Abstract: A laminating tool includes an elongated handle having a first end and an opposite second end, a freely-rotatable roller supported at the first end of the handle, and a relatively narrow wedge shaped laminate edge presser supported at the opposite second end of the handle. According to a first aspect of the invention, the handle is provided with a brake mechanism for braking the roller to prevent run-offs. The laminating tool further includes a relatively broad veneer presser which is releasably attachable to the handle via a quick-connect and quick-release structure. According to a second aspect of the invention, the veneer presser has a smooth radius tip. According to a third aspect of the invention, a quick-connect and quick-release structure includes a male locking structure on the inner end of the veneer presser arm and a female locking structure inside the handle. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a variety of quick-connect and quick-release surface pressure tips are provided.

Abstract: Foam core vanes useful with door or window coverings and which may be hung vertically or horizontally include an outer fabric cover and an inner foam core. Preferably, the vanes are shaped to have a blunt forward edge, gently curving sides and a pointed rear edge, resembling an air foil. A method of preparing the vanes includes injecting foam producing chemicals into a fold of the outer fabric as the fabric enters a mold section comprised of upper and lower molds moving along tracks. The foam expands to press the fabric into the mold and cures during travel through the mold section. A rotary knife cuts the foam core vanes to the desired length. Preferred foams are urethane and polyisocyanurate foams.

Abstract: An architectural covering, such as a blind, for use primarily over windows and doorways, includes of a plurality of separate composite vanes made of an opaque rigid material and a sheer material, if desired. Each composite vane can be manufactured as a flat, rollable laminated assembly of strips and joined or bonded at least substantially on a line along the length of the strip and substantially along one edge of one strip. Several different embodiments of the composite vane are disclosed. In one embodiment, the composite vane comprises a generally flat, unexpanded opaque material with individual pieces of sheer material attached to an edge of the vane. In another embodiment, a laminated composite vane comprises a pair of strips with the transverse width of one strip greater than the other strip to form a torque tube when edge-joining the strips.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a paper of multi-colour ink-jet printable grade. A proper hydrophicity for the paper is secured by using an 2-oxetanone size in the appropriate sizing steps. The size is made from non-branched and branched-chain fatty acids having main chain comprising 6-22 carbons linked with each other by saturated bonds.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing a cast metallic product by forming a metal from a melt inside a forming space of a die under application of pressure to the melt according to a direct melt-forming method, in which while a melt into a forming space of a lower die unit, a piston valve closely slidable in a cylinder space is gradually descended to a given location in the forming space, said cylinder space being located under the casing space and opened to a bottom surface of the forming space at an area smaller than that of said bottom surface; the forming space is closed with an upper die unit after completion of feeding the melt in the forming space; and after the closing step, while vibration is being applied upon the melt inside the forming space, a forming pressure is exerted upon the melt by rising the piston valve.

Abstract: A ceiling panel structure (10; 310) is mounted on a ceiling surface (201) at a downstream of an air-outlet (211) of a ceiling-mounted air-conditioning apparatus (indoor unit) (200) having an air-inlet (210) at a central portion and the conditioning air-outlet (211) at a peripheral portion to minimize the smudging of the ceiling surface and is applicable even to the pre-mounted or existing air-conditioning apparatus. The ceiling panel structure (10; 310) is adapted to be mounted on the ceiling surface (201) at an outside of the air-conditioning apparatus (200) and has a deflection induction portion (47; 347) substantially rigid against the airflow to deflect a part (S1, S2) of the conditioning air, having been blown out through the air-outlet (211) of the air-conditioning apparatus (200), back to the room air-inlet (210).

Abstract: In a mount structure of the communication equipment, communication equipment comprises two housings (a main body portion and a fixing portion) which are designed to be separable from each other, and the fixing portion is equipped with a heat exchanger for heat-exchanging heat generated in the main body portion with cold air, thereby radiating the heat from the inside of the main body portion to the outside.

