Abstract: A method for increasing the current carried between two high voltage conductor support towers is provided. The method includes removing a first high voltage carrying cable mounted between the towers and replacing it with a composite core cable. This replacement of cable may be accomplished with existing cable hanging equipment and without the need for additional tooling.

Abstract: Implantable infusion devices configured to improve fill and evacuation procedures.

Abstract: A method for increasing the current carried between two high voltage conductor support towers is provided. The method includes removing a first high voltage carrying cable mounted between the towers and replacing it with a composite core cable. This replacement of cable may be accomplished with existing cable hanging equipment and without the need for additional tooling.

Abstract: An infusion device includes a disc-shaped housing that is made from a biocompatible material. The housing contains a reservoir for holding a volume of infusion medium, such as a medication to be administered to the patient. The inlet structure is coupled in flow communication with the reservoir, to allow the reservoir to be filled or refilled. The housing has an outlet through which the infusion medium may be expelled.

Abstract: A method for increasing the current carried between two high voltage conductor support towers is provided. The method includes removing a first high voltage carrying cable mounted between the towers and replacing it with a composite core cable. This replacement of cable may be accomplished with existing cable hanging equipment and without the need for additional tooling.

Abstract: An infusion device includes a disc-shaped housing that is made from a biocompatible material. The housing contains a reservoir for holding a volume of infusion medium, such as a medication to be administered to the patient. The inlet structure is coupled in flow communication with the reservoir, to allow the reservoir to be filled or re-filled. The housing has an outlet through which the infusion medium may be expelled.

Abstract: A composite reinforced electrical transmission conductor primarily designed for transmission of electrical signals. The conductor is comprised of a reinforced plastic composite inner core along with an outer highly electrically conductive sheath therearound. In this way, the inner core provides the necessary strength and the outer sheath provides for transmission of the electrical signals. In a preferred embodiment, the reinforced composite core is comprised of individual sections which cooperate together to provide the necessary loading capabilities. Further, a fiber optic cable may also be carried by the composite reinforced core. A splicing arrangement for securing ends of the cable together is also provided.

Abstract: An infusion device includes a disc-shaped housing that is made from a biocompatible material. The housing contains a reservoir for holding a volume of infusion medium, such as a medication to be administered to the patient. The inlet structure is coupled in flow communication with the reservoir, to allow the reservoir to be filled or re-filled. The housing has an outlet through which the infusion medium may be expelled.

Abstract: Preventing identity theft in electronic communications sequences (180) involves generating a consumer identifier (126) for an individual (92) from a trusted service (82), including a primary key (128), a unique identifier (130), and a consumer-defined sequence (132). The consumer-defined sequence (132) allows the individual (92) to control use of the consumer identifier (126) by third parties, such as business entities (112). The method and system further allows business entities (114) to verify use of the consumer identifier (126) by first initiating a verification process (196) via a secure connection (110). Verification includes comparing (200) the consumer identifier (126) with a pre-determined set of database records (86, 88, and 90). If the requesting business (108) has registered with the trusted service (82), the invention presents a positive or negative confirmation (208) to the requesting business (108) according to the inquiry (204).

Abstract: A composite reinforced electrical transmission conductor primarily designed for transmission of electrical signals in the nature of telephone signals. The conductor is comprised of a reinforced plastic composite inner core along with an outer highly electrically conductive sheath therearound. In this way, the inner core provides the necessary strength and the outer sheath provides for transmission of the electrical signals. In a preferred embodiment, the reinforced composite core is comprised of individual sections which cooperate together to provide the necessary loading capabilities. Further, a fiber optic cable may also be carried by the composite reinforced core. A splicing arrangement for securing ends of the cable together is also provided.

Abstract: An implantable infusion device includes of a disc-shaped housing that is made from a biocompatible material and contains a reservoir. The reservoir defines a chamber that contains at least one flexible diaphragm. A ring is provided in alignment with the peripheral edge of each diaphragm. The ring has a central opening that is aligned with the convolution and central portion of each diaphragm, to allow the diaphragm to flex within the ring. In this manner, the volume on one side of each diaphragm may be varied to correspond to a varying volume of infusion medium. Similarly, the volume within the reservoir chamber on the other side of the diaphragms is varied as the diaphragms flex, to correspond to the expansion and contraction of a propellant medium within the reservoir.

