Abstract: A device for use with a gripper is provided. A cartridge is provided that defines a plurality of cavities. A plurality of penetrating members are at least partially contained in the cavities of the cartridge. The penetrating members are slidably movable to extend outward from the cartridge to penetrate tissue. Each cavity has a longitudinal opening that provides access to an elongate portion of the penetrating member. A sterility barrier is coupled to the cartridge. The sterility barrier covers a plurality of the longitudinal openings. The sterility barrier is configured to be moved so that the elongate portion is accessed by the gripper without touching the barrier.

Abstract: Reducing the volume or drag on skin or sharpness of the penetrating member entering the wound during the cutting process will reduce the pain associated with lancing, and result in less power desired for retraction of the penetrating member from the skin. A variety of other penetrating member configuration as shown in the application.

Abstract: A process for detecting a state of a catalyst system installed in an exhaust gas channel of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, through which catalyst system exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine flows so that the exhaust gas can be purified, the process including the steps of: detecting at least one operating parameter of the catalyst system over a predetermined time period, determining a total energy output of the internal combustion engine within the predetermined time period, and calculating a characteristic value (k) based on a ratio of the at least one operating parameter to the total energy output.

Abstract: A method for tracking multiple durations in a game without the need for any accounting is provided. The invention readily scales from tracking just a few durations to tracking many durations without slowing the game down. Furthermore, the method provides an opportunity for all players to verify the results, making it suitable for a competitive environment. The method can be applied to any kind of game in which there is a need to track durations over several rounds of play.

Abstract: An exhaust system of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes at least one first gas sensor, which is sensitive for at least one component of the exhaust gas and is arranged in the exhaust system, for determining an air/fuel ratio supplied to the internal combustion engine. It also includes a regulating device for regulating the air/fuel ratio as a function of a signal supplied by the gas sensor and at least one first catalytic converter arranged in the exhaust system. At least one first catalytic converter is arranged in a position of the exhaust system close to the internal combustion engine so that it is upstream from the at least one first gas sensor in the direction of flow of an exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine, and the regulation device includes a regulator which receives the signal of the first gas sensor as input, and in which an algorithm for cylinder-selective determination and regulation of the air/fuel ratio is stored.

Abstract: In accordance with one preferred embodiment, a miniatures playing surface is provided which includes an isometric grid ruling for positioning miniatures.

Abstract: A device for use in penetrating tissue to obtain a body fluid sample is provided. A cartridge may be included. A plurality of penetrating members are slidably coupled to the cartridge. Each penetrating member has a distal end that is sufficiently sharp to pierce tissue. Each penetrating member may be moveable relative to the other ones of the penetrating members so that the sharpened distal ends extend radially outward to penetrate tissue. The penetrating members are elongate members without molded attachments.

Abstract: A device for use with a gripper is provided. A cartridge is provided that defines a plurality of cavities. A plurality of penetrating members are at least partially contained in the cavities of the cartridge. The penetrating members are slidably movable to extend outward from the cartridge to penetrate tissue. Each cavity has a longitudinal opening that provides access to an elongate portion of the penetrating member. A sterility barrier is coupled to the cartridge. The sterility barrier covers a plurality of the longitudinal openings. The sterility barrier is configured to be moved so that the elongate portion is accessed by the gripper without touching the barrier.

Abstract: A keeper and a latch secures a first member such as a door panel against a second member such as a corresponding frame. The keeper is adapted for attachment to the second member and engages the latch in a fastened position.

Abstract: A radial magnetorheological damper is provided which includes a plurality of alternating inner and outer sleeves, a magnetorheological fluid interspersed between them, a return path to return magnetic flux, and a wire coil to produce magnetic flux in the circuit.

Abstract: An exhaust system of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes at least one first gas sensor, which is sensitive for at least one component of the exhaust gas and is arranged in the exhaust system, for determining an air/fuel ratio supplied to the internal combustion engine. It also includes a regulating device for regulating the air/fuel ratio as a function of a signal supplied by the gas sensor and at least one first catalytic converter arranged in the exhaust system. At least one first catalytic converter is arranged in a position of the exhaust system close to the internal combustion engine so that it is upstream from the at least one first gas sensor in the direction of flow of an exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine, and the regulation device includes a regulator which receives the signal of the first gas sensor as input, and in which an algorithm for cylinder-selective determination and regulation of the air/fuel ratio is stored.

