Abstract: Rotary positive displacement machines can include a rotor having a teardrop-shaped profile that undergoes planetary motion relative to a stator having an elliptical or near-elliptical profile. In some embodiments, these rotary positive displacement machines can be used for a variety of applications including as positive displacement pumps. In some embodiments the rotor and stator are helical. In some embodiments the rotor comprises a dynamic seal. Aspects of the machine geometry can be selected to provide operational and/or durability benefits.

Abstract: Improved solids handling in rotary positive displacement machines, where the machines are based on trochoidal geometry, can be achieved through the use of solids-handling features on the surface of the rotor and/or stator and/or by the use of modified seals mounted on the rotor or stator. In at least some embodiments the rotary machines comprise a helical rotor that undergoes planetary motion relative to a helical stator.

Abstract: An airflow directing assembly and associated method of assembling same, includes an air deflector having a first portion mounted in the vehicle engine compartment rearwardly of the bumper beam and including a separating wall that extends between and segregates a first, upper air flow path from a second, lower air flow path. The airflow directing assembly includes a second, flexible seal portion extending from the air deflector first portion in a direction toward the bumper beam. The flexible seal portion is configured for sliding, sealing engagement with a surface of a vehicle engine compartment component such as the bumper beam to accommodate build variation during vehicle assembly.

Abstract: An interface between a telephone-type communications system and a regional ambient condition monitoring system receives incoming verbal status information relative to the region. That information can be transferred to the monitoring system. Verbal messages can be fed back to the communications systems to provide information as to responding to conditions in the region being monitored.

Abstract: An airflow directing assembly and associated method of assembling same, includes an air deflector having a first portion mounted in the vehicle engine compartment rearwardly of the bumper beam and including a separating wall that extends between and segregates a first, upper air flow path from a second, lower air flow path. The airflow directing assembly includes a second, flexible seal portion extending from the air deflector first portion in a direction toward the bumper beam. The flexible seal portion is configured for sliding, sealing engagement with a surface of a vehicle engine compartment component such as the bumper beam to accommodate build variation during vehicle assembly.

Abstract: An interface between a telephone-type communications system and a regional ambient condition monitoring system receives incoming verbal status information relative to the region. That information can be transferred to the monitoring system. Verbal messages can be fed back to the communications systems to provide information as to responding to conditions in the region being monitored.

Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle. The nozzles includes a body portion and a spout extending from the body portion. The spout passes fuel from the body portion to a vehicle. The body portion includes a fuel flow control member for allowing or preventing fuel from passing through the body portion and the spout into the vehicle. The spout has first and second portions. The first portion of the spout is positioned adjacent the body portion and the second portion of the spout is removed from the body portion. Preferably, at least one fuel collection member is provided for collecting fuel remaining in the body portion and the spout after the fuel control member shuts-off the flow of fuel through the spout to prevent dripping of fuel from the end of the spout.

Abstract: A plurality of displaced paging systems can be controlled from a common paging facility via a computer network such as the Internet. Real-time streaming audio can be transmitted, via the network to one or more identified facilities and/or zones and broadcast thereinto.

Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle. The nozzles includes a body portion and a spout extending from the body portion. The spout passes fuel from the body portion to a vehicle. The body portion includes a fuel flow control member for allowing or preventing fuel from passing through the body portion and the spout into the vehicle. The spout has first and second portions. The first portion of the spout is positioned adjacent the body portion and the second portion of the spout is removed from the body portion. Preferably, at least one fuel collection member is provided for collecting fuel remaining in the body portion and the spout after the fuel control member shuts-off the flow of fuel through the spout to prevent dripping of fuel from the end of the spout.

Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle. The nozzles includes a body portion and a spout extending from the body portion. The spout passes fuel from the body portion to a vehicle. The body portion includes a fuel flow control member for allowing or preventing fuel from passing through the body portion and the spout into the vehicle. The spout has first and second portions. The first portion of the spout is positioned adjacent the body portion and the second portion of the spout is removed from the body portion. Preferably, at least one fuel collection member is provided for collecting fuel remaining in the body portion and the spout after the fuel control member shuts-off the flow of fuel through the spout to prevent dripping of fuel from the end of the spout.

Abstract: A plurality of displaced paging systems can be controlled from a common paging facility via a computer network such as the Internet. Real-time streaming audio can be transmitted, via the network to one or more identified facilities and/or zones and broadcast thereinto.

Abstract: A quick-return electro-mechanical actuator (20) broadly includes a cocking solenoid (21) and a holding solenoid (22). Each of the solenoids has an armature (24, 31) and a rod (26, 33). The rods are adapted to contact one another when the actuator is energized. However, after the second rod has been moved to its extended position, the cocking coil is de-energized.

Abstract: A system for applying a thin film of molten thermoplastic to the edge of a cut fabric includes a feeder for providing a source of fabric or textile; a slitter for cutting the supplied fabric or textile; and at least one thermoplastic applicator having an applicator tip for applying a molten thermoplastic to the cut fabric. The system provides for cutting fabric and maintaining the integrity of the edge thereof by the application of the molten thermoplastic.

Abstract: An electro-magnet array for use in a sputtering apparatus. The array has a magnetisable core member extending substantially horizontally and having magnetisable outward projections arranged as at least two pairs of symmetrically opposed projections projecting outwardly from the core member. A pole member is associated with each projection and vertically displaced with respect thereto. A magnetisable coupler is arranged to couple each pole piece magnetically to its respective projection. A magnetising coil around each projection is arranged for producing a magnetic field aligned substantially with a horizontal axis of symmetry of its respective projection in dependence upon the direction of flow of electric current through the magnetising coil.

Abstract: A sputtering apparatus includes a rotatable array plate and a magnetic array including a group of permanent magnets arranged around the plate periphery in one or more quadrants. Each magnet is perpendicular to the plate, having a pole of a first polarity facing toward the target. A bar permanent magnet is affixed to the plate within the same quadrant of a group of magnets and is located between a center axis of rotation and the magnet group. The bar permanent magnet is perpendicular to the plate, having a pole of a second polarity facing toward the target. The magnets create a closed-loop static magnetic field that is substantially triangular in shape, concentrated in the quadrant, and offset from the center axis of rotation. The magnets in one quadrant may be replicated to fill up to four quadrants, and additional bar magnets are arranged to create a rotating magnetic field at the target that patterns the plasma to a maximum plasma density in the shape of a kidney.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for modifying the flow characteristics of slurries, particularly mineral slurries such as red mud from the Bayer process, using water-soluble polymeric emulsions to increase the slurries' angle of repose.

Abstract: A safety vehicle incorporating an impact member, a collision sensor and a safety device. When the vehicle collides with a typical pedestrian, he is struck by the impact member, which is so placed that it tends to make him fall onto a surface of the vehicle, e.g. the bonnet. The safety device, responding to the sensor, then moves from a stowed position to an operating position in which it restrains him from falling off the surface again. The stowed location of the device and its path of movement to its operating position are chosen so that it does not impede, but may actually assist, the movement of the pedestrian onto the bonnet.

Abstract: Apparatus for timing the occurrence of a variety of control signals by using a storage device forming a pair of registers at each of a plurality of addressable locations and storing in one register a constant value while its corresponding register serves as an accumulator. A repetitive sequence of clock signals is continuously generated and each signal in a sequence is peculiar to a set of one or more addresses and, with other preconditions is operable to effect a comparison between the stored constant and accumulated value at that address. If the accumulated value is not equal to the constant, the accumulated value is incremented by one and both values are stored in their respective registers at their original address; if the two compared values are equal, a control signal is produced and the constant is stored but the corresponding accumulator register is reset to zero.