Abstract: An electronic control unit for increasing electrical output from an alternator connected to a variable displacement engine having a plurality of selectively controllable cylinders, the electronic control unit is adapted to determine whether the variable displacement engine is idling, evaluate a present electrical system load; and when the present electrical system load exceeds a present electrical output from the alternator, deactivate at least one of the plurality of cylinders and increase an idle speed of the variable displacement engine. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a motor vehicle having a pair of spaced apart sidewalls. The cover assembly includes a track formed in each sidewall and a panel. A first leg of each track is arranged substantially orthogonal to a floor of the vehicle and a second leg of each track is positioned above the floor and extends from the first leg. The panel is movably coupled to the tracks.

Abstract: A method for installing an aesthetically pleasing artificial turf that retards birds and other animals and a sub-surface that supports the weight of an aircraft, enhances water drainage and enables the accessibility of airport vehicles to all parts of a runway or taxiway is disclosed.

Abstract: The airport marking system of the present invention includes a multi-pigmented artificial turf segment having a backing with base fibers and marking fibers, wherein the marking fibers are visually different than the base fibers. The different marking fibers are adaptable to define a plurality of different shapes and patterns. The different marking fibers of the turf of the present invention define: (i) one or more characters including numbers and letters; (ii) a character having a border around it; (iii) a plurality of parallel lines; (iv) a dashed line; (v) a plurality of parallel lines and a plurality of intersecting lines perpendicular to the parallel lines; (vi) a plurality of chevrons; (vii) a plurality of parallel lines disposed at an angle relative to a side of the area; (viii) a plurality of checkered four sided shapes; (ix) one or more arrows; and (x) an arrow adjacent to a character.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing spheres at predetermined positions on a substrate. The apparatus includes a platform to support the substrate at a first sphere placement position in the apparatus, and a placement station disposed above the platform that places spheres at locations on the substrate. The placement station includes a first container having a chamber to contain spheres, and a first carrier tray having a substantially horizontal upper surface that forms a lower surface of the chamber. The upper surface has a first section and a second section, the second section having a plurality of holes formed therein to receive spheres. The first carrier tray is movable to position the second section between a fill position beneath the first container and a place position disposed over the first sphere placement position.

Abstract: The present invention includes a safety system for airports and airfields. The present invention includes a method for installing an aesthetically pleasing artificial turf that retards birds and other animals and a sub-surface that supports the weight of an aircraft, enhances water drainage and enables the accessibility of airport vehicles to all parts of a runway or taxiway. The present invention also includes the sub-surface being adapted to slow the motion of a runway airplane. The present invention further includes a repelling artificial turf, which includes the artificial or synthetic fibers as well as stiff fibers or fibers otherwise uncomfortable for an animal or bird to land on, walk on or lay on.

Abstract: The present invention includes a safety system for airports and airfields. The present invention includes a method for installing an aesthetically pleasing artificial turf that retards birds and other animals and a sub-surface that supports the weight of an aircraft, enhances water drainage and enables the accessibility of airport vehicles to all parts of a runway or taxiway. The present invention also includes the sub-surface being adapted to slow the motion of a runway airplane. The present invention further includes a repelling artificial turf, which includes the artificial or synthetic fibers as well as stiff fibers or fibers otherwise uncomfortable for an animal or bird to land on, walk on or lay on.

Abstract: An electrical plug can be inserted onto a stationary electrical receptacle through the use of a portable tool that includes a stationary support surface or movable carrier for the plug, and a power device for moving the plug through a prescribed stroke distance. A high electrical contact pressure can be achieved on a consistent basis. The power device preferably takes the form of a manual lever having one end that serves as a fulcrum and a second end that serves as a handle for swinging the lever around the fulcrum, to deliver a relatively large operating force to the electrical plug.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle is provided having a car body including in a preferred embodiment a passenger compartment and a trunk compartment. The passenger compartment has a vent communicating with the trunk compartment and has compressible fluid communication with the same. The vehicle has a ventilation system for inducing pressurized air into the passenger compartment. Air is exhausted from the trunk compartment through a one way vent to an exterior of the vehicle. The vent additionally sealably mounts a conduit for moisture, vapor vents or wiring harnesses.

Abstract: The airport marking system of the present invention includes a multi-pigmented artificial turf segment having a backing with base fibers and marking fibers, wherein the marking fibers are visually different than the base fibers. The different marking fibers are adaptable to define a plurality of different shapes and patterns. The different marking fibers of the turf of the present invention define: (i) one or more characters including numbers and letters; (ii) a character having a border around it; (iii) a plurality of parallel lines; (iv) a dashed line; (v) a plurality of parallel lines and a plurality of intersecting lines perpendicular to the parallel lines; (vi) a plurality of chevrons; (vii) a plurality of parallel lines disposed at an angle relative to a side of the area; (viii) a plurality of checkered four sided shapes; (ix) one or more arrows; and (x) an arrow adjacent to a character.

