Abstract: An automatic lock slider for a slide fastener includes a flexible strip having, in addition to a first protrusion to be detachably inserted into the gap between the interlocked teeth, a second protrusion that is in the opposite direction of the first protrusion and can be biased to contact with the lug when the pull is pulled. The inner wall of the arch-shaped lug near the flared end of the slide body is provided with a stopper.

Abstract: Two energy dissipation devices, each comprising a first plate, a plurality of spaced tapered plates, a plurality of cylinders, a plurality of washers, and a base frame. The devices can absorb seismic energy through the yielding of the tapered plates and effectively reduce a building vibration response during an earthquake. The devices are particularly suitable for use in building structures that must be designed to dissipate a large amount of seismic energy to achieve economical earthquake-resistant construction.

Abstract: A method is provided for pretreating an electronic component manufacturing frame which is prepared by punching. The method comprises blasting abrasive particles entrained in a high speed air stream toward the frame, wherein the abrasive particles has an average diameter of no more than 200 micrometers, preferably no more than 100 micrometer, particularly no more than 50 micrometers. The abrasive particles may be advantageously made of glass.

Abstract: A fluid dampened support for a bearing such as a tilt pad bearing or a rolling element bearing such as a ball bearing, needle bearing, roller bearing and the like. The fluid dampened support includes a network of closely spaced beams which act as structural springs which support the outer race of the roller bearing for movement in any direction. The spring rate or constant of these structural springs can be caused to change after a selected amount of deflection. The amount of deflection needed to cause the change in spring rate can be adjusted to suit the particular application. A liquid is provided in the spaces between the beams to dampen movement of the pads. The damping rate can be made to change with movement of the pads. The structure and space between the beams is designed so as to provide virtually any reasonable damping characteristics.

Abstract: In the course of the process of manufacturing pencils the polymer binding material is at first melted in a lead extruder (19) in order to manufacture the lead. To the melted polymer material is then added via a loading extruder (2) a mixture of additives in powder form such as colors, gliding and adhesive substances. After intensive mixing of the components in the lead extruder (1) a lead profile (13) is extruded which is cooled in a first cooling range (3) to the point where, upon entering the coating nozzle (6), it is not fully plastic anymore but also not completely cold. Through the coating extruder (4) and (5) the appropriate materials are introduced for the formation of the pencil coating. In the course of the subsequent second cooling range (8) the pencil profile is cooled down completely and after passing the withdrawal station (11) it is cut in a sawing station (12).

Abstract: A crank member 34 is supported to a joint shaft .beta..sub.1, and a horizontal fulcrum .beta..sub.6 on the crank member 34 and a portion .beta..sub.8 of a stand 18 are connected together by a vertical sublink 37, whereas a vertical fulcrum .beta..sub.7 on the crank member 34 and a portion .beta..sub.9 of a front link 27 are connected together by a horizontal sublink 38. Accordingly, the front link 27 supporting a medical optical equipment 33 is always kept in a substantially vertical condition. As a result, there is no danger that the front link 27 may largely swing to strike against any persons in the periphery thereof, thus providing a stand apparatus desirable from the viewpoints of operability and sanitariness.

Abstract: A one-body hollow precision cast metal golf club head is fabricated by casting metal about a head core to form a shell, and melting and flowing out the head core. The head core is made of low melting point alloys having a melting point lower than that of the metal used for casting the shell and is coated with an aqueous solution prior to the casting process of the shell. The aqueous solution is a composition including inorganic powders, binders and solvent. The ratio of components should be inorganic powder:binder:solvent=(40-80):(1-10):(10-59) based on weight.

Abstract: A sealed compartment of compartments being all or partially constructed of light transmitting materials with light reflecting surfaces in different designs. The compartments are substantially filled with a diffusing light transmitting medium. When the filled compartments are placed over lighting sources they reduce the high glare and blinding effects of the light sources. Increasing the light output of lighting sources when used with compartments can maintain the lighting level while reducing glare. When used for automotive usage alternative automotive headlights are used. The combined usage of the alternative headlights and the compartments provides roadway and side of the roadway lighting without high glare to oncoming vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians and animals. The existing automotive headlight system can be maintained so that the high beam headlights can be used if necessary or desirable.

Abstract: The multifiber fiber-optic element for use in image transfer comprises a large number of packed optic fibers cemented together at least at the ends, and microlenses formed on at least one of the two end facets of the fibers, whereby the optical invariant of the element can be changed by said microlenses. A method for providing the microlenses light redistributing structures is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dust collector that is essentially modular in structure, thereby making it easy to transport, position and assemble by the user himself or herself. This dust collector includes one or more filter modules, a fan module operatively connectable to one end of the filter module(s), an end plate for closing the opposite end of the filter module(s), and optionally a silencer module intercalatable between the fan module and the filter module(s) to reduce the noise of the fan. In use, the dust collector can be easily upgraded whenever required by merely changing the motor, fan wheel and inlet of the fan module and/or adding one or more filter module in order to increase the filtering surface area.

