134results about How to "Less-costly to manufacture" patented technology

A vehicular rear window assembly for a vehicle comprises a first fixed pane, a second fixed pane, and a sliding pane, which is supported for horizontal movement between open and closed positions. The window assembly includes a support system with an upper horizontal member, a lower horizontal member, and a pair of spaced apart vertical members, which interconnect the upper horizontal member and the lower horizontal member to define a central opening. The fixed panes adhesively mount to the upper and lower horizontal members. The vertical members have exposed exterior surfaces that are preferably generally flush with the exterior surface of the fixed panes.

A vehicle rearview mirror system includes a rearview mirror assembly having an electro-optic reflective element, a housing for the reflective element and a control establishing a reflectance level of the reflective element. The control includes a circuit board having opposite sides and at least two photo-sensors on one of the sides. The system further includes at least one light conduiting element adapted to expose one of the at least two photo-sensors to a light environment that is different from the light environment to which the other of the at least two photo-sensors is exposed.

A catheter assembly is provided comprising a catheter (3;530;630;730) including a catheter tube (32) and a connector (31;531) arranged in one end of the catheter tube. The catheter is preferably a urinary, hydrophilic catheter. Further, the assembly comprises a catheter receptacle (2;520;620;720) for accommodation of at least the catheter tube, wherein the receptacle is provided with an opening (22;622;722), said opening being connected to and closed by the connector (31;531) of the catheter. A method for producing such a catheter assembly is also provided.

A system and method for harvesting the kinetic energy of a fluid flow for power generation with a vertically oriented, aerodynamic wing structure comprising one or more airfoil elements pivotably attached to a mast. When activated by the moving fluid stream, the wing structure oscillates back and forth, generating lift first in one direction then in the opposite direction. This oscillating movement is converted to unidirectional rotational movement in order to provide motive power to an electricity generator. Unlike other oscillating devices, this device is designed to harvest the maximum aerodynamic lift forces available for a given oscillation cycle. Because the system is not subjected to the same intense forces and stresses as turbine systems, it can be constructed less expensively, reducing the cost of electricity generation. The system can be grouped in more compact clusters, be less evident in the landscape, and present reduced risk to avian species.

A catheter assembly includes a catheter, part of which forms an insertable length to be inserted through a body opening and a catheter receptacle to accommodate at least part of the catheter such that an insertable portion of the catheter is enclosed but part of the catheter is left outside of the receptacle. Also disclosed is a method for producing a catheter assembly which includes providing a receptacle having an opening, providing a catheter which has a catheter tube and a connector on one end thereof, arranging the catheter tube in the receptacle, and connecting the receptacle to the connector to close the opening.

An invention using a data processing system, herein called the Pitch Processing System, comprising a Pitch Processing Module, a User Control Module, a transducer, software, and signal processing techniques integrated into an electric stringed musical instrument. The system automatically and dynamically provides pitch alteration of the instrument without requiring human or electromechanical intervention to physically change string tension. The system corrects unintentional pitch drift and intonation errors, and provides intentional pitch altering techniques for temperament changes, altered tuning styles, and pitch bending. The result is a pitch altered signal output from the instrument. Embodiments herein include a variety of input / output signal configurations for both analog and digital interfaces to support maximum flexibility of the Pitch Processing System.

A wide angle imaging system for providing a wide angle field of view of an area exteriorly of a vehicle includes an image capture device having a field of view directed exteriorly of the vehicle, an outer wide angle lens, a focusing lens and a display. The image capture device may comprise an array of pixels and may have a coarse distribution of pixels and a fine distribution of pixels. The display may be operable to display a substantially undistorted image to the driver or occupant of the vehicle in response to a signal output of the image capture device.

A photolithography tool, e.g. for microelectronics production, having the stage units (both mask and substrate stage units) composed of two identical stage assemblies which are simultaneously driven with the programmed production motions. The acceleration time histories of the stage assemblies within the unit are identical but opposite in direction. Thus, the photolithography tool processes two substrates simultaneously while being free from objectionable dynamic loads and from shifts of its center of mass.