Abstract: This invention comprises methods for manufacture, and the manufacture of heap pipes and window materials having particle structures for use in heat transfer applications in which enhanced radiative heat transfer is desired. Particle structures can be made using chemical, lithographic or other methods, and can be made into a variety of structures having predefined physical sizes. Particle structures can be made of different sizes or shapes to accommodate design requirements. Particle structures used in heat pipes can have a particles of different sizes incorporated into the same structure, and the inter-particle distances can be selected to provide broad band heat absorptive and emissive properties. Alternatively, particle structures can be designed and manufactured to provide narrow band absorptive and/or emissive properties. Additional applications include window materials.

Abstract: A heat exchanger such as a condenser for use in an automobile air-conditioning system is composed of a pair of header tanks, plural tubes connecting both header tanks, and fins made of a thin aluminum plate disposed between the tubes. Those components are all connected to one another by brazing to form a unitary body of the heat exchanger. A solder material for bonding the tubes and the header tanks is attached onto the inner surface of both header tanks to prevent the solder material from dispersing into the thin fins in the brazing process. Thus, the thin aluminum fins are protected against erosion due to the solder dispersed therein.

Abstract: A cooling unit is provided for use with a cooling system of an internal combustion engine. The cooling system includes an air-cooled radiator to reject heat from a coolant of the internal combustion engine. The cooling unit comprises an air-cooled heat exchanger to reject heat from another medium to an air flow, an air receiver and at least one releasable clamp. The heat exchanger includes an inlet for the air flow, an outlet for the air flow, and an outer perimeter extending between the inlet and the outlet. The air receiver is connectable to the radiator and surrounds the outer perimeter of the heat exchanger. The air receiver includes an inlet end for the air flows, an outlet end for the air flow, and an air duct extending between the inlet end and the outlet end to direct the air flow from the outlet of the heat exchanger to the outlet end of the air receiver. The inlet end and the inlet are substantially coplanar.

Abstract: A lamina stack for a two-pass evaporator composed of laminae for converting two media mass streams from a liquid state into a gaseous state, comprises at least two laminae. Structures comprising recesses and raised regions on a first media lamina form a first media chamber perfused by one of the media mass streams. The structures on a second media lamina form a second media chamber perfused by the other one of the media mass streams. The at least two of the laminae can be supplied with thermal energy. Both media laminae have comparable structures, with at least a majority of the recesses in the one of the media laminae being disposed above or below the raised regions of the respective other media lamina.

Abstract: In this corrugated fin, each corrugation leg (10A, 10B) has a notch (18A, 18B) on at least one edge (11A) and over at least part of its height.

Abstract: Oxidation protection of a titanium heat exchanger is provided by a titanium aluminide or solgel coating. The coating protects bare titanium and brazed surfaces of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A plate heat exchanger that is provided with an internal insert located between plates that form a channel. The insert takes the form of an additional plate that has guide channels with at least one inlet and one outlet which lead from one flow channel of one medium to another flow channel of the same medium. Sections of the additional plate that are free of guide channels are metallically connected to an adjacent heat exchanger plate. The guide channels are metallically connected to the other adjacent heat exchanger plate of the same channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling plate for use in the inner lining of metallurgical furnaces, especially smelting furnaces or shaft furnaces, and relates to a method for manufacturing a cooling plate. The cooling plate has a plate member, which is made of a copper material, and has integrated coolant channels. To manufacture the cooling plate, a raw ingot is provided, which is equipped with channels, and has a starting thickness that is greater than the final thickness of the plate member. The raw ingot is then deformed in a rolling step to reduce the starting thickness to the final thickness of the plate member and to deform the cross-sections of the channels. In this connection, the coolant channels obtain circularly oblong, final cross-sections.

Abstract: An element having an electrically adjustable thermal emissivity for infrared radiation has the following layer structure: forward IR-transparent substrate; function layer whose reflectivity for IR radiation can be changed by the embedding of hydrogen; anhydrous IR-absorptive proton conductor layer;hydrogen storage layer; and electrode layer. The surface whose emissivity is to be controlled, is covered with one or more elements according to the invention, which are electrically connected with one another and can be wired in the form of strings or arrays.

