Abstract: A fuse element strip with a central metallic section having a part with a high melting point and a part with a low melting point embedded in the high melting point part, and two lateral metallic sections with a high melting point. Each lateral section is joined to the high melting point part of the central section by a weld of fused material, and the joined sections have the same thickness so that the strip has three coplanar sections. The high melting point and low melting point parts of the central metallic section alloy at the low melting point causing the strip to melt at the melting temperature of the alloy.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fluid dispensing device, characterised in that it comprises: a dispensing member (10) including: a conduit (42, 44) allowing through a transporting liquid (52), a valve (48) fixed to one of the ends (38) of said conduit, a dispensing needle (12) arranged at the other end (38), means for measuring the flow rate (46) of the transporting liquid (52) in the conduit, control means (54) for circulating the said liquid through said conduit in one direction or the other, and electronic means (58, 60) reacting to said measuring means (46) and acting both on said valve (48) and said control means (54) to cause a specific amount of fluid (30) to be sucked into the needle (12), and then to be restored.

Abstract: The incentive seating module comprises: a structural frame provided with a gaiter, a frame, disposed above said structural frame and provided with an arch, whereby the structural frame exhibits planar symmetry, means for connecting the frame to the structural frame comprising a joint enabling the frame to swivel in relation to the structural frame about an axis which is perpendicular to the symmetrical plane, and a seating element joining the frame to the gaiter, made of an elastic membrane which is used to define a rest position for the frame in relation to the structural frame and to return it towards said position when a user causes it to tilt in one direction or the other.

Abstract: The system concerns an electrode system for an electrochemical sensor, comprising, arranged on a conductive substrate (10), a plurality of micro-discs (22) electrically connected to the substrate and a generating electrode (20) insulated from the substrate by an insulating layer (14) and including a plurality of orifices (24) concentric with said micro-discs. A conductive layer (12) and connections (26, 28) enable to connect the electrodes to power sources. The generating electrode enables to modify locally, at the micro-discs, the concentrations of species present in solution opposite said electrodes.

Abstract: A novel moisture detector for detecting moisture in potting media or soil for plants includes a body formed to represent a creature. Inside the body is a processor and a battery. One or more probes adapted to be inserted into soil extend from the body and send an electrical signal to the processor to indicate a level of moisture proximate to said probes. At least one eye of the creature carries a light emitting diodes (LED) that lights up when the probes are inserted into soil having insufficient moisture. Furthermore, when the user touches one of the eyes, the LED lights as long as the battery has sufficient power to operate the processor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a gear for precision devices comprising at least two mutually co-operating toothed wheels (10, 14). The teeth (12, 16) of the two wheels have the same thickness (e) and the teeth of one of them (10) are provided with a radial slot (26) which divides them into half-teeth (22, 24). On of said half-tooth (24) comprises a recess (28) enabling its elastic deformation in case of overloading.

Abstract: A lamp for a light string has a mechanical shunt to allow current to pass to the next light in the event of a missing bulb. A resilient shunt is held in a generally lateral orientation by a shunt holder within the socket. When the hollow base with its bottom opening is inserted into the socket, the walls of the base cam the ends of the shunt away from the electrical contacts on the walls of the socket. Likewise, when the base is removed, the resilient lateral ends of the shunt return to engage the electrical contacts. The timing of the contact by the shunt with the electrical contacts avoids arcing. Additionally, slits formed in the wall of the base allows the Dumet wires to exit the sides of the base in the correct location for engaging the electrical contacts, thus reducing the instances of misaligned Dumet wires.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for programming a pump used to inject medicaments. Said pump comprises two connectable units, namely: (i) a cartridge unit (12) which contains the liquid to be injected and which comprises an electronic memory unit (36) that is intended to contain data relating to the treatment that the patient is to receive and (ii) a pump unit (10) comprising actuation means (18) which act on the aforementioned cartridge unit (12) in order to convey the liquid outwards and a microprocessor which is used to control said actuation means using the data contained in the memory unit (36). The inventive device comprises (a) a computer (46) which is used to produce the above-mentioned data and (b) a first interface (50) which can be connected to the computer in order to receive said data and designed