Abstract: A nut plate assembly includes a nut retainer and a bushing for expanding a tubular body of the retainer. The retainer assembly is used to cold work an opening of a workpiece in order to fix the nut retainer assembly relative to the workpiece. A nut can be snapped into the retainer. A method of installation includes passing a mandrel through the bushing to radially expand the bushing into a tubular body of the retainer. The tubular body is compressed between the workpiece and bushing as the bushing is displaced radially causing corresponding radial displacement of the tubular body. The expanded bushing applies pressure to the tubular body for a desired fit between the nut retainer and workpiece.

Abstract: A sanitary disposable writing instrument for minimizing the transfer of bacteria, viruses and/or chemicals from one person to another including a strip of flexible holding material, a writing implement removably secured to the flexible holding material, and a writing tip associated with the writing implement. At least a second writing instrument can be provided to form a series of removably secured writing instruments wherein removal of one writing instrument from the series causes a next writing instrument to be positioned for removal from the series. Combination dispenser and holding members for dispensing the series of writing instruments in a sanitary manner is also provided. The holding members can be mounted on either a vertical or horizontal support surface and can receive replacement dispensers therein.

Abstract: A system for sensing a gas stream constituent comprises: (a) a thermally conductive, electrically insulative substrate, (b) a gas-sensing element mounted on the substrate and capable of sensing the constituent, (c) a reference element mounted on the substrate having electrical properties congruent with the gas-sensing element and being insensitive to the constituent, (d) an electronic circuit interconnecting the gas-sensing element and the reference element. The circuit is capable of actuating both of the elements and measuring the voltage difference between the elements. The voltage difference is proportional to the concentration of the constituent in the gas stream.

Abstract: An expandable kit (110) that includes an inner member (114), an outer collar (116), and an expandable member (112). The expandable member can be used to cold work an opening of a workpiece (130) and induce expansion of the outer collar in order to retain the outer collar. A method of installing the kit that includes passing a tapered portion of a mandrel through the expandable member to radially expand the expandable member into the structural workpiece. The outer collar is moved axially over the expandable member until the workpiece is compressed or captured between the expanded portion of the outer collar and a retaining end of the expandable member. The inner member is pulled into the expandable member.

Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit device including a first-level module configurable to receive and transmit control information, said first level module including a first sub-level module, a second sub-level module operably coupleable to the first sub-level module, and a third sub-level module operably coupleable to the second module; and a second-level module operably coupleable to the first-level module is disclosed.

Abstract: A sanitary disposable writing instrument for minimizing the transfer of bacteria, viruses and/or chemicals from one person to another is provided. The sanitary disposable writing instrument comprises a strip of flexible holding material having a writing implement with a writing tip attached to the flexible material. A grasping means is formed from a portion of the holding material. This grasping means allows the user to grasp the writing implement to write with the writing tip. The disposable writing instruments are provided in a series of instruments that may be removed, used, and disposed of leaving a subsequent, untouched sanitary writing instrument in place for the next user. A dispenser for dispensing these writing instruments and a method of making such instruments is also provided in this invention.

Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit device including a first-level module configurable to receive and transmit control information, said first level module including a first sub-level module, a second sub-level module operably coupleable to the first sub-level module, and a third sub-level module operably coupleable to the second module; and a second-level module operably coupleable to the first-level module is disclosed.

Abstract: At least one embodiment generally relates to an installation assembly for an opening in a workpiece that includes a swaged collar, an inner member, and an outer member. The swaged collar has a first end, a second end, and a main body extending between the first end and the second end. The main body includes an inner surface defining a passageway through the collar. The inner member has a mandrel section for expanding the outer member. The inner member is used to expand the outer member and to keep the outer member in an expanded state.

Abstract: A gas sensor assembly detects the presence of a constituent in a first gas stream. The assembly comprises: (a) a flexible circuit having a pair of oppositely-facing surfaces, (b) a sensor mounted on one surface of the flex circuit, the sensor electrically connected to conductors in the flex circuit, and (c) a channel for directing a second gas stream across the flex circuit surface facing away from the sensor, the channel formed at least in part by the flex circuit surface facing away from the sensor. The first and second gas streams can be derived from a common gas stream. In operation, thermal conductivity between the sensor and neighboring heat-conducting structures components is reduced, thereby reducing sensor electric power consumption.

