Author: claimsbot

1. A method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle, the vehicle having an anti-lock braking system, the method comprising:
under conditions of degraded operation of an anti-lock braking system, restricting deactivation of the fuel injection during deceleration vehicle operating conditions.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the degraded operation is detected based on one of the brake pedal position, wheel speed, and hydraulic pressure of the braking system.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the degraded operation is detected by the anti-lock braking system sensor.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the restricting deactivation of the fuel injection includes disabling deactivation of the fuel injection for at least one cylinder.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the restricting deactivation of the fuel injection includes disabling deactivation of all the cylinders.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the restricting deactivation of the fuel injection includes deactivation of the fuel injection for fewer combustion cycles.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises reactivation of at least one fuel injector.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the reactivation includes at least partial open cylinder valve fuel injection.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the reactivation includes increasing air flow to the cylinder before the reactivation of fuel injectors.
10. A method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle, the vehicle having an anti-lock braking system, the method comprising:
under conditions where the anti-lock braking system is functioning, disabling fuel injection during at least some deceleration operations; and
under conditions of degraded operation of the anti-lock braking system, restricting deactivation of the fuel injection during deceleration vehicle operating conditions.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the degraded operation is detected based on one of the brake pedal position, wheel speed, and hydraulic pressure of the braking system.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the degraded operation is detected by the anti-lock braking system sensor.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the restricting deactivation of the fuel injection includes disabling deactivation of the fuel injection for at least one cylinder.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein the restricting deactivation of the fuel injection includes disabling deactivation of all the cylinders.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein the restricting deactivation of the fuel injection includes deactivation of the fuel injection for fewer combustion cycles.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises reactivation of at least one fuel injector.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the reactivation includes at least partial open cylinder valve fuel injection.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the reactivation includes increasing air flow to the cylinder before the reactivation of fuel injectors.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the reactivation includes fueling the engine rich to reduce oxygen stored on the catalyst during deceleration fuel shut off.
20. A method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle comprising:
deactivating a fuel injector of the engine during a deceleration condition of the vehicle; and
reactivating the fuel injector when a rate of change of a powertrain shaft deceleration is greater than a threshold.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein said shaft deceleration is estimated by a braking system.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the vehicle further has an anti-lock braking system and said deceleration is estimated by the anti-lock braking system.
23. A method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle comprising:
deactivating a fuel injector of the engine during a deceleration condition of the vehicle; and
reactivating the fuel injector when a rate of change of output shaft speed is below a threshold.
24. The method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle comprising:
deactivating a fuel injector of the engine during a deceleration condition of the vehicle; and
reactivating the fuel injector when a rate of change of output shaft acceleration is below a threshold.
25. A method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle comprising:
deactivating a fuel injector of the engine during a deceleration condition of the vehicle; and
reactivating the fuel injector when a predicted output shaft speed is below a threshold.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the predicted output shaft speed is based on measured speed, measured acceleration, and predicted time for the acceleration.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A Savonius vertical axis wind turbine rotor comprising; a plurality of spokes, each spoke comprising a hub having a substantially central opening, three at least partially arcuate ribs extending substantially radially outwardly from said hub with inner and outer surfaces, and a plurality of channels defined in at least one of said inner and outer surface of each said rib; a plurality of vanes of sheet material generally conforming to an inner or outer surface of a said rib and having openings therein operatively aligned with said channels; and first fasteners passing through said openings into said channels and cooperating with second fasteners provided within said channels to securely hold said vanes to said ribs, so that said vanes assume an at least partially curved configuration presenting alternately a substantially concave and substantially convex curvature to wind as the rotor rotates about a substantially vertical axis.
2. A rotor as recited in claim 1 wherein openings in said ribs are non-tapped, and wherein said first fasteners comprise bolts and said second fasteners comprise nuts.
3. A rotor as recited in claim 1 wherein each spoke is in three pieces each piece comprising a hub segment and a generally radial rib.
4. A rotor as recited in claim 3 wherein two of said spoke pieces are joined by a bridging piece, and two of said pieces are joined by a clamping mechanism which draws said pieces toward each other to reduce the size of said central opening.
