Abstract: Enteric feeding tube housings configured to secure a feeding tube to the body are disclosed. The housing includes a disc having a hole configured to accommodate the feeding tube and two or more holes configured to accommodate fasteners. Also disclosed are enteric feeding tube housings that include a disc having a hole configured to accommodate the feeding tube and two or more holes configured to accommodate fasteners, and a plurality of fasteners. Also disclosed are surgical kits that include a housing, a plurality of fasteners, and a plurality of locking devices configured to adjustably secure the fasteners in the fastener receiving holes, and method of using the disclosed devices.

Abstract: Enteric feeding tube housings configured to secure a feeding tube to the body are disclosed. The housing includes a disc having a hole configured to accommodate the feeding tube and two or more holes configured to accommodate fasteners. Also disclosed are enteric feeding tube housings that include a disc having a hole configured to accommodate the feeding tube and two or more holes configured to accommodate fasteners, and a plurality of fasteners. Also disclosed are surgical kits that include a housing, a plurality of fasteners, and a plurality of locking devices configured to adjustably secure the fasteners in the fastener receiving holes, and method of using the disclosed devices.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes an actuator having a first segment fixed for rotation with the first rotary member and a second segment having a screw thread formed thereon which is rotatably and slidably disposed within a chamber filled with magnetorheological fluid. An electromagnetic coil is disposed in proximity to the chamber and is selectively energized for varying the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid so as to induce axial movement of the actuator for engaging the multi-plate clutch assembly.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes an actuator having a first cam fixed for rotation with the first rotary member and a second cam having a rotor which is rotatably disposed within a chamber filled with magnetorheological fluid. An electromagnetic coil is disposed in proximity to the chamber and is selectively energized for varying the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid so as to induce axial movement of the first cam for engaging the multi-plate clutch assembly.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes an actuator having a first segment fixed for rotation with the first rotary member and a second segment having a screw thread formed thereon which is rotatably and slidably disposed within a chamber filled with magnetorheological fluid. An electromagnetic coil is disposed in proximity to the chamber and is selectively energized for varying the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid so as to induce axial movement of the actuator for engaging the multi-plate clutch assembly.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes an actuator having a first segment fixed for rotation with the first rotary member and a second segment having a screw thread formed thereon which is rotatably and slidably disposed within a chamber filled with magnetorheological fluid. An electromagnetic coil is disposed in proximity to the chamber and is selectively energized for varying the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid so as to induce axial movement of the actuator for engaging the multi-plate clutch assembly.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism is provided for controlling a magnitude of clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly operably disposed between input and output members. The transfer clutch includes an actuator fixed for rotation with the input member, a piston slidably disposed within a piston chamber of the actuator and selectively engaging the multi-plate clutch assembly, a pump in fluid communication with the piston chamber, and operably engaged with the input member and the output member. A rotational speed differential between the input member and the output member induces pumping action for pumping a magnetorheological fluid through the piston chamber. An electromagnetic coil is operably disposed between the piston chamber and the pump. The electromagnetic coil is selectively energized for manipulating a viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid to induce a back pressure within the piston chamber, thereby inducing axial movement of the piston for engaging the clutch pack.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism is provided for controlling a magnitude of clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly operably disposed between input and output members. The transfer clutch includes an actuator fixed for rotation with the input member, a piston slidably disposed within a piston chamber of the actuator and selectively engaging the multi-plate clutch assembly, a pump in fluid communication with the piston chamber, and operably engaged with the input member and the output member. A rotational speed differential between the input member and the output member induces pumping action for pumping a magnetorheological fluid through the piston chamber. An electromagnetic coil is operably disposed between the piston chamber and the pump. The electromagnetic coil is selectively energized for manipulating a viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid to induce a back pressure within the piston chamber, thereby inducing axial movement of the piston for engaging the clutch pack.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes an actuator having a first segment fixed for rotation with the first rotary member and a second segment having a screw thread formed thereon which is rotatably and slidably disposed within a chamber filled with magnetorheological fluid. An electromagnetic coil is disposed in proximity to the chamber and is selectively energized for varying the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid so as to induce axial movement of the actuator for engaging the multi-plate clutch assembly.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism is provided for controlling the magnitude of a clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between a first rotary and a second rotary member. The torque transfer mechanism includes an actuator having a first segment fixed for rotation with the first rotary member and a second segment having a screw thread formed thereon which is rotatably and slidably disposed within a chamber filled with magnetorheological fluid. An electromagnetic coil is disposed in proximity to the chamber and is selectively energized for varying the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid so as to induce axial movement of the actuator for engaging the multi-plate clutch assembly.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism is provided for controlling a magnitude of clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly operably disposed between input and output members. The transfer clutch includes an actuator fixed for rotation with the input member, a piston slidably disposed within a piston chamber of the actuator and selectively engaging the multi-plate clutch assembly, a pump in fluid communication with the piston chamber, and operably engaged with the input member and the output member. A rotational speed differential between the input member and the output member induces pumping action for pumping a magnetorheological fluid through the piston chamber. An electromagnetic coil is operably disposed between the piston chamber and the pump. The electromagnetic coil is selectively energized for manipulating a viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid to induce a back pressure within the piston chamber, thereby inducing axial movement of the piston for engaging the clutch pack.

