Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130126318 | ILLUMINATED THUMBWHEEL SWITCH ASSEMBLY - An electric switch assembly comprises a circuit board; a light source mounted on the circuit board; a thumbwheel knob rotatably mounted on the circuit board; a transparent surface that moves with the thumbwheel knob and on which a symbol is applied or formed; and a light guide for directing light from the light source to the transparent surface to illuminate the symbol. | 05-23-2013 |
20130265698 | REMOTE CONTROL FOR HIGH HUMIDITY ENVIRONMENTS - A remote control is provided for use in a high humidity environment. More particularly, the remote control includes a foam insert configured to at least substantially fill a space in an interior compartment of the remote control to prevent formation of condensate in the space. The foam insert is also configured to exert a force against a control board in the interior compartment, thereby fixing the control board within the remote control. The remote control housing comprises a pair of enclosures. A plurality of latch components and a polymer bead are provided to cooperatively secure the enclosures to each other, with the bead providing an at least substantially continuous seal between the interior compartment and the environment. | 10-10-2013 |
20130292235 | WATERPROOF SWITCH HAVING UNIFORM TACTILE FEEL - A manually operated switch assembly is disclosed. The switch assembly includes a housing, a switch mechanism, and an actuator assembly. The switch mechanism is housed within the housing and is configured to open or close a circuit upon actuation. The actuator assembly is shiftably supported by the housing and generally includes a depressible actuator and a stability element. The actuator presents an actuator length and serves to actuate the switch mechanism when depressed. The stability element is configured to ensure that the actuator moves substantially uniformly along the actuator length when the actuator is depressed such that actuation of the switch mechanism is facilitated regardless of where the actuator is depressed along the actuator length. The switch assembly may be waterproofed, and be formed, at least in part, by a curable liquid sealant supplied to the switch assembly from a single fluid source. | 11-07-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110301818 | ROTARY ENCODER GEAR SELECTOR FOR VEHICLE - Gear selector apparatus for a vehicle includes a rotary encoder having detents at positions corresponding to driving modes of the vehicle, the rotary encoder outputting at least one encoder signal in response to rotation of the rotary encoder by a driver of the vehicle, a display assembly configured to indicate a driving mode of the vehicle, and gear selector logic, responsive at least in part to the encoder signal, to control the driving mode of the vehicle and the display assembly. The rotary encoder may be rotatable in either direction without limits on rotation. The gear selector logic may define one or more conditions for changing from an actual driving mode to a target driving mode selected by the driver. | 12-08-2011 |
20110304202 | BATTERY DISCONNECTION IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES - Systems and methods for disconnection of battery power from vehicular components in an electric vehicle upon the occurrence of a crash event are described. In an embodiment of an electric vehicle, upon detection of a crash event, an appropriate signal is transmitted through a controller area network (CAN). A battery management unit (BMU) detects the signal and then severs a power connection between the battery and one or more vehicular components of the electric vehicle. In another embodiment of an electric vehicle, a crash event is detected and a signal to deploy an airbag and/or a pretensioner is emitted. Once a decision is made to deploy the airbag and/or the to pretensioner, the BMU then cuts off battery power to one or more vehicular components of the electric vehicle. | 12-15-2011 |
20110304298 | BATTERY CHARGING USING MULTIPLE CHARGERS - Systems and methods providing improved battery charging using systems comprising multiple chargers are generally described. In some embodiments, the chargers can communicate with each other. In some embodiments, a battery management unit (BMU) can be used to communicate with at least one of the chargers, and, in some cases, all of the chargers. The system can be configured such that the charging load can be distributed among multiple chargers, or to a single charger, depending on the amount of charging power required at a given time. The system can also be configured to alternate which charger(s) handle the charging load over a period of time. For example, when only a single charger is needed to handle the total charging load, the system can be configured such that the load is handled by a first charger over a first period of time, a second