Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing comprises operating an additive manufacturing system for fabricating a multiplicity of objects, while acquiring a set of images during fabrication of each of the objects. For each object, a respective set of images is analyzed to identify fabrication irregularities, and a fabrication score is generated based on the irregularities. The multiplicity of objects is clustered according to the fabrication scores into at least two clusters.

Abstract: Various user interface systems and methods are disclosed. A primary software application has one or more primary user interfaces that include a data output region. Some primary user interfaces may also have primary input regions. A control application has one or more control interfaces in which control regions are provided. A user may use the input controls using a preferred input modality such as touch input. A primary user interface and a corresponding control interface are displayed in registration on a display screen of a computing system such that the data output region of the primary user interface and the control region of the control interface a simultaneously visible to a user. A software or hardware component within or coupled to the computing system may be controlled using the control interface. Data relating to the component is displayed in the output region.

Abstract: Various user interface systems and methods are disclosed. A primary software application has one or more primary user interfaces that include a data output region. Some primary user interfaces may also have primary input regions. A control application has one or more control interfaces in which control regions are provided. A user may use the input controls using a preferred input modality such as touch input. A primary user interface and a corresponding control interface are displayed in registration on a display screen of a computing system such that the data output region of the primary user interface and the control region of the control interface a simultaneously visible to a user. A software or hardware component within or coupled to the computing system may be controlled using the control interface. Data relating to the component is displayed in the output region.

Abstract: A spool for a seat belt retractor has a cylindrical member with a cylindrical central portion and two end plates at opposite axial ends of the cylindrical portion. There is a channel formed in the cylindrical central portion with an outer and an inner wall and defining a path for guiding seat belt webbing. The path circumscribes the spool axis substantially over the length of the central portion of the spool in a generally smooth curve. The path has a spool entry and a spool exit portion and an acute angle subtended at the spool axis by the entry portion of the path and the exit portion of the path is approximately 90°. The spool may be hollow with a torsion bar forming the inner wall of the channel.

Abstract: A vehicle sensor for a retractor for a vehicle safety restraint has a sensor mass in the form of an upturned hollow cup, formed in a single piece by injection molding or die casting, resting on an upstanding post. It may be of metal or high-density plastic material. Preferably a profiled pad is fixed or mounded on the underside of the lever or on the upper surface of the cup. In this way the arrangement causes the lever to lift through substantially the same angle whichever the direction of acceleration activating the sensor. This sensor is an improvement over known sensors because it is simpler and cheaper to manufacture, easier to calibrate relatively accurately, and does not exhibit right/left dependency.

Abstract: A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant's torso. The load limiting device has a container which defines a flow path for a fluid, with a restriction in the flow path. An actuator is located within the container and is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the seat belt webbing from the vehicle occupant under extreme acceleration conditions, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a predetermined portion of the load on the webbing.

Abstract: A load sensor for a vehicle safety belt 10 comprises means for determining an electrical characteristic of the belt 10 and control means for comparing the sensed characteristic with a reference level for the characteristic. In one embodiment, conductive fibers 26, 28 are interwoven into the belt 10 and electrical contacts 30, 32 are provided at each end thereof. Excessive loading of the belt results in a break in the fibers 26, 28 which, in turn, results in electrical discontinuity. The discontinuity is sensed by an electrical sensor and indicator means is provided to indicate to the driver of the vehicle that a belt has been excessively loaded.

Abstract: A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant's torso. The load limiting device has a container which defines a flow path for a fluid, with a restriction in the flow path. An actuator is located within the container and is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the seat belt webbing from the vehicle occupant under extreme acceleration conditions, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a predetermined portion of the load on the webbing.

Abstract: A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant's torso. The load limiting device has a container which defines a flow path for a fluid, with a restriction in the flow path. An actuator is located within the container and is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the seat belt webbing from the vehicle occupant under extreme acceleration conditions, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a predetermined portion of the load on the webbing.

Abstract: A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant's torso. The load limiting device has a container which defines a flow path for a fluid, with a restriction in the flow path. An actuator is located within the container and is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the seat belt webbing from the vehicle occupant under extreme acceleration conditions, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a predetermined portion of the load on the webbing.

Abstract: A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant's torso. The load limiting device has a container which defines a flow path for a fluid, with a restriction in the flow path. An actuator is located within the container and is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the seat belt webbing from the vehicle occupant under extreme acceleration conditions, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a predetermined portion of the load on the webbing.

Abstract: A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant's torso. The load limiting device has a metal member and means for deforming the metal member associated with the seat belt. Excessive load on the seat belt is transferred to the metal member by deforming the metal member.

Abstract: A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant's torso. The load limiting device has a metal member and means for deforming the metal member associated with the seat belt. Excessive load on the seat belt is transferred to the metal member by deforming the metal member.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of N,N dialkylglycamine compounds of general formula R.sub.2 NR.sub.1 R.sub.3 (I) by reacting a secondary amine of general formula R.sub.2 NHR.sub.3 (II) in which R.sub.2 is a straight or branched chain alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R.sub.3 is a residue from a monosaccharide, with an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal aliphatic sulphate, R.sub.1 SO.sub.4 M, in which R.sub.1 is a straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl group having from 8 to 24 carbon atoms.The betaine, suphobetaine and N-oxidised derivatives of (I) are provided for use as mild surfactants.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of N,N dialkylglycamine compounds of general formula R.sub.2 NR.sub.1 R.sub.3 (I) by reacting a secondary amine of general formula R.sub.2 NHR.sub.3 (II) in which R.sub.2 is a straight or branched chain alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R.sub.3 is a residue from a monosaccharide, with an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal aliphatic sulphate, R.sub.1 SO.sub.4 M, in which R.sub.1 is a straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl group having from 8 to 24 carbon atoms.The betaine, suphobetaine and N-oxidised derivatives of (I) are provided for use as mild surfactants.

Abstract: A continuous process for the crystallization of fructose from an aqueous fructose syrup containing at least 90% by weight fructose on a dry solids basis, in which the syrup at a total solids content of at least 95% by weight is rapidly and thoroughly mixed with seed, at a temperature of 55.degree.-75.degree. e.g for up to 2.5 minutes; is then deposited onto a surface where it is allowed to crystallize under quiescent conditions at a temperature of about 50.degree.-70.degree., until a solid cake is formed; and is the comminuted to provide a free-flowing granular product which can be further dried.The process provides a particulate product in the form of crystals in a glossy matrix, in which 95% of the crystals have a particle size of less than 20 microns, the overall degree of crystallinity is greater than 70%, the bulk density is less than 0.65 and which is completely free of organic solvent residues. Other food ingredients may be added simultaneously with the seed.

Abstract: Solid fructose, typically with a bulk density of less than 0.65 g/ml and in the form of particles of agglomerated microcrystals of anhydrous fructose in which all the crystals have a maximum dimension of less than 50 microns, can be produced by dispersing a high Brix fructose syrup at very high shear in an alcoholic medium, the alcoholic medium being one in which fructose is 1 to 10 wt % soluble at the temperature at which the syrup is dispersed in the alcoholic medium.