A semi-automated machine and method for singulating individual surgical needles from an bulk supply and attaching a suture to the surgical needle is described. Each of the surgical needles has a suture receiving opening formed therein for receiving a suture. The machine includes a singulation station having a sliding surface that assists an operator in singulating needles and depositing them in a pair of drop locations for subsequent automatic handling. Indexing conveyors, an articulated robot and a precision conveyor are used with a precise positioning station for orienting each needle for automatic handling. A universal gripper mounted on a rotary indexing device automatically receives each individual needle in a predetermined orientation and conveys the needle for sequential processing from station to station to form the needle-suture assembly. A suture feeding and cutting station automatically cuts an indefinite length of suture material to a definite length suture strand and automatically inserts an end of the definite length suture strand into the suture receiving opening formed in the needle. A swage station is provided for swaging the needle to close the suture receiving opening about the suture to secure said suture thereto and form therefrom a needle and suture assembly. A suture pull-test station test each needle suture bond, and selectively and destructively tests the bond for adjusting the swage dies and for statistical quality control. A final off-load station provides an apparatus for assembling a predetermined number of need-suture assemblies in a bundle for subsequent packaging.

In a method of attaching a suture to a needle barrel, a first compression stroke compresses the radially-defined top of the barrel against a suture in the bore of the barrel while restraining the bottom and sides of the barrel against deformation. A second compression stroke compresses the bottom of the barrel against the suture while restraining the sides against deformation. In another method, the top and bottom are compressed concurrently while the sides are restrained against deformation. An apparatus for attaching a suture to a needle barrel includes two die sets, each including a die with a groove therein. In one die set, the groove protects the bottom and sides of the barrel from deformation while the top is compressed. In the other die set, the groove protects the sides of the barrel from deformation while the bottom is compressed.

A detachable bag (13) and shroud (12) which combine to form a stripping apparatus (11) for stripping and collecting fibrous cladding material (27) from a pipe (25). The shroud (12) is adapted to be detachably and sealingly secured to the pipe (25) and the bag (13) is likewise secured to the shroud (12). The bag (13) includes a fastening means (20) to attach an inner envelope (16) thereof to the bottom opening (19b) of the shroud and an outer cover (17) which can be sealingly attached to the outerside of the shroud (12) enclosing the envelope (16) and fastening means (20). The envelope (16) and shroud (12) are each provided with "Velcro" closure strips (21) along their respective inner faces adjacent the fastening means (20) to enable the envelope (16) and shroud (12) to be sealingly closed independently of the other either side of the fastening means (20) to prevent external exposure to the contents of either during attachment and detachment of the bag from the shroud.

An information handling system projector tracks lamp usage to generate a lamp order form for order of a replacement lamp when lamp usage is a predetermined usage. The lamp order form is automatically generated and displayed to include lamp usage and projector identification information so that a user need not manually input that information into an order form. A network module of the projector supports queries for lamp usage from a lamp management module running on an information handling system. A projector processor interfaced with the network module reads the lamp usage and projector identification information from firmware of the projector and provides the lamp usage and projector identification information to the lamp management module for automatic generation of the lamp order form display.

A bridge for crossing a passage of a navigation channel includes a section in the form of a single span, which may be displaced by vertical translation between a base position spanning the passage, in which the span rests on fixed support sections of the bridge, and a raised position, for opening the passage, and a support structure for the span on displacement of the span, and a drive for lifting the span. The bridge has only one support structure, with the drive, located on one side of the passage to be spanned.

An electrode assembly for use in an iontophoresis device for the transcutaneous administration of an active therapeutic species has a base layer of including a linking conductive base material which is consumed (oxidizes or reduces) preferentially to water, a first upper layer of sacrificial material coated on a first portion of the base layer wherein the sacrificial material is consumed preferentially to the linking conductive base material of the base layer. A second upper layer of non-conducting material is coated on a second portion of the base layer, the second upper layer being spaced from the first upper layer, connected by a narrow exposed linking area of the base layer material remaining exposed therebetween. During operation of an associated iontophoresis device, the sacrificial material will be sequentially consumed; the first upper layer will be fully consumed followed by the linking conductive base material of the exposed linking area of the base layer which severs the base layer thereby breaking circuit continuity disabling activity in the device. A visual indicator may be provided allowing a wearer to monitor the state of reaction of the linking area.

