Abstract: A charging energy control system includes an implantable medical device (IMD) and an external charger. The IMD receives charging energy to recharge a battery during a charging energy acceptance period and rejects the charging energy during an actual charging energy rejection period. The external charger transmits the charging energy to the IMD in order to recharge the battery. The external charger includes a charging controller configured to determine the actual charging energy rejection period, and regulate the charging energy during which the charging controller predicts a predicted charging energy rejection period of the IMD based on the actual recharging energy rejection period. The charging controller is configured to cease or reduce transmission of the charging energy during a charging energy conservation period that is at least a portion of the predicted charging energy rejection period.

Abstract: A charging energy control system may include an implantable medical device (IMD) and an external charger. The IMD receives charging energy to recharge the battery during a charging energy acceptance period and rejects the charging energy during an actual charging energy rejection period. The external charger transmits the charging energy to the IMD in order to recharge the battery. The external charger may include a charging controller configured to determine the charging energy rejection period, and regulate the charging energy during which the charging controller predicts a predicted charging energy rejection period of the IMD based on the actual recharging energy rejection period. The charging controller is configured to cease or reduce transmission of the charging energy during a charging energy conservation period that is at least a portion of the predicted charging energy rejection period.

Abstract: A solenoid valve system, wherein the valve member is provided with a seal member disposed thereabout. The solenoid valve is especially suitable for use with exhaust gas recirculation systems. The seal member is operable to slide axially relative to the valve member, including the stem portion thereof. An optional lubricant is provided between the valve member and the seal member so as to provide a relatively low friction environment therebetween when the valve member is in motion. An optional biasable member, in operable association with the seal member, is provided so as to maintain proper positioning of the seal member, e.g., during operation of the solenoid valve system.

Abstract: Circuitry and method for receiving and decoding a data stream without a preamble transmitted from the transmitting device. The invention includes circuitry in the receiver or interrogation unit for generating a simulated preamble signal that is provided to the input of an averaging circuit and a comparator. The averaging circuitry then averages the simulated preamble signal and the actual received data signal to avoid loss of messages and information data at the front end of the received signal from a transponder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately decoding a Manchester data stream having transition time distortion and noise spikes. Briefly, in an embodiment using a protocol where a falling edge at the mid-point of a bit represents a “1” bit and a rising edge at the mid-point represents a “0” bit, the coded data can be accurately determined by comparing the time period tp1 from the start of the bit to the first falling edge and the time period tp2 from the last rising edge to the end point of the bit. If tp1 is less than tp2, the bit represents a bit value of “0” and if tp2 is less than tp1, the bit represents a bit value of “1”.

Abstract: A lead frame disposed within the confines of an engine cover, having an insulating portion and an electrically conducting portion. The conducting portion has at least one electrically conducting interconnect. Both the insulating portion and the electrically conducting portion form an integral piece for retaining and accurately positioning devices within an internal combustion engine. The lead frame includes a plurality of retaining elements for retaining or positioning of at least some of the devices; and an electrical connector member extending outside the confines of the internal combustion engine, the electrical connector member having a plurality of electrically conducting terminals in electrical communication with at least some of the devices within the internal combustion engine by means of the at least one electrically conducting interconnect, whereby at least some of the devices are retained and accurately positioned within the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method for filling and degassing a pouch contained in a cartridge. A fluid injection unit introduces fluid into a rotatable pouch. The pouch contained in the cartridge is permitted to rotate from a vertical position for degassing and weighing to a horizontal position for fluid introduction. After several rotational cycles, accurate pouch weighing and complete evacuation of the pouch results in a precise fluid loaded pouch.

Abstract: An apparatus precisely delivers a prescribed amount of fluid into a degassed pouch contained in a cartridge. The apparatus has a rotating cartridge holding member that alternately positions the cartridge in either a horizontal position for filling or a vertical position for degassing. A digital weighing element associated with the fixture enables the cartridge to be weighed during the filling process to ensure the delivery of a predetermined amount of fluid.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting and operating two (2) or more secure keypad devices under the domain of a single processing board is disclosed. The processing board communicates with a security module responsible for host transaction processing. The processing board lies between the keypad and the security module serving both the security module (downstream) and the keypad(s) (upstream). The system permits multiple secure keypads to be used in a manner that is invisible to the security module. A unique message sequence is disclosed among multiple keypads in which only one keypad may be deemed active at a given moment for purposes of passing transaction data through the processing board to the security module. The processing board is responsible for linking each of the keypads together and funneling message traffic among them.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system includes a valve body having an exhaust port adapted for fluid communication with a source of exhaust gas, an intake port adapted for fluid communication with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, and a valve member. The system further includes a drive member mounted to the valve body and including a mechanical output which is rotatable in opposed first and second directions. A gear train is operatively disposed between and in engagement with the rotatable mechanical output of the drive member and the valve member. More specifically, the mechanical output rotating in either of the first or second directions imparts linear, reciprocal motion directly to the valve member through the gear train thereby moving the valve member between opened and closed positions to control the flow of exhaust gas from the exhaust port to the intake port.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for an internal combustion engine including a valve body having an exhaust port adapted for fluid communication with a source of exhaust gas, an intake port adapted for fluid communication with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, and a valve member movably supported within the body between open and closed positions thereby controlling the flow of exhaust gas from the exhaust port to the intake port. A diaphragm housing is operatively mounted to the valve body and supported thereby. The diaphragm housing defines a vacuum cavity in fluid communication with a source of negative pressure and an atmosphere cavity in fluid communication with a source of second pressure. A diaphragm member is disposed between the vacuum and atmosphere cavities and is operatively connected to the valve member.

