Abstract: This field-effect superconductor transistor (2) comprises a source electrode (4) and a drain electrode (6), connected by a superconducting channel (12), the channel (12) and the source (4) and drain (6) electrodes being arranged on a substrate (16), and a gate electrode (8) covering the channel (12). A layer (14) of semiconductor material is arranged between the channel (12) and the gate electrode (8), to control over the critical current of the superconducting channel (12) between a minimum value Ic_min and a maximum value Ic_max, by controlling the surface roughness of said channel (12), said surface roughness being controlled by combining the proximity effect between the superconducting channel (12) and the layer (14) of semiconductor material with the field effect in the layer (14) of semiconductor material by polarising the gate electrode (8).

Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting a toy bar arrangement to a frame of an infant seat assembly is provided. The assembly includes a mounting member adapted to fixedly engage the frame. The assembly further includes a receptacle member operably engaged with the mounting member and defining a cavity. The receptacle member is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis with respect to the mounting member, and between a locked position and an unlocked position in relation to a locking member associated with the mounting member. The assembly further includes a mating member adapted to operably engage a toy bar arrangement and configured to be removably received within the cavity of the receptacle member so as to be rotatable in conjunction with the receptacle member between the locked and unlocked positions. The mating member has a locking flange configured to engage the locking member in the locked position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for manufacture of fine precious metal containing particles, specifically silver-based particles and silver-based contact materials via an intermediate silver(+1)-oxide species. The process comprises in a first step the formation of a thermally instable silver (+1)-oxide species by adding a base to an aqueous silver salt solution comprising an organic dispersing agent. Due to the presence of the organic dispersing agent, the resulting silver (+1)-oxide species is thermally instable, thus the species is decomposing to metallic silver at temperature lower than 100° C. The process optionally may comprise the addition of a powdered compound selected from the group of inorganic oxides, metals, and carbon-based compounds. Furthermore the process may contain additional separating and drying steps. The process is versatile, cost efficient and environmentally friendly and is used for the manufacture of silver-based particles and electrical contact materials.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for manufacture of fine precious metal containing particles, specifically silver-based particles and silver-based contact materials via an intermediate silver(+1)-oxide species. The process comprises in a first step the formation of a thermally instable silver (+1)-oxide species by adding a base to an aqueous silver salt solution comprising an organic dispersing agent. Due to the presence of the organic dispersing agent, the resulting silver (+1)-oxide species is thermally instable, thus the species is decomposing to metallic silver at temperature lower than 1000° C. The process optionally may comprise the addition of a powdered compound selected from the group of inorganic oxides, metals, and carbon-based compounds. Furthermore the process may contain additional separating and drying steps. The process is versatile, cost efficient and environmentally friendly and is used for the manufacture of silver-based particles and electrical contact materials.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a powered children's swing. In various embodiments, the swing includes a seat, swing frame, one or more swing arms, a first magnetic component, second magnetic component, swing motion sensor, and swing control circuit. The magnetic components are configured to generate a magnetic force that drives the seat along a swing path. The swing control circuit is configured to control the magnetic components based at least on input from the swing motion sensor and generate control signals causing the seat to swing with a substantially constant amplitude as specified by a user.

Abstract: The ground anchors of the type which are attached to cables, rods and the like, which are driven into the ground and tilted transversely of the hole by tensioning the cable are provided. A ground anchor including a central hollow tubular body portion extending substantially along the length of the anchor and a pair of laterally projecting wings extending from opposing sides of the body portion, wherein the wings are bent at an angle to the horizontal plane, and a portion of an edge of each wing is bent at an angle to the plane of the wing.

Abstract: The ground anchors of the type which are attached to cables, rods and the like, which are driven into the ground and tilted transversely of the hole by tensioning the cable are provided. A ground anchor including a central hollow tubular body portion extending substantially along the length of the anchor and a pair of laterally projecting wings extending from opposing sides of the body portion, wherein the wings are bent at an angle to the horizontal plane, and a portion of an edge of each wing is bent at an angle to the plane of the wing.

