Abstract: A virtual profilograph is disclosed that can provide measurements indicative of the ride quality of a roadway as the road is being constructed. As a result, a more timely, less costly indication of the ride quality of a roadway is obtained as compared to prior methods. In a first embodiment a Global Navigation Satellite System antenna is attached to a vehicle. When the vehicle travels over a roadway, measurements of the position of the antenna are recorded at different times. A profile of the roadway is created by measuring the elevation of the antenna as a function of the distance traveled from a starting point. In another embodiment, tilt sensors are used to measure the slope of the roadway and the tilt of the vehicle so that a precise orientation of the vehicle and, hence, the contours of the roadway, can be determined.

Abstract: A method of braking a hydrostatic drive machine includes steps of reducing a displacement of a pump of a hydrostatic drive system to a non-zero displacement, and increasing a displacement of a motor of the hydrostatic drive system to a displacement that is less than a maximum displacement. The method also includes a step of accelerating an engine of the hydrostatic drive system toward a desired engine speed range.

Abstract: A wheel tractor scraper having a rear wheel drive assist, the wheel tractor scraper includes a tractor portion pivotally coupled to a rear scraper portion, the rear scraper portion having a bowl for hauling material and a fluid powered work tool configured to assist in loading the bowl, the work tool powered by a fluid pump connected to a fluid operated work tool motor. The rear wheel drive assist includes a fluid operated drive motor coupled to the rear wheels of the machine, a diverter valve having a first position at which fluid flow is delivered from the pump to the work tool motor and a second position at which fluid flow is delivered from the pump to the drive motor, and a controller being configured to control the diverter valve to engage the rear wheel drive assist. The machine may be operated by engaging the pump and work tool motor, and then actuating the diverter valve to the second position to divert flow from the work tool motor to the drive motor.

Abstract: A rear wheel drive assist for a wheel tractor scraper, the wheel tractor scraper having a tractor portion with a power source operatively connected to the front driven wheels, and a rear, scraper portion having a bowl, work tool, and first and second rear wheels, the rear wheel drive assist includes a work tool pump fluidly connected to a work tool motor to drive the work tool, fluid operated drive motors operatively connected to the rear wheels, and a diverter valve selectively movable between a first position that delivers fluid flow from the pump to the work tool motor, and a second position that delivers fluid flow from the work tool pump to the rear wheel drive motors.

Abstract: A radiator of a cooling system is disposed within an engine compartment, between a rear mounted engine and a cab on a wheeled machine. The remaining components within the engine compartment are arranged such that they are lower in height than the radiator, the engine compartment enclosure generally angling down from the cab rearward. The enclosure includes an air intake that opens into a gap between the enclosure and cab. A fan disposed rearward the radiator may pull cooling air through the air intake and past the radiator.

Abstract: A machine (100) includes a frame that is pivotally connected to a tandem drive arrangement. The tandem drive arrangement includes a beam (120) and a first motor (128) having a first stator portion (202) connected to a first end of the beam (120). The first motor (128) also includes a first rotor portion (204) connected to a first drive wheel (118). A load sharing arrangement (412) is associated with the tandem drive arrangement and includes a first collar (414) rotatably disposed around the first stator portion (202) and a second collar (426) rotatably disposed around a portion of the beam (120). A first linkage (424) is pivotally connected between the first and second collars such that the load sharing arrangement (412) balances unbalanced loading in the tandem drive arrangement by transferring the unbalanced loading to the frame.

Abstract: A machine (100) includes a frame (102) portion and a tandem wheel arrangement, which includes a main linkage (312) and a stabilizing linkage (322) that are pivotally connected to the frame (102) portion. A first mount (304) and a second mount (304) are pivotally connected to the main linkage (312) and to the stabilizing linkage (322), such that the main linkage (312), the stabilizing linkage (322), the first mount (304), and the second mount (304) define a four-bar-linkage arrangement (202) that operates to transfer unbalanced torque loads from the first mount (304) and the second mount (304) to the frame (102) portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using satellite positioning systems to more precisely locate the position of a portion of an attachment on an earthmoving machine is disclosed. More specifically, satellite positioning system antennas are mounted to an arm or other point relative to the arm of an illustrative excavator. A reference point relative to these antennas is used to determine the precise location of a portion of an attachment to the excavator, such as the prongs of a bucket. In one embodiment, an angle sensor or inclinometer is used to ascertain the position of the prongs when the bucket is scooped. In another embodiment, an angle sensor or inclinometer is used to measure the tilt of the body of the excavator, such as would occur when the excavator is resting on a sloped surface.

Abstract: A method of operating a machine is disclosed. The machine may have a power system that includes a prime mover, a multiple-ratio transmission, a propulsion device, and power-system controls. The method may include propelling the machine by transmitting power from the prime mover to the propulsion device through the multiple-ratio transmission, while controlling operation of the prime mover and the multiple-ratio transmission with the power-system controls. This may include determining with the power-system controls at least one energy-efficiency estimate based at least in part on energy-efficiency characteristics of the prime mover and energy-efficiency characteristics of the multiple-ratio transmission. Controlling the prime mover and the multiple-ratio transmission may further include controlling a prime-mover operating speed of the prime mover and a transmission drive ratio of the multiple-ratio transmission based at least in part on the at least one energy-efficiency estimate.

Abstract: A tissue surface treatment apparatus includes a housing having a proximal end, a distal end including a tissue contacting surface, an interior defined by the housing and a handpiece coupled to the housing. The contactinc surface has a plurality of apertures. An energy delivery device including an electrode is positionable in the housing interior. The electrode includes a tissue penetrating distal end in substantial alignment with an aperture. The electrode is configured to be advanced from the housing interior through the aperture and into a target tissue site to define an ablation volume at least partly bounded by a tissue surface. An advancement device is coupled to the energy delivery device and is at least partly positionable within at least one of the housing or the handpiece. The advancement device is configured to advance the electrode from the housing interior into the target tissue site and withdrawal the electrode into the housing interior.

