Abstract: The invention relates to a device for integrated injection and ignition of fuel in internal combustion engines, particularly Otto engines with separate fuel ignition. The device includes an integrated injection module (14) and ignition module (6). The ignition module includes a body that can be attached to the top of the engine and that has an internal tubular shape the lower part of which merges with a conically shaped cavity (7) with the base open towards the engine combustion chamber (2), such that the conically shaped cavity (7) forms a supplementary smaller volume of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an extrudate (e.g., water-dispersable extruded rod-shaped granules) from an extrudable powder-based material (e.g., a finely-divided water-insoluble powder) includes a hopper for the extrudable material having at least one extrusion aperture at its lower end, a rotatable extruder tool at or near the lower end of a first drive shaft for forcing the extrudable material through the aperture(s) and a rotatable feeder at or near a lower end of a second drive shaft for feeding the extrudable material to the extruder tool. The first drive shaft is rotatably mounted within the second drive shaft by axially displaced bearings, the second drive shaft being mounted within a fixed bearing housing by further axially displaced bearings. Drive motors are connected by respective drive trains to the upper ends of the first and second drive shafts, respectively.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine and method employing a loading assembly that eliminates the need to manually thread sheet-like stock material through a forming assembly of the machine during a loading operation. The loading assembly and associated method are characterized by cooperating feed members that are located adjacent an upstream or inlet end of a converging chute. Upon actuation of an accessible operator member, the feed members are selectively engaged to push stock material through the chute and out the exit end of the chute for engagement by a feeding/connecting assembly which is at least energized during such selective engagement.

Abstract: The radio frequency module of the present invention includes an insulating substrate having a first metal film on a first principal surface thereof and a second metal film on a second principal surface thereof opposed to the first principal surface and a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device is thermally and electrically coupled to the second metal film, and a thickness of the second metal film is larger than that of the first metal film.

Abstract: An endothermic reaction furnace includes one or more elongated reaction tubes defining therein an endothermic reaction flow path and a combustion flow path for providing heat to drive the endothermic reaction. The combustion flow path is arranged so that fuel and combustion air are separately heated by the heat inside the furnace preferably to significantly above their autoignition temperature before being combined in a combustion zone where they mix, autoignite and burn. The fuel is introduced into the combustion zone by a plurality of tubes having outlet ends arranged to produce annular shrouds of flame around each reaction tube that are directed countercurrent to the endothermic reaction product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a binder composition comprising a polycarbonate polymer; an ethylenebisamide wax; and a guanidine wetting agent. The present invention further relates to a method for forming a sintered part by powder injection molding, including the steps of forming a green composition comprising a binder and an inorganic powder, wherein binder is a composition comprising a polycarbonate polymer, an ethylenebisamide wax, and a guanidine wetting agent; melting the composition; injecting the composition into a mold for a part; heating the part to a temperature at which the binder decomposes; heating the part to a temperature at which the inorganic powder is sintered. The binder composition of the present invention is useful for press and sinter applications as well as for powder injection molding applications.

Abstract: The present invention includes a set of rakes for use as surgical retractors in a surgical procedure in which the set of rakes includes a progressively longer body-supporting base portion. The present invention further includes a C-shape surgical retraction device including a rake end for lifting a first body portion, a pad end for depressing a second body portion and, e.g., a ring for attaching a lifting device, in which the device is adapted for use in a mid-cab surgical procedure. The present invention provides a set of rib rakes for retraction of the patient's ribs and thoracic region in a mid-cab procedure, in which each retractor rake has a progressively larger body-supporting portion, for providing additional support as the surgical cavity is enlarged during the course of dissection of, e.g., the internal mammary artery during its harvest for use in a coronary bypass procedure.

Abstract: A system for assessing a user's movement capabilities creates an accurate simulation of sport to quantify and train several novel performance constructs by employing: proprietary optical sensing electronics for determining, in essentially real time, the player's positional changes in three or more degrees of freedom; and computer controlled sport specific cuing that evokes or prompts sport specific responses from the player. In certain protocols of the present invention, the sport specific cuing may be characterized as a "virtual opponent", that may be kinematically and anthropomorphically correct in form and action. Though the virtual opponent could assume many forms, the virtual opponent is responsive to, and interactive with, the player in real time without any perceived visual lag. The virtual opponent continually delivers and/or responds to stimuli to create realistic movement challenges for the player.

Abstract: A method of forming optical waveguide gratings, such as in-fiber gratings, is described. The gratings are formed optically, with a phase mask being scanned by a writing laser beam to generate the grating pattern. The waveguide and phase mask are moved with respect to one another during the writing process, to vary the grating properties along the length of the grating. Relative movement in a single direction provides a chance of grating pitch, and so can be used to fabricate chirped or multi-wavelength gratings. Bi-directional dither alters the strength of the grating, and so can be used to fabricate apodised gratings.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of forming a flash memory cell involving the steps of forming a tunnel oxide on a substrate; forming a first polysilicon layer over the tunnel oxide; forming an insulating layer over the first polysilicon layer, the insulating layer comprising a first oxide layer over the first polysilicon layer, a nitride layer over the first oxide layer, and a second oxide layer over the nitride layer, wherein the second oxide layer is made by forming the second oxide layer by rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition at a temperature from about 780.degree. C. to about 820.degree. C. using SiH.sub.4 and N.sub.2 O and annealing in an N.sub.2 O atmosphere a temperature from about 980.degree. C. to about 1020.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting a lens aberration in a semiconductor production process, comprising the steps of:forming a feature on a substrate by a process including a step of exposing a radiation-sensitive material to radiation, wherein said radiation passes through a lens;obtaining data relating to a sidewall angle at a plurality of adjacent locations of said feature by scanning at least one surface of said feature with an atomic force microscope;calculating the sidewall angle at said plurality of adjacent locations of said feature based on the data obtained by the atomic force microscope;comparing the sidewall angle obtained from the calculation step to a design sidewall angle for a lens free of aberration, thereby detecting the lens aberration when the comparison reveals a substantial difference between the calculated side wall angle and the design sidewall angle; andidentifying a lens position of the lens aberration by extrapolating from the locations of said feature having said s

