Abstract: An operating device for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle with a starter having an electric motor, the operating device has a fuel pump; and a connection of said fuel pump with the electric motor so that the electric motor can be used additionally at least indirectly for driving of said fuel pump.

Abstract: A high flow rate, two stage fuel vapor vent valve assembly utilizing two float valves that provide a progressive closing of a vapor outlet to control the venting of fuel vapors from a fuel tank and the addition of liquid fuel to the tank. A first float closes a portion of the vapor outlet in response to liquid fuel at a first level relative to the valve. A second float closes the remainder of the vapor outlet in response to liquid fuel at a second level higher than the first level. One or more separate baffles are constructed and arranged to prevent the escape of liquid fuel through the vapor outlet.

Abstract: A fuel vapor treatment or recovery system for an automotive internal combustion engine. The system comprises a canister containing a fuel vapor adsorbing material. A membrane separation module is provided to be connected to the canister and including a separation membrane for separating a mixture gas into an air-rich component and a fuel vapor-rich component. The separation membrane has an air-selective permeability so that the air-rich component is be able to pass through the separation membrane, the mixture gas containing air and fuel vapor. Additionally, a gas transporting device is provided to be connected to the canister, for causing purge gas to be introduced into the canister to purge fuel vapor from the fuel vapor adsorbing material and causing fuel vapor purged from the canister to be fed to the membrane separation module.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a concentration of a vapor fuel in a lean-burn internal combustion engine includes a module for performing purge concentration learning when in a lean-burn where an air/fuel ratio sensor does not sufficiently work. When detecting the concentration of the vapor fuel during a lean-burn operation of the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine is switched over to a homogeneous combustion operation from a lean-burn operation, and the concentration of the vapor fuel is detected under the homogeneous combustion operation. Alternatively, the combustion is switched over to the homogeneous combustion when in a rich spike and when ensuring a brake negative pressure, and hence the concentration of the vapor fuel is detected by utilizing this timing. The thus detected and learned concentration of the vapor fuel is utilized for the purge control when in the lean-burn.

Abstract: A control system controls an intake air quantity to an engine by controlling an intake valve closing timing, instead of, or in cooperation with, a throttle valve. A controller estimates a quantity of internal EGR gases remaining in a cylinder, and controls the intake valve closing timing to a desired target timing determined in due consideration of the estimated internal EGR quantity. The estimated internal EGR quantity is a sum of a base quantity and an increase correction quantity determined in accordance with a valve overlap period, its middle angular position in crankshaft rotation and intake pressure. The target intake valve closing timing is determined in accordance with a target intake air quantity and the estimated internal EGR quantity.

Abstract: An angular pin is used in a connecting portion of each component, and a plated copper wire for electrical connection of the component is wound at several turns around the angular pin.

Abstract: In the treatment of morbid obesity or heartburn and reflux disease an elongated restriction member (12) is formed in a substantially closed loop around a human's stomach or esophagus to form a stoma opening in the stomach or esophagus. The size of the stoma opening is adjustable by an implanted adjustment device. A control device (22) is utilized to control the adjustment device, in order to either reduce or enlarge the size of the stoma opening, for example in response to the time of the day. Nausea in a treated obese human can be minimized or substantially eliminated as a result of the control device controlling the adjustment device to keep the stoma opening substantially fully open between meals (such as at night when the human is sleeping).

Abstract: A monofilament fabricated by a process in which a melt spinning and drawing treatment are carried out after particles of silver ceramics are mixed with a resin material for a fiber having a principal component of polybutylene terephthalate. The particles of the silver ceramics have a size of 5.0 &mgr;m or less, and the content of the particles of the silver ceramics in the mixture is within a range of 0.3% to 3.0%. The monofilament thus obtained is suitably cut and a root part is formed at one end of the monofilament. Then, the surface of the monofilament is subjected to a mechanical delustering treatment, thus obtaining artificial hair having low bacterial infection rate, high fixation rate of implanted hairs, and high durability, such that the hair does not break at a point near the root part even after having been used for a long period of time after implantation.

