Author: claimsbot

1. A vehicle interior structural assembly, comprising:
an instrument panel having a main section with a first end and a second end dimensioned to extend laterally between opposing interior side walls of a passenger compartment of a vehicle;
a structural member extending between the first and second ends of the instrument panel such that the structural member is substantially concealed by the instrument panel;
a stay bracket having a first end connected to the structural member, the stay bracket extending downward from the structural member, the stay bracket extending rearward of the structural member; and
a reinforcement member connected to the stay bracket at a first point and a second point that are vertically spaced from one another, the reinforcement member including a support portion cantilevered from and extending rearward of the main section of the instrument panel such that forces applied to the reinforcement member are directed to the stay bracket and the structural member, the reinforcement member being centrally located with respect to a lateral width of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
2. The vehicle interior structural assembly according to claim 1, wherein
a distal end of the reinforcement member extends at least partially between front seats of the vehicle.
3. The vehicle interior structural assembly according to claim 1, wherein
a distal end of the reinforcement member extends at least partially rearward of a rearmost extent of a steering wheel within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
4. The vehicle interior structural assembly according to claim 1, wherein
the reinforcement member is free from contact with a floor surface of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
5. The vehicle interior structural assembly according to claim 4, wherein
the stay bracket is free from contact with the floor surface of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
6. The vehicle interior structural assembly according to claim 1, further comprising
a trim component that substantially conceals the reinforcement member.
7. The vehicle interior structural assembly according to claim 6, wherein
an upward facing surface of the trim component includes a recessed area that is located above the support portion of the reinforcement member.
8. The vehicle interior structural assembly according to claim 7, wherein
the recessed area of the trim component is dimensioned to receive and support a beverage container.
9. The vehicle interior structural assembly according to claim 7, wherein
the recessed area of the trim component is configured and arranged as a storage compartment.
10. The vehicle interior structural assembly according to claim 7, wherein
the reinforcement member corresponds in shape and size with the upward facing surface and the recessed area of the trim component.
11. The vehicle interior structural assembly according to claim 6, wherein
the reinforcement member corresponds in shape and size with an upward facing surface of the trim component.
12. The vehicle interior structural assembly according to claim 1, wherein
an upward facing surface of the reinforcement member includes the support portion and a transverse brace that is spaced apart from the support portion.
13. A vehicle interior structural assembly, comprising:
an instrument panel having a main section with a first end and a second end dimensioned to extend laterally between opposing interior side walls of a passenger compartment of a vehicle;
a structural member extending between the first and second ends of the instrument panel such that the structural member is substantially concealed by the instrument panel;
a stay bracket having a first end connected to the structural member, the stay bracket extending downward from the structural member, the stay bracket extending rearward of the structural member; and
a reinforcement member connected to the stay bracket at a first point and a second point that are vertically spaced from one another, the reinforcement member includes including a truss portion and a support portion, the truss portion extending from a lower of the first and second points to a distal end of the support portion, the support portion being cantilevered from and extending rearward of the main section of the instrument panel such that forces applied to the reinforcement member are directed to the stay bracket and the structural member.
14. The vehicle interior structural assembly according to claim 1, wherein
the reinforcement member includes a mounting extension that connects to the stay bracket at the first and second points, and wherein the mounting extension is located outboard of the stay bracket.
15. The vehicle interior structural assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fastener parts for connecting the reinforcement member to the stay bracket at the first and second points, wherein the plurality of fastener parts are oriented parallel to the structural member.
16. A vehicle interior structural assembly, comprising:
a vehicle passenger compartment having a pair of opposing interior side walls and a floor;
a pair of seats attached to the floor, the seats being spaced apart from one another defining an egress therebetween open to an area behind the seats; and
an instrument panel including a main section and a cantilevered section, the main section having a first end and a second end extending laterally between the interior side walls of the vehicle passenger compartment, the cantilevered section extending rearwardly from a central portion of the main section of the instrument panel into at least a portion of the egress between the seats, the cantilevered section being spaced apart from the floor and dimensioned to allow passage between each of the seats and the egress between the seats.
17. The vehicle interior structural assembly according to claim 16, further comprising:
a structural member that extends between the interior side walls and the first and second ends of the instrument panel such that the structural member is substantially concealed by the instrument panel and is spaced apart from the floor.
18. The vehicle interior structural assembly according to claim 17, further comprising:
a stay bracket having a first end connected to the structural member, the stay bracket extending downward from the structural member, the stay bracket extending rearward of the structural member; and
a reinforcement member connected to the stay bracket at a first point and a second point that are vertically spaced from one another, the reinforcement member including a support portion cantilevered from and extending rearward of the main section of the instrument panel such that forces applied to the reinforcement member are directed to the stay bracket and the structural member.