Abstract: An implantable infusion device includes of a disc-shaped housing that is made from a biocompatible material. The housing contains a reservoir for holding a volume of infusion medium, such as a medication to be administered to the patient. A reservoirs for an implantable infusion devices may be configured to reduce the thickness requirements of the device, without compromising volume capacity of the device. In addition, such a reservoir configuration can allow multiple dispensing and fill or re-fill operations, with reduced risk of damage to the reservoir components. The reservoir defines a chamber that contains at least one flexible diaphragm. Each diaphragm has an outer peripheral edge within the chamber, a convolution adjacent the peripheral edge and a generally smooth central portion that is free to flex within the chamber, wherein the convolution enhances the flexibility of the diaphragm. A ring is provided in alignment with the peripheral edge of each diaphragm.

Abstract: An infusion device includes a disc-shaped housing that is made from a biocompatible material. The housing contains a reservoir for holding a volume of infusion medium, such as a medication to be administered to the patient. The inlet structure is coupled in flow communication with the reservoir, to allow the reservoir to be filled or re-filled. The housing has an outlet through which the infusion medium may be expelled.

Abstract: An engine control computer estimates the cumulative SO.sub.x stored in a NO.sub.x trap and enters a SO.sub.x purge mode of operation when a maximum storage capacity limit is exceeded. SO.sub.x accumulation is estimated based on fuel flow to the engine, A/F and trap temperature. The purge mode is terminated when the estimated SO.sub.x storage level drops below a minimum threshold level during the purging operation.

Abstract: A control method is described for an engine having a throttle body coupled to the engine intake manifold and a bypass air passageway coupled to the throttle body via an electronically controllable bypass valve. A single measurement of air inducted through both the throttle body and the bypass air passageway is provided by an air flow meter. Fuel is delivered to the intake manifold in relation to the single air measurement. An air flow correction value is generated from a functional relationship between engine torque and air/fuel ratio during lean air/fuel operating conditions. Air flow through the bypass passageway is increased by the air flow correction value to compensate for engine torque loss resulting from such lean operation.

Abstract: A structural orientation and protective apparatus is disclosed that is particularly useful in a tillage assembly for sod seeding purposes. The apparatus includes a pair of skids each of which is adjacent to a cutter wheel mounted on the tillage assembly for cutting a furrow in ground to be seeded, each skid including a ground engaging portion to determine the maximum depth of furrow cut by the cutter wheel. Each skid is mounted for pivotal motion about a horizontal axis at the forward end, with the forward end being inclined upwardly from the ground engaging portion. A vertical mounting plate on each skid has a bracket mounted therebetween at the rear portion to receive a vertical adjustment rod, one portion of which is connected to the frame of the apparatus for controlling the selected depth of furrow to be cut. A seed tube boot is fastened to the rear portion of the skid so that regardless of the selected depth of furrow cut, the tube remains in the same position relative to the ground.

Abstract: A depth control and protective apparatus is disclosed as particularly useful in a tillage assembly for sod seeding purposes. The apparatus includes a pair of skids mounted upon a pivoted arm, which arm has also mounted thereon a pair of cutter wheels for cutting a furrow in ground to be seeded, each skid including a ground engaging portion to determine the maximum depth of furrow cut by the cutter wheel. Each skid is mounted for essentially vertical movement with respect to the associated arm and cutter wheel mounted thereon to thereby determine and control the depth of furrow cut by the associated cutter wheel. A substantially circular plate has an oval aperture in the central portion through which the axle and drive for the cutter wheel extends, and an inwardly directed cylindrical flange extends to the periphery of the circular plate to protect the axle and to provide for movement of the skid relative to the cutter wheel and axle.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for fabricating on-site storage structures with reinforced composite materials, as well as the storage structures produced in accordance with the apparatus and method. In one aspect of the invention, reinforcing material which comprises at least one layer of fiber containing strand material, and one or more layers of fiber containing mat material are resin impregnated and passed through a draw-die orifice. Upon passing through the draw-die orifice this material is deposited in a continuously formed spiral where the turns forming the spiral are registered with each other. A cure of the resin material is initiated as the impregnated reinforcing material passes through the draw-die orifice. The cure is initiated by means of a curing device which applies dielectric energy to the impregnated reinforcing material, to thereby form a rigid spiral turn which becomes bonded to the next adjacent registered layer.

Abstract: A composite strand of thermosetting synthetic plastic resin reinforced with fibers of conductive or semi-conductive material is produced by a pultrusion machine and process which forms and impregnates the composite strand and pulls it through the stage of impregnation, followed by curing, and forming. At the impregnation stage liquid thermosetting resin is mixed with hardener and the fiber strand saturated with the mixture and rough formed. During the initial curing stage a cure is started by heating the fibers by use of inductive electrical wave energy and the heated fibers in turn heat the resin. Before final curing, the saturated strand is pulled through the finish die where it may be externally heated and wherein the saturated strand is given its final cross-sectional shape and external finish, and cured to completion immediately prior to final emergence at the exit end of the finish die.