Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for a motor vehicle supports operation of a power steering gear and a power assisted park brake unit incorporating a spring actuated hydraulic release (SAHR) chamber. The hydraulic circuit includes a pump with the power steering gear being connected to receive hydraulic fluid under pressure from the pump. Hydraulic fluid from the pump is delivered to first and second valves, the first or release control valve being connected to the SAHR chamber and the second or recirculation valve being coupled to return hydraulic fluid to a pump inlet.

Abstract: A motor vehicle (12) has a chassis (16) with wheels (26, 34) on which the motor vehicle travels, a powertrain having an engine (20) coupled to at least one of the wheels, a primary brake system (38) for braking the motor vehicle via foundation brakes at the wheels, and a secondary brake system for braking the vehicle via at least one powertrain brake mechanism (57) that can apply brake torque to at least one of the wheels to which the powertrain is coupled. The primary brake system has a mechanical operator (40) that when operated by a driver causes pressure to be created in the primary brake system for operating the foundation brakes to apply brake torque correlated with magnitude of the pressure. A device (42) signals a controller (44) that the foundation brakes are being applied. A selector (58) available to the driver signals the controller for selectively enabling use of the secondary brake system in conjunction with the primary brake system.

Abstract: A method is described for separating lignin from liquid solutions resulting from the pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials such as switchgrass with ammonium hydroxide. The method involves a sequence of steps including acidification, evaporation, and precipitation or centrifugation that are performed under defined conditions, and results in a relatively pure, solid lignin product. The method is tested on ammonium hydroxide solutions containing lignin extracted from switchgrass. Experimental results show that the method is capable of recovering between 66-95% of dissolved lignin as a precipitated solid.

Abstract: An automatically adjustable fifth wheel assembly for a vehicle and trailer combination that adjusts the position of the trailer relative to the vehicle is provided.

Abstract: A vehicle has at least one road wheel on which the vehicle travels and a park brake for selectively locking the at least one road wheel while the vehicle is parked. An actuator can apply the park brake to lock the at least one road wheel, and can release the park brake to unlock the at least one road wheel. An electronic controller interfaces the actuator with a wheel locking mechanism. The status of a variable status device, such as a lift platform, is communicated to the electronic controller and is effective on the electronic controller for causing the electronic controller to disallow park brake release by the actuator when a first status is communicated to the electronic controller and to allow park brake release by the actuator when a second status is communicated to the electronic controller.

Abstract: A motor vehicle (12) has a chassis (16) with wheels (26, 34) on which the motor vehicle travels, a powertrain having an engine (20) coupled to at least one of the wheels, a primary brake system (38) for braking the motor vehicle via foundation brakes at the wheels, and a secondary brake system for braking the vehicle via at least one powertrain brake mechanism (57) that can apply brake torque to at least one of the wheels to which the powertrain is coupled. The primary brake system has a mechanical operator (40) that when operated by a driver causes pressure to be created in the primary brake system for operating the foundation brakes to apply brake torque correlated with magnitude of the pressure. A device (42) signals a controller (44) that the foundation brakes are being applied. A selector (58) available to the driver signals the controller for selectively enabling use of the secondary brake system in conjunction with the primary brake system.

Abstract: A numerically-controlled phase-lock loop with input clock dependent ratio adjustment provides for narrower-bandwidth loops that lock to a wide range of frequencies and/or operation with an absent or degraded input timing reference. A timing reference characteristic detector determines an input frequency range of the input timing reference signal, the data type of the timing reference, and/or whether a timing reference signal of sufficient quality is present. A numerically controlled oscillator is controlled by a numeric ratio that is adjusted to provide the desired clock frequency output in conformity with the detected frequency range and/or data type. If the timing reference signal is absent or degraded, then the numeric ratio can be set to a fixed value or a local timing reference can be applied in order to generate the desired clock output frequency.

Abstract: A hybrid analog/digital phase-lock loop for low-jitter synchronization provides a mechanism for generating a low-jitter clock from a timing reference that has a high jitter level. A numerically-controlled analog oscillator provides a clock output and has an input for receiving a rational number. The rational number represents a ratio between the frequency of the clock output and the frequency of another stable clock provided to the circuit. A counter divides the frequency of either the clock output or the stable clock, providing feedback or feed-forward control of the analog oscillator, respectively. The circuit also includes a digital phase-frequency detector for detecting an on-going phase-frequency difference between an input timing reference and an output of the divider and a digital loop filter for filtering the output of the phase-frequency detector to provide the rational number that controls the frequency of the numerically-controlled analog oscillator.

