Abstract: A portable vein viewer apparatus may be battery powered and hand-held to reveal patient vasculature information to aid in venipuncture processes. The apparatus comprises a first laser diode emitting infrared light, and a second laser diode emitting only visible wavelengths, wherein vasculature absorbs a portion of the infrared light causing reflection of a contrasted infrared image. A pair of silicon PIN photodiodes, responsive to the contrasted infrared image, causes transmission of a corresponding signal. The signal is processed through circuitry to amplify, sum, and filter the outputted signals, and with the use of an image processing algorithm, the contrasted image is projected onto the patient's skin surface using the second laser diode. Revealed information may comprise vein location, depth, diameter, and degree of certainty of vein locations. Projection of vein images may be a positive or a negative image. Venipuncture needles may be coated to provide visibility in projected images.

Abstract: A torque-transfer component has splines configured for engaging a corresponding feature of another component, at least a portion of each spline being hardened before a friction-reducing surface coating is applied to the splines. The splines are preferably hardened by nitriding, carburizing, induction hardening, or laser hardening, and the friction-reducing coating preferably comprises diamond-like carbon or tungsten carbide. The coating can be applied using, for example, physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, chemically assisted physical vapor deposition, autocatalytic electroless deposition, electroplating, or an oxygen fuel gun.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a planetary gear system for continued operation after failure of a planet gear includes providing a planetary gear system and reducing a backup ratio of a planet gear of the planetary gear system by reducing a rim thickness of the planet gear.

Abstract: A system for monitoring lubrication of a drive train, including a lubricant pressure sensor to detect a pressure of the lubricant in the drive train and to provide a lubricant pressure signal; lubricant volume sensor to detect a volume of the lubricant in the drive train and to provide a lubricant volume signal; non-contact temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the drive train and to provide a non-contact temperature signal; and logic management system in communication with the lubricant pressure sensor, the lubricant volume sensor, and the non-contact temperature sensor; the logic management system configured to receive and process the lubricant pressure signal, the lubricant volume signal, and the non-contact temperature signal; wherein when the lubricant pressure signal reaches a predetermined minimum pressure level and the lubricant volume signal reaches a predetermined minimum volume level, the logic management system displays non-contact temperature measurement data to a display device.

Abstract: A method of avoiding gear tooth interference in a planetary gear system includes designing and building a planetary gear system having a selected base pitch and tooth length for planet gears, breaking a rim of one of the planet gears, and verifying whether tooth tip interference occurs during operation of the planetary gear system.

Abstract: A system for monitoring lubrication of a drive train, including a lubricant pressure sensor operable to detect a pressure of the lubricant in the drive train and configured to provide a lubricant pressure signal; lubricant volume sensor operable to detect a volume of the lubricant in the drive train and configured to provide a lubricant volume signal; non-contact temperature sensor operable to detect a temperature of the drive train and configured to provide a non-contact temperature signal; and logic management system in communication with the lubricant pressure sensor, the lubricant volume sensor, and the non-contact temperature sensor; the logic management system being configured to receive and process the lubricant pressure signal, the lubricant volume signal, and the non-contact temperature signal; wherein when the lubricant pressure signal reaches a predetermined minimum pressure level and the lubricant volume signal reaches a predetermined minimum volume level, the logic management system displays non-

Abstract: A method of avoiding gear tooth interference in a planetary gear system includes designing and building a planetary gear system comprising a selected base pitch and tooth length for planet gears, breaking a rim of one of the planet gears, and verifying whether tooth tip interference occurs during operation of the planetary gear system.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a planetary gear system for continued operation after failure of a planet gear includes providing a planetary gear system and reducing a backup ratio of a planet gear of the planetary gear system by reducing a rim thickness of the planet gear.

Abstract: A variable state planetary shifting transmission can include an input shaft, an output shaft; and a planetary system having a sun gear associated with the input shaft, a planetary carrier, and a ring gear associated with a ring housing. The transmission can include an overrunning clutch operably coupled to the planetary carrier. The transmission can include a clutch assembly coupled to the planetary carrier. The transmission is capable of changing the speed ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft by selective engagement of the clutch assembly against the ring gear which can cause either the freeing or locking of the planetary carrier by the overrunning clutch.

Abstract: A device has a first port and a second port and circuitry, the first port having at least a signaling pin, a first power pin, a ground pin, and a second power pin. The first port is connected to a power delivery device. Circuitry is powered by means of the first power pin and the ground pin. A power request is passed to the power delivery device, requesting a second power level defining at least a predetermined voltage and a predetermined current supply capability. This power is delivered through a second port to a rechargeable consumer electronic device. The rechargeable consumer electronic device is charged at the predetermined voltage and with respect to the predetermined current supply capability.

