Abstract: An end member assembly includes a first end member and a second end member. An air spring assembly can be formed using an end member assembly on one end thereof. A method is also described.

Abstract: A control system is operatively associated with a suspension system of a vehicle. The associated suspension system includes an associated fluid spring operating at an associated fluid pressure and an associated variable-rate damper having an associated electronically-variable damping rate. The control system includes a pressure sensor operative to generate a pressure sensor signal indicative of the associated fluid pressure of the associated fluid spring, and a controller in communication with the pressure sensor and the associated variable-rate damper. The controller is operative to receive the pressure sensor signal and generate a damper adjustment signal based at least partially on the pressure sensor signal for adjusting the associated electronically-variable damping rate of the associated variable-rate damper. A vehicle suspension system includes such a control system, and a method of controlling a suspension system of a vehicle is also included.

Abstract: An air spring assembly, for use on an associated vehicle suspension system having a mounting member and a damping member, includes spaced apart first and second end members. A flexible wall is secured on the first and second end members and defines a spring chamber therebetween. An isolator is supported on and sealingly engages the first end member. The isolator includes and isolator passage sealingly receiving the damping member. The isolator and the first end member at least partially form a first load transmission path such that a damping member load is distributed to the mounting member through the isolator and the first end member. The first end member at least partially forms a second load transmission path such that an air spring load is distributed to the mounting member through the first end member without substantial transmission through the isolator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas dehydration membrane comprising a membrane having pores communicating between a first and an opposing second surface of the membrane and further having an average pore diameter on the first surface of the membrane which is about 10 to 1000 times smaller than that on the opposing second surface of the membrane. The invention further relates to a process for dehydrating a gaseous feedstock comprising passing the gaseous feedstock over a membrane characterized by high surface porosity wherein pore openings on a first surface thereof are at least 10 to 1000 times smaller than pore openings on an opposing surface thereof and wherein from about 2% to about 30% of the pore volume is occupied by a humectant.

Abstract: Environmentally-safer resin-solvent compositions are provided which are generally free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The solvent and resin-solvent compositions may replace high-VOC hydrocarbon solvents for use in inks, coatings, adhesives and the like. These novel compositions are negligibly reactive with hydroxyl radicals and therefore are able to reach higher into the atmosphere before decomposing.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle base (12) with at least one suction opening (60) formed therein. A rotatable brushroll (64) is positioned adjacent to the suction opening (60) for agitating a surface being cleaned. A suction source (54) is housed within the nozzle base (12). A dust cup assembly (70) is releasably connected to the nozzle base (12). The dust cup assembly (70) connects the suction source (54) and the suction opening (60) in fluid communication. A filter assembly (90) including a handle (101) is positioned between the dust cup assembly (70) and the suction source (54) to block the passage of dirt and dust to the suction source (54). A handle (10) is pivotally connected to the nozzle base (12) and includes an upper handle grip (22) including a hooked portion (24) for hanging the upright vacuum cleaner. First and second wings (74a, 74b) extend from opposite lateral sides of the dust cup cover (72) to facilitate the separation of the dust cup assembly (70) and the nozzle base (12).

Abstract: This invention consists of an improved design and assembly process the for manufacture of a single ended quartz (SEQ) lamp for projection applications. The lamp (A) includes a hermetically sealed envelope (10) which houses a filament (15). A ceramic base (12) receives the envelope in a receiving slot (26). Cement fill in the slot, around the hermetic seal, bonds the envelope to the base. Ends (18,20) of the filament extend into the seal region (22) and are electrically connected to a power source by three-part leads (14,16). This invention consists of a much simpler two-pin prefocus ceramic base SEQ lamp design that is made with fewer parts and is much easier and faster to assemble to enable much reduced labor and cost. Also, the ceramic base is smaller and exposes more of the quartz lamp seal to the surroundings to enable more effective cooling during lamp operation to prevent lamp failures from overheated seals.

Abstract: The system achieves high-resolution imaging with low-resolution two-dimensional imagers whose sensors are only a fraction of a selected pixel area. Sensors are stepped across an image with an optical or mechanical stepper to acquire an image at each sensor position. Thereby, resolution is defined by a step size which is comparable to the sensor size, rather than by pixel resolution. The system thus uses multiple image, obtained from individual sensors, which have a sensed area substantially less than the area of the pixels of the sensor array. Such rescanning is accomplished by movable mirrors or lenses that are disposed between an illuminated specimen and a sensor area.

Abstract: Non self-passivating cathodic protection anode materials such as graphite and high silicon iron are treated to improve corrosion resistance. Anodically stable oxide coatings such as cobalt oxide (cobalt spinnel) or precious metal oxides are received on the underlying anode substrate. The rate of consumption of the anode material during the operation of the cathodic protection system is dramatically reduced.

