Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120198357 | COMPUTERIZED METHOD OF MEDIATING DISPUTED ISSUES - A computerized Internet web server/browser method of mediating disputed issues. Here a semi-anonymous mediation network, optionally linked to a pre-existing social network, containing various members interested in providing disputes to mediate and mediating these disputes, is created. Members may post disputes according to various issue types, have these disputes analyzed and commented on by other members, who will then receive feedback according to the success of their analysis. The system keeps track of member expertise in resolving these disputes, thus determining which members have better track records at resolving various types of problems. The system additionally may contain various analytical and graphical tools to enable members to analyze mediation responses according to the characteristics of the response givers. Members may additionally post general questions to other members and receive responses. Certain data may be shared with advertisers, who may post ads relevant to the disputed issues. | 08-02-2012 |
20140032426 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NETWORK-BASED ISSUE RESOLUTION - Systems and methods for network-based issue resolution. In an embodiment, a user selection of a type of audience from a plurality of types of audiences is received. A definition of an issue is also received. One or more audience members corresponding to the selected type of audience are identified, and the definition of the issue is provided to the identified audience members. One or more responses are received from the one or more audience members, and a resolution for the issue is determined based on the responses. | 01-30-2014 |
20140032428 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NETWORK-BASED ISSUE RESOLUTION - Systems and methods for network-based issue resolution. In an embodiment, a user selection of a type of audience from a plurality of types of audiences is received. A definition of an issue is also received. One or more audience members corresponding to the selected type of audience are identified, and the definition of the issue is provided to the identified audience members. One or more responses are received from the one or more audience members, and a resolution for the issue is determined based on the responses. | 01-30-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090309475 | Pre-Chamber Spark Plug - A method and apparatus to maximize spark plug life in pre-chamber spark plugs operating with ultra-lean mixtures and/or elevated engine BMEP is presented. Electrode erosion is reduced by spreading discharge energy over a wider surface area, maintaining fuel concentration in the spark gap, controlling gas static pressure during discharge, and maintaining safe electrode temperature. Energy is spread via a swirling effect created by periphery holes in an end cap, resulting in a lower specific energy discharge at the electrodes. Divergently configured electrodes reduce the spark voltage at high operating pressures and the energy required for ignition. The flow field generated at the electrodes prevents electrical shorts due to water condensation and avoids misfire. The center electrode insulation provides an effective heat transfer path to prevent electrode overheating and pre-ignition. The volume behind the electrodes provides a volume for burnt products from previous combustion cycles and leads to more reliable ignition. | 12-17-2009 |
20110062850 | Pre-Chamber Spark Plug and Electrodes Therefor - An electrode for a spark plug includes a contact portion. In a particular embodiment, the electrode further includes an annular base and a support portion formed from a different material than the contact portion. The contact portion may be aligned axially with a central axis of the annular base. Further, the contact portion is configured to shield the annular base and the support portion from a second electrode inserted into the annular base. | 03-17-2011 |
20130055986 | Method and apparatus for achieving high power flame jets while reducing quenching and autoignition in prechamber spark plugs for gas engines - A prechamber spark plug may have a prechamber having a pre-determined aspect ratio and hole pattern to achieve particular combustion performance characteristics. The aspect ratio and hole pattern may induce a rotational flow of fuel-air in-filling streams inside the prechamber volume. The rotational flow of the fuel-air mixture may include both radial flow and axial flow characteristics based on the aspect ratio and hole pattern. Axial flow characteristics can include a first axial direction proximate the periphery of the rotational flow and a counter second axial direction approaching the center of the rotational flow. The radial and axial flow characteristics may further include radial air-fuel ratio stratification and/or axial air-fuel ratio stratification. The rotational flow, the radial flow and the axial flow may be adjusted by alteration of the aspect ratio and hole pattern to achieve particular combustion performance characteristics in relation to a wide variety of spark gap geometries. | 03-07-2013 |
20140060479 | TWO-STAGE PRECOMBUSTION CHAMBER FOR LARGE BORE GAS ENGINES - In certain embodiments, a two-stage precombustion chamber may be used to reduce engine NOx levels, with fueled precombustion chambers, while maintaining comparable engine power output and thermal efficiency. One or more fuel admission points may be located in either the first prechamber stage or the second prechamber stage. A more efficient overall combustion characterized by low levels of NOx formation may be achieved by a two-stage precombustion chamber system while generating very high energy flame jets emerging from the second prechamber stage into the main combustion chamber. A first prechamber stage may be substantially smaller than a second prechamber stage. The volumes and aspect ratios of the two prechamber stages, along with the location of the electrodes within the first stage prechamber, the holes patterns, angles and the separate fueling, may be selected to create a distribution of fuel concentration that is substantially higher in the first stage prechamber compared to the second prechamber stage. | 03-06-2014 |
