Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110277242 | HOSPITAL BED - A patient support apparatus includes a deck, a plurality of side rails, a control panel, and a plurality of subsystems, such as a bed exit system that detects when a patient may exit from the support apparatus, or a lifting mechanism to raise and lower the deck. A controller is in communication with the control panel and is adapted to monitor conditions regarding the side rails and/or the other subsystems. At least one lamp is also provided on the patient support apparatus that is adapted to be illuminated in a first manner when a plurality of monitored conditions remain in a desired state, and in a second manner when at least one of the plurality of monitored conditions changes to an undesired state. | 11-17-2011 |
20140059768 | HOSPITAL BED - A patient support apparatus includes a deck, a plurality of side rails, a control panel, and a plurality of subsystems, such as a bed exit system that detects when a patient may exit from the support apparatus, or a lifting mechanism to raise and lower the deck. A controller is in communication with the control panel and is adapted to monitor conditions regarding the side rails and/or the other subsystems. At least one lamp is also provided on the patient support apparatus that is adapted to be illuminated in a first manner when a plurality of monitored conditions remain in a desired state, and in a second manner when at least one of the plurality of monitored conditions changes to an undesired state. | 03-06-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100079304 | LOCATION DETECTION SYSTEM FOR A PATIENT HANDLING DEVICE - A location detection system for a facility including a patient handling device for supporting a patient and being mobile for positioning at a location in the facility, a locator fixed relative to the patient handling device for transmitting a unique location identifier corresponding to the location of the patient handling device, and a processing station remote from the patient handling device and the locator for receiving the unique location identifier such that the location of the patient handling device can be determined and monitored remotely from the patient handling device. The system further includes a receiver mounted to the patient handling device for receiving the unique location identifier from the locator and a communication module with a unique ID for the patient handling device mounted to the patient handling device and in communication with the receiver and transmitting the unique ID and the unique location identifier received by the receiver from the patient handling device to the processing station such that the patient handling device acts as a communication link between the locator and the processing station, and the processing station receiving the unique location identifier and the unique ID and correlating the unique location identifier with the unique ID and further correlating the unique ID of the patient handling device with a patient supported by the patient handling device wherein the processing station can track the patient handling device and the patient supported thereby. | 04-01-2010 |
20120176221 | LOCATION DETECTION SYSTEM FOR A PATIENT HANDLING DEVICE - A location detection system for a facility includes a patient handling device with a communication module with a unique ID, a locator fixed relative to the handling device for transmitting a unique location identifier corresponding to the location of the handling device, and a receiver mounted to the patient device for receiving the unique location identifier. A processing station remote from the handling device and the locator receives the unique location identifier and the unique ID and further correlates the unique ID with a patient supported by the handling device wherein the processing station can track the handling device and the patient supported thereby such that the location of the patient and handling device can be determined and monitored remotely from the handling device. | 07-12-2012 |
20120235830 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR PATIENT HANDLING DEVICES - A patient handling device communication system enables patient handling devices, such as bed, cots, stretchers, and the like, to communicate with other patient handling devices. Communication from one or more patient handling devices may thereby be forwarded to other patient handling devices. Such information may also be forwarded to a healthcare communication network. The patient handling devices may form a mesh network for communicating information amongst themselves and/or to the healthcare communications network. | 09-20-2012 |
20130283529 | PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS - Patient support apparatuses, such as beds, cots, stretchers, recliners, operating tables, and the like include wireless mesh network transceivers that enable them to communicate with each other, and other devices, via mesh networks and/or ad hoc networks. One or more additional wireless transceivers are included, such as WiFi transceivers, that enable direct communication with a healthcare facility network, such as an Ethernet. The mesh network communication between patient support apparatuses and other devices is used for any one or more of: extending the communication range of the existing IT infrastructure, efficiently routing data to the healthcare facility network, determining location of the patient support apparatuses and devices, transporting patient data from one patient support to the next as the patient moves, and for other aspects. | 10-31-2013 |