Abstract: Several downhole flow control devices are disclosed which are meterable and are also capable of shutting of a particular zone in a well. The several embodiments include a multiple valve body, a toroidal inflatable valve, and a series of related choke systems. The downhole flow control choke mechanisms each include a downhole electronics package to provide programming or decision making capacity as well as motor actuation systems. Each choke mechanism also includes a system whereby the device can be converted to manual operation and actuated by a conventional shifting tool.

Abstract: Several downhole flow control devices are disclosed which are meterable and are also capable of shutting of a particular zone in a well. The several embodiments include a multiple valve body, a toroidal inflatable valve, and a series of related choke systems.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for forming a window of optimum dimensions in casing wall. A window of maximum width is cut when the center line of the mill tool is located inside of the inner diameter of the casing where a maximum amount of casing is drilled away by the mill tool. A whipstock is described which deviates the mill tool outwardly so that the center line of the mill tool is in approximately this position. The whipstock then maintains the mill tool at this approximate location until a window of desired length is cut having a substantially maximum width.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tubing hanger for a flow completion system which comprises a Christmas tree connected above a wellhead housing that includes a central bore in which the tubing hanger is supported, the tubing hanger comprising a generally annular body; a production bore which extends generally axially through the body; an annulus bore which extends generally axially through the body; the annulus bore comprising a generally lateral first branch which is connected to a generally axial second branch; and a closure member which includes a gate that is moveable generally axially across the first branch between an open position in which a hole in the gate is aligned with the first branch and a closed position in which the hole is offset from the first branch.

Abstract: An upright-type fire protection water spray mist nozzle has a base defining an orifice through which fire-retardant fluid can flow, an inlet section having an upstream end and defining a conduit for flow of fire-retardant fluid along a orifice axis and leading to an upstream end of the orifice, with a diffuser element defining an impingement surface that is at least substantially imperforate in an axial direction and positioned for impingement by a stream of fire-retardant fluid flowing from the orifice in a stream direction along the orifice axis, the diffuser element being positioned generally above a horizontal plane through a downstream end of the orifice.

Abstract: A superconducting cable includes a core material, conductor layers formed by means of helically winding superconducting wires around the core material, electrically insulating layers, and magnetic shielding layers formed by means of helically winding superconducting wires around each of the electrically shielding layers. The superconducting wire is wound at the shortest pitch on the outermost conductor layer and is wound at the longest pitch on the outermost magnetic shielding layer.

Abstract: The invention allows for testing by high velocity signals of high density LSIs prior to being packaged having an electrode spacing on the odder of 150 &mgr;m, for example. Coaxial transmission lines 13 for termination formed through a terminal support 11 are arranged in a two-dimensional array. Connected to one ends of the transmission lines 13 are one ends of contact pins 18 such as conductive whiskers while the other ends of the transmission lines 13 are connected to a transmission line block 61 of a three-dimensionally upwardly gradually broadening configuration through a connection plate 72 similar in construction to the terminal support 11. The transmission line block 61 holds high frequency transmission lines 62 for relay connected at one ends to the other ends of the coaxial transmission lines 13 and having spacings between the adjacent lines broadened at the other upper ends. The widely spaced upper ends of the transmission lines 62 are connected to a performance board (not shown).

Abstract: A high-insulated stud comprises a first columnar conductive terminal of a first height, a second columnar conductive terminal of a second height lower than the height of the first conductive terminal that is placed in a row with and at a distance from the first conductive terminal, an insulating pedestal, and a first groove open at the top and a second groove intersecting the first groove and shallower than the first groove at the top of the first conductive terminal and a third groove open at the top, which is parallel with the first groove and whose bottom face is almost the same height as the bottom face of the first groove, at the top of the second conductive terminal.

Abstract: A printed circuit board configuration with a multipole plug-in connector has plug pins fixed parallel to the board layer on respective signal conductor tracks. The signal conductor tracks are configured essentially parallel and alternately side-to-side with ground conductor tracks. Furthermore, a ground shielding surface is provided on an adjacent board layer.

