Abstract: A wear and/or friction reducing additive for a lubricating fluid in which the additive is a combination of a moderately hydrophilic single-phase compound and an anti-wear and/or anti-friction aqueous salt solution. The aqueous salt solution produces a coating on boundary layer surfaces. The lubricating fluid can be an emulsion-free hydrophobic oil, hydraulic fluid, antifreeze, water, or a water-based lubricant. Preferably, the moderately hydrophilic single-phase compound is sulfonated castor oil and the aqueous salt solution additionally contains boric acid and zinc oxide. The emulsions produced by the aqueous salt solutions, the moderately hydrophilic single-phase compounds, or the combination thereof provide targeted boundary layer organizers that significantly enhance the anti-wear and/or anti-friction properties of the base lubricant by decreasing wear and/or friction of sliding and/or rolling surfaces at boundary layers.

Abstract: A wear and/or friction reducing additive for a lubricating fluid in which the additive is a combination of a moderately hydrophilic single-phase compound and an anti-wear and/or anti-friction aqueous salt solution. The aqueous salt solution produces a coating on boundary layer surfaces. The lubricating fluid can be an emulsion-free hydrophobic oil, hydraulic fluid, antifreeze, or water. Preferably, the moderately hydrophilic single-phase compound is sulfonated castor oil and the aqueous salt solution additionally contains boric acid and zinc oxide. The emulsions produced by the aqueous salt solutions, the moderately hydrophilic single-phase compounds, or the combination thereof provide targeted boundary layer organizers that significantly enhance the anti-wear and/or anti-friction properties of the base lubricant by decreasing wear and/or friction of sliding and/or rolling surfaces at boundary layers.

Abstract: Lubrication additives of the current invention require formation of emulsions in base lubricants, created with an aqueous salt solution plus a single-phase compound such that partitioning within the resulting emulsion provides thermodynamically targeted compounds for boundary layer organization thus establishing anti-friction and/or anti-wear. The single-phase compound is termed “boundary layer organizer”, abbreviated BLO. These emulsion-contained compounds energetically favor association with tribologic surfaces in accord with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, and will organize boundary layers on those surfaces in ways specific to the chemistry of the salt and BLO additives. In this way friction modifications may be provided by BLOs targeted to boundary layers via emulsions within lubricating fluids, wherein those lubricating fluids may be water-based or oil-based.

Abstract: A wear and/or friction reducing additive for a lubricating fluid in which the additive is a combination of a moderately hydrophilic single-phase compound and an anti-wear and/or anti-friction aqueous salt solution. The aqueous salt solution produces a coating on boundary layer surfaces. The lubricating fluid can be an emulsion-free hydrophobic oil, hydraulic fluid, antifreeze, or water. Preferably, the moderately hydrophilic single-phase compound is sulfonated castor oil and the aqueous salt solution additionally contains boric acid and zinc oxide. The emulsions produced by the aqueous salt solutions, the moderately hydrophilic single-phase compounds, or the combination thereof provide targeted boundary layer organizers that significantly enhance the anti-wear and/or anti-friction properties of the base lubricant by decreasing wear and/or friction of sliding and/or rolling surfaces at boundary layers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the use of compounds from the Hofmeister series coupled with specific pH and temperature to provide rapid physico-chemical-managed killing of penicillin-resistant static and growing Gram-positive and Gram-negative vegetative bacteria. The systems and methods represent the more general physico-chemical enhancement of susceptibility for a wide range of pathological macromolecular targets to clinical management by establishing the reactivity of those targets to topically applied drugs or anti-toxins.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the use of compounds from the Hofmeister series coupled with specific pH and temperature to provide rapid physico-chemical-managed killing of penicillin-resistant static and growing Gram-positive and Gram-negative vegetative bacteria. The systems and methods represent the more general physico-chemical enhancement of susceptibility for a wide range of pathological macromolecular targets to clinical management by establishing the reactivity of those targets to topically applied drugs or anti-toxins.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly comprising an electromechanical device and a self-sealing valve, and in particular, to any inflatable device that includes the assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a valve housing defining an opening through which fluid can be provided to the inflatable device, a flexible diaphragm assembly that is configured to self-seal the opening with sufficient fluid pressure in the inflatable device and to open under sufficient fluid pressure from a fluid moving device, to provide fluid through the opening to and seal the inflatable device. The assembly further comprises an electromechanical device including an actuating arm, having a first position in which the actuating arm urges open the self-sealing valve and a second position in which the actuating arm does not act upon the self-sealing valve, so as to regulate an amount of fluid within the inflatable device. With this arrangement, a small, low power, low duty cycle electromechanical device can be used.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inflatable device or a body support device, and, specifically, to an inflatable device including two or more fluid chambers. One embodiment of the device includes a first fluid chamber comprising a first outlet, and a second fluid chamber comprising an inlet, wherein the second fluid chamber is fluidly connected to the first fluid chamber by a one way valve arranged to allow fluid to pass from the second fluid chamber to the first fluid chamber. The invention is also directed to a method of providing adjustable support.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method for a user to adjust a pressure in an inflatable device. The method includes acts of adjusting the pressure in the inflatable device with a control device to a pressure preferred by the user, where the pressure preferred by the user has a first value, and establishing a first setting corresponding to the pressure preferred by the user with the control device, and automatically establishing a second setting corresponding to a second pressure having a second value once the first setting is established, where the second value differs from the first value by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An adjustable, inflatable surface comfort device to be used with shaped body support devices or as a stand alone comfort device such as a mattress. The surface comfort device comprises an inflatable bladder having a shape and size to substantially cover at least one support surface of a shaped body support device so as to conform to and provide a comfort layer to the body support device. According to one embodiment, a self-sealing valve is coupled to a port of the inflatable bladder, and is constructed and arranged to enable all of inflation, deflation, and comfort control of the surface comfort device.

