Abstract: The method of manufacturing a magnetic rotor unit comprises providing a composite magnetic rotor body. The composite magnetic rotor body comprises magnetic particles dispersed in a polymer resin. The composite magnetic rotor body has a hole. The method further comprises inserting a shaft into the hole. The outer diameter of the shaft corresponds to the inner diameter of the hole. The method further comprises heating of the shaft. By heating the shaft, the elevated temperature of the shaft surface preferentially induces the polymer resin from an inner surface of the hole to exude or sweat on to the shaft surface, so as to provide a bonding layer between the magnetic rotor body and the shaft. An apparatus for such manufacture, and a magnetic rotor unit manufactured by such method, are also provided. Such rotor units have wide application, and may for example be used in sensors, electromagnetic generators, pulse generators, motors, magnetic brakes and magnetic couplings.

Abstract: A vehicle engine pump assembly (100, 1000, 1100) has a gerotor pump (102), a mechanical drive (106) driven by the engine and an electrical drive (104). A controller (107) selectively engages the mechanical drive to boost pumping effort when required via a clutch.

Abstract: A vehicle engine pump assembly (100, 1000, 1100) has a gerotor pump (102), a mechanical drive (106) driven by the engine and an electrical drive (104). A controller (107) selectively engages the mechanical drive to boost pumping effort when required via a clutch.

Abstract: A vehicle engine pump assembly (100, 1000, 1100) has a gerotor pump (102), a mechanical drive (106) driven by the engine and an electrical drive (104). A controller (107) selectively engages the mechanical drive to boost pumping effort when required via a clutch.

Abstract: A vehicle engine pump assembly (100, 1000, 1100) has a gerotor pump (102), a mechanical drive (106) driven by the engine and an electrical drive (104). A controller (107) selectively engages the mechanical drive to boost pumping effort when required via a clutch.

Abstract: A novel air filter comprises a frame having at least a perimeter portion and a generally open central area. An air filtering member of decomposable organic fibrous material is securely retained by the frame across the generally open central area, to thereby permit filtering of air passing through the generally open central area. The frame member may also be constructed from a decomposable organic fibrous material or from a decomposable plastics material.

Abstract: Approaches for progressively unlocking e-book content are provided wherein access is granted to a first set of e-books, wherein the first set is a subset of a second set of e-books to which access is restricted. Data is received indicating that one of the e-books in the first set has been read, and then it is determined whether access to an e-book in the second set should be granted. If so, access to an e-book in the second set is granted, wherein the e-book in the second set is chosen based upon an analysis of previously-read e-books in the first set.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide kits, systems, and methods for treating a patient's erectile dysfunction. An embodiment of a kit, for example, includes a pressure pump, a plurality of elongated vacuum chambers, and a plurality of penile tension devices positioned in a container. An embodiment of a system, for example, includes a pressure pump, an elongated vacuum chamber selected from a plurality of elongated vacuum chambers positioned in a kit, and a penile tension device selected from a plurality of penile tension devices positioned in a kit. An embodiment of a method, for example, includes examining a patient, selecting an elongated vacuum chamber from a plurality of vacuum chambers positioned in a kit based upon the examination, and selecting a penile tension device from a plurality of penile tension devices positioned in the kit responsive to the examination.

Abstract: Amongst other things, there is provided an air filter that is for use in a duct having one or more walls. The air filter comprises a peripheral frame that includes a substantially resilient and compressible casing, and a substantially rigid internal skeleton within the casing. The air filter also comprises a filter element attached about its entire perimeter in sealed relation to the casing of the peripheral frame. The filter element is adapted to remove contaminants from air passing through the duct. When the air filter is in use, it is positioned in the duct such that the casing of the peripheral frame is compressed against the walls of the duct in substantially air-sealed relation therewith.

Abstract: Amongst other things, an air filter apparatus is provided having a filter element and a frame defining a first axis and having a plurality of rails connected to one another for supporting the filter element in removably surrounded relation between the rails. The filter element is convertible between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration, and spans the length of said first axis in the extended configuration. The filter element is adapted to releasably engage two or more of the rails, thereby to selectively retain the filter element in the extended configuration thereof, and so as to place the air filter apparatus in an operative configuration thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide kits, systems, and methods for treating a patient's erectile dysfunction. An embodiment of a kit, for example, includes a pressure pump, a plurality of elongated vacuum chambers, and a plurality of penile tension devices positioned in a container. An embodiment of a system, for example, includes a pressure pump, an elongated vacuum chamber selected from a plurality of elongated vacuum chambers positioned in a kit, and a penile tension device selected from a plurality of penile tension devices positioned in a kit. An embodiment of a method, for example, includes examining a patient, selecting an elongated vacuum chamber from a plurality of vacuum chambers positioned in a kit based upon the examination, and selecting a penile tension device from a plurality of penile tension devices positioned in the kit responsive to the examination.

