Abstract: There is provided a feedback-controlled self-heat-monitoring fiber, including an insulator having a fiber length with at least one metal-semiconductor-metal thermal sensing element along the fiber length and disposed at a position in a cross section of the fiber for sensing changes in fiber temperature. An electronic circuit is connected to the thermal sensing element for indicating changes in fiber temperature. A controller is connected for controlling optical transmission through an optical transmission element, that is disposed along the fiber length, in response to indications of changes in fiber temperature.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are as defined in the description, processes for the preparing such compounds, new intermediates employed in their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, and uses of the compounds in therapy.

Abstract: A pretensioner (20) for use with a seat belt system, the pretensioner comprising: a straight first tube (22) having a cylindrical wall (22a), a first end (24) and a second end (26), at least one of the first end (24) or the second end (26) having an opening (32); the first tube includes a first opening (38) in the wall (22a) to receive a second tube (50), the second tube (50) having a first end portion (52), a second end portion (56) and a medial portion (54), the medial portion configured to have a circular curvature of radius R1; the second end portion is situated so that its center is collinear with a central axis (64) extending through the center of the first tube (22) and wherein an axis extending through the center of the first end portion is arranged at an acute angle relative to the central axis (64); a pyrotechnic element (40) is provided at one end of the first tube to provide products of combustion to drive a piston (100) down the first tube, the motion of the piston moving a cable (80) in a direct

Abstract: There is provided a thermal sensing fiber including a semiconducting element having a fiber length and characterized by a bandgap energy corresponding to a selected operational temperature range for the fiber in which there can be produced a change in thermally-excited electronic charge carrier population in the semiconducting element in response to a temperature change in the selected temperature range. At least one pair of conducting electrodes is provided in contact with the semiconducting element along the fiber length, and an insulator is provided along the fiber length.

Abstract: The present invention provides printed circuit boards, EMI shields, and methods that provide an EMI absorbing material and an EMI reflecting material. In one embodiment, the EMI shield comprises a shield body and an EMI absorbing material coupled to the shield body.

Abstract: Providing access control for an application is disclosed. An application is monitored. An application profile is generated for the application. The application profile is based at least in part on behavior of the application as observed through the monitoring of the application. The application profile defines one or more access controls associated with the application.

Abstract: A plug-in rechargeable flashlight that may be inserted into a conventional cigarette lighter or battery power source receptacle found in an automobile, airplane, boat or other vehicle. The flashlight has light emitting diodes as the primary light source located on the end of the flashlight which is insertable into the power receptacle concealing the light source. When the flashlight is plugged into the receptacle the primary light source is extinguished. The flashlight is further provided with an electrical output connection at the opposite end of the primary light source allowing the flashlight to serve as a replacement socket for the power receptacle consumed by the flashlight. The replacement socket provides an electrical connection for receipt of additional powered accessories, or limited in use to pre-selected items such as a USB port, AC port, backlighting, and so forth.

Abstract: A height adjuster (200) for a vehicle safety restraint comprising: a rail (230) for providing a vertical path guide for a carrier (220); the carrier (220) configured to be vertically movable along the rail to one of a plurality of locations, the carrier also configured to rotationally support the web guide (210). The height adjuster also comprises a lock mechanism (240) movable between a locked and an unlocked condition, when in a locked condition the carrier is prohibited from moving down the rail and when in an unlocked condition the carrier is free to be moved; and a return spring mechanism (300) comprising a coiled return spring having an interior or coiled end (372) and a distal end (376), the interior end configured not to rotate as the carrier is moved and a distal end of the return spring secured to one of the carrier and release mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides shielded printed circuit boards and electronic devices. The printed circuit board may comprise an internal network of grounded conductive elements that are coupleable to an EMI shield that is mounted on the printed circuit board. The network of grounded conductive elements are coupleable to a grounded layer and to the EMI shield and provides improved EMI shielding through the volume of the printed circuit board below an electronic component mounted on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for detecting vapor-phase materials and/or photofragments thereof including energetic materials and decomposition products thereof, molecules or analytes at a stand-off distance. The methods provide for the stimulation of the ground state vapor phase to an excited state using a high fluence temporally and spatially focused ultraviolet laser pulse. The detection of back-scattered amplified spontaneous emission from the excited state vapor-phase material indicates the presence of the vapor phase materials.

