Abstract: The guardrail assembly includes at least two tubular metal stanchion posts having a base, at least one aperture through one side of each stanchion post and at least one horizontal rail having a fastener at each end for extending into the respective stanchion post apertures. The horizontal rail has an inner metal pipe, an outer plastic pipe, and an end plate for supporting the fastener. Following insertion of the fastener of the horizontal rail into the stanchion post aperture, a threaded nut positioned in each stanchion post engages the threaded fastener at each end of the horizontal tubular rail to retain the fastener within the stanchion posts. In one embodiment, a tubular plastic sheath having at least one aperture is slipped onto the tubular metal stanchion post having at least one aperture and the apertures are aligned to form a stanchion having an aperture prior to insertion of the fasteners into the stanchion apertures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydro-mechanical or electro-hydro-mechanical control system utilized for positioning a mechanical device. The control system incorporates a control valve for selectively controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to input ports of a power output transducer in response to a mechanically applied input signal. The power output transducer is then utilized to position a mechanical device. The control system is a closed loop circuit adapted to supply hydraulic fluid at a desired supply pressure to the control valve. The supply pressure is varied in relation to the absolute value of the pressure differential or load pressure exerted across the input ports of the power output transducer. A pressure regulating apparatus is provided for selectively regulating the supply pressure to a value that is nominally equal to the absolute value of the load pressure summed with a preselected supplemental pressure value across the regulating apparatus.

Abstract: A fuel management system is provided for use with an internal combustion engine which utilizes gaseous fuel as the fuel source. A mass gas flow sensor is fluidly connected between the gaseous fuel source and the engine. A mass air flow meter is similarly provided in series with an air intake for the internal combustion engine and the outputs from both flow meters are provided as input signals to a microprocessor based control circuit. The control circuit calculates the air/fuel ratio of the combustible charge provided to the engine and generates appropriate output signals to a valve arrangement in series between the source of gaseous fuel and the internal combustion engine to vary the air/fuel ratio to obtain a desired engine performance as a function of the engine operating condition. An air/fuel ratio sensor is also in fluid communication with the exhaust gas stream from the engine and provides an output signal representative of the actual air/fuel ratio to the control circuit.

Abstract: An EDM device for machining by electro-erosion a three-dimensional cavity by compensating for tool-electrode wear, which device includes a mechanism for rotating a tool electrode whose diameter is small in comparison to the dimensions of the cavity being eroded, a numerical control unit of known type, which controls relative three-dimensional movement between the tool electrode and the workpiece, apparatus for controlling volumetric wear rate, and computational apparatus equipped for storing the volumic shape of the cavity to be eroded in the form of virtual fine parallel layers superimposed on one another, for simulating a tool path so that the tool tip sweeps groove by groove across said successive layers, and for transmitting a corresponding signal to the three-dimensional control unit, characterized by a simulator that is programmed to calculate prior to machining the longitudinal wear of the rotating tool or a value intended for additional axial feed of the tool electrode and continuously compensating fo

Abstract: A solid-electrolyte fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cells stacked to form a cell assembly. Each cell has an electrolyte layer, an oxygen electrode applied to one surface of the electrolyte layer, a fuel electrode applied to the other surface of the electrolyte layer, an oxygen-containing gas passage opposed to the oxygen electrode, and a fuel gas passage opposed to the fuel electrode. An oxygen-containing gas supply passage is disposed at one end of the cell assembly, as seen in a stacking direction of the fuel cells, to communicate with the oxygen-containing gas passage. Fuel gas supply passages are disposed at opposite sides of the cell assembly. A combustion chamber is disposed at the other end of the cell assembly to communicate with the oxygen-containing gas passage and fuel gas passage for burning an oxygen-containing gas exhausted from the oxygen-containing gas passage and a fuel gas exhausted from the fuel gas passage.

Abstract: A surface treatment for a R-TM-X type of permanent magnet comprising the steps: Etching the magnet with nitric acid having a concentration of 0.2 to 10 vol %, then etching the magnet with a mixture of oxygenated water having a hydrogen peroxide concentration of 0.2 to 10 vol % and acetic acid having a concentration of 10-30 vol %, and next plating the magnet with a copper plating initially followed by a nickel plating. R represents an element or a mixture of rare earth elements, TM is mainly composed of iron and transition elements other than iron and X represents one or more of a mixture of elements to enhance the coercivity of the magnet. This improvement of the magnet material itself improves the corrosion resistance of the protective film on the magnet surface.

Abstract: An agent for complexing sodium in aqueous solution comprises a glucuronic acid, specifically, beta-d-glucopyranosiduronic acid. The agent of the present invention furthermore includes the salts and esters of beta-d-glucopyranosiduronic acid. The salt of this acid is the triethanolamine salt of benzyl beta-d-glucopyranosiduronic acid. The ester of this acid is the benzyl ester. The agent of the present invention complexes sodium in aqueous solution in the pH range of living systems. Accordingly, it has use against such maladies as hypertension when taken internally and baldness when applied topically using a carrier in oil form.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydro-mechanical or electro-hydro-mechanical control system utilized for positioning a mechanical device. The control system incorporates an open-center control valve for selectively controlling the differential pressure applied to and the differential flow between input ports of a power output transducer in response to a mechanically applied rotational inputs. The power output transducer is then utilized to position a mechanical device. The control system is a closed loop circuit adapted to supply hydraulic fluid at a desired supply pressure to the control valve. The supply pressure is varied in relation to the absolute value of the pressure differential or load pressure exerted across the input ports of the power output transducer.

