Abstract: A continuous layer of a metal is electrodeposited onto a substrate having both hydrodynamically inaccessible recesses and hydrodynamically accessible recesses on its surface by a twostep process in which the hydrodynamically inaccessible recesses are plated using a pulsed reversing current with cathodic pulses having a duty cycle of less than about 50% and anodic pulses having a duty cycle of greater than about 50% and the hydrodynamically accessible recesses are then plated using a pulsed reversing current with cathodic pulses having a duty cycle of greater than about 50% and anodic pulses having a duty cycle of less than about 50%.

Abstract: A worm drive clamp comprises a worm drive member and a unitary strap and housing member. The worm drive member has a cylindrical body with a thread, a pawled portion below the body, and a head suitable for turning by a driver such as a hex nut driver. The worm drive member is situated in a chamber defined by the housing. The bottom wall of the housing has a ratcheted recess that interacts with the pawled portion to prevent counterclockwise rotation of the drive member. As the strap is passed upwards through a slot in the housing, grooves on the strap engage the thread of the worm drive member so that the strap is drawn upwards as the worm drive member is rotated clockwise.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thermoplastic additive containing aluminum stearate and polyvinylidine fluoride which when added to thermoplastics such as polyethylene inhibits and reduces permeation of fluids stored within containers composed of the thermoplastic. The invention has been proven effective in reducing the permeation of hydrocarbon based materials.

Abstract: In order to develop a lighting apparatus having a light source unit which has at least one light source and a first reflector, and having at least one optical element, with the light which is emitted from the light source being focused by the first reflector to form a light beam which can be influenced by the optical element further, in such a manner that the type of structure, in particular the diameter of the light outlet openings of the lamp housing, does not restrict the optical elements which can be used, said apparatus has a reflector unit having a second reflector and having a concave third reflector, with the concave third reflector having an opening for the light beam and the light beam being reflected by the second reflector onto the third reflector, and with the optical element being arranged between the light source unit and the reflector unit.

Abstract: An integrated monitoring, control and shut-down (IMCS) system for monitoring and controlling the operation of a machinery is provided. The IMCS system includes: input ports for receiving sensor signals indicative of conditions of the machinery, output ports for outputting control signals to actuators of the machinery, signal conversion means coupled to the input and output ports, for converting the input sensor signals into data samples and for converting control data into control signals. The IMCS system also includes a data processor for controlling the signal conversion means, for processing the data samples into calculated values, for sending selected calculated values to be stored into a memory and for calculating control data. A communication bus couples the hardware elements of the IMCS system.

Abstract: A layer of a metal is electroplated onto an electrically conducting substrate having a generally smooth surface with a small recess therein, having a transverse dimension not greater than about 350 micrometers, typically from about 5 micrometers to about 350 micrometers, by immersing the substrate and a counterelectrode in an electroplating bath of the metal to be electroplated and passing a modulated reversing electric current between the electrodes. The current contains pulses that are cathodic with respect to said substrate and pulses that are anodic with respect to said substrate. The cathodic pulses typically have a duty cycle less than about 50% and the anodic pulses have a duty cycle greater than about 50%, the charge transfer ratio of the cathodic pulses to the anodic pulses is greater than one, and the frequency of the pulses ranges from about 10 Hertz to about 12000 Hertz. The on-time of the cathodic pulses may range from about 0.83 microseconds to about 50 milliseconds.

Abstract: A sheath clamp for a welding torch, comprising a sleeve (5) having a spherical head (3) adapted to be inserted into a seat in the torch and a flange axially spaced from the head, with a collar (9) slidably mounted on the sleeve (5), and means for urging the collar (9) along the axis of the sleeve in order to clamp a sheath (2), fitted over the sleeve (5), against the flange (4). Preferably the collar (9) is provided with at least one inwardly protruding tooth (10), preferably two inner opposed teeth, and the sleeve has a reduced diameter portion between the flange (4) and the spherical head (3), which is bounded by inclined raised walls (7) which can be engaged by the tooth (10) of the collar (9), so that rotation of the ring causes an axial displacement of the collar along the sleeve (5).

Abstract: Electrochemical machining of metals and alloys is accomplished by using a pulsed electric current incorporating modulated reverse electric current. Reverse (cathodic) pulses are interposed between forward (anodic) pulses. The process is useful for electrochemical shaping of metals, electrochemically polishing metal surfaces, and electrochemical deburring of metal articles. The process is especially useful for electrochemical processing of metals and alloys that readily form passive surface layers.

Abstract: Effect wheel rotation system, having a base and at least one effect wheel which is coupled thereto and can be rotated about an axis of rotation by means of a drive, the axis of rotation being arranged offset with respect to an optical axis and the effect wheel having at least one optical element which can be rotated into the region of the optical axis, in which system the effect wheel, independently of a rotation about the axis of rotation, can also be rotated about the optical axis.

