Abstract: A system includes a diagnostic module that selectively performs a purge valve leak diagnostic to diagnose a leak in a purge valve in a fuel system of a vehicle. Performing the purge valve leak diagnostic includes determining a level of vacuum in a fuel tank. A control module determines at least one operating condition associated with the vehicle. The at least one operating condition corresponds to an operating condition that affects the level of vacuum in the fuel tank. The control module, based on the at least one operating condition, selectively modifies the purge valve leak diagnostic. Selectively modifying the purge valve leak diagnostic includes at least one of preventing the diagnostic module from performing the purge valve leak diagnostic, preventing the diagnostic module from completing the purge valve leak diagnostic, and causing the diagnostic module to indicate that a result of the purge valve leak diagnostic was indeterminate.

Abstract: A system includes a diagnostic module that selectively performs a purge valve leak diagnostic to diagnose a leak in a purge valve in a fuel system of a vehicle. Performing the purge valve leak diagnostic includes determining a level of vacuum in a fuel tank. A control module determines at least one operating condition associated with the vehicle. The at least one operating condition corresponds to an operating condition that affects the level of vacuum in the fuel tank. The control module, based on the at least one operating condition, selectively modifies the purge valve leak diagnostic. Selectively modifying the purge valve leak diagnostic includes at least one of preventing the diagnostic module from performing the purge valve leak diagnostic, preventing the diagnostic module from completing the purge valve leak diagnostic, and causing the diagnostic module to indicate that a result of the purge valve leak diagnostic was indeterminate.

Abstract: A method of repairing a rotor blade, for example on an integrally bladed rotor, includes preparing a surface on a damaged area of the blade. The blade has first and second airfoil surfaces adjoining the prepared surface that are spaced apart a distance. An edge of a patch abuts the prepared surface to provide a weld interface defining a welding plane. First and second cover sheets respectively overlap the first and second airfoil surfaces. The first and second cover sheets adjoin the edge and the first and second airfoil surfaces. The blade, patch and first and second cover sheets are welded along the welding plane providing a welded joint at the weld interface. The first and second cover sheets are substantially unsecured to the first and second airfoil surfaces subsequent to the welding operation.

Abstract: A method of repairing a rotor blade, for example on an integrally bladed rotor, includes preparing a surface on a damaged area of the blade. The blade has first and second airfoil surfaces adjoining the prepared surface that are spaced apart a distance. An edge of a patch abuts the prepared surface to provide a weld interface defining a welding plane. First and second cover sheets respectively overlap the first and second airfoil surfaces. The first and second cover sheets adjoin the edge and the first and second airfoil surfaces. The blade, patch and first and second cover sheets are welded along the welding plane providing a welded joint at the weld interface. The first and second cover sheets are substantially unsecured to the first and second airfoil surfaces subsequent to the welding operation.

Abstract: An improved irrigation system for removing arthritis causing fragments from a joint in the body includes a handpiece and a tip that is connectible to the handpiece. The tip includes a shaft that forms an irrigation lumen, and a debrider disposed along at least a part of the shaft. The debrider defines a substantially planar debriding surface for debriding the interior surfaces of the joint. The debrider may include a plurality of bristles extending from the shaft to the debriding surface.

Abstract: An improved irrigation system for removing arthritis causing fragments from a joint in the body includes a handpiece and a tip that is connectible to the handpiece. The tip includes a shaft that forms an irrigation lumen, and a debrider disposed along at least a part of the shaft. The debrider defines a substantially planar debriding surface for debriding the interior surfaces of the joint. The debrider may include a plurality of bristles extending from the shaft to the debriding surface.

Abstract: An improved irrigation system for removing arthritis causing fragments from a joint in the body includes a handpiece and a tip that is connectible to the handpiece. The tip includes a shaft that forms an irrigation lumen, and a debrider disposed along at least a part of the shaft. The debrider defines a substantially planar debriding surface for debriding the interior surfaces of the joint. The debrider may include a plurality of bristles extending from the shaft to the debriding surface.

Abstract: A fluid-containment hose assembly for connecting a fluid supply to a device using the fluid (such as a washing machine), the hose assembly having a first connector with a nipple; a second connector with a nipple; an inner hose sealingly attached to the nipple of the first connector at one end of the inner hose and to the nipple of the second connector at another end of the inner hose; an outer hose covering the inner hose defining a space therebetween as a relief passageway, the outer hose sealingly attached at the nipple of the first connector and at the nipple of the second connector; a relief hose attached to the outer hose, the relief hose having a relief port in communication with the relief passageway and further having an exit port through which fluid may be discharged; and a signal device on the relief hose which, when fluid enters the relief hose due to a rupture of the inner hose, generates an audible signal.

Abstract: A gutter bracket assembly includes a fascia bracket and a gutter bracket for rotating a gutter to effect cleaning debris therefrom. The fascia bracket including a rear panel adapted to be affixed vertically to a fascia board, a bottom panel extending from the rear panel, and a receiving portion located at an end of the bottom panel remote from the rear panel and including a first pivot member. The gutter bracket includes a frame member having a second pivot member. There is also provided a mechanism for attaching the first pivot member to the second pivot member for permitting rotation of the gutter bracket about the receiving portion of the fascia bracket so that the gutter bracket may be rotated between a first, rain-gathering position and a second, inverted position for emptying water and/or debris from the gutter. The gutter bracket includes a mechanism for securing the gutter to the frame member solely by a snap-fit of a portion of the frame about a portion of the gutter.

