Abstract: A reconfigurable leak testing system includes a leak testing station, an off-shuttle disposed adjacent to the leak testing station, and a fixture cartridge that is translatable between the off-shuttle and the leak testing station. The fixture cartridge is configured to selectively couple with the leak testing station and includes an upper fixture, a lower fixture, and a plurality of actuatable testing features. The fixture cartridge is configured to receive a part between the upper fixture and lower fixture, and the plurality of actuatable testing features are configured to contact the received part to create a closed volume adjacent the part, wherein the closed volume may be pressurized via a pressurized fluid, and examined for leaks.

Abstract: A motor and method of operating the motor are provided. The motor includes a plurality of cylinders arranged in a ring relative to one another and positioned at a non-zero angle relative to one another. Each cylinder includes a piston configured to move within the cylinder. Each cylinder further includes a high-temperature superconductor material in a superconducting state in the presence of an external magnetic field below a critical field strength, wherein the critical field strength is a function of the temperature of the superconductor material. Each cylinder further includes a permanent magnet mechanically coupled to the piston and configured to move within the cylinder and to have a magnetic field that interacts with the superconductor material.

Abstract: A collective knowledge set of business relationship information from a plurality of sources is generated. The collective knowledge set is mapped as a plurality of navigable paths forming a business relationship network between a source and a target. One or more of the paths are identified as candidate paths most likely to lead to a business relationship between the source and the target based on evaluation criteria.

Abstract: A collective knowledge set of business relationship information from a plurality of sources is generated. The collective knowledge set is mapped as a plurality of navigable paths forming a business relationship network between a source and a target. One or more of the paths are identified as candidate paths most likely to lead to a business relationship between the source and the target based on evaluation criteria.

Abstract: An alternating current (AC) generator and method of operating the generator are provided. The generator includes a pair of two opposing cylinders. Each cylinder includes a high-temperature superconductor material at a temperature. The superconductor material is in a superconducting state in the presence of an external magnetic field below a critical field strength, wherein the critical field strength is a function of the temperature of the superconductor material. A sum of a non-zero time-invariant magnetic field strength and a time-varying magnetic field strength cycles between at least a first field strength below the critical field strength for the superconductor material at the temperature and at least a second field strength above the critical field strength for the superconductor material at the temperature, such that the superconductor material cycles between a superconducting state and a non-superconducting state. The generator further includes a piston configured to move within the two cylinders.

Abstract: A motor and a method of operating the motor are provided. The motor includes a plurality of cylinders. Each cylinder includes a piston configured to move within the cylinder. Each cylinder further includes a high-temperature superconductor material at a temperature. The superconductor material is in a superconducting state in the presence of an external magnetic field below a critical field strength, wherein the critical field strength is a function of the temperature of the superconductor material. Each cylinder further includes a permanent magnet mechanically coupled to the piston and configured to move within the cylinder and to have a magnetic field that interacts with the superconductor material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and related system for assisting and expediting an organization production of a more mature product. The method and system may include implementation of processes using a combination of both electronic hardware and software and implementation locally or over a network such as an intranet or the Internet. In another embodiment, the method may be implemented using a document management system to administer files related to the steps in the method. These files may assist a user in the creation of required documentation. A document management tool may be integrated with the document management system to associate documentation with steps in the method. A navigator tool may be employed to create a graphical display of the steps in the method using data contained in the files. Another embodiment of the present invention uses WebDAV-based communication to coordinate access to multiple document repositories.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and related system for assisting and expediting an organization production of a more mature product. The method and system may include implementation of processes using a combination of both electronic hardware and software and implementation locally or over a network such as an intranet or the Internet. In another embodiment, the method may be implemented using a document management system to administer files related to the steps in the method. These files may assist a user in the creation of required documentation. A document management tool may be integrated with the document management system to associate documentation with steps in the method. A navigator tool may be employed to create a graphical display of the steps in the method using data contained in the files. Another embodiment of the present invention uses WebDAV-based communication to coordinate access to multiple document repositories.

