Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an optical cable with improved tracking resistance comprising at least one optical fiber and an outer sheath which comprises a polymeric material, characterized in that the polymeric material forms a matrix for the sheath and consists of a multimodal olefin polymer obtained by a coordination catalyzed polymerization, and in that the total composition of the sheath comprises 15–40% by weight of a metal hydroxide, preferably magnesium hydroxide and/or aluminium hydroxide, and 0.01–0.9% by weight of carbon black.

Abstract: A vacuum pump (10) comprises at least one rotor shaft (12) having a rotor section (14) with a rotor (16), a bearing section (18) with a bearing (20), and a shaft sealing system (22) that is axially situated between the rotor section (14) and the bearing section (18). The shaft sealing system (22) axially comprises, on the side of the rotor, a gas seal (32) and, on the side of the bearing, an oil seal (34). The shaft sealing system (22) additionally comprises, between the gas seal (32) and the oil seal (34), a separating chamber, which surrounds the rotor shaft (12) and is ventilated by at least one separating chamber ventilation duct (60, 62). This enables the pressure difference that decreases via the gas seal and the pressure difference that decreases via the oil seal to be adjusted. An appropriate adjustment can prevent oil on the bearing side from passing through the oil seal toward the separating chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for erasing jobs from a marking device's non-volatile memory includes a monitor and notification system to detect and make a user aware of failure of the erasure. The notification system can offer alternate methods of erasure as part of the notification.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system for a vehicle includes a console (12), which may be centrally positioned between the front seats (16) of the vehicle. A canister (10), in the form of a drawer to the console, is selectively removed, when vacuuming is to be commenced, and a flexible hose (96) unclamped from a side compartment (112) of the canister. The canister, with the hose attached, is carried by a handle strap (58) to a part of the car to be cleaned. A motor fan assembly (70) within the canister is powered from the vehicle's battery by means of a power cord (84) to draw dirt into a dirt cup (90) in the canister. Entrained air passes from the dirt cup through a filter (94) and is directed by the fan to an exhaust outlet (82) in the canister.

Abstract: A tape dispenser comprises a cylindrical hub for rotatably supporting a roll of tape, and a dispensing arm extends radially outwardly of the hub and has a tape guide on the bottom thereof by which tape is arched concavely toward an underlying surface as the tape is displaced from the dispenser and applied to the underlying surface. A brake arrangement on the dispenser is operable manually by a user to stop or otherwise control rotation of a tape roll during a dispensing operation.

Abstract: A grill cover device includes a flexible cover defining a hollow recess having an open mouth. The recess is adapted to receive an associated grill therein when the flexible cover is in an expanded condition. A flexible resilient frame is connected to the flexible cover. The frame exerts a biasing force on said flexible cover to bias the cover into its expanded condition. The frame and the flexible cover are selectively resiliently deformable as a unit against the biasing force of the frame into a collapsed storage configuration in which the frame and cover are folded upon themselves.

Abstract: A trailer body includes left and right bottom rails and left and right top rails all parallel to each other. A floor extends between the left and right bottom rails. A left vertical sidewall is defined between the left bottom rail and the left top rail. A right vertical sidewall is defined between the right bottom rail and the right top rail. The sidewalls are defined by a plurality of abutted extruded wall panels that extend vertically between the respective bottom and top rails. The floor is optionally defined by a plurality of abutted and interconnected one-piece extruded floor panels that extend between the left and right bottom rails. The wall and/or floor panels can include an I-beam post/cross-member defined in the extrusion profile. The panels can also define half I-beam post/cross-members so that adjacent abutted panels cooperate to define additional full I-beam post/cross-members.

Abstract: A resource manager (14, 16) of a content management system (10) is configured to receive a client request (34, 36) pertaining to information and to access at least one of a plurality of data servers (20, 22, 24, 26) to execute the client request (34, 36). An encryption engine (80) encrypts passwords associated with the plurality of data servers (20, 22, 24, 26) using a key-based encryption algorithm and stores a ciphertext corresponding to each password in a passwords storage (40). A server identifier module (70, 72) identifies a ciphertext in the passwords storage (40) that is associated with the at least one of a plurality of data servers (20, 22, 24, 26). A decryption engine (100) decrypts the ciphertext using a key-based decryption algorithm corresponding to the key-based encryption algorithm.