20140076274 | Time-varying Spark Current Magnitude to Improve Spark Plug Performance and Durability - In certain embodiments, a time-varying spark current ignition system can be applied to improve spark plug ignitability performance and durability as compared to conventional spark ignition systems. Two performance parameters of interest are spark plug life (durability) and spark plug ignitability. In certain embodiments, spark plug life can be extended by applying a spark current amplitude as low as possible without causing quenching of the flame kernel while it is traveling within an electrode gap and/or by applying spark current of a long enough duration to allow the spark/flame kernel to clear a spark plug gap. In certain embodiments, ignitability can be improved by applying a high enough spark current amplitude to sustain the flame kernel once outside the spark plug gap and/or by applying a spark current for long enough to sustain the flame kernel once outside the spark plug gap. | 03-20-2014 |
20140102404 | Prechamber Ignition System - Generally, embodiments of a pre-chamber unit having a pre-combustion chamber including one or more induction ports in a configuration which achieves flow fields and flow field forces inside the pre-combustion chamber which act to direct flame growth away quenching surface of the pre-combustion chamber. | 04-17-2014 |
20140261296 | ACTIVE SCAVENGE PRECHAMBER - In certain embodiments with large size prechambers and/or with prechambers that have large spark-gap electrode assemblies, a poor scavenge of the crevice volume may cause deterioration of the preignition margin, which then may limit the power rating of the engine, may cause the flow velocity field of the fuel-air mixture to be excessively uneven and may result in the deterioration of the misfire limit. One or more auxiliary scavenging ports may allow admission of fuel rich mixture to the crevice volume, thereby cooling the residual gases and preventing occurrence of preignition. More organized and powerful flow velocity fields may be obtained in the spark-gap electrode assembly region. This condition may result in a significant extension of the flammability limit and may significantly improve the combustion efficiency of the prechamber. Passive prechambers using the active scavenge concept may increase the engine power output and reduce the emission of pollutants from engine combustion. | 09-18-2014 |
20150176474 | Method and apparatus for achieving high power flame jets while reducing quenching and autoignition in prechamber spark plugs for gas engines - A prechamber spark plug may have a prechamber having a pre-determined aspect ratio and hole pattern to achieve particular combustion performance characteristics. The aspect ratio and hole pattern may induce a rotational flow of fuel-air in-filling streams inside the prechamber volume. The rotational flow of the fuel-air mixture may include both radial flow and axial flow characteristics based on the aspect ratio and hole pattern. Axial flow characteristics can include a first axial direction proximate the periphery of the rotational flow and a counter second axial direction approaching the center of the rotational flow. The radial and axial flow characteristics may further include radial air-fuel ratio stratification and/or axial air-fuel ratio stratification. The rotational flow, the radial flow and the axial flow may be adjusted by alteration of the aspect ratio and hole pattern to achieve particular combustion performance characteristics in relation to a wide variety of spark gap geometries. | 06-25-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090069902 | ARTIFICIAL CONTRACTILE TISSUE - Artificial contractile tissue including a structure (b,f) and several fibers (a,g) of variable length which are fixed at their ends to the structure (b,f). The fibers (a,g) are made of a contractile material which can be activated by an activator in such a way as to provide a tissue in a rest or in an activated position, the rest position being defined with non-rectilinear fibers (a,g) and the activated position being defined with fibers (a,g) of reduced length; the transition from the rest towards the activated position or vice-versa being defined by a fiber movement along a lateral direction which is perpendicular with respect to the fiber length. | 03-12-2009 |
20100204803 | ARTIFICIAL CONTRACTILE STRUCTURE AND APPARATUS COMPRISING SUCH STRUCTURE - An artificial contractile structure generally devised to be used in the medical field to assist the functioning of an organ, includes a support ( | 08-12-2010 |
20110066171 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ANASTOMOSIS - A device for forming an anastomosis of blood vessels or ducts includes a first inner cylindrical element for engaging a corresponding first blood vessel/prosthesis end portion and a first middle cylindrical element into which the first inner cylindrical element is inserted to bend the legs of the first inner cylindrical element inwards to a predetermined extent so that deformable legs thereof engage the vessel/prosthesis wall. The device includes a second inner cylindrical element for engaging a corresponding second blood vessel/prosthesis end portion and a second middle cylindrical element into which the second inner cylindrical element can be inserted to bend the legs of the second inner cylindrical element inwards to a predetermined extent so that deformable legs thereof engage the vessel/prosthesis wall. The device also includes an outer element for reciprocally connecting the first and second middle cylindrical elements. | 03-17-2011 |
20120296157 | MEDICAL DEVICE COMPRISING AN ARTIFICIAL CONTRACTILE STRUCTURE - The present invention relates to a medical device including an artificial contractile structure which may be advantageously used to assist the functioning of a hollow organ. The medical device includes an artificial contractile structure including at least one contractile element ( | 11-22-2012 |
20130013059 | ANNULOPLASTY RING SYSTEM - An annuloplasty ring system for repairing an atrioventricular cardiac valve includes an external support ring ( | 01-10-2013 |
20130096586 | MEDICAL DEVICE COMPRISING AN ARTIFICIAL CONTRACTILE STRUCTURE - A medical device including artificial contractile structures generally devised to be used in the medical field. Such structures may be advantageously used to assist the functioning of an organ. The medical device includes an artificial contractile structure having at least two contractile elements ( | 04-18-2013 |
20140350664 | Actuating Device for a Surgical - The present invention concerns an actuating device for actuating a mechanical adjustment element of surgical implant, said mechanical adjustment element allowing to modify the functional shape and/or the functional size of the surgical implant when actuated, said actuating device comprising transmission means linked with one end to the mechanical adjustment element and able to move the mechanical adjustment element when said transmission means are actuated, connecting means ( | 11-27-2014 |