Abstract: A kit and system for treating plaque formation in a patient's extremity are provided. A pressure pump and at least two elongated vacuum chambers are included in the kit and system. Each chamber has a proximal longitudinal end adapted to receive a patient's extremity and a distal longitudinal end adapted to be positioned in fluid communication with the pressure pump so that a pressure is created inside each of the at least two vacuum chambers and exerted upon the extremity received therein when the pressure pump is operating. One of the at least two vacuum chambers has a different inner circumference than another one of the at least two vacuum chambers so that a different level of prevention from bending is provided to the extremity in the direction of the plaque formation with each of the at least two vacuum chambers during operation of the pressure pump. Methods for treating plaque formation in a patient's extremity are also provided.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant, martensitic steel alloy having very good cold formability is described. The alloy has the following weight percent composition. Carbon 0.10-0.40 Manganese 0.01-2.0 Silicon 2.0 max. Phosphorus 0.2 max. Sulfur 0.030 max. Chromium 10-15 Nickel 0.5 max. Molybdenum 0.75-4.0 Nitrogen 0.02-0.15 Copper 1.5-4.0 Titanium 0.01 max. Aluminum 0.01 max. Niobium + Tantalum 0.10 max. Vanadium 0.20 max. Zirconium less than 0.001 Calcium less than 0.001 The balance of the alloy is essentially iron. Nickel and copper are balanced in the alloy such that the ratio Ni/Cu is less than 0.2. A second embodiment of the alloy contains at least about 0.005% sulfur, selenium, or a combination thereof to provide good machinability.

Abstract: A kit and system for treating plaque formation in a patient's extremity are provided. A pressure pump and at least two elongated vacuum chambers are included in the kit and system. Each chamber has a proximal longitudinal end adapted to receive a patient's extremity and a distal longitudinal end adapted to be positioned in fluid communication with the pressure pump so that a pressure is created inside each of the at least two vacuum chambers and exerted upon the extremity received therein when the pressure pump is operating. One of the at least two vacuum chambers has a different inner circumference than another one of the at least two vacuum chambers so that a different level of prevention from bending is provided to the extremity in the direction of the plaque formation with each of the at least two vacuum chambers during operation of the pressure pump. Methods for treating plaque formation in a patient's extremity are also provided.

Abstract: Shower trays and like articles are formed from a composite article in which an outer shell of plastics material encases a core of filler. The outer shell includes upper and lower members that co-operate to form the outer shell.

Abstract: A kit and system for treating plaque formation in a patient's extremity are provided. A pressure pump and at least two elongated vacuum chambers are included in the kit and system. Each chamber has a proximal longitudinal end adapted to receive a patient's extremity and a distal longitudinal end adapted to be positioned in fluid communication with the pressure pump so that a pressure is created inside each of the at least two vacuum chambers and exerted upon the extremity received therein when the pressure pump is operating. One of the at least two vacuum chambers has a different inner circumference than another one of the at least two vacuum chambers so that a different level of prevention from bending is provided to the extremity in the direction of the plaque formation with each of the at least two vacuum chambers during operation of the pressure pump. Methods for treating plaque formation in a patient's extremity are also provided.

Abstract: A penile tensioning system, device, kit, and methods of using same are provided. The penile tensioning device includes a constriction body region of bendable and stretchable material having outer surface peripheries and inner surface peripheries substantially surrounding a medial aperture. The inner surface peripheries are adapted to substantially surround and abuttingly contact outer surface peripheries of a proximal portion of a penis for substantially evenly applying constriction pressure around the circumference of the penis when positioned thereon. The penile tensioning device also includes a pair of the tension positioning and release grips connected to the outer peripheries of the constriction body region, each having a pair of separate and spaced apart finger apertures and positioned substantially opposite each other to impart a stretching force to the constriction body region to increase the inner diameter of the medial aperture to allow positioning and removal of the device from the penis of a user.

Abstract: A kit and system for treating plaque formation in a patient's extremity are provided. A pressure pump and at least two elongated vacuum chambers are included in the kit and system. Each chamber has a proximal longitudinal end adapted to receive a patient's extremity and a distal longitudinal end adapted to be positioned in fluid communication with the pressure pump so that a pressure is created inside each of the at least two vacuum chambers and exerted upon the extremity received therein when the pressure pump is operating. One of the at least two vacuum chambers has a different inner circumference than another one of the at least two vacuum chambers so that a different level of prevention from bending is provided to the extremity in the direction of the plaque formation with each of the at least two vacuum chambers during operation of the pressure pump. Methods for treating plaque formation in a patient's extremity are also provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a building structure partially covered with siding panels, the outer surface of which are transparent to solar energy, the panels being slightly spaced from an insulating wall of the building to allow a fluid flow, preferably air, therebetween with effective heat exchange from a solar radiation absorbing surface with the fluid being selectively utilizable for space heating purposes or other purposes. The air can be moved by fans or convection or both. A preferred embodiment employs small horizontal lenticular lenses in the transparent material on the surface of the siding together with a mask, which may be three dimensional, on the back of the siding with the result that when the siding is viewed from the horizontal it displays a decorative color while it is highly reflective for solar rays at high angles of elevation and is transparent for solar rays at low angles of elevation, as during winter months.