Abstract: Iron/nickel alloy having a low coefficient of expansion, the chemical composition of which comprises iron, nickel, manganese, silicon, calcium, magnesium, less than 0.005% of aluminum, less than 0.001% of sulfur, less than 0.01% of oxygen, less than 0.005% of nitrogen, and less than 0.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy of TiaMnbVcZrd (one of two kinds or more of Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Ca, Al, Mo and Ni)x (herein, a is 10 to 40 atomic %, b is 40 to 60 atomic %, c is 5 to 30 atomic %, d is 15 atomic % or less, and x is 0 to 10 atomic %) is obtained by the rapid solidification (solidification at the cooling rate of desirably 103° C./sec or higher).

Abstract: Batch-mode and continuous-mode decomposition of nitrous oxide is used to provide multiple ignitions of a solid-propellant gas generator and subsequently control its output gas temperature and flow rate, respectively. To reignite the solid-propellant gas generator, a controlled mass of a reactive oxidizer, such as hot nitrous oxide decomposition products, is injected into the gas generator chamber.

Abstract: A solid propellant gas generator contains a bed of agglomerated or beaded hydrated gelatin. The gelatin/water bed is oriented such that at least substantially filtered combustion products are humidified by the water vapor as the filtered combustion products pass over the bed. Relative thereto, a method of improving the release and inflation of an airbag of a vehicle occupant protection system is also described. Humidification of at least substantially filtered combustion products results in a reduced pressure requirement to open and inflate a stored airbag in fluid communication with the gas generator.

Abstract: An attachment between a monitoring device and an innerliner of a tire includes the use of an epoxy adhesive that bonds the monitoring device directly to the inner surface of the innerliner of the tire. The innerliner is first roughened in a manner that provides a roughened portion of the innerliner without removing the entire thickness of the innerliner. The entire thickness of the innerliner is not removed because the innerliner is preferably more than {fraction (1/16)} of an inch thick. The thickness of the innerliner allows the rigid cured epoxy to bond the monitoring device to the inner surface of the innerliner while allowing the innerliner to flex with the tire so as to not break the seal between the rigid epoxy and the innerliner. The monitoring device is preferably located at a low flex area of the tire to help avoid the problem of the innerliner flexing.

Abstract: The present invention concerns that of a new and improved apparatus for attaching a tie to a user. The apparatus comprises a neck piece and a tie, which always remains tied to the neck piece. The neck piece itself is a length of fabric which has two ends, a first end and a second end. Both the first end and the second end have an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the first end of the neck piece has an attached male Velcro patch, while the outer surface of the second end of the neck piece has an attached female Velcro patch.

Abstract: A method of attaching a plastic or polyethylene liner to a fabric bag by first providing a plastic liner of the type used in fabric bulk bags, which may be open ended on both its upper and lower ends; rolling the upper end of the plastic liner at strategic points along the liner around a circular item, which will be termed a “button,” so that multiple layers of the liner are rolled around the “buttons”; next, tying off the multiple layers of liner along the undersurface of the button so as to allow the button to serve as an attachment point between the liner and the bulk bag; inserting the liner into the fabric bag; next, rolling up a portion of the outer fabric bag around the buttons, then tying off the fabric bag around each button, so that the attachment is provided between the liner and the outer fabric bag, at each of the buttons.

Abstract: A fabric gripper for securing a fabric or covering to a surface comprises an elongate body and a plurality of upwardly protruding barbs on the upper surface of the body. The gripper is formed as one piece and can either be manufactured from a single thermoplastic material or else the body and barbs can be manufactured of first and second thermoplastic materials, respectively, where the second material is harder than the first material. Where the gripper is to be made of first and second materials, a method of manufacture is provided where the second material is injection moulded into channels in the body to form the barbs.

Abstract: A tire carcass is produced by a method in which a narrow carcass ply member including a plurality of cords coated by, and embedded in a rubber material is extruded from an extruder, and an inner liner member is simultaneously extruded from the extruder integrally with the carcass ply member. A narrow band-shaped laminated body is thereby efficiently formed, in which the inner liner member is integral with the carcass ply member.

Abstract: A laminating apparatus and methods are provided for laminating fabric such as for a disposable garment. The apparatus preferably includes a frame having upper and lower frame regions, a first roll of fabric mounted to the upper frame region so as to provide a first web of fabric when unwound from the first fabric roll, and a second roll of fabric mounted to the lower frame region and positioned adjacent the first fabric roll so as to provide a second web of fabric when unwound from the second fabric roll. A fabric dance controller is preferably positioned downstream from the first and second fabric rolls and positioned to receive the first and second webs of fabric therefrom for dancingly controlling the tension of the first and second webs of fabric being received from the first and second fabric rolls.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making expandable honeycomb structures suitable for use as window coverings. In one embodiment, folded tubular strips with adhesive lines are fed continuously through a cutter which cuts them into predetermined lengths. The cut strips are then accelerated to a stacker for further processing before the next cut strip arrives. In another embodiment, webs of material are fed continuously in a downstream direction, adhesive lines are applied, a middle web is slitted into strips, and the strips bonded along opposite edges to the outer webs. By choosing for the outer webs transparent or porous material, and for the middle web opaque material, a light or air controlling honeycomb structure results.

Abstract: A method of bonding a first tubular member to a second tubular member to form a catheter shaft. The method comprising the step of providing a first tubular member including a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end thereof. The method further including the step of providing a second tubular member including a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end thereof. The method further including the steps of inserting a joining portion of the first tubular member into a joining portion of the second tubular member and applying heat the joining portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reworking a transition of a decorative and protective strip of plastic material to an adjoining planar element, preferably the board of a piece of furniture. Such an improved method is intended to be executable also by machine in a continuous operation. For this purpose, most of the excess length of the decorative and protective strip of plastic material with respect to an adjoining portion of the planar element is removed by a machining operation. Subsequently, at least the machined area of the decorative and protective strip of plastic material, which includes white fracture areas, is wetted with a multi-component lubricating oil with good creeping properties, and the residual excess length is then removed by brush rolls and a smooth transition from the planar element to the decorative and protective strip of plastic material is produced by brushing.

Abstract: A method of veneering across a elongate corner on an elongate core involving providing a sheet of veneer sized to cover a desired portion of the core including an expanse on each side of the corner with the veneer having a core side for placement against the core and an exposed side opposite the core side. An elongate groove is formed in the core side of the veneer with the groove having a generally triangular cross-section with an open side substantially coplanar with the core side of the veneer and two interior sides extending into the veneer to a point near but not reaching the exposed side of the veneer where the angle between the interior sides being configured to match the angle of the corner. Lastly the veneer is applied to the core with the groove aligned over the corner and veneer on either side of the groove folded down against the core to thereby bring the two interior sides of the groove together.

Abstract: A method of making a non-woven fibrous media, combining high vapor permeability and low liquid permeability, includes the steps of providing a non-woven fabric formed from fibers that are prematurely crystallized during fabric formation and have a wide heat of fusion range distribution, and calendering the fabric to soften the small polymer crystals therein of low heats of fusion, but not the relatively larger polymer crystals therein of relatively higher heats of fusion, thereby to retain high vapor permeability while providing low liquid permeability. The polymer is preferably isotactic polypropylene.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a bonded flexible graphite laminate having an intermediate core of metal bonded on opposite sides to a flexible graphite sheet through a polymerized phenolic resin bonding agent under controlled conditions which avoids surface blistering and produces a chemical bond impervious to an organic solvent.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer-processing chamber comprises a substrate support platform having a centrally disposed recess and a substrate support assembly disposed over the centrally disposed recess of the support platform. At least one platform arm extends radially from the substrate support platform to a sidewall of said processing chamber. A pair of fluid line conduits, a RF cable conduit, a temperature probe conduit, and a backside gas supply line conduit having a pair of fluid lines, a RF cable, a temperature probe cable, and a backside gas supply line respectively, are disposed diagonally to define a negative slope through the at least one platform arm and communicate with the centrally disposed recess. The centrally disposed recess serves as a sump for drainage of unwanted fluids and contaminants through such conduits.