Abstract: A laser cleaning process is disclosed for cleaning the surface of materials, such as semiconductor wafers and the like, which process can be performed at atmospheric pressure. The process includes the steps of providing a structure with a surface having undesirable contaminant particles thereon, wetting the surface with a liquid including reactive or non-reactive liquids, and irradiating the surface using photon energy with sufficient energy to remove the wetting liquid and the undesirable material.

Abstract: Oxides on the surfaces of metal are reduced by directing reducing gases at them in a forceful and turbulent manner in an enclosure. The oxide-bearing surface is heated to at least 900 degrees F.

Abstract: In high speed strip pickling and other treatment such as rinsing and cleaning, the acid or other liquid treating medium tends to be carried along with the strip, which reduces the efficiency of contact of the acid with the strip. The invention addresses this problem by providing a segmented bath, each segment having a deflector over the strip to cause a flow reversal of the acid, which is then guided by an inclined separator panel to the upstream end of the segment and deposited again on the strip. The exit of the segment also includes a constriction to cause the acid to accelerate, creating turbulence, and, on the exit side of the constriction, causing a decrease in pressure, whereby acid is drawn down from above the separator panel, which in turn assists the circulation of acid through the flow reversal.

Abstract: Wafers (W) is immersed in a cleaning liquid (L) contained in a cleaning tank (20). The cleaning liquid (L) is supplied into the cleaning tank (20) so that the cleaning liquid (L) overflows the cleaning tank (20). The cleaning liquid (L) overflowed the cleaning tank (20) is filtered, circulated and returned into the cleaning tank (20). A motor-operated bellows pump (30) is connected by a suction pipe (51) to the cleaning tank (20). A particle counter (5) for counting particles contained in a sample of the cleaning liquid (L) sampled by the motor-operated bellows pump (30) is placed on the suction pipe (51) and connected to the suction side of the motor-operated bellows pump (30).

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for automatically cleaning at least the cooking chamber of a cooking device upon use of a fluid, the fluid is selected from a first fluid comprising cleaning agent, rinse agent, decalcification agent, water and/or the like, and/or from a second fluid that is acquired from the third fluid discharging from the cooking chamber during cleaning on the basis of at least partial cleaning thereof. At least one spray head is provided to which the first fluid from at least a first reservoir and/or the second fluid can be supplied via a line system from a processing unit connected to the discharge conduit of the cooking chamber. The processing unit has at least a second reservoir, a cleaning unit, and a pump unit.

Abstract: A collapsible structure has at least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation. The structure has a fabric material covering portions of each frame member to form a panel for each frame member, with each panel further including a left side, a bottom side and a right side, with the left side of each panel coupled to the right side of an adjacent panel, and the right side of each panel coupled to the left side of another adjacent pane. The bottom side of at least one panel is positioned at a higher vertical level than the bottom side of at least one other panel.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a low-cost, flexible and highly efficient photovoltaic device. The method includes providing a layer of thin film, shaping the thin film into a plurality of parabolic shaped concentrators, forming an aperture in the bottom of each of the parabolic shaped concentrators, coating the concentrators with a reflective material, encapsulating the concentrators with a transparent insulating layer, depositing a photovoltaic cell on the bottom parabolic shaped concentrators, and depositing an anti-reflection coating on the top of the parabolic shaped concentrators.

Abstract: The solar cell module of this invention reduces water reaching to a front surface glass in using a rear surface member of a resin film so as to suppress sodium deposited from the front surface glass from reaching to the front surface of the solar cell element. The solar cell module of this invention comprises a front surface glass, a rear surface resin film, a plurality of solar cell elements sealed with sealing resin between the front surface glass and the rear surface resin film, and a water transmission preventing layer arranged in a position including at least an interval part between the solar cell elements adjacent each other.