Abstract: A sensor and method for rapidly determining the absence of a vapor in a gas or fluid is described as well as a method for constructing the sensor. The sensor comprises a resistive element having first and second leads; an elastomeric material in thermal contact with and surrounding a portion of the resistive element; and a stratum of electrically conductive particles surrounding a portion of the elastomeric material and electrically coupled to the first lead and a third lead. The method for determining the absence of a vapor comprises linking the sensor to a control means for preventing excessive adsorption; exposing the sensor to an environment; and monitoring the sensor.

Abstract: A wiping blade, especially useful as a doctor blade for gravure printing and made from a single piece of unitary material, e.g., metal, is provided. The doctor blade has a top surface and a planar bottom surface spaced from the top surface. Front and rear longitudinal edges are spaced from and parallel to each other. The blade has a backup portion which has a first thickness and extends a first distance from the rear edge toward the front edge. The blade also has a doctor blade portion that extends a second distance from the backup portion toward the front edge and has a second thickness less than the first thickness. Furthermore, the doctor blade can include a blade tip portion that extends a third distance from the doctor blade portion to the front longitudinal edge and which has a third thickness less than the second thickness. The blade tip portion may also have an angled tip end at the front longitudinal edge angled upward from the planar bottom surface.

Abstract: A valve stem gas leak sensor or detector configured to surround a possibly leaking petrochemical or like flow line valve stem and provide for external monitoring equipment an electrical resistance related to the amount of hydrocarbon gas leakage occurring around the valve stem. Such a gas leak detector, termable a ring sensor, is configured as a stem surrounding enclosure, with interconnecting segments for ease of installation around and removability from a valve stem, with one or both of each such segments having an interiorly arranged layer of gas sensor particulate material characterized by change in electrical resistance in the presence of a changing concentration of hydrocarbon gas leakage around a valve stem, and with interengaging connector/conductor pins holding the segments together around the valve stem and across which the electrical resistance of one or both gas sensor material layers can be measured with the ring sensor in place on the valve stem.

Abstract: Combination hydrocarbon and water level sensor systems for use in connection with underground storage sites, such as gasoline storage tanks, industrial waste sites, and the like, with a solar cell power source and an LCD display located above ground and providing directly viewable indication of the presence or absence in the underground environment of "HYDROCARBON" and/or "WATER", with the absence of such being indicated by "OK". In the preferred form, a pod containing an adsorptive type hydrocarbon gas sensor and a galvanic cell type liquid water sensor is suspended by electrical cable means from a well cap in which the solar cell and LCD display are installed.

Abstract: A thermo-electrically regulated adsorptive sensing device comprising a gas adsorptive sensing element having a stratum of adsorbently sensitive particles, a thermistor for sensing the temperature of the sensing element, a thermo-electric module for controlled cooling and heating of the sensing element, a heat sink, and a controller unit for applying variable amounts of electrical current through the thermo-electric module to appropriately heat or cool the sensing element in a rapid, controlled and accurate fashion. The thermo-electric module may be operated either to maintain the stratum of particles of the sensing element within about 1.degree. (0.6.degree. C.) of the optimal sensing temperature or operated to heat the particles in a controlled fashion to a relatively high purging temperature at which the gas is relatively rapidly desorbed, and then cool the particles in a controlled fashion to a relatively lower sensing temperature at which the gas is relatively rapidly adsorbed by the particles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing liquids, vapors and gases, which includes a conventional detection device operated in its non-linear region so that it is sensitive not only to substances having a Van der Waals' constant of greater than 9, but it is also sensitive to substances having a Van der Waals' constant of 9 or less. The device is driven by a constant current source, and a change in the level of the voltage across the detection device occurs upon exposure of the device to the substance being sensed. This voltage change is then detected to indicate the presence of the sensed substance. The relatively small voltage change associated with the detection device may be easily sensed by placing the detection device in a balanced bridge circuit. Further, the bridge circuit enables easy, accurate normalization of the apparatus in a reference environment. The non-linear characteristics of the detector allow it to be employed as a regulator for supplying a constant current to a power consuming device.

Abstract: An adsorbing type sensor of the type having electrically conductive adsorbent particles resiliently embedded in a surface and forming an electrical conductive path through the sensor, the resistance of which or in one embodiment current through which varies in response to the presence of an adsorbate medium exposed to the particles and in which the adsorbent particles are of varying sizes interspersed among one another and a method of increasing the sensitivity and range of an adsorbing type sensor by interspersing various sized abutting adsorbent particles.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus and method, for sensing liquids, vapors and gases, which includes a detection device constructed in accordance with the disclosures contained in U.S. Pat. No. 3,045,198, issued July 17, 1962, to Dolan et al. When the detection device is operated in a current saturated condition it becomes sensitive even to substances having a Van der Waals' "a" constant of nine or less. A change in the level of the current through the detection device occurs upon exposure of the device to the substance being sensed. This current level change is then detected to indicate the presence of the sensed substance. The relatively small current level change through the detection device may be easily discerned despite the fact that the base current is on the order of milliamperes by placing the detection device in a balanced bridge circuit. Further, the bridge circuit enables easy, accurate normalization of the apparatus in a reference environment.