Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (10) includes a primary magnet assembly for generating a temporarily constant magnetic field through an examination region (20), a gradient coil assembly for inducing magnetic field gradients across the examination region (20), and a radio frequency coil for receiving resonance signals from the examination region. The gradient coil assembly includes a coil carrying member (22) carrying first (44) and second (46) spaced apart gradient coil portions which are physically separated from each other on the coil carrying member to define at least one azimuthally directed gap (48, 50, 52, 54) extending along the coil carrying member between said first and second gradient coil portions. The first and second coil portions are disposed towards opposite top and bottom sides of the examination region and have internal windings therein for generating gradient magnetic field components along at least two mutually orthogonal axes (X, Y) in the examination region.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus for scanning and reading a luminescent pattern of a sample in a flat-plate shape, having a placing member for placing the sample as an object for reading; a light condensing member for condensing light emitted from the luminescent pattern of the sample; a movement member for moving the light condensing member relative to the placing member; a light receiving member for dividing the light of the luminescent pattern of the sample condensed by the light condensing member into predetermined segments and receiving the light by scanning the light from the segments in a one-dimensional way; a photoelectrical conversion member for converting optical signals of the light received by the light receiving member into electrical signals; a control member for controlling a scan by the light receiving member in accordance with the electrical signals from the photoelectrical conversion member; and a data processing member for converting the electrical signals from the photoelectrical conversion member in

Abstract: A channel furnace for the inductive heating of metal includes a molten metal holding hearth and a core and coil assembly surrounded by a channel of the furnace for inducing heating current in the metal in the channel. The channel is separated from the core and coil assembly by a refractory insulator and a bushing interposed between the refractory insulator and the core and coil assembly. The bushing is comprised of a wall portion having a plurality of slits or gaps disposed in the wall for minimizing eddy current formation therein and correspondingly reducing power loss therefrom. The bushing can be configured as either a coil type comprised of a plurality of slits disposed to extend circumferentially or a cage type, wherein the slits are disposed to extend longitudinally for segregating the wall into a plurality of wall sections. Both types can be made of water cooled flat metal tubes instead of plates with slits.

Abstract: A hand-held scrubbing device used for cleaning and/or scrubbing bathroom walls, tile, tubs, faucets, crevices, shower stalls, and other surfaces. The hand-held scrubbing device includes a head which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of an elongated body portion of the device. The head can simultaneously swivel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion. Various cleaning implements, such as brushes and scrubbing pads, are attached to the head. The device also includes a handle which is rotatable with respect to the elongated body portion and is locked into a pistol position or a wand position. Preferably, the device can include a universal joint assembly which allows the head to rotate and swivel with respect to the elongated body portion. A splash guard can be attached to the head. A motor is housed within a hollow portion of the elongated body portion and is powered by battery.

Abstract: A magnetic disk apparatus includes a dual head equipped with an MR head for reading data and an inductive head for writing the data. One ID portion and one servo pattern are disposed in one sector and an unequal track pitch is formed. The ID portion is formed at the center of a radius of two positions to which the MR head is positioned at the time of reading the data and writing the data, respectively.

Abstract: A dispensing valve assembly for dispensing a fluid product and preventing air from being drawn into the fluid product through the valve includes a flexible diaphragm valve (10, 50, 100) and a valve seat insert (12, 58, 102). The flexible diaphragm valve flexes from a concave closed position to a convex open position in which fluid product is dispensed through a dispensing opening (26, 56, 116) in the diaphragm. The valve seat insert is positioned adjacent an inside surface of the diaphragm valve in its closed position to prevent the valve from buckling inward and prevent air from passing into the fluid product through the valve.

Abstract: An absorptive article containing a surface material comprising a combined non-woven fabric comprising at least two layers of a long fiber non-woven fabric and a short fiber non-woven fabric joined together and an absorbing body for retaining a body fluid is disclosed in which the short fiber non-woven fabric is composed of hot-melt-adhesive composite short fibers having at least two kinds of thermoplastic resin components of a high melting point component and low melting point component, and the hot-melt-adhesive composite short fibers are hot-melt-adhered together, the crossing angle of the short fibers at least preferably at least 45%, preferably at least 50% of the total contact points in the short fiber non-woven fabric are occupied by an angle of 60.degree. to 90.degree. in the analysis of the distribution of the crossing angle at the contact points of the fibers.

Abstract: A lounge chair is disclosed that includes an upper body support portion, an aperture extending through said upper body support portion, and a movable flap secured to the upper body support portion for selectively covering and uncovering the aperture. In particular, the flap can be repositioned to cover and uncover an aperture through a upper body support portion without having to get up out of the chair and without having to reposition the upper body support portion.

Abstract: A self-adjusting electric tappet switch includes a slider linearly guided in a housing for activation or closure of one of several electrical contacts and a tappet which is selectively rotatable relative to the slider for adjustment of the travel limit of the switch. The slider has a first engagement portion provided with engagements parts, and the tappet includes a corresponding second engagement portion having an oblong cross-section provided with spaced apart circumferential grooves. The switch is self-adjusted by relative rotational movement between the slider and the tappet to lock the pair together. In an installation and adjustment position of the tappet and slider system, the slider is held in a predetermined fixed switching position in the housing to permit relative longitudinal slidable movement between the tappet and the slider for adjustment of the tappet without causing any movement of affecting the position of the slider within the housing.