Abstract: An application for a method of heating water includes burning fuel to produce hot gases and heating a first mass of water with a first heat exchanger coupled to the hot gases. Heat remaining after the hot gases pass through the first heat exchanger is used by a second heat exchanger to heat a second mass of water. The first mass of water is partially isolated from the second mass of water and the first mass of water is contained substantially within the second mass of water. The second mass of water is colder than the first mass of water and, thereby, condenses more water vapor out of the hot gases.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a workpiece in a working orientation with respect to a portable operating device when the apparatus is in an assembled orientation, the operating device cooperating with the apparatus to apply at least one operating element to the workpiece at least one predetermined work site when the workpiece is in the working orientation, includes: (a) a base unit configured for effecting a first cooperative fitting with the operating device in a first orientation; (b) a receiving unit configured for effecting a second cooperative fitting with the workpiece in a second orientation; and (c) an orienting structure configured for effecting a third cooperative fitting the receiving unit with the base unit to situate the apparatus in the assembled orientation.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) has an actuator (14) for unlocking and locking the seat belt retractor (10) An inertial sensor (18) detects changes in vehicle acceleration and interacts with the actuator (14) to lock and unlock the seat belt retractor (10). The inertial sensor (18) has one inertial sensor mass, each mass (26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33) has a wide portion (70) and a narrow portion (72). Preferably each inertial sensor mass (26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33) has a high density body (31) embedded in the wide portion (70) of the elastomeric material (34). The inertial sensor mass (26, 27, 29, 36, 32, 33) has a greater density than the elastomeric material (34) Moreover, the elastomeric material (34) at least partially surrounds an exterior circumferential surface (38) of the inertial sensor mass (26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33).

Abstract: A quick connect anchor 20 for attachment to a cooperating fastener 110, the anchor including: a plate 30 configured to be placed over the fastener and configured to be moved in a first direction from a free position to a locked position; and a resilient blocking member 50 movable with the plate from a first position, in which the resilient member is free from the fastener, to an engaged position in engagement with a portion of the fastener, to resiliently connect the plate with the fastener when the plate is in its locked position.

Abstract: A shielded cable includes a cable body that is surrounded by a vacuum metallized layer. The metallized layer can be grounded with a metallized thermoform connector. Optionally, an insulating top coating can be disposed over the metallized layer over the cable body.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system including: a seat belt pretensioner comprising a curved cable guide and a flexible cable, having a determinable stiffness to bending, positioned about and movable relative to the cable guide. One end of the cable is adapted to be connected to a piston for moving the cable (or alternately to a static anchor) and an opposite end of the cable adapted to be operably connected to a seat belt buckle, a portion of the cable impregnated with a first material to increase the stiffness of the cable, the cable configured to be drawn into the cable guide and to dissipate energy as it is so moved. Additionally, the first material covers the exterior of the cable and is of determinable thickness.

Abstract: The present invention includes improved RFID antennae and tags and methods of manufacturing the RFID antennas. The RFID tags of the present invention include a substrate that comprises an antenna assembly. A radiofrequency integrated circuit is in electrical communication with a portion of the antenna assembly. The RFID tag may include a structure, such as a lid element, that clamps and/or compresses the radiofrequency integrated circuit into contact with the antenna assembly, without the need for a conductive adhesive. In some embodiments, the antenna assembly is vacuum metallized or otherwise applied onto the substrate through patterned openings in a mask, such as a patterned masking cliché or a patterned polymer layer.

Abstract: An integrated security system having an activator interfaced with a geographical locator component based on RADAR, GPS, LORAN or other satellite communications systems to establish the location of an item to be monitored. An RF tag sub-system permits the security system to perform an inventory function of the item to be monitored The system includes a control unit having a computer with a CPU and memory to receive and store the geographical coordinates of the established location. A communications component of the system sends a signal to proper authorities when the stored geographical coordinates change.

Abstract: A device for tissue reinforcement. The device has a macroporous structure. At least a section of the macroporous structure is coated with a microporous coating. The microporous and macroporous morphologies allow both cell in-growth and tissue integration.

Abstract: A pretensioner (20) for use with a seat belt system, the pretensioner comprising: a straight first tube (22) having a cylindrical wall (22a), a first end (24) and a second end (26), at least one of the first end (24) or the second end (26) having an opening (32); the first tube includes a first opening (38) in the wall (22a) to receive a second tube (50), the second tube (50) having a first end portion (52), a second end portion (56) and a medial portion (54), the medial portion configured to have a circular curvature of radius R1; the second end portion is situated so that its center is collinear with a central axis (64) extending through the center of the first tube (22) and wherein an axis extending through the center of the first end portion is arranged at an acute angle relative to the central axis (64); a pyrotechnic element (40) is provided at one end of the first tube to provide products of combustion to drive a piston (100) down the first tube, the motion of the piston moving a cable (80) in a direct