Abstract: A substrate made of polycrystalline &bgr;SiC and having an essentially pore free surface is disclosed. The substrate is adapted for use as a wafer component to support different thinfilms as part of manufacturing for discrete or integrated circuit electronic devices. The substrate comprises a polycrystalline silicon carbide outer surface with {111} crystal planes exposed on the working surface, the outer surface is essentially pore free or without exposed pores, scratches, steps or other such depressions or discontinuities on the surface of the substrate having at least one dimension larger than 2.54 microns, and no non-stoichiometric silicon or carbon other than that which may be residual from the process of making silicon carbide ceramic material.

Abstract: A substrate made of polycrystalline .beta.SiC and having an essentially pore free surface is disclosed. The substrate is adapted for use as a chip wafer to receive different thin film coatings as part of manufacturing electrical devices and integrated circuits. The substrate comprises a polycrystalline silicon carbide outer surface with {111} crystallographic planes exposed on the working surface, the outer surface is essentially pore free or without exposed pores, scratches, steps or other such depressions or discontinuities on the surface of the substrate having at least one dimension larger than about 2.54 microns, and no non-stoichiometric silicon or carbon other than that which may be residual from the process of making silicon carbide ceramic material.

Abstract: A magnetic memory recording component comprises a substrate adapted to support a magnetic memory storage medium coating. The substrate has at least a silicon carbide ceramic outer surface. If the silicon carbide ceramic outer surface has a depression in the surface thereof, the maximum depression of the maximum dimension as measured in any direction, e.g. width, depth, length or the like of the depression is less than 0.0001".

Abstract: The present invention relates to high performance ceramics and methods for their production using supercritical temperatures and supercritical pressures. Furthermore, the present invention relates to high performance ceramics for use in the automobile industry.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for making amorphous silicon nitride, silicon carbide and aluminum nitride. One of the processes involves reaction with ammonia or amine compounds with silicon or aluminum compounds containing sulfur at temperatures below 500.degree. C. Another process involves reacting silicon or aluminum metals with hydrogen sulfide in the presence of catalysts to form silicon monosulfide or aluminum sulfide at temperatures below 500.degree. C. Other methods of making ceramic materials are disclosed, all performed at temperatures below 500.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in puncture-resistant and medicinal treatment garments. Garments made from fibers such as KEVLAR.RTM. and designed to deter penetration of objects are subjected to an additional brushing step to enhance the fibers' abilities to prevent penetration of sharp needle-like penetrating objects. The fibers may also be coated with an abrasive material to further engage and deflect penetrating objects. In another aspect of the invention, the fibers may be coated with a disinfectant or pharmaceutical agent. The coated fibers, having the improved fiber structure resulting from the brushing step, may be used in fabrics to treat skin conditions, disinfect penetrating objects in puncture-resistant materials, or as a disinfecting prevention fabric for use in textiles in high risk infection areas such as hospitals and public facilities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high performance ceramics and methods for their production using supercritical temperatures and supercritical pressures. Furthermore, the present invention relates to high performance ceramics for use in the automobile industry.

Abstract: Non-porous metal oxide-coated carbonaceous fibers capable of withstanding chemical degradation at temperatures above 1600.degree. C. and that are particularly useful in the construction of ceramic or metal composites without carbon-carbide hypereutectic formation or micro-cracking in metal and ceramic matrix composites, respectively, but with good interfacial bonding, thereby allowing the same to be favorably employed in space reentry vehicles, heat shields, high-performance aircraft, internal combustion engines, and the like.

Abstract: An armored glove finger comprises a rib knit tubular member having an open end and an end closed with a seam. The tubular member is adapted to receive a human finger therein with the tip of the finger abutting the closed end and the seam disposed over the fingernail of the finger. The knit tube comprises a fiber of 100 to 650 denier made from a yarn having a tensile strength in excess of 120,000 psi. The armored glove finger resists inadvertent cuts and punctures and may be used in conjunction with conventional gloves or may be incorporated into a glove structure.

Abstract: A power memory seat and mirror apparatus useful for controlling manual and automatic operations is disclosed. Supply voltage switch signals and analog voltage potentiometer sense signals are buffered so as to provide digital logic signals utilized by a microcomputer to store in a non-volatile memory desired seat and mirror position data. Means are provided permitting later recalling of the desired position data and automatically repositioning the seat and mirrors to the memorized positions. The system also provides diagnostic and failure mode operations. Additional means is included for activating the system when the ignition switch of the vehicle is off.