Abstract: A self supporting pleated fluid filter medium having different fibers to provide pleats sufficiently self supporting to maintain pleated form during fluid filter treatment, the invention fixer including low melt fiber and an optional support frame and a method of making such pleated filter.

Abstract: An implement having an engine and a transaxle which may be rigidly and directly attached to one another in a vertically stacked orientation to form an engine and transaxle module. The implement also includes ground engaging wheels attached to the transaxle axles, a handle allowing control of the implement, and one of a plurality of interchangeable working devices attached to the engine and transaxle module. For example, the implement may be a snow thrower having an auger assembly which is operatively coupled to one of the engine and the transaxle. The transaxle may include a pair of axially aligned axles which are selectively coupled together, such that when the axles are coupled together, the wheels are rotatably fixed together, and when the axles are not coupled together, the wheels are free to rotate relative to each other.

Abstract: A wire twisting machine and method provide a randomly varying lay to pairs of twisted wires forming a cable. A pair of wires are fed into a motor driven bow mechanism which twists the wires at a given rate of speed. The bow winding speed is sensed to provide a signal to a control system employing a computer which generates a randomly varying signal between a selected minimum and maximum range. The random signal is applied to an oscillator which provides a varying frequency signal to a power supply unit. A pulsed direct voltage signal then controls a stepping motor which applies the randomly varying lay signal to vary the speed of the capstan winding the wires with respect to the independent bow speed. This varies the length of lay of the twisted wires within controlled limits.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of an elastic twisted yarn, whereby at least one outer yarn is wound around an expanded, elastic core yarn and in a first process step the outer yarn is wound around the core yarn with a winding speed which is less than the nominal speed of the finished twisted yarn, the thus formed intermediate yarn is wound up, and the in-between yarn is twisted in the same direction of rotation in a second process step. In the first process step the outer yarn is wound with the help of a double-pot spindle and at a winding rate of above 50% of the nominal speed without a balloon around the core yarn, and the second process step is carried out on a double-twist spindle.

Abstract: A combustion turbine power plant includes a modular compressor assembly structured to enclose multiple configurations of vanes and blades, a modular combustor assembly structured to be disengagably coupleable to a fuel source, a modular first turbine assembly structured to enclose multiple configurations of vanes and blades, a modular diffuser, a modular second turbine unit, a work unit, and a modular heat exchange system. A work unit shaft is structured to have two ends that are disengagably coupleable to the modular second turbine unit and the work unit. A compressor turbine shaft is structured to have two ends that are disengagably coupleable to the modular compressor assembly and the modular compressor turbine assembly.

Abstract: A waste-to-energy incineration system, in which the amount and the heat value of exhaust gas largely changes in a long and a short periods, comprises an incinerator for burning waste, a boiler in the incinerator for generating steam with exhaust heat generated by the incinerator, a superheater for superheating steam generated in the boiler, a steam turbine driven by steam superheated by the superheater, a generator driven by the steam turbine, a fuel reformer for reforming source fuel, and a combustor burning fuel gas reformed by the fuel reformer and at least a part of exhaust gas led from the incinerator which are able to stably decompose generated dioxin, whereby it becomes possible to stably and almost completely decompose dioxin in waste incineration exhaust gas.

Abstract: A method for controlling the fuel-air ratio of a burner having a blower responsive to a blower drive signal for injecting air into the burner. The method is based at least on the concentration of a gas in an exhaust gas product of a combustion chamber of the burner and includes measuring the gas concentration in the exhaust gas product, deriving a gas concentration signal from the measured gas concentration, determining the fuel-air ratio from the gas concentration signal and the sign of the derivative of the gas concentration signal with respect to the blower drive signal, and controlling the fuel-air ratio by adjusting the air flow rate into the burner. The burner may be, for example, in a Stirling cycle engine.

Abstract: A ceramic member support structure for a gas turbine supports ceramic members so that the ceramic members may not be easily damaged and damage to one of the ceramic members may not affect the rest of the ceramic members easily. Ceramic members (26, 27) of a gas turbine with which a combustion gas comes into contact are supported on housings (14, 14A) by metallic support members (28, 29, 41). The ceramic members (26, 27) are connected to the support members (29, 41) by elastic members (32, 42) so as to be movable relative to the support members (29, 41). The difference in thermal expansion between the ceramic members (26, 27) and the metallic support members (28, 29, 41) is absorbed by the elastic members (32, 42) and hence the ceramic members (26, 27) are not damaged easily. Since the ceramic members (26, 27) are supported by the metallic support members (28, 29, 41), damage to one of the ceramic members does not influence easily on the other ceramic member.

