Abstract: Vibration isolators for a steering column which are optimized to adjust the resonance frequency of the steering column so that it is not at the same frequency as the engine firing pulses of a DoD engine operating in the full economy mode window, nor at road travel vibration frequencies. The vibration isolators are composed of a resilient grommet and a rigid insert, and are located at each mounting bracket of the steering column. Adjustment of grommet durometer, grommet dimensions and grommet width relative to insert length provide a selective compression and resiliency of the grommet which selectively adjusts the resonance frequency of the steering column below the range of frequencies of the engine when operating in economy mode.

Abstract: A protective railing system includes at least two extruded posts, two post-mounted extruded brackets, and at least one extruded rail. The rail can be selectively installed with infinite adjustability both vertically and rotationally. Each post includes an outer tube and an inner tube with reinforcing ribs extending between the two. To secure the post to a floor, a floor-mounted anchor extends up into the inner tube. The anchor and inner tube are preferably rectangular to restrict relative rotation between the post and the anchor. When two or more rails are installed between two posts, the two rails can be interlocked, or the rails can be spaced apart to support a spacer therebetween. In some cases, the spacer is a sign or a fabric mesh.

Abstract: A retractable barrier includes a rollup or otherwise retractable panel that can extend between two spaced apart support members. When not in use, the panel can retract onto one of the support members to permit passage. The barrier provides substantial impact resistance by having the reactive force of the impact transfer directly between the barrier's retractable panel and its support members without having to rely on the strength of the panel's take-up roller or the strength of the roller's anti-rotation mechanism. This can be accomplished by having a slot-engaging stop member mounted directly to the panel itself. The stop member is preferably a pipe, rod, bar or some other vertically elongate member that can broadly distribute an impact reactive force over the height of the panel. In some embodiments, the barrier can be set for various doorway widths by simply repositioning the stop member's location on the retractable panel.

Abstract: A retractable barrier includes a rollup or otherwise retractable panel that can extend between two spaced apart support members. When not in use, the panel can retract onto one of the support members to permit passage. The barrier provides substantial impact resistance by having the reactive force of the impact transfer directly between the barrier's retractable panel and its support members without having to rely on the strength of the panel's take-up roller or the strength of the roller's anti-rotation mechanism. This can be accomplished by having a slot-engaging stop member mounted directly to the panel itself. The stop member is preferably a pipe, rod, bar or some other vertically elongate member that can broadly distribute an impact reactive force over the height of the panel. In some embodiments, the barrier can be set for various doorway widths by simply repositioning the stop member's location on the retractable panel.

Abstract: The current invention provides a visual or audio-visual programming environment for life science and bioinformatics. It is based on the VIBE platform, which is a flexible, extensible, and integrated workflow construction and management platform. The current invention enables researchers to consolidate molecular profiling data from complementary experimental techniques, intelligently reduce the volume of the data, construct disease-specific molecular fingerprints, construct relationship networks among functionally significant genomic, transcriptomic, metabonomic, and proteomic data, integrate information from existing biological databases into those networks, optimize the process through iterative feedback loops, and to generate and validate hypotheses based on the above process. The uses of this integrative, systems-based approach include, but are not limited to, the identification of potential biomarkers, characterization and classification of diseases and pathogens, and discovery of drug targets.

Abstract: The invention is a system for transmitting data through downhole environments comprising a downhole network integrated into a downhole tool string. The downhole tool string comprises a plurality of downhole components. Each downhole component also comprises a conductor intermediate and operably connected to mating communication elements proximate the ends of the downhole component. The mating communication elements comprise magnetically conductive portions with different curie temperatures. The magnetically conductive portion may comprise segments or solid portions adapted to operate in the harsh downhole environments with temperatures ranging from 25 C to 275 C. Each downhole component is selected from the group consisting of drill pipes, drill collars, bottom hole assemblies, reamers, jars and/or production pipes.

Abstract: A vertically moving door of a truck loading dock includes a disconnectable horizontal joint that provides the door with a barrier position, wherein an upper section of the door can be separated from a lower section to create a ventilation area between the two. The ventilation area allows fresh outside air to enter the building, while the lower section remains at its lowermost position for safety and security. More specifically, the lower section serves as a barrier that helps prevent someone or something from accidentally falling through the doorway when a truck is not present at the dock. A lightweight, resilient strap can be attached to the lower section of the door to help protect that section from an otherwise damaging impact. A lattice of straps or a mesh can be installed across the ventilation area to help secure the building against theft.

Abstract: A cam-action expanding standoff connector and related method are disclosed for mounting a circuit board. The standoff connector includes a body and a plurality of mounting members having interior longitudinally-extending camming portions for engagement by a cam. A cam is configured to be positioned within the mounting members in a first position in which the mounting members are not expanded against the interior of a mounting opening and in a second position in which the cam engages the camming portions to expand the plurality of mounting members against the interior of the mounting opening. Since the camming action is horizontal only (purely radial), practically no vertical forces are applied to the circuit board and a best-fit alignment between a circuit board and heatsink can be established and maintained.

Abstract: An expanding standoff connector is disclosed including a collar having a slit through a wall of the collar, a tapered interior surface and an exterior surface configured to engage an interior of a mounting opening of the circuit board. A fastener including a threaded portion and a substantially cone shaped portion configured to mate with the tapered interior surface of the collar is placed within the collar and advanced to expand the collar to mount the circuit board. A related method for mounting a circuit board is also disclosed. Since the expansion is horizontal only (purely radial), a more uniform radial expansion from top-to-bottom of the collar is applied to the circuit board and a best-fit alignment between a circuit board and heatsink can be maintained.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a host bus adapter for implementing a first port of a node on a network of nodes interconnected through an intelligent connection system comprising: a transceiver providing a physical interface for the first port; and a protocol controller that transmits a notification to the intelligent connection system on behalf of a remote second port indicating that the second port may have failed when the second port fails to communicate with the first port.