Abstract: According to the package board of the present invention, each soldering pad formed on the top surface of the package board, on which an IC chip is to be mounted, is small (133 to 170 &mgr;m in diameter), so the metallic portion occupied by the soldering pads on the surface of the package board is also small. On the other hand, each soldering pad formed on the bottom surface of the package board, on which a mother board, etc. are to be mounted, is large (600 &mgr;m in diameter), so the metallic portion occupied by the soldering pads on the surface of the package board is also large. Consequently, a dummy pattern 58M is formed between conductor circuits 58U and 58U for forming signal lines on the IC chip side surface of the package board thereby to increase the metallic portion on the surface and adjust the rate of the metallic portion between the IC chip side and the mother board side of the package board, protecting the package board from warping in the manufacturing processes, as well as during operation.

Abstract: A drill bit for use in drilling operations in a wellbore, the drill bit having a bit body including a plurality of bit legs, each supporting a rolling cone cutter; a coupling member formed at an upper portion of said bit body; at least one temperature sensor for monitoring at least one temperature condition of said improved drill bit during drilling operations; and at least one temperature sensor cavity formed in said bit body and adapted for receiving, carrying, and locating said at least one temperature sensor in a particular position relative to said bit body which is empirically determined to optimize temperature sensor discrimination.

Abstract: Downhole flow pulsing apparatus comprises a housing (14) for location in a drillstring, the housing (14) defining a throughbore to permit passage of fluid through the housing. A valve (27, 30) is located in the bore and defines a flow passage (29, 31). The valve includes a valve member (27) which is movable to vary the area of the passage (29, 31) to provide a varying fluid flow therethrough. A fluid actuated positive displacement motor (15, 16) is associated with the valve member (27). In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is provided in combination with a drill bit (5) and a pressure responsive device, such as a shock-sub (3), which expands or retracts in response to the varying drilling fluid pressure created by the varying flow passage area. The expansion or retraction of the shock-sub (3) provides a percussive effect at the drill bit.

Abstract: Vehicle seat structure including a seat defining a surface adapted to contact an occupying item and a weight sensor arrangement arranged in connection with the seat for providing an indication of the weight applied by the occupying item to the surface of the seat. The weight sensor arrangement includes conductive members spaced apart from one another such that a capacitance develops between opposed ones of the conductive members upon incorporation of the conductive members in an electrical circuit. The capacitance is based on the space between the conductive members which varies in relation to the weight applied by the occupying item to the surface of the seat.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording information includes a writing device that can be manually manipulated to record information on at least one sheet. An electronic device receives the information recorded on the at least one sheet. The apparatus therefore substantially simultaneously records information on at least two mediums.

Abstract: A mobile robot comprising a body and at least six compliant legs each having only one actuator. The compliant legs are mounted to the body for movement relative thereto in a single degree of freedom. A controller is operably coupled to the actuator of each compliant leg, the controller selectively actuates the actuators to drive the compliant legs in an alternating tripod gait.

Abstract: No automatic steering system is currently available, which has a drive device commonly used with a power steering device and which does not hinder the emergency escaping operation conducted by a driver.

Abstract: A vehicle traction control apparatus and method where an amount of pressure change of braking pressure is based on the amount of acceleration slip and the wheel acceleration. When the traction control is being performed and the braking force is being increased, an upper limit pressure increase amount of braking pressure is based on the engine revolution speed, and the estimated braking pressure, so that the calculated value is smaller if the revolution speed or the estimated braking pressure is greater. The upper limit pressure increase amount of braking pressure is corrected so that it is greater if the speed reduction ratio of the transmission is smaller. If the amount of pressure change of requested braking pressure is excessively high, and the amount of increase in braking pressure needs to be limited, the amount of pressure change of braking pressure is limited to the corrected upper limit pressure increase amount.

Abstract: For restraint guidance of the transmission housing in a crash situation, a crash skid is provided on the underside of the transmission housing and has an inclined surface which is adjusted toward a cross arm. In the event of a shifting of the transmission housing or the unit counter to the direction of travel, the inclined surface introduces a restraint guidance of the unit obliquely upward above the cross arm.

Abstract: A motor vehicle arrangement having a control device for controlling the vehicle. The control device is at least adjustable in the vertical direction. The control device has a parking position in which the vehicle cannot be driven and there is no operative connection for starting, accelerating or braking the vehicle etc. from the operating controls of the vehicle. The control device is releasable from the parking position to a driving position using an authorization verification element which adjusts the driving position. In the driving position, an operative connection is established between the operating control elements of the vehicle and corresponding actuating elements.