Abstract: In the method of mounting a pneumatic radial tire comprising a spiral belt and a pair of cross belt members arranged in parallel to each other at both sides of an equatorial plane of the tire and at a given opening space onto a vehicle body, the tire is mounted as a front tire and/or a rear tire so as to contact a portion of the cord in the belt member facing the opening space with ground under a given condition in a forward rotating direction of the tire.

Abstract: A device treats a fiber stock suspension with at least one additive, the fiber stock suspension being used for production of at least one of paper and cardboard. The fiber stock suspension includes a suspension medium and a fiber material. The fiber material has fiber surfaces, the fiber surfaces being moistened by the suspension medium. The device includes a fluffer having an inlet for receiving at least one of the fiber stock suspension and the at least one additive. The fluffer is coupled to the inlet, the fluffer being configured for separating the fiber material and enlarging a specific surface of the fiber surfaces.

Abstract: In a process and a device for the formation of a multi-ply and/or multi-layer fiber material web, in particular of a paper or cardboard web, at least one of the two external plies and/or layers of the fiber material web is formed using fiber material, on whose wetted fiber surfaces, at least one additive has been at least partially deposited.

Abstract: An injection molding system includes a feeder in which a metal is melted and a first chamber into which a desired amount of melted metal is introduced. A piston in a second chamber first retracts to create suction, assisting in drawing in the melted metal into the second chamber from the first chamber and evacuating gas. A ram then pushes some melted metal remaining in the first chamber into the second chamber, forcing out gas present in the second chamber. The piston then injects the melted metal out of the second chamber into a mold. The melted metal is maintained in a semi-solid state prior to injection into the mold.

Abstract: In the production of precision castings by centrifugal casting with controlled solidification, a melt is cast under vacuum or shield gas into a preheated mold (15) with a central gate (19) and several mold cavities proceeding from the gate toward the outer circumference (Da) of the mold (15). To prevent the formation of shrinkholes and porous areas in the castings, to save energy, and to increase the production rate, the mold (15) is operated at temperatures which decrease from the inside toward the outside. The mold consists of a material or material combination with a coefficient of thermal conductivity lower than that of copper. Before the melt is poured, the mold (15) is heated, starting from the gate (19), by a heating device (20), which projects into the gate, so that the gate (19) reaches a temperature which is a function of the material being cast. Heating is carried out at a rate sufficient to produce a temperature gradient of at least 100° C., preferably of 200-600° C.

Abstract: In an air conditioner with an inside/outside air unit and an air conditioning unit, an attachment stay having an elongated hole is provided in the inside/outside air unit, and a pin is provided in the air conditioning unit to be fitted into the elongated hole of the attachment stay so that an attachment position between both units are determined. A hook portion is provided in the pin at a top end to form a recess portion between the hook portion and a wall surface of the air conditioning unit, and a plate portion of the attachment stay, defining the elongated hole, is disposed to be engaged with the recess portion after the pin is inserted into the elongated hole.

Abstract: A cooling disk unit is used in a wafer chucking device and comprises first and second heat conducting disks one of which is concentrically superposed on the other in a casing. The first heat conducting disk has a first plurality of radial channels while the second heat conducting disk has a second plurality of radial channels. The first radial channels are connected to the second radial channels at either their inside ends or their outside ends so as to flow a cooling fluid from the first (or second) radial channels to the second (or first) radial channels.

Abstract: Heat sinks are provided that achieve very high convective heat transfer surface per unit volume. These heat sinks comprise a spreader plate having a recessed area on one surface and a flat area on another surface, at least two fins and porous reticulated foam blocks having intervening gaps that fill the width and at least a portion of the length between the fins. The foam block may be a continuous single block within the space between two adjacent fins along the length of the fins or may be an array of short-length blocks having intervening gaps along the length of the fins.