An information handling system projector tracks lamp usage to generate a lamp order form for order of a replacement lamp when lamp usage is a predetermined usage. The lamp order form is automatically generated and displayed to include lamp usage and projector identification information so that a user need not manually input that information into an order form. A network module of the projector supports queries for lamp usage from a lamp management module running on an information handling system. A projector processor interfaced with the network module reads the lamp usage and projector identification information from firmware of the projector and provides the lamp usage and projector identification information to the lamp management module for automatic generation of the lamp order form display.

an image printing device comprises a transfer roller configured to transfer a printing medium in a transfer direction, a first sensor configured to detect a rotation amount of the transfer roller, a carriage mounted with a printhead. The image printing device further comprises a second sensor mounted to the carriage and configured to detect the printing medium. The image printing device further comprises a reference member disposed at a position opposing to the second sensor and a drive transmission mechanism configured to move the reference member in conjunction with a rotation of the transfer roller. The image printing device determines a position of an origin of the transfer roller based on detection results of the first sensor and the second sensor.

An electrode assembly for use in an iontophoresis device for the transcutaneous administration of an active therapeutic species has a base layer of including a linking conductive base material which is consumed (oxidizes or reduces) preferentially to water, a first upper layer of sacrificial material coated on a first portion of the base layer wherein the sacrificial material is consumed preferentially to the linking conductive base material of the base layer. A second upper layer of non-conducting material is coated on a second portion of the base layer, the second upper layer being spaced from the first upper layer, connected by a narrow exposed linking area of the base layer material remaining exposed therebetween. During operation of an associated iontophoresis device, the sacrificial material will be sequentially consumed; the first upper layer will be fully consumed followed by the linking conductive base material of the exposed linking area of the base layer which severs the base layer thereby breaking circuit continuity disabling activity in the device. A visual indicator may be provided allowing a wearer to monitor the state of reaction of the linking area.

Apparatuses, methods and systems for lighting fixture determining its power usage and monitoring its operational health are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method of a lighting fixture determining its power usage. The method includes sensing, by an ambient light sensor, an intensity of light emitted from the lighting fixture, and estimating power usage of the lighting fixture based on the sensed intensity of light.

A line voltage control circuit for use with a multi-string LED drive system which provides a common line voltage for multiple LED strings that are connected to respective current sink circuits at respective junctions. An error amplifier receives the minimum junction voltage and a reference ‘desired junction voltage’ at respective inputs, and a voltage regulator outputs the line voltage in response to a voltage applied to a feedback input. A comparator toggles an output when the maximum junction voltage (Vmax) exceeds a reference limit (Vlimit). A multiplexer receives the error amplifier output and a fixed voltage at respective inputs and provides one of the signals to the regulator's feedback input in response to the comparator output. When Vmax>Vlimit, the fixed voltage is provided to the feedback input and the line voltage is reduced, thereby protecting low voltage current sinks from potentially damaging high voltages.

A sleigh for travel over a snow covered surface adapted to be disassembled or knocked down into a storage or transport position, from an operating position, is shown. Runners of the sleigh are pivotally connected to a floorboard along side edges thereof. The runners are locked into an operating position and may be unlocked to fold against a bottom surface of the floorboard in a stored position. An upper body including a seat is formed of multiple planar pieces which are dependently interlocked with each other for assembly and later disassembly. Means are provided for interlocking the runners to a hitching assembly to which a horse is conventionally harnessed.

