the anulus, at opposite surfaces thereof, in a region of the defect via the connector.

Abstract: A dispenser (10) for use in dispensing liquid or solid material. The dispenser (10) includes wall portions forming a sealed first chamber (18) containing the material and wall portions forming a second chamber (20) and a molded, rupturable membrane (34) disposed between the first chamber (18) and the second chamber (20). The rupturable membrane (34) is preferably a circular disk with a series of molded radial depressions (40) or weld seams (40) extending from a center point of the disk. When pressure is applied directly to the membrane (34), the membrane (34) is fractured along the depressions (40) or weld seams (40). A method is provided for forming the dispenser (10) by injection molding.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for the interpretation of information communicated in disparate dialects. The method and system includes a general parser receiving audit reports having data in multiple dialects including unknown dialects. An interpretation module extracts the data from the audit reports and interprets the data while a validation module analyzes the results of the interpretation. For unknown dialects, the general parser either marks an audit report as having an unknown dialect or invokes the learning module which acquires the unknown dialect. The learning module creates a provisional interpretation module and a provisional validation module for the unknown dialect using the data in the unknown dialect audit report. The learning module tests the provisional interpretation module and provisional validation module with additional audit reports having the same dialect as the audit report used to create them and with successful testing are assumed to be correct.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for the real-time monitoring and control of field assets. In particular, a monitoring device is disclosed that may be coupled to a field asset. The monitoring device may be designed as a stand-alone unit or it may be designed to leverage one or more technologies included in the field asset to determine the occurrence of one or more error conditions. The error conditions may be detected either as they occur or by testing the field asset at timed intervals. Upon detection of one or more error conditions, the monitoring device may initiate one or more corrective sequences to resolve the error condition. Alternatively, the monitoring device may notify a network operations center, via a wireless network, of the detected error condition. Users may access the network operations center via the Internet using a Internet-enabled remote device. From the Internet-enabled remote device, the user may view status information concerning one or more field assets.

Abstract: A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by having large daisy-form flowers with golden yellow ray florets and very good floral longevity. The plant has strong stems and a strong, spreading growth habit and slightly sparse foliage.