Abstract: This invention provides an electrostatic micro-actuator whose movable element can keep stable motion even at a low speed by sealing a high viscosity fluid having a high dielectric constant between the movable element and fixed electrodes and by shaping the movable element so as to be stable in the fluid.The electrostatic micro-actuator according to the present invention employs a fundamental construction wherein the high viscosity fluid is sealed between the movable element and the fixed electrodes, and the movable element is shaped so as to be stable in the fluid, so that the movable element keeps stable motion even at a low speed. When combined with one another in parallel and in series, such electrostatic micro-actuators can easily constitute a macro-system useful for various fields of applications.

Abstract: A filter assembly employs a bracket and a base which mounts a disposable filter element cartridge. The bracket has a bracket mounting portion for mounting the bracket to a vehicle and a base mounting portion for mounting the base. The bracket mounting portion may be offset from the base mounting portion to provide mounting flexibility. The base mounting portion has a plurality of outwardly projecting catches that engage and support a corresponding number of hangers on the base. A threaded stud mounted on the bracket is received between the hangers. A nut in threaded engagement with the stud is torqued into engagement with the base, securing the base to the bracket.

Abstract: An electronic lock assembly mounts to the opposite sides of a door to provide an electronically operable level of security. An electronic reader generates a signal which is employed to control the operation of a conventional latch installation. A card reader, key pad or contact activatable data port generates a signal to actuate a motor to disengage a locking dog to thereby allow rotation of the latch handle. The motor shaft is connected to a drive screw by a coil spring to permit proper operation if a jamming condition is present.

Abstract: A multiple charged-particle detector system includes a plurality of charged-particle detector assemblies (10-12) which are each made up of a first arm (19-22) and a second arm (24-27) extending at an angle to each other. Charged particles (4-7) enter an aperture (14-18) at the entrance of the first arm (19-22) of each detector assembly (10-12) and strike a dynode (30-33) positioned at the intersection of the two arms causing electrons to be emitted by the dynode (30-33). Some of the electrons pass into the second arms (24-27) of the detector assemblies (10-12) and are detected by a continuous-dynode electron multiplier (35-38). The first arms (19-22) are narrower than the detectors (35-38), and the detector assemblies (10-12) are arranged in such a way that the minimum separation at which charged-particle beams (4-7) can be detected is determined by the widths of the said first arms (19-22) of the detector assemblies (10-12), and not by the widths of the detectors (35-38) themselves.

Abstract: An improved gas turbine combined cycle system having a diffuser duct between the gas turbine and steam generator. The diffuser duct has boundary layer suction to prevent gas jet separation, thereby reducing pressure loss and improving gas velocity profiles in the duct, while eliminating the need for internal flow controls. The gas turbine combined cycle system can be vertically oriented to reduce the plan area of the system and provide for convenient use of a symmetrical diffuser duct and the use of forced circulation on the water side of the steam generator.

Abstract: A self-lubricating bearing suitable for marine applications, such as supporting hatch covers, has a bearing surface defined by a flexible woven pad. This woven pad is draped over a pillow plate and captured in position. To ensure that there will be a low friction interface between the pillow plate and the load supported on the bearing if the woven pad is severely damaged or lost, the pillow plate is designed to present a surface having a coefficient of friction lower than a metal-to-metal interface to the load.

Abstract: A jaw crusher is positioned within a duct connecting a high temperature furnace outlet and a cooler for crushing high temperature cement clinker material discharged by the furnace. The jaws are provided with cooling air-swept ducts that extend through the jaws and into the crushing chamber. The working surfaces of the jaws are provided with imbricated protective elements. A stationary jaw member within the duct provides a partition forming an air flow duct portion and a movable jaw member cooperates with the stationary jaw member to delineate a discharge crushing chamber separated from the air flow duct portion. The movable jaw is positioned at the wall of the duct for easy access while the drive mechanism for the movable jaw is located outside the duct.

Abstract: A stomach tube having an inflatable balloon for closing the stomach opening and an indicator for indicating the balloon pressure at first and second predetermined pressure levels. After the stomach tube is inserted, the stomach balloon is inflated without the stomach tube under tension until the lower pressure level is indicated. The stomach tube is then tensioned until the higher pressure level is indicated. A nose stop is used to maintain the stomach tube tension.

Abstract: A tensiometer engages an elongated test member at three spacially displaced points, the intermediate point being defined by a fulcrum about which the member is bent by application of a known spring force to the member at one of the other points. The spring force is coupled to the test member via a movable member which moves in a substantially frictionless manner.

