Abstract: Mount and clamp assemblies employed in solar power installations are disclosed. In some embodiments, a mount assembly having a rail and opposing wings extending outwardly from the rail is disclosed. Each wing includes a top surface and a bottom surface for creating a chemical flashing, a groove and a sealant-receiving cavity extending away the bottom surface and upwardly into the wing, and a compressible seal with a circumferential pressure relief passageway. In some embodiments, a clamp having an upper member and a lower member with two horizontal flanges and a vertical flange is disclosed; in this embodiment, adjacent modules may be clamped together without an underlying structure mounted directly below to an installation surface. In another embodiment, a fourth flange is included in the mount assembly; in this embodiment, adjacent modules may be clamped together while being mounted directly to an installation surface.

Abstract: A computerized, interactive eyewear display board system, comprising a plurality of display shelves mounted to a display board's support structure, each of the display shelves comprising at least one light that is adapted to selectively illuminate the respective shelf, the at least one light being controlled a computer processor; and an item tracking mechanism that is adapted to determine which particular eyewear is on each particular respective one of the display shelves. In various embodiments, the display board system is adapted to receive eyewear preference criteria from a user, identify particular eyewear that is placed on a particular one of the display shelves that satisfies the eyewear preference criteria, and in response to determining that the particular eyewear satisfies the eyewear preference criteria, illuminate the particular shelf.

Abstract: A computerized, interactive eyewear display board system, comprising a plurality of display shelves mounted to a display board's support structure, each of the display shelves comprising at least one light that is adapted to selectively illuminate the respective shelf, the at least one light being controlled a computer processor; and an item tracking mechanism that is adapted to determine which particular eyewear is on each particular respective one of the display shelves. In various embodiments, the display board system is adapted to receive eyewear preference criteria from a user, identify particular eyewear that is placed on a particular one of the display shelves that satisfies the eyewear preference criteria, and in response to determining that the particular eyewear satisfies the eyewear preference criteria, illuminate the particular shelf.

Abstract: In a respiratory apparatus for treatment of sleep apnea and other disorders associated with an obstruction of a patient's airway and which uses an airflow signal, an obstruction index is generated which detects the flattening of the inspiratory portion of the airflow. The obstruction index is used to differentiate normal and obstructed breathing. The obstruction index is based upon different weighting factors applied to sections of the airflow signal thereby improving sensitivity to various types of respiration obstructions.

Abstract: A controlled radius of curvature mirror assembly comprising: a distortable mirror having a reflective surface and a rear surface; and in descending order from the rear surface; a counter-distortion plate; a flow diverter having a flow diverter aperture at the center thereof; a flow return plate having a flow return aperture at the center thereof; a thermal isolation plate having a thermal isolation plate aperture at the center thereof and a flexible heater having a rear surface and a flexible heater aperture at the center thereof; a double walled tube defining a coolant feed chamber and a coolant return chamber; said coolant feed chamber extending to and through the flow diverter aperture and terminating at the counter-distortion plate and the coolant return chamber extending to and through the thermal isolation backplate and terminating at the flow diverter; and a coolant feed and a coolant return exit at the rear of said flexible heater.

Abstract: A device for confirming the presence of thread in nuts and other threaded parts has a threaded gage mounted on a holder which is connected through a clutch to a motor. The motor drives the holder to rotate the threaded gage to engage the threaded part. Switches are provided to stop and reverse the motor. The device identifies parts without threads and also damaged and incomplete threads. The device does not impart undue force levels to unthreaded, undersized parts or defective parts. The device confirms threads in threaded blind bores.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting the occurrence of a potential or actual overpressure during assisted ventilation are described. A blower (10) supplies pressurised gas to a conduit (12), and in turn to a patient mask (11) for connection with the entrance of a patient's airways. A pressure sensor (17, 18) detects the delivered pressure in the mask (11), which is provided to a controller (16). The controller (16) has operation over the blower (10) by way of a servo (19) and motor (20). The controller (16) determines a relatively longterm average of the pressure signal, and compares it against a threshold value (40). If the threshold value is approached or exceeded, the controller (16) controls the blower (10) and thus the supplied pressure to the patient. The effect of the control can be to limit or reduce the supplied gas pressure. The relatively longterm average can be of the order of minutes, or taken over ten or more breaths.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac device wherein a reliability indicator is developed for cardiac classification based on the presence or absence of noise. If the classification is unreliable a robust therapy is applied until the cardiac condition is confirmed.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac device includes electrodes for sensing and pacing the heart, and optionally, defibrillation electrodes. The IECG with a noise component sensed in the heart is processed to derive raw sense signals indicative of whether the sensed QRS complexe's range is outside a certain range. This range is dynamically adjusted to compensate for the noise component. Preferably this range is defined by a threshold signal generator which generates a threshold signal including a first part which varies dynamically in accordance with a preset criteria and a second part which is at least equal to the peak amplitude of the noise.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac device includes electrodes for sensing and pacing the heart, and optionally, defibrillation electrodes. The IECG sensed in the heart is processed to derive raw sense signals indicative of whether the sensed QRS complexes exceed a predetermined range. These signals are used to control the pacing pulses, and to detect high amplitude noise. This noise is differentiated from tachycardia.

