Abstract: A control system comprises a utility power line; a first meter, a first generator, a second meter and a programmable logic controller. The utility power line provides power. The first meter is positioned to measure power provided by a utility company via the utility power line. The first generator generates additional power. The second meter is positioned to measure power generated by the first generator. The programmable logic controller is in communication with the first meter and the second meter to receive input information. The programmable logic controller is also in communication with the first generator to selectively control the first generator in response to the input information. The programmable logic controller controls the first generator to keep power provided by the utility company via the utility power line below a first amount at a first time.

Abstract: A throttle control system in a first position allows movement of an actuator arm by a trigger to move a cable connected to an engine such that the engine may operate between idle and full speed. In a second position, the actuator arm rests against a stationary cam so that the engine operates at a predetermined speed irrespective of the position of the trigger.

Abstract: An adjustable pnemostasis valve and method for providing a fluid seal around the periphery of endoscopic viewing scopes and instruments having a wide variety of cross-sectional sizes. The valve (8) comprises a first valve member (50) having an opening for receiving an elongated object, such as a percutaneous access device, viewing scope or an endoscopic instrument, and a flexible membrane (60) defining an aperture substantially aligned with the opening in the first valve member. A second valve member (40) is coupled to the flexible membrane for moving the membrane relative to the first valve member. As the membrane is moved by the second valve member, the size of the aperture varies so that the membrane can accommodate various sized instruments.

Abstract: Methods and systems for introducing articles and surgical instruments to target body cavities utilize conformable sleeves which are percutaneously positioned within the cavity. Articles may then be passed directly through the conformable sleeve, without use of a rigid cannula, either by pushing the articles inwardly through the sleeve using an introducer or pulling the articles inwardly through the sleeve using a tapered carrier. Surgical instruments are also passed directly inwardly through the sleeve. Such systems and methods may be used in a variety of minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: A method for differentially etching an N-sided polygon aperture through a first major surface of a <100> silicon wafer along the <111> planes begins with depositing a mask and defining therein a first intermediate polygon aperture having at least 4N+2 sides, where N is a positive integer. At least one side is generally parallel to the <110> plane, and the intersection of a second side and a third side of the first intermediate polygon is located generally along a major crystal axis perpendicular to the <110> plane. The included angle between the second and third sides expands during anisotropic etching to form one of the N sides of the polygon located along the major axis perpendicular to the <110> plane.

Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed for ejecting space vehicles from a launch vehicle. The dispenser includes an inverted outer truncated cone and an upright inner truncated cone positioned within the outer cone and connected thereto at lower end portions thereof. The cones are mounted on the launch vehicle. The dispenser also includes a mounting platform secured to the outer cone and inner cone at upper end portions thereof. Hinges detachably pivotally mount the space vehicles on the mounting platform, and separation nuts and bolts releasably secure the vehicles to the platform. Spring actuators mounted in the platform provide pivoting of all or any individual vehicle relative to the mounting platform resulting in separation and ejection of the vehicles from the launch vehicle.

Abstract: (-)-Galanthamine is obtained in substantially high yield and purity substantially without concomitant production of epigalanthamine by conversion of racemic narwedine to (-)-narwedine and subsequent reduction to (-)-galanthamine using bulky organo-aluminum or organo-boron reducing agents.

Abstract: A steering helm (11) for a boat (13) having a motion-transmitting core element assembly (10) connected between the steering helm (11) of a boat (13) and a steering system (15). The motion-transmitting core element assembly (10) has a motion-transmitting core element (12) extending through a conduit (14) to the steering system (15). The conduit (14) is attached to the steering helm (28) via a coupler (16). The coupler (16) comprises a female housing (28) and a male coupler (22). The male coupler (22) is attached to the flexible conduit (14) and is substantially cylindrical with an outer diameter smaller than the first inner diameter of female housing (28). The male coupler (22) has a leading chamfered surface (24) and a relief (26) disposed adjacent to the leading chamfered surface (24). The female housing (28) has a locking assembly (30) comprising a ring (32) and a spring ( 34).

Abstract: An assembly (10) for connection between a steering wheel (12) and a steerable member (14) includes a clutch mechanism (28) operatively connected to the steering wheel (12) and a drive mechanism (30) connected between the clutch mechanism (28) and a push pull cable (22). The push pull cable (22) is in turn connected to the steerable member (14). The clutch mechanism (28) prevents torsional forces from the steerable member (14) to be transmitted to the steering wheel (12). The clutch mechanism (28) includes a driving dog (38) connected to the steering wheel shaft (18) and a pinion member (40) connected to the drive mechanism (30). The driving dog (38) includes three radially extending legs (44, 45, 46) and the pinion member (40) includes arcuate arms (64, 65, 66) extending therebetween. Rollers (84-89) are biased by springs (96-98) to be wedged between the arms (64, 65, 66) and housing (32), and are released only upon rotation of the legs (44, 45, 46).

Abstract: A motion-transmitting remote control assembly (10) comprises a flexible conduit (14) with a flexible core element (12) passing therethrough. The flexible conduit (14) has a male coupler (22) attached to one end of the flexible conduit (14). The male coupler (22) comprises a leading chamfered surface (24) and a relief (26) for being locked into a first type of female housing (28) via a spring biased locking ring (32). The male coupler (22) also includes a truncated convex surface (29) which, along with the relief (26), allows the male coupler (22) to be locked into a second type of female housing (110) having removable bolt (116) passing therethrough. The long cylindrical body portion (118) of the bolt (116) positively abuts the relief (26) to lock the male coupler (22) in the female housing (110).

