Abstract: A distributor is configured with an outer housing that has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are adjustable in angular orientation relative to each other. Movement of the second portion relative to the first portion changes ignition timing in the distributor. The movement can be caused by rotation of a thumbwheel such that ignition timing can be changed without mechanical tools. The first and second portions also can comprise visual or tactile markings such that ignition timing can be changed without a timing light. The outer housing can be used in multiple applications simply by changing a length of a shaft housing member that houses a distributor shaft and a gear that is mounted to the distributor shaft.

Abstract: System and methods may include storing one or more data item entries with one or more attributes fields associated with attributes of a digital content item as well as one or more rule entries with a transformation to apply to an attribute of a digital content item. Further, identification information associated with a user may be received that is associated with a data item that stores data representing a non-monetary balance of the user and a client program. Also, a rule entry may be retrieved based on the identification information and accessing a set of data item entries based on the identification information, the set of data item entries are associated with a set of digital content items. An attribute of the set of digital content items may be transformed into a transformed attribute according to the rule entry based on the identification information.

Abstract: A pill card bubble cutter includes a hinged or sliding “clam shell” like hand held cutter with opposing blades along one side for cutting through the pill card bubbles to release pills, and resembles a common staple puller. The cutter may further include a cup or pouch to catch the pill once released. In another embodiment, the cutter has a single blade opposing a stop to cut through one side of the bubble to allow the bubble to be bent back to release the pill. The cutter may alternatively include two opposing parallel sides pressed together to cut through the bubble.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance antenna system with wide interrogation zones has a number of core transceiver antennas with each connectable to a transmitter. The core transceiver antennas are adapted to be installed adjacent a ceiling of the wide interrogation zone and generate an interrogation signal into the wide interrogation zone. The core transceiver antennas each are connectable to a receiver to receive and detect a response signal from an electronic surveillance marker disposed in the wide interrogation zone. The system also has transceiver antenna coils with each connectable to the transmitter and adapted to be installed adjacent a floor of the wide interrogation zone. The transceiver antenna coils generate the interrogation signal into the wide interrogation zone and each is also connectable to the receiver to receive and detect the response signal from the electronic surveillance marker disposed in the wide interrogation zone.

Abstract: A distributor is configured with an outer housing that has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are adjustable in angular orientation relative to each other. Movement of the second portion relative to the first portion changes ignition timing in the distributor. The movement can be caused by rotation of a thumbwheel such that ignition timing can be changed without mechanical tools. The first and second portions also can comprise visual or tactile markings such that ignition timing can be changed without a timing light. The outer housing can be used in multiple applications simply by changing a length of a shaft housing member that houses a distributor shaft and a gear that is mounted to the distributor shaft.

Abstract: A fuel injection unit is designed for replacement of existing carburetors. The fuel injection unit can be sized similarly to the existing carburetor. The fuel injection unit can have concealed fuel injectors. End caps can be provided that overlie the fuel injectors and that contain fuel line connections. The end caps provide an appearance of carburetor fuel bowls while generally concealing the fuel injectors and the associated fluid connections.

Abstract: A device for actuating a pneumatically operated gas-line shut-off valve is disclosed. The device comprises a shape memory alloy wire that is actuated by the application of electrical current. When the shape memory alloy wire is actuated, it opens a spring loaded air exhaust valve that releases the pneumatic pressure holding the gas-line shut-off valve in the open position. The shape memory alloy wire can be activated with an electronic remote control device or through direct wiring thereto.

Abstract: A device for actuating a pneumatically operated gas-line shut-off valve is disclosed. The device comprises a shape memory alloy wire that is actuated by the application of electrical current. When the shape memory alloy wire is actuated, it opens a spring loaded air exhaust valve that releases the pneumatic pressure holding the gas-line shut-off valve in the open position. The shape memory alloy wire can be activated with an electronic remote control device or through direct wiring thereto.

Abstract: A fuel injection unit is designed for replacement of existing carburetors. The fuel injection unit can be sized similarly to the existing carburetor. The fuel injection unit can have concealed fuel injectors. End caps can be provided that overlie the fuel injectors and that contain fuel line connections. The end caps provide an appearance of carburetor fuel bowls while generally concealing the fuel injectors and the associated fluid connections.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance antenna system with wide interrogation zones has a number of core transceiver antennas with each connectable to a transmitter. The core transceiver antennas are adapted to be installed adjacent a ceiling of the wide interrogation zone and generate an interrogation signal into the wide interrogation zone. The core transceiver antennas each are connectable to a receiver to receive and detect a response signal from an electronic surveillance marker disposed in the wide interrogation zone. The system also has transceiver antenna coils with each connectable to the transmitter and adapted to be installed adjacent a floor of the wide interrogation zone. The transceiver antenna coils generate the interrogation signal into the wide interrogation zone and each is also connectable to the receiver to receive and detect the response signal from the electronic surveillance marker disposed in the wide interrogation zone.