Abstract: An optical system for producing a high power light source comprises a number of laser diodes, or similar sources, which emit light from an emission stripe 8 having a long dimension a (x-axis) and a short dimension b (y-axis) and which have a higher numerical aperture in the y-axis than in the x-axis. The laser beams 9 are collimated by a lens 10 and focused onto an optical fiber by a further lens 20. Prior to the focusing, the collimating beams 11 are anamorphically expanded/reduced by beam shaping means 12 so that the width of each beam 11 in the x-axis is increased in relation to the width in the y-axis. The images 21 produced on the fiber end are thus anamorphically magnified so that thte anamorphic ratio between the magnification of the stripe 8 in the y-axis and in the x-axis is greater than one.

Abstract: This invention provides a planar micro-actuator in which power feed to slider electrodes is facilitated, whose reliability is remarkably improved, and by which a sub-system can be reliably realized.In a planar micro-actuator of the type wherein an insulating fluid is sealed between stators so disposed as to oppose each other with a predetermined gap and a slider is movably disposed between the stators, the stators are equipped with power feed paths, the slider is equipped with metal bumps in electrical contact with the power feed paths, and power is fed to the slider through the power feed paths and through the metal bumps. Guide grooves for guiding the metal bumps are preferably formed in the power feed paths, and each power feed path is disposed on the electrode of the stator through an insulating layer to thereby improve the wiring density. By such a structure, the size and weight of the planar micro-actuator can be reduced while preventing undesirable deviation of the slider.

Abstract: A locking nut for use with a shaft having a serrated thread employs a segmented, radially expandable locking element having serrations on its internal diameter. The locking element is disposed in a counterbore of the nut and is axially movable between a first locked position and a second unlocked position. The locking element is resiliently biased toward the axis of rotation of the nut and is also resiliently radially biased axially to the locked position. The nut is unlocked by overcoming the axial resilient bias and driving the locking element segments up a radially diverging ramp provided within the nut against the resilient radial bias.

Abstract: The present invention incorporates a cleaning strip, preferably at the leading terminus or trailing terminus of roll stock, whereby the contaminated components are cleaned either immediately before or immediately after the roll stock is utilized, but without human intervention. Preferably, the cleaning strip has an automated solvent dispensing portion, and a technical cleaning card follower portion, whereby the feed rollers of the equipment automatically distribute solvent from a pouch, onto the cleaning card, such that, as the cleaning strip passes through the contaminated components, the components are initially dampened with solvent, scrubbed, and dried, all within the period of time defined by the passage of the cleaning strip through the contaminated components.

Abstract: Endoprosthesis with a prosthesis part (4) of viscoelastic synthetic resin such as polyethylene which is intended to be fastened to a support part (1) of more resistant material such as metal by a screw element (3). The screw element has a release locking which consists of a sequence of elevations (14) and depressions which dig into a surface (13) of the synthetic resin with plastic deformation of the latter. For this purpose, a pair of surfaces on the screw element and the synthetic resin part are chosen, whose spacing is determined by the design (in particular by hard stops 8, 9) and which surfaces do not transmit the force with which the screw element is tightened.

Abstract: A rotary regenerative air preheater has a rotor which is divided into sectors by diaphragm plates. Mounted between these diaphragms are support gratings which support the heat exchange baskets with there being at least two circumferentially adjacent full-wrapper baskets on each support grating. The gratings include radial seals which extend axially into the spaces between these adjacent baskets to provide a seal to minimize circumferential fluid flow. Attached to the radial seals at the axial ends of the rotor are seal strips which form a seal with the sector plates on the rotor housing thereby forming a double seal to minimize cross flow between the gas side and the air side.

Abstract: The auxiliary or working liquid is cleaned by being urged through a pervaporation membrane module (3), then the permeate stream from the membrane module is led through a condenser (4), where the impurities concentrated in the permeate stream precipitate. The stream of retentate and the stream of permeate from the membrane module are then fed back to a compressor (1). The differential pressure of the compressor belonging to the compressor system is used to operate this circuit.

Abstract: One spring and two spring embodimenls of a fuel injection having a nozzle body and needle valve with cooperating inner and outer metering rings providing a metering passage which (a) meters fuel at a reduced rate during an initial increment of valve lift, (b) assists in maintaining fuel pressure at the valve seat to reduce fuel dribble and cavitation erosion during a corresponding last increment or valve closure and (c) dampens secondary pressure waves to prevent secondary fuel injection.