Abstract:
A transporter for transporting a subject over a surface that may be irregular. The transporter includes a support platform for supporting a load, the loaded support platform defining fore-aft and lateral planes and characterized by a load distribution. A plurality of ground contacting elements are coupled to the support platform such that the transporter is statically stable with respect to tipping in the fore-aft plane. At least one of the plurality of ground contacting elements is driven by a motorized drive arrangement. A sensor module generates a signal indicative of the load distribution. Based at least on the load distribution, a controller commands the motorized drive arrangement.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a system for measuring in an isolated rigid container (2), partially filled with a fluid, the volume Vu of that portion of the container that is not occupied by the fluid. Reservoir means for holding a fixed known volume of a measurement gas is placed in first valved communication with the container. Pressure means (8) is in second valved communication with the reservoir. The method comprises opening first valve (D) and reading equalised pressure P1 in container and reservoir. Closing first valve (D) and opening second valve (J) to pressurise reservoir and reading pressure P2. Closing second valve (J) and reopening first valve (D) and measuring final equalised pressure P3. Evaluating Vu according to Boyle's law for ideal gases.
Abstract:
A transporter (1) for transporting a load over a surface. The transporter includes a support platform (11) for supporting the load. The support platform is characterized by a foreaft axis (x), a lateral axis (y), and an orientation with respect to the surface, the orientation referred to as an attitude. At least one ground-contacting element (14) is flexibly coupled to the support platform in such a manner that the attitude of the support platform is capable of variation. One or more ground contacting elements are driven by a motorized drive arrangement. A sensor module (17, 18) generates a signal characterizing the attitude of the support platform. Based on the attitude, a controller commands the motorized drive arrangement.
Abstract:
The invention provides a system for dispensing fluid at relatively constant pressure. In a first embodiment, the invention dispenses a fluid from a chamber of varying dimension defined by a pre-tensioned resilient membrane. In a second embodiment, the invention dispenses a fluid from a chamber defined by a dispensing membrane, which is substantially surrounded by another fluid contained within a pressure chamber of varying dimension defined by a pre-tensioned resilient membrane. In a third embodiment, the invention dispenses multiple fluids, a first fluid from a first dispensing chamber of varying dimension defined by a pre-tensioned resilient membrane, and a second fluid from a dispensing chamber of varying dimension defined by a dispensing membrane substantially surrounded by the first fluid. In a fourth embodiment the invention dispenses multiple fluids from at least two dispensing chambers of varying dimension each substantially surrounded by the pressure fluid contained within a pressure chamber varying dimension defined by a pre-tensioned resilient membrane. In a preferred embodiment, the resilient membrane is pre-tensioned beyond the point at which, as fluid enters the volume contained by the membrane and the volume increases, the first derivative of pressure over volume becomes zero for the first time.
Abstract:
Methods for controlling the motion of a balancing transporter while supporting a rider or under riderless conditions and for safely limiting the speed of the transporter, and, additionally, for battery load sharing in order to maintain equal charge between dual power sources. The transporter has two laterally disposed primary wheels. In accordance with the methods, an input is received via a user input a control signal corresponding to the input received is genarated. Then a torque is applied to the laterally disposed wheels so as to propel the transporter on the basis of at least the control signal, conditioned in accordance with methods described in the invention.
Abstract:
A personal transporter device and corresponding method of operation are given that utilize an exercise mode. A transporter assembly includes a platform, a ground-contacting module, and a motorized drive (202). The platform supports a user. The ground-contacting module is connected to the platform. The motorized drive (202) powers the ground-contacting module (203) to drive the assembly in a selected direction over an underlying surface. A controller (204) is coupled to and controlling the motorized drive, and also has an exercise mode for opposing a user-provided human power input with a selected level of resistance. When the device is a dynamically stabilized transporter, the controller also controls the motorized drive (202) so as to dynamically stabilize the transporter assembly.
Abstract:
An-air elimination system is provided for an intravenous fluid delivery system for intravenous injection of fluid into a patient. An air-detection apparatus (5) is disposed in an intravenous fluid line (3). At the top end of the line (3) is attached a chamber (1, 2, 12) where air may be separated from the fluid. The separation chamber may be a drip chamber (12), a metering chamber (2) or the intravenous supply (1). When air is detected, a valve (11) or valves (7, 9) are switched, so that the intravenous fluid is prevented from flowing to the patient, and so that, when a pump (4) is turned on, the fluid is pumped to the separation chamber (1, 2, 12). In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the pump's fluid capacity is greater than the volume of the fluid capacity of the intravenous line (31) between the pump (4) and the separation chamber (1, 2, 12), so that the pump can force air back up the intravenous line all the way to the separation chamber.
Abstract:
A medical pump apparatus including an internally sterile pumping chamber having a flexible diaphragm forming a wall portion and a drive rod extending through the diaphragm in a rotating vane disposed within the pumping chamber. A motor rotates a revolving hook which engages the drive rod to drive the vane within the pumping unit. The pumping chamber is isolated from the motor by the fluidtight attachment of the drive rod through the flexible diaphragm. Fluid is pumped into the inlet of pumping chamber through the hollow shaft of the vane and out through a fluid conduit of the vane, subsequently out the outlet of the pumping chamber.
Abstract:
There is provided, in a preferred embodiment, a transportation vehicle for transporting an individual over ground having a surface that may be irregular. This embodiment has a support for supporting the subjet. A ground-contacting module, movably attached to the support, serves to suspend the subject in the support over the surface. The orientation of the ground-contacting module defines fore-aft and lateral planes intersecting one another at a vertical. The support and the ground-contacting module are components of an assembly. A motorized drive, mounted to the assembly and coupled to the ground-contacting module, causes locomotion of the assembly and the subject therewith over the surface. Finally, the ambodiment has a control loop, in which the motorized drive is included, for dynamically enhancing stability in the fore-aft plane by operation of the motorized drive in connection with the ground-contacting module. The ground-contacting module may be realized as a pair of ground-contacting members, laterally disposed with respect to one another. The ground-contacting members may be wheels. Alternatively, each ground-contacting member may include a cluster of wheels. In another embodiment, each ground-contacting member includes a pair of axially adjacent and rotatably mounted arcuate element pairs. Related methods are also provided.
Abstract:
Methods for controlling the motion of a balancing transporter while supporting a rider or under riderless conditions and for safely limiting the speed of the transporter, and, additionally, for battery load sharing in order to maintain equal charge between dual power sources. The transporter has two laterally disposed primary wheels. In accordance with the methods, an input is received via a user input a control signal corresponding to the input received is genarated. Then a torque is applied to the laterally disposed wheels so as to propel the transporter on the basis of at least the control signal, conditioned in accordance with methods described in the invention.