Abstract: A means detecting the flow of the steam at the gateway of the steam cooling system is provided, and the timing of the finish of the warm-up process of the steam cooling system at start-up is decided by the difference of the flow of the steam at the gateway. In case of the difference between the flow of the steam at the inlet and the flow of the steam at the outlet, of the steam cooling system, is below a permitted value, it is considered that residual air and drainage are not remained between the inlet and the outlet and the warming-up is finished, and running to the step for starting the gas turbine can be performed.

Abstract: A system (1) generating saturated steam is replaced by at least one gas turbine set (29, 30, 31, 36), at least one waste-heat boiler (32) and at least one back-pressure steam turbine (37). The back-pressure steam turbine (37) is coupled to the gas turbine set (29, 30, 31, 36), which back-pressure steam turbine is supplied by the steam generated in the waste-heat boiler (32). The exhaust steam of the back-pressure steam turbine (37) is supplied to the saturated-steam medium-pressure steam turbine (4).

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifier for an internal combustion engine which is capable of detecting the deterioration degree of an NOx catalyst making use of a time elapsed from the time when the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas flowing into an NOx absorber catalyst is made rich to the time when the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas flowing out from the NOx absorber catalyst becomes rich.

Abstract: Values for a raw NOx concentration of an internal combustion engine, that are stored on an operating point basis, are read out from a characteristic map and an adaptation of variations in concentration takes place on the basis of an output signal of an NOx sensor provided downstream of a NOx storage catalyst, either by modification of a reduction factor, which serves for the calculation of a corrected raw NOx concentration from the raw NOx concentration, or by direct correction of the values read out from the characteristic map for the raw NOx concentration with a raw concentration correction factor.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a lean NOx catalyst is capable of relieving a load upon an engine fuel injection device by eliminating the use of sub-injection, and of well purifying an exhaust gas and recovering from S-poisoning even by eliminating the use of the sub-injection. The internal combustion engine has a combustion heater for allowing a flow of combustion gas through an engine intake passageway to raise temperatures of engine related elements, a lean NOx catalyst, provided in an engine exhaust passageway, for purifying an engine exhaust gas, and a combustion gas introducing passageway for introducing at least some proportion of a combustion gas emitted by the combustion heater, toward upstream of the lean NOx catalyst in the engine exhaust passageway from the engine intake passageway when making a request for a reproducing process of the lean NOx catalyst.

Abstract: An engine comprising a particulate filter which is arranged in the exhaust passage and has a function of absorbing NOx, where the amount of discharged particulate discharged from the combustion chamber per unit time is made smaller than the amount of particulate removable by oxidation per unit time without emitting a luminous flame on the particulate filter and where the temperature of the particulate filter is maintained in a temperature range where the NOx absorption rate becomes more than a certain value.

Abstract: A double exhaust pipe for an engine includes an inner pipe shell, and an outer pipe shell in which the inner pipe shell is accommodated. The inner pipe shell is secured at one end thereof to the outer pipe shell and slidably fitted at the other end thereof to an inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe shell. A heat-insulating space is provided between the inner and outer pipe shells to extend from the one end to the other end of the inner pipe shell. In this double exhaust pipe, the inner pipe shell has a bulged portion formed at the other end thereof. The bulged portion has a spherical outer surface slidably and oscillatably fitted to an inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe shell. Thus, even if the free end of the inner pipe shell is inclined upon thermal elongation of the inner pipe shell, the bulged portion at the free end can always be smoothly slipped on the inner peripheral surface of the outer pipe shell.

Abstract: A hydraulic steering system for a tractor is provided which can be operated in a conventional steering mode or in a fast steering mode. In conventional steering mode, a conventional steering wheel and steering motor direct pressurized oil to the steerable wheels for selecting the turning direction, the turning angle, and the speed with which the turning angle is achieved. In fast steering mode, a fast-turning valve is controlled by the operator to direct oil directly to the steerable wheels, thereby by-passing the steering motor. The conventional steering wheel and steering motor continue however to control the steering operation.

Abstract: A suspension system for motor vehicles includes level regulation for adjusting a predetermined height of the vehicle body. At least one piston-cylinder unit of the suspension system includes a work cylinder, a piston rod and a damping piston having damping valves. A pump is arranged between an oil reservoir and the piston-cylinder unit via corresponding inlet and outlet lines.