Abstract: A sanitary disposable writing instrument for minimizing the transfer of bacteria, viruses and/or chemicals from one person to another is provided. The sanitary disposable writing instrument comprises a strip of flexible holding material having a writing implement with a writing tip attached to the flexible material. A grasping means is formed from a portion of the holding material. This grasping means allows the user to grasp the writing implement to write with the writing tip. The disposable writing instruments are provided in a series of instruments that may be removed, used, and disposed of leaving a subsequent, untouched sanitary writing instrument in place for the next user. A dispenser for dispensing these writing instruments and a method of making such instruments is also provided in this invention.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a printing mechanism having a media path. A print media source is provided for supplying a sheet of print media to the printing mechanism. A drive unit is provided, with a drive shaft coupled to the drive unit. A media sensor device is mounted to the drive shaft, wherein as the drive shaft is rotated in a first direction the media sensor device is moved from a first position that is out of the media path to a second position that is in the media path for sensing the sheet of print media. As the drive shaft is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction the media sensor device is moved from the second position that is in the media path for sensing the sheet of print media to the first position that is out of the media path.

Abstract: A gas sensor assembly detects the presence of a constituent in a first gas stream. The assembly comprises: (a) a flexible circuit having a pair of oppositely-facing surfaces, (b) a sensor mounted on one surface of the flex circuit, the sensor electrically connected to conductors in the flex circuit, and (c) a channel for directing a second gas stream across the flex circuit surface facing away from the sensor, the channel formed at least in part by the flex circuit surface facing away from the sensor. The first and second gas streams can be derived from a common gas stream. In operation, thermal conductivity between the sensor and neighboring heat-conducting structures components is reduced, thereby reducing sensor electric power consumption.

Abstract: A system for sensing a gas stream constituent comprises: (a) a thermally conductive, electrically insulative substrate, (b) a gas-sensing element mounted on the substrate and capable of sensing the constituent, (c) a reference element mounted on the substrate having electrical properties congruent with the gas-sensing element and being insensitive to the constituent, (d) an electronic circuit interconnecting the gas-sensing element and the reference element. The circuit is capable of actuating both of the elements and measuring the voltage difference between the elements. The voltage difference is proportional to the concentration of the constituent in the gas stream.

Abstract: A low-profile ink jet cartridge assembly for an ink jet printer. The low profile ink jet cartridge assembly includes a substantially rectangular ink jet cartridge body having a printhead side, opposing side surfaces attached to the printhead side and a length, a height, and a width, wherein the length is greater than the height and the width. A printhead containing a semiconductor substrate is attached to the printhead side of the ink cartridge. A flexible circuit having a width, a length, a first edge along the length thereof, a second edge along the length thereof, first printer contact pads along at least a portion of the length thereof adjacent the first edge, and second printer contact pads along at least a portion of the length thereof adjacent the second edge is attached to the ink cartridge on the opposing side surfaces of the cartridge body.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling access to an adapter, such as a graphics adapter, are disclosed. The method includes querying an adapter lock with a first thread. Thereafter, responsive to determining that the lock indicates the first thread does not have access to the adapter, a sequence to obtain access to the adapter is initiated where the sequence includes writing the adapter context corresponding to the first thread. The, sequence may include a ring 3 to ring 0 transition. The method also includes, in response to determining that the lock indicates the first thread has access to the adapter, communicating to the adapter with the first thread without invoking the sequence to obtain access to the adapter. In one embodiment, querying the adapter lock includes writing a first word of the adapter lock using an atomic operation.

Abstract: A rotary die cutter, comprising a frame, an anvil roll revolvably attached to the frame, a die roll revolvably attached to the frame and positioned in operable contact with the anvil roll, and a drive mechanism for revolving the anvil roll and the die roll. The apparatus further includes an engagement mechanism for selectively engaging and disengaging the drive mechanism from driving the anvil roll and the die roll. The engagement mechanism preferably includes a single revolution clutch that is released by energizing a solenoid. The invention further includes a method of die cutting product comprising the steps of turning a motor, feeding the product sheet between an anvil roll and a die roll and unlatching a clutch to engage the motor with the anvil roll and die roll.