20140259414 | PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS - A patient support apparatus includes a computer supported thereon that acts as a thin client for at least one network service available on a remote network to which the patient support apparatus has access. The thin client architecture of the patient support apparatus enables the patient support apparatus to dynamically change its functions, algorithms, features and other aspects more easily. The thin client architecture may be applied to generating alerts, performing maintenance functions, analyzing sensor data—including, but not limited to—weight sensors used to detect weight distributions on the patient support apparatus, implementing patient care protocols, performing patient assessments, accumulating information for billing, and monitoring patient movement. The patient support apparatuses may also function as local WiFi hotspots and/or as software access points to the healthcare network and/or the Internet. One or more Software-as-a-Service applications may run on the patient support apparatus. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266733 | PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH PATIENT INFORMATION SENSORS - A patient support apparatus includes multiple sensors used to monitor aspects of a patient positioned on a support surface of the patient support apparatus. The outputs from the sensors are used, alone or in combination with other signals, to perform any one or more of the following: distinguishing between new and old patients entering onto the support surface; automatically zeroing a scale system on the support apparatus; distinguishing between objects and humans positioned on the support surface; determining if a patient is sleeping or awake; monitoring and characterizing movement levels of the patient; recording for subsequent display a log of likely events regarding the support surface; proposing identifications of objects added to or removed from the support surface; automatically re-arming a patient exit alert system; recording force outputs prior to and during a patient exit from the support apparatus; and transmitting the recorded force outputs to a remote location. | 09-18-2014 |
20150082542 | PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS - A location detection system for person support apparatuses includes multiple network wireless access points that communicate with a plurality of mobile transceivers positioned on board the person support apparatuses. Based upon signal strength data (e.g. RSSI or RCPI) of messages from the access points to the transceivers, the locations of the person support apparatuses are determined. In some embodiments, the person support apparatuses include an additional location detection system that utilizes fixed locators having short range transceivers to generate a second location determination of the person support apparatuses. In still other embodiments, the person support apparatuses utilize the second location detection system to determine the location of the wireless access points. The person support apparatuses may also broadcast their location to other devices that then utilize the received signal strengths of those messages to determine their own location. | 03-26-2015 |
20150290060 | PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS - Patient support apparatuses, such as beds, cots, stretchers, recliners, operating tables, and the like include wireless mesh network transceivers that enable them to communicate with each other, and other devices, via mesh networks and/or ad hoc networks. One or more additional wireless transceivers are included, such as WiFi transceivers, that enable direct communication with a healthcare facility network, such as an Ethernet. The mesh network communication between patient support apparatuses and other devices is used for any one or more of: extending the communication range of the existing IT infrastructure, efficiently routing data to the healthcare facility network, determining location of the patient support apparatuses and devices, transporting patient data from one patient support to the next as the patient moves, and for other aspects. | 10-15-2015 |
20160022218 | PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH PATIENT INFORMATION SENSORS - A person support apparatus includes sensors for monitoring aspects of a person positioned thereon. The outputs from the sensors are used to distinguish between new and prior occupants of the support apparatus, automatically zero an integrated scale system, distinguish between objects and humans on the support apparatus, determine if a person is sleeping or awake, monitor and characterize movement levels of the person, record a log of likely events regarding a support surface of the apparatus, propose identifications of objects added to or removed from the support surface, record force outputs, and/or other purposes. A person's sleep state may also be obtained and forwarded to a remote location. The sleep state data may be used to mute and/or control alerts or indicators, and/or to predict when a person is going to wake up and likely exit the support apparatus. | 01-28-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090260517 | ENGINE PISTON WITH ROLLING ELEMENT SKIRT - The present invention utilizes rolling elements, such as balls or rollers acting as bearings carried in openings in the skirt or equivalent portion of a piston, to engage the cylinder walls and replace the sliding bearings of the skirt with the roller elements in the skirt. The rolling elements then absorb all or some of the thrust loads conventionally absorbed by the skirt walls sliding along surfaces of an associated cylinder and thereby reduce the friction forces developed by the reciprocating action of the piston skirt. | 10-22-2009 |