A method and system are presented for enhancing one or more images of an object, so as to increase the visibility within the images of one or more structures within the object. The object may be an anatomical region of a patient, and may include one or more reference structures, for example skeletal structures or vertebral structures, and one or more treatment targets, for example tumors or lesions. An operator, for example a top-hat filter operator, selects at least a first neighborhood and a second neighborhood within the images. The operator selects within each neighborhood one or more pixels having an optimal pixel value, and eliminates the remaining pixels in these neighborhoods. When the operator is applied to the selected neighborhoods, only the pixels having the greatest pixel values remain in the selected neighborhoods, and the remaining pixels are eliminated in the selected neighborhoods. As a result, desired features can be located and enhanced in the images.

Apparatus for drainage by well points, including a piston pump and a drive motor coupled to the piston pump by means of a transmission and provided with a drive shaft, which transmission is received in a housing and includes at least one crankshaft and a drive rod coupled thereto, the drive rod is coupled by means of a cross-head to a piston rod of the piston pump and the housing forms an oil sump and the transmission further includes an assembly of a worm and a worm wheel co-acting therewith and mounted on the crankshaft and the worm is provided on a worm shaft extending transversely relative to the crankshaft and vertically in operating mode of the apparatus for drainage by well points.

A leak-proof damper with a self-diagnostic feature. An auxiliary oil reservoir body is disposed externally with respect to the damper cylinder and generally adjacent the rod seal, wherein the auxiliary oil reservoir body is concealed by an end cap. The maximum volume of oil retainable by the auxiliary oil reservoir body is predetermined to coincide with a volume of oil which may be lost from the interior of the damper cylinder and yet the damper will still function properly. The auxiliary oil reservoir body may be a seal body having an internal cavity providing an oil retention volume or an absorbent body having an absorbency capacity that provides an oil retention volume.

The present invention relates to a position sensor and limit switch apparatus for an actuator. The actuator has a cylinder and a piston with at least one magnetized portion reciprocatingly disposed within the cylinder. The apparatus includes an elongate housing aligned parallel with the cylinder. A magnetostrictive linear displacement transducer is disposed within the housing for sensing the position of the at least one magnetized portion. The apparatus includes a switch means responsive to the transducer for operatively interrupting actuation of the piston upon the at least one magnetized portion reaching a limit position.

A piston engine may include a heat pipe capable of transferring heat away from a portion of the piston engine such as a combustion section. The heat pipe may be included as part of a piston assembly, a cylinder, or both. The heat pipe may be filled with a suitable heat pipe fluid that may undergo a phase change such as, for example, water, ethanol, ammonia, sodium, other fluids or combinations thereof. Boiling and condensing of the fluid within the heat pipe may utilize the latent heat of the fluid during heat transfer. Multiple heat pipes may be used in some instances.

A device for the pulsed release of an amount (3) of fluid that is stored in a storage housing (2) includes a piston (5) biased by a first spring (4) and movable within the storage housing (2) to dispense the fluid by the spring bias, when triggered by an actuator (6) to release a lock holding the piston in place (7). The lock (7) has individual catches (8) keeping the piston (5) in its pretensioned position and, when actuated by the actuator (6), releases the piston (5).

Disclosed is an external airbag apparatus. The apparatus includes, a back beam disposed on one surface directed toward a bumper on which an airbag module is disposed. The apparatus additionally includes a deployment guide disposed between the bumper and the back beam, both ends of which are coupled to the back beam, and a middle end of which is supported on the bumper. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a sensor disposed between the deployment guide and the back beam to sense impact when pressed by the deployment guide during impact to the bumper.

An airbag system mitigates intrusion in the event of an offset rigid barrier impact to a forward corner of a motor vehicle. An airbag is attached proximate a distal end of a front rail. When in the inflated condition, the airbag has an angular leading edge. An impact detection sensor generates a signal upon a corner impact event, whereby a controller processes the signal generated by the detection sensor and electrically actuates an inflator upon a predetermined impact severity. The angular leading edge of the airbag in the inflated condition acts against the offset rigid barrier to generate a lateral force against the offset rigid barrier to push the motor vehicle away from the barrier and thereby redirect impact energy by lateral movement of the motor vehicle.