Abstract: A master brake cylinder for use in a braking system of a vehicle, which contains pistons, having seals molded thereon. Overmolding the elastomer directly onto the pistons forms the seals. Also disclosed are improved master brake cylinder pistons having seals for automotive and other vehicles, and master brake cylinders which comprise brake fluid resistant, synthetic elastomer seals molded directly onto the piston of the master brake cylinder.

Abstract: As the primary piston 3 is driven forward, a cup seal 32 moves forwardly of a communication path 17c in a first sleeve 17 to interrupt a communication between a first reservoir chamber 11 and the first liquid pressure chamber 5, thus generating a liquid pressure in the first liquid pressure chamber 5. As the secondary piston 10 is driven forward, a cup seal 25 moves forwardly of a communication path 18c, interrupting a communication between a second reservoir chamber 19 and a second liquid pressure chamber 6, thus generating a liquid pressure in the second liquid pressure chamber 6. The invention provides a master cylinder 1 which is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for using an engine's exhaust back pressure to control a variable geometry turbocharger. The control system determines a desired exhaust back pressure based on engine speed and engine load. The desired exhaust back pressure is compared with a measured exhaust back pressure to determine the difference between the measured and desired exhaust back pressures. The difference value is used to determine the duty cycle. In an alternate embodiment, the exhaust gas pressure is used to adjust the duty cycle determined by other operating parameters. A base duty cycle is determined from the engine speed and the engine load. The difference between the measured and desired exhaust back pressures is used to determine an exhaust pressure control duty cycle. The base duty cycle is then adjusted by the exhaust pressure control duty cycle to give a turbocharger duty cycle.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for an engine with a variable geometry turbocharger (18) incorporates a master rotary electric actuator (REA) (50) with a microprocessor controller (53) receiving condition signals (46, 48a-e) from sensors (48) associated with the turbocharger and the engine control unit (ECU) (54) and positioning the turbine inlet nozzle (44) geometry of the turbocharger in response to a predetermined matrix of the condition signals. A slave REA (52) is connected through an internal processing unit (58) to the controller to position an EGR valve (34). The processing unit provides an actual position signal to the controller which responds with a desired position signal based on the predetermined condition signal matrix. The processing unit engages the slave REA to position the EGR valve.

Abstract: An Exhaust Gas Recirulation (EGR) valve is integrated onto a turbocharger by providing an EGR outlet in a flange in the volute of the turbine housing and a mating valve assembly extending from a mating flange with an elbow. The outlet direction of the elbow is adjustable to a plurality of directions by positioning the mating flange relative to the EGR outlet flange.

Abstract: A waste-to-energy incineration system, in which the amount and the heat value of exhaust gas largely changes in a long and a short periods, comprises an incinerator for burning waste, a boiler in the incinerator for generating steam with exhaust heat generated by the incinerator, a superheater for superheating steam generated in the boiler, a steam turbine driven by steam superheated by the superheater, a generator driven by the steam turbine, a fuel reformer for reforming source fuel, and a combustor burning fuel gas reformed by the fuel reformer and at least a part of exhaust gas led from the incinerator which are able to stably decompose generated dioxin, whereby it becomes possible to stably and almost completely decompose dioxin in waste incineration exhaust gas.

Abstract: In a pulse tube refrigerator the refrigeration efficiency has been improved by reducing the on-off valve loss. A second space 47 in a cylinder member 41 is connected with a second high pressure on-off valve 23 and a second low pressure on-off valve 24. A buffer side on-off valve 25 is provided between the buffer space (a buffer tank 50) and the second space 47. By opening the buffer side on-off valve 25 before the second high pressure on-off valve 23 or the second low pressure on-off valve 24 is open, the pressure in the second space 47 can be the intermediate pressure. Since the pressure difference when the valves are open is decreased, the on-off valve loss can be decreased.

Abstract: Measurements are taken and associated with chosen models giving access to an average temperature (on the surface) of the window, for instance the windscreen, and to a dew temperature of the air in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. A comparison between the two temperatures represents a risk of misting of the window.

Abstract: A capacity control device controls a discharge capacity of a variable displacement compressor for use in an automotive air conditioning system. The air conditioning system has the compressor and an evaporator fan. The device includes a control, a first detector, and a second detector. The control changes the discharge capacity of the compressor between a minimum discharge capacity for that compressor and a maximum discharge capacity. The first detector detects an elapsed time of a minimum discharge capacity operation of the compressor. The second detector detects an impressed voltage of the evaporator fan of the air conditioning system. The discharge capacity increases from the minimum discharge capacity to a predetermined discharge capacity when the elapsed time of the minimum discharge capacity operation is greater than a predetermined time and when the impressed voltage of the evaporator fan is greater than a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: In an air conditioning system for an aircraft, two pre-mixing units respectively mix cold air from two air conditioning units with recirculated fuselage interior air from two recirculation units, to prepare two pre-mixed air flows that are both directed into and mixed together in a common air distribution mixing chamber from which mixed air distribution lines branch off to respectively associated separate air conditioning zones within the fuselage. Post-mixing units are respectively interposed in the mixed air distribution lines and respectively mix additional quantities of recirculated fuselage interior air into the mixed air distribution lines. Thereby, the admixture of recirculated air is divided into at least two stages, the system provides redundant failure tolerant operation, and the danger of ice formation in the air lines is reliably prevented even while the air conditioning units provide cold air at a temperature below the water freezing point.

Abstract: A signal value is derived that is representative of the cooling power produced by an air-conditioning evaporator, the signal value being derived from at least one temperature sensor placed in thermal contact with the evaporator, or downstream from it in the cooled airflow, and the signal value is compared with a reference value corresponding to a normal refrigerant-fluid level. A signal value below the reference value indicates a low level of refrigerant-fluid.

Abstract: In a communication control system for an air conditioner including an outdoor unit, plural indoor units and control equipment such as a remote controller, etc. which is connected to each indoor unit through a communication line, data communication being carried out between each indoor unit and the control equipment through the communication line, each indoor unit is equipped with a communication control device having a power source circuit 59 to which a power source voltage is supplied from a main power source, a communication superposing circuit for superposing communication data on the power source voltage, a transistor 54 for ON/OFF-controlling the supply of the power source voltage from the main power source to the communication superposing circuit, and a polarity coincidence circuit 63A that passes the output of the communication superposing circuit therethrough to the communication line and depolarizes the power source voltage from the external.

Abstract: An improved non-stratified heat pump water heater wherein the condenser assembly of the heat pump has at least one non-vertical section and is inserted into the water tank through an existing opening in the top of the tank. The condenser assembly has either a tube-in-a-tube style or U-tube style elongated heat exchanger construction. As the refrigerant condenses along the interior surface of the condenser assembly, the heat from the refrigerant is transferred to the water. Two embodiments of the invention include a water heater having a separate sacrificial anode rod and a water heater wherein the condenser assembly acts not only as a heat exchanger but also as the sacrificial anode in the water tank by being constructed of a metal which is more likely to corrode than the metal of the tank.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system is disclosed for a cab of a commercial vehicle, which has a driver's area, a front-passenger's area and a sleeping area in the cab interior. The system is constructed as simply and cost-effectively as possible and permits more economical air-conditioning of the individual areas of the cab interior. The air-conditioning system has at least two fans (30, 32, 34) and a central control unit (16) that contains at least one heater and at least one cooling heat exchanger. Air temperature is controlled individually for each area and is guided via individual air ducts (20, 22, 24, 26, 28) into the respective areas. A first fan (30) is assigned to the drivers and front-passenger's area, and at least one second fan (32, 34) is assigned to the sleeping area.

Abstract: Novel heat exchangers and methods of constructing the heat exchangers for use in indirect evaporative cooling applications. The evaporative apparatus for cooling comprises both a multi-stage indirect evaporative cooling heat exchanger; and a multi-stage sump where each sump stage, in a one-to-one relationship. Other multistage heat exchangers with their associated multistage sumps can be combined, with the cooled air of a first multistage evaporative assembly feeding into the intake end of a second multistage evaporative assembly, and so on. These heat exchangers can be used for comfort and industrial applications cooling. The invention can be an entire assembly for the pre-cooling and cleaning of the air going to a gas turbine or any other air breathing device, with an air washer stage in which air is directly cooled by evaporation and where simultaneously the air is also cleaned of dust, dirt and other impurities.

Abstract: A receiver dryer includes a canister with a cylindrical sidewall, a lower end wall, and an open upper end. An inlet tube extends upwardly in the canister from an inlet port in the lower end wall. A desiccant tube assembly, comprising a pair of tubes, is received over the inlet tube, with the inlet tube being closely received in one of the tubes of the desiccant tube assembly. A lower baffle is formed unitary with the lower end of the desiccant tube assembly, and a lower filter pad is received over the desiccant tube assembly and against the lower baffle. Loose desiccant is then poured into the canister. An upper filter pad and upper baffle are received over the desiccant tube assembly. A pick-up tube, secured to an upper end cap, is then closely received in the other of the tubes of the desiccant tube assembly. The upper end cap is then secured to the upper end of the canister.