Abstract: Various gel electrophoretic assemblies and techniques are disclosed for providing unique isoelectric focusing (IEF) strategies. Several particular systems, assemblies and methods are provided that significantly reduce processing time, enable the use of reduced operating voltages, and produce analytical results with improved resolution.

Abstract: A breakaway hinge system for an appliance door includes a claw and a receptacle adapted to receive and retain the claw. The receptacle includes a support member and at least one hinge mounting structure that is engaged by the claw. The at least one hinge mounting structure is movable relative to the support member between first and second positions. A spring biases the at least one hinge mounting structure to the first operative position, and the at least one hinge mounting structure is movable to the second position in response to application of force to the hinge assembly having a magnitude sufficient to overcome the spring. The at least one hinge mounting structure can be a pin or like structure provided as part of a pair of pins connected directly or indirectly to the support member.

Abstract: An electric arc welding system for creating a first AC welding arc with a first current waveform between a first electrode and a workpiece by a first power supply and a second AC welding arc with a second current waveform between a second electrode and a workpiece by a second power supply as the first and second electrodes are moved in unison along a welding path, where the first and second power supply each comprising a high speed switching inverter creating its waveform by a number of current pulses occurring at a frequency of at least 18 kHz with the magnitude of each current pulse controlled by a wave shaper and the polarity of the waveforms is controlled by a signal. The first AC waveform has a positive portion substantially different in energy than its negative portion and/or has either a different shape and/or a synthesized sinusoidal portion.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting an ink stick jam in a solid liquid ink phasing delivery system for supplying ink to a printer. The phasing system includes a heater plate disposed to engage a solid ink stick and heat an engaging portion of the ink stick to a liquid phase. A temperature sensing device associated with the heater plate detects the temperature thereof. A control system selectively supplies power to the heater plate. The method comprises supplying a predetermined amount of power through the control system to the heater plate intended to achieve the desired melt rate of the ink stick during a phase change from solid to liquid. The desired melt rate is associated with the predetermined desired temperature of the heater plate. The temperature of the heater plate is sensed with the sensing device during the supply of power thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the lost pattern casting of metals employs an erodable mold including a particulate material and a binder. An erodable backing or coating may be used to support the erodable mold. After a molten metal casting is poured in the mold, the erodable backing and the mold are contacted with a solvent. This cools the molten metal so that it at least partially solidifies to form a casting. At least a part of the mold is removed. Also, the coating or backing may be removed.

Abstract: A striker assembly is provided for use with a lock assembly in latching a first body and a second body together and allowing at least one of the first and second bodies to pivotally move relative to the other of the first and second bodies. The lock assembly is mounted to the first body. The striker assembly includes a striker rotatably mounted to the second body and configured so that an associated latch of the lock assembly is selectively lockable to the striker to latch the first body to the second body. A lever extends from the striker and is engageable with the lock body so that the striker rotates when said at least one of the first and second bodies is pivotally moved relative to the other of the first and second bodies.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a first housing defining a cyclonic airflow chamber and a second housing defining a main suction opening that is in communication with an inlet of the cyclonic chamber. A suction source has a suction airstream inlet in communication with an outlet of the cyclonic chamber, and establishes a suction airstream that enters the main suction opening, passes through the cyclonic chamber, and passes to an outlet of the suction source. Particulates entrained in the suction airstream are separated therefrom when said suction airstream moves in a cyclonic fashion through the cyclonic chamber.

Abstract: A gun safety device includes a barrel plug assembly having a first compression member, a second compression member, an expansion member, a joining member, and an adjustable extension rod assembly. The expansion member is sandwiched between the first compression member and the second compression member. The joining member is operatively linking the first compression member to the second compression member. The joining member is adapted to draw at least one of the compression members towards the other compression member. The adjustable extension rod assembly extends from the second compression member.

Abstract: A welding flux that includes a flux agent, water glass and colloidal compound formed from small particles of silicon dioxide. The welding flux has a very low hygroscopicity, thus is well suited from low hydrogen electrodes.

Abstract: A system and a method for monitoring a physiological parameter of a patient providing a measurement-modulated acoustic signal (7) after/when a measurement value of the monitored physiological parameter exceeds an alarm limit.