20090297079 | Sealed Split Ring Crankshaft Bearing - A crankshaft has spaced-apart cheeks and a cylindrical surface between the cheeks. A split ring bearing assembly has first and second bearing parts that join to encircle the cylindrical surface. First and second split ring seal assemblies each have first and second seal parts that join to encircle and sealingly contact with the cylindrical surface on each side of the split ring bearing assembly. A journal includes a first and second journal halves having cylindrical recesses receiving the crankshaft so that the split ring bearing assembly bears upon the journal and the first and second split ring seal assemblies sealingly contact with the journal halves. A lube fill fitting is provided in the journal for the introduction of lubricant which is permanently sequestered between the first and second split ring seal assemblies to provide sealed lubrication of the split ring bearing assemblies. | 12-03-2009 |
20100018805 | PRE-LUBRICATION OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE BASED UPON LIKELY VEHICLE USAGE - A method is disclosed for initiating oil injection into a cylinder of an internal combustion engine prior to engine start-up, the oil injection protecting the engine from damage caused by insufficient lubrication during the start-up. The method includes processing data to modulate a lubrication initiation modifier and initiating the oil injection on the basis of the lubrication initiation modifier. | 01-28-2010 |
20100224160 | ENGINE ASSEMBLY WITH VALVE SEAT VENT PASSAGES AND METHOD OF FORMING - An engine assembly may include an engine block defining a cylinder bore, a cylinder head fixed to the engine block, and a valve seat insert. The cylinder head may include an intake port, defining an inlet in fluid communication with an air source and an outlet in fluid communication with the cylinder bore. The valve seat may be defined at the outlet of the intake port and may include a stepped region. The stepped region may define a seating surface extending radially outward from the intake port. The seating surface may include a series of protrusions circumferentially spaced from one another around the outlet and forming a series of recesses therebetween. The valve seat insert may be located within the stepped region and may include a first axial end surface abutting the protrusions on the seating surface. | 09-09-2010 |
20100290942 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO PRODUCE FORGED POWDER METAL PARTS WITH TRANSVERSE FEATURES - Systems and methods produce forged powder metal parts respectively comprising a transverse feature. A system may comprise a powder metal die, a sintering oven, a forging apparatus, a core material, and a powder metal. The powder metal die may receive and compact the core material and the powder metal to form a compacted powder metal part with at least a portion of the core material embedded therein to define a transverse feature in the compacted powder metal part. The sintering oven may receive and sinter the compacted powder metal part with the core material remaining embedded therein to maintain the definition of the transverse feature during sintering. The forging apparatus may receive and forge the sintered powder metal part with the core material remaining embedded therein to maintain the definition of the transverse feature during forging with the embedded core material being removable from the forged powder metal thereafter. | 11-18-2010 |
20100300394 | METAL ALLOY CASTINGS WITH CAST-IN-PLACE TUBES FOR FLUID FLOW - A major engine casting, such as an engine block or a cylinder head, fabricated of either magnesium or aluminum alloy, has a cast-in-place metal tube or form embedded within it. The tube or form enables circulation of liquid while substantially physically isolating the casting alloy from the circulating liquid and thereby restricting or eliminating corrosive interaction between them. | 12-02-2010 |
20110041796 | OIL MAKE-UP AND REPLENISHMENT OIL FILTER AND METHOD OF USE - An oil filter and oil-additive dispensing device comprising an oil filter and oil additive replenishment system further comprising: a full-flow oil filter; a by-pass oil filter; an oil additive dispensing system; and an on-vehicle controller to dispense additive as required, track additive consumption and signal the need for a replacement system is described. Also a method of using such oil filter and oil-additive dispensing device to extend the useful life of lubricating oil in a vehicle engine is described. | 02-24-2011 |
20120199093 | Lubeless Valve Assembly For Engine - A valve assembly includes a tubular valve stem guide and a valve having a valve stem slidable in the bore of the valve stem guide. A lower valve stem seal has an annular body surrounding the valve stem and a skirt sealing with the valve stem guide. An upper valve stem seal has an annular body sealingly mounted on the valve stem and a skirt portion overlapping with the annular body of the lower valve stem seal during the reciprocating movement of the valve stem so that the upper and lower valve stem seals cooperate to prevent flow of oil to the bore of the valve stem guide. The valve stem is coated with a diamond-like carbon coating or a hard nitride coating, and the valve stem guide is of powered metal construction with approximately 1% by weight solid lubricant such as molybdenum disulfide or tungsten disulfide. | 08-09-2012 |