Abstract: Liquid CO2 is expanded in specially designed primary and secondary nozzles to produce frozen solid CO2. The impurities initially contained in the liquid CO2 are trapped inside of the frozen CO2, which is collected in a clean container. The container is emptied on top of a high purity surface. The impurities are concentrated on the surface, since these impurities are non-volatile and do not escape with the CO2 gas formed as the frozen CO2 is heated by the ambient temperature to its sublimation point. After all of the frozen CO2 has sublimed, the surface can be analysed by standard analysis methods to determine quantity and composition of the impurities. The determination and quantification of non-volatile impurities, such as organic oils and greases, in the CO2 supply that feeds, for example, cleaning systems utilizing CO2, is thus made possible.

Abstract: Nitrogen gas at a single pressure is produced from a two-column cryogenic distillation of air. The bottoms liquid product from the high pressure column is divided into portions, at least one of which does not enter the low pressure column as a feed stream. By these means, a portion of an oxygen-rich stream is removed from the distillation, further enhancing nitrogen recovery and achieving low specific energy consumption for nitrogen product.

Abstract: A replaceable gem stone setting for a jewelry piece in which a casing receives a gem stone, and a bottom cover is hinged to the casing to be able to be moved to a closed position against the casing open bottom, the bottom cover having portions resiliently deflected by the gem stone as the cover is closed, resiliently holding the stone against abutments on the open top end of the casing through which the gem stone crown is displayed.

Abstract: A method for producing an optical waveguide component includes providing a glass producing soot, providing a soot delivery device adapted to provide an electrostatic charge to the soot, and providing a substrate material adapted to receive the glass producing soot thereon. The method also includes delivering the soot to the delivery device, and accelerating the soot as it passes through the delivery device. The method further includes charging the soot as the soot is passed through the delivery device with a sufficient charge to attract the soot to the substrate material, and depositing the soot on the substrate material by spraying the soot onto the substrate material via the delivery device.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber preform from a tube of vitreous material, the apparatus comprising:

Abstract: The invention intends to provide a slide fastener tape capable of securing flexibility and attaching strength without losing proper flexibility of knitted fabric and having a warp knitting structure allowing an element to be attached uniformly. In this slide fastener tape, its element attaching portion is knitted with warp yarn integrally with a tape main body along a side edge thereof formed by warp knitting structure of one needle row of double row needles. The slide fastener tape is composed of plural groups of double tricot knitting structures lapped alternately between double row needles so as to surround a peripheral face of a core material and a knitting structure which is part of the tape main body. Needle loops of the knitting structure, which is part of the tape main body, are overlapped with needle loops, which are part of the double tricot knitting structure.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering wheel lock for mounting diametrically across the rim of the steering wheel and having an extended portion adapted to block complete rotation of the steering wheel has locking means which simplify and reduce the number of manual manipulations required to mount and remove the steering wheel lock. A locking means is provided to permit only axial extension of the elongated steering wheel lock when in the locked condition, and to permit axial contraction of the elongated steering wheel lock only when in the unlocked condition.

Abstract: A lock operator for operating locking rods in a roll-up door locking mechanism in a truck or trailer comprises a pneumatic drive cylinder for each locking rod that reciprocates the locking rod between its locked and unlocked positions. A button-operated actuator valve located at the front of the truck trailer connects the truck pressurized air system to all of the drive cylinders to lock the locking rods at all four comers of the trailer simultaneously. A spring or double acting cylinder return mechanism unlocks the locking mechanism when the air pressure is relieved. The pneumatic operators are mounted on mounting plates between the inside and outside skins of the trailer and are accessible through removable inspection plates on the inside of the trailer. Each drive cylinder is linked to a locking bar by a vertically reciprocable yoke mechanism.

Abstract: For the purpose of providing a speed-changing gear manufacturing apparatus capable of forming back-tapered spline teeth having a chamfer at the tip with high accuracy, by forming both side faces of spline teeth in back-tapered shape and forming the tip in chamfered shape at a time, the present invention is a speed-changing gear manufacturing apparatus comprising dies formed at regular intervals on a circumference, to enable to move a plural number of spline teeth forming units for forming back-tapered spline teeth on lines extending radially from the center axis of the gear material, and a pressing member for moving the spline teeth forming units toward the center axis of the gear material, by pressing the outer circumferential face of the spline teeth forming units of the dies, wherein said spline teeth forming units are constructed in a way to form an open space in which to form both side faces of spline teeth in back-tapered shape and form the tip in chamfered shape at a time, in contact with the adjacent

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a brake pedal body for motor vehicles, of the type which comprises obtaining them, by mechanical means, of a flattened tubular shape and irregular in at least one direction and fitted with a passage for the body articulation axis; characterized by obtaining a frustoconical tube, bending it into a predetermined shape and then flattening it in at least one part of the same.