Abstract: A ladder locking device used for securing ladders on truck and van racks with the ability to tighten and lock the ladder in place, providing safety and theft deterrent for the consumer. The ladder locking device includes a handle, a hook, and a locking arm assembly including a hook, and a threaded key mechanism. The hook accommodates a ladder rack. The handle can include a threaded tightening shaft which rotates through a threaded tightening shaft receiver in the locking arm assembly, moving the locking arm assembly hook against a ladder rung. The locking arm assembly can be extended to accommodate up to five ladders. A key is inserted into and rotates the threaded key mechanism, thus rotating a threaded shaft attached to the threaded key mechanism. Locking pins within the ladder locking device are then pushed downward by spring mechanisms and by the threaded shaft. The locking pins then extend through holes in the locking arm assembly, locking the locking arm assembly in place.

Abstract: A method of solidifying a waste or soil composition containing at least one contaminant species which comprises adding to said composition binder and optionally water, mixing the binder into the waste or soil material to form a mixture thereof and simultaneously during formation of the mixture and/or subsequently after formation of the mixture, treating the mixture with sufficient carbon dioxide to achieve setting and subsequent hardening of said mixture so as to produce a solidified waste or soil composition.

Abstract: A tube-shaped stub (5) of an end piece (2) is inserted into ribbon tube core (1). The stub (5) has, adjacent to its free end, hook-like projections (11). This achieves secure anchoring of the end piece (2) in the core (1), even under changing climatic conditions.

Abstract: The envelope (6) of a light source is at least partly coated with electrochromic material (20), sandwiched between two conductive layers (21,22). A voltage applied to the electrochromic material by way of the conductive layers varies the intensity and/or color of the light from the source.

Abstract: Description of a thermo-transfer color ribbon with (a) a carrier, (b) a layer of a first thermo-transfer color formed on one side of the carrier, containing a luminescent pigment and (c) a layer of a second thermo-transfer color formed on the first thermo-transfer color layer containing a non-luminescent pigment, whereby, where needed, additional layers may be located between the carrier and the layer of the first thermo-transfer color and/or the layer of the first and the second thermo-transfer color. Said thermo-transfer ribbon is characterized in that in the remission spectrum of the non-luminescent pigment, in the wave length range of the light emitted by the luminescent pigment there is a remission maximum or an ascending flank of remission. The thermo-ransfer ribbon furnishes print-outs of high optical density without affecting the luminesce output of the luminescent pigment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a suction cleaning device which provides liquid dispensing, scrubbing, squeegeeing, and suction drying in a single, compact, self contained device. The suction cleaning device includes a cleaning device housing, a handle connected to the housing, an absorbent cleaning member mounted on the housing and movable between an extended and a retracted position, and a pair of squeegee blades. The squeegee blades are mounted in a squeegee tray, and at least one of the squeegee blades is movable between an extended and a retracted position in response to changes in the relative angle between the housing and the surface being cleaned. The movable squeegee blade is spring-biased into the extended position by one or more springs such as leaf springs. The device includes a suction system which draws the water from the floor surface which has been cleaned into a tank mounted on the housing which collects the liquid from the floor surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of extremely fine powders, which are ground wet in a mechanical grinder (1) and are subsequently dried. To obtain extremely fine sizes, the powders are ground wet as components of a suspension in the mechanical grinders. An air vortex grinder (4) is used as a dryer to obtain maximum agglomeration-free drying of the powders. The dried powder leaves the drying chamber (5) of the air vortex grinder (4) through an upper product discharge (8) and is fed through a line (9) to a filter cyclone (11). The suspension leaves the mechanical grinder (1) and is blown into the drying chamber (5) of the dryer (4).

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating bichromal balls includes a means for fabricating droplets from electrically conductive hardenable liquids. The liquids have different colors. A forward end of the hardenable liquids becomes unstable and breaks up into the droplets. Each droplet includes hemispheres of different colors. An RF signal generator produces electrical pulses which increase the instability of the forward end of the hardenable liquids. A capacitance in the conductive liquids causes current to flow from the signal generator to the hardenable liquids. A diameter of the droplets is reduced to form substantially spherical balls. Each of the balls includes hemispheres of different colors. The bichromal balls are collected.

Abstract: A fiber-optic imaging probe is disclosed for use in dynamic light scattering applications. The probe includes two monomode optical fibers and two GRIN lenses to form a pair of identical fiber-lens combinations. Each fiber is positioned off the optical axis of its associated lens. Further, the optical fibers are placed at an image plane of the lenses. The fiber-lens combinations are parallel to and mirror images of each other. The first fiber-lens combination projects a tightly focused spot of light into a scattering volume containing suspended or dispersed microscopic particles, or biological or live tissues. The second fiber-lens combination collects the light which is scattered from the particles in the scattering volume and conveys it to a photo detector and autocorrelator for analysis. The probe minimizes the scattering volume by advantageously using imaging principles of lenses. Further, the probe optimizes sensitivity and spatial coherence.

Abstract: A wheeled carrier adaptable for use with material handling equipment comprises a main body and first and second frames adjustably connected to the main body portion. Wheel assemblies are connected to the frames. The width of the carrier is adjustable so the carrier can be easily transported yet provide sufficient stability when used in material handling applications.