Abstract: When throttle lever is pulled with the rotation lock member of the engine-powered tool in a state in which rotation of rear handle is permitted, the electrode terminal provided on the rotation lock member and the electrode terminal provided on throttle lever contact each other. As a result of this contact, the two output terminals of the engine generator are short-circuited, the supply of electric power to the ignition device from the engine generator is stopped and the supply of electric power from the ignition device to sparkplug in the engine is stopped. Through this, operation of the blade is prevented when rotating rear handle.

Abstract: A load control system, in certain aspects, may be configured to decrease the amount of noise pollution of a prime mover (e.g., engine) of a service pack in that it may not require the prime mover to operate at higher discrete operating speeds to deliver small amounts of air from the air compressor. The load control system may also only increase the speed of the prime mover to a minimum discrete speed required, keeping noise at a minimum. The load control system may also maximize fuel efficiency by not operating the prime mover at the highest discrete speed at all times. More specifically, the lower operating speeds may lead to less fuel consumption.

Abstract: An adaptive fuel delivery control system includes a pressure monitoring module and a flow rate determination module. The pressure monitoring module determines an actual pressure drop after a fuel injection event on an injector. The flow rate determination module determines an adjusted flow rate based on a reference flow rate and the pressure drop.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator module is proposed having one or a plurality of piezoelectric actuators which is or are clamped in between an actuator head and an actuator base. According to the invention, at least the piezoelectric actuator is provided with a protection layer system. Provision is made of at least one surrounding element for tightly fixing the protection layer system to the actuator head, to the actuator base and/or to the piezoelectric actuator. The at least one surrounding element is composed of a material having a shape memory and can be pressed onto the protection layer system after a mounting-dictated expansion.

Abstract: A fuel injection controlling apparatus (electronic control unit) of an internal combustion engine, which can cause first to fourth fuel injection valves of respective cylinders connected to a fuel delivery pipe to inject a fuel, which is heated after fed from a fuel pump (feed pump), is provided with a fuel pump control unit that stops a drive of the fuel pump (feed pump) until the heated fuel in the fuel delivery pipe is reduced to a predetermined amount or less.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a vaporized-fuel processing device for an engine, capable of stabilizing the idling operation. In order to accomplish the above object, the vaporized fuel (9) within a fuel reservoir (5) is adsorbed to an adsorbing member of a canister (1). While the engine is in operation, the air (10) is sucked from an air inlet (3) into the canister (1) with the intake-air negative pressure produced in an intake-air passage (7). This air (10) separates the vaporized fuel (9) adsorbed to the adsorbing member of the canister (1). Purge gas resulting from mixing the vaporized fuel (9) into the air (10) is sucked from a purge-gas sucking port (8) into the intake-air passage (7). A throttle valve (14) is arranged in a throttle intake-air passage (13) of a throttle body (12). An intake-air pipe (15) is disposed intake-upstream of the throttle body (12) and is communicated with the throttle intake-air passage (13).

Abstract: A charge air cooler suitable for use in vehicles, such as Class 8 trucks, is disclosed. The charge air cooler includes one or more enhanced flow features that provide improved efficiency to an associated internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, the charge air cooler may include enhanced flow features that smooth the charge air flow as it transitions from an input plenum to the charge air tube conduits for reducing possible system pressure drop. In another embodiment, the input plenum and/or output plenum may be configured in order to maintain a constant charge air velocity across the inlet surface of the cooling core. To that end, the plenum may include a tapered lower section that decreases in width W, and thus, the cross sectional flow area into the cooling core, as the plenum extends from an upper region of the cooling core to the bottom of the cooling core.

Abstract: The invention refers to a supercharging system for an internal combustion engine incorporating in combination, a turbine, a compressor and an electrical driven system that is connected by any power transmission system to the crankshaft or any other vehicle drive shaft of an internal combustion engine, where the turbine inlet is subjected to exhaust gases, causing the turbine wheel to rotate and thereby via the drive shaft causing mechanical rotating power.