Abstract: A bubble cycling heat exchanger is disclosed. A closed fluid loop is in contact with a heat absorbing source through a heat conducting block; the loop has a bubble generator, an expanding area for generating bubbles is installed at loop; the loop is also formed with a guide region from which bubbles is easily separable and a radiator; a heat conducting block of the closed loop is connected to a heat absorbing source; since the overheat of the heat absorbing source will cause the loop to generate bubble; by an unequilibrium formed at the guide region of the loop, the bubbles will separate from the heat absorbing source so that the liquid in the loop flows for transferring heat so that heat is radiated by the fins or other elements of the radiator from the primary element of a computer at the heat absorbing source, the loop operates continuously until a heat equilibrium is achieved.

Abstract: A process for annealing copper or copper-containing components, such as copper tubing, and/or for selecting copper with an appropriate grain size, such that potable water in contact with the properly treated and/or selected copper, has substantially decreased copper emissions, and may comply with ANSI/NSF 61. In one preferred embodiment, an ANSI/NSF 61-compliant water cooler may be constructed using a storage tank with wrapped copper water tubing treated and/or selected in this manner. The storage tank is preferably designed from non-copper components.

Abstract: A multiple tube bundle heat exchanger includes axially opposite tube plates, a housing, and a plurality of tube bundles disposed between the tube plates. Each of the tube bundles is an independent tube bundle subassembly forming an integral unit having at least one heat exchanger tube with two axial tube ends. The subassembly is made from the exchanger tube and respective tube plates fastened to the two axial tube ends. The housing has a casing part defining a interior and having two axial housing ends with flanges, removable head pieces respectively disposed at the two axial housing ends to be fastened to the flanges, and partitions subdividing the interior into chambers. The number of chambers corresponds to a number of tube bundles. Each of the chambers receives one of the tube bundles. The tube plates and head pieces respectively form seals, and the tube plates delimit distributor, collecting, and/or transfer chambers formed in the head pieces.

Abstract: An evaporator stack, in particular for a double evaporator, includes foils for converting a liquid medium into a gaseous medium. The foil stack has at least one foil through which a medium flows and at least one additional foil. The foil stack has an inlet region for the liquid medium and a discharge region for the gaseous medium. The discharge region is designed such that a pressure gradient in the medium over the at least approximately entire width of the discharge region is smaller than a pressure gradient in the medium over the at least approximately entire length of the media foil through which flow occurs.

Abstract: A cylindrical heat exchanger composed of a cylindrical inner housing formed with smooth internal and external surfaces and a cylindrical outer housing shell formed at opposite ends thereof with a pair of cylindrical portions and at an intermediate portion thereof with a plurality of axially equally spaced annular portions partly reduced in diameter, wherein the outer housing shell is coupled with the inner housing such that the cylindrical portions and annular portions of the outer housing shell are engaged with the external surface of the inner housing to form a plurality of axially spaced annular flow passages communicated with each other through communication passages formed at each one side of the annular portions, and wherein a flow passage composed of the annular flow passages and communication passages is communicated at its one end with an inlet formed in one end portion of the outer housing shell and at its other end with an outlet formed in the other end portion of the outer housing shell.

Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus with a zigzag passage is provided. The apparatus includes a pair of opposed plates 11, 12, a bent plate 21 having a wavy cross sectional shape for dividing the space between both plates into a plurality of side-by-side passages 20a, 20b, and a pair of cover members 13, 14, bonded to the bent plate 21, for forming connecting portions 20c, 20d between the side-by-side passages. One sidewall portion 23a of both sidewall portions 23a, 23b of the bent plate 21 is coupled to the cover member 13 on one end of a rectangular groove. The other sidewall portion 23b is coupled to the cover member 14 on the other end of the rectangular groove. Thus, a zigzag passage 20 is formed in which one side of the rectangular groove is folded to oppose the other side of the rectangular groove.

Abstract: The height of a bead opposing a joint where side edges of a plate are to be joined is set to be smaller than the height of a bead which does not oppose the joint by the thickness of the plate. Further, lands are provided between the beads and protrude from either the tube surface or the tube surface toward the inside of the main tube unit, and flow gaps are formed through which the heat-exchange medium flows over the lands.

