Abstract:
A process for the preparation of soluble proteins of high molecular weight with little or no damage to the structural integrity of the proteins. The process is economically and environmentally acceptable by virtue of the cost of reagents that are used, and the recycling of some of those reagents, and is suitable for the production of soluble proteins on a large scale. The process includes a first stage using oxidative sulfitolysis followed by a second stage using mild conditions to extract the soluble protein. In the case of wool as the protein source the process leads to the production of soluble keratin proteins fractionated into the classes S-sulfonated keratin intermediate filament proteins and S-sulfonated keratin high sulfur proteins.
Abstract:
An actuator such as a vehicle hand brake actuator is disclosed. The actuator includes an electric motor (18) which drives an orbital gear box (20) which in turn has an output connected to a pulley (60) for applying a load to cables (62) to apply the brake. A pinion gear (24) is mounted on the output of the motor (18) and drives a pinion gear (27) which in turn meshes with a spur gear (30) connected to input shaft (36) an eccentric (42) for driving the gear box (20). The orbital gear box (20) has orbit gears (50, 52) which are fixed together and which have a different number of teeth to provide a gear ratio. The gear (52) meshes with an output gear (56) which in turn is fixed to the pulley (60).
Abstract:
A pitch transfer gear transmission which enables drive to be transmitted from a gear of having one modulus (42) to a gear having another modulus (46) includes at least two gears (12,16) which have a different number of teeth and which are able to rotate relative to one another, so that the teeth of the two gears (12,16) can form a gear modulus of a first value at one part of the periphery of the gear, and a gear modulus of another value at another part of the periphery of the gear. Continuously variable transmissions are formed by providing an input or output gear (42,46) which has a modulus which varies along the length of the gear. Pitch transfer gear assembly (30) engages with the input or output gear (42,46), and is moveable by a mechanism (59) along the length of the gear changing modulus, so as to set the drive ratio of the transmission.
Abstract:
Method and system for obtaining and using observed market rates in estimating suitable market-based compensation for one or more jobs. Each observed market rate is assigned a job family and a combination of a job category and a job level of responsibility (C/L). Median market rates and average market rates are observed for different job families and are combined in a novel way to produce job family factors and C/L factors that, when multiplied together accurately reflect market rates for that job, even for a combination of job family and job C/L that is not represented in the data.
Abstract:
A head-disk assembly 200 is directly connected to a host computer by arm 120 and arm 130. A housing connector 100 which includes the arms 120 and 130 is directly connected to the host computer to provide physical support for the head-disk assembly. Electrical connection to the host computer is through an electrical connector 300 of a printed circuit board 400. Consequently, there is no need for a large printed circuit board.
Abstract:
An extension deceleration orthotic fulcrum for knee and elbow braces, which simulates performance of the function of those ligaments that control joint motion and provide provides anteroposterior joint stability, comprising a lightweight, external spring assembly, upper and lower elongated arms, and a centric or polycentric fulcrum, which is adjustable for its range of motion, adaptable for use on many different style orthoses, and whose strength can be varied to suit corrective, preventive, anthropomorphic, environmental, and usage requirements, including means both for mechanically dampening the limb's angular velocity on extension to prevent hyperextension and for accelerating the limb's angular velocity on flexion to enable quicker, smoother, less stressful motion. In one embodiment spring rods are assembled medially and laterally to conventional pairs of elongated orthotic brace arms to span the joint fulcrum point by serpentinely engaging novel roller posts, the assemblage thus serving to decelerate the limb during the last 15 to 20 degrees of extension, to help prevent the striking of a stop with its attendant risk of hyperextension, and thus serving to use the stored energy of the spring to facilitate flexion of the limb.
Abstract:
Optical signals used for telecommunications in time division multiplexed format are processed to remove channels for local demodulation and to replace the removed channels with locally modulated data. The received signals are subjected to a wavelength modulation so that signals in selected channels are given distinctive wavelengths. After wavelength modulation, the time division multiplexed signals are separated using wavelength sensitive splitters and the various channels are sent to their correct destinations. In one embodiment, one channel is selected and given a distinctive wavelength and all the non-selected channels retain their original wavelength. The channels with the original wavelength are provided to an output terminal for onward transmission whereas the selected channel is provided for local demodulation.
Abstract:
A magnetic position and orientation determining system uses magnetic fields, desirably including uniform fields from Helmholtz coils positioned on opposite sides of a sensing volume and gradient fields generated by the same coils. By monitoring field components detected at the probes during application of these fields, the position and orientation of the probe in the field can be deduced. A representation of the probe can be superposed on a separately acquired image of the subject to show the position and orientation of the probe with respect to the subject.
Abstract:
A first and a second input generating circuits, a first and a second set of counters, and a first and a second comparison circuits are provided to test whether the frequencies of a first and a second periodic digital signal are symmetric. The first and second input generating circuits generate enable inputs for the first and second sets of counters using the first and second digital signals respectively. The first and second sets of counters count the first and second digital signals while the enable inputs are provided. The first comparison circuit monitors the first set of counters, and stops both input generating circuits from providing further enable inputs to both sets of counters, after the first set of counters reaches a predetermined level, thereby stopping both sets of counters from further counting. The second comparison circuit monitors the second set of counters, and issues a control signal indicating the first and second digital signals are symmetric to each other in frequency, if the second set of counters also stops substantially at the predetermined level, i.e. within an acceptable threshold.
Abstract:
A combination lock for the rear cargo doors of a vehicle including a body assembly and a locking assembly. The body assembly includes a body. The body is T-shaped. The body is arranged between the bars of the rear cargo doors to prevent opening of the doors. The locking assembly includes locking elements. The locking elements can be locked or unlocked in a predetermined position through dials. The locking elements can be inserted into the body to remove the combination lock from the rear cargo doors of the vehicle when the locking elements are unlocked.