Abstract: The system is used to reduce the possibility of re-creating the conditions in which the phenomenon of detonation is triggered in a combustion chamber of an internal-combustion engine of a power unit which comprises an air inlet manifold, a plurality of cylinders, and an electronic ignition and injection system.The system comprises:means that sense the phenomenon of detonation;means that vary the amount of air channelled towards the combustion chamber; andmeans connected to the sensing means, for controlling the means for varying the amount of air channelled towards the combustion chamber in order to reduce the possibility of re-creating the conditions in which detonation is triggered.

Abstract: This invention is related to an active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) having a high pixel aperture ratio. The display has an increased pixel aperture ratio because the pixel electrodes are formed over the insulating layer so as to overlap portions of the array address lines. Both the manufacturability and capacitive cross-talk of the TFT-based device are improved due to the use of a photo-imageable insulating layer between the pixel electrodes and the address lines.

Abstract: A spray-on inorganic (e.g. fiberglass) insulation method and product with a low density and high R-value are disclosed. Loose-fill fiberglass is coated with a non-foaming liquid and thereafter blown or sprayed into a cavity such as a vertically extending open stud-defined wall cavity. After sticking in the cavity, the insulation is rolled to further pack it into the cavity and thereafter allowed to cure.

Abstract: A method and system for attaching, for example, an artificial dental prosthetic device such as a crown, cap, or bridge to a prepared tooth structure utilizes a fluoride releasing dentin bonding system in combination with a cement layer. The dentin bonding system is first applied to the prepared tooth structure, the dentin bonding system including a primer layer and a VLC microfill composite resin layer in certain embodiments. Then the artificial prosthetic device (e.g. crown) is removably adhered to the prepared tooth structure and the dentin bonding system by way of the cement (e.g. zinc oxide based type).

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a tilted retarder. The tilted retarder has an optical axis which is aligned at an angle of from about 5.degree. to 15.degree. with respect to normal. Thus, because the optical axis of the liquid crystal layer is aligned at an angle to one side of normal and the optical axis of the tilted retarder(s) is at an angle to the other side of normal, the retardation effects substantially cancel one another out. Tilted retarder(s) may be used in combination with negatively birefringent retarders according to certain embodiments of this invention in twisted nematic normally white displays.

Abstract: A disc cartridge and corresponding method/system are provided for limiting the number of copies which may be made of software stored on a magnetic disc. According to certain embodiments, only a single copy of the software may be made from the disc, after which the software is erased from the disc by way of an erasing magnetic field. A magnet is provided on or within the disc cartridge so that after copying of the software from the first disc to a second disc, the magnet is energized so as to create an erasing magnetic or electromagnetic field proximate the first disc in order to erase the copied software therefrom, while an anti-copy signal is copied or otherwise sent along with the software from the first disc to the second disc so as to prevent later copying of the software from the second disc.

Abstract: A centrifugal environmentally safe pump including a motor driven pump shaft having a fluid pumping impeller affixed thereto. A plurality of annular shaft supporting bearing assemblies are disposed along the shaft adjacent a lubrication chamber, the lubrication chamber housing lubrication fluid (e.g. oil) maintained at a level below rotating portions of the bearing assemblies so as to maintain a low operating temperature within the chamber and adjacent the bearings. A lubricating fluid dispenser having a thin-profile, disc-shaped portion is affixed to the pump shaft within the lubrication chamber for rotation along with the shaft. The width or profile of the disc-shaped portion of the dispenser is small so as to reduce windage adjacent the lubricating fluid level when the shaft and dispenser are rotated at high speeds thereby allowing the level of the lubrication fluid to be maintained substantially constant and below the bearing balls, even when the pump is operated at high speeds.

Abstract: A backlight liquid crystal display including a collimated backlight for illuminating a display panel having a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between rear and front polarizers, the panel including an optical refracting film and a diffuser laminated adjacent the front surface of the panel. The refracting film and light scattering diffuser may be either exterior or interior the front polarizer, but on the viewer side of the liquid crystal layer. The optical system of the refracting faceted film along with the diffuser maintains the resolution of the display, improves the contrast ratio over a wide range of viewing angles, reduces its ambient light reflectively, reduces color shifting, substantially eliminates inversion, and enlarges the effective viewing zone of the display.

Abstract: A fuel injector is disclosed for high atomization capacity, and is of the single-jet air-assisted type in which a stop valve moved by an electromagnetic actuator controls the formation of fuel jets through atomization holes contained in a distributor element after which there is disposed an auxiliary atomization chamber. The auxiliary atomization chamber is delimited internally at least partially by a truncated conical surface onto which there opens substantially radial holes for the provision of auxiliary air, the truncated conical surface being defined by a mixer element disposed with a seal between the distributor element and a cap which is snap-fitted to a casing of the fuel injector.

Abstract: Grip tape adapted to be adhered to a surface such as a skateboard. The grip tape includes a screen structure covered with an abrasive material such as silicon carbide. A grid or array of apertures defined by the screen structure are defined in the grip tape so as to improve water run-off from the grip tape, simplify removal of the tape from the surface, create a see-through grip tape, and speedup moisture evaporation. Additionally, the screen-like grid system of the flexible grip tape provides additional surface area which can be gripped by the user thereby improving the tapes gripping characteristics.