A sensor assembly for a motor vehicle adapted for sensing impacts including pedestrian impacts. The sensor assembly includes first and second energy absorbing elements formed of differing materials which couple an applied force to the vehicle to a compressive force acting on a compressive sensor element. The first and second energy absorbers are combined in a manner to tune the response between the applied force and forces acting on the compressive sensor to provide desired response characteristics. The first and second energy absorbers can be configured to produce force flow paths which further aid in response tuning. Another embodiment utilizes an energy absorber having a shaped cross section which focuses and balances impact force is applied to the compressive sensor.

A thermoplastic energy absorber having a horizontal axis and a vertical axis, and comprise: an array of energy absorbing lobes protruding from a base, the lobes arranged in two or more rows. The energy absorbing lobes can have a vertical length (L) and a horizontal width (D), and wherein a ratio of L:D is greater than 1. The energy absorbing lobes in each row can be disposed in a staggered manner with respect to energy absorbing lobes in an adjacent row. The energy absorber can be configured to be installed on a vehicle for absorption of impact energy. An energy absorbing system can comprise the thermoplastic energy absorber disposed between a bumper beam and a fascia. The fascia can optionally be configured to envelope the thermoplastic energy absorber and the bumper beam. This system passes EuroNCAP lower-leg impact requirements, version 5.1, June 2011, for lower leg impact requirement.

A model railroad car coupler assembly comprises a coupler with an upper shank having a coupler knuckle at a distal portion and a flat proximal portion, a lower shank having a coupler thumb at a distal portion and a flat proximal portion, and a coil spring terminating in first and second end portions, with a first turn of the coupler spring interlocked with the upper shank and a second turn interlocked with the lower shank. A mounting box has a circular mounting post that accepts circular openings in the shanks permitting them to rotate relative to each other between a closed coupled position and an open uncoupling position. The spring end portions engage the mounting box to bias the shanks into their coupled position. The knuckle carries a ferrous actuating pin that cooperates with a magnetic pad along a track to rotate the upper shank into its open position.

A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is positioned downstream from the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured for rotation. Each shredder includes a plurality of paddle assemblies mounted to a shredder shaft. Each paddle assembly has a plurality of paddles. The paddles have a hardness within the range of 60 A to 70 A Durometer to better grip the blowing wool for shredding and prevent jamming of the blowing wool within the shredder.

A system for preparing a coffee beverage, provided with a coffee making apparatus comprising a grinder for grinding coffee beans to obtain ground coffee, a coffee beverage preparation device arranged for, with supply of water to the ground coffee, preparing the coffee beverage, and a coffee outlet for dispensing the coffee beverage, a separate coffee bean package with an inner space which at least before use is filled with the coffee beans, wherein the coffee bean package before use is closed off in itself such that the exposure of the coffee beans to ambient air is prevented, a coffee bean inlet for supply of coffee beans from the coffee bean package to the grinder, and a connecting device for connecting the coffee bean package to the coffee making apparatus.

A method and system is used to process slag material to yield by-products including a finished iron rich product and a finished low iron fines product. The by-products may include a finished high iron product and a finished medium iron product. The method and system include size classifying the material into a plurality of sized groups prior to using magnetic separation to separate at least one of the sized groups into two portions having differing magnetic susceptibilities. The method and system may include more than one phase of size classifying the material into a plurality of sized groups and using magnetic separation to separate at least one of the sized groups into portions, where the average size of the material remaining after one phase is reduced prior to the subsequent phase.

A drainage device for draining liquid out of a closed chamber includes an air cylinder, a driving assembly, a first channel, a second channel, a first sealing assembly, a second sealing assembly, and a controller. The air cylinder includes a main body defining a receiving chamber, an action piston positioned in the receiving chamber of the main body, and a connecting rod connected to the action piston. The main body defines a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, both of which communicate with the receiving chamber, and the presence of a fixed piston with a seal in each of the inlet and outlet creates a double-acting one-way valve when the action piston is moved up and down.

