Abstract: The invention relates to the field of data packet management, and more specifically to the field of managing of data packets in such a manner that power consumption is reduced, such reduction being especially beneficial for portable device applications. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of handling and manipulating data wherein padding and unpadding operations for a packet of data are performed at the transmission/reception of a packet from a network, and data handling is minimized within the portable device. According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of encryption for packet data absent the padding data.

Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a spark module and a fuel module. The spark module advances spark timing of a cylinder R degrees past a spark limit for N consecutive cylinder firing events, and retards spark timing of the cylinder past the spark limit for M consecutive cylinder firing events after the N consecutive cylinder firing events. The fuel module supplies a rich fuel-air charge to the cylinder for the M consecutive cylinder firing events. According to the system, R is a real number greater than zero, N and M are integers greater than zero, and the spark limit is a control value used to limit an amount of spark advance to prevent spark-knock. A method for controlling an engine is also provided.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a battery thermal management system includes at least one battery, at least one thermoelectric device in thermal communication with the at least one battery, and a conduit comprising an inlet configured to allow a working fluid to enter and flow into the conduit and into thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The conduit further comprises an outlet configured to allow the working fluid to exit and flow from the conduit and away from being in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The battery thermal management system can further include a first flow control device which directs the working fluid through the inlet of the conduit and a second flow control device which directs the working fluid through the outlet of the conduit. The first flow control device and the second flow control device are each separately operable from one another.

Abstract: Improved podcasts and techniques that facilitate their use are disclosed. The improved techniques can pertain to creating, publishing, hosting, accessing, subscribing, managing, transferring, and/or playing podcasts. According to one aspect, a client application can subscribe to podcasts and then automatically monitor the podcasts for updates to be downloaded. In the event that user interest in a podcast becomes inadequate, downloading of further updates can be restricted. According to another aspect, a podcast can be subscribed to through use of a portable subscription file. According to still another aspect, podcast feeds can be enhanced to include segment elements and other metadata.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods, compositions and materials for treatment of and promotion of neurological functional recovery from neurological conditions including central nervous system injuries and/or diseases.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a battery thermal management system includes at least one battery, at least one thermoelectric device in thermal communication with the at least one battery, and a conduit comprising an inlet configured to allow a working fluid to enter and flow into the conduit and into thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The conduit further comprises an outlet configured to allow the working fluid to exit and flow from the conduit and away from being in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric device. The battery thermal management system can further include a first flow control device which directs the working fluid through the inlet of the conduit and a second flow control device which directs the working fluid through the outlet of the conduit. The first flow control device and the second flow control device are each separately operable from one another.

Abstract: Method for predicting the effect of microbes injected into an oil-bearing reservoir which is capable of being represented by a first computer-generated grid including a first plurality of grid blocks. Measurement data representing the effect of injecting the microbes into a multiple coreflood apparatus is received. The multiple coreflood apparatus has material samples indicative of a rock formation associated with the oil-bearing reservoir, the samples being capable of being represented by a second computer-generated grid having a second plurality of grid blocks, the samples being representative of different regions of the reservoir and being connected such that microbes injected into the first sample are able to flow to the second sample. Data received is input into a computer-implemented reservoir model which simulates the effect of microbe injected in relation to the second grid. The reservoir model generates data indicating the effect of injecting the microbes into the multiple coreflood apparatus.

Abstract: Minimally invasive therapeutic fluid delivery devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the devices include at least a flexible elongate member with a chamber situated in the distal portion thereof, the chamber having an inlet and an outlet and a piezoelectric actuator that alters a volume of the chamber to eject a portion of the therapeutic fluid. In one embodiment, the device includes an array of piezoelectrically actuatable chambers that can eject a droplet of a drug orthogonally to the length of the flexible elongate member. In another embodiment, the device includes a piezoelectrically actuatable chamber that ejects along the length of the flexible elongate member.

Abstract: A power conversion system comprising a plurality of modules each having an input and an output and being connected in series. Each module is connected to at least one DC power source that supplies power to the module. Voltage control circuitry provided within each of the modules to vary the voltage supplied between the input and the output between a maximum module voltage and a minimum module voltage. A control unit in communication with the voltage control circuitry of each of the modules varies the voltage supplied across the input and output of each of the modules such that the total voltage across the series connected modules forms an AC signal or a rectified version of an AC signal.

Abstract: A system includes a sampling module and a map generating module. The sampling module receives a first mapping of thermal efficiency of a spark-ignition engine generated based on operation of the spark-ignition engine with a dynamometer. A combustion chamber of the spark-ignition engine has a first compression ratio. The map generating module generates a second mapping of the thermal efficiency of the spark-ignition engine based on the first mapping and the combustion chamber having a second compression ratio. The second compression ratio is different than the first compression ratio.