A memory address generating apparatus and method of a dynamic memory testing circuit for generating addresses for testing a dynamic memory which uses all the available addresses of the dynamic memory, which does not use the most significant addresses, and which does not use middle addresses among all the available addresses are provided. The address generator can obtain an up-counted address by up counting the addresses used by the dynamic memory. It can obtain a down-counted address by inverting the N-bit up-counted value, or by subtracting the N-bit up-counted value from the maximum address, or by combining the inverted MSB portion of the N-bit up-counted value with the LSB portion of the N-bit up-counted value subtracted from the LSB portion of the maximum address used in the dynamic memory. The down and up counted addresses are used as addresses for selectively testing the dynamic memory according to a selected testing method.

A wiper package assembly for use in packaging a pre-curved wiper blade. The wiper package assembly generally includes a package and a pair of end caps fittable onto the wiper blade and into the package. The package and end caps may be configured to cooperatively hold the pre-curved wiper blade in an at least partially straightened condition. The end caps may be configured to engage the wiper blade without altering the shape of the wiper blade tip, thereby reducing the risk of the wiper tip becoming deformed during by the package. In one embodiment, the end caps are ambidextrous in the sense that identical end caps can be used on opposite ends of the wiper blade. The end cap may include two support slots configured to correspond with the shape of the opposite ends of an asymmetrical wiper blade.

A cup-shaped protective body armour (10) to give impact protection is in the form of an outer skin (11) and a honeycomb lining (13) formed integrally with each other of a substantially non-deformable material. The honeycomb lining (13) is on the concave face (12) of the outer skin (11) and is formed by hexagonal cells (14) bounded by walls (15) upstanding from the outer skin (11) in common direction parallel with the central perpendicular (P) to the outer skin (11). A variation in thickness of the outer skin (11) provides fold lines (16) free from walls (15) of the honeycomb lining (13) extending across the body armour (10) to facilitate the conforming of the body armour (10) to the contours or a person wearing it. In addition, wedge-shaped cuts (17) extend along a portion of a fold line (16) from the outer edge (18) of the body armour (10).

There is provided an improved sterilization wrap and a method for using the improved sterilization wrap to sterilize an article. The wrap is made of at least one sheet, and preferably two sheets, of sterilization material and in some embodiments, includes an additional sheet which may be made of an absorbent material. The sheet of absorbent material may have a smaller perimeter than at least one sheet of sterilization material. One side of at least one sheet of sterilization material includes a central portion. The absorbent material may be attached to the central portion of at least one sheet of sterilization material. The article to be sterilized is placed on the sterilization wrap and is then wrapped. The absorbent material provides sterility protection for the article in addition to the at least one sheet of sterilization material and also wicks moisture away from the article after sterilization has taken place. A visual indicator may be provided to indicate whether or not the article has been exposed to adequate sterilization conditions.

A seat air-conditioning system for automotive vehicles includes an air-conditioning unit for generating cold air or hot air, a driver seat including a seat portion provided with a plurality of air discharge holes through which to discharge the cold air or the hot air to the outside, a front passenger seat including a seat portion provided with a plurality of air discharge holes through which to discharge the cold air or the hot air to the outside, an outlet duct mounted to the air-conditioning unit for drawing the cold air or the hot air from the air-conditioning unit therethrough, a seat duct connected to the outlet duct for supplying the cold air or the hot air to the driver seat and the front passenger seat therethrough, and a seat blower attached to the outlet duct for blowing the cold air or the hot air at an increased flow rate.

A cup-shaped protective body armour (10) to give impact protection is in the form of an outer skin (11) and a honeycomb lining (13) formed integrally with each other of a substantially non-deformable material. The honeycomb lining (13) is on the concave face (12) of the outer skin (11) and is formed by hexagonal cells (14) bounded by walls (15) upstanding from the outer skin (11) in common direction parallel with the central perpendicular (P) to the outer skin (11). A variation in thickness of the outer skin (11) provides fold lines (16) free from walls (15) of the honeycomb lining (13) extending across the body armour (10) to facilitate the conforming of the body armour (10) to the contours or a person wearing it. In addition, wedge-shaped cuts (17) extend along a portion of a fold line (16) from the outer edge (18) of the body armour (10).