Abstract: A machine comprising a base and an elongated cradle pivotally mounted on the base is used to facilitate separation of nested tapered drums from a stack. With the cradle in an upright position, the machine is moved toward the stack to embrace the stack in the cradle. A pair of clamps on the cradle embrace and grip successive drums at a lower end of the stack, and then the cradle is moved to a lay-down position, carrying the stack with it. A first clamp of the pair, gripping a first drum, is moved away from a second clamp of the pair and then releases the first drum so that it can be separated from the second drum. The first clamp is then moved toward the second clamp. The second clamp releases the second drum, and the laid-down stack is moved along the cradle to align the second drum with the first clamp and a third drum in the stack with the second clamp. The first and second clamps then grip the second and third drums, respectively, and the first clamp is again moved away from the second clamp.

Abstract: A single-service package coupling and valve includes a fitment having a spout and a sliding tubular valve member mounted therein for receiving a cooperating dispensing connector of a liquid distributing and dispensing system, and an external adapter ring designed to cooperate with the mounting mechanisms of a plurality of conventional commercially available dispensing connectors. An internal adapter sleeve is mounted with in the sliding tubular valve member to provide a tight seal with any of the conventional dispensing connectors.

Abstract: A method for controlling the air-fuel ratio in a natural gas engine having an air-fuel mixing device, comprises: determining a speed set-point and an actual engine speed, determining a fuel command based on said speed set-point and said engine speed and controlling the fuel flow to the air-fuel mixing device in response to said fuel command. An air-fuel control system for natural gas engines, comprises: means to determine a speed set-point and an actual engine speed, a governor control unit for generating a fuel command based on said speed set-point and said actual engine speed and a fuel flow regulator coupled to said governor control unit for regulating the flow of fuel to an air-fuel mixing device in response to said fuel command.

Abstract: Skin irritation, such as diaper rash, appearing when the skin is allowed to remain in contact with proteolytic enzymes found in feces is prevented by inactivating the fecal proteolytic enzymes by contact with organophilic clays. The organophilic clays are applied to the skin in areas likely to come into contact with feces or to garments such as diapers. A composition suitable for practicing the method of the invention comprises an amount of an organophilic clay effective to inactivate irritating fecal proteolytic enzymes dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic dermatological vehicle. A fabric incorporating organophilic clay, preferably dispersed in a matrix of a superabsorbent polymer is useful for preparing diapers for infants that can help to prevent skin irritation by fecal enzymes.

Abstract: A smooth layer of a metal is electroplated onto a microrough electrically conducting substrate by immersing the substrate and a counterelectrode in an electroplating bath of the metal to be electroplated and passing a modulated reversing electric current between the electrodes. The current contains pulses that are cathodic with respect to said substrate and pulses that are anodic with respect to said substrate. The cathodic pulses have a duty cycle less than about 50% and said anodic pulses have a duty cycle greater than about 50%, the charge transfer ratio of the cathodic pulses to the anodic pulses is greater than one, and the frequency of said pulses ranges from about 10 Hertz to about 12000 Hertz. The plating bath is substantially devoid of levelers and may be devoid of brighteners.

Abstract: A continuous layer of a metal is electrodeposited onto a substrate having both hydrodynamically inaccessible recesses and hydrodynamically accessible recesses on its surface by a two-step process in which the hydrodynamically inaccessible recesses are plated using a pulsed reversing current with cathodic pulses having a duty cycle of less than about 50% and anodic pulses having a duty cycle of greater than about 50% and the hydrodynamically accessible recesses are then plated using a pulsed reversing current with cathodic pulses having a duty cycle of greater than about 50% and anodic pulses having a duty cycle of less than about 50%.

Abstract: A layer of a metal is electroplated onto an electrically conducting substrate having a generally smooth surface with a small recess therein, having a transverse dimension not greater than about 350 micrometers, by immersing the substrate and a counterelectrode in an electroplating bath of the metal to be electroplated and passing a modulated reversing electric current between the electrodes. The current contains pulses that are cathodic with respect to said substrate and pulses that are anodic with respect to said substrate. The cathodic pulses have a duty cycle less than about 50% and said anodic pulses have a duty cycle greater than about 50%, the charge transfer ratio of the cathodic pulses to the anodic pulses is greater than one, and the frequency of said pulses ranges from about 10 Hertz to about 12000 Hertz. The plating bath may be substantially devoid of levelers and/or brighteners.

Abstract: A high-performance zoom lens having a long back focal length and thus ideally suitable to electronic imaging equipment. The zoom lens comprises a first lens group G1 having a positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having a, negative refractive power, a third lens group G3 having a negative refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens group G5 having a positive refractive power. When zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the air gap between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 increases, the air gap between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 changes, and the air gap between the fourth lens group G4 and the fifth lens group G5 changes. Vibration reduction is attained by displacing (shifting) a vibration reduction lens group G4v consisting of the fourth lens group G4 or a partial lens group in said fourth lens group in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis.