Author: claimsbot

1. A system for measuring one or more respiratory parameters comprising:
an airflow perturbation device comprising:
a perturbation mechanism to periodically alter air flow resistance in a pathway at a plurality of frequencies;
a pneumotachometer comprising a flow sensor to measure airflow in the pathway; and
a pressure sensor to measure a pressure in the pathway; and

a computing system comprising at least one processor configured to:
receive data from the flow sensor and pressure sensor and determine a ratio of pressure changes to flow changes induced by the airflow perturbation device at each of the plurality of perturbation frequencies to form a dataset; and
determine at least one respiratory parameter by comparing a predicted frequency dependence to the dataset.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is timber configured to:
display the determined at least one respiratory parameter.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a control line communicatively coupling the computing system and the perturbation mechanism;
wherein the at least one processor is further configured to control the perturbation mechanism to operate at the plurality of frequencies via the control line.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the perturbation mechanism comprises a variable frequency drive.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the perturbation mechanism comprises a rotating segmented wheel.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the perturbation mechanism comprises a selected one of a mechanism for pinching a flexible tube and a shutter.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein determining the ratio of pressure to flow changes comprises determining changes in the pressure and airflow expected in the absence of the induced changes by interpolating signals between perturbations.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein determining the at least one respiratory parameter comprises:
determining a compliance of the respiratory system; and
constraining an inertance of the respiratory system to a predetermined value.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the predicted frequency dependence comprises a quadratic dependence of a first quantity proportional to a square of a quotient of the ratio and the frequency on a second quantity proportional to a square inverse of the frequency; and the at least one processor is configured to:
determine quadratic coefficients by fitting to the dataset; and
determine at least a resistance and compliance of the respiratory system from the quadratic coefficients.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the predicted frequency dependence comprises an exponential response of pressure and flow to perturbations in the pathway, and the exponential response has a time constant given by a product of respiratory resistance and respiratory compliance.
11. A method of measuring a respiratory parameter of a respiratory system comprising:
determining a ratio of pressure changes to flow changes in a pathway induced by an airflow perturbation device at each of a plurality of perturbation frequencies to form a dataset;
determining at least one respiratory parameter by comparing a predicted frequency dependence to the dataset.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the at least one respiratory parameter includes determining a resistance of the respiratory system.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the at least one respiratory parameter includes determining an inertance of the respiratory system.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the at least one parameter includes constraining an inertance of the respiratory system to a predetermined value.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the predicted frequency dependence comprises a quadratic dependence of a first quantity proportional to a square of a quotient of the ratio and the frequency on a second quantity proportional to a square inverse of the frequency; and determining the at least one respiratory parameter comprises:
determining quadratic coefficients by fitting to the dataset; and
determining at least a resistance and compliance of the respiratory system from the quadratic coefficients.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of frequencies includes at least ten frequencies in the range two hertz to eighteen hertz.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of frequencies includes at most five frequencies.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the frequencies have non-uniform spacing.
19. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
displaying the determined at least one respiratory parameter.
20. The method of claim 11, wherein the predicted frequency dependence comprises an exponential response of pressure and flow to perturbations in the pathway, and the exponential response has a time constant given by a product of respiratory resistance and respiratory compliance.

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 batch mixing apparatus comprising:
first and second opposing mixing members rotatable relative to one another about an axis;
said first and second mixing members having facing surfaces which extend away from the axis and which define a mixing chamber therebetween closed to prevent discharge during mixing;
means for rotating at least one of the mixing members to provide relative rotation between the first and second mixing members in a first rotational direction;
an array of mixing formations on at least one of said surfaces which interact to mix material within the mixing chamber and which are configured to propel material within the mixing chamber towards the axis as the first and second members are relatively rotated in said first rotational direction; and
wherein the number of mixing formations on at least one of the surfaces increases with radial distance from the axis.
2. A mixing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein an axial portion of at least one of the first and second mixing members is removable to permit discharge of material from the mixing chamber through a discharge port by relative rotation of at least one of said first and second mixing members in said first rotational direction.
3. A mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixing formations are indentations.
4. A mixing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the indentations are grooves.
5. A mixing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the grooves define a cross-sectional area that increases with radial distance from the axis.
6. A mixing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising mixing formations which protrude from the respective surface.
7. A mixing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the protruding mixing formations are raised edges.
8. A mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the mixing formations on at least one of the surfaces are swept forwards relative to said first rotational direction to provide said propulsion.
9. A mixing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least some of said mixing formations on both surfaces are swept forwards relative to said first rotational direction.