An infrared image detector system mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) is disclosed for use with an infrared imaging system such as an infrared camera. A semiconductor die having an infrared detector array and connection points on a first surface is mounted to a PCB and electrically coupled to electrical connection points on a PCB. In addition, a heat sink can be coupled to an opposing second surface of the semiconductor die. Still further, the PCB can have a window within which the infrared image detector array can be positioned so that the infrared image detector system can be mounted to one side of the PCB while infrared radiation incident on the second side of the PCB will reach the infrared image detector array through the window.

A valve control unit including three valve units for two brake channels of an electropneumatic brake system is provided. Each valve unit is embodied as a valve modulator device for a braking pressure control circuit including an air inlet valve with a primary solenoid and a bleed valve with a secondary solenoid. Each modulator device armature includes a common solenoid guide arrangement controlled by the magnetic flux of a common magnetic coil. Independent operation of the armatures is achieved whereby flux through the secondary solenoid is weakened by a shunt in the flux circuit which causes a switching delay for the secondary solenoid relative to the primary solenoid. The magnetic resistance of a non-magnetic disc effects switch-off acceleration in the flux circuit with energized secondary solenoid, weakens the field and causes the secondary solenoid to revert to a spring-loaded base state at a higher flux than the primary solenoid.

An endoscopic device for retrieving an object from within a human body is disclosed. The device includes a support assembly, a transmitting assembly, a wire, and a net element. The support assembly has a base and a tubular member. The transmitting assembly includes a handle and a motion transmitting link fixed to the handle and extending through at least a portion of the tubular member. The wire defines a loop portion and two leg portions. A proximal end of each leg portion is secured to the link by a first connection and the two leg portions are secured to each other by at least a second connection distal from the first connection. The net element has a distal portion secured to the loop portion and a proximal portion secured relative to the leg portions. The loop portion is movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position.

A residual pressure holding valve (1) for a hydropneumatic suspension strut (2) of a motor vehicle has a valve housing (3) with an air inlet (4) and an air outlet (5). A valve body (6) is arranged displaceably in the valve housing (3) and a valve element (7) is arranged displaceably in the valve body (6). Air pressure applied to the air inlet (4) can lift the valve body (6) off a valve body seat (8) of the valve housing (3) to allow air to flow past the valve body (6) to the air outlet (5). Air pressure applied to the air outlet (5) can lift the valve element (7) off a valve element seat (9) of the valve body (6) to allow air to flow past the valve element (7) to the air inlet (4).

A springless poppet valve system is provided. The system includes a poppet valve movable between an open position and a closed position. The system includes an open cam and a close cam. An open rocker arm is provided which engages the open cam. The open rocker arm is operatively connected to the poppet valve so as to move the valve from the closed position to the open position. A close rocker arm is provided which engages the close cam. The close rocker arm is operatively connected to the poppet valve so as to move the valve from the open position to the close position. An open hydraulic lifter is pivotally connected to the open rocker arm. A close hydraulic lifter is pivotally connected to the close rocker arm.

A system and method for harvesting the kinetic energy of a fluid flow for power generation with a vertically oriented, aerodynamic wing structure comprising one or more airfoil elements pivotably attached to a mast. When activated by the moving fluid stream, the wing structure oscillates back and forth, generating lift first in one direction then in the opposite direction. This oscillating movement is converted to unidirectional rotational movement in order to provide motive power to an electricity generator. Unlike other oscillating devices, this device is designed to harvest the maximum aerodynamic lift forces available for a given oscillation cycle. Because the system is not subjected to the same intense forces and stresses as turbine systems, it can be constructed less expensively, reducing the cost of electricity generation. The system can be grouped in more compact clusters, be less evident in the landscape, and present reduced risk to avian species.

The present invention discloses methods, primer, probes, and kits for genotyping various mutations or disease-causing agent. In one embodiment, the present invention is applied to detecting the presence of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, HBV, beta-globin mutations, mutations related to thrombophilia, or the presence of sexually transmitted diseases in a subject.