Abstract: The electrically operated disc brake (10, 110, 310, 410) may be operated by either hydraulic pressure and an electric motor or operated solely by means of an electric motor. The electric motor (40, 340, 440) drives a sun gear (52, 352, 452) of a planetary gear assembly (50, 150, 350, 450). The planetary gear assembly (50, 150, 350, 450) includes a fixed ring gear (70, 370, 470) and a rotatable ring gear (80, 180, 380, 480), the rotatable ring gear (80, 180, 380, 480) having fewer teeth than the fixed ring gear (70, 370, 470) so that rotation of the planetary gears (54, 56, 58) effects a slower rate of rotation of the rotatable ring gear (80, 180, 380, 480). The rotatable ring gear (80, 180, 380, 480) engages a screw (88, 188, 388, 488) which is connected with the piston (30, 130, 330, 430). The piston (30, 330, 430) may be displaced by hydraulic fluid for a service application and the electric motor (40, 340, 440) utilized for a parking application.

Abstract: The electrically operated disc brake (10, 110, 310, 410) may be operated by either hydraulic pressure and an electric motor or operated solely by means of an electric motor. The electric motor (40, 340, 440) drives a sun gear (52, 352, 452) of a planetary gear assembly (50, 150, 350, 450). The planetary gear assembly (50, 150, 350, 450). includes a fixed ring gear (70, 370, 470) and a rotatable ring gear (80, 180, 380, 480), the rotatable ring gear (80, 180, 380, 480) having fewer teeth than the fixed ring gear (70, 370, 470) so that rotation of the planetary gears (54, 56, 58) effects a slower rate of rotation of the rotatable ring gear (80, 180, 380, 480). The rotatable ring gear (80, 180, 380, 480) engages a screw (88, 188, 388, 488) which is connected with the piston (30, 130, 330, 430). The piston (30, 330, 430) may be displaced by hydraulic fluid for a service application and the electric motor (40, 340, 440) utilized for a parking application.

Abstract: The hydraulic power braking apparatus comprises a fluid power apparatus (10) receiving fluid pressure from a power steering apparatus of the vehicle, the fluid power apparatus (10) connected at one end to the brake pedal of the vehicle and at the other end to a master cylinder (110). The master cylinder (110) is connected to a fluid displacement multiplier (210), fluid pressure developed by the master cylinder being communicated to the fluid displacement multiplier (210). The fluid displacement multiplier (210) comprises a housing (212) having therein a stepped chamber (211) with a differential area piston (213), the differential area piston (213) having a through passage (240) controlled by a poppet valve (250).

Abstract: A method for constructing ball joints includes positioning a ball within a ball joint socket. Plastic-bearing material is then allowed to congeal in the socket while in contact with the ball. A positioning fixture maintains the ball in the desired spaced position in the socket while also maintaining a seal between the ball and the socket housing so that the bearing material may be pressurized as it congeals.

Abstract: A rack and pinion power steering gear is disclosed which includes a manifolding arrangement to eliminate external fluid connections between the power steering valve and the cylinder. The manifolding arrangement includes a tube which is received within the steering housing. The diameter of the tube is less than the diameter of the housing in which the rack is received so that an annular fluid passage is defined between the outer circumferential surface of the tube and the inner circumferential surface of the housing. The annular passage communicates fluid the entire length of the rack mechanism, so that fluid may be selectively admitted to opposite sides of the piston depending upon the direction which the vehicle wheels are turned. The manifolding mechanism further includes a sleeve which extends into the tube and which is provided with passages extending therethrough to communicate fluid pressure to the other side of the piston.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake booster includes a housing defining a pressure chamber and an inlet port communicating pressurized fluid to an accumulator and the pressure chamber. The housing includes a bore which slidably receives a charging valve and sealingly receives a check valve. The charging valve sealingly engages the housing bore via a sealing ring in one position and is pressure responsive to move toward a second position abutting the check valve to open communication between the inlet port and the accumulator. A stem is slidably carried in a passage in the check valve and the stem is received in a slot in the charging valve. An operator actuator is engageable with the stem to unseat one end of the stem from the check valve so that pressurized fluid from the accumulator is communicated to the pressure chamber.

Abstract: An artificial knee joint for surgical implantation into a knee comprises at least one femoral member of hard plastic material and at least one tibial member having a highly polished metal upper surface. The femoral member is received in a groove cut in the condyle of the femur, and its rear end face, constituting the inferior surface of the femoral member, bears against the upper surface of the tibial member. The inferior surface is arcuate polycentered in the sagittal plane and arcuate in the coronal plane. The superior surface of the femoral member has three different planar portions angularly disposed to one another, for load bearing purposes in three different angles of flexion of the knee.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear for automotive vehicles includes a housing having a longitudinal bore in which the rack reciprocates and a cross bore in which the pinion which meshes with the rack is rotatably mounted. The rack is slidably mounted in the bore by an annular bearing, a portion of which is cut away to receive the pinion. A leaf spring is disposed in a groove provided in the wall of the bore and extending parallel thereto. The leaf spring bears against the side of the annular bearing member opposite the cut-away portion to thereby maintain the rack into meshing engagement with the pinion. The pinion is rotatably supported in the cross bore by a bearing arrangement which is designed so that substantially the same components may be used in either manual or power assisted steering gears.