Abstract: An implantable cardioverter/defibrillator device having an improved sensing system for automatically and rapidly adjusting to changing amplitudes of intracardiac electrogram "ICEG" signals during transitions between normal sinus rhythm and ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation of a patient's heart is disclosed. ICEG signals are sensed, amplified and filtered to remove high frequency and low frequency noise and artifacts therefrom. Crossings of positive and negative threshold levels by the filtered signals are detected and corresponding positive and negative output signals representative thereof are provided.

Abstract: A method, useable in implantable cardioverter defibrillators, for classifying heart rhythms of a patient by means of electrogram morphology. A number of features (metrics) of the electrogram are measured to form a description of the shape of individual electrograms, and the metrics are then converted into a cardiac rhythm diagnosis by means of a pattern classification technique.

Abstract: An implantable cardioverter/defibrillator device having an improved sensing system for automatically and rapidly adjusting to changing amplitudes of intracardiac electrogram "ICEG" signals during transitions between normal sinus rhythm and ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation of a patient's heart is disclosed. ICEG signals are sensed, amplified and filtered to remove high frequency and low frequency noise and artifacts therefrom. Crossings of positive and negative threshold levels by the filtered signals are detected and corresponding positive and negative output signals representative thereof are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the detection and treatment of arrhythmias using a processor having a neural network with a hierarchical arrangement including a first lower level for classifying individual waveforms, a second higher level for diagnosing detected arrhythmias and a third higher level for the application of therapy in response to a diagnosed arrhythmia. The neural network may be a back propogation neural network or an associative memory type neural network. The arrhythmias detected may be at least one of bradycardia, tachycardia and fibrillation. The apparatus may include a cardioverting/defibrillating pacemaker. In general, the apparatus acquires physiological signals representative of heart activity in a patient. A neural network receives the physiological signals and determines if any arrhythmia is present, and if present, selects therapy to be applied to the heart. A therapy generator then applies the therapy selected by the neural network.

Abstract: A continuous quick service device is proposed for use in conjunction with a direct release brake controlling triple valve and which, while not interfering with the emergency valve operation, operates by employing quick action chamber air both as a reference against which brake pipe pressure reductions are detected and as a source of air to operate a pressure responsive device in a reciprocating manner to discharge pulses of air from a reducing brake pipe to afford quick service operation of the triple valve both for initial application from a brakes released condition and for subsequent brake pipe pressure reductions giving rise to increased brake applications. A relay valve serves to operate the pressure responsive device to provide additional sensitivity.

Abstract: An accelerated release valve is proposed for brake control valves, especially direct release triple valves, the accelerated release being triggered by rapid collapse or discharge of quick service volume pressure at commencement of a brake releasing mode.

Abstract: A valve arrangement is provided for giving a continuous quick service facility in a triple valve controlling rail vehicle brakes in response to brake pipe pressure reductions. The arrangement comprises a pressure responsive member which responds to more than a predetermined brake pipe pressure reduction in relation to a reference pressure to operate a pulsator which discharges repetitive pulses of air from the brake pipe for as long as the pressure reduction persists.

Abstract: A fluid operable brake control valve apparatus is provided which includes a brake cylinder valve for controlling the supply of fluid pressure into and out of a brake cylinder. The valve is operable by a main pressure responsive member moveable in response to changes in pressure when applied to a brake pipe. A quick service valve is operable in response to such a change tending to cause a brake application for connecting a quick service volume to the brake pipe to enhance the change at commencement of an application. An accelerated release valve device is operable in response to release of fluid pressure from the quick service volume to connect a charged accelerated release reservoir to the brake pipe to assist a change of pressure in the brake pipe causing such a release.

Abstract: A railway air brake pipe pressure gradient reduction arrangement, wherein pressure gradients along the pipe indicative of a brake pipe pressure fall activate a valve arrangement to temporarily vent the pipe and so speed the brake applying pressure reduction. A further valve arrangement is included for inhibiting venting when a pressure gradient is present due to a pressure rise.

Abstract: An emergency valve device for a direct release triple valve for use in braking systems is proposed and which for rates of fall of brake pipe pressure below a given rate permits a discharge via a restriction to atmosphere of quick action chamber reference pressure but for higher rates this discharge cannot keep up with the rate of fall of brake pipe pressure and the valve device moves further cutting off the restriction and produces a servo action to operate a vent valve connected to the brake pipe and produce an emergency application by connecting the emergency reservoir to the brake cylinders.