19. The vehicle interior structural assembly according to claim 18, wherein
the cantilevered section is supported by the reinforcement member and conceals the reinforcement member.
20. The vehicle interior structural assembly according to claim 16, wherein
an upward facing surface of the cantilevered section includes a recessed area that is configured and arranged as a storage compartment.

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. An apparatus for testing the efficacy of a sterilant vapor, comprising:
a test chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port;
an indicator-loading chamber adjacent and connected to said test chamber, said loading chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port;
a movable valve element disposed between said test chamber and said loading chamber, said valve element movable between a first position isolating said test chamber from said loading chamber and a second position opening said test chamber to said loading chamber;
an indicator holder;
means for reciprocally moving said indicator holder between a loading position in said loading chamber and a test position in said test chamber;
a supply system connected to said inlet port and said outlet port of said test chamber and to said inlet port and said outlet port of said loading chamber wherein said supply system is operable to selectively flow a sterilant vapor and a purging gas through said test chamber and said loading chamber; and
a controller operable to cause said valve element to move from said first position to said second position and said moving means to move said indicator holder to said test position for a predetermined period of time and to move said valve element to said first position when said indicator holder is in said loading position.
2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said sterilant vapor is a multicomponent vapor containing a concentration of a sterilant vapor and a concentration of at least one other vapor.
3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said sterilant vapor is hydrogen peroxide vapor and said at least one other vapor is water.
4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said source of multicomponent vapor is a vaporizer, and said multicomponent vapor is vaporized from an aqueous mixture of hydrogen peroxide.
5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide contains 3 to 98 percent hydrogen peroxide by weight.
6. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide contains 30 to 35 percent hydrogen peroxide by weight.
7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said system for providing a sterilant vapor is a closed loop system.
8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said purge gas is air.
9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for reciprocally moving is a linear actuator.
10. An apparatus for testing the efficacy of a sterilizing environment on a test indicator, comprising:
a test chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port;
a loading chamber adjacent to said test chamber, said loading chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port;
an opening connecting said test chamber to said loading chamber;
a movable gate mechanism having a first position closing said opening and isolating said test chamber from said loading chamber, and a second position wherein said opening connects said test chamber to said loading chamber;
a system connected to said inlet port and said outlet port of said test chamber and to said inlet port and said outlet port of said loading chamber wherein said system is operable to selectively flow a sterilant vapor and a purging gas through said test chamber and through said loading chamber; and
an indicator holder operable to move a test indicator from said loading chamber into and out of said test chamber when said gate mechanism is in said second position.
11. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said sterilant system is a closed loop system having a first path through said test chamber.
12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said sterilant system includes a second path through said loading chamber.
13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said indicator holder is movable along an axis through said loading chamber and said test chamber.
14. An apparatus as defined in claim 13, further comprising a shuttle assembly for moving said indicator holder between said loading chamber and said test chamber.
15. An apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said shuttle assembly includes a linear actuator.
16. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said system includes a blower operable to blow air though said loading chamber.
17. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, further comprising a linear actuator operable to move said indicator holder into and out of said test chamber.
18. An apparatus for testing the efficacy of a sterilizing environment on a test indicator, comprising:
a vessel having a sterilization chamber, an inlet port and an outlet port;
a housing having a loading chamber, an inlet port and an outlet port, said housing being adjacent to said vessel;
a passage connecting said sterilization chamber to said loading chamber;
a movable gate mechanism having a first position closing said passage and isolating said test chamber from said loading chamber, and a second position wherein said passage connects said test chamber to said loading chamber;
an indicator holder operable to move a test indicator from said loading chamber into and out of said test chamber when said gate mechanism is in said second position; and
a circulation system for supplying a sterilant vapor and a purging gas, said circulation system connected to said inlet port and said outlet port of said vessel and to said inlet port and said outlet port of said housing, wherein said system is operable to selectively control the flow of said sterilant vapor and said purge gas through said sterilization chamber and said loading chamber.
19. An apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said shuttle assembly includes a linear actuator.
20. An apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said purging gas is air.

1-11. (canceled)
12. A thermoelectric power generation system comprising:
a thermoelectric generator having thermoelectrics with at least one cold side and at least one hot side, the TE generator configured to generate electrical power when a temperature gradient is present between the at least one cold side and the at least one hot side;
a first working fluid in thermal communication with at least one heat source;
a second working fluid separate from the first working fluid, the second working fluid in thermal communication with the at least one hot side, and in thermal communication with the first working fluid of such that heat is transferred from the first working fluid to the second working fluid; and
a flow control system adapted to control the flow of the second working fluid in response to changes in heat originating from the at least one heat source.
13. The thermoelectric power generation system of claim 12, wherein the first working fluid flows through the at least one heat source.