Abstract: A method of modifying a workpiece includes providing a workpiece, determining a load stress profile associated with a load condition, the load stress profile comprising a load stress greater than a material stress limit of the workpiece, determining a residual stress profile, the residual stress profile comprising a residual stress less than the material stress limit of the workpiece, and providing the workpiece with the residual stress profile, wherein a sum of the load stress and the residual stress is less than the material stress limit of the workpiece.

Abstract: A variable state planetary shifting transmission can include an input shaft, an output shaft; and a planetary system having a sun gear associated with the input shaft, a planetary carrier, and a ring gear associated with a ring housing. The transmission can include an overrunning clutch operably coupled to the planetary carrier. The transmission can include a clutch assembly coupled to the planetary carrier. The transmission is capable of changing the speed ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft by selective engagement of the clutch assembly against the ring gear which can cause either the freeing or locking of the planetary carrier by the overrunning clutch.

Abstract: A method of modifying a workpiece includes providing a workpiece, determining a load stress profile associated with a load condition, the load stress profile comprising a load stress greater than a material stress limit of the workpiece, determining a residual stress profile, the residual stress profile comprising a residual stress less than the material stress limit of the workpiece, and providing the workpiece with the residual stress profile, wherein a sum of the load stress and the residual stress is less than the material stress limit of the workpiece.

Abstract: A unitized hydraulic suspension system for a tandem front and back two-axle group comprises two pivoting arms, each for supporting one of the two axles, arranged on opposite sides of a common rigid hanger. Each arm is attached to one end of a respective cylinder the other end of which cylinder is attached to the common hanger. The unitized hydraulic suspension simplifies the use of hydraulic suspension in dual laning heavy haul applications by the provision of a slide assembly in which unitized hydraulic suspensions are slidably mounted so as to be extendible or retractable in relation to one another.

Abstract: A method of modifying a workpiece includes providing a workpiece, determining a load stress profile associated with a load condition, the load stress profile comprising a load stress greater than a material stress limit of the workpiece, determining a residual stress profile, the residual stress profile comprising a residual stress less than the material stress limit of the workpiece, and providing the workpiece with the residual stress profile, wherein a sum of the load stress and the residual stress is less than the material stress limit of the workpiece.

Abstract: A unitized hydraulic suspension system for a tandem front and back two-axle group comprises two pivoting arms, each for supporting one of the two axles, arranged on opposite sides of a common rigid hanger. Each arm is attached to one end of a respective cylinder the other end of which cylinder is attached to the common hanger. The unitized hydraulic suspension simplifies the use of hydraulic suspension in dual laning heavy haul applications by the provision of a slide assembly in which unitized hydraulic suspensions are slidably mounted so as to be extendible or retractable in relation to one another.

Abstract: A removable gooseneck hitch assembly transitions between an afterward position for hitching to a low bed trailer deck and a forward position by a pivoting arm that moves the forward end of the gooseneck an arcuate path. The invention minimizes the opportunity for debris to interfere with the sliding track assemblies known in the prior art. The assembly provides three degrees of freedom for the gooseneck in low bed mode and restricts the degrees of freedom in vehicle towing mode. A locking member for securing a low bed trailer hitch is also disclosed.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for monitoring and controlling an industrial water system comprising (a) obtaining a priori knowledge about the correlation between water and treatment chemistry and equipment health; (b) pre-defining a set of operating regions of more than one feed-water or system water variable and at least one chemical treatment variable, where, based on (a) above, corrosion, scaling and fouling are inhibited; (c) adjusting the at least one chemical treatment variable according to the more than one feed water or system water variable, such that based on (a), corrosion, scaling and fouling are inhibited.

Abstract: A removable gooseneck hitch assembly transitions between an afterward position for hitching to a low bed trailer deck and a forward position by a pivoting arm that moves the forward end of the gooseneck an arcuate path. The invention minimizes the opportunity for debris to interfere with the sliding track assemblies known in the prior art. The assembly provides three degrees of freedom for the gooseneck in low bed mode and restricts the degrees of freedom in vehicle towing mode. A locking member for securing a low bed trailer hitch is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bowling ball comprises a dense inner core which cannot be penetrated during the drilling of holes for gripping purposes and balance holes to adjust the static weight, a non-spherical outer core formed about the inner core to act as a top weight, and a cover stock. The dense inner core which cannot be penetrated by a drill prevents the characteristics of the bowling ball from being changed and, further, lowers both the moment of inertia and radius or gyration of the bowling ball to improve the bowling ball's characteristics. These characteristics include enhancing the rolling pattern of the ball and increasing the energy with which the ball strikes the pins. The non-spherical outer core operates as a top weight to replace weight removed during the drilling of the finger and thumb holes and enhance the hooking action of the ball by providing a breakpoint which is very sharp at the back end of the bowling lane. That late, sharp breaking hook allows the bowling ball to strike the pins with a greater force.