Single-use long-life faucet mounted water filtration devices are disclosed. A bathroom water filtration device having two outlets for filtered water is disclosed. A rotatable fountain head adjustable in three axes is included for use in the bathroom water filtration device. Press control of the water expelled from the fountain head is controlled by a valve arrangement which divides the flow between the two filtered water outlets. The water filtration device is of unibody construction formed by ultrasonically welding certain parts thereof together. The filter housing end cap includes stops to insure that the filter assembly does not rotate. Since the devices disclosed are disposable, no filter replacement or other maintenance is performed. A gate, magnet(s), sensor and electronics provide an indication of filter performance enabling disposal of the water filtration device and installation of a new device. A kitchen water filtration device is larger than the bathroom device. Both the kitchen and bathroom water filtration devices are small and are mounted behind the faucet connection so as to facilitate full utilization of the sink or wash basin

A catheter assembly is provided comprising a catheter including a catheter tube and a connector arranged in one end of the catheter tube. The catheter is preferably a urinary, hydrophilic catheter. Further, the assembly comprises a catheter receptacle, a compartment accommodating the wetting fluid, the compartment being an integrated part of the receptacle but is separated from the cavity, the separation between the wetting fluid compartment and the cavity accommodating the catheter providing a rupturable sealed enclosure with at least one point of weakness.

A pair of burnishing rollers formed in a roughly disk shape are linearly disposed oppositely to each other on both sides of the shaft part of a crankshaft. The crankshaft is rotated about its axis by the rotatingly driving action of a rotating driving source (M). The pair of burnishing rollers are displaced in a direction apart from each other while the shaft part of the crankshaft is held by the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of burnishing rollers to apply a rolling to the crankshaft.

Single-use long-life faucet mounted water filtration devices are disclosed. A bathroom water filtration device having two outlets for filtered water is disclosed. Additionally, a fountain head is included for use in the bathroom water filtration device. The water filtration device is of unibody construction formed by ultrasonically welding certain parts thereof together. Since the devices disclosed are disposable, no filter replacement or other maintenance is performed. A gate, magnet(s), sensor and electronics provide an indication of filter performance enabling disposal of the water filtration device and installation of a new device. A kitchen water filtration device is larger than the bathroom device. Both the kitchen and bathroom water filtration devices are small and are mounted behind the faucet connection so as to facilitate full utilization of the sink or wash basin.

Noninvasive methods for therapeutically heating a collagenous structural support tissue of a pelvic support system to a desired temperature range are provided. One method comprises delivering energy to the structural support tissue to heat the tissue to the desired temperature range by ramping up a power level for a first period of time. A first constant high power level is then maintained for a second period of time. The power level is then ramped down for a third period of time. A second constant lower power level is then maintained for a fourth period of time. This power application treatment yields a favorable heat treatment maximizing predictability and efficacy while maintaining sufficient levels of safety. Further, such open loop power algorithms advantageously provide control without the need for subsidiary tissue temperature feedback measurements from sensors or tissue penetrating needles.

A shielding system for a physical vapor deposition chamber having a sputter target above the pedestal. The shielding system comprises a pedestal shield attachable to the pedestal and movable therewith. The pedestal shield surrounds and extends outward from the pedestal toward the chamber side or lower walls. The system also comprises a sidewall shield adapted to extend substantially around and within the chamber sidewalls, and downward from an upper portion thereof. The sidewall shield has a lower end extending inward and disposed adjacent the pedestal shield upper portion when the pedestal is in the raised position. The pedestal shield and sidewall shield cooperate, when the pedestal is in the raised position, to prevent line-of-sight deposition transmission from the sputter target to the side and lower walls of the deposition chamber.

The device for detecting the binding of two chemical species includes a first plate having a base, multiple optical fibers and a second plate. The base has multiple grooves formed therein. The multiple optical fibers are each disposed within a corresponding one of the multiple grooves. The second plate has multiple channels formed therein. The first plate and the second plate are configured to be placed adjacent to one another such that each the optical fiber is exposed to and traverses the multiple channels.

Single-use long-life faucet mounted water filtration devices are disclosed. A bathroom water filtration device having two outlets for filtered water is disclosed. Additionally, a fountain head is included for use in the bathroom water filtration device. The water filtration device is of unibody construction formed by ultrasonically welding certain parts thereof together. Since the devices disclosed are disposable, no filter replacement or other maintenance is performed. A gate, magnet(s), sensor and electronics provide an indication of filter performance enabling disposal of the water filtration device and installation of a new device. A kitchen water filtration device is larger than the bathroom device. Both the kitchen and bathroom water filtration devices are small and are mounted behind the faucet connection so as to facilitate full utilization of the sink or wash basin.