Abstract: A speaker can have a main body with a generally spheroidal shape, which can be supported standing on its end. The speaker can include a subwoofer that faces forward. A plurality of mid-range drivers can be distributed around the sub-woofer, facing generally forward and radially outward. A plurality of tweeters can be distributed around the sub-woofer, facing generally forward and generally outward. The outer housing portion of the speaker can be covered with a fabric material. A user interface ring 162 can be touch sensitive to receive input, and can have a plurality of lights that can be illuminated separately to convey information to the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for melting aluminum uses a dense metal salt of Rubidium, Cesium, or Strontium. The salt is melted by a stinger and then superheated by AC applied to electrodes immersed in the salt. Aluminum in contact with the salt melts and floats on the salt. In continuous scrap melting, inflows and outflows of aluminum are comparable and may be shielded by inert gas. The superheated salt may be purified and may be heated in a separate reservoir and pumped to and from another reservoir containing salt and/or metal. The salt may be used to supplement the heating of an existing furnace.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for melting aluminum uses a dense metal salt of Rubidium, Cesium, or Strontium. The salt is melted by a stinger and then superheated by AC applied to electrodes immersed in the salt. Aluminum in contact with the salt melts and floats on the salt. In continuous scrap melting, inflows and outflows of aluminum are comparable and may be shielded by inert gas. The superheated salt may be purified and may be heated in a separate reservoir and pumped to and from another reservoir containing salt and/or metal. The salt may be used to supplement the heating of an existing furnace.

Abstract: A method and device allows a magnetic disk drive system to avoid thru- talk between opposing read/write devices, or gaps, within heads for magnetic data storage media. Certain head designs for magnetic disk drives require the read/write devices in opposing heads to be situated directly across from each other when considering a line from one of the read/write devices perpendicular through the magnetic disk to the other read/write device. When both read/write devices are operating simultaneously electromagnetic interference, or thru-talk, causes the signal of one or both read/write devices to be corrupted or cancelled. By moving one of the read/write devices a slight distance from the line the interference eliminated and both read/write devices operate properly.

Abstract: A press machine for press fit assembly of a torsion bar to a pinion gear of a power steering system includes a controller and a support structure. A first holder supports a pinion gear, and a second holder supports a torsion bar of a spool-valve assembly of a power steering system. The press machine also includes a sensor adapted to determine a position of a torsion bar in the second holder relative to a pinion gear in the first holder. At least one powered actuator is connected to the support structure and the first or second holders. The powered actuator provides controlled translational and rotational motion to press fit a pinion gear to a torsion bar. The controller causes the powered actuator to rotate one of the holders relative to the other of the holders based, at least in part, upon the position of the torsion bar relative to the pinion gear to thereby provide proper alignment of the torsion bar and pinion gear upon completion of the press fit operation.

Abstract: In an oxidation inhibiting lubricant composition suitable for use in the manufacture of aluminum alloys comprising lubricant base selected from the group consisting of solid lubricants, liquid lubricants, grease lubricants, emulsion lubricants, and dispersion lubricants, the improvement wherein the lubricant composition further comprises: an effective amount of a fluorine-containing passivating compound.

Abstract: A method of producing aluminum castings which includes the steps of casting a molten alloy, contacting the surface of the molten alloy with a humidified atmosphere and solidifying the alloy. The method is particularly suited for aluminum-magnesium alloys such as AA 5XXX and 7XXX series alloys. In addition to reducing the thickness of the surface oxide layer formed during casting, the method also provides improved surface quality of cast products and reduces subsequent remedial re-work or scalping. An improved aluminum-magnesium cast alloy product is also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular jack assembly for connecting and switching computer network cables. The jack assembly includes at least one jack module with two sets of connectors for linking wires from cables to the module and at least one jack. The modules within jack assembly slide between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the two sets of connectors linked to cables are electrically connected to each other, allowing normal through signals transmission. In the second position, the electrical connection between the connector sets is broken and the plug contacts within each jack are linked to one of the sets of connectors, allowing pass-through connections, such as a cross-connection, to be made.

Abstract: A modular jack assembly for connecting and switching computer network cables. The jack assembly includes at least one jack module with two sets of connectors for linking wires from cables to the module and at least one jack. The modules within jack assembly slide between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the two sets of connectors linked to cables are electrically connected to each other, allowing normal through signal transmission. In the second position, the electrical connection between the connector sets is broken and the plug contacts within each jack are linked to one of the sets of connectors, allowing pass-through connections, such as a cross-connection, to be made.

Abstract: A modular jack assembly for connecting and switching computer network cables. The jack assembly includes at least one jack module with two sets of connectors for linking wires from cables to the module and at least one jack. The modules within jack assembly slide between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the two sets of connectors linked to cables are electrically connected to each other, allowing normal through signal transmission. In the second position, the electrical connection between the connector sets is broken and the plug contacts within each jack are linked to one of the sets of connectors, allowing pass-through connections, such as a cross-connection, to be made.