Abstract: An improved retractable covering for an architectural opening includes an improved mounting bracket, an improved limit stop to prevent over-retraction and over-extension of the retractable covering, an improved battery pack mounting bracket for attaching a power supply to a head rail of the retractable covering, an improved battery pack mounting apparatus for attaching a battery pack to a head rail, an improved control system for the retractable covering, and an improved method of using a wireless remote control or a manually operated switch to activate a motor to control the configuration of the covering, including the extension or retraction of the covering, and the transmissivity of the covering. The disclosed improvements are field retrofittable.

Abstract: In a variable displacement type hydraulic pump/motor assembly including at least one internally movable component, such as a yoke, a swashplate, and the means for moving the swashplate, the improvement includes imparting on this component absolute location indicia markings and the addition of an optical/electronic sensor unit capable of reading such indicia markings fixedly located on a housing of the pump/motor assembly and including an optical read head extending into the housing interior and located at a spaced distance from the indicia markings for reading same, relative to a reference location, and producing a signal indicative of the absolute position of the movable component. The signal can then, in turn, be used for controlling the displacement of the pump/motor assembly. A method for determining the absolute component position is also set forth.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a software-based computing environment that uses data communication systems or networks, including the Internet and World Wide Web technologies, to implement a dosage calculator, which assists the clinician in managing patients receiving intrathecal therapy. The invention provides for a communications environment for clinicians, pharmacists, drug pump manufactures, and patients to assess the information supplied by an implantable drug pump, and to integrate data from other data sources in order to provide optimization of the life of the drug pump and the therapeutic substance formulations for the patient.

Abstract: A method and system for process model translation is disclosed herein. The method includes generating a common process model based upon a first process model capable of being utilized by a first simulation program. A second process model is then generated based upon the common process model, the second process model being capable of being utilized by a second simulation program.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a software-based environment that uses data communication systems or networks, including the Internet and World Wide Web technologies, to implement a dosage calculator, which assists the clinician in managing patients receiving intrathecal therapy. Medical professionals require integrated data to manage their patients. Implantable drug pumps can supply robust data associated with the drug pump. The invention provides for a communications environment for clinicians, pharmacists, drug pump manufactures, and patients to assess not only the information supplied by an implantable drug pump, but also integrate data from other data sources.

Abstract: A bee dissemination device or dispenser that is non destructive to the hive, is easy to insert, refill, and remove includes a cartridge insertable in a housing. The device is designed to be used by a non professional bee keeper, such as a grower. It is inserted into the entrance of a standard bee hive with minimal disruption to the hive or colony. When the bees exit the hive, they walk up a ramp through a dry biological control suspension and leave the hive, carrying and depositing the biological control agent onto the flowers as they pollinate the crop. When the biological control agent runs low, additional material is added easily by lifting a hinged lid or replacing the old cartridge with a filled one. The lid also provides some moisture protection to keep the biological agent dry, thereby facilitating bee inoculation. The dispenser is removed by simply pulling it from the hive entrance when pollination activities are completed. The removal is non disruptive and does not destroy the integrity of the hive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for grinding a workpiece which is supported for rotation about a first axis with a first grinding wheel supported for rotation about a second axis and a second grinding wheel supported for rotation about a third axis. The first grinding wheel engages with the workpiece in a location which is substantially diametrically opposed to the location at which the second grinding wheel engages with the workpiece. Control means are disclosed for controlling the radial grinding force imparted to the workpiece by the first and second grinding wheels so that the force imparted to the workpiece from the first grinding wheel is substantially equal and opposed to the force imparted to the workpiece by the second grinding wheel to prevent distortion of the workpiece.

Abstract: Processes are provided that in one embodiment provide scribe or scratch marks (16) in the outer surface of an internal combustion engine valve stem (12) that are oriented at an acute angle (alpha) to the central longitudinal axis ("C") of valve stem (12) to promote stress planes that reduce the amount of stress arising in valve stem (12) from bending and reciprocating tensile forces "F" acting thereupon during operation of the engine. In another embodiment two sets of such scribe or scratch marks (26 and (28) are produced that intersect each other to provide a cross-hatch pattern and in yet another embodiment circumferentially spaced scribe or scratch marks (40) are produced in the outer surface of valve stem (36) that are substanially parallel to axis "C" and effective to reduce surface area engagable with a surrounding surface (60) of an insert (58) through which valve stem recirprocates during operation of the engine and to enable maintenance of an elastohydrodynamic lubrication film therebetween.

Abstract: A combined hole cutting and chamfering tool is provided that in a preferred embodiment referenced by numeral (100) features a body member (2) having a lead section ("A") to which is secured a cutting bit (4) having a machining element such as a hole cutting edge (6). Spaced axially from section ("A") is a chamfering section ("B") having at least one chamfer machining element such as cutting edge (12) of a cutting bit (14) facing towards section ("B") and at least one chamfer machining element such as cutting edge (8) of cutting bit (10) facing away from section ("A") and closer thereto than cutting edge (12). Tool (100) is operative to cut a hole (18) through a workpiece such as a plate and then chamfer edges surrounding the hole on opposite sides of the workpiece from one side without having to remove tool (100) from hole (18).

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for machining processes involving the generation of frictional heat in which the workpiece is contacted by a coolant whose viscosity progressively increases with decreasing temperature and by a pressurized fluid that, upon expansion while undergoing a reduction in pressure, absorbs heat and cools the coolant and increases its viscosity to provide a consistency that enhances its lubricity to minimize the generation of frictional heat during the machining process while enhancing conductive heat transfer into the machining tool.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for finish machining forged and/or rough-cut teeth (8) of a ring gear (40) by which a rotary tool such as a rotary carbide milling tool (24) is rotated about a rotational axis "r" that projectionally intersects a bottom surface (12) of tooth (8) as it tracks along a predetermined tool path enabling the rotary tool to be in close proximity to sidewalls (14 and 14') of teeth (8) and thereby eliminating the practice of having to normalize the ring gear microstructure prior to machining teeth (8).