5. A rotor as recited in claim 4 further comprising a central shaft extending between said hub central openings, said clamping mechanism clamping said spoke hub to said central shaft.
6. A rotor as recited in claim 5 wherein said clamping mechanism comprises a first fastener receiving element operatively connected to one of said spoke pieces at said hub segment, and a second fastener receiving element operatively connected to another, adjacent, spoke piece at said hub segment; and a fastener extending between said fastener receiving elements for drawing said elements toward each other to effect clamping.
7. A rotor as recited in claim 1 wherein each said hub defines a clamp adapted to cooperate with a shaft so that said hub is securely affixed to the shaft.
8. A rotor as recited in claim 7 wherein said clamp comprises: surfaces of said hub defining a substantially radial slot in said hub communicating with said central opening; first and second fastener receiving elements on opposite sides of said slot and operatively connected to said hub; and a fastener extending between said fastener receiving elements to draw said surfaces of said hub together.
9. A rotor as recited in claim 1 wherein said vanes generally conform to said outer surfaces of said ribs and are operatively connected thereto.
10. A rotor as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said ribs has a free end opposite said hub, and a supporting element extending between a central portion of said rib and a portion adjacent said free end thereof which increases the strength of said rib.
11. A rotor as recited in claim 3 wherein each said rib of each spoke piece has a free end opposite said hub segment, and a supporting element extending between a central portion of said rib and a portion adjacent said free end thereof which increases the strength of said rib; and wherein said spoke pieces are substantially identical.
12. A substantially rigid spoke piece for a Savonius wind turbine comprising: a hub segment having an arcuate extend of roughly about 120 degrees and defining with two other spoke pieces a substantially circular opening; and a generally radial rib having a substantially convex surface and a substantially concave surface wherein said rib of said spoke piece has a free end opposite said hub segment, and a supporting element extending between a central portion of said rib and a portion adjacent said free end thereof which increases the strength of said rib.
13. A vertical axis wind turbine comprising: a Savonius rotor comprising a plurality of blades having generally convex and concave surfaces operatively connected to each other, or a helical rotor; a driven element; and a drive operatively connecting the driven element to the rotor; the drive automatically increasing the effective gear ratio as the speed of rotation of the rotor increases.
14. A wind turbine as recited in claim 13 wherein the rotor is a Savonius, and further comprising at least one substantially vertical shaft operatively connected to said blades.
15. A wind turbine as recited in claim 14 wherein said rotor comprises three blades.
16. A wind turbine as recited in claim 13 wherein said drive directly senses rotor speed, or speed of an element operatively connected to said rotor, and does not directly sense wind speed, and wherein said driven element is an electric generator or alternator, and wherein said effective gear ratio is, at maximum, at least 10:1.
17. A wind turbine as recited in claim 13 wherein said drive adjusts the effective gear ratio to keep the tip speed ratio within a range for substantially optimum maximum power coefficient of the rotor.
18. A wind turbine as recited in claim 14 wherein said drive comprises: a first sprocket operatively connected to said at least one shaft; different size at least second and third sprockets, smaller than said first sprocket, and operatively connected to said driven element; a chain operatively connecting the first sprocket and one of said second or third sprocket; and a transmission comprising a centrifugal force responsive derailleur for automatically shifting said chain between said second and third sprockets.
19. A wind turbine as recited in claim 18 wherein said first sprocket and said third sprocket provide an effective gear ratio of at least 10:1, and said first sprocket and said second an effective gear ratio of less than 10:1.

What is claimed is:

1. An agent delivery system for the selectable introduction of one or more active agents into an ingestible medium of interest, the agent delivery system comprising:
a. an agent-retaining component for retaining the one or more active agents, wherein said agent-retaining component is designed to contact the ingestible medium of interest; and
b. a soluble extract including said one or more active agents and retainable by said agent-retaining component.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said agent-retaining component is a straw having an interior surface to which said soluble extract is applied.
3. The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said soluble extract is applied to said interior surface of said straw using an ink-jet spray applicator.
