Abstract: A variable cam timing phaser for an internal combustion engine with at least one camshaft includes a housing (144), a rotor (138), and a phaser control valve (168). The phase control valve is offset from a center axis of rotation through the camshaft of the phaser and may also be parallel to the center axis of rotation. The phaser control valve directs fluid flow to shift the relative angular position of the rotor relative to the housing. The phaser may be cam torque actuated, oil pressure actuated, or torsion assist.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of evaluating whether an image under test is similar to a reference image, the method comprising performing a test on pairs of blocks in turn, each pair of blocks comprising a block of the image under test and a corresponding block of the reference image, the test comprising calculating a difference measure indicative of the difference between the blocks and comparing the difference measure to a threshold, wherein the test is passed if the difference measure betters the threshold, and the image under test and the reference image are deemed to be similar if the test is passed by all of the pairs of blocks.

Abstract: A variable cam timing phaser for an internal combustion engine with at least one camshaft includes a housing (144), a rotor (138), and a phaser control valve (168). The phase control valve is offset from a center axis of rotation through the camshaft of the phaser and may also be parallel to the center axis of rotation. The phaser control valve directs fluid flow to shift the relative angular position of the rotor relative to the housing. The phaser may be cam torque actuated, oil pressure actuated, or torsion assist.

Abstract: A remote timer, thermometer and paging system includes a first unit having a radio frequency transmitter, a housing having a recess formed therein and a timer for selecting a time period. The system includes a temperature sensor in communication with the first unit for measuring temperature. The system also includes a second unit having a radio frequency receiver adapted to communicate with the radio frequency transmitter of the first unit. The first unit is adapted to wirelessly transmit an alert signal to the second unit when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor matches a pre-selected temperature or when the selected time period has expired. The second unit is insertible into the recess for storage inside the first unit and is removable from the first unit for moving the second unit to a remote location away from the first unit.

Abstract: A snowshoe binding engages the sole of the user's boot in a region between the arch and the widest part of the sole, gripping the sole laterally and sufficiently firmly that the boot will not pull out of the binding during use of the snowshoe, even in the absence of a heel strap. The arch area of the boot typically is narrower in width than the ball of the foot, providing a rearwardly tapering region for positive engagement against pulling back of the boot in the binding. By engaging the boot at the sole, the binding can put pressure on the boot not felt by the user. In one form the sole engaging binding device has a width adjustment with a sliding element, and the firmly clamping sole engagement preferably is accomplished with a cam that engages when a strap is tightened. An efficient buckle and strap are also disclosed.

Abstract: A blood pump (26) includes a stator assembly including a fluid inlet (24) and a fluid outlet (26). A rotor assembly (120) includes an impeller (40) rotatable about an axis (44) to move fluid from the inlet (24) to the outlet (26). A motor (50) imparts rotation of the impeller (40) about the axis (44). The motor (50) includes a motor stator (52) fixed to the stator assembly (122), a motor rotor (54) fixed to the rotor assembly (120), and a radial motor gap (34) between the stator (52) and the rotor (54). The pump (20) is configured to direct a mixed blood flow from the fluid inlet (24) to the fluid outlet (26) and a wash flow through the motor gap (34).

Abstract: A continuous process for producing oriented plastic tube is disclosed having the steps of extrusion (12) of a tube to an initial extruded diameter, temperature conditioning (18), diametrical expansion (20) and cooling (30), characterised by control of the circumferential draw ratio by the step of adjusting the diameter of the extruded tube to an adjusted diameter by means of a variable diameter calibrator (13) located between said extrusion and temperature conditioning steps. A process line for carrying out the invention is also disclosed. Further embodiments of the invention include adjustment of the extruded wall thickness and compensatory adjustment of the adjusted diameter so as to effect a change in final wall thickness with unchanged draw ratio, a process for changing final product diameter and a start-up procedure for the process.

Abstract: A spool valve for variable cam timing phaser comprising a spool, a plurality of check valves and passages from the advance chamber and the retard chamber to a port in the spool valve. The spool having at least two lands separated by a central spindle, slidably mounted within a bore. When the spool is in the first position, fluid from the advance chamber flows through the passage and the port to the bore surrounding the central spindle of the spool valve and through a check valve and port to the passage to the retard chamber. When the spool is in the second position, fluid from the retard chamber flows through the passage and the port to the bore surrounding the central spindle of the spool valve and through a check valve and port to the passage to the advance chamber.

Abstract: A temperature probe is provided. The temperature probe preferably includes a tip made from a material having a relatively high thermal conductivity coefficient, an insulating member and metallic tubular member. The insulating member serves as a thermal buffer between the tip and the tubular member.

Abstract: A pump (10) includes a housing (14) having a fluid inlet (26) and a fluid outlet (28). A rotor (12) is disposed within the housing (14) and rotatable about an axis (16) to move fluid from the fluid inlet (26) to the fluid outlet (28). A magnetic axial bearing (286) for supporting the rotor (12) includes an axial bearing target (70) disposed on the rotor and an axial bearing stator (130) disposed on the housing, the axial bearing stator including multiple stator poles (132a, 132b, 132c) each including a first coil portion wound in a first direction and a second coil portion wound in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A foundation comprising one or more layers or mattresses of tires, and a fill material provided within and/or between tires of each of the mattresses. The fill material is preferably a relatively coarse aggregate and provides a porous bed having relatively high drainage capacity. The lowermost mattress is typically wrapped in a porous sheet such as a geofabric cloth which is designed to allow the passage of water across the lowermost mattress whilst preventing the ingress of relatively finer material into the fill material and which can otherwise lead to degeneration of the foundation. At least some of the tires typically also have an upper sidewall removed therefrom.

Abstract: A resource file (36) comprises resource data defining one or more resources usable by embedded application program means (32) for operating a user interface of an electronic device (11). The resource file (36) is separate from the application program means (32) and the resource file (36) has a searchable structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foundation comprising one or more layers or mattresses of tyres such as 12 and 14, and a fill material provided within and/or between tyres of each of the mattresses 12 and 14. The fill material 16 is preferably a relatively coarse aggregate and provides a porous bed having relatively high drainage capacity. The lowermost mattress 14 is typically wrapped in a porous sheet such as a geofabric cloth which is designed to allow the passage of water across the lowermost mattress 14 whilst preventing the ingress of relatively finer material into the fill and which can otherwise lead to degeneration of the foundation. At least some of the tyres typically also have an upper sidewall removed therefrom.