Abstract: A connector arranged to provide an interconnection between a cord (10) and a fixed element, wherein the cord (10) has a capacity for resilient longitudinal extension, the connector (12) comprising a first portion (22) arranged to be fixed to the fixed element and a second, elongate portion (24) which is resiliently longitudinally extendable and arranged to be fixed to an end (20) of the cord. The invention relates particularly to leg ropes for surfers and connection thereof to surf boards.

Abstract: The invention relates to a longitudinally-steerable structure, comprising essentially longitudinal actuators made from shape memory alloy, Peltier effect elements with N and P doping and electrical control device. The above is characterized in that the actuators are arranged in pairs in an antagonistic manner, each actuator being connected at the ends thereof with a Peltier effect element with N doping and a Peltier effect element with P doping respectively. The invention further relates to an endoscope comprising at least one such structure.

Abstract: An intelligent cash box system is provided which comprises: a validator 2 attached in a bill handling apparatus 1; a detection sensor 45 mounted in validator 2; a control circuit 47 connected to detection sensor 45; a card 3 bearing at least a code recorded on card 3 for identifying bill handling apparatus 1; a stacker 4 attached to validator 2 for accumulating bills 44 considered as genuine by validator 2; and an intelligent storage 5 provided in stacker 4. The card 3 can be inserted into validator 2 so that detection sensor 45 detects the code on card 3 and bill information on bill 44, and forwards the code and bill information to control circuit 47 which then transmits the code and bill information to intelligent storage 5 for storage therein.

Abstract: A bill handling apparatus is provided that comprises an intelligent cash box system for transmitting information from a validator 2 to a stacker 4. The intelligent cash box system comprises a card 3 bearing a code recorded on the card 3 for identifying the bill handling apparatus, and an intelligent storage 5 provided in the stacker 4. The card 3 can be inserted into an inlet 11 of the validator 2 to detect the code by a detection sensor 45 and store the code in a control circuit 47 as code information. Bill information includes data of the bills received in a storage chamber 30 of the stacker 4 and is transmitted from the control circuit 47 to the intelligent storage 5. The intelligent storage 5 is in communication with the control circuit 47 of the validator 2 to receive the code information and bill information from the control means 47 and store these information in the intelligent storage 5.

Abstract: A light permeable fluorescent cover 6 is provided that comprises a fluorescent material 7 contained in the cover 6 attached on a light emitting diode for emitting a first light with a first peak in blue wavelength range of 420 nm to 480 nm. The fluorescent material 7 emits a second light with a second peak in green wavelength range of 480 nm to 580 nm separated from the first peak and a third light with a third peak in red wavelength range of 580 nm to 750 nm separated from the second peak to synthesize lights in a wide chromaticity area by mixing three primary blue, green and red lights and to irradiate them to outside of the cover 6 in colorful expression.

Abstract: A paper machine fabric leader includes a leader having a first end, a second end, a first leader face and a second leader face, the first end being connected to a paper machine fabric; and a solid sheet cover attached to the first leader face of the leader. A method for making the paper machine fabric leader is also disclosed.

Abstract: An aluminium alloy having high mechanical strength and low quench sensitivity comprising 4.6 to 5.2 wt. % Zn, 2.6 to 3.0 wt. % Mg, 0.1 to 0.2 wt. % Cu, 0.05 to 0.2 wt. % Zr, max. 0.05 wt. % Mn, max. 0.05 wt. % Cr, max. 0.15 wt. % Fe, max. 0.15 wt. % Si, max. 0.10 wt. % Ti and aluminium as the remainder along with production related impurities, individually max. 0.05 wt. %, in total max. 0.15 wt. %. A process for producing plates having a thickness of more than 300 mm for manufacturing moulds for injection-moulding plastics is made up of the following steps: continuous casting the alloy into ingots having a thickness greater than 300 mm, heating the ingots to a temperature of 470 to 490° C. with a max. heating rate of 20° C./h between 170 and 410° C., homogenising the ingots for 10 to 14 h at a temperature of 470 to 490° C., cooling the ingots in still air to an intermediate temperature of 400-410° C., cooling the ingots by means of forced air cooling from the intermediate temperature of 400-410° C.

Abstract: A fluid handling unit 16 has an outside large-diameter cylindrical portion 16a, an outside small-diameter cylindrical portion 16b and an inside cylindrical portion 16c, which are integral-molded so as to be integrated with each other. The inside cylindrical portion 16c has a plurality of slits 16d, which are extend from the lower end of the inside cylindrical portion 16c to the upper end thereof, for establishing a communication between an inside fluid housing chamber 30, which is formed in the inside cylindrical portion 16c, and an outside fluid housing chamber 28 which is formed between the inside cylindrical portion 16c and the outside small-diameter cylindrical portion 16b.