Abstract: A helmet having an outer shell formed to substantially enclose the head of a wearer and an inner liner disposed within the outer shell and conforming in shape substantially to the outer shell. An aperture is disposed at a front portion of the inner liner. A first exit port is disposed at a first rear portion of the outer shell, with the first exit port being substantially larger than the aperture. A first acoustic chamber is disposed between the inner liner and the outer shell and extends in a curved fashion from the aperture to the first exit port along a first side of the helmet. As a result, a wearer of the helmet is able to speak into the aperture of the helmet and have his voice carried through the first acoustic chamber and exit via the exit port to be heard by a person behind the wearer. Optionally, a second acoustic chamber is similarly disposed on the opposite side of the first acoustic chamber.

Abstract: A helmet having an outer shell formed to substantially enclose the head of a wearer and an inner liner disposed within the outer shell and conforming in shape substantially to the outer shell. An aperture is disposed at a front portion of the inner liner. A first exit port is disposed at a first rear portion of the outer shell, with the first exit port being substantially larger than the aperture. A first acoustic chamber is disposed between the inner liner and the outer shell and extends in a curved fashion from the aperture to the first exit port along a first side of the helmet. As a result, a wearer of the helmet is able to speak into the aperture of the helmet and have his voice carried through the first acoustic chamber and exit via the exit port to be heard by a person behind the wearer. Optionally, a second acoustic chamber is similarly disposed on the opposite side of the first acoustic chamber.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (EAS) antenna system including at least one transmit antenna and at least one amorphous core receiver antenna adapted for installation on the floor, in the grout region of the floor, or under the flooring of a passageway. An EAS system including at least one perimeter loop antenna adapted to extend around the entire perimeter of a passageway is also provided. The system may further include at least one floor antenna adapted for installation within a region of a floor of a passageway and at least one ceiling antenna adapted for installation adjacent a ceiling of the passageway.

Abstract: A mechanically reconfigurable marine propulsion device that adapts to engine torque and/or vessel speed thereby providing improved propulsive efficiency and performance. The axial flow propulsion device has two or more stages each having an impeller section and a stator section. Stator vanes and/or the pumping chamber provide a flow diffusion that generates increased hydrostatic pressure from ram pressure recovered from high velocity working fluid which, due to reduced fluid velocity and increased hydrostatic pressure, lowers cavitation events and frictional losses within the propulsion device. Optionally, variable-pitch vanes in the stator section control the amount of ram pressure imparted to the working fluid. Also optionally, variable-pitch inlet guide vanes control the whirl angle and/or mass flow rate of incoming fluid independently of rotor or vessel speed. A set of fixed or variable exit guide vanes aft of the pumping chamber provides flow straightening and pressure maintenance at a discharge nozzle.

Abstract: A construction panel for use with fiber reinforced concrete finish is disclosed. The panel includes a core member comprising a composite of wire trusses and foam blocks secured in a compressed shape. The core member also incorporates wire mesh strips having screed ridges for receiving and smoothing fiber reinforced concrete applied to the composite.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bond integrity tool, which includes a shoulder housing, a collar shaft, and an end cap. The collar shaft has a neck portion and a mouth portion. The neck portion is disposed within the shoulder housing, and the mouth portion is able to grip a test piece. The end cap communicates with the neck portion, such that when the end cap is initiated the end cap applies force on the shoulder housing, which in turn applies force on the collar shaft, which grips the test piece such that the bond integrity between the test piece and a surface may be tested.

Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a preferably planar, major bottom portion, an open top to receive the cover opposing the bottom portion, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device. The cover and the shallow case being substantially hermetically sealed by a laser weld technique and an insulator member disposed within the case to provide a barrier to incident laser radiation so that during welding radiation does not impinge upon radiation sensitive component(s) disposed within the case.

Abstract: A magnetic core antenna system including a magnetic core and a winding network. The winding network may be configured with a non-uniform ampere-turn distribution to achieve a desired flux density in the core. The network may include a plurality of windings configured to provide a winding impedance facilitating optimal transmitter power delivery to the windings. A magnetic core may be constructed from multiple components having longitudinal contact surfaces and joined by a transverse clamping force. An air gap may be provided between the components to allow relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: A water cannon utilizing ultra high pressure to propel a collimated beam of water or other liquid through a nozzle at high speeds at great distances. Ultra high pressure is achieved by multiple serially communicating pumping stations that successively build fluid pressure within respective annular chambers having cross-sectional areas that decrease between the pumping stations as fluid speed increases in the downstream direction. To attain the desired velocity head at the nozzle, a gearbox connected to a prime mover, e.g., a gas turbine engine on-board an ocean vessel, drives multi-stage axial flow pumps at successively increasing speeds commensurate with a volumetric rate of flow. Optionally, the axial flow pumps may include variable stator vanes between rotor blades and/or variable inlet guide vanes at an inlet in order to control flow volume, fluid pressure, engine load, or impact force delivered by the cannon.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance antenna system for wide exit interrogation zones is provided. In a first aspect, a first and a second transmit antenna, each adapted for installation on opposite sides of a wide interrogation zone. A third transmit antenna is adapted for installation adjacent the ceiling of the wide interrogation zone. The first, second, and third transmit antennas are connectable to a transmitter for generation of an interrogation signal for transmission into the wide interrogation zone. A plurality of amorphous core receiver antennas are adapted for installation in the grout region of a floor of the wide interrogation zone. The output of each of the plurality of amorphous core receiver antennas are connectable to a receiver for detection of a response signal from an electronic article surveillance tag disposed in the wide interrogation zone. The response signal is responsive to the interrogation signal.