Abstract: Nanoparticles including a molecular cluster compound incorporating ions from groups 12 and 16 of the periodic table, as well as a core semiconductor material incorporating ions from groups 13 and 15 of the periodic table, are fabricated. The core semiconductor material is provided on the molecular cluster compound.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit is provided for a by-wire brake system. There is a need for such a circuit which permits independent left and right brake operation and which has redundancy. The circuit includes left and right brake control valves, a left brake line communicated with a left brake, a right brake line communicated with a right brake, and a left-right cross-over valve operable to open and close communication between the left and right brake lines. The hydraulic circuit also includes a left shutoff valve between an outlet of the left brake valve and the left brake line, and a right shutoff valve between an outlet of the right brake valve and the right brake line.

Abstract: A tissue ablation system including numerous components and methods is described herein for encircling target tissue and generating tissue ablation volumes in various biological tissues. The biological tissue includes tissue of a variety of organs of the human body including the liver, spleen, kidney, lung, breast and other organs, but is not so limited. The tissue ablation device comprises an energy source and at least one trocar coupled to the energy source, the trocar having a body, a proximal end, and a distal end. The trocar carries an electrode array that comprises a plurality of electrodes, each electrode of the plurality of electrodes is configured to extend from the trocar when moved from a retracted state to a deployed state, and to have at least one radius of curvature in the deployed state so that the electrode array forms a series of shaped electrodes in the deployed state.

Abstract: An ablation device is described comprising an introducer and an electrode array. The electrode array couples to a distal end of the introducer. The electrode array includes a center member having a distal end configured to penetrate tissue and a plurality of electrodes. Proximal and distal ends of each electrode are relatively fixed. The electrodes are dynamically configurable from a retracted state to a deployed state in which the electrodes form a relatively spherical shape in a tissue volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying our thermal ablation of target tissue is disclosed. The apparatus includes an RF ablation device having a multi-electrode electrode assembly designed to be deployed in target tissue, defining a selected-volume tissue region to be ablated, and having infusion channels for infusing a liquid into the target tissue during the ablation process. A control unit in the apparatus is operably connected to an RF energy source, for controlling the RF power level supplied to the electrodes, and to an infusion device, for controlling the rate of infusion of a liquid through the device into the tissue. During both electrode deployment and tissue ablation, impedance and or temperature measurements made within the tissue are used to control the RF source and infusion device, for optimizing the time and extent of tissue ablation.

Abstract: A membrane designed to surround the front portion of the foot and protect it from pressure that may be applied by shoes. The membrane acts as a protective barrier between the shoe and the wearer's foot. As a result, direct abrasion of the foot caused by portions of the shoe is reduced. Additionally, the membrane is designed to spread the pressure exerted by portions of the shoe, such as straps, to a significantly larger surface area of the wearer's foot. The membrane is worn on the front portion of the foot between the toes and the heel.

Abstract: A training device for an ambulatory user is disclosed. The training device includes a harness to attach to the ambulatory user, a pair of wheels extending from opposite sides of a crossbar, and a weight holder connected between the crossbar and the harness. The weight holder is adapted to hold one or more removable weights. The training device can further include an elongated shock absorber connected to the harness to absorb compressive and expansive forces exerted on the harness at least in part by the ambulatory user.

Abstract: Method for producing a nanoparticle comprised of core, first shell and second shell semiconductor materials. Effecting conversion of a core precursor composition comprising separate first and second precursor species to the core material and then depositing said first and second shells. The conversion is effected in the presence of a molecular cluster compound under conditions permitting seeding and growth of the nanoparticle core. Core/multishell nanoparticles in which at least two of the core, first shell and second shell materials incorporate ions from groups 12 and 15, 14 and 16, or 11, 13 and 16 of the periodic table. Core/multishell nanoparticles in which the second shell material incorporates at least two different group 12 ions and group 16 ions. Core/multishell nanoparticles in which at least one of the core, first and second semiconductor materials incorporates group 11, 13 and 16 ions and the other semiconductor material does not incorporate group 11, 13 and 16 ions.

Abstract: A tissue surface reatment apparatus includes a housing having a proximal end, a distal end including a tissue contacting surface, an interior defined by the housing and a handpiece coupled to the housing. The contactine surface has a plurality of apertures. An energy delivery device including an electrode is positionable in the housing interior. The electrode includes a tissue penetrating distal end in substantial alignment with an aperture. The electrode is configured to be advanced from the housing interior through the aperture and into a target tissue site to define an ablation volume at least partly bounded by a tissue surface. An advancement device is coupled to the energy deliveru device and is at least partly positionable within at least one of the housing or the handpiece. The advancement device is configured to advance the electrode fdro the housing interior into the target tissuesite and withdrawal the electrode into the housing interior.

Abstract: A system and web-based representation is provided. The representation may be used to supplement an application to an institution, be used as an application to an institution or be a portion of such an application. The representation features multimedia, including, for example, but not limited to video, audio, or textual representations of an applicant. Applicants may be applying, for example, to college, private school, graduate school, vocational/technical school, or schools for specialized studies including but not limited to performing or fine arts. Profit models based on this representation are also described. The information or computer instructions (for example, embedded code) uploaded by an applicant is stored in at least one database that is incorporated in a system used to populate one or multiple web pages for the applicant. For example, the one or more databases may be stored in memory operatively connected to a server. This content may be viewed by admissions professionals.