10. A mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each mixing formation on said at least one surface has a radially inner end and a radially outer end relative to said axis, the inner ends of some of the mixing formations on each surface being further away from said axis than other mixing formations on the same surface.
11. A mixing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the number of mixing formations on a respective surface having inner ends relatively remote from the axis is greater than the number of mixing formations on the same surface having inner ends relatively close to the axis.
12. A mixing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the outer end of each mixing formation terminates at the radially outer periphery of the respective surface.
13. A mixing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said at least one surface is divided into two or more sectors, each sector having an array of substantially parallel mixing formations, the mixing formations of one sector being non-parallel to the mixing formations of at least one other sector.
14. A mixing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the mixing formations within a particular sector are substantially parallel to a radial line projected on the respective surface.
15. A mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one surface is divided into radially inner and outer regions, each region defining mixing formations which start and finish within that region, wherein radially outer regions have more mixing formations than radially inner regions.
16. A mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all of the mixing formations on said at least one surface are substantially parallel to one another and parallel to a radial line projected on the surface.
17. A mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both of said surfaces have mixing formations which increase in number with distance from said axis.
18. A mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the said surface of the first mixing member is concave and the said surface of the second mixing member is convex.
19. A mixing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the surfaces of the first and second mixing members are conical or frusto-conical and taper towards said axis.
20. A mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said surfaces of the first and second mixing members are substantially planar.
21. A mixing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the removable portion of the or each mixing member comprising a plug which is insertable into a respective aperture in the or each mixing member.
22. A mixing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein each of said first and second members is provided with an aperture at its respective center, and a single plug is provided for plugging both apertures.
23. A mixing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the first and second mixing members are supported by a support frame with the second member mounted above the first member, and said plug is supported on a moveable member extending above the second mixing member for insertion into and removal from said apertures in said mixing members.
24. A mixing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein means are provided for raising the second member whilst said plug is maintained in engagement with the first mixing member to facilitate loading of material to be mixed into the mixing chamber.
25. A mixing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein only one of said first and second mixing members is rotatable, and wherein said plug is rotatably mounted to an extendable member and adapted to engage the rotatable mixing member for rotation therewith.
26. A mixing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said removable portion is removable whilst at least one of the first and second mixing members are relatively rotated in a direction to pump material out of the mixing chamber through an aperture left open by removal of the removable portion.
27. A mixing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein means are provided for raising the second mixing member whilst the removable portion is maintained out of engagement with the first mixing member to facilitate manual removal of mixed material.
28. A mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both of said first and second mixing members are counter-rotatable.
29. A mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein means are provided for selective relative rotation of said first and second mixing members in a second rotational direction opposite to said first rotational direction to reverse the direction of propulsion of material within the mixing chamber away from said axis.
30. A mixing apparatus comprising:
first and second opposing mixing members rotatable relative to one another about an axis;
said first and second mixing members having facing surfaces which extend away from the axis and which define a mixing chamber therebetween;
means for rotating at least one of the mixing members to provide relative rotation between the first and second mixing members in a first rotational direction; and
an array of mixing formations on at least one of said surfaces which interact to mix material within the mixing chamber and which are configured to provide a net propulsion of material within the mixing chamber towards the axis as the first and second members are relatively rotated in said first rotational direction;
said mixer including a discharge port
wherein an axial portion of at least one of the first and second mixing members in a first position prevents flow through the discharge port and is removable to permit discharge through said discharge port of material from the mixing chamber as the mixing members are rotated in said first rotational direction.
31. A mixing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said first mixing member is concave and said second mixing member is convex, the mixing members nesting within one another to define said mixing chamber therebetween.
32. A mixing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said surfaces of the first and second mixing members are substantially planar.
33. A mixing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said removable portion is a central portion of the first mixing member.
34. A mixing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the removable portion comprises of the or each mixing member comprises a plug which is insertable into a respective aperture in the or each mixing member.
35. A mixing apparatus according to claim 34, wherein each of the first and second mixing members is provided with an aperture as its centre, and a single plug is provided for plugging both apertures.
36. A mixing apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the first and second mixing members are supported by a support frame with the second member mounted above the first member, and wherein said plug is supported on a moveable member extending above the second mixing member for insertion into and removal from said apertures in said mixing members.
