Abstract: A servo-operated rotary vane valve is intended for external assembly through an opening in an engine inlet manifold passage with an integral rib formed therein. Baffling surfaces on the edge of the vane minimize pressure pulse communication over the rib when the valve is in the closed position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the speed of an A.C. induction motor are disclosed and shown in operation for controlling the movement of a barrier. Included are voltage configuration circuits which selectively gate portions of the half-cycles of AC mains voltage to the induction motor. When the motor is started increasing amounts of mains AC voltage is applied to the motor and decreasing portions of the mains AC are applied to the motor during a stopping routine. The motor can also be energized with less than full mains AC to permit differences in barrier movement speed dependent on operating parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remediating wastewater holding areas and the like includes a closed, foraminous dewatering membrane that is positioned adjacent to the wastewater holding area. Sludge and adjacent water on the bottom of the wastewater holding area are pumped in the form of a sludge slurry into the interior of the dewatering membrane. The water is removed from the sludge slurry by allowing gravitational forces to flow water through the dewatering membrane. The dewatering membrane is then opened, and the dewatered sludge is removed for depositing at an appropriate site.

Abstract: A user's set top box (STB), or other client, executes a shell and has an application program interface (API) by which certain features of the client can be controlled. The client is in communication with a walled garden proxy server (WGPS), which controls access to a walled garden. The walled garden contains links to one or more servers providing network-based services. The client sends a request to the WGPS to access a service provided by a site in the garden. To provide the service, the site sends the client a message containing code calling a function in the API. The WGPS traps the message from the site and looks up the site in a table to determine the access control list (ACL) for the site. The ACL is a bit-map that specifies which functions of the client's API can be invoked by code from the site. The WGPS includes the ACL in the header of the hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) message to the client. The shell receives the message and extracts the ACL.

Abstract: A user's set top box (STB), or other client, executes a shell and has an application programming interface (API) by which certain features of the client can be controlled. The client is in communication with a walled garden proxy server (WGPS), which controls access to a walled garden. The walled garden contains links to one or more servers providing network-based services. The client sends a request to the WGPS to access a service provided by a site in the garden. To provide the service, the site sends the client a message containing code calling a function in the API. The WGPS traps the message from the site and looks up the site in a table to determine the access control list (ACL) for the site. The ACL is a bit-map that specifies which functions of the client's API can be invoked by code from the site. The WGPS includes the ACL in the header of the hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) message to the client. The shell receives the message and extracts the ACL.

Abstract: A method for controlling an optical, path-to-sight link, the optical link including a source of light having a beam of light, a controllable beam steering device and an actuator to permit steering the light beam, the beam steering device being controllable by predetermined control signals. The method includes the following steps. The beam steering device is controlled so as to scan the beam of light in a first predetermined pattern. First direction is received data from a remote receiver including a light detector, the direction data corresponding to a direction of the beam at which the scanned beam of light is detected by the light detector. Responsive to the first direction data, a first beam direction is determined for data communication from the link to the receiver. The beam steering device is controlled to maintain a communications beam direction corresponding to the first beam direction. The beam of light is modulated with electronic signals.

Abstract: A walled garden contains links to one or more servers providing network-based services. A walled garden proxy server (WGPS) controls access to the walled garden. When a user of a client wishes to access a service in the walled garden, the client sends a request to the WGPS including a plot number identifying the service and a ticket granting the client access to the service. The WGPS denies access to clients lacking a ticket or presenting invalid tickets. In response, the client contacts a gateway server (GS) having a database of users and associated access rights. The user presents authentication information to the GS. If the user positively authenticates, the GS generates a ticket containing a Box ID from the client, an expiration date, and set of bits representing the access rights of the user. The GS encrypts the ticket and gives it to the client.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake booster (12) for use in a brake system (10) having a first housing (100) with a first bore (102) separated from a second bore (104). The first bore (102) retains a power piston (118) and the second bore (104) retains a control valve arrangement (170). A push rod (30) of an input arrangement (49) is connected to the power piston (118) and linked to the control valve arrangement (170) by a lever arrangement (50). A second housing (200) encloses the control valve arrangement (170), lever arrangement (50) and a projection (117) that extends from the power piston (118) to define a cavity or relief chamber (202) having a permanent low pressure. The input arrangement (49) supplies the control valve arrangement (170) with an input force in response to a braking force applied to the push rod (30) to regulate the communication of pressurized supply fluid from the second bore (104).