Abstract: An EGR control valve is driven by an actuator so as to control EGR amount by changing its opening degree. An EGR cooling device is provided in an EGR passage for cooling down EGR gas. A bypass passage is provided to the EGR passage, so that EGR gas may bypass the EGR cooling device. A switching valve is provided in the EGR passage for switching EGR mode from a hot EGR mode in which the EGR gas flows through the bypass passage to a cold EGR mode in which the EGR gas flows through the EGR cooling device, or vice versa. A converting mechanism is provided between the EGR control valve and the switching valve, so that the switching valve is driven by the actuator from its hot to cold switching position (or vice versa) when the EGR control valve is driven by the same actuator in a small angular range.

Abstract: An engine air management system is provided for an internal combustion engine generating blowby gas in a crankcase containing engine oil and oil aerosol. The system includes combinations of two or more of an air-oil separator, an air filter, and an acoustic silencer.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for an engine and a method of operating that system is disclosed. The system has a conduit arrangement for conducting exhaust gas from an exhaust side of the engine to an intake side of the engine, a valve arrangement configured for controlling the amount of exhaust gas to be recirculated and a conduit arrangement for providing intake air to the intake side of the engine. A sensor arrangement is provided and is configured to sense at least one parameter indicative of the humidity of the recirculated exhaust gas and the intake air at the intake side of the engine. A control arrangement is configured to receive a signal from the first sensor arrangement and further is configured to control the valve arrangement in response to a determination by the control arrangement that the first parameter is outside a desired range for low-NOx emission during a subsequent combustion period.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved grenade which launches a plurality of pellet projectiles. The grenade includes a housing containing at least one spiral launch tube, said launch tube having a breech end and a muzzle end. A plurality of projectiles are loaded in the launch tube between the breech and muzzle ends. The grenade includes a gas reservoir for storing a compressed gas coupled to the breech end of the launch tube. A valve is interposed between the reservoir and the breech end of the launch tube for controlling the flow of compressed gas from the reservoir to the breech end of the launch tube. The valve is moveable between a closed state and an open state wherein said compressed gas enters the breech end of the launch tube to propel the projectiles from the muzzle end, the valve being biased towards its open state.

Abstract: A paintball gun includes an air valve and a body portion, in which the body portion includes a paintball hole, a communicator, a piston, an axle and a bolt. By the pneumatic control of the air valve, the piston is pushed between the first and second positions, and the movement of the bolt is controlled between the third and fourth positions, so as to control the pneumatic air to flow out of the projection passage to project the paintball.

Abstract: A paintball gun includes an air valve and a body portion, in which the body portion includes a paintball hole, an axle sleeve and a bolt. By the position change of the air valve, the movement of the bolt is, therefore, controlled between the third and fourth positions, so as to selectively turn the effusion passage open or closed to control the pneumatic air to flow out of the projection passage and projection hole to project the paintball.

Abstract: A paintball gun includes an air valve and a body portion, in which the body portion includes a paintball hole, a communicator, a piston, an axle sleeve and a bolt. By the pneumatic control of the air valve, the piston is pushed between the first and second positions, and the movement of the bolt is, therefore, controlled between the third and fourth positions, so as to selectively turn the effusion passage open or closed to control the pneumatic air to flow out of the projection passage and projection hole to project the paintball.

Abstract: In a cutting disc which has a plurality of radial slots connecting with the peripheral edge of the disc wherein each radial slot curves to one side wherein the slot has a concave shape relative to the peripheral edge of the disc.

Abstract: The drawer type cooking device of the present invention comprises a drawer body formed integrally with a door capable of opening and closing an opening portion of a heating chamber formed within a cooking device body 1, a bracket 9a fixed to a movable rail 9 of a slide mechanism 7 for enabling the drawer body to be moved into and out of the cooking device body, and a rack gear 35 placed laterally and attached to an upper surface of the bracket 9a. A pinion gear 36 that receives driving force from the drive motor and rotates is arranged horizontally and engaged with the rack gear 35 in a horizontally disengageable manner. The bracket 9a has small bending force applied in the perpendicular direction, and the rack gear 35 is supported with high rigidity via the slide mechanism 7.