4. The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said soluble extract is applied in a shape selected from the group consisting of designs and text.
5. The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said soluble extract includes food coloring.
6. The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said soluble extract includes inactive food flavoring.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said agent-retaining component is a cap detachably affixable to a container, said cap having an interior surface to which said soluble extract is affixed.
8. The system as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a removable vapor barrier affixed to said interior surface of said cap, wherein said vapor barrier is applied over said soluble extract to prevent contact of said soluble extract with a fluid within the container until such contact is initiated by a user.
9. The system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said removable vapor barrier includes a tab for pulling said vapor barrier away from said interior surface of said cap.
10. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said agent-retaining component is a soluble film to which said soluble extract is applied.
11. The system as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a protective plastic package for isolating and sealing said soluble film therein.
12. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said protective plastic package includes means for affixing said plastic package to an exterior of a container.
13. The system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said soluble extract is in powder form.
14. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said agent-retaining component is a spoon having a concave interior surface to which said soluble extract is affixed.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A size inspection device for detecting and inspecting sizes of a workpiece with a receiving groove automatically, comprising:
a detecting platform comprising a mounting plate;
a positioning assembly detachably mounted on the mounting plate for holding the workpiece on the detecting platform;
at least one first detecting assembly;
at least one second detecting assembly;
at least one third detecting assembly; and
a controller electrically connected to the at least one first detecting assembly, the at least one second detecting assembly, and the at least one third detecting assembly;
wherein the at least one first detecting assembly, and the at least one second detecting assembly are slidably mounted on the mounting plate surrounding the positioning assembly, a sliding direction of the at least one first detecting assembly is perpendicular to a sliding direction of the at least one second detecting assembly, the at least one first detecting assembly and the at least one second detecting assembly are capable of moving toward the positioning assembly and resisting corresponding sidewalls of the workpiece, thereby obtaining a first moving distance and a second moving distance, respectively, the at least one first detecting assembly and the at least one second detecting assembly send the first and the second moving distances to the controller, the at least one third detecting assembly is mounted on the mounting plate opposite to the positioning assembly, and capable of moving through the mounting plate and resisting a bottom of the workpiece and a bottom of the receiving groove, thereby obtaining a third moving distance between the bottom wall and the bottom of the receiving groove, the at least one third detecting assembly sends the third moving distance to the controller, the controller compares the first, the second, and the third moving distances to preset standard value ranges, to determine whether the size measurements of the workpiece have passed or failed size inspection.
2. The size inspection device of claim 1, wherein the detecting platform is equipped with at least one first indicating lamp, at least one second indicating lamp, and at least one third indicating lamp, the at least one first indicating lamp, the at least one second indicating lamp, and the at least one third indicating lamp are located adjacent to the positioning assembly and electrically connected to the controller for indicating whether the size measurements of the workpiece are passing or failing size inspection, according to an order of the controller.
3. The size inspection device of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the positioning assembly is assembled to the first surface, the at least one third detecting assembly is assembled to the second surface, the at least one first detecting assembly comprises a driving member, a first moving member, and a sensor, the driving member is mounted on the first surface, the first moving member is partially received in the driving member and driven by the driving member to move toward the sidewall of the workpiece, the sensor is mounted on the driving member and electronically connected to the controller, the sensor is capable of detecting the first moving distance of the first moving member and sends the first moving distance to the controller.
4. The size inspection device of claim 3, wherein the second surface defines a mounting groove thereon, the at least one third detecting assembly is slidably mounted on a bottom surface of the mounting groove.
5. The size inspection device of claim 4, wherein the mounting plate defines a detecting hole thereon extending through the first surface and the second surface thereof, the number of the at least one third detecting assembly is one, each third detecting assembly comprises a third moving member extending through the detecting hole, and resisting a bottom of the workpiece.
6. The size inspection device of claim 5, wherein the positioning assembly comprises a positioning frame and a positioning cover detachably assembled together to clamp the workpiece therebetween, the positioning frame defines a through hole in a middle portion thereof communicating with the detecting hole, for the third moving member extending therethrough to contact the bottom of the workpiece, the positioning cover shields the workpiece to prevent the workpiece from displacement.