Abstract: In an air conditioning system mounted on a vehicle whose roof is openable and closable, adjustment is made based on whether the roof is open or closed. Whether the roof is open is determined. When the roof is open, air volume of a blower is increased according to an increase in a vehicle speed. As such, when the vehicle speed is increased, and an airflow entrapped from rearward to frontward becomes strong while the roof is open, adjustment is made.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for stimulating the activity of microbial consortia in a subterranean formation to convert hydrocarbons to methane, which can be produced. Fluid and rock of the formation are analyzed. The presence of microbial consortia is determined and a characterization made (preferably genetic) of at least one microorganism of the consortia, at least one being a methanogenic microorganism. The characterization is compared with at least one known characterization derived from a known microorganism having one or more known physiological and ecological characteristics. This information, together with the information obtained from the analysis of the fluid and rock, is used to determine an ecological environment that promotes in situ microbial degradation of formation hydrocarbons and promotes microbial generation of methane by at least one methanogenic microorganism of the consortia. This information is then used as the basis for modifying the formation environment to produce methane.

Abstract: A field development system and associated methods provide for cost effective development of a field by minimizing the number of required production facilities and preventing damage to wellbores due to drilling lateral wellbores therefrom. In a described embodiment, a field development system includes a main wellbore intersecting a formation and having fractures extending outwardly into the formation. Multiple additional wellbores intersect the fractures to thereby improve drainage of the formation without the need of drilling lateral wellbores from the main wellbore and without the need of providing additional production facilities for the additional wellbores.

Abstract: A full bore set down tool assembly provides a housing attached to a packer in a wellbore and aligned with the production zone. A service tool of the tool assembly is attached to a tubing string extending to the surface and is adapted for selective, removable attachment to and positioning within the housing. The tool assembly defines a downstream flow path and a return flow path when the service tool is attached to the housing. A ball valve that is selectively shiftable from the surface opens and closes the return flow path to define a circulate position and a squeeze position. The housing, service tool, and ball valve also define a reverse position. The tool assembly facilitates gravel packing of the annulus between the wellbore casing and the service string including the tool assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and several methods for forming one or more channels from an existing cased wellbore are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a notching device for forming an opening in the casing and having an integral guide shoe portion for guiding a nozzle to a position adjacent the opening to form the channel. The related method may involve lowering this apparatus into the well and then performing the notching or jetting operation, or separately lowering a notching device and a guide shoe, each carried on the end of a tubing, into the well. A guide shoe capable of positioning the nozzle close to the opening in the casing, such as one formed during the notching process, is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatus and methods that can be used to sever a control line. One embodiment of the invention is a shear sub comprising a first member and a second member that are releasably attached to each other. The first and second members define a control line passageway. The control line passageway comprises a pair of shearing blades that are adapted to shear a control line during release of the first member from the second member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for expanding tubulars in a wellbore. In one aspect of the invention, an expansion tool with hydraulically actuated, radially expandable members is disposed on a string of coil tubing. In another aspect of the invention the apparatus is utilized to expand a tubular lining a lateral wellbore into contact with a window of a larger tubular lining a central wellbore.

Abstract: A mudsaver valve with bi-directional snap action in opening and closing the valve. The mudsaver valve is adjustable for different mud weights and is easily assembled and disassembled in the field. Furthermore, elevated pressure from below is readily transmitted past the valve seat, so that the standpipe pressure of the well can be determined through the valve when the pumps are stopped and still connected to the drillstring. One embodiment of the mudsaver valve also contains a mechanism whereby the valve may be locked open by an accessory tube whenever a pipe gets stuck and becomes inaccessible, thereby permitting wireline operations through the valve so that the pipe may be freed.

Abstract: A tieback connector comprises a passive lower locking system and an active upper locking system to exert a positive locking force on the connection between a production riser and a high pressure wellhead. The tieback connector is comprised of an outer housing which carries lower locking dogs, upper locking dogs and a piston. The piston is located above the lower end of the production riser and controls the movement of the outer housing. As the piston is stroked the outer housing cams the lower dogs into grooved profile in the wellhead housing. As the piston is stroked further the upper dogs exert a force onto the production riser that locks the riser to the wellhead housing.

