Abstract: A lens blocking device is disclosed that includes a frame, a light source mounted on the frame, a carriage having a first end and a second end mounted on the frame for sliding movement between first and second positions, a first mirror mounted on the carriage first end and a lens block holder mounted on the carriage second end and shiftable between third and fourth positions with respect to the carriage, a stage disposed between the light source and the carriage, and including an opening, for supporting an object, an at least partially translucent screen generating a display image operably connected to the support frame, at least one second mirror arranged to reflect an image of an object on the stage from the first mirror, when the carriage is in the first position, onto the screen, and an actuator operably connected to the carriage.

Abstract: An improved engine oil pan and transfer case assembly is provided wherein an oil reservoir and a first transfer case housing portion are unitarily combined. The first transfer case housing portion is adapted to combine together with a second transfer case housing portion to form a complete transfer case housing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a contoured, consolidated cellulosic article, with variable basis weight, is disclosed. The method employs a former to create a mat having a substantially uniform thickness which is pre-pressed to retain its shape. The pre-pressed mat is then machined along at least one surface to result in a desirable contour. The contoured mat is then consolidated within a secondary press. The secondary press preferably includes platens shaped complimentarily to the surfaces of the mat.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for increasing the dynamic range and accuracy of assays in which the presence, absence, activity or concentration of a target analyte is assayed by the emission or quenching of a light signal, or by a change (i.e., an evolution or loss) of a light signal in two or more time intervals. In preferred embodiments multiple digitized images are captured at varying times, and the images analyzed to identify captured images within the dynamic range of the assay. The invention further relates to apparati capable of implementing such methods.

Abstract: The electric machine includes a collector (60), a brush-holder assembly comprising an end cap (26) and a set of members (28, 30, 32, 34) for electrical connection equipped with guide cages (36, 38, 40, 42) suitable for accommodating a respective brush (44), in which a member (64) for limiting the radial displacement of the brushes in the absence of a collector is provided, the dimensions of the limiting member (64) being suitable for obtaining a tight fit of this member on the end cap (26). Application for the mounting of a brush holder for a motor-vehicle starter.

Abstract: A method of joining two vehicle suspension components made from the same or dissimilar materials includes providing a first suspension component, and providing a second suspension component made from a material which is same/dissimilar to the material used to make the first suspension component, where one of the first and second suspension components is a metallic component made of a metallic material. A portion of one of the first and second suspension components is positioned within a portion of the other of the suspension components in an overlapping manner, thereby forming an overlapping portion. A metallic band may be disposed around the overlapping portion. An inductor is positioned around the overlapping portion. The inductor is energized to generate a magnetic field for collapsing at least one of the overlapping portion and the metallic band at a velocity sufficient to magnetic pulse weld the components to each other, thereby securing the first and second suspension components together.

Abstract: The invention concerns a clamping device for retaining a draw-in bolt (11) on a machine table, a clamping plate, or the like, having a receptacle (10) into which the draw-in bolt (11) is insertable, and having a clamping mechanism in order to retain the draw-in bolt (11) in the receptacle (10), the clamping mechanism having a collet chuck having several clamping tongues (13) which at their one end are retained on a holding element (14) arranged in the receptacle (10), and at their free end are movable between a radially inner clamping position and an outer release position, and are lockable in the clamping position by way of a piston (5). The clamping device according to the present invention is characterized in that the holding element (14) with the clamping tongues (13) is axially displaceable, and is arranged in the receptacle (10) with radial clearance.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a first electrical connector having a fastening device with two fastening members, each of which has at least two first rib portions, and two biasing members, and a second electrical connector having two limiting members, each of which has at least one second rib portion. When the first and second electrical connectors are interconnected, each biasing member biases a respective one of the fastening members to press one of the first rib portions of the corresponding fastening member against the second rib portion of the corresponding limiting member, thereby arresting movement of the fastening members toward and away from the limiting members.

Abstract: A solid modeler is provided which is specifically tailored for the material removal process associated with milling procedure. The solid modeler permits a part to be designed using only machinable profiles thereby constraining the designer to real world machinable operations. The method utilized by this solid modeler allows design manipulation of the edges and curves of a very general feature profile, thereby representing the milling process with the same degree of flexibility that the actual milling process has, and provides a means to create and store for use in the generation of other parts any combination of 2D and 3D features.

Abstract: An inter-axle differential assembly comprises an input shaft, an output shaft arranged coaxially with respect to each other, a differential gearing and a dedicated reversible lubrication pump disposed between the input and output shafts. The reversible gerotor type lubrication pump includes a rotor driven by the input shaft, and an impeller, both disposed within a pump body coupled to a side gear drivingly connected to the output shaft. Thus, the lubrication pump generates lubricant flow only during the differential action between the input shaft and the output shaft, i.e. when needed. An oil flow generated by the lubrication pump is supplied to various components of the inter-axle differential gearing through a gallery of fluid passages.

Abstract: This intraocular lens includes an optic body having anterior and posterior walls, a chamber, and optically transmissive primary and secondary fluids, and method for making and using the same. The secondary fluid is substantially immiscible with the primary fluid and has a different density and a different refractive index than the primary fluid. The primary fluid is present in a sufficient amount that orienting optical body optical axis horizontally for far vision positions the optical axis through the primary fluid, thereby immersing the anterior and posterior optical centers in the primary fluid. The secondary fluid is contained in the optic body in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis at a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal for near vision positions the optical axis to extend through the primary fluid and the secondary fluid, thus changing the focus of the intraocular lens.

Abstract: An engine starting apparatus comprises a starter/alternator assembly operatively coupled to the engine and is capable of being operated in a starter mode for starting the engine and in a generator mode for generating electric power when driven by the engine. The starter/alternator assembly includes a starter/alternator machine drivingly connected to the engine, an inverter provided for controlling an output of the starter/alternator machine to selectively choose either the starting mode or the generation mode, and an electronic controller provided for controlling the starter/alternator assembly. The starting apparatus further comprises an engine speed sensor for monitoring a rotational speed of the engine that is electrically connected to the electronic controller. A method of controlling the engine starting apparatus controls transition of the starter/alternator assembly from the starter mode to the generator mode in response to the rotational speed of the engine directly sensed by the engine speed sensor.

Abstract: A merchandize item protection apparatus has a housing, with an alarm transducer received in the housing. A device for securing the housing to a merchandize item or merchandize to be protected is provided because the housing has a passthrough opening in order to hang a protected merchandize item or merchandize package on a merchandize presenter. The housing is constituted by two housing elements that are detachably joined to one another by the attachment device. A gap is formed between the housing elements, and in which a merchandize package can be clamped in place between the housing elements.

Abstract: A method of making polymeric particulates wherein polymeric scrap material, virgin polymeric material and mixtures thereof are supplied to intermeshing extruder screws which are rotated to transport the polymeric material along their length and subject the polymeric material to solid state shear pulverization and in-situ polymer compatibilization, if two or more incompatible polymers are present. Uniform pulverized particulates are produced without addition of a compatibilizing agent. The pulverized particulates are directly melt processable (as powder feedstock) and surprisingly yield a substantially homogeneous light color product.

Abstract: A method of preparing a cellulosic article includes a step of combining cellulosic material and binder resin to form treated cellulosic material. A mat is formed of a plurality of layers of the treated cellulosic material. The method also includes the steps of interfering with bonding of resin between two adjacent layers of the mat, and applying heat and pressure to the mat to form a cellulosic composite article having an internal blistered pattern. A consolidated cellulosic article includes a consolidated cellulosic mat and a layer of blisters disposed in the consolidated cellulosic mat.