Abstract: The number of pages of a print job received at printer (10) is determined (256). If the number of pages is low, printing is conducted at intermediate speed (262). If the number of pages is higher, printing is conducted at high speed (254). If the number of pages is not known, a default is selected (260). The default often will be to print at intermediate speed because most jobs are short. If high speed printing is in progress when a job is received, the next job is printed at high speed (254). Alternatively, a predetermined number of the first pages of a job may be printed at intermediate speed.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead heater chip has a silicon substrate with a heater stack formed of a plurality of thin film layers thereon for ejecting an ink drop during use. The thin film layers include: a thermal barrier layer on the silicon substrate; a resistor layer on the thermal barrier layer; a doped diamond-like carbon layer on the resistor layer; and a cavitation layer on the doped diamond-like carbon layer. The doped diamond-like carbon layer preferably includes silicon but may also include nitrogen, titanium, tantalum, combinations thereof or other. When it includes silicon, a preferred silicon concentration ranges from 20 to 25 atomic percent. A preferred cavitation layer includes an undoped diamond-like carbon, tantalum or titanium layer. The doped diamond-like carbon layer ranges in thickness from 500 to 3000 angstroms. The cavitation layer ranges from 500 to 6000 angstroms. Inkjet printheads and printers are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a solder work material for forming solder-coated circuit boards, which is capable of preventing the malfunction of circuit that may be caused to generate by voltage noises that tend to be generated by the volumetrical expansion of the flux residue in a soldered laminated ceramic capacitor, etc. even under the environments where temperatures fluctuate widely (for example, −40° C. to +85° C.), or that may be caused to generate by voltage noises to be generated by the fluctuation of parasitic capacity between circuits which may be caused to generate due to a flux residue. There is also provided a circuit board having a residual film of flux left thereon after the deposition of the solder work material. This solder work material is formed of a solder paste composition or a resin flux-cored solder, both comprising a flux containing, as a resin component, acrylic resin for preventing the generation of voltage noises in electronic devices.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and a handle. An agitator shield is held in the nozzle assembly. An agitator is mounted for rotation relative to the nozzle assembly in an agitator chamber. A fan and motor assembly mounted to the housing drive the agitator and provide suction.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a nozzle assembly and a handle. An agitator brush is mounted for relative rotation on the nozzle assembly. A motor and fan subassembly are mounted in the housing. A three position control switch is carried on the handle. The control switch is selectively positionable in an off position, a continuously on position and an automatic on/off touch control position whereby the motor is activated by squeezing the control switch assembly and deactivated by releasing the control switch assembly.

Abstract: A method is provided for assessing chip breaking performance of a selected tool insert used in finish turning for automated machining operations. The method broadly includes the steps for developing a chip groove classification system based upon selected geometric parameters of commercially available tool inserts. Additionally, the method includes creating a fuzzy rule base utilizing the chip groove classification system and actual chip breaking performance data for the commercially available tool inserts. The fuzzy rule base is then used for assessing the chip breaking performance of the selected tool insert. The method takes into account selected geometric parameters, such as, land, primary rake, secondary rake, groove width, groove depth, groove height and slope of backwall.

Abstract: A combined spray and rotary drying apparatus includes a spray dryer having a housing defining a spray drying chamber, an annular inlet and an outlet. A burner and atomizer sprayer are provided in the spray drying chamber. The outlet of the spray drying chamber feeds into a rotary drying drum. A raw material feed chute is also provided for feeding raw material of relatively low moisture content directly to the rotary dryer. Methods of drying a raw material and of processing raw animal parts are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a decorative plaque includes the steps of providing a transparent sheet, printing a decalcomania in a multi-color process having a reverse pattern layer with open spaces and applying the pattern layer on the back of the sheet for viewing of the pattern from the front. A contrasting layer is deposited behind the pattern layer to cover at least the open spaces so as to be distinctive when viewed from the front. A protective backing is applied behind the contrasting layer. After applying the decorative pattern by wetting and sliding into position, the assembly is heated in a kiln to approximately 1130.degree. F. in order to melt the glass frit and fuse the pattern layer into the sheet. The deposition of the contrasting layer is performed at a temperature low enough not to remelt the glass frit. In one embodiment, a silvering solution makes the spaces reflective to form a decorative mirror. The backing is provided using scratch resistant paint.