Abstract: The invention provides a drawer type built-in cooking device, wherein an air outlet portion 10 for discharging the inside air containing heat and vapor generated during cooking of an object to be cooked has an air outlet duct 11 communicated from an air outlet port area 3b formed on a side wall of the heating chamber 3 to a lower side portion of a front wall 1a of the cooking device body 1. The outlet air flow flowing through the air outlet duct 11 is sent downward from an air outlet opening 13 formed to a lower side portion of the front wall 1a of the cooking device body 1 and discharged to the exterior of the device. The present invention enables to eliminate the prior art air inlet and outlet duct structure disposed below the heating chamber 3, and therefore, the height of the heating chamber can be increased correspondingly.

Abstract: A barbeque grill assembly comprising a grill shell for holding a heating medium such as charcoal or a gas-distribution plenum. The sides of the grill shell support a heat-exchanger grill element above the heating medium, comprising a plurality of slats disposed in a frame and separated by slots, the slats and slots extending across the grill element. The slats are provided with heat conductor fins in contact with the slats and extending vertically downwards into proximity with the heating medium. Each fin has a relatively large surface area exposed to the hot combustion gases that move upwards from the heating medium toward the grill element, such that each fin abstracts heat from the gases and conducts the heat into the grill slats, thereby increasing the amount of heat derived from the combustion gases, increasing the temperature of the grill slats, and thereby increasing the efficiency of the barbeque grill assembly.

Abstract: A gas burner of a household cooking appliance is provided. The gas burner includes a burner portion, and a pedestal portion under the burner portion for elevating the burner portion above a cooktop surface of the household cooking appliance. The pedestal portion includes a base portion for mounting with the cooktop surface of the household cooking appliance, and an upper portion that interposes the base portion and the burner portion, and interfaces with the burner portion. A perimeter of the base portion has no mathematical correlation to one of a perimeter of the burner portion and a perimeter of the upper portion.

Abstract: Pool protection and solar heating cover with a housing frame, a black plastic film roof covering, a central water spray manifold, a water pump, a pair of water directing channels, a thermostat and water conduit tubing. The plastic roof covering is stapled to the housing frame. The central water spray manifold is mounted under the peak of the roof covering. The pump is turned on by the thermostat when the temperature of the roof covering reaches a pre-determined level. The pump transfers water from a swimming pool to the manifold via the water conduit tubing. The manifold has a plurality of spray apertures that direct the water to the underside of the roof covering. The water slides down the underside of the roof covering until it reaches the water directing channels which direct the water back into the swimming pool.

Abstract: A concentrating solar collector heat collecting element insulating shield has an elongated hemi-cylindrical body having an internal diameter approximately equivalent to (able to physically engage to) the outer diameter of the concentrating solar power (CSP) heat collecting element, either the evacuated outer tube, the fluid-carrying inner tube, or both. The device may have multiple layers of insulating/reflecting material, sheet metal, polymer, composite, may have flanges, fingers or other attachments to the CSP heat collecting element tube, or may be slightly greater than 180 degrees in arc so as to grip the CSP heat collecting element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a controlling apparatus for use in a photovoltaic system. The photovoltaic system includes a solar cell array, an inverter and a solar tracker. The solar tracker includes a solar position sensor, a controller connected to the solar position sensor, a first motor connected to the controller for rotating the solar cell array according to the azimuth of the sun and a second motor connected to the controller for tilting the solar cell array according to the elevation of the sun. The controlling apparatus includes a central unit, a basic unit, a diagnosis unit, a maintenance unit, a security unit and a check unit.

Abstract: Provided herein are linear solar reflectors and collectors, and methods of efficiently constructing such reflectors and collectors. The reflectors are made using reflective laminate sheets, which can be reinforced by tension-bearing strips. Methods and apparatuses for installing the sheets from a roll dispensing the sheets carried on a deployment vehicle are disclosed, as well as methods and apparatuses for assembling and constructing various collector components, methods and apparatuses for tensioning the reflective laminate sheets, methods and apparatus for passively changing the focal length of the reflectors while controlling their movement to track the sun, and methods and apparatuses for compensating for temperature changes in system components for moving the collectors, are provided.