14. The thermoelectric power generation system of claim 12, further comprising a thermal storage.
15. The thermoelectric power generation system of claim 12, further comprising a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the first working fluid and in thermal communication with the second working fluid, and further comprising a heat exchanger bypass controllable via the controller, to cause some or all of the heat from the at least one heat source to bypass the heat exchanger.
16. The thermoelectric power generation system of claim 12, wherein the flow control system comprises a controller and one or more flow control devices operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the one or more flow control devices modify the flow of the second working fluid in response to signals from the controller.
17. A thermoelectric power generation system comprising:
a thermoelectric generator having thermoelectrics with at least one cold side and at least one hot side configured to generate electrical power when a temperature gradient is present across the at least one cold side and the at least one hot side;
a first working fluid in thermal communication with at least one heat source;
a second working fluid in thermal communication with the at least one cold side, the first working fluid and the second working fluid separate from one another, wherein heat is transferred from the second working fluid to the first working fluid; and
a controller in communication with flow control devices adapted to control the flow of the second working fluid in response to changes in operating conditions for the thermoelectrics.
18. The thermoelectric power generation system of claim 17, wherein the first working fluid flows through the at least one heat source.
19. The thermoelectric power generation system of claim 17, wherein the at least one heat source comprises an engine having a coolant system.
20. The thermoelectric power generation system of claim 19, wherein the second working fluid can be selectively placed in thermal communication with the coolant system of the engine, such that during engine warm-up, heat transferred from the thermoelectrics to the second working fluid is further transferred to the cooling system for the engine, thereby decreasing warm-up time for the engine.
21. The thermoelectric power generation system of claim 17, further comprising a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the first working fluid and in thermal communication with the second working fluid, and further comprising a heat exchanger bypass controllable via the controller, to cause some or all of the heat from the at least one heat source to bypass the heat exchanger.
22. The thermoelectric power generation system of claim 17, wherein the flow control system comprises a controller and one or more flow control devices operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the one or more flow control devices modify the flow of the second working fluid in response to signals from the controller.
23. A method of generating power from waste heat using a thermoelectric generator having thermoelectrics with at least one cold side and at least one hot side configured to generate electrical power when a temperature gradient is present across the at least one cold side and the at least one hot side, the method comprising:
transferring heat between a first working fluid and a second working fluid separate from the first working fluid, the first working fluid in thermal communication with at least one heat source, wherein the second working fluid is in thermal communication with either the at least one cold side wherein heat is transferred from the second working fluid to the first working fluid or the at least one hot side wherein heat is transferred from the first working fluid to the second working fluid; and
controlling the flow of the second working fluid in response to changes in operating conditions of the at least one heat source.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first working fluid flows through the at least one heat source.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one heat source comprises an engine having a coolant system.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising, during engine warm-up, transferring heat from the thermoelectrics to the second working fluid; and transferring heat from the second working fluid to the cooling system for the engine, thereby decreasing warm-up time for the engine.
27. The method of claim 23, further comprising controlling the flow of heat from the at least one heat source to the second working fluid based on changing heat flux of the at least one heat source and the capacity of the thermoelectric generator.
28. The method of claim 23, further comprising storing thermal energy.
29. The method of claim 23, further comprising transferring heat from the first working fluid to a heat exchanger; transferring heat from the heat exchanger to the second working fluid; and controlling a heat exchanger bypass to cause some or all of the heat from the at least one heat source to bypass the heat exchanger.

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. An image heating apparatus comprising:
a coil for generating a magnetic flux by electric power supply thereto;
an image heating member for heating an image on a recording material by heat generation using the magnetic flux generated by said coil;
magnetic flux adjusting means for adjusting a distribution of the magnetic flux directed from said coil toward said heat generation member in a direction perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recording material;
moving means for moving said magnetic flux adjusting means to a position for making smaller the magnetic flux directed from said coil toward said heat generation member at an end portion of said image heating member than at a middle portion;
switching means for switching a number of recording materials per unit time to reduce the number of the recording materials having a length, measured in the perpendicular direction, smaller than a maximum usable length as measured in the perpendicular direction; and
operation control means for enabling an operation of said moving means during operation of said switching means.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first temperature detecting member for detecting a temperature of said image heating member, temperature control means for controlling the electric power supply to said coil on the basis of an output of said first temperature detecting member, and a second temperature detecting member for detecting a temperature of said image heating member at a position different from a position at which said first temperature detecting member detects the temperature, wherein said moving means is operated on the basis of an output of second temperature detecting member.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of the recording materials per unit time is reduced on the basis of the number of the recording materials during a continuous heating operations.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic flux adjusting means includes a shield member for shielding the magnetic flux directed from said coil toward said image heating member.