Abstract: A lithium ion battery pack includes a plurality of prismatic lithium polymer cells and one or more graphite heat spreaders. Each spreader has at least two major surfaces and is made of one of a sheet of a compressed mass of exfoliated graphite particles, a graphitized polyimide sheet, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method and a device for monitoring the functioning of a crankcase ventilation system of an internal combustion engine, crankcase ventilation gas being supplied to an intake line of the internal combustion engine via at least one crankcase ventilation line from the crankcase via an oil separator and a crankcase pressure regulating valve. An immediate surrounding environment of the internal combustion engine is monitored by at least one sensor that is sensitive to crankcase ventilation gas or to at least one crankcase ventilation gas component for the occurrence of crankcase ventilation gas, and that, if a presence of crankcase ventilation gas is determined, an informative or warning message is produced.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery pack includes a plurality of prismatic lithium polymer cells and one or more graphite heat spreaders. Each spreader has at least two major surfaces and is made of one of a sheet of a compressed mass of exfoliated graphite particles, a graphitized polyimide sheet, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery pack includes a plurality of prismatic lithium polymer cells and one or more graphite heat spreaders. Each spreader has at least two major surfaces and is made of one of a sheet of a compressed mass of exfoliated graphite particles, a graphitized polyimide sheet, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A solar absorber system includes a solar absorbing layer that receives and converts solar radiation to thermal energy. The solar absorber assembly includes an anisotropic material to more effectively move the absorbed energy to a fluid conduit for capture and storage.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery pack includes a plurality of prismatic lithium polymer cells and one or more graphite heat spreaders. Each spreader has at least two major surfaces and is made of one of a sheet of a compressed mass of exfoliated graphite particles, a graphitized polyimide sheet, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Fibers such as caustic-treated non-round polyester fibers are prepared having certain lubricants strongly adhered to the surfaces thereof. These fibers are prepared by contacting the fibers, such as immediately prior to a crimping means, with a suitable heated hydrophilic lubricant in a processing operation followed by heating to dry or "bake" the lubricant onto and/or into the surface of the fibers.

Abstract: A rail anchor assembly is provided with particularly-configured shoulder fittings welded to a base plate component in a manner which eliminates the necessity of weld grinding in order to assure non-interference between the shoulder fitting rail abutment end weld and a cooperating rail positioned upon the base plate component in proximity to the weld. The shoulder fitting rail abutment end includes an undercut which extends with increasing depth from the shoulder fitting rail abutment end vertical rail abutment face toward the rail retainer spring clip opening portion of the shoulder fitting to thereby form one side of a weld bevel groove accessible from within the shoulder fitting spring clip opening portion.

Abstract: Fibers such as caustic-treated non-round polyester fibers are prepared having certain lubricants strongly adhered to the surfaces thereof. These fibers are prepared by contacting the fibers, such as immediately prior to a crimping device, with a suitable heated hydrophilic lubricant in a processing operation followed by heating to dry or bake the lubricant onto and/or into the surface of the fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles, such as smoke filters, which contain fibers that have complex geometry in combination with tobacco smoke modifying agents such as flavorants. The fibers are preferably made of a polyester such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) and preferably are capable of spontaneously transporting water or n-decane on their surfaces. The articles of the invention result in improved delivery of the tobacco smoke modifying agent to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles, such as smoke filters, which contain fibers that have complex geometry in combination with tobacco smoke modifying agents such as flavorants. The fibers are preferably made of a polyester such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) and preferably are capable of spontaneously transporting water or n-decane on their surfaces. The articles of the invention result in improved delivery of the tobacco smoke modifying agent to the user.

Abstract: Fibers such as caustic treated non round polyester fibers are prepared having certain lubricants strongly adhered to the surfaces thereof. These fibers are prepared by contacting the fibers, such as immediately prior to a crimping device, with a suitable heated hydrophilic lubricant in a processing operation followed by heating to dry or the lubricant onto and/or into the surface of the fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are molded articles comprising a melt blown assembly of thermally bonded, longitudinally oriented fibers, said fibers comprising a continuous polymer matrix having dispersed therein microbeads of a material which is incompatible with said polymer matrix which are at least partially bordered by void space, said microbeads being present in an amount of about 5-50% by weight based on the weight of polymer matrix, said void space occupying about 2-60% by volume of said fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making shaped articles including a continuous polyester phase having dispersed therein microbeads of cellulose acetate which are at least partially bordered by void space, the microbeads of cellulose acetate being present in an amount of about 10-30% by weight based on the weight of said polyester, said void space occupying about 2-50% by volume of said shaped article. Articles made by this method have excellent physical properties, especially optical properties, and are useful in such applications as paper substitutes, for example.

Abstract: An intensifying screen for imagewise exposing a radiographic element is disclosed comprised of a fluorescent layer capable of absorbing X-radiation and emitting longer wavelength electromagnetic radiation to which the radiographic element is responsive and a support capable of redirecting incident longer wavelength radiation back toward the radiographic element. The support includes in at least one portion reflective lenslets.

Abstract: Disclosed are photographic elements having reflective or diffusely transmissive supports shaped from a continuous polyester phase having dispersed therein microbeads of cellulose acetate which are at least partially bordered by void space, the microbeads of cellulose acetate being poresent in an amount of about 10-30% by weight based on the weight of said polyester, said void space occupying about 2-50% by volume of said shaped article. Such articles have excellent physical properties.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a homogeneous dissipation of a viscous, liquid-dissipatable polymer. The process comprises continuously feeding molten polymer into a first inlet of a mixing chamber, feeding a stream of a relatively low viscosity dissipating liquid into a second inlet of said mixing chamber at an angle, at a velocity and at a flow rate relative to the structure of said chamber such that shearing action is created at the advancing end of the polymer to continuously erode the end of the polymer, and further mixing the polymer and dissipating liquid downstream from an outlet of the chamber to form a homogeneous dissipation of polymer in dissipating liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed are shaped articles comprising a continuous polyester phase having dispersed therein microbeads of cellulose acetate which are at least partially bordered by void space, the microbeads of cellulose acetate being poresent in an amount of about 10-30% by weight based on the weight of said polyester, said void space occupying about 2-50% by volume of said shaped article. Such articles have excellent physical properties, especially optical properties, and are useful in such applications as paper substitutes, for example.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the formation of olefin-vinyl alcohol copolymer pellets which comprises mixing particles of the copolymer with water to obtain a wet cake containing about 20-70% solids by weight to thereby obtain a plasticized mass of the copolymer, thereafter extruding the copolymer at a temperature of about 5.degree.-7.degree. C. below the melting point of the mass through a nozzle to form a rod, and dividing the rod into individual pellets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing stable, uniform dispersions of chain extenders in polyurethane-forming polyol. The preferred chain extender is hydroquinone di(.beta.-hydroxyethyl)ether. The process comprises an adiabatic quenching step in combination with an annealing step. The inventive process avoids the need for slow, carefully controlled cooling schemes.