20130301963 | AUTOMOTIVE POWERTRAIN COMPONENT AND BEARING WITH MICROPORES, AND METHOD THEREOF - One embodiment includes an automotive powertrain component and a bearing. The automotive powertrain component has a first surface and moves during use thereof. The bearing assists movement of the automotive powertrain component and has a second surface that opposes the first surface of the automotive powertrain component. Multiple micropores are located on a portion or more of the first surface, of the second surface, or of both the first and second surfaces. The micropores retain lubricant therein. In use, the lubricant can be lifted above respective openings of the micropores and into a space located between the first and second surfaces. | 11-14-2013 |
20130319365 | METHOD FOR IN-SITU FORMING OF LOW FRICTION COATINGS ON ENGINE CYLINDER BORES - A low friction coating for an internal combustion engine and a method of forming a low friction surface on at least one of the engine's friction-sensitive components. In one form, a solid lubricant precursor additive is combined with motor oil such that upon work being performed on the combination by adjacently-interacting engine components, the solid lubricant tribochemically reacts to form a friction-reducing coating or film. In one preferred form, the coating or film is triboformed on a cylinder bore or a liner configured to fit within the bore. The reciprocating movement between the cylinder or liner and a piston and/or piston rings promotes in-situ formation of the layer after the engine has already been manufactured rather than during engine fabrication or assembly. | 12-05-2013 |
20140314611 | METHOD OF MAKING NON-RECTANGULAR MAGNETS - A number of variations may include a method including providing a first powder comprising iron; compacting the first powder into a compacted powder product having a non-planar surface, wherein the compacting includes dynamic magnetic compaction or combustion driven compaction; and increasing the magnetic coercivity of at least one of the first powder or compact powder product. | 10-23-2014 |
20150251248 | Near Net Shape Manufacturing Of Rare Earth Permanent Magnets - A method of near net shaping a rare earth permanent magnet and a permanent magnet. The method includes introducing a magnetic material powder into a die, closing the die and shock compacting the powder in the die and sintering the compacted magnet powder to form the rare earth permanent magnet part. In one form, the magnetic material being subjected to compaction is a mixture made up of two or more different magnetic material powder precursors. Additional materials may be added to the mixture. One such additional material may be a lubricant to reduce the likelihood of cracking, while another may be a coating to provide oxidation protection of the mixture. Evacuation or inert environments may also be used either prior to or in conjunction with the sintering or related high-temperature part of the process. | 09-10-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100092310 | Vehicle Transmission with Jet Pump - The present disclosure relates to a vehicle transmission with jet pump. The jet pump includes a hydraulic control system that has a nozzle fitted between a first and second housing. The nozzle is separable from the first and second housing. The hydraulic control system is configured to produce a jet stream of fluid through a center section of the nozzle. | 04-15-2010 |
20100290924 | Nozzle Insert for Boosting Pump Inlet Pressure - A pump assembly includes a pump housing including an inner surface, a pump inlet and an excess flow passage, a filter assembly including a spout extending into the housing, and an insert located within and secured to the housing, and including a first surface spaced from the inner surface and producing therebetween an annular nozzle communicating with said excess flow passage, the nozzle directing a first fluid stream exiting the excess flow passage toward a second fluid stream exiting the spout, the fluid streams flowing toward the pump inlet. | 11-18-2010 |
20140093401 | JET PUMP WITH CENTRALIZED NOZZLE - A jet pump that supplies fluid to a transmission pump includes a pump inlet, a sump, a fluid source, and a nozzle including an axial passage for carrying fluid from the sump toward the inlet, and a second passage having an arcuate periphery and including an entrance facing a lateral side of the nozzle and connected to the fluid source and an exit communicating with the pump inlet. | 04-03-2014 |
20150093261 | NOZZLE INSERT FOR BOOSTING PUMP INLET PRESSURE - A pump assembly includes a pump housing including an inner surface, a pump inlet and an excess flow passage, a filter assembly including a spout extending into the housing, and an insert located within and secured to the housing, and including a first surface spaced from the inner surface and producing therebetween an annular nozzle communicating with said excess flow passage, the nozzle directing a first fluid stream exiting the excess flow passage toward a second fluid stream exiting the spout, the fluid streams flowing toward the pump inlet. | 04-02-2015 |