Abstract: Novel compounds derived from traditional semi- drying and non-drying oils featuring internally plasticizing and crosslinkable properties are disclosed and claimed. Preferred embodiments include acrylate or methacrylate esters of hydroxy long-chain olefinic compounds derived from castor oil or lesquerella oil. A process for the preparation of the novel compounds is also disclosed, which involves esterification reaction of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids or its derivatives with substituted hydroxy long-chain olefinic compounds. These compounds are suitable for forming latices, which form films at low minimum film forming temperatures (MFT) ranging from −5 to 10 ° C. and cure to above ambient glass transition (Tg polymers without the use of traditional organic cosolvents which contribute to environmental pollution via volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions. These latices are therefore useful in waterborne coatings, contact and pressure sensitive adhesives, and inks.

Abstract: A porous gas diffusion electrode for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. The electrode contains an electrocatalyst, a polymer electrolyte and nanosized pores. The pores are formed using nanosized pore-formers. The pore-former is applied to a substrate along with a polymer electrolyte and an electrocatalyst and the resulting structure is treated to remove the pore-former.

Abstract: Apparatus for a lever (6) for controlling a parking brake including brake units and an electrically driven tightening means for applying or releasing a braking force on the said brake units. Characteristic of the invention is that a means is arranged to detect the position of the lever and produce control signals to a first electric motor (12) for generating a brake force corresponding to the position of the lever. The lever can be adjusted manually. Further there is a second electric motor (49) intended to automatically control the lever (6) depending on incoming control signals. In the fully applied position the lever (6) is locked against manual adjustment.

Abstract: A reluctance machine includes a stator having an annular support member with a plurality of stator poles disposed thereon. The stator poles each are formed from a corresponding foil coil stator winding. A solid disc-shaped rotor defines a plurality of salient rotor poles, and is rotatably positioned opposite the support member to establish an axial air gap between the rotor and stator poles. A food waste disposer incorporates such a reluctance machine.

Abstract: An electrical switch for indicating the position of a movable member of a valve is disclosed. The movable member of the valve may be a linear moving stem or a rotating shaft. The switch includes a sensor held in a sealed enclosure. The sensor may be a reed switch or a Hall effect sensor. A pivot arm attaches to the enclosure and is biased by a spring. The pivot arm holds a permanent magnet adjacent to the enclosure. When an actuator moves the movable member of the valve, the pivot arm is forced against the enclosure. The magnet is moved into aligned relation to the sensor and electrically indicates the position of the movable member.

Abstract: A booster pilot valve operable at ultra low power levels is provided. The booster valve includes a moveable spool capable of directing a fluid flow to at least two different paths. The booster valve may be coupled to a piezotronic three-way valve, which controls the movement of the spool by redirecting a main fluid flow along different paths to create a force on the spool. The piezotronic valve is capable of actuation at very low power levels such as might be provided by a Profibus PA or other Bus system.

Abstract: A primary data storage system is linked to a geographically remote secondary data storage system for automatically maintaining a remote copy of the data in the primary storage. The primary data storage system controller uses write pending indicators to control and coordinate the remote copy process. In response to receipt of data from the host computer, a first write pending indicator is set to write the data into at least one primary data storage device, and a second write pending indicator is set to copy the data to the secondary data storage system controller. The first write pending indicator is reset after the data is written to the primary data storage device, and the second write pending indicator is reset after receiving an acknowledgement back from the secondary data storage system controller.

Abstract: A joint compound includes water, calcium carbonate, and a water-soluble polymeric set retarder formed from a monomer having two or more carboxyl groups. The joint compound is useful in various applications and in a hybrid joint compound made with a calcium sulfate hemihydrate setting-type joint compound.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed to relieve liquid pressure from a receiver to a condenser in a cooling system that operates under a variety of ambient temperature conditions. To relieve excess pressure in the receiver and to prevent the venting of refrigerant through a relief valve, a pressure-balancing system is connected between the condenser and the receiver of the cooling system. In one embodiment, the pressure-balancing system includes a check valve and a pressure-balancing valve. The pressure-balancing valve bypasses the check valve. The check valve permits the flow of refrigerant in one direction from the condenser to the receiver. The pressure-balancing valve permits the flow of refrigerant in an opposite direction from the receiver to the condenser in order to maintain the pressure in the receiver below a maximum pressure level. The pressure-balancing valve may be installed on a bypass line parallel to the check valve.

