Abstract: An electronically actuated valve assembly for an internal combustion engine is disclosed, wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve stem, and a plurality of shape memory alloy segments in operative communication with the valve stem, wherein each shape memory alloy segment is individually actuatable, and wherein actuation of different shape memory alloy segments is configured to cause different valve lifts.

Abstract: A mode-switching cam follower is disclosed, wherein the follower includes a body, a cam contact movably coupled to the body, and a latch member movably coupled to the body. A shape-memory alloy in communication with the latch member couples and decouples the latch member with the cam.

Abstract: A messaging system may be integrated into a vehicle for electronically sending and receiving messages including textual content. The messages may be email, text messages, and/or instant messages. The messaging system may communicate, via a wireless transceiver, with a communication device located within the vehicle. The communication device may provide incoming messages to the messaging system and may receive outgoing messages from the messaging system for further transmission. The incoming messages may be presented visually or audibly to the occupant of the vehicle. A keyboard for providing textual input may be integrated with a steering wheel of the vehicle. The keyboard may be disabled when the vehicle is determined not to be moving less than a predetermined speed. The messaging system also may receive speech input which may be converted to text and sent to a recipient.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring and storing a vehicle's passenger doors is disclosed. The passenger door may be adjusted from a closed condition, preventing a passenger from accessing the interior of the vehicle, to a stored condition where the passenger door is stored within the vehicle's storage compartment. The passenger door remains supported to the vehicle throughout the process.

Abstract: An electronically actuated valve assembly for an internal combustion engine is disclosed, wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve stem, a shape memory alloy actuator in operative communication with the valve stem, a coolant passage through which at least a portion of the shape memory alloy actuator extends, and a cooling fluid source in communication with the coolant passage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wiper system for a window of a motor vehicle. A wiper assembly is provided that oscillates over the window to remove moisture. A slider member extends outwardly and generally away from the wiper assembly. A pivotal lifter is affixed to the motor vehicle and engages the slider member to pivotally lift the wiper assembly away from the window upon deactivation of the wiper system. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method of making a wiper system in accordance with the above description.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wiper system for a window of a motor vehicle. A wiper assembly is provided that oscillates over the window to remove moisture. A slider member extends outwardly and generally away from the wiper assembly. A pivotal lifter is affixed to the motor vehicle and engages the slider member to pivotally lift the wiper assembly away from the window upon deactivation of the wiper system. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method of making a wiper system in accordance with the above description.

Abstract: A flexibly-jointed, fluid-tight cover for enclosing a portion of an internal combustion engine includes generally rigid structural cover panels which are joined by fluid-tight flexible joints formed from elastomeric material which is either inserted into the rigid structural cover panels after the joint has been molded, or molded in place by inserting the cover parts within a mold and injecting material into the mold to form the flexible fluid-tight joints.

Abstract: An electronically actuated valve assembly for an internal combustion engine is disclosed, wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve stem, a shape memory alloy actuator in operative communication with the valve stem, a coolant passage through which at least a portion of the shape memory alloy actuator extends, and a cooling fluid source in communication with the coolant passage.

Abstract: An electronically actuated valve assembly for an internal combustion engine is disclosed, wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve stem, and a plurality of shape memory alloy segments in operative communication with the valve stem, wherein each shape memory alloy segment is individually actuatable, and wherein actuation of different shape memory alloy segments is configured to cause different valve lifts.

Abstract: A mode-switching cam follower is disclosed, wherein the follower includes a body, a cam contact movably coupled to the body, a latch member movably coupled to the body, wherein the latch member is movable between a coupled position in which the cam contact is held in a fixed relation to the body by the latch member and a decoupled position in which the cam contact is decoupled from the latch member and movable relative to the body, and an actuator in communication with the latch member, wherein the actuator comprises a shape memory alloy member

Abstract: A flexibly-jointed, fluid-tight cover for enclosing a portion of an internal combustion engine includes generally rigid structural cover panels which are joined by fluid-tight flexible joints formed from elastomeric material which is either inserted into the rigid structural cover panels after the joint has been molded, or molded in place by inserting the cover parts within a mold and injecting material into the mold to form the flexible fluid-tight joints.

Abstract: A system and method for securing a fuel injector in an internal combustion engine include a clamp for securing adjacent injectors to a cylinder head. The clamp includes a central portion with a hole for receiving a fastener to secure the clamp to the cylinder head, and a pair of symmetrical crescent-shaped clamping forks forming a U-shaped opening to facilitate lateral sliding engagement with diametrically opposed flatted portions of corresponding fuel injectors. Each arm includes an arcuate pad that engages a corresponding shoulder of the fuel injector to provide an axial clamping force to the fuel injector. The distance between the distal ends of one fork and the semicircular portion of the opposite fork is selected to allow lateral sliding disengagement of the clamp from one of the adjacent injectors without rotation or removal of the other injector to facilitate servicing of individual injectors.

Abstract: A method for detecting the condition of an organism through the measurement of peptides from a sample of said organism containing high- and low-molecular weight peptides, as an indication of the condition of said organism, wherein low-molecular weight peptides are directly detected and characterized; and related to a reference.