Abstract: An antivibration support has a first strength member which includes a limit finger and two parallel support fingers, a second strength member which includes a cage surrounding the limit finger in part, and an elastomer link device interposed between the outside of the cage and the support fingers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the steering of a trailing section of a multi-sectioned vehicle is described. The trailing section follows the path of the first section. Data is acquired by a controller from sensors on the various sections. The controller then processes this data, generating a configuration needed for the controller-steered wheels to follow a path approximately equivalent to the path taken by the first steered section. Power is then applied by some means to steer these controller-steered wheels, forcing them into the desired configuration. The complexity of the control system can be varied with different algorithms providing alternative steering patterns as desired. This system can be extended with more trailing sections without necessitating more than minor changes to the control algorithms.

Abstract: A steering device comprises a rigid steering axle (12) pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis, the wheels (5) of which are driven by a cardan shaft (4) arranged between the steering axle and the transmission (2) the transmission being spaced apart from the steering axle, comprising a power steering gear (22) actuatable by a steering wheel (14) and a steering shaft (23), the power steering gear having a pinion (30), which is connected with the steering linkage of the steering axle, and comprising a steering cylinder being an integral part of the steering linkage, the steering cylinder being actuatable by fluid under pressure supplied by the power steering gear, characterized in that a steering cylinder (21) is positioned coaxially with respect to the cardan shaft (4), the steering cylinder being connected with the steering axle (12) and comprising a hollow piston rod (28) to receive the cardan shaft (4), and that a first toothed rack (29) of the piston rod of the steering cylinder is in driving connec

Abstract: A leg and knee protecting pole climber assembly to facilitate the climbing of vertical poles and trees while protecting and adding comfort to the user, which includes a hook comprising an elongated shank section to be secured about a person's leg and a stirrup section integrally connected to said elongated shank section and at substantially a right angle to said elongated shank section, said stirrup section to hold the person's foot in place within said hook; also included is a gaff extending outwardly from said hook for engaging and gripping a climb surface; strap means for strapping the person's foot into said stirrup section and for strapping the person's upper leg to said elongated section; said elongated section comprises an interior surface abutting the leg of the person and an exterior surface opposite of said interior surface facing away from the person, said elongated section extending up the leg to above the user's calf; and a pad secured to said elongated section of said hook, said pad further comp

Abstract: A linear vibration damping system includes a piston slideably disposed within a cylinder, a magneto-rheological fluid disposed within the cylinder, and a magnet disposed in magnetic communication with the magneto-rheological fluid. A rotary vibration damping system includes a cylinder having a steering shaft extending therethrough, a magneto-rheological fluid disposed between an inner surface of the cylinder and an outer surface of the steering shaft, and a magnet disposed in magnetic communication with the magneto-rheological fluid. In either system, the magnet is controllable to provide variable control of the magneto-rheological fluid. A method of damping vibrations in a motor vehicle includes disposing a magneto-rheological fluid at a source of vibration in the motor vehicle, controlling the magneto-rheological fluid to effectuate a structural change in the magneto-rheological fluid, and subjecting the magneto-rheological fluid to a vibration from the source of the vibration.

Abstract: A rotary damper for use in an automotive vehicle. The rotary damper includes an outer casing having a main chamber and a pair of piston orifices, the main chamber and the piston orifices being filled with a damping fluid, a pivotable cam located in the main chamber and attached to an arm for transferring the rotary movement of the arm to the cam. The damper also includes a pair of pistons, each located in its own orifice, and connected to opposite sides of the cam. When the arm transfers the rotary movement to the cam, each piston is moved in opposite directions in its respective piston orifice to damp the rotary movement of the arm.