Abstract: A rigid three-dimensional component such as a speaker dome is formed of diamond, preferably fabricated to net shape by CVD diamond synthesis, and includes a coating on one or more major surfaces thereof. The coating is designed to enhance the performance and/or to alter the appearance of the component. In particular, the coating is designed to act as a damping medium and/or provide aesthetic qualities to the component.

Abstract: A microelectrode comprising a diamond layer formed from electrically non-conducting diamond and containing one or more pins or projections of electrically conducting diamond extending at least partially through the layer of non-conducting diamond and presenting areas of electrically conducting diamond.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting a throttle of a vehicle engine. The apparatus comprises an input sensor configured to provide an input signal having a value that approximately corresponds to an operating level of the vehicle engine requested by an operator and a memory configured to store a maximum input value for the input sensor. The maximum input value provides the value of the input signal that approximately corresponds to a maximum operating level of the vehicle engine. The apparatus is further configured to receive the input signal and access the memory to retrieve the maximum input value and further configured to update the maximum input value with the value of the input signal if the value of the input signal is greater than the maximum input value.

Abstract: A method of controlling a motor vehicle engine having an electronic throttle including positioning the electronic throttle in response to a requested throttle area, determining a fault in the vehicle engine, limiting the throttle area after a fault has been determined to control vehicle speed, limiting acceleration of the vehicle after the fault has been determined, and determining if the engine may be operated at full throttle after the fault has been determined to allow the vehicle to operate in a high power demand application.

Abstract: A method of controlling a motor vehicle engine having an electronic throttle including positioning the electronic throttle in response to a requested throttle area, determining a fault in the vehicle engine, limiting the throttle area after a fault has been determined to control vehicle speed, limiting acceleration of the vehicle after the fault has been determined, and determining if the engine may be operated at full throttle after the fault has been determined to allow the vehicle to operate in a high power demand application.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting a throttle of a vehicle engine. The apparatus comprises an input sensor configured to provide an input signal having a value that approximately corresponds to an operating level of the vehicle engine requested by an operator and a memory configured to store a maximum input value for the input sensor. The maximum input value provides the value of the input signal that approximately corresponds to a maximum operating level of the vehicle engine. The apparatus is further configured to receive the input signal and access the memory to retrieve the maximum input value and further configured to update the maximum input value with the value of the input signal if the value of the input signal is greater than the maximum input value.

Abstract: Ground anchors of the type which are attached to cables and rods and driven into the ground and tilted transversely by tensioning the cable. A ground anchor comprising a body portion having a generally triangular cross-section extending substantially along its length having generally concave sides and a continuous convex lower surface from one edge of the body portion where the sides and lower surface meet to an opposite edge.

Abstract: Control of engine speed responsive to a deviation in engine speed away from a target speed is applied selectively under closed-loop airflow control operating conditions, such as idle and coastdown operating conditions in response to analysis of a cause of an engine intake airflow deviation away from a modeled airflow. If airflow deviations are determined to have resulted from variation in internal engine friction away from a nominal friction level, the control is applied. If airflow deviations are determined to have resulted from change in internal engine airflow restriction, such as due to contaminant build-up over a period of engine use, then the control is not applied under closed-loop airflow control operating conditions to avoid overcompensating for such deviations.

Abstract: A closure member for the end of a soft drink container, beer container or the like comprises a pair of substantially parallel, upstanding ridges which are adapted to be squeezed toward one another to tear an opening in the container closure along a line of weakness.

Abstract: A marine trailer comprising an elongate collapsible, flexible container and at least one open-ended rigidifying conduit of a flexible-walled construction extending along the container with the cross-sectional area of the conduit decreasing from the front towards the rear of the container. Thus ambient liquid enters the conduit and, on flowing therethrough, exerts a pressure on the flexible wall of said conduit which is greater than the external pressure.The trailer may also have a safety reservoir which is disposed at the rear end of the container and is automatically communicable with the container in the event of rupture of the container.