Abstract: Conductive polyamide composition comprising a base polyamide, an electrically conductive additive and a polyamide oligomer, wherein the polyamide oligomer is preferably present in amount of 0.5 to 20 wt. % with respect to the total of base polyamide and oligomer and wherein the polyamide oligomer preferably has a weight average molecular weight Mw of between 1000 and 50000 g/mol.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an analysis instrument, e.g., a gas chromatograph, for water analysis that includes four steps. The first step is to continuously remove water from a liquid that contains water to produce a liquid containing a reduced amount of water such as by membrane pervaporation. The second step is to analyze the liquid containing a reduced amount of water for water by a reference water analysis method such as by Karl Fischer titration. The third step is to analyze the stream of liquid containing a reduced amount of water using the instrument to be calibrated, e.g., a gas chromatograph having a helium photoionization pulse discharge detector. The fourth step is to calibrate the instrument using the analysis of the second step. In a related embodiment, a system for normal phase chromatography.

Abstract: The invention is a direct replacement for conventional propellers on aquatic vehicles that utilize them. The cincture (26) (26A) being a integral part with the propeller makes a significant improvement over conventional propellers. Being so manufactured means that it can be conformed to virtually all types of propeller applications. Such as mounting requirements, the number of helical screws (20), their pitch and direction of rotation, and rear or forward mounted propellers. The cincture (26) (26A) being of one piece with the propeller means it is of the same material (plastic, aluminum, stainless steel, teflon, bronze, etc, etc.) as the propeller. Giving an enhanced performance and safety capability in a single article of manufacture for each desired application. Being beneficial not only for the owner, but the aquatic vehicle and its surroundings.

Abstract: An electrical machine is provided with coils which are interconnected to form one or more windings. The coils are made up of at least two sub-coils, connected in series, the sub-coil closest to the airgap having strands in each turn which have a smaller cross sectional area than the strands in the turns in other sub-coils. This arrangement reduces the high-frequency loss in the windings while substantially minimizing any penalty associated with introducing stranding to the coil.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an analysis instrument, e.g., a gas chromatograph, for water analysis that includes four steps. The first step is to continuously remove water from a liquid that contains water to produce a liquid containing a reduced amount of water such as by membrane pervaporation. The second step is to analyze the liquid containing a reduced amount of water for water by a reference water analysis method such as by Karl Fischer titration. The third step is to analyze the stream of liquid containing a reduced amount of water using the instrument to be calibrated, e.g., a gas chromatograph having a helium photoionization pulse discharge detector. The fourth step is to calibrate the instrument using the analysis of the second step. In a related embodiment, a system for normal phase chromatography.

Abstract: An invertible side insertion trap is designed to be inserted into an opening in an electrical box and to accommodate at least two different sizes of cable or wire depending on an orientation of the trap. The trap includes a base, a first arm and a second arm. The first arm extends from the base and includes a first mating portion for mating with a first side of the opening in the electrical box. The second arm extends from the base. The arms create a passage having a first width for permitting insertion of a first cable or wire size between the arms when the trap is oriented in a first orientation with the first mating portion aligned with the first side of the opening. The passage has a second width for permitting insertion of a second cable or wire size between the arms when the trap is oriented in a second direction with the first mating portion aligned with a second side of the opening.

Abstract: An improved hanger bar assembly includes a first hanger bar member and the plurality of longitudinal elongated slots and a plurality of reinforcing formations. The reinforcing formations being separated from one another by at least one of the slots and those slots being separated from each other by at least one of the reinforcing formations. A second hanger bar member is interfitted with the first hangar bar member, the second hanger bar member having a plurality of spaced retaining projections. At least one of the retaining projections engaging at least one of the slots in order to couple the first and second hanger bar members together in a longitudinally extensible manner.

Abstract: A trim for a recessed lighting fixture includes an upper reflector piece and a lower baffle piece. The reflector piece has a top wall for supporting a lamp socket. The baffle piece includes a trim ring at its lower end. A lower end of the reflector piece, and an upper end of the baffle piece include respective flanges projecting laterally outwardly. Those flanges are held together by spring clips which also carry torsion springs for connecting the trim to a housing. Each spring clip includes a pair of vertically spaced spring legs for clamping the flanges therebetween, and a downwardly projecting carrier portion for carrying a torsion spring.

Abstract: A trim for a recessed light fixture includes a body open at its bottom end and having a top wall at its upper end. Formed in the top wall is a circular aperture and a pair of diametrically opposed slots spaced radially from the aperture. A lamp socket is mounted in the aperture such that a cylindrical lower portion of the socket extends through the aperture, and spring latches of the socket pass through respective ones of the slots. A gasket is interposed between the socket and top wall and is compressed within the aperture to create an air seal.