Abstract: A device for encoding the position of a moving web, particularly a continuous photoreceptor belt in an electrophotographic printing apparatus, incorporates an encoding wheel for engaging an edge portion of the web, in combination with a long support member for supporting the remaining span of the web. Because the wheel is of a small width, the composite runout may be kept within acceptable limits for a lower cost compared to the long rollers of the prior art. The support member may include another roller for supporting the remaining span of the web or it may include a skid plate. The wheel can be manufactured within the required eccentricity and composite runout tolerances at a lower cost compared to prior art devices. The wheel can also be made with a larger diameter while the support roller can be of a compact construction to facilitate placement within the limited space in the printing device.

Abstract: A molten metal pump for transferring molten metal from a first vessel to a second vessel. The pump is constructed of a base member including a pumping chamber, a motor supported by at least one post, a rotatable shaft secured at a first end to said motor and at a second end to an impeller disposed within said pumping chamber. The pumping chamber includes an outlet to a first end of an elongated refractory tube having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the shaft. The tube has a second end passing through an opening in the platform. The tube includes a metallic cladding attached to an outer wall adjacent it's second end. A releasable fastening member is used to secure to the portion of the tube having the metallic cladding to the platform.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding element made of plastic, with at least one dish-shaped holding area 2, 2', 2"and 2'", for at least one tube-shape element, with an attachment area 3 with engagement parts 4 for fastening to a support, such as a body of a motor vehicle. According to the invention, the attachment area 3 is connected with a frame 6 by at least two elastic connection areas 5, 5', arranged at spaced axial distances from each other. The frame 6 includes cross-pieces with at least one of the cross-pieces of the frame constituting part of the holding areas.

Abstract: A conduit coupling having a body with an axially extending bore formed therethrough from a first end to a second end. The bore is defined by an inner wall including a frusto-conical surface converging toward the body first end. A radially constrictible and generally annular retaining collet is positioned in the bore. The collet includes an outer frusto-conical surface mating with the frusto-conical surface defined by the inner wall and is axially movable relative thereto. The collet has an inner toothed surface defining a collet inner diameter and at least two radially inwardly extending bite-teeth defining therebetween a distance less than the collet inner diameter and less than an outer diameter of a conduit inserted into the bore so that the bite-teeth engage an outer surface of the conduit. In this manner, upon axial outward movement of the conduit, the frusto-conical surface of the collet bears against the frusto-conical surface of the body inner wall to radially constrict the collet.

Abstract: The present invention is a flash steam generator (10) to be used as an integral component of a steam sterilizer (30). The generator comprises a metal block (11) having a first bore (12) drilled lengthwise through the metal block (11). Surrounding the first bore (12) are a plurality of additional heater bores (14) in which heating elements (15) are inserted. The generator is integral to the sterilizer piping (31, 34) and control systems. In a preferred form, the first bore (12) provides a non-linear flow path. For example, a packing material such as monel wool (41) or a spiral dowel (45) can provide such a tortuous flow path. Alternatively, the block (11) may be provided with a plurality of fluid containing bores (51, 57, 67, 73, 81) interconnected by manifolds (59, 69, 75, 83).

Abstract: A control system and method for operating an automobile window to provide anti-trap protection in an AUTO UP mode, wherein a switch assembly communicates switch signals representative of operator commands by disposition in distinct positions. A sensor that detects when an object is trapped between the window and the frame, and transmits an anti-trap signal representative thereof. A logic circuit receives the switch signals and the anti-trap signal and controls the drive assembly for the window in response thereto. The switch assembly includes a switch to override the anti-trap sensor for closing the window even when an obstruction is sensed during the closing operation.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus acquires an X-ray image of an object by radiating X-rays to the object and includes an X-ray radiator for radiating X-rays to an object. An imager acquires an X-ray image of the object and radiation dose controller controls the radiation dose so as to acquire an X-ray image having a predetermined X-ray relative noise level on the basis of an image level of a predetermined area in the X-ray image.

Abstract: A seating unit, such as a sofa, chair or love seat with a movable seat section includes a main frame arranged for support of a back rest in fixed relation thereto and a seat frame for supporting a seat. Support tracks slidably support the seat frame from the main frame. The seat frame can be moved from a retracted position to an extended position in relation to the main frame. A locking device secures the seat frame in relation to the main frame in a plurality of positions between the retracted position and the extended position.

Abstract: Prefetch instructions having a function to move data to a cache memory from main memory are scheduled simultaneously with execution of other instructions. The prefetch instructions are scheduled by replacing, with the original prefetch instructions, the virtual prefetch instructions obtained by unrolling a kernel section of the schedule constituted by generating a dependency graph having dependent relationships between the prefetch instruction and the memory reference instruction, and then applying the software pipelining thereto, or by further unrolling the kernel section of the constituted schedule to delete the redundant prefetch instructions, or further by applying the software pipelining to the dependency graph which is formed by combining a plurality of prefetch instructions and replacing the prefetch instructions with virtual prefetch instructions.

Abstract: An ink refill bottle for a modified inkjet printhead cassette which has a rear wall opening through which the refill bottle may be inserted comprises a front wall connected to a rear wall by sidewalls to form an ink reservoir chamber, a foam adaptor for drawing ink from the ink chamber when called for by the printhead cassette, and an air inlet metering device for metering air into the ink chamber to replace the ink drawn from the ink chamber and for retaining the remainder of the ink in the ink chamber.