Abstract: A one piece hydrodynamic bearing which can include hydrostatic support features. The pads are supported on a single thin web for pivoting on a support structure which can include one or more beam-like members. The bearings may have hydrostatic and active control attributes and is very attractive in cryogenic applications where it is very difficult to prevent leakage in conventional hydrostatic tilt pad bearings. The hydrostatic feed through the post eliminates this problem completely and prevents the fretting at the pivots common with conventional tilt pad bearings. A cavity provided under a pad support membrane can be used as an active control device. The pressure can cause the bearing set or assembly clearance to be reduced thus providing better damping and centering capability. The preload in the pad can be actively controlled in this manner. The pad has a limiting device to prevent a negative pre-load condition from occurring.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust, journal or combined radial and thrust bearing which may be mounted within a sealed housing assembly which can be, for example, be used to replace rolling element bearings. The bearing can be designed for mounting to either the shaft or housing. If mounted for rotation with the shaft, the bearing pads move relative to a smooth support surface. The bearing includes a bearing pad structure that may change shape and move in any direction (six degrees of freedom) to optimize formation of a converging wedge for hydrodynamic operation, equalization of load on the bearing pads in thrust bearings and to adjust for any shaft misalignment. The bearing pad may be formed so as to contact the shaft in the installed state and to deflect under fluid film pressure. The pad is separated from the support member by a support structure which includes one or more beam-like members. The support structure preferably includes a primary support portion, a secondary support portion and a tertiary support portion.

Abstract: In a water treatment method and an apparatus therefor, a high purification step comprising a precision filter and an ion-exchange resin is added to a treatment system having ozone supply units, filtering units and an ultraviolet-ray irradiating unit. Treatment objective water is treated by an ozone supply unit, a filtering unit and an ultraviolet-ray irradiating unit, so as to be brought to clean water. The clean water is treated, in super pure water, by the high purification step, and an amount of dissolved oxygen is reduced. The clean water can flow out to a location on the outside of the treatment system, from a final step, as super pure water or potable water which can immediately be used.

Abstract: A method of separating nitrogen-enriched gas is performed by PSA with the use of an apparatus which comprises a plurality of adsorbers (1, 2), a balance tank (3), and a product receiver (4). The method is characterized by comprising the steps of (a) passing, at a predetermined flow rate, high-purity nitrogen gas from the balance tank (3) to an outlet of an adsorber (2) undergoing regeneration; (b) establishing communication between the outlets of both adsorbers (1, 2) through a pressure equalization line while opening the inlets of both adsorbers to atmospheric pressure; (c) after the above step (b), causing a predetermined amount of high-purity nitrogen gas in the balance tank (3) to reversely pass via the outlet of the adsorber (2) which is to be switched from regeneration to adsorption while also supplying the crude gas through its inlet.

Abstract: The apparatus is adapted for a repetitive delivering of feeds to livestock set according to a predetermined configuration and where the animals are allowed to eat the feeds directly in the apparatus. The apparatus is suspended to an overhead rail extending above and in front of the animals. The apparatus comprises a receptacles consisting of a hopper for receiving fodder and may also comprise a container for receiving hay. The hopper is provided with a lateral opening for allowing the animals to eat directly therein and the container has wire screen walls for retaining hay while allowing livestock to eat the hay through meshes in the walls. When used together, the hopper and the container are moved in tandem and are supported over the ground by a carriage unit. The carriage unit comprises electrical motors and controlling equipment for regulating the movement of the apparatus along the overhead rail.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust bearing and method of manufacturing the same. The bearing includes spaced planar pads supported on radially extending beams. The beams are connected to a base ring which is preferably circular. The radial beams support a circumferentially central region of the pads, but permit deflection of the circumferential edges of the pads for wedge formation.

Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor that includes a capacitor element including a chip and an anode wire projecting from a first end face of the chip. The chip has a second end face opposite to the first end face and a side face between the first and second end faces. An anode lead is electrically connected to the anode wire and a cathode lead is paired with the anode lead. The capacitor also includes a safety fuse wire that has a first end electrically connected to the side face of the chip, and a second end electrically connected to the cathode lead. A resin package encloses the capacitor element, part of the anode lead, part of the cathode lead, and the fuse wire. An insulating layer is formed at least on the side face of the chip adjacent to the second end face thereof for contacting and supporting the safety fuse wire.

Abstract: A packaged piezoelectric oscillator is provided which comprises an insulating package body, a piezoelectric element, and a lid member. The package body has an upwardly open housing groove which has a bottom surface formed with oscillator electrodes at both ends of the housing groove. The package body is externally formed with first to third electrodes spaced from each other. The first and second electrodes extend into the housing groove for electrical connection to the respective oscillator electrodes, whereas the third electrode is located between the first and second electrodes. The piezoelectric element is fixedly received in the housing groove of the insulating package body and held in electrical conduction with the respective oscillator electrodes. The lid member is attached to the package body to close the housing groove. The lid member has a lower surface formed with first to third capacitor electrodes in electrical conduction with the first to third lead electrodes, respectively.

Abstract: A water-repellent earth material having grains formed with silicone coating is made by mixing the earth material with an emulsion of silicone oil in water and drying. The earth material may be selected from the group consisting of soil, sand, gravel, pebbles, silicon-containing combustion ash of household refuses and silicon-containing combustion ash of industrial refuses. The earth material may be used to form a water-repellent ground surface layer, a water-repellant underground layer or a water-repellent enclosure for various purposes.