Abstract: A boat steering assembly (10) having a substantially circular rotary gear (12) engaging an output gear such that the leverage is varied between the output gear (16, 16') and the steering wheel (32). The steering wheel (32) has a shaft gear (28) engaging in idler gear (22) which eccentrically rotates the circular gear (12) about the first axis (14). The eccentrically rotating circular gear (12) engages the output gear (16, 16') having a partially sinusoidal profile thereby automatically varying the distance (i.e., leverage) between the first axis (14) and a point of contact (52) between the circular (12) and output (16, 16') gears.

Abstract: A universal joint for use in an automobile tilt wheel assembly includes a first (12) and second (28) shaft. The end of the first shaft (12) includes a pin (20) extending on opposite sides of the first shaft (12). A pair of caps (22) having a circular outer periphery are rotatably disposed on the pin (20). Two socket member halves (34) interconnect the first shaft (12) and the second shaft (28). The socket members (34) define a circular pocket (36) for receiving the first end of the first shaft (12). The socket members (34) mate in a plane containing the axis of the pin (20). The socket members (34) define an outwardly flared recess (40, 41) to accommodate the sides (17) of the first shaft (12) during rotational movement of the cap members (22) in the circular pocket (36) and to accommodate movement of the first shaft (12) about the axis of the pin ( 20).

Abstract: A telescopic helm (10) having a steering drive shaft (12) and a steering wheel shaft (14) separated by a collet (32) to axially adjust the position of a steering wheel hub (18) of a vehicle. The steering wheel shaft (14) has an inner wedged surface (20) and the collet (32) has an outer wedged surface (22) which, when in contact with each other, produce a radially, inwardly directed force that grips the steering drive shaft (12) preventing axial movement of the steering wheel shaft (14). When the wedged surfaces (20,22) are moved out of contact with each other, the radially inwardly directed force is relieved allowing the steering wheel shaft (14) to move axially relative to the support structure (24). The assembly is characterized by the collet (32) having fingers defining the wedged surfaces (22) for clamping engagement inwardly about the steering wheel shaft (14).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for propelling a borescope being used to inspect inaccessible areas comprises one or more reaction jets attached to the borescope, the reaction jets expelling gas, liquid or other fluids to produce a reaction thrust force on the borescope. In one embodiment, a reaction jet is fastened to the remote head of an articulateable borescope, and the propulsion direction is controlled by an operator who views a desired aim point at the output end of the borescope cable, and articulates the borescope head to point at the desired aim point. In another embodiment, the orientation of the thrust vector of the reaction jets is controllable, permitting an operator to control the direction of travel of a borescope not necessarily possessing an independent articulation capability.

Abstract: An assembly to eliminate slack in a length of cord (20, 120) extending between axially spaced first (12, 112) and second (14, 114) cylindrical members. The cord (20) is wrapped in coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) on the interior side walls (18, 19, 118, 119) of each member (12, 14, 112, 114). A control means (34, 134) acts between the members (12, 14, 112, 114) and coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) to coil the cord (20, 120) onto one coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) while uncoiling the cord (20, 120) from the other coiled length (24, 22, 124, 122). A guide means (36, 136) guides the cord (20, 120) onto and off of one of the coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) while rolling means (38, 138) hold the coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) in position to eliminate slack.

Abstract: A motion-transmitting remote control assembly of the type including a flexible motion-transmitting core element movably supported in a conduit (28) supported by a fitting (12). A helical groove (24 ) is formed in a bore (14) in the fitting (12) and a raised helical ridge (30) extends radially from the conduit (28) and fills the helical groove (24) to provide retention of the conduit (28) within the bore (14) of the fitting (12). An apparatus (10) and method for attaching the fitting (12) to the conduit (28) wherein the fitting (12) is rotatably supported by a mandrel (82) as the conduit (28) is clamped (42) and forced into the bore whereby frictional engagement with the bore (14) of specific configuration causes the material of the conduit (28) to soften and move radially outwardly (30) to fill the helical groove (24).

Abstract: A small engine throttle control which includes three molded plastic parts, two mating parts forming a housing and a third part, a lever pivotally mounted in side the housing and extending to the exterior thereof with a spring detent and rack structure between the lever and the housing to retain the throttle lever in any desired set position and with an enlarged ridge maintaining the throttle lever in idle position and preventing inadvertent stopping because such detent is larger and thus requires a positive force to move the throttle lever to stop position.

Abstract: A lawn mower having a housing mounted on wheels, an engine, a cutting blade, a brake connected to stop the cutting blade's rotation, a brake actuating arm connected to the brake, a spring biasing the brake arm to the set or braking position, a U-shaped handle connected to the housing and extending upward and rearward with a cross portion at its outer end, an actuating arm on the engine, a control housing secured to the side of the handle, a spring biasing the actuating arm toward stopped position, a control line connected to actuating arm extending through a sheath to a control lever in the control housing, a deadman lever in the control housing, the control lever and the deadman levers being interconnected so that the deadman lever retains the control lever in running position while the deadman lever is held in operating position but the control lever is released to stop position when the deadman lever is released.

Abstract: A motion-transmitting remote control assembly (10) comprises a flexible conduit (14) with a flexible core element (12) passing therethrough. The flexible conduit (14) has a male coupler (22) attached to one end of the flexible conduit (14). The male coupler (22) comprises a leading chamfered surface (24) and a relief (26) for being locked into a first type of female housing (28) via a spring biased locking ring (32). The male coupler (22) also includes a truncated convex surface (29) which, along with the relief (26), allows the male coupler (22) to be locked into a second type of female housing (110) having removable bolt (116) passing therethrough. The long cylindrical body portion (118) of the bolt (116) positively abuts the relief (26) to lock the male coupler (22) in the female housing (110).