Abstract: A valve and a shock absorber based on electrorheological liquids A valve and a shock absorber are described which are based on electrorheological liquids and which contain a valve aperture between two chambers, wherein the boundary faces of the valve aperture consist of electrically conductive material and are insulated from each other, and which comprise a source of high voltage, each of the voltage terminals of which can be connected to one of the boundary faces, with the characterising feature that the valve aperture has a meander-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: Filling valve for a gas bag installed in a space bounded by rigid walls, where the forces of a liquid medium, which is under pressure and which flows into and out of this space, act on this space. The gas bag serves as a compensation space, is filled with gas, and can be filled through a filling valve, which has an access channel aligned with an opening in the rigid wall. The access channel is located in a connector part connected to the gas bag, the connector part also being connected to a guide part resting against the inside surface of the rigid wall, the access channel being in effective connection with the opening in the rigid wall via this guide part.

Abstract: An improved ratchet wheel structure of a ratcheting wrench, having a restricting base at the bottom of the ratchet wheel, wherein the external diameter of the restricting base is slightly smaller than the diameter of the bottom hole on the fixing base of the ratchet wheel, and it extends to the intersection point of the ratchets of the ratchet wheel to form a serrated disk, and the ratchets aligned in parallel with the axial direction in the middle section of the ratchet wheel, and it extends to the intersection point of the positioning area such that the tip of the ratchets is corresponsive to the external diameter of the ratchet wheel, and a latching groove being disposed around an appropriate position in the positioning area such that a C-shaped buckle being latched into the latching groove for positioning.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shift control valve that controls the supply of engagement control hydraulic pressure to a drive friction engagement element and a reverse friction engagement element, having first and second main pressure oil lines (such as oil lines 151, 152, and 155) provided in parallel between a manual valve 58 and an oil line 100 (main pressure supply source) linked to a main regulator valve 50, oil lines 121, 122, and 156 that connect the manual valve 58 to a LOW clutch 11, and oil lines 130, 131, 132, and 133 that connect the manual valve 58 to a reverse clutch 14, and a first linear solenoid valve 86 (linear A) that allows the main pressure to be set as desired being provided to at least one of the first and second main pressure oil lines.

Abstract: A control system for a linear actuator having an electric motor drawing a variable current level during operation. The control system includes a current level sensor for determining an operational current level of the linear actuator and a controller for generating a drive signal and a force request signal representative of a desired current level of the linear actuator. The drive signal remains constant during a predetermined time interval of the controller. The control system further includes a current limiting component for receiving the force request signal, the current level of the linear actuator and the drive signal. The current limiting component minimizes the current level of the electric motor in response to a comparison between the force request signal and the desired current level within a time interval substantially smaller than the predetermined time interval of the controller.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch comprises centrifugal masses (3) pivoted on a first surface (2a) of a first support disk (2) having an axis of rotation (X); each mass (3) is provided with a friction pad (8) which, during rotation, by effect of the centrifugal force, comes in contact with the inner wall (9a) of an external drum (9) coaxial to the support disk (2); the centrifugal clutch further comprises a group (30) for returning said centrifugal masses (3) connected to said support disk (2), the group (30) include at least one elastic element (12), at least one motion transferring element (15) acting between each centrifugal mass (3) and the corresponding elastic element (12), and an adjusting element (14), operable and positioned in a substantially parallel manner to the axis (X) of rotation of the support disk (2), for varying pre-load of the elastic element (12).

Abstract: A gantry conveyor apparatus for transporting components between work stations in an assembly line. The apparatus includes an elevated gantry beam and two gantry carts movably mounted to roll along the beam. The gantry conveyor apparatus also includes a conveyor coupled to each gantry cart. The conveyor moves the carts along the gantry beam between stations in an assembly line. A lift tube is supported on each gantry cart and engages a part at one station, raises the part to an elevated transport position, and lowers and releases the part at a subsequent station. The apparatus also includes a harmonic lift drive coupled to the lift tubes and drives the lift tubes using a single motor rather than a separate motor at each lift.

Abstract: A conveyor for conveying articles has a number of pockets movable along a path. A primary of a linear electric motor is located along at least one portion of the path. A secondary of the linear electric motor is associated with each pocket to feed the pocket along the portion of the path.

Abstract: Apparatus for reorienting containers such as bottles moving along and guided in single file along a plurality of side-by-side lanes in which the reorienting unit has a plurality of modular units each with an endless belt and operating in pairs to turn the containers a predetermined amount about a vertical axis in each of the respective lanes