This is a scalable water cleansing system intended for very low technology primitive communities buildable for between $600 and $1,000 of parts. A gravity feed system is contemplated with one or more of an initial filtering stage(s), a settling stage, a UV treatment stage, and an ozonator stage. A stand-alone power system with solar power needing no infrastructure is contemplated to enhance purification. The system can improve the worst of water quality, including for small groups; and under some conditions to end up with clean water of a quality found in developed countries with mature water systems. For water to the site in communities with low precipitation, the water brought in would be emptied into the initial stage of the water cleansing system, and the person who brought the water would draw from the last stage most or all of the amount of water carried in.

A magnetic water conditioner treats water with a magnetic field. The magnetic water conditioner includes a tank having an inlet operable to receive water from a pump and an outlet operable to discharge the water. The magnetic water conditioner is installed in close proximity to the pump. A plurality of permanent magnet members are aligned and spaced apart in the interior of the tank with north and south poles disposed at opposite sides of the permanent magnet members. The water flows through the gaps between the permanent magnet members, thus being subjected to magnetic fields created by the permanent magnet members.

The main objective of this invention is a Mobile plant for dosing, mixing and packaging of powdery products, characterized because it is comprised of a carrying structure and several areas for: reception and weighing, loading, mixing, sack filling, sewing and labelling, metal detection, palletizing and cleaning. This invention is included within the industrial plants technical sector of manufacturing and mixing of powdery products.

A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet and a refrigerating compartment within the refrigerator cabinet. A beverage dispensing system is operatively connected to the refrigerator cabinet, the beverage dispensing system configured to dispense a stream of a beverage. The beverage dispensing system includes a light source and a light sensor positioned on opposite sides of the stream of the beverage. The beverage dispensing system is configured for detecting if dispensement of the beverage is occurring and characterizing the volume or amount of the beverage being dispensed.

Devices and methods for clamping a beverage extraction device to a beverage container, such as a wine bottle. One or more clamp arms may be arranged to clamp the extraction device to a wine bottle as well as allow the device to be supported upright on a table top. Clamp arms may include tab and ridge features that operate to properly engage and position a wide variety of different bottle neck shapes relative to the device. The one or more clamp arms may move the bottle neck distally, e.g., toward a resilient pad, so that the neck is suitably positioned relative to the device. Proper positioning and engagement of the neck may allow for desired piercing of a cork or other closure of the bottle by the device.

An apparatus for safety-compliant emptying and filling of a reagent container (24, 40) for a tissue processor (20) comprises a suction line (30, 42) for aspirating a reagent out of the reagent container (24, 40) and a delivery line (32, 44) for filling the reagent container (24, 40) with the reagent, a terminating opening (31, 43) of the suction line (30, 42) being spaced away from a terminating opening (33, 45) of the delivery line (32, 44).

A semi-automated system suitable for use in a hospital setting for filling patient-specific liquid prescriptions to be administered by oral syringes on a just-in-time basis. The system enables hospital pharmacists to simplify and streamline their task, increasing the number of prescriptions that can be filled in a day, improving patient safety and care by minimizing medication errors and the consequences that ensue.

A powder refilling device includes a refill powder chamber to accommodate a powder bag containing powder, an opener to open the powder bag inside the refill powder chamber, and a squeezer to squeeze the opened powder bag to discharge powder therefrom and reduce a volume of the opened powder bag.

The present disclosure is directed to a voltage-to-current sensing circuit having a bias terminal configured to receive a reference voltage, an offset terminal configured to receive an offset current, and an operational amplifier configured to output a low voltage signal. The device includes a first amplifier having first and second high voltage inputs configured to receive a first voltage difference across a sense component on a high voltage line and to generate a first current, a second amplifier having first and second low voltage inputs configured to receive a second voltage difference between the bias terminal and the offset terminal and to generate a second current, a summing circuit configured to provide an intermediate voltage corresponding to a sum of the first and the second currents, and a low-voltage transistor coupled to an output of the amplifier and controlled by the intermediate voltage to generate the output current.