Abstract: A lockout mechanism for a self-steering axle suspension system is provided by using the internal fluid reservoir and piston of a shock absorber normally used to dampen oscillations of the wheels in such a suspension, by employing a selectively actuatable valve in the fluid flow path provided by an orifice in the piston of the shock absorber to prevent or modulate the flow of fluid across the piston thereby to lock out the steerability of the system to the extent desired.

Abstract: A position detecting device for calculating coordinates of the position indicator rapidly and accurately to provide data related thereto without using any high sampling rate and high speed arithmetic operation is provided. The position detecting device performs a signal processing for providing coordinates of the pen based upon signals (50) from a sensing unit, which has a large number of loop coils disposed in parallel with respect to one another and generates said signals due to electromagnetic effects between the coils and a position indicator (input pen ) (3) disposed on these coils.

Abstract: A thin film transistor (TFT) array in an active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) including a centrally located round source electrode completely surrounded by a substantially annular or circular shaped drain electrode. The geometric design of the TFT of this invention provides for a thin film transistor having a reduced parasitic capacitance and decreased photosensitivity. The TFTs of this invention are located at the intersections of gate and drain lines of an active matrix LCD array thereby increasing the size of the pixel display openings of the matrix array.

Abstract: A self locking internally threaded fastener and an apparatus and process for making such fasteners, in which the self locking characteristic is derived from a patch of thermoplastic material having a circumferential extent of less than 360.degree. adhered selectively to at least a portion of the thread defining surface of the fastener.

Abstract: A zero-turning-radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing-occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing-occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero-radius-turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned at this turning point so that the standing-occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero-radius-turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds.

Abstract: An in vitro method of monitoring thrombolysis of an occlusive thrombus formed under conditions which simulate in vivo is described. Thrombus is formed in a capillary tube by causing blood to flow under pressure from a non-anticoagulated supply thereof through the capillary lumen and into a reservoir in such a way that the thrombus forms solely by shear-stress. Formation of the thrombus is detected and the pressure on the tube is reduced, the reduced pressure being maintained for a predetermined period of time during which the thrombus stabilises. The pressure is then applied on the thrombus across anticoagulated blood from the same sample and lysis of the thrombus is detected. Preferably the supply of anticoagulated blood is produced by mixing the blood exiting the capillary tube with anticoagulant in the reservoir, the blood flow direction being reversed once thrombus stabilisation has taken place. The reservoir may be connected to a second reservoir by a connecting line.

Abstract: A normally white twisted nematic liquid crystal display is disclosed having a pair of retardation films disposed between the liquid crystal layer and an adjacent polarizer, both retardation films being on one side of the liquid crystal layer. Both retardation films, if uniaxial, have retardation values of from about 100-200 nm. Optionally, biaxial retarders (n.sub.X >n.sub.Y >n.sub.Z) may be used, such biaxial retarders having retardation values from about .DELTA..sub.ZX =-100 to -200 nm, and .DELTA..sub.ZY =-10 to -100 nm. Accordingly, inversion is reduced and contrast rations are improved at large viewing angles.

Abstract: A misting assembly for an exhaust gas scrubber tower which includes an elongated central member, a plurality of perforated baffle plates affixed to the elongated central member at spaced apart distances thereto such that the perforations from each baffle plate are out of alignment with those of the next higher baffle plate. An inner tubular ring and an outer tubular ring are affixed to each baffle plate wherein the diameter of the inner tubular ring and of the outer tubular ring are different from the diameters of the inner and outer tubular rings of the other baffle plates. Spray nozzles are affixed to each ring at regular radially spaced apart locations around each of said inner and outer rings such that the integrated density of fog generated by said spray nozzles over all of said baffle plates is substantially uniform.

Abstract: A system and method for ensuring accurate reception of digitally encoded files that are transmitted in non-real time from a distribution station to a plurality of receiving stations, e.g. cable headends. Each file is divided into a plurality of data packets, with the packets being transmitted via satellite to the headends. Each headend determines which packets are in error (i.e. missing or jumbled) and need to be re-transmitted to the headend from the distribution station. After such a determination, each headend communicates a request over a land-link, e.g. telephone line or internet, to the distribution station requesting re-transmission of the packets in error. The distribution station then re-transmits these particular packets either via the land-link or the satellite. Re-transmission in non-real time via the land-link allows the headend to simultaneously receive packets via satellite and land-link so as to reduce the time taken to transmit files from the distribution station to the headends.

Abstract: A pump including a pump shaft bearing lubrication system having a main lubrication chamber (45) and a pair of auxiliary lubrication chambers (55 and 57), the auxiliary chambers being disposed on opposite sides of said main chamber. Pump shaft bearing assemblies (single or double row) are sandwiched between each auxiliary lubrication chamber and the main chamber (45) so that each bearing assembly (31 and 33) has its inner and outer sides simultaneously lubricated by fluid in the main and corresponding auxiliary chamber respectively. Each auxiliary lubrication chamber (55 and 57) is provided with a pair of fluid passageways (61 and 63) interfacing the auxiliary and main chambers so that the lubricating fluid can be circulated from the main chamber (45) to the auxiliary chambers (55, 57) and then back into the main chamber again, thereby constantly lubricating the bearing assemblies with cool, clean, and effective lubricating fluid.