Abstract: A system for heating a liquid, such as water, the system including a collector and a storage tank, wherein the collector and the storage tank are fluidly coupled together via a manifold. The collector includes a plurality of heat pipes which extend into the manifold. Solar energy is absorbed by the heat pipes and passed to liquid in the manifold, which in turn, is passed to the storage tank.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a plurality of boiler panels arranged side by side with each other so that the panels form a boiler wall section. Piping fluidly connects the plurality of boiler panels together to route a working fluid through the boiler wall section from an inlet of the boiler wall section to an outlet of the boiler wall section. The piping and boiler panels are configured and adapted to route the working fluid through each of the boiler panels in a common direction.

Abstract: A solar thermal collection cabinet is disclosed that includes a thermal mass comprising concrete mix and metallic pieces. The cabinet includes a corrugated metallic surface with a black finish that faces solar radiation. A plurality of metallic bolts attaches the black corrugated surface to the thermal mass, to enable good heat conduction to the thermal mass. Channels through the thermal mass enable heat transfer fluid to circulate through the thermal mass, the heat transfer fluid exchange heat for direct utilization, or to transfer heat to a thermal storage reservoir through suitable heat exchanger means. Alternatively, the thermal storage reservoir continuously receives and returns heat exchange fluid whereby over extended periods of time the system approaches a thermal steady state.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a plurality of solar receiver panels. The panels are fluidly connected to one another by way of a steam circuit. At least one spray station is in fluid communication with the steam circuit and is configured and adapted to provide temperature cooling spray into the steam circuit to control the temperatures of the panels.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a panel support structure. A boiler stay is operatively connected to the panel support structure. A panel stay is slideably engaged to the boiler stay. A boiler panel is operatively connected to the panel stay with the panel stay being affixed to a plurality of tubes of the panel. The boiler stay and panel support assemblies are configured and adapted to slide with respect to one another to accommodate thermal expansion of the boiler panel. In certain embodiments, a pin connects the boiler stay and the panel stay, wherein the pin is removable for installation and removal of the panel from the support structure.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the first boiler panel to an outlet header of the first boiler panel. The tubes of the first boiler panel form a first solar receiver surface. A second boiler panel has a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the second boiler panel to an outlet header of the second boiler panel. The tubes of the second boiler panel form a second solar receiver surface. The first and second boiler panels are adjacent to one another with a portion of the first boiler panel and an end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the first and second solar receiver surfaces.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first wall of substantially coplanar side by side boiler panels. A plurality of contiguous panels of the first wall each have an inlet header thereof at a common first wall header elevation. A second wall includes substantially coplanar side by side boiler panels. A plurality of contiguous panels of the second wall each have an inlet header thereof at a common second wall header elevation. The second wall is adjacent to and angled with respect to the first wall so that one end panel of the first wall is adjacent to one end panel of the second wall to form a boiler wall corner. The inlet headers of the two end panels of the boiler wall corner are at different elevations relative to one another.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first receiver panel having a plurality of substantially parallel boiler tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the panel to an outlet header of the panel. A second receiver panel has a plurality of substantially parallel boiler tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the panel to an outlet header of the panel. The boiler tubes of the second receiver panel are substantially parallel to the boiler tubes of the first receiver panel. The first and second receiver panels are separated by a gap. A panel expansion joint is connected to the first and second receiver panels across the gap, wherein the panel expansion joint is configured and adapted to allow for lengthwise thermal expansion and contraction of the receiver panels along the boiler tubes, and to allow for lateral thermal expansion and contraction of the receiver panels toward and away from one another, while blocking solar radiation through the gap.

Abstract: A passive solar heating unit is disclosed, including a portable heater version of the invention that includes an insulated shell structure, an inclined, vertically shaped window formed within the structure, an insulated door to the structure, a handle, and two operating positions, one for summer and one for winter. The heating unit has a dark exterior to absorb heat and a reflective interior to trap sunlight entering through the window. When used to generate heat sufficient to heat food and other items, the ratio of the interior volume of the unit to the size of the sunlight window is approximately 16:1. Other configurations, for providing heat in other applications, utilize different volume to window size ratios and different shaped windows.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve comprises (a) a high pressure region adapted to contain a fluid at its supercritical or nearcritical temperature and pressure conditions and connected via an orifice to a low pressure region, (b) a seat adjacent the orifice, (c) a sealing element positionable against the seat to form a seal between the high pressure region and the low pressure region, and (d) an electrically and/or electronically controlled actuator operable to move the sealing element against and/or away from the seat to allow control of fluid flow from the high pressure region to the low pressure region. In a specific embodiment, the high pressure region contains a fluid at its supercritical or nearcritical temperature and pressure conditions. The valve may be used, for example, to provide very low flow rates, for example, for supercritical fluid chromatography, supercritical fluid extraction, critical point drying, supercritical fluid cleaning, and supercritical fluid separation methods.