Abstract: Electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuators are used to create haptic effects on a user interface deface, such as a keyboard. The keys of the keyboard may be embossed in a top layer to provide better key definition and to house the EMP actuator. Specifically, an EMP actuator is housed inside an embossed graphic layer that covers a key of the keyboard. Such a keyboard has a significant user interface value. For example, the embossed key provides the tactile effect of the presence of a key with edges, while allowing for the localized control of haptic vibrations. For such applications, an EMP transducer provides high strains, vibrations or both under control of an electric field. Furthermore, the EMP transducer can generate strong vibrations. When the frequency of the vibrations falls within the acoustic range, the EMP transducer can generate audible sound, thereby functioning as an audio speaker.

Abstract: A localized multimodal haptic system includes one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducers, each including an EMP layer, such as an electrostrictive polymer active layer. In some applications the EMP transducer may perform an actuator function or a sensor function, or both. The EMP polymer layer has a first surface and a second surface on which one or more electrodes are provided. The EMP layer of the EMP actuator may be 5 microns thick or less. The EMP transducers may provide local haptic response to a local a stimulus. In one application, a touch sensor may be associated with each EMP transducer, such that the haptic event at the touch sensor may be responded to by activating only the associated EMP transducer. Furthermore, the EMP transducer may act as its own touch sensor. A variety of haptic responses may be made available. The EMP transducers may be used in various other applications, such as providing complex surface morphology, keyboard, braille display, and audio speakers.

Abstract: Improved podcasts and techniques that facilitate their use are disclosed. The improved techniques can pertain to creating, publishing, hosting, accessing, subscribing, managing, transferring, and/or playing podcasts. According to one aspect, a client application can subscribe to podcasts and then automatically monitor the podcasts for updates to be downloaded. In the event that user interest in a podcast becomes inadequate, downloading of further updates can be restricted. According to another aspect, a podcast can be subscribed to through use of a portable subscription file. According to still another aspect, podcast feeds can be enhanced to include segment elements and other metadata.

Abstract: Improved podcasts and techniques that facilitate their use are disclosed. The improved techniques can pertain to creating, publishing, hosting, accessing, subscribing, managing, transferring, and/or playing podcasts. According to one aspect, a client application can subscribe to podcasts and then automatically monitor the podcasts for updates to be downloaded. In the event that user interest in a podcast becomes inadequate, downloading of further updates can be restricted. According to another aspect, a podcast can be subscribed to through use of a portable subscription file. According to still another aspect, podcast feeds can be enhanced to include segment elements and other metadata.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine structure including an engine block defining a cylinder bore and a cylinder head, a piston located in the cylinder bore, and a camshaft assembly. The piston, cylinder head, and cylinder bore cooperate to define a combustion chamber including first and second longitudinal end surfaces defined by the cylinder head and the piston. A first protrusion may extend longitudinally from one of the first and second longitudinal end surfaces and radially inward from a circumference of the combustion chamber to a location between a first intake port and a first exhaust port in communication with the combustion chamber. The camshaft assembly may include a first intake lobe that opens a first intake valve and a second intake lobe that opens a second intake valve. The first intake lobe may be rotationally offset from the second intake lobe in a rotational direction of the camshaft assembly.

Abstract: In one preferred form of the present invention, there is provided a mixing device (10) comprising a bowl structure (12) for receiving material. A connector (14) is provided for allowing a motor (16) to turn a mixing implement (18) within the bowl structure (12). The connector (14) is arranged to allow the mixing implement (18) to move by rotating away from the central axis (24) of the bowl structure (12) in a desirable manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of data packet management, and more specifically to the field of managing of data packets in such a manner that power consumption is reduced, such reduction being especially beneficial for portable device applications. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of handling and manipulating data wherein padding and unpadding operations for a packet of data are performed at the transmission/reception of a packet from a network, and data handling is minimized within the portable device. According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of encryption for packet data absent the padding data.

Abstract: A power conversion system (10) for converting power from a plurality of solar panels. The system (10) comprises a plurality of panel modules (14) each having an input (16) and an output (17) and being connected in series. Each panel module (14) is connected to at least one solar panel (12) that supplies power to the panel module (14). Voltage control circuitry is provided within each of the panel modules (14) to vary the voltage supplied between the input (16) and the output (17) between a maximum module voltage and a minimum module voltage. A control unit (29) in communication with the voltage control circuitry of each of the panel modules varies the voltage supplied across the input (16) and output (17) of each of the panel modules (14) such that the total voltage across the series connected panel modules (14) forms an AC signal or a rectified version of an AC signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a blood sample and, more particularly, to methods of chemistry patterning reagent layers for multiple well biosensors. A first capillary is first configured to receive a dispensed reagent layer such that the reagent layer is distributed in a substantially uniform manner within the first capillary. The first capillary may also configured to isolate the first capillary from other capillaries present in the biosensor. After the reagent layer has been dispensed and dried, the first capillary may then be reconfigured to allow the first capillary to receive a blood sample.