Abstract: A system and method to store a sequence of data records relating to attributes of interactions between fuel dispensers and tags. The data records may be stored on the tag or at a location remote from the tag, such as a fuel dispenser, central site controller or other network. The data records may contain the identity of the dispenser, tag and any attribute of a received signal, such as frequency band or signal strength, or other attribute indicative of proximity. Every dispenser that attempts to communicate with a tag in question adds its own interaction data to a limited history of a tag's past interactions with the same and other dispensers. When a dispenser or central site control system examines the contents of the interaction histories, the detected presence of other dispensers or the relative strength of the recorded interaction attributes will determine what, if any, action is to be taken by the dispensers or central site control system to communicate with the tag at issue.

Abstract: A system for recording a credit or debit transaction on a fuel dispensing apparatus. The system comprises a primary card reader (PCR) for receiving data from a magnetic strip card situated on the exterior housing of the fuel dispensing apparatus and an auxiliary card reader (ACR) for receiving data from a magnetic strip card situated on the exterior housing of the fuel dispensing apparatus. The auxiliary card reader (ACR) is situated such that it is easily accessible to handicapped individuals. Also included is an interface board that accepts input from the primary and auxiliary card readers and determines which of the card readers is currently sending data. Upon determination, the interface board outputs the active card reader data to a card reader in dispenser (CRIND®) board coupled to the interface board. The CRIND® board forwards the active card reader data to a processing device in order to verify and complete the desired transaction.

Abstract: A closed-loop controlled system solenoid actuated EGR valve includes an engine mount for attachment to a vehicle engine, a valve housing to which the engine mount is attached, a motor housing positioned above the valve housing, and a sensor housing. The valve housing includes a valve inlet adapted to receive engine exhaust gas and a valve outlet which communicates the engine exhaust gas from the valve inlet to an engine intake system. The motor housing has a bobbin, an armature, and a valve stem disposed in a bore formed therein. The valve stem is in communication with a plunger extending from the sensor housing to monitor the position of the valve stem with respect to the valve seat. A guide bearing is positioned in the housing to guide the armature while a valve stem bearing is positioned in the valve housing to contact and position the valve stem with respect to the valve seat while a valve opening is being closed.

Abstract: A secure keypad device incorporating measures to prohibit electronic eavesdropping. Random interrogation of the rows and/or columns of a keypad matrix is employed to determine which key has been pressed. Implementation of the random interrogation process utilizes the mathematical factorial (!) function in conjunction with an algorithm that derives an interrogation sequence. A random number is generated and fed to an algorithm which will derive an interrogation sequence. The sequence is relayed to a keypad scanner which performs the actual interrogation in order to determine which key has been pressed. Further measures are taken to guard against electronic eavesdropping. For instance, the algorithm is designed to take the same amount of time for an unsuccessful key scan as it does for a successful key scan. Also, the time spent on an unpressed scan line is approximately equal to the time required to record a valid key press.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bulk tobacco racking device that is designed to assist in loading and closing a sectional bulk tobacco rack of the type including a generaly U-shaped tine section, an elongated bar section, and a pair of latches that extend from said tine section which are adapted to engage and latch with said elongated bar section. The racking device of the present invention comprises a frame structure having a bottom and a pair of laterally spaced side frame assemblies disposed on opposite sides thereof for receiving respective sections of the rack during the loading and racking operation. At least one of said side frame assemblies is laterally adjustable to assure that the respective rack sections are properly fitted and disposed between the side frame assemblies.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring harvested material from a harvester into a trailer moving alongside the harvester at a slightly faster rate, for which purpose a conveyor inclined at an oblique angle to the direction of motion of the vehicles is loaded with harvested material and a shuttling means reciprocates the conveyor and its drive means in the conveying direction while a drive interrupting means causes the conveyor to be driven only during one sense of the reciprocating drive of the shuttling means.

Abstract: A method of handling material which has been harvested comprising the steps of placing the material on a conveyor arranged at an oblique angle to a direction of motion of a trailer and a harvester moving at differential speeds and simultaneously reciprocating the conveyor along its length and driving the conveyor to advance the harvested material therealong from the harvester to the trailer.

Abstract: A carburetor has an induction passage, a fuel circuit and a choke valve positioned at the inlet of the induction passage. A metering rod extends transversely of the induction passage and has a variable diameter end portion projecting into an outlet of the fuel circuit. The metering rod is movable relative to the outlet in response to the choke valve opening and closing to control the quantity of fuel entering the induction passage. An opening force is exerted on the choke valve in response to the vacuum created in the engine, the exertion of this opening force being delayed until after an initial opening force has been exerted on the choke valve. The exertion of the second opening force moves the choke valve from a first position to a second and more fully open position.

Abstract: A staged carburetor has a body in which a pair of induction passages are formed, an inner passage having a venturi and an outer passage encircling the inner passage. A throttle valve positioned at the outlet of the pair of passages controls the flow of air through the passages. Fuel is delivered to the inner passage through a fuel circuit having an outlet at the venturi. A fuel metering rod extends transversely of the passages and has a variable diameter end portion projecting into the outlet. The metering rod is movable relative to the outlet to vary the quantity of fuel delivered. An air valve positioned in the outer passage normally closes the passage whereby air is initially drawn into the engine only through the inner passage. Increased demand for air by the engine results in opening of the air valve so air is drawn into the engine through both passages.