Abstract: A metered dose valve for use in a pressurized metered dose dispenser for dispensing a metered dose of an aerosol formulation comprising particles of a medicament suspended in liquefied propellant, optionally in combination with one or more excipients, said valve comprising a metering chamber and at least one porous, fluid permeable, particulate semi-permeable body, said at least one porous body being positioned within a region of the interior conduit of the valve, for example within the metering chamber, or a pre-metering chamber and/or an internal channel upstream of the metering chamber.

Abstract: A breath actuated nasal drug delivery device includes a housing having a spray port; a reservoir housing a liquidous medicament; and a selectively actuable pump. A breath actuated triggering mechanism includes a mouthpiece and a diaphragm. A pressure differential across the diaphragm causes an elastically deformable drive element (e.g., spring) to release stored potential energy, causing the pump's plunger to move to thereby pump the medicament to the spray port. A cocking lever can be pivotally mounted to the housing for causing the drive element to store potential energy. The triggering mechanism can include a cam element pivotally attached to the housing and the diaphragm that rotates in response to movement of the diaphragm. A follower element can be pivotally connected to the plunger for movement therewith; the follower element releasably engages the cam element. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: A portable positive pressure breathing apparatus includes a demand valve with a supply inlet port adapted to be connected to a pressurized source of oxygen and an outlet port adapted to be connected to the inlet of a patient's breathing appliance. The demand valve further includes a reference chamber and a valve assembly responsive to the reference chamber/appliance inlet pressure differential for connecting/disconnecting the inlet port to and from the outlet port. At least one manually adjustable back pressure regulator is connected to the pressure source and the reference chamber for setting the pressure in the reference chamber (and inlet to the breathing appliance) at a selected level above atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An inhaler for delivery of a powder-form inhalation formulation from a blister strip with a plurality of blister pockets. The used part of the blister strip with empty blister pockets is wound onto a drum which is driven via a gear mechanism which is coupled to the drum via a spring. The spring allows for the different peripheral speeds of the wound-up part to be compensated.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for transferring a liquid, such as an anesthetic, from a reservoir to a machine while effectively minimizing the release of the liquid to the surrounding environment. The apparatus can include a first and a second component wherein twisting the first component and second component relative to each other causes a protrusion to seal or unseal a through-hole thereby allowing or preventing the flow of fluid and wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the second component is cylindrically shaped for insertion into a vaporizer.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for transferring a liquid, such as an anesthetic, from a reservoir to a machine while effectively minimizing the release of the liquid to the surrounding environment. The apparatus can include a first and a second component wherein twisting the first component and second component relative to each other causes a protrusion to seal or unseal a through-hole thereby allowing or preventing the flow of fluid and wherein a portion of an exterior surface of the second component that mates with a vaporizer has a polygonal shape with three or more flat sides.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for transferring a liquid, such as a liquid anesthetic, from a reservoir to a machine while minimizing the release of the liquid to the surrounding environment. The apparatus can include a first component having a through-hole, and a second component having an aperture, a support member extending into the aperture having a protrusion configured to be capable of sealing the through-hole, wherein a fluid in the reservoir may exit the reservoir by way of the through-hole and the aperture, wherein twisting the first component and second component relative to each other causes the protrusion to seal or unseal the through-hole thereby allowing or preventing the flow of fluid. A portion of the exterior surface of the second component can have a polygonal shape.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for transferring a liquid, such as a liquid anesthetic, from a reservoir to a machine while minimizing the release of the liquid to the surrounding environment. The apparatus can include a first component having a through-hole, and a second component having an aperture, a support member extending into the aperture having a protrusion configured to be capable of sealing the through-hole, wherein a fluid in the reservoir may exit the reservoir by way of the through-hole and the aperture, wherein twisting the first component and second component relative to each other causes the protrusion to seal or unseal the through-hole thereby allowing or preventing the flow of fluid. A portion of the exterior surface of the second component can have a cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A ventilatory support and resuscitation device for providing short-term ventilatory support, as well as constant flow, pressure cycled ventilatory support for breathing and non-breathing patients is disclosed. The device includes a chamber and at least one port in flow communication with the chamber. The apparatus also includes a flexible diaphragm member positioned within the chamber and configured to seal the port from flow communication with the chamber while seated adjacent to the port, and to flex in response to pressure applied thereto so as to allow flow communication between the port and the chamber while the diaphragm is flexing. A flow restrictor in flow communication with the chamber may also be included. The device may be coupled to a patient adapter, whereby a manometer, entrainment unit, and safety pop-off and entrainment valve may be coupled thereto.