Methods and systems are described for providing power factor correction for high-power loads using two interleaved power factor correction stages. Each power factor correction stage includes a controllable switch that is operated to control the phasing of each power factor correction stage. The phasing of output current from the second power factor correction stage is shifted 180 degree relative to the output current from the first power factor correction stage.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a multi-phase voltage regulator may comprise a plurality of phases, each phase configured to supply electrical current to one or more information handling resources electrically coupled to the voltage regulator. A controller may be electrically coupled to the plurality of phases. The controller may designate at least one of the plurality of phases as a first state phase, and designate each of the plurality of phases not designated as a first state phase as a second state phase. The controller may alternate the designation of at least two of the plurality of phases between a first state phase and a second state phase. Each first state phase may be configured to supply a first electrical current regardless of electrical current demand. Each second state phase may be configured to supply a second electrical current based on the current demand.

A voltage regulator includes an amplifier having a first input coupled to a first reference voltage and a second input coupled to a voltage feedback signal; a multiplexer having a first input coupled to an output of the amplifier, a second input coupled to a voltage clamp signal, and a control input; and a control circuit having a first input coupled to an over current indicator, a second input coupled to a no over voltage indicator, a third input coupled to a timer signal, and an output coupled to the control input of the multiplexer.

A charge pump regulator circuit includes a voltage controlled oscillator and a plurality of charge pumps. The voltage controlled oscillator has a plurality of inverter stages connected in series in a ring. A plurality of oscillating signals is generated from outputs of the inverter stages. Each oscillating signal has a frequency or amplitude or both that are variable dependent on a variable drive voltage. Each oscillating signal is phase shifted from a preceding oscillating signal. Each charge pump is connected to a corresponding one of the inverter stages to receive the oscillating signal produced by that inverter stage. Each charge pump outputs a voltage and current. The output of each charge pump is phase shifted from the outputs of other charge pumps. A combination of the currents thus produced is provided at about a voltage level to the load.

A switching power converter includes a voltage source that provides an input voltage Vin to an unregulated DC/DC converter stage and at least one buck-boost converter stage to produce a desired output voltage Vout. The unregulated DC/DC converter stage is adapted to provide an isolated voltage to the at least one regulated buck-boost converter stage, wherein the unregulated DC/DC converter stage comprises a transformer having a primary winding and at least one secondary winding and at least one switching element coupled to the primary winding. The at least one buck-boost converter stage is arranged to operate in a buck mode, boost mode or buck-boost mode in response to a mode selection signal from a mode selection module. By influencing the pulse width modulation output power controller the at least one buck-boost converter stage is arranged to produce one or multiple output voltages.

A reference voltage circuit for generating a reference voltage to be referred when a pixel signal is digitally converted, includes ramp voltage generating means for generating a ramp voltage which drops from a predetermined initial voltage at a certain gradient, a transistor for forming, together with the ramp voltage generating means, a current mirror circuit, and gain change means for changing a current value of a current flowing from a predetermined power supply via the transistor to change the gradient of the ramp voltage generated by the ramp voltage generating means.

Polyphase converter, comprising a plurality of electrical phases (11 to 16), which can each be driven by switching means (21 to 26), wherein at least one coupling means (31 to 39) is provided, which magnetically couples at least one first phase (11) to at least one further phase (12, 14, 16), wherein at least two phases (11, 12) to be coupled are surrounded at least partially by the coupling means (31), wherein at least one insulating body (72) is provided, which on the upper or lower side thereof accommodates the phases (11 to 16) to be coupled and on which at least one fastening means (74, 76, 90) is provided, which interacts with at least one of the phases (11 to 16) for fastening purposes.