Abstract: A flexible plate for securing a microchip surface to the surface of a cooling device. The flexible plate allows for z-directional movement between the microchip subassembly having a circuit board and a semiconductor substrate, and the cooling device. The flexible plate is a compact, single piece design that provides constraints in alignment in the x-, y-, and theta-directions, while allowing for z-direction compliance and tilt compliance. The flexible plate has tabs for mounting the microchip subassembly and tabs for mounting the cooling device. The microchip tabs are opposite one another and the cooling device mounting tabs are opposite one another. The flexible plate is a one-piece construction made from sheet metal, plastic, or metal castings. The flexible plate has a band with all the tabs mounted on the inside of the band, or one set of tabs mounted on the outside of the band.

Abstract: The current invention is a visual or audio-visual programming environment for life science and bioinformatics developed for educational purposes. This programming environment incorporates novel educational features including: an integrated overview page, quick reference guide, introductory video, hot-linked glossary, intelligent personalized tutor, library of primers, multimedia tutorials, entertainment features, educational error messages, tracking system(s), multimedia assessment(s), and a lesson planner. The supporting client-server as well as client-only architecture includes drag-and-drop workflow pipeline construction for bioinformatics analysis using built-in user-defined or third party services (modules) as well as a software development kit (SDK), sharing and auto-update utility.

Abstract: A system for processing user interface actions generated from a user interface device, including generating a freshness status for the user interface action. The freshness status indicates a freshness state associated with the user interface action. The freshness status is associated wit the user interface action.

Abstract: A ventilation system for a trailer at a loading dock includes a fan supported by a positioning mechanism that can vary the extent to which the fan protrudes into the doorway. In some cases, the fan can protrude into the trailer itself to ensure airflow to the full depth of the trailer. When not in use, the fan can retract to a stored position where the fan is completely clear of the doorway, so the dock door can close. In some embodiments, the positioning mechanism includes an articulated arm with various pivot points that enable the fan to aim into a trailer at different angles and even move to another doorway to ventilate a different trailer. A lamp can be mounted to the fan and/or the fan's positioning mechanism.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of storing configuration information in an Electronic Control Unit (ECU). This method discloses storing configuration information at a sequence of address locations. After all of the configuration information is stored, a recognizable block separator is stored in the next address location in the sequence. This block separator segregates the configuration information from the remaining information stored in the ECU. The configuration information can be retrieved by reading the data in the sequence of address locations. When the recognizable block separator is retrieved, the retrieval of the configuration information is complete. The information retrieved (not including the block separator) is all of the configuration information for the ECU. This method greatly simplifies the retrieval of configuration information from an ECU and the replacement of a faulty or inoperable ECU with an operable ECU that has been properly configured.

Abstract: A sportsman's lightweight, adjustable, heavy-duty, one legged stool and walking aid includes a pair of telescoping rods, a locking member to secure the rods together, an adjustable seat at an upper end of the pair of telescoping rods, wherein the seat has a handle portion therein, and a tether to secure the stool to the user. The seat may be in the form of a bicycle type seat whereby the handle is formed by a narrow forward end of the seat. The stool, or leaning post, has the seat in an operative position at all times and it need not be unfolded to be utilized.

Abstract: A retractable barrier includes a rollup or otherwise retractable panel that can extend between two spaced apart support members. When not in use, the panel can retract onto one of the support members to permit passage. The barrier provides substantial impact resistance by having the reactive force of the impact transfer directly between the barrier's retractable panel and its support members without having to rely on the strength of the panel's take-up roller or the strength of the roller's anti-rotation mechanism. This can be accomplished by having a slot-engaging stop member mounted directly to the panel itself. The stop member is preferably a pipe, rod, bar or some other vertically elongate member that can broadly distribute an impact reactive force over the height of the panel. In some embodiments, the barrier can be set for various doorway widths by simply repositioning the stop member's location on the retractable panel.

Abstract: To avoid repeated damage to a lower section of a metal roll-up door, the lower section is replaced by a more impactable curtain assembly. The curtain assembly is so readily scalable, horizontally and vertically, that much of it can be manufactured and field assembled right at the installation site. The curtain assembly may comprise one or more strips of fabric that are cut from a roll of a certain width. The length of the fabric strips corresponds to the width of the doorway, and the number of strips is based on the vertical span of the door section that is being replaced. Windbars can be attached where adjacent strips connect to each other. A weighted, semi-rigid bottom bar reinforces the lower edge of the finished roll-up curtain. Under impact, the bottom bar has sufficient flexibility to allow the curtain to resiliently break away from within the door's vertical guide tracks.

Abstract: A dispensing system for feeding paste through a screen onto a workpiece monitors the position of a piston applying pressure to the paste with a linear variable differential transformer and sets limits on the slope of the piston displacement is a measure of the feed rate and the “spring back” of the piston when pressure is re- leased, as a measure of trapped air in the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the rapid cooling of screen masks used in the fabrication of semiconductor components is provided. The method and apparatus use a specially designed cooling plate which is contacted with a mask frame holding the screening mask. After a heated cleaning step which cleans the mask frame and screening mask of metal paste used in the screening operation, the cooling plate having one or more concave lower surfaces contacts the upper surfaces of the mask frame and bends the mask frame in the shape of the concave surfaces. This ensures intimate contact between the cooling plate and mask frame and enhances the thermal efficiency of the cooling step.