Abstract: A space solar cell includes a back surface electrode formed on a back surface opposite to a light receiving surface of a semiconductor substrate, and a dielectric layer formed between the back surface electrode and the semiconductor substrate. In the space solar cell, a plurality of openings are formed in the dielectric layer for establishing an electrical connection between the back surface electrode and the semiconductor substrate, and a ratio of an area occupied by the openings relative to an area of the back surface is within a range from 0.25% to 30%.

Abstract: A polycrystalline film of silicon including silicon grains having an aspect ratio, d/t, of more than 1:1, wherein “d” is the grain diameter and “t” is the grain thickness. The polycrystalline film of silicon can be used to form an electronic device, such as a monolithically integrated solar cell having ohmic contacts formed on opposed surfaces or on the same surface of the film. A plurality of solar cells can be monolithically integrated to provide a solar cell module that includes an electrically insulating substrate and at least two solar cells disposed on the substrate in physical isolation from one another. Methods for manufacturing the film, solar cell and solar cell module are also disclosed. The simplified structure and method allow for substantial cost reduction on a mass-production scale, at least in part due to the high aspect ratio silicon grains in the film.

Abstract: A bubble trap for an extracorporeal blood handling or other fluid handling system has a chamber (10) constructed from a top section (20) and bottom section (30). There is a fluid inlet (50), gas vent port (70) for purging gas that has separated from the fluid in the chamber, and a fluid outlet (50). There are two balls (64) and (74), which act as check valves to prevent fluid flowing out the vent port, and gas escaping through the fluid outlet. The chamber geometry prevents entrapment of either ball in the corner as blood level rises or falls. Squeeze bulbs (66) and (76), and shutoff valves (68) and (78), provide for unseating the check balls.

Abstract: A method and device for transferring a multiphase flow to a predetermined location through a pipe. The multiphase flow is comprised of at least a liquid phase and a gas phase. The multiphase flow is provided to a flow divider that diverts a gas portion from the multiphase flow. A compressor and a pump are in fluid communication with the flow divider. The main gas portion is boosted by the compressor, and the residual liquid/gas portion is boosted by the pump. A recombination manifold then recombines the gas portion and the residual liquid portion. A single pipe receives the recombined multiphase flow and transfers it to a predetermined location.

Abstract: A valve is provided having a housing defining first and second flow areas. First, second and third flow ports open into the first flow area, while fourth and fifth flow ports open into the second flow area. A flow passage is provided having one end opening into the first flow port and another end opening into the second flow area. First and second flow control gates are disposed in the first and second flow areas, respectively, and are rotatable between first and second positions. With the first and second gates in the first position, the first gate seals off the third flow port opening such that the first and second flow ports are in fluid communication via the first flow area, and the second gate seals off the flow passage opening such that the fourth and fifth flow ports are in fluid communication via the second flow area.

Abstract: A cartridge for a mixing faucet is provided, in addition to the valve formed by a pair of disks and controlled by a single lever, with an electrically operated valve which can be actuated by a proximity detector to respond to the presence of a user's hand near the valve outlet.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic control valve for an hydraulic self advancing support, comprising a 3/2-way valve (11) which can be connected to a high pressure line and a direct current magnet (12) for the control of the control valve, a permanent magnet (22) provided to hold a switching pin (20) in its switched position, and an electronic controller for reversing the polarity of the direct current magnet (12) to control the reversal of the directional control valve (11).

Abstract: A manually-operated valve is provided in series with an electromagnetically-operated valve and the manually-operated valve is provided with a proximity detector connected to the electronic controller whereby a switch in the manually-operated valve, in one position of the single control lever therefor, corresponding to about 50% of maximum supply rate, is operated to activate the proximity sensor and enable the water flow to be controlled by an object within its detection range. Removal of the object, e.g. the hand of the user from the range, will shut off the water through the manually-operated valve. Outside the position of the lever at which the switch is operated, the proximity detector is ineffective and control is effected exclusively by swinging the lever.