Abstract: A coating which improves the wear performance of a part is described. The coating is applied over an article such as a part or a workpiece using an electroplating process. The coating broadly includes a cobalt material matrix with a hardness of at least 550 HV and a plurality of carbide particles distributed throughout the cobalt material matrix. The cobalt material matrix may be a cobalt-phosphorous alloy. The particles interspersed throughout the matrix may be chrome carbide or silicon carbide particles.

Abstract: A door hinge for a motor vehicle comprises a column console that can be arranged on a column of a door frame, a door console that can be attached to a motor vehicle door assigned to the door frame, wherein the door console and the column console are pin-jointed together via a hinge pin and the door console or column console is formed from two releasably connected partial units, which rest against each other at assigned contact areas. In order to provide a separable motor vehicle door hinge with an at least two-piece door or column console, which enables a dimensionally accurate restoration of an original installation position even after a separation, it is provided that the contact surfaces on the door and/or column console are formed by delineated partial surfaces.

Abstract: A tool for use in an abrasive machining process has a body extending along a central longitudinal axis from a first end to a tip end. An abrasive material is located on the tip end. The body has a tip end protuberance. An abrasive material is located on the protuberance. A body lateral surface has, over a radial span of at least 20% of a radius of the protuberance, a continuously concave longitudinal profile diverging tipward.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a diesel fuel, includes the steps of providing a diesel fuel feedstock; hydrogenating the feedstock at a pressure of less than about 600 psig so as to provide a hydrogenated product wherein a portion of the feedstock is converted to alkyl-naphthene-aromatic compounds; and selectively oxidizing the hydrogenated product in the presence of a catalyst so as to convert the alkyl-naphthene-aromatic compounds to alkyl ketones. A catalyst and oxygen-containing Diesel fuel are also provided.

Abstract: In a dosing device for drawing in and dispensing a free-flowing medium from a container having an inlet (60) and a discharge opening (62.1 to 62.4), the inlet (60) and the discharge opening (62) are disposed separate from each other, a dosing and displacement chamber (61) being provided between them and the inlet (60) and/or discharge opening (62.1 to 62.4) being closable.

Abstract: A compressor (20) has an unloading slide valve (100). The valve has a valve element (102) having a range between a first condition and a second condition, the second condition being unloaded relative to the first condition. A piston (124) is in a cylinder (128) and mechanically coupled to the valve element. A control valve (40; 42) is coupled to a headspace (138) of the cylinder to selectively expose the headspace to a fluid source (144), pressure of fluid in the headspace producing a force on the piston and valve element in a direction from the second condition toward the first condition. The compressor includes means (190, 192; 210; 220) for relieving excess pressure in the headspace.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a win method for use in an amusement game, and an amusement game that utilizes the win method. In each play or attempt of the game the player has the choice of trying for a major prize or vending a minor prize. If they opt for the minor prize, the minor prize is vended and the game ends. If they opt for the major prize, the game continues. If they win the major prize, a major prize is vended and the game ends. If they do not win the major prize and it is not the last attempt, the game continues. They have the option of trying for the major prize again or opting for the minor prize. On the last attempt, if the player opts for a major prize and loses, they do not win any prize and the game ends.

Abstract: A disk brake, particularly a brake pad comprising a lining support and a friction lining. At least one pin is mounted on the lining support and serves top fix the friction lining. The pin should pass through the friction lining from approximately the middle while extending approximately up to the lining surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing ceramic microspheres from industrial slag. The microspheres have a particle size of about 38 microns to about 150 microns. The microspheres are used to create a cement slurry having a density of at least about 11 lbs/g. The resultant cement slurry may then be used to treat subterranean wells.

Abstract: To destructively remove a casting core from a cast part, the part is exposed to a combination of nitric acid and sulfuric acid. The combination may have, by volume, a nitric acid concentration of 4-20 times the sulfuric acid concentration. The combination may be an aqueous solution including, by volume, 40-60% nitric acid and 3-10% sulfuric acid. The method may remove a ceramic casting core and a refractory metal-based casting core. A first leaching step may remove a major portion of the ceramic casting core and may comprise alkaline leaching. A second leaching step may remove a major portion of the refractory metal-based casting core and may comprise acid leaching. The acid leaching may comprise the combination of nitric acid and sulfuric acid.