charger of a second period of time, etc. The charging load distribution scheme can be based at least in part upon one or more commands transmitted between two chargers and/or between a charger and the BMU. | 12-15-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090090480 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CASTING THIN CAST STRIP - Twin roll casters for casting thin steel strip comprise cooled casting rolls mounted on carriers. One roll is fixed and the other is moveable laterally and biased toward the other roll by carrier drive units acting on the moveable roll carriers. A casting pool of molten steel is supported on the rolls which are rotated to produce a solidified steel strip delivered downwardly from the nip therebetween. A gap is regulated between the rolls such that unsolidified molten metal passes through the nip between the solidified shells of the forming strip and solidifies below the nip. The carrier drive units are effective to apply to the biased roll substantially intermediate biasing forces such that the roll separation force at the casting rolls is regulated to a value between 2 and 4.5 Newtons per millimeter. | 04-09-2009 |
20090236067 | STRIP CASTING APPARATUS WITH CASTING ROLL POSITIONING - An apparatus and method for continuously casting thin steel strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls laterally positioned to form a nip there between through which thin cast strip can be cast, an actuator capable of moving each casting roll independently toward and away from a given reference location as desired, location sensors capable of sensing the location of the casting rolls relative to the given reference location and producing electrical signals indicative of each casting roll position and a control system capable of receiving the electrical signals and causing the actuator to move the casting rolls into desired position. Force sensors may be provided capable of sensing the forces exerted on the strip and producing electrical signals indicative of the sensed forces, and the control system may be capable of receiving the electrical signals indicative of the sensed forces and causing actuators to vary the position of the casting rolls responsive to the electrical signals as desired. | 09-24-2009 |
20120222831 | METHOD OF CONTINUOUSLY CASTING THIN STRIP - A method of continuously casting steel including steps of forming a casting pool of molten steel comprising a carbon content of less than 0.5% by weight on casting surfaces of a pair of internally cooled casting rolls having a nip formed between them, counter rotating the casting surfaces of the casting rolls toward each other to produce a cast steel strip moving downwardly away from the nip between the casting rolls, guiding the cast strip through a first enclosure adjacent the casting rolls as the strip moves away from the casting rolls, the first enclosure having a reducing atmosphere containing carbon monoxide and optionally hydrogen of at least 0.1%, establishing the reducing atmosphere in the first enclosure to control ingress of atmospheric air so as to maintain said atmosphere with a CO to CO | 09-06-2012 |
20130186586 | METHOD OF CONTINUOUSLY CASTING THIN STRIP - A method of continuously casting steel including steps of forming a casting pool of molten steel comprising a carbon content of less than 0.5% by weight on casting surfaces of a pair of internally cooled casting rolls having a nip formed between them, counter rotating the casting surfaces of the casting rolls toward each other to produce a cast steel strip moving downwardly away from the nip between the casting rolls, guiding the cast strip through a first enclosure adjacent the casting rolls as the strip moves away from the casting rolls, the first enclosure having a reducing atmosphere containing carbon monoxide and optionally hydrogen of at least 0.1%, establishing the reducing atmosphere in the first enclosure to control ingress of atmospheric air so as to maintain said atmosphere with a CO to CO | 07-25-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100168752 | ORTHOPAEDIC CUTTING TOOL HAVING A CHEMICALLY ETCHED METAL INSERT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING - An orthopaedic surgical instrument comprising an orthopaedic cutting tool includes a metallic cutting insert configured to remove portions of a patient's bone and a body molded to the cutting insert. The cutting insert includes a plurality of chemically etched holes, and the body is molded to the cutting insert such that each of the plurality of chemically etched holes is at least partially filled by a portion of the body. The cutting insert may include a plurality of cutting teeth configured to remove portions of the patient's bone. A method of manufacturing an orthopaedic surgical instrument is also disclosed. | 07-01-2010 |