Abstract: A nut includes a sheet metal U-shape housing which can be positioned on a threaded rod laterally so that the legs of the housing straddle the rod. A U-shape spring clip is provided having parallel legs with inwardly projecting thread forms on the legs adapted to mesh with the threads of the rod. The spring clip legs are insertable in two slots in one leg of the housing also to straddle the rod at right angles to the legs of the housing. The housing includes supports for the spring clip thread forms which hold them in engagement with the rod thread. Snap latches preclude ordinary removal of the clip as long as the rod is present.

Abstract: A caulking gun includes a receptacle for holding a tube of caulk and a handle which has a trigger. A plunger in the receptacle is incrementally advanced by a plunger drive in the handle to push caulking material out a hollow conical snout at a far end of the tube. The trigger has outwardly flared sections or flanges and one of the flanges has a sharpened edge forming a blade. The flanges contact the interior of the handle. To open the snout to dispense caulking material, the snout of the caulking tube is inserted through an opening in a side wall of the handle to the desired depth and angle, the trigger is squeezed, and the blade moves across the opening to sever a tip of the snout and thus create an opening for dispensing the caulking material. The opposing flanges and the elasticity of the handle ensure that the blade maintains contact with the handle around the opening.

Abstract: An ultra thin primary battery construction is disclosed along with a method for making same. The battery itself is a laminate construction consisting of a polymer film casing, printed thin film electrodes, and an aqueous electrolyte which is in intimate contact with the active surfaces of both electrodes. In this system, the electrodes themselves consist of a non-reactive conductive ink base having active electrode materials embedded into its surface. The anode to cathode electrode geometry may take one of many forms, however for ease of manufacturing, the anode and cathode electrodes face each other in an offset configuration that eliminates the need for a porous separator. The method of manufacture involves first forming the electrodes onto a polymer film followed by adding the appropriate aqueous electrolyte, and finally sealing the battery.

Abstract: A washout bucket which receives waste water and concrete material washed from equipment used to deliver concrete material from the mixing drum of a cement mixer truck to a desired location on a job site, is used in cooperation with a tag axle assembly pivotally mounted on a rear end of the truck to recover the concrete material washed from the equipment. The washout bucket can be connected to the tag axle assembly. The tag axle assembly is then raised to an upright position and in the process the front of the washout bucket contacts the mixing drum and tips over, emptying the waste material into the mixing drum. As a result, waste concrete material can be properly disposed of or salvaged for reuse rather than indiscriminately washed onto the ground at the job site.

Abstract: Film-forming means are coextruded to form all plastic multilayer liners and facestocks for pressure-sensitive labels, tapes, decals, signs, bumper stickers, and other products formed from sheet and roll stock. Fill means in a charge for the liner coextrusion affects stiffness and dimensional stability of the liner and/or affects the roughness of a liner face or faces. The film materials of the layers of the constructions are selected according to the cost/benefit characteristics of candidate materials considering the functional or operational requirements of the layer in question.

Abstract: A steam-heated roll having a longitudinal axis and a roll center, comprising substantially axially extending heating passages for heat supply arid removal, and discharge passages for condensate dewatering extending substantially radially from the heating passages to the roll center. The discharge passages include at least one cross-sectional constriction for effecting a turbulent mixing of condensate mixed with the steam during passage through the discharge passages.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine, method and product characterized by a connecting assembly that provides a mechanical interlock between overlapped portions of sheet-like stock material to prevent "unzippering" of a low density cushioning product produced by the cushioning conversion machine. The connecting assembly comprises a pair of rotatable stitching members, a first one having a plurality of radially outwardly extending projections, or teeth, around the circumference thereof, with the projections having at least two axially spaced apart segments defining a recess therebetween. The second stitching member includes at least one axial punch segment which includes a peripheral edge portion dimensioned to be received in the recess in the first stitching member during rotation of the stitching members.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine, converting method and dunnage product characterized by a novel connecting assembly which provides a unique interlock between overlapped portions of sheet-like stock material forming a dunnage product to prevent "unzippering" of the product. The connecting assembly includes a pair of loosely meshed stitching wheels, a first one of the stitching wheels having a plurality of radial projections protruding from a radially outer circumferential surface thereof, and a second one of the stitching wheels including a plurality of recesses for receiving the radial projections in meshed relationship upon rotation of the stitching wheels.

Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid coating composition that is thermally-curable in the presence of oxygen, comprising: a monomer or oligomer containing two or more acrylate and/or methacrylate functional groups; an azo initiator; and oxygen. This invention also relates to a process for coating a substrate comprising the steps of applying a thin film of the foregoing coating composition to said substrate; and heating said coating composition at an effective temperature for an effective period of time to cure said coating composition, said applying and heating steps being conducted in the presence of oxygen.