Abstract: In a pull-out spray head faucet an annular elastomeric bushing disposed in a groove in a portion of the adapter extending rearwardly outside of the handle section of the pull-out spray head. The elastomeric bushing has a plurality of axially extending circumferentially spaced apart raised ribs on its outer surface which frictionally engage the inner surface of the spout to reduce the play and wobble of the spray head when it is inserted into the spout.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for packaging and dispensing at least one fluid substance. The device has at least one container filled with a substance by a vacuum-filling process, a pump associated with the container and having a pump chamber into which the substance is drawn prior to being delivered to the outside, and anti-vacuum valve-forming means organized to isolate the pump chamber(s) of the pump(s) from the inside(s) of the associated container(s) when a vacuum is established therein for filling purposes.

Abstract: A filling apparatus for, a filling system for and a method of introducing into a container a suspension or solution of a substance, in particular a pharmaceutical substance, in a propellant under pressure, the filling apparatus comprising: a main body (4) including a passageway (20) for communicating, in use, with a valve stem (144) extending from a head (141) of a body (139) of a container (138); a fill actuator (7) comprising a filling valve assembly (29) in communication with the passageway (20) for selectively introducing thereinto propellant under pressure containing a substance in a suspension or solution; an exhaust actuator (10) comprising an exhaust valve assembly (48) in communication with the passageway (20) for selectively exhausting therefrom propellant under pressure containing substance; and a container-engaging body (16) in communication with the passageway (20) for receiving, in use, the head (141) of the body (139) of the container (138), the container-engaging body (16) including a chamber

Abstract: The router jig of this invention uses a preformed negative form of the decorative molding as a guide which directs a router having a straight router bit along the end of a piece of the molding to appropriately form the end for an inside corner. The router jig includes a generally rectangular frame having a router support tray which is slidable relative to the frame. A slot is formed through one side wall of frame. A biased guide pin is connected to the router support tray and is accommodated within the slot of the frame. In use, a router is placed onto the router base and in contact with the guide pin which is extending through the slot. The opposite end of the guide pin is placed in contact with the negative form. With a piece of molding clamped under the frame, the router is turned on and slid with the router base perpendicularly across the molding. As the router is slid relative to the frame and molding, the guide pin is guided along the negative form.

Abstract: A process for the production of cold rolled finished strip with thickness of 0.5-0.1 mm and a maximum width of 2000 mm for direct preparation of end products such as pressed and deep drawn pieces from thin slab casting with a thickness of the bar leaving the mould of 90-50 mm, with preparation of pressed pieces and transfer of the finished pieces to the end user and return of the processing scrap to the steel manufacturing cycle. Also a production line for carrying out such a process is described.

Abstract: A method of heat treatment of wire including cooling the wire stock immediately after the stock leaves the rolling heat region to a temperature below the starting temperature of martensite formation and, thereafter, forming wire coils.

Abstract: The invention relates to fire-extinguishing technology, in particular to pyrotechnical compositions for extinguishing fires and processes for their preparation.

Abstract: An integral solid tire is formed with an outer section and an inner foam section. The inner side portion of the outer section comprises a number of layers with one portion integrating to the inner portion of the outer section. When sulfur is added to the outer section for processing, the inner foam section is integrally formed in the inner of the outer section by means of heating and pressure process, and the inner foam section is integral with the other portion of the layers of the outer section. In other words, the inner foam section is integral with the outer section, this design has a low density at the center and gradually increases towards outside in a radius state which has a better shock absorption.

Abstract: A composite cord is provided which is simple in manufacture, highly productive, less costly, and improved in rubber penetration. The composite cord has a 1×n construction (n is an integer from 3 to 12) with 2 to 11 metallic filaments and 1 to 5 polymer fibers having a melting point of 50 to 200 degrees twisted together. The pneumatic tire employing this composite cord for its reinforcing element is restricted in rust formation and improved in strength retention.