20100168753 | ORTHOPAEDIC CUTTING BLOCK HAVING A CHEMICALLY ETCHED METAL INSERT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING - An orthopaedic surgical instrument comprising an orthopaedic cutting block includes a metallic bearing insert configured to support a bone cutting tool and a body molded to the bearing insert. The bearing insert includes a plurality of chemically etched holes, and the body is molded to the bearing insert such that each of the plurality of chemically etched holes is at least partially filled by a portion of the body. The body of the orthopaedic cutting block may include a bone-facing surface adapted to contact a portion of a patient's bone, and the bearing insert may be positioned to allow a surgeon to perform a cut on the patient's bone using the bearing insert for support. A method of manufacturing an orthopaedic surgical instrument is also disclosed. | 07-01-2010 |
20130006370 | TRIALING SYSTEM FOR A KNEE PROSTHESIS AND METHOD OF USE - An orthopaedic surgical instrument system that includes an orthopaedic surgical instrument adapted to be positioned on a proximal end of a patient's tibia, and a tibial bearing trial assembly configured to be coupled to the orthopaedic surgical instrument. The tibial bearing trial assembly includes a plurality of tibial bearing surface trial components and at least one shim. | 01-03-2013 |
20130006371 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF TRIALING A KNEE PROSTHESIS - A method of trialing prosthetic components of a knee prosthesis including positioning a femoral trial component on a surgically-prepared distal end of a patient's femur, assembling a tibial bearing trial component, and positioning the tibial bearing trial component on a tibial base trial component seated on a surgically-prepared proximal end of a patient's tibia. The method may also include adjusting the patient's leg with the tibial bearing trial component engaging the femoral trial component, and readjusting the patient's leg with the tibial bearing trial component engaging the femoral trial component after positioning the tibial bearing trial component on the tibial base trial component and a keel punch. | 01-03-2013 |
20130006376 | METHOD OF USING A TRIALING SYSTEM FOR A KNEE PROSTHESIS - A method of assembling a surgical instrument includes selecting a tibial bearing surface trial component, orienting a shim relative to the tibial bearing surface trial component, and securing the shim to the tibial bearing surface trial component. | 01-03-2013 |
20140005672 | CUTTING BLOCK INCLUDING MODULAR MOUNTING SYSTEMS | 01-02-2014 |
20140094812 | Surgical Instrument and Method of Use - A surgical instrument for use in an orthopaedic arthroplasty procedure includes a shaft having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending through a center of the shaft between the first and second ends. The surgical instrument further includes a spine extending outwardly from the first end of the shaft in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the spine has a longitudinal extent that is parallel to the longitudinal axis. When the surgical instrument is in contact with a tibial implant component, the spine is adapted to be positioned within an intercondylar notch of a femoral component. | 04-03-2014 |
20140257300 | POLYMER 4-IN-2 FEMORAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARABLE A/P AND CHAMFER CUTTING BLOCKS - An orthopaedic surgical instrument includes a polymer 4-in-2 cutting instrument having a number of metallic cutting guides secured thereto. An A/P femoral cutting block of the instrument is removably secured to the instrument's chamfer femoral cutting block. | 09-11-2014 |
20140257305 | POLYMER 4-IN-1 FEMORAL CUTTING BLOCK - An orthopaedic surgical instrument including a polymer 4-in-1 femoral cutting block having a chamfer cutting slot defined therein, and a chamfer cutting guide assembly secured within the chamfer cutting slot. The chamfer cutting guide assembly includes a first planar surface, a second planar surface spaced apart from, and extending parallel to, the first planar surface, a third planar surface connected to the second planar surface and extending at an angle relative to the first planar surface and a fourth planar surface connected to the first planar surface and extending parallel to the third planar surface. The first planar surface and the second planar surface define a first metallic planar cutting guide, and the third planar surface and the fourth planar surface define a second metallic planar cutting guide. The chamfer cutting guide assembly may include a pair of metallic bushings. | 09-11-2014 |
20140257306 | POLYMER 4-IN-1 FEMORAL CUTTING BLOCK INCLUDING METALLIC PROTECTIVE BUSHINGS - An orthopaedic surgical instrument includes a polymer 4-in-1 cutting block having a number of metallic cutting guides secured thereto. A pair of metallic bushings function as saw stops at the medial and lateral ends of the chamfer cutting slot. | 09-11-2014 |