Abstract: A closed loop fuel supply system for operating engines in all possible attitudes in which fuel is delivered by a vacuum pump responsive to the vacuum level in the crank case of the engine and in which the vacuum driving the pump is modulated in response to the pressure of fuel being delivered to the fuel supply system so that the amount of fuel delivered for combustion purposes is equal to the requirements of the engine without any excess so that a fuel return line is not required.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing dental enamel and dentin. This apparatus is also capable of cutting soft tissue. The apparatus includes a laser which, when activated, produces a laser pulse having a wavelength of between 1.5 and 3.5 microns, a beam diameter at the target site in the range of 10 to 5,000 microns, a pulse duration of between several picoseconds and several milliseconds, an energy level of between 0.1 millijoules and five joules per pulse, and pulse repetition rates from one pulse per second to 10,000 pulses per second. The pulse is focused on the dental enamel or dentin thereby reaching high enough energy densities to vaporize the material. In the case of soft tissues, a special tip is used to concentrate the laser on the tissue so that cutting action can be easily executed.

Abstract: A transmission for a working vehicle comprises a transmission case disposed between an engine and rear wheels, the transmission case housing, in a forward portion thereof, an input main shaft, a propelling transmission shaft and a PTO transmission shaft extending parallel to one another in the fore and aft direction. The two transmission shafts are arranged at laterally opposite sides of the input main shaft. A propelling change speed gearing is mounted on and between the input main shaft and propelling transmission shaft. A PTO change speed gearing is mounted on and between the input main shaft and PTO transmission shaft. These change speed gearings are operable by change speed levers extending upwardly from a clutch case interposed between the engine and transmission case.

Abstract: A wheelstand comprises a frame including a pair of lateral supports in spaced, parallel arrangement. A pair of large drive wheels are rotatably secured at the rear ends of the lateral supports and a pair of castor wheels are secured at the front ends of the lateral supports. A user support structure or a prone board comprising a pair of elongated rails, spanned at one end by a chest pad, is pivotably secured to the lateral supports for pivoting between at least an upright or vertical position and a prone or horizontal position. The wheelstand includes a pair of adjustable knee pads and a posterior pelvic stabilizer, or an elongated, curved seat pivotably attached to a bar. A pair of optional thoracic lateral pads extend from the sides of the chest pad to stabilize the trunk laterally and to support the trunk in the midline position. Also optionally provided is a posterior thoracic panel for attaching to the lateral pads by a strap and an anterior abdominal pad.

Abstract: An automatic, wearable, manually operated or orally inflated personal flotation device that is extremely comfortable in any weather. It consists of a mesh vest, a folded float, stretch material compartment for the float and a reliable and easily operated and understood actuator. This vest has the ability upon inflation to turn a person, conscious or not, onto their back with face out of water. It uses a CO.sup.2 cartridge for automatic and manually operated modes, and can be used without the actuator, depending only on oral inflation. The vest can be worn alone, over clothing, or inconspicuously under or between layers of clother. The entire vest complete with CO.sup.2 cartridge, actuator and float, weighs approximately eight ounces, and is re-usable by replacing the CO.sup.2 cartridge and inexpensive water-soluble tablet.

Abstract: A keratome is disclosed for use in eye surgery. The keratome includes an elongated handle having two ends. A blade is secured to one end of the handle so that the blade has a cutting edge spaced from and facing outwardly from the end of the handle. The blade is curvilinear in shape and has a radius of curvature substantially the same as the radius of curvature of the eye immediately adjacent the outer periphery of the cornea of the eye.

Abstract: An oscillator which produces a continuous wave output signal on an antenna having a preset frequency. A detection circuit detects changes in the preset frequency resulting from proximity between the antenna and an object and when such an object is detected, the detection circuit generates an output signal. A compensation circuit is also provided for compensating for changes of the preset frequency which are caused by factors other than proximity of the antenna with an object. Such other factors include radio frequency interference, long term component degradation, temperature, and the like.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining system including a controlled pulse generator providing high energy pulses having a central system for continuously controlling the energy level, the duration and the frequency of the pulses.

Abstract: A microemulsion gel having antiseptic and bleaching properties is prepared from the combination of a water phase comprising water and propylene glycol with an oil phase generally comprising one or more surfactants, an emollient, and an oil. In its preferred embodiment, the oil phase comprises a polyethylene glycol ether of isocetyl alcohol, preferably Isoceteth-20 (trademark), a polyethylene glycol ether of oleyl alcohol, preferably Oleth-2 (trademark), and a polypropylene glycol ether of stearyl alcohol, preferably PPG-15 stearyl ether (trademark). The water phase optionally includes sorbitol and the oil of the oil phase may be mineral oil. The water and oil phases are heated independently then combined and mixed. Hydrogen peroxide is subsequently added to the composition, and the combination is cooled and allowed to stand until a gel is formed. A fragrance may be added as desired.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adapter for use inconjunction with a paint can having an opening at one end and an inwardly extending rim adjacent the open end of the can. A continuous groove is provided around the rim and this groove has a preset width and a preset depth. The adapter includes an annular body which is dimensioned to be insertable into the can groove and to form a seal between the adapter and the paint can rim. The precise dimension of the body may vary between different can manufacturers. An annular channel is provided around an outwardly facing side of the body and this channel is adapted to receive and sealing engage a sealing flange on a standardized lid for the can.

Abstract: A multi-speed rear wheel drive transmission having synchronizers and a plurality of gears rotatable on the input shaft provides for the elimination of neutral roll-over noise and optimization of common reduced size synchronizers. Gear face widths are also reduced along with shaft diameters to further optimize the transmission design. Towing restrictions are no longer required in vehicles utilizing this design. The input shaft is coaxial with the output shaft and may be connected by synchronizer to the output shaft. A countershaft is in continuous meshing contact with the output shaft.