7. The size inspection device of claim 6, wherein the mounting plate comprises a mounting portion, the detecting hole is defined on the mounting portion, the mounting portion defines at least two detecting grooves at a peripheral edge thereof corresponding to the at least one first detecting assembly and the at least one second detecting assembly, a positioning protrusion protrudes from a bottom of each detecting groove, and the at least two positioning protrusions extend through the positioning frame to hold the positioning frame on the detecting platform.
8. A size inspection device for detecting and inspecting sizes of a workpiece with a receiving groove automatically, comprising:
a detecting platform comprising a mounting plate;
a positioning assembly detachably mounted on a top of the mounting plate for holding the workpiece on the detecting platform;
at least one first detecting assembly;
at least one second detecting assembly;
at least one third detecting assembly; and
a controller electrically connected to the at least one first detecting assembly, the at least one second detecting assembly, and the at least one third detecting assembly;
wherein the at least one first detecting assembly, and the at least one second detecting assembly are slidably mounted on a top of the mounting plate adjacent to the positioning assembly, the at least one first detecting assembly and the at least one second detecting assembly are capable of moving toward the positioning assembly and resisting a periphery of the workpiece, thereby obtaining a length measurement value and a width measurement value, respectively, the at least one first detecting assembly and the at least one second detecting assembly send the length and the width measurement values to the controller, the third detecting assembly is mounted on a bottom of the mounting plate, and capable of moving through the mounting plate and resisting a bottom of the workpiece and a bottom of the receiving groove, thereby obtaining a depth measurement value of the receiving groove, the third detecting assembly sends the depth measurement value to the controller, the controller compares the length measurement value, the width measurement value, and the depth measurement value to preset standard value ranges, to determine whether or not the workpiece has passed size quality inspection.
9. The size inspection device of claim 8, wherein the detecting platform is equipped with at least one first indicating lamp, at least one second indicating lamp, and at least one third indicating lamp, the at least one first indicating lamp, the at least one second indicating lamp, and the at least one third indicating lamp are located adjacent to the positioning assembly and electrically connected to the controller for indicating whether the length measurement value, the width measurement value, and the depth measurement value of the workpiece are of passing or failing quality according to results of the controller.
10. The size inspection device of claim 8, wherein the mounting plate comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the positioning assembly is assembled to the first surface, the at least one third detecting assembly is assembled to the second surface, the at least one first detecting assembly comprises a driving member, a first moving member, and a sensor, the driving member is mounted on the first surface, the first moving member is partially receiving in the driving member and driven by the driving member to move toward the side wall of the workpiece, the sensor is mounted on the driving member and electronically connected to the controller and located above the first moving member, the sensor is capable of detecting the length measurement value of the workpiece and sends it to the controller.
11. The size inspection device of claim 10, wherein the second surface defines a mounting groove thereon, the at least one third detecting assembly is slidably mounted on a bottom surface of the mounting groove.
12. The size inspection device of claim 11, wherein the mounting plate defines a detecting hole thereon extending through the first surface and the second surface thereof, the number of the at least one third detecting assembly is one, each third detecting assembly comprises a third moving member extending through the detecting hole, and resisting a bottom of the workpiece.
13. The size inspection device of claim 12, wherein the positioning assembly comprises a positioning frame and a positioning cover detachably assembled together to clamp the workpiece therebetween, the positioning frame defines a through hole in a middle portion thereof communicating with the detecting hole, for the third moving member extending therethrough to contact the bottom of the workpiece, the positioning cover shields the workpiece to prevent the workpiece from displacement.
14. The size inspection device of claim 13, wherein the mounting plate comprises a mounting portion, the detecting hole is defined on the mounting portion, the mounting portion defines at least two detecting grooves at a peripheral edge thereof corresponding to the at least one first detecting assembly and the at least one second detecting assembly, a positioning protrusion protrudes from a bottom of each detecting groove, and the at least two positioning protrusions extend through the positioning frame to hold the positioning frame on the detecting platform.