Abstract: A method is provided comprising the steps of: providing a production tubing to a production interval in a wellbore; providing a check valve in the production tubing at a lower end of the production tubing, the check valve effective to permit flow into the production tubing but not permit flow from the production tubing through the check valve; allowing liquids from the formation to flow into the production tubing; and after liquids from the formation have entered the production tubing, pressuring the production tubing with gas from below the level of the liquids from the formation and thereby forcing at least a portion of the liquids from the formation to the surface; and discontinuing pressuring the production tubing to allow liquids from the formation to again enter the production tubing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drop ball sub that may be used to drop a large ball having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of a restriction in the wellbore such as the running tool used to run a first casing string through a second casing string. A smaller ball is used to control dropping of the large ball. The smaller ball has an outer diameter smaller than the restriction. The drop ball sub of the present invention may be used to operate any downhole tool that would benefit by receipt of a large ball. By dropping a larger ball, in one use of the invention larger valves can be controlled in the float equipment that provide a larger fluid flow path. A larger fluid flow path reduces surge pressure and enables the system to handle more debris. The present invention provides a system that preferably provides for a diverter tool above the running tool and a diverter tool below the running tool.

Abstract: A wellbore casing formed by extruding a tubular liner off of a mandrel. The tubular liner and mandrel are positioned within a new section of a wellbore with the tubular liner in an overlapping relationship with an existing casing. A hardenable fluidic material is injected into the new section of the wellbore below the level of the mandrel and into the annular region between the tubular liner and the new section of the wellbore. The inner and outer regions of the tubular liner are then fluidicly isolated. A non hardenable fluidic material is then injected into a portion of an interior region of the tubular liner to pressurize the portion of the interior region of the tubular liner below the mandrel. The tubular liner is then extruded off of the mandrel.

Abstract: An in-line flow control device for a well chokes flow through a conduit while allowing access therethrough.

Abstract: A method of stimulating coalbed methane production by injecting gas into a producer and subsequently placing the producer back on production is described. A decrease in water production may also result. The increase in gas production and decrease in water production may result from: (1) the displacement of water from the producer by gas; (2) the establishment of a mobile gas saturation at an extended distance into the coalbed, extending outward from the producer; and (3) the reduction in coalbed methane partial pressure between the coal matrix and the coal's cleat system.

Abstract: A string trimmer is provided with a housing that supports a cutting head. The cutting head includes filaments that are attached thereto at one end for use in cutting associated vegetation. The cutting head is operatively rotated by power supplied from an engine. The cutting head is substantially laterally offset toward on side of the housing member and toward one end of the housing member.

Abstract: A weed removal tool including an extendible telescoping handle, a multi-postion combination footstep fulcrum, a curved axial leverage member and a deep V-notched tool blade. The device is used to remove unwanted vegetation from a standing position without having to bend over. The operator applies downward Foot pressure to the footstep fulcrum until it engages the ground whereafter the handle is moved rearwardly to uproot and remove the weed.

Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a frame having a pair of tool-carrying wings pivotally mounted thereon for pivotal movement between raised transport positions and lowered ground-working positions. Each wing has a hydraulic wing actuator connected thereto which is extendable and retractible for effecting the pivotal motion. A hydraulic wing actuator circuit is connected to each of the wing actuators, which circuit, when connected to a tractor hydraulic system, enables the wing actuators to apply down pressure to said wings when the wings are in the lowered working positions. A hydraulic pressure control valve system controls the down pressure exerted by the wing actuators.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for securing electrical cables, which have a screen for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). The apparatus has a retaining body and a contact-maker device, in which case the contact-maker device is arranged inside the retaining body and an electrical connection can be produced between the screen and the retaining body by means of the contact-maker device. The apparatus is, as a consequence, functionally reliable and results in low production costs, wherein, in the operating state, the screen is connected in a positively locking and/or force-fitting manner, in particular being clamped, between the contact-maker device and the retaining body.