Abstract: A die assembly for machines used to bend lengths of pipe for pipeline applications. The die assembly includes three major components, an exterior housing, a flexible die, and an eggcrate assembly. The exterior housing encompasses the flexible die and eggcrate assembly and pins into conventional bending machines. The flexible die includes a plurality of narrow plate segments positioned along a pair of tie rods. The plate segments are free floating and spaced so as to converge or diverge with respect to the direction of flex of the tie rods. The eggcrate assembly provides support for a plurality of spring plates. Each spring plate has a radius of curvature consistent with the amount of desired bend in the length of pipe.

Abstract: A pressing tool for tightly pressing sleeve-like fittings (32a) includes a hydraulic cylinder device having a fork-like connecting part (7) and a drive motor. A pressing jaw (51) with a fastening pin (50) is fastened in the fork-like connecting part (7). A piston of the hydraulic cylinder device, which piston is connected to a piston rod (6), is moved out of the starting position in the cylinder by the drive motor. As a result, the piston rod (6) is extended from the cylinder. As a result of the movement of the piston rod (6), the cheek plates (51a, 51b) of the pressing jaw (51) are moved apart in the region of actuation surfaces (8a, 8b) of the cheek plates (51a, 51b) in order to press the cheek plates (51a, 51b) together in the region of the fittings (32a) to be pressed.

Abstract: A conduit bending support device to facilitate conduit bending using a hand bender. The device includes a structural base and a support assembly. The support assembly includes a frame and a hand bender securing frame rotatably connected to the frame. The securing frame includes a clamping mechanism for releasably clamping the hand bender in a selectable position. The base includes a primary frame and an optional frame extension captured by the primary frame. The base also includes an adjustable conduit support to permit a user to support conduit thereon during the bending process.

Abstract: A system (20) for anchoring a vehicle frame (22) to a platform (24) utilizes a variety of securement components (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) to secure the vehicle frame (22) from movement at desired locations while the vehicle frame (22) is being aligned with pulling forces applied by pulling towers (26). The securement components (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) are held on cross beams (28, 30) which mount to anchoring stands (32), and the anchoring stands (32) are attached to the platform (24). The securement components include a rail vise (34), a C-channel clamp (36), a leafspring shackle (38), L-clamps (40,41), a slide plate (42), ahole adapter (44), a tie-down ratchet assembly (46), and a turnbuckle assist (48). The rail vise has two guide channels (78, 80) which slidably receive guide pins (114) therein. The guide pins (114) extend from a front movable clamp leg (74).

Abstract: A combustible gas sensor diode including a SiC semiconductor substrate, on top of which an AlN layer and a catalytic metal “gate” electrode are deposited is disclosed. The combustible gas sensor diode can be operated in either a D.C. forward conduction mode or an A.C. reverse bias mode. Methods of detecting combustibles in both D.C. and A.C. modes are further disclosed.

Abstract: In automated reprocessing system (B), a leak detection system (10) evaluates the integrity of an endoscope (A), having an internal passage (66). The leak detection system includes an interior chamber (42) which is connected to the internal passage by quick connects (18, 20). A source of compressed air (22) pressurizes the chamber and internal passage to a suitable test pressure. A pressure sensor (50) and a temperature sensor (54) detect the pressure and temperature within the chamber and hence in the endoscope passage. Pressure and temperature measurements made over time are used to determine changes in the gas volume, indicative of whether leaks are present in the endoscope. If the endoscope is determined to be free of leaks, the endoscope is washed and microbially decontaminated in the reprocessing system.

Abstract: A particle signal processing apparatus which processes a particle signal representative of characteristics of particles includes an amplifier having input and output terminals for amplifying a particle signal including serial pulses to output an output signal including the amplified serial pulses, a filter section for extracting a low frequency component from the output signal of the amplifier so that the extracted component is fed back into the input terminal as a negative feedback signal, and a feedback signal control section for allowing the filter section to fix the negative feedback signal when each of the amplified pulses rises and to hold the fixed negative feedback signal while the amplified pulse is larger than a threshold value.