Abstract: An inflation system includes an inflation device and a valve assembly. The inflation device includes a contact surface defining a fluid passage. The valve assembly includes a valve and a contact surface adapted to engage with the contact surface of the inflation device. A seal is formed around the fluid passage when a user applies a manual force to engage the contact surface of the inflation device with the contact surface of the valve assembly.

Abstract: An inflatable device comprising a substantially fluid impermeable bladder is disclosed. The fluid controller comprises an electrically powered pump positioned at least partially within a profile of the bladder. The fluid controller is coupled to the inflatable bladder and is adapted to permit air to exit the bladder through the fluid controller and to be provided to the bladder through the fluid controller.

Abstract: In one aspect, a pump for moving air includes an inlet, an outlet, an outer housing adapted to couple to an inflatable device, and an inner housing located within the outer housing. An air conduit is defined between the inner housing and the outer housing. A motor is at least partly positioned within the inner housing, and a plurality of vanes are positioned within the air conduit.

Abstract: An inflatable device, comprising a substantially fluid impermeable bladder, a fluid controller coupled to the bladder and including an electrically powered pump is disclosed. In one embodiment, the pump is positioned at least partially within a profile of the bladder, and the fluid controller is adapted to permit air to exit the bladder through the fluid controller and to be provided to the bladder through the fluid controller.

Abstract: An air intake system including a filter, a first pipe, a fan, and a second pipe. The filter is located behind the grill or inside the fender well outside the engine bay so the filter does to not draw any hot under-hood air. The filter is attached to the first pipe which has spiraling groves cut into the inside of the pipe to transform the turbulent air drawn in through filter into a smooth spiraling stream which provides a more consistent mixture of oxygen. The first pipe is attached to the fan wherein the fan increases the velocity of the air. The fan is attached to the second pipe which has spiraling groves in the same direction as the spiraling grooves in the first pipe. The second pipe is attached to the engine's air box by an airtight connection and delivers the smooth spiraling stream of air at a relatively high velocity to the engine.

Abstract: A self-sealing valve comprises a valve housing having a fluid conduit, a valve seat, a diaphragm and a support member. The valve housing is configured to pass fluid through the fluid conduit. The diaphragm provides a self-seal of the fluid conduit. The support member is configured to retain a portion of a diaphragm. The support member and diaphragm are configured to position the flexible diaphragm against the valve seat to seal the fluid conduit in a closed position of the self-sealing valve, and to facilitate movement of the diaphragm under a bias in a first direction away from the valve seat to an open position.

Abstract: The present invention is related to inflatable devices, and, more specifically, to inflatable devices in combination with rigid surfaces and a method for deflating an inflatable device. According to one embodiment of the present invention an inflatable device is provided. The inflatable device includes a substantially fluid impermeable bladder and an outlet in the bladder. The inflatable device also includes a first substantially rigid surface in contact with a first surface of the fluid impermeable bladder and a second substantially rigid surface in contact with the first surface of the fluid impermeable bladder. In this embodiment, the first and second substantially rigid surfaces collectively are in contact with more than half of the first surface of the fluid impermeable barrier. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of deflating an inflatable device is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a body support and comfort device. The device comprises an inflatable bladder having a shape and size to substantially cover at least one support surface of a body support device so as to conform to and provide a comfort and support layer to the body support device. The body support and comfort device also includes at least one comfort layer shaped and arranged to substantially cover a surface of the inflatable bladder that is to interact with a user. According to one embodiment, a self-sealing valve is coupled to a port of the inflatable bladder, and is constructed and arranged to enable all of inflation, deflation, and comfort of the surface comfort device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly comprising an electromechanical device and a self-sealing valve, and in particular, to any inflatable device that includes the assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a valve housing defining an opening through which fluid can be provided to the inflatable device, a flexible diaphragm assembly that is configured to self-seal the opening with sufficient fluid pressure in the inflatable device and to open under sufficient fluid pressure from a fluid moving device, to provide fluid through the opening to and seal the inflatable device. The assembly further comprises an electromechanical device including an actuating arm, having a first position in which the actuating arm urges open the self-sealing valve and a second position in which the actuating arm does not act upon the self-sealing valve, so as to regulate an amount of fluid within the inflatable device. With this arrangement, a small, low power, low duty cycle electromechanical device can be used.

Abstract: A computer software architecture for an embedded computer system. The architecture includes a hierarchy of software object classes. One classification includes a common information blackboard object. Data is written to the blackboard object by processes in a protected manner, and is otherwise globally readable by all processes. A run-time executive is provided to schedule and coordinate processes. Processes register with the run-time executive at start-up. One process can know the existence and generation of data by another process. The architecture is layered in increasing levels of system abstraction. In one embodiment, the embedded system is an airborne fuel gauging subsystem.