37. A method of mixing a batch of material in a mixing apparatus comprising a mixing chamber defined between facing surfaces of first and second opposing mixing members which are relatively rotatable to one another about an axis, the facing surface of at least the first mixing member having an array of mixing formations which interact with the facing surface of the second mixing member to provide a propulsion of material within the mixing chamber as the first and second mixing members are relatively rotated, the number of mixing formations on at least one of the surfaces increasing with radial distance from the axis, at least some of the mixing formations being configured to propel material within the mixing chamber towards or away from the axis dependent upon the direction of relative rotation of the first and second mixing members, the method comprising opening the mixing chamber adding materials to be mixed to the mixing chamber, closing the mixing chamber relatively rotating the first and second mixing members in a direction such that said mixing formations interact to provide continuous radial circulation propelling material towards said axis, said relative rotation continuing until desired mixing is obtained and then discharging the mixed material from the mixing apparatus.
38. The method of claim 37 wherein the mixing apparatus further includes a discharge port in said mixing apparatus, said discharge port being sealed during mixing to prevent discharge of the material from the mixing apparatus during the mixing operation and openable upon completion of mixing to discharge the contents of the mixing apparatus.

1. A seed of soybean variety A1024693, wherein a sample of seed of soybean variety A1024693 has been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-13209.
2. A plant of soybean variety A1024693, wherein a sample of seed of soybean variety A1024693 has been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-13209.
3. A plant part of the plant of claim 2.
4. The plant part of claim 3, further defined as a protoplast, ovule, cell, pollen grain, embryo, cotyledon, hypocotyl, meristem, root, pistil, anther, flower, stem, pod or petiole.
5. A tissue culture of regenerable cells of the plant of claim 2.
6. A soybean plant regenerated from the tissue culture of claim 5, wherein the regenerated soybean plant expresses all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the soybean variety A1024693, wherein a sample of seed of soybean variety A1024693 has been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-13209.
7. A method of producing soybean seed, comprising crossing the plant of claim 2 with itself or a second soybean plant.
8. A hybrid seed produced by crossing the plant of claim 2 with a second, distinct soybean plant.
9. A hybrid plant grown from the seed of claim 8.
10. A method of introducing an added desired trait to a plant of soybean variety A1024693, the method comprising introducing a transgene conferring the desired trait into a plant of soybean variety A1024693, wherein a sample of seed of soybean variety A1024693 has been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-13209.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the desired trait is selected from the group consisting of male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance, disease resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism, abiotic stress resistance, altered seed amino acid composition, site-specific genetic recombination, and modified carbohydrate metabolism.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the desired trait is herbicide tolerance and the tolerance is conferred to an herbicide selected from the group consisting of glyphosate, sulfonylurea, imidazalinone, dicamba, glufosinate, phenoxy proprionic acid, cycloshexone, triazine, benzonitrile, PPO-inhibitor herbicides and broxynil.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the desired trait is insect resistance and the transgene encodes a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) endotoxin.
14. A plant produced by the method of claim 10.
15. A seed that produces the plant of claim 14.
16. A method of introducing a single locus conversion into soybean variety A1024693 comprising:
(a) crossing a plant of variety A1024693 with a second plant comprising a desired single locus to produce F1 progeny plants, wherein a sample of seed of soybean variety A1024693 has been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-13209;
(b) selecting F1 progeny plants that have the single locus to produce selected F1 progeny plants;
(c) crossing the selected progeny plants with at least a first plant of variety A1024693 to produce backcross progeny plants;
(d) selecting at least a first backcross progeny plant that has the single locus to produce selected backcross progeny plants; and
(e) repeating steps (c) and (d) three or more times in succession until said single locus conversion is introduced into soybean variety A1024693.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the single locus confers a trait selected from the group consisting of male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance, disease resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism, abiotic stress resistance, altered seed amino acid composition, site-specific genetic recombination, and modified carbohydrate metabolism.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the trait is tolerance to an herbicide selected from the group consisting of glyphosate, sulfonylurea, imidazalinone, dicamba, glufosinate, phenoxy proprionic acid, cycloshexone, triazine, benzonitrile, PPO-inhibitor herbicides and broxynil.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the trait is insect resistance and the insect resistance is conferred by a transgene encoding a Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin.
20. A plant produced by introducing a single locus conversion into soybean variety A1024693, wherein the single locus was introduced into soybean variety A1024693 by backcrossing or genetic transformation and wherein a sample of seed of soybean variety A1024693 has been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-13209.
21. A method of producing a progeny plant derived from the soybean variety A1024693, the method comprising crossing a plant of the soybean variety A1024693 with a soybean plant of a second variety to produce at least a first progeny plant, wherein a sample of seed of soybean variety A1024693 has been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-13209.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the steps of
(a) crossing the progeny plant with itself or a second plant to produce a seed of a progeny plant of a subsequent generation;
(b) growing a progeny plant of a subsequent generation from said seed and crossing the progeny plant of a subsequent generation with itself or a second plant; and
(c) repeating steps (b) and (c) at least once to produce a soybean plant further derived from the soybean variety A1024693.