A system that manages a supplemental energy source connected to a power grid uses a two stage control strategy to manage power transfers in and out of the power grid as well as in and out of an energy storage system, such as a battery bank. One stage uses a non-linear transfer function to control an output frequency of a DC-to-AC inverter to limit undesired effects of power transients that occur on the grid. A second stage uses control strategy for transferring energy between the energy storage system and an internal DC link based on a relationship between a voltage on a DC link connecting the first and second stages and a DC link reference voltage, the voltage on the DC link, and a voltage at the energy storage system. The control strategy includes rapid charging, over-charging protection, and grid transient stabilization.

There is provided a DC-DC converter which converts an input voltage into an output voltage for supply to a load, in which an input terminal receives the input voltage, an output terminal outputs the output voltage, power stages each includes: a high side switch, a low side switch and an inductor, the control unit executes a first mode and a second mode wherein the first mode controls the high side switch and the low side switch in each of the power stages so that a ratio of an output current in each of the power stages to a load current flowing through the load becomes a set value and the second mode controls the high side switch and the low side switch in each of the power stages so that duty ratios of the high side switch and the low side switch are equalized among the power stages.

A low-dropout voltage regulator includes a power transistor configured to receive an input voltage and to provide a regulated output voltage at an output voltage node. The power transistor includes a control electrode configured to receive a driver signal. A reference circuit is configured to generate a reference voltage. A feedback network is coupled to the power transistor and is configured to provide a first feedback signal and a second feedback signal. The first feedback signal represents the output voltage and the second feedback signal represents an output voltage gradient. An error amplifier is configured to receive the reference voltage and the first feedback signal representing the output voltage. The error amplifier is configured to generate the driver signal dependent on the reference voltage and the first feedback signal. The error amplifier includes an output stage that is biased with a bias current responsive to the second feedback signal.

A counterbalance mechanism for counterbalancing weight of a bottom-hinged door (such as a clamshell-type airstair door of an aircraft) includes an operator handle, a hoist rod pivotally connected at one end to the operator handle and at an opposite end thereof to the door near a bottom region thereof. A force accumulator assembly is provided which includes a force biasing member which accumulates and dissipates a bias force when opening and closing the door, respectively, to provide mechanical counterbalance to the weight of the door. A bellcrank assembly operatively connects the operator handle to the force accumulator. In such a manner, weight counterbalancing of the door is achieved.

Baggage compartment 1 for an aircraft, wherein the baggage compartment 1 comprises a housing 2 and a baggage holder 3, wherein the baggage holder 3 is swivel-mounted about a swivel axis A in the housing 2, wherein, the swivel axis A intersects, in its longitudinal extent, a holder side wall 32 of the baggage holder 3 and/or a housing side wall 21 of the housing 2, wherein the baggage holder 3 can be moved from a closed position G into an open position Ö with a first swivel movement S1 and the baggage compartment 1 is opened and wherein the baggage holder 3 can be moved from the open position Ö into the closed position G with a second swivel movement S2 and the baggage compartment 1 is closed, wherein the baggage compartment 1 comprises a drive device 6 having at least one drive motor 9, wherein the drive device 6 is designed to drive the baggage holder 3 during the first and/or second swivel movement S1; S2 and to open or close the baggage compartment 1, wherein the drive device 6 is connected to the holder side wall 32 on one side and to the housing side wall 21 on the other side.

An actuation system and method includes a tubular defining a passage, and an assembly disposed with the tubular. The assembly includes a restriction operatively arranged to receive a restrictor for enabling actuation of the assembly. The restriction includes a degradable material with a protective layer thereon, the degradable material degrading upon exposure to a fluid in the passage and the protective layer isolating the degradable material from the fluid.

A stator for a progressive cavity pump comprises a stator housing having a central axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. In addition, the stator comprises a stator liner disposed within the stator housing. The stator liner has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end of the stator liner is axially spaced from the first end of the stator housing. Further, the stator comprises a tag insert positioned in the stator housing between the first end of the stator housing and the first end of the stator liner. The tag insert has a through passage defining a radially inner surface that includes a tag shoulder.