Abstract: A device includes: a first portion configured to be grasped by the hand of the user, and a second portion defining a reservoir containing a control material, wherein the control material contains a target analyte in a known or predetermined concentration. A method of verifying the accuracy of an analyte monitoring device includes receiving a fluid sample, identifying the fluid sample as a control solution, and analyzing the fluid sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pedestal base for a chair that is capable of supporting safely up to a 500 pound person in normal, continuous commercial or industrial use. The present pedestal base has six legs, a substantially cylindrical hub, and six caster attachment means with a caster or glide in each caster attachment means. Each leg is separated from its neighboring legs by about 60 degrees. The base elements are selected within particular dimensions and are made from materials having minimum selected yield strengths. In particular, the pedestal chair base as a whole can pass BIFMA test No. 8 with a 5000 lb load being applied, instead of a 2500 lb load, and can pass BIFMA tests No. 9 and No. 18, each with a 500 lb load being used instead of a 300 lb load.

Abstract: A double-acting hydraulic cylinder is controlled by a pair of three-way solenoid valves respectively fluid connected to the two ends of the cylinder and energized in parallel with a continuous stream of pulse width modulated (PWM) pulses to create a mean effective fluid pressure balance at the cylinder ends that hold a desired position of a connected load and mean effective fluid pressure imbalances in the cylinder ends that produce variable rate load movement in either of two directions to a desired new position, all determined by the pulse duty cycle.

Abstract: A controller for changing the ratio of a continuously variable hydrostatic transmission, as determined by the angular position of a swashplate, including an actuator having a cylinder slidingly receiving a piston to define a pair of chambers. A pair of solenoid valves, each configured to connect a respective chamber selectively to sump pump pressure or atmospheric pressure, are energized with a stream of pulses to create differential fluid pressures in the chambers, thereby producing movement of the piston; the piston movement being linked to the swashplate to produce a corresponding adjustment of the swashplate angular position. The rate of change of the swashplate angular position is controlled by pulse width modulating the pulse stream.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission includes wedge-shaped swashplate operatively positioned between a hydraulic pump unit driven by an input shaft and a grounded hydraulic motor unit to accommodate pumped exchanges of hydraulic fluid between the units. The swashplate, drivingly coupled to an output shaft, is angularly adjustable about a pivot axis oriented in intersecting, orthogonal relation to the output shaft axis to infinitely variable transmission ratios. Pilot bearings, mounted by the swashplate, support cylinder blocks of the hydraulic pump and motor units for nutating motions centered on the swashplate pivot axis to minimize the resultant moment on the swashplate. Piston rods in the hydraulic pump and motor units are oriented in outwardly flared, acute angles to the output shaft axis to expand the range of permissible angular adjustment of the swashplate by a ratio controller.

Abstract: To control the transmission ratio of a continuously variable hydrostatic transmission including an input shaft, an output shaft, an pump unit driven by the input shaft, a grounded motor unit, and an a wedge-shaped swashplate drivingly and pivotally connected to the output shaft in hydraulic fluid-communicating position between the pump and motor units, a ratio controller is provided having a hydraulically actuated piston incorporated internally of the output shaft. A pilot valve, also incorporated internally of the output shaft, operates to create differential fluid pressures at opposite end faces of the piston, forcing axial motion of the piston and ratio-changing pivotal movement of the swashplate linked to the piston.