Abstract: A vehicle seat latch (24) includes a latch member (40) and a blocking member (70) that each have associated first and second blocking surfaces (80, 82 and 88, 90) for holding the latch member in a latched position with the blocking member in a blocking position. The first blocking surfaces (80 and 88) of the latch member and blocking member have a pressure angle between 4.6 and 6.6 degrees while the second blocking surfaces (82 and 90) have a zero degree pressure angle and are slightly spaced from each other. A deformable blocking portion (84) of the blocking member (70) defines its first blocking surface (88) and is deformed by excessive loading so that the zero degree pressure angle second blocking surfaces (82 and 90) then contact each other to hold the latch member in its latched position.

Abstract: A gun sighting kit (8) and a method for gun sighting are preformed by placing a clear sheet (12) having a concentric circular graph (10) over a cluster of shots (32) on a target (28) that need only have a center location (30). A center (16) of the concentric circular graph has a hole (16?) through which a center (36) of the shot cluster is marked. The kit (8) also includes a square grid (18) on a clear sheet (20) that is then placed over the marked target so that a center (22) of the grid is located at the target center in order to permit determination of the horizontal and vertical deviation of the shot cluster center (36) from the target center, in order to permit necessary gun sight adjustment for proper aiming.

Abstract: A vehicle seat cushion front latch assembly (32) includes an attachment latch (72) for providing attachment to an associated vehicle and includes a support bracket (78) whose pivotal positioning about a latch plate (66) is controlled by a blocking member (86) prevents movement of the attachment latch (72) to an unlatched condition when the support bracket (78) is moved a predetermined extent from its use position toward a storage position.

Abstract: A collective knowledge set of business relationship information from a plurality of sources is generated. The collective knowledge set is mapped as a plurality of navigable paths forming a business relationship network between a source and a target. One or more of the paths are identified as candidate paths most likely to lead to a business relationship between the source and the target based on evaluation criteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and related system for assisting and expediting an organization's development of a more mature product. A preferred embodiment of the method comprises the managing of an organization developing the product, whereby the organizational management comprises managing personnel of the organization and implementing a product improvement process. The method may further comprise managing a project for developing the product and managing the delivery of the product. Furthermore, actions undertaken during the organizational management affects implementation of the project and delivery managements, and the actions undertaken during the project and delivery managements likewise affect implementation of the organizational management. This method may be implemented using a combination of both electronic hardware and software and may be implemented locally or over a network such as an intranet or the Internet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and related system for assisting and expediting an organization's transformation toward higher levels of the Capability Maturity Model (CMM). In particular, the present invention provides a method for producing a more mature product. A preferred embodiment of the method comprises the managing an organization developing the product, whereby the organizational management comprises managing personnel of the organization and implementing a product improvement process. The method may further comprise managing a project for developing the product and managing the delivery of the product. Furthermore, actions undertaken during the organizational management affects implementation of the project and delivery managements, and the actions undertaken during the project and delivery managements likewise affect implementation of the organizational management.

Abstract: A rear vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat cushion member supported by a support sub-assembly having downwardly extending front and rear seat legs. Each front seat leg includes a forked leg member co-operable with an attachment rod on a vehicle floor. Each rear seat leg includes a forked leg portion co-operable with a attachment rod on the vehicle floor. A first moveable lock member mounted on each of the rear seat legs permits selective locking of the respective one of the rear seat legs on the corresponding attachment rod. A biasing spring urges each lock member to a locked position. A manually operable handle is mounted on each of said rear seat legs to provide for selective manipulation of each lock member into an unlocked position, in order to release the rear seat legs with respect to the corresponding attachment rod, thereby to allow the vehicle seat assembly to be pivotal about the attachment rods associated with the front seat legs, between a lowered position and an uptilted position.

Abstract: A portable screen adapted for positionment on a softball field to protect the pitcher from fast-moving batted balls. The screen includes a rigid rectangular frame that is formed by two slidably-connected U-shaped frame elements. Two laterally-spaced foot structures are hingedly connected to lower portions of the frame for supporting the frame in an upright position. The frame and foot structures can be collapsed and folded into a small size package for placement in the trunk of an automobile when it becomes necessary to transport the screen to or from a softball field.