Abstract: A method to predict the remaining useful life of a plasticizing screw for an injection molding machine is provided. The method comprises: creating an energy-pressure ratio distribution estimate for normal operation of the screw for a mold; creating a temporally local energy-pressure ratio distribution estimate from real time data for the screw for the mold; comparing the local distribution with the distribution for normal operation; and generating an alert if the comparison of the two distributions predicts that the remaining useful life is negligible.

Abstract: A thin film photoelectric conversion module is provided. The thin film photoelectric conversion module includes a substrate and a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells formed on the substrate and connected to each other in series to form a series-connected array. The thin film photoelectric conversion module further comprises a plurality of first electrode rows extending along a current flow direction and a resistive material electrically connected to adjacent two of the first electrode rows, wherein the resistive material has an electrical resistivity no less than 10?9 ohm-cm, wherein when the resistive material is a material different from that of the first electrode rows, the resistive material makes adjacent two of the first electrode rows at least partially connected, and when the resistive material is a material the same as that of the first electrode rows, the resistive material makes adjacent two of the first electrode rows partially connected.

Abstract: An electrical insulation test apparatus includes a cap having an indentation, and a conductive cushion arranged in the indentation. The conductive cushion has a receiving space sized to meet a tested photovoltaic panel. Since the conductive cushion is deformable, the conductive cushion will deform upon the size of the tested photovoltaic panel for completely contacting with peripheral surfaces of the tested photovoltaic panel when the tested photovoltaic panel is in the receiving space.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for preventing the release of residual liquid in a beverage brewing device prior to and after the brewing process, and for preventing the premature release of liquid during the heating process is disclosed. The apparatus includes a flexible member, a closing member and a recess. The apparatus is fabricated such that the pressure of the liquid being delivered to the brewing chamber displaces or depresses the closing member sufficiently into the recess to form a first fluid passage. The pressure of the fluid also creates a channel or cavity on a surface of the flexible member. The first fluid passage and the channel or cavity form a second fluid passages which provide fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the brewing chamber. Preferably, the flexible member, closing member and recess is formed as an integral unit.

Abstract: A writing tablet assembly for attachment to a chair comprising: a writing tablet; a frame for supporting the writing tablet and for attachment to a chair, and a swivel joint interposed between the writing tablet and the frame to define a first predetermined plane of rotation of the swivel joint with respect to the frame and a second predetermined plane of rotation of the writing tablet with respect to the swivel joint.

Abstract: A multi-channel band-gear system for a rotary joint has a ring gear assembly with a conducting ring band in electrical contact with corresponding conducting bands of a set of intermediary planetary gears, which in turn are in electrical contact with a conducting sun band of a sun gear assembly. The ring band is formed with a plurality of conducting segments which are electrically insulated from each other and positioned angularly in a circumferential direction of the ring gear, such that separate electrical power/signal channels are formed across the rotary joint. In a preferred embodiment having continuously connected channels, the ring band has four conducting segments at 90.degree. intervals, the sun band has two conducting segments at 180.degree. intervals, and three planetary bands are in rolling electrical contact at 120.degree. intervals between the ring band segments and the sun band segments, forming two continuously connected channels in a single layer of the band-gear system.