Abstract: A bi-directional device for ultrasonically consolidating a fiber reinforced composite structure including a horn which can be angled relative to the composite structure. The horn includes a tip at the distal end of the horn which terminates in a rounded face. The rounded face of the horn contacts the composite structure enabling the horn to be driven bi-directionally over the composite structure at an angle.

Abstract: A multi-layer ceramic capacitor and method of manufacturing the capacitor, the capacitor having signal vias surrounded by an area containing a material having a low dielectric constant, the via and surrounding area of low dielectric constant material inserted in a material having a high dielectric constant.

Abstract: In a method and a device for hot-sealing material to be stitched, in particular paper, cardboard or the like, a hot-sealable thread clamp is introduced into the material to be stitched. The device for hot-sealing these stitching threads has a sealing element which is provided with a contact surface which touches the material to be stitched during the sealing operation. During the sealing operation, the contact surface moves essentially at the same speed as the material to be stitched.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a polyurethane foam backed instrument panel. This process comprises slicing a free-rise bun of polyurethane foam to form a skived polyurethane foam, bonding the skived foam to a skin material to form a laminate, optionally, rolling the foam/skin laminate, thermoforming the foam/skin laminate into an instrument panel skin, positioning the instrument panel skin into the cavity of a mold, positioning a retainer into the core of the mold, adhering the retainer to the laminate by placing an adhesive film onto the retainer, closing the mold to apply heat and pressure, and removing the resultant instrument panel from the mold. Suitable polyurethane foams for the present invention may be flexible foams or semi-rigid foams. This invention also relates to the polyurethane foam backed instrument panels produced by this process.

Abstract: The mass production of a coil-form, double-coated tape 10 is made possible by unwinding and conveying a roll-form, raw-fabric tape 5, with which a raw-fabric tape body, comprised of an adhesive matrix 14 overlaid over a wide, band-shaped separator, is wound so that adhesive matrix 14 side will be at the inner side, cutting the conveyed raw-fabric tape body 6 into a plurality of bands in the conveying width direction by means of a tape cutter A, cutting the adhesive matrix layer 14 of each of the cut band-shaped tape bodies 11 into three thin, cords in the width direction by means of an adhesive matrix cutter B, winding up and thereby removing the edge trimmings 14a of the cut adhesive matrix layer by means of an adhesive matrix windup shaft 40, and winding up and making into a coil the tape body 11, on which adhesive matrix 14b is overlaid only at the center in the width direction, by means of tape windup shaft 50.

Abstract: A process for producing an IC chip having a protective layer is provided. The process comprises attaching an adhesive sheet comprising a base material and a layer of a curable resin disposed on one face of the base material to at least one face of an IC chip attached to a circuit substrate under pressure in a manner such that the layer of a curable resin contacts the face of the IC chip and curing the layer of a curable resin.

Abstract: A plate yoke has an upper surface formed with a projection and a guiding rail. A new magnet block is transported by sliding on the upper surface of the plate yoke, and is bonded side by side with the projection or a magnet block which is already fixed. During the above operation, a magnetic member is held above the plate yoke. Preferably, the new magnet block is transported toward a corner portion, with side surfaces of the magnet block held parallel to a side surface of the projection and a side surface of the guiding rail respectively. When the magnet unit and the column yoke is connected, the column yoke or the magnet unit is lowered so that a guiding rod attached to an end face of the column yoke is inserted into a hole formed in the magnetic unit. Further, the column yoke is guided by a guiding member disposed between a permanent magnet on the plate yoke and a position where the column yoke is to be connected on the plate yoke.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for fixing a part and a part support for mounting the part by use of adhesive via an intermediate member are disclosed. The adhesive is implemented by photocuring adhesive while the intermediate member is formed of a material transparent for light. The intermediate member is free from coloring and deformation when illuminated by light for curing the adhesive. The adhesive is prevented from dropping or turning round to other portions during assembly.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for fixing a part and a part support for mounting the part by use of adhesive via an intermediate member are disclosed. The adhesive is implemented by photocuring adhesive while the intermediate member is formed of a material transparent for light. The intermediate member is free from coloring and deformation when illuminated by light for curing the adhesive. The adhesive is prevented from dropping or turning round to other portions during assembly.