Abstract: A latch secures a first member such as a door panel against a second member such as a corresponding frame. The latch comprises a housing for mounting in the first member, a pawl adapted for engaging a keeper in a latched position on the second member and latch actuating means for selectively moving the pawl into a position away from the keeper in order to allow the first member to be opened.

Abstract: A fastener connects panel members in a flush position. The fastener includes a pair of connecting members which are snap-fit within apertures provided within each of the panel members for securing the panel members together. The fastener also disconnects the panel members when secured together. For this purpose, at least one of the connecting members is removable from the panel member aperture to disconnect the panel members. The fastener allows the panels to be assembled together and disassembled quickly and with little or no tooling.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting high temperature catalytic conversion treatment of exhaust gases flowing in a large volume exhaust path comprising a plurality of separate catalyst panel assemblies, and a panel support assembly arranged to be mounted within the exhaust path and to separately removably support each of the plurality of catalyst panel assemblies so that high temperature exhaust gases within the exhaust path will flow therethrough in operation and each panel assembly can be conveniently serviced by simple removal. The panel support assembly includes an outer ambient temperature peripheral frame structure, an inner high temperature peripheral frame structure mounted within the outer peripheral frame structure for temperature responsive expansion and contraction with respect thereto, and an expansible and contractible high temperature resistant peripheral seal assembly between the inner and outer peripheral frame structures for maintaining a flow preventing seal therebetween.

Abstract: A generally mushroom-shaped, open cycle OTEC system and distilled water producer which has a skirt-conduit structure extending from the enlarged portion of the mushroom to the ocean. The enlarged part of the mushroom houses a toroidal casing flash evaporator which produces steam which expands through a vertical rotor turbine, partially situated in the center of the blossom portion and partially situated in the mushroom's stem portion. Upon expansion through the turbine, the motive steam enters a shell and tube condenser annularly disposed about the rotor axis and axially situated beneath the turbine in the stem portion. Relatively warm ocean water is circulated up through the radially outer skirt-conduit structure entering the evaporator through a radially outer portion thereof, flashing a portion thereof into motive steam, and draining the unflashed portion from the evaporator through a radially inner skirt-conduit structure.

Abstract: Two sets of hinged control doors for regulating motive steam flow from an evaporator to a condenser alternatively through a set of turbine blades in a steam bypass around the turbine blades. The evaporator has a toroidal shaped casing situated about the turbine's vertical axis of rotation and an outlet opening therein for discharging motive steam into an annular steam flow path defined between the turbine's radially inner and outer casing structures. The turbine blades extend across the steam flow path intermediate the evaporator and condenser. The first set of control doors is arranged to prevent steam access to the upstream side of the turbine blades and the second set of control doors acts as a bypass around the blades so as to maintain equilibrium between the evaporator and condenser during non-rotation of the turbine. The first set of control doors preferably extend, when closed, between the evaporator casing and the turbine's outer casing and, when open, extend away from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: An improved open cycle ocean thermal energy conversion system including a flash evaporator for vaporizing relatively warm ocean surface water and an axial flow, elastic fluid turbine having a vertical shaft and axis of rotation. The warm ocean water is transmitted to the evaporator through a first prestressed concrete skirt-conduit structure circumferentially situated about the axis of rotation. The unflashed warm ocean water exits the evaporator through a second prestressed concrete skirt-conduit structure located circumferentially about and radially within the first skirt-conduit structure. The radially inner surface of the second skirt conduit structure constitutes a cylinder which functions as the turbine's outer casing and obviates the need for a conventional outer housing. The turbine includes a radially enlarged disc element attached to the shaft for supporting at least one axial row of radially directed blades through which the steam is expanded.

Abstract: A probe mechanism for three-dimensional investigation of conditions in a fluid flow such as exists in a turbo-machine. A sensing head having five sensing orifices therein is mounted on a movable probe finger. The probe finger is interchangeable and streamlined to permit measurement of conditions with minimum flow interference. A movable probe shaft supports the probe finger. The probe finger is movable in a radial, a circumferential, and a polar direction. In addition, a dual eccentric drive permits the probe shaft to be relocated and positioned accurately at any point within a predetermined area. Since the sensing head can be completely aligned with the fluid flow vector, calibration efforts are greatly reduced.