Abstract: A method for heating a fluid in a pipe by transforming induced current flowing through a conductor directly to heat energy as the conductor moves through a magnetic field. The method comprises locating N and S poles of a magnet adjacent the outer peripheral surface of a pipe on opposite sides, respectively thereof. A conductor in the form of heating wires is secured to a central shaft in the interior of the pipe. The heating wires have portions orthogonally intersecting with a magnetic line of force defined between the N and S poles and constitute a closed circuit. An impeller secured to the central shaft is caused to be rotated by the flow of the fluid flowing through the pipe, which in turn causes simultaneous rotation of the heating lines fixed to the central shaft. As a result the heating lines are heated due to induced current generated therein. This, in turn, heats the fluid.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for recovering volatile liquid vapors from an air-volatile liquid vapor mixture. The process includes: (1) cooling the mixture to condense volatile liquid vapors and moisture; (2) collecting the condensed volatile liquid vapors and moisture; (3) circulating the cooled and dehumidified mixture through a bed of adsorbent; and (4) desorbing and recovering the volatile liquids from the bed. The apparatus includes a refrigeration unit, a cooler for cooling the mixture, two reaction vessels each including a bed of adsorbent, a pump, an absorber tower and a valve and conduit system for circulating the mixture through the various components of the apparatus. Heat may be recovered from the refrigerant and used to heat the bed during desorption.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a case assembly with two terminals and movable contacts, one of which is on a resilient blade to open and close a circuit through the terminals. A bimetal disc actuates the blade by heating to open the contacts. A base defines an interface with the case assembly and supports the disc; the interface being deformed or crushed sufficiently to position the blade to define the threshold temperature and to couple the base and case assembly together. The deformable interface is preferably formed by upstanding, curved projections on the base and mating with the case assembly. When deformed, the projections are substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel of the base so that the disc is centered, but is freely movable. Bendable legs secure a cap in position and lock the case assembly and the base together.

Abstract: A method is described for utilizing discrete orthogonal basis to restore signal system, such as radio or sound waves and/or image system such as photographs or medical images that become distorted while being acquired, transmitted and/or received. The signal or image systems are of the linear type and may be represented by the equation ?B! ?o!=?i! wherein ?o! is an original signal or image, ?i! is a degraded signal or image and ?B! is a system transfer function matrix. The method involves estimating a signal-to-noise ratio for a restored signal or image. Next, is the selecting of a set of orthogonal basis set functions to provide a stable inverse solution based upon the estimated signal-to-noise ratio. This is followed by removing time and/or spatially varying distortions in the restored system and obtaining an appropriate inverse solution vector.

Abstract: A snare assembly includes an outer, flexible sheath having a distal opening and a loop received for relative sliding movement with respect to the sheath. The loop has a proximal end and a distal end. The loop is formed from a resilient wire and includes a substantially 180.degree. reverse bend at a midpoint forming the distal end and the ends of the wire are fastened together at the proximal end. A control handle is carried on the sheath for extending and retracting the loop out of and into the sheath through the distal opening. A flexible connector connects the control handle to the proximal end of the loop.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing 2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine from 4-chlorotrifluoromethylbenzene. The process includes a two stage nitration and an amination step. Ethylene dichloride is utilized as a diluent and solvent in the nitration steps. Spent acid from the first nitration is reconstituted with sulfur trioxide for use in the second nitration. Spent acid from the second nitration is used directly in the first nitration and evaporation is used to remove nitrosoamines from the final trifluralin product.