Abstract: A roll screen cassette for installation in a closure assembly having a frame for moveably retaining a closure member, said frame including a header, sill, and vertical jamb sections, at least one of said sections including a pocket formed within the interior thereof, said pocket having a first predetermined configuration defined by the interior of the section and for receipt of the roll screen, said roll screen comprising a pair of brackets from which said roll screen is pivotally supported, said pair of brackets having a second predetermined configuration compatible with said pocket of said frame section having the first predetermined configuration, said pair of brackets utilized for removeably retaining the roll screen within said pocket in use, said pair of brackets and roll screen being removeably held in position with respect to said frame only by said pocket having the first predetermined configuration and said pair of brackets having a second predetermined configuration compatible with said pocket and

Abstract: A motorized window shade assembly for operating a window shade having a rail attached to one end of the shade to extend and compress the shade with movement of the rail. The motorized window shade assembly includes a shell having two sidewalls, and a rail extending between the two sidewalls of the shell. The sidewalls have respective opposed inner surfaces with a channel therein, shoulders adjacent and perpendicular to the inner surfaces, respectively, and a traction surface on each of the shoulders. An axle is rotatingly coupled to the rail and has a traction wheel coupled to each end thereof. Opposite tips of the axle ride within the channels in the sidewalls, and the traction wheels engage the traction surface. A motor is attached to the rail and is drivingly coupled to the axle.

Abstract: A holder for suspending a vertical vane or the like in an architectural covering includes a male component connectible to the control system for the architectural covering and a female component connected to a vane of the architectural covering. The male and female components are releasably connected.

Abstract: A releasable end stop is provided for an assembly of carriers and spacers that can be moved longitudinally within a head rail of an architectural covering, such as a covering for an architectural opening, and particularly a vertical venetian blind, wherein the end stop permits movement of operative components of the covering to permit cleaning and servicing of the control system for the covering.

Abstract: A combination carrier and hinge assembly (10) for track-mounted adjacent panels comprises a butt hinge (11) having hinge leaves (14, 15) edge-fixed to adjacent panels (12, 12a). The hinge 11 also has a hinge pin (17) which extends above the hinge and is threaded into a carriage (13) which travels along a track (20). The fixing of the hinge leaves (14, 15) to the panels (12, 12a) is concealed when the panels are closed. A guide hinge (25) is provided at the bottom of the panels (12, 12a). The guide hinge (25) is a non-mortise butt hinge having leaves (26, 27) edge-fixed to the panels (12, 12a). The guide hinge (25) also has a hinge pin extending below the panels, and locating in a guide channel (23).

Abstract: An arrangement and method for forming a multilayered paper or paperboard web from stock suspensions containing papermaking fibers and fines, in which first and second webs are formed in first and second twin-wire forming units such that each web has a higher concentration of fines at one side than at the other side of the web. The webs are couched together such that the sides having the higher concentration of fines are in contact with each other.

Abstract: A heat exchanger that is useable in a wearable fluid heater is disclosed. Mechanisms may be used with or comprised in embodiments of the heat exchanger for purging gas from the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fin for a heat exchanger includes the steps of forming an intermediate pre-formed plate, which has adjacent zigzag strips, by passing a flat plate material between a pair of first processing rollers, and forming a fin by passing the intermediate pre-formed plate between a pair of second processing rollers to bend the zigzag strips at a portion connecting adjacent zigzag strips. The fin includes a plurality of waving strips arranged adjacent to each other in the transverse direction, which are offset in the longitudinal direction. The adjacent waving strips are connected only between the flat portions of the waving strips at a connection length less than or equal to a plate thickness. The fin may be manufactured readily and inexpensively. A heat exchanger using the fin as an inner or outer fin may exhibit superior performance.