Abstract: Disclosed, are novel synthetically-modified B. thuringiensis chimeric crystal proteins having improved insecticidal activity against coleopteran, dipteran and lepidopteran insects. Also disclosed are the nucleic acid segments encoding these novel peptides. Methods of making and using these genes and proteins are disclosed as well as methods for the recombinant expression, and transformation of suitable host cells. Transformed host cells and transgenic plants expressing the modified endotoxin are also aspects of the invention.

Abstract: A method and system for high density modular cooling system is disclosed. Cooling coils and fans are interleaved so as to cover all usable space with the enclosed area behind the interleaved cooling coils and fans acting as a plenum. A cooling fluid is circulated through the cooling coils by the interleaved fans.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and useful improvement in the process to manufacture a carboxylic acid salt, particularly an amino carboxylic acid salt, from a primary alcohol, particularly a primary aminoalcohol. The process of manufacturing amino carboxylic acid salts comprises contacting an aqueous solution of a primary aminoalcohol with a strong hydroxide base selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, an ammonium hydroxide compound including a tetraalkyl ammonium hydroxide, or the like, in the presence of an effective amount of a catalyst. The catalyst comprises one or more of elements selected from the group consisting of copper, cobalt, nickel, and cadmium as well as optionally lesser amounts of chromium, titanium, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, vanadium, molybdenum, manganese, tungsten, cobalt, nickel, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A fork lift rack that includes a first beam, a second beam and at least two spacer elements which fix the first and second beams at a distance from and substantially parallel to each other is taught. The load-bearing fork members can be mounted on the first and second beams. The fork members can be displaced along the length of the beams. The fork members have first and second legs that extend in separate vertical planes. The fork members are designed such that the distance between the first legs is greater than the distance between the second legs when the two forks are mounted in place on the rack. The spacer elements have fastening devices which are intended to releaseably fasten the fork lift rack to a lift mechanism, the upper beam has a web and a flange which are joined to each other at an angle &agr; different from 90°. The upper beam is joined to each spacer element via the web. The web is directed away from the lower beam.

Abstract: An anti-reversing device in the feed channel of a staple magazine containing staple blanks (ii), which magazine is accommodated in a stapler, wherein the staple blanks advance along a feed channel having channel guides (22) which support the staple blanks and wherein the supporting channel guides are equipped with stops (26) which prevent a staple blank which has advanced past the stops from moving in the direction opposite to the direction of feed.

Abstract: An articulated hauler, such as a dumper, is disclosed. The hauler includes a vehicle part housing or carrying the drive engine, and a load-bearing vehicle part. The vehicle parts are pivotably interconnected about a vertical pin. The load-bearing vehicle part is provided with at least one first wheel axle driven by the drive engine via a mechanical transmission is arranged at a first distance from the vertical pin. The vehicle part bearing the drive engine is provided with at least one second wheel axle driven by the drive engine. The second wheel axle is arranged at a second distance from the vertical pin. The second wheel axle on the vehicle part bearing the drive engine is also able to be driven via a hydrostatic transmission.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid segments comprising synthetically-modified genes encoding Coleopteran-toxic B. thuringiensis &dgr;-endotoxins. Also disclosed are methods of using these genes for the recombinant expression of polypeptides, the preparation of vectors containing the genes, and methods for transforming suitable host cells.

Abstract: An erosion control device is described. A walled elongated core member is disclosed having a first open end, a second end, an interior space and one or more openings in the wall communicating the interior space with the exterior of the core member. An outer filter member surrounds the core member. One or both the first and second ends of the core member can be open. One or both of the open ends can comprise couplers or connectors for connecting one core member to one or two complimentary core members. The core member may comprise a flexible plastic pipe, such as high-density polyethylene pipe having a plurality of perforations.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for gravel packing, cleaning and lifting wells, including through tubing methods, circulating well fluids through a coiled tubing string having a leak protection barrier operable for at least a portion of the string passing above a wellhead and employing a circulating and release sub.

Abstract: A load carrier foot adapted for releasable securement upon an edge portion of a vehicle roof. The load carrier foot includes a support member for abutment against a vehicle roof. A clamping member is coupled to the support member by a retainer member and the clamping member is operable between a clamping configuration and a released configuration upon an edge portion of a vehicle roof. The clamping member has a first connection piece and the retainer member has a second connection piece for interconnecting the clamping member and the retainer member. One of the connection pieces forms an insertion space and the other of the connection pieces forms an insertion member for insertion into the insertion space. A latching device releasably latches the insertion member within the insertion space for facilitating the installation of different clamping members into the load carrier foot.