Abstract: A hydraulic brake booster (12) for use in a brake system (10) having a first housing (100) with a first bore (102) separated from a second bore (104). The first bore (102) retains a power piston (118) and the second bore (104) retains a control valve arrangement (170). A push rod (30) of an input arrangement (49) is connected to the power piston (118) and linked to the control valve arrangement (170) by a lever arrangement (50). A second housing (200) encloses the control valve arrangement (170), lever arrangement (50) and a projection (117) that extends from the power piston (118) to define a cavity or relief chamber (202). The input arrangement (49) supplies the control valve arrangement (170) with an input force in response to a braking force applied to the push rod (30) to regulate the communication of pressurized supply fluid from the second bore (104). The regulated supply fluid acts on and moves the power piston (118) to pressurize operational fluid in the first bore (102).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remediating waster water holding areas and the like includes a closed, foraminous dewatering membrane that is positioned adjacent to the wastewater holding area. Sludge and adjacent water on the bottom of the wastewater holding area are pumped in the form of a sludge slurry into the interior of the dewatering membrane. The water is removed from the sludge slurry by allowing gravitational forces to flow water through the dewatering membrane. The dewatering membrane is then opened, and the dewatered sludge is removed for depositing at an appropriate site.

Abstract: An integrated battery tray and reservoir assembly 10 is provided which is adapted to be operatively installed within the engine compartment of a conventional vehicle. Assembly 10 includes a battery tray portion 12 having a back wall 14 which includes a generally rectangular cavity 16; a vacuum reservoir plate 18 which is sealingly attached to back wall 14 and which cooperates with back wall 14 and cavity 16 to form a sealed vacuum reservoir 20; a valve housing portion 22 which fluidly communicates with reservoir 20; a solenoid valve assembly 24; and a check valve assembly 26. A vacuum hub locks pulse supply line 30 is coupled to valve 24 and selectively receives vacuum pulses from valve 24. Assembly 10 further includes an engine vacuum line 32 and an HVAC vacuum line 28 which are fluidly coupled to vacuum reservoir 20 and which respectively provide and receive vacuum pressure to/from reservoir 20.

Abstract: An investment optimizing system and method. Once an investor or investment advisor determines the appropriate asset allocation and that there are both taxable accounts and tax-deferred investment accounts, the invention will optimize/maximize the investor's ending after-tax asset accumulation, which is the objective of all investors. This is accomplished by allocating the chosen investment vehicles between the taxable and tax-deferred accounts in an optimum way. The invention runs on a computer system and searches for an allocation which results in a maximal return. Intelligent heuristics measure increased performance based on different asset allocations.

Abstract: A valve (60) for use in a brake system (10) through which a source (32) of fluid charges an accumulator (24) to a desired fluid pressure level and through which fluid pressure present in a conduit (52) is communicated to a reservoir (33) in the absence of the flow of fluid from the source. The valve (60) has a housing (62) with a bore (64) therein with an entrance port (66) connected to the source of fluid (32), an exit port (68) connected by a flexible conduit (52) to the accumulator (24) and exhaust port (70) connected to the reservoir (33). A sleeve (72) which is located in bore (64) has an internal bore (74) with a first diameter (82) for retaining a first ball (90), a second diameter (80) for retaining a linkage member (94) and a third diameter (86) for retaining a second ball (92). A first spring (93) urges the first ball (90) toward a first seat (84′) formed between the first (82) and second (80) diameters.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a main shaft carrying a turbine wheel and an impeller. The shaft is supported in a housing by means of a floating bearing and a ball bearing which is particularly effective in resisting axial loads tending to move the shaft toward the impeller. A preload spring positioned between the stationary race of the ball bearing and a thrust plate fixed to the housing provides a force urging said ball bearing against a shoulder on the main shaft against thrust forces tending to move the shaft toward the turbine wheel.

Abstract: A gasoline dispenser, and cable assembly utilized therein, in which the cable assembly is formed by a plurality of conductors, a sheath of insulative material extending around each conductor, and a sleeve extending over a portion of the jacket. The sleeve is crimped over the jacket to compress the jacket and sheaths to reduce the passage of vapor through the cable assembly. The cable assembly is connected between two components in the dispenser to prevent the flow of gasoline vapor from one component to the other.

Abstract: A dispensing system and method utilizing a break-away antenna in a radio frequency customer identification system for service stations to reliably and accurately identify and charge customers for their purchases. The antenna is formed by a bracket adapted to be affixed to the object, a rod pivotally mounted to the bracket, and a spring normally urging the rod to a first position, the rod being pivotal to a second position in response to a force applied to the rod in a direction towards the second position.

Abstract: A strainer formed by a body member defining an inlet passage for receiving the fluid and an outlet passage for discharging the fluid. A chamber is connected to the outlet passage and an internal passage connects the inlet passage to the chamber. A separator is disposed in the chamber for separating particles from the fluid as the fluid passes through the chamber. The fluid is thus routed into the inlet passage, and through the inlet passage to the chamber where the particles are separated. The fluid is then passed to the discharge passage for discharging the fluid to a conduit.

Abstract: Cable structures comprising at least three thermoplastic polymer filaments are prepared in a single extrusion process and exhibit performance characteristics comparable to cabled yarn constructions. The cables can be used in fabrics such as those used in paper manufacture.

Abstract: Cable structures comprising at least three thermoplastic polymer filaments are prepared in a single extrusion process and exhibit performance characteristics comparable to cabled yarn constructions. The cables can be used in fabrics such as those used in paper manufacture.