23. The method of claim 22, comprising crossing said soybean plant further derived from the soybean variety A1024693 with a soybean plant of a different genotype to produce seed of a hybrid plant derived from the soybean variety A1024693.
24. A method of producing a commodity plant product comprising obtaining the plant of claim 1 or a part thereof and producing said commodity plant product therefrom.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the commodity plant product is protein concentrate, protein isolate, grain, soybean hulls, meal, flour or oil.
26. A soybean commodity plant product produced by the method of claim 24, wherein the commodity plant product comprises at least a first cell of soybean variety A1024693.

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 providing a visual indication of oil pressure comprising:
a housing defining an exterior and an interior region wherein the interior region defines a sealing surface of the housing, the housing further defining an inlet providing fluid communication between the interior region of the housing and the exterior of the housing;
a piston moveably disposed within the interior region of the housing so as to slide between a pressurized position and a depressurized position;
a piston face defined by the piston wherein the piston face receives oil pressure admitted through the inlet and into the interior region of the housing;
at least one low friction seal disposed on the piston so as to provide a sealing engagement between the piston and the sealing surface of the interior region of the housing;
a visual indicator connected to the piston so that the visual indicator displays a visual indication of oil pressure when the piston is in the pressurized position; and
a spring disposed within the housing so as to exert force on the piston when the piston moves from the depressurized position toward the pressurized position.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the low friction seal substantially restricts oil flow between the piston and the sealing surface of the interior region of the housing.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the piston further defines a groove and wherein the low friction seal is disposed in the groove of the piston.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising at least two low friction seals.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the low friction seal comprises PTFE.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a first housing and a second housing.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the visual indicator is not extended when the piston is in the depressurized position.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the visual indicator further comprises gauge marks that indicate a level of oil pressure.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the spring is characterized by a spring constant such that the piston moves to the pressurized position when a threshold oil pressure is provided to the piston face.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the spring is characterized by a spring constant such that the piston moves to the depressurized position when a minimum oil pressure is not provided to the piston face.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the housing further defines a stop such that the piston is in the pressurized position when in contact with the stop.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the housing further defines a piston limit such that the piston is in the depressurized position when in contact with the piston limit.
13. An apparatus for providing a visual indication of oil pressure received from an oil feed line comprising:
a first housing;
a second housing coupled to the first housing so as to define an interior region having a sealing service, the first housing and second housing further defining an inlet for admitting oil pressure to the interior region;
a piston disposed in the interior region defined by the first housing and the second housing, wherein the piston can move between a pressurized position and a depressurized position within the interior region;
a spring disposed in the interior region defined by the first housing and the second housing, wherein the spring contacts the piston so as to oppose motion of the piston toward the pressurized position;
at least one low friction seal disposed between the piston and the sealing surface of the interior region, wherein the low friction seal comprises PTFE, and wherein the low friction seal provides a sealing engagement between the piston and the sealing surface of the interior region of the housing;
an indicator attached to the piston so as to provide a visual indication of oil pressure when the piston is in the pressurized position; and
a nipple connected to the housing, wherein the nipple is shaped to receive the oil feed line and to provide oil pressure to the inlet.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the low friction seal further comprises an antiwear additive.
15. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the low friction seal comprises a rod seal.
16. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the low friction seal is disposed on the interior surface of the housing.
17. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the indicator further comprises gauge marks so as to indicate a degree of oil pressure.
18. A method for providing a visual oil pressure indication, the method comprising the steps of:
providing oil through an inlet to an oil cavity so as to apply oil pressure on a piston face of a piston;
moving a piston within a housing having a sealing surface, by the oil pressure on the piston face, from a depressurized position to a pressurized position;
sliding low friction seals attached to the piston against the sealing surface of the housing so as to restrict oil leakage around the piston;
compressing, by the movement of the piston to a depressurized position, a spring in contact with the piston; and
moving an indicator attached to the piston so as to provide an oil pressure indication visible to a human observer when the piston moves to the pressurized position.
19. The method according to claim 18 further comprising the steps of:
removing oil pressure from the piston face;
expanding the spring so as to move the piston from the pressurized position to the depressurized position; and
moving an indicator attached to the piston such that the indicator provides an indication visible to a human observer of oil pressure below a minimum.
20. The method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of displaying an oil pressure on the indicator.