Abstract: A patient interface device that includes a mask shell and a cushion assembly. The cushion assembly includes a seal cushion and a support cushion. The seal cushion contacts a first area of a patient's face to form a seal therewith. The support cushion defines a second area over a face of such a patient when the patient interface device is being worn. The second area overlaps at least a portion of the first area.

Abstract: A device (1) for separating moisture from breathing gas is improved in terms of the storage of water of condensation. A collection volume (5) is provided for water of condensation with a water-binding substance (6).

Abstract: A holder for a nasal air filtration device or dilation device. A holder for a nasal device may be a thin, generally “Z” or “S” shaped device that holds a nasal device in a substantially secure and stable position. Each of a nasal device's nasal bases can be placed or secured on a placement limb of the holder while a connecting member of the nasal device can be secured on the opposite side of the holder from where the nasal bases are positioned along a vertical portion of the holder relative to the placement limbs. There may be securing notches in the holder that help secure a nasal device at generally the point where the bases of the nasal device attach to the connecting member of the nasal device. The notches may allow a nasal device to be securely attached to the holder.

Abstract: A respiratory protective device in which a face piece (11) is located within the volume of a filter canister (10). The filter canister (10) can be in the form of a hollow section or sections which fit around all or part of the face piece (11) or on either side thereof. Contaminated air that has been purified in the filter canister (10) is ducted in an airtight manner through a hollow assembly (18) into the face piece (11).

Abstract: An anti-slip structure of a respirator is provided. The respirator has a mask body whose top side is provided with a duct-connecting portion and whose lower end is peripherally provided with a closely fitting pad. In addition, the mask body has an outer surface provided with anti-slip portions, formed as concave recesses or raised patterns, on two opposite lateral sides of the mask body for being gripped by fingers. By pinching at the anti-slip portions on two opposite lateral sides of the mask body with fingers, an operator can handle the respirator easily and prevent the duct-connecting portion or the closely fitting pad from being tainted by bacteria on the fingers. Thus, not only can those parts of the respirator that are in direct or indirect contact with a patient remain in an uncontaminated and safe state, but also the operator can adjust the position of the respirator facilely.

Abstract: A flexible support for holding endotracheal and nasotracheal tubes in place on the face of a patient includes a pair of oppositely disposed adhesively mountable flanges for releasable mounting to the face of the patient, wherein the flanges are interconnected by a single narrow adhesive-backed elongate bridge-piece spanning between the opposite flanges, and wherein the bridge-piece is shaped so as to be mountable on either the filtrum or mandible of a patient, and wherein a pair of adhesive-backed wings are pivotally mounted by a flexible hinge to the bridge-piece for releasable adhesive mounting of the wings to a portion of the tracheal tube once intubated.

Abstract: An oropharyngeal device for assisting oral ventilation of a patient is disclosed. The device comprises a pharyngeal section configured to engage the tongue of the patient and a bite block connected to the pharyngeal section. The bite block includes a proximate maxillary surface configured to engage at least a portion of the maxilla of the patient. The bite block further includes a maxillary flange adjacent the proximate maxillary surface that is configured to engage the upper lip of the patent. The bite block further includes a mandibular surface opposite the proximate maxillary surface. At least a portion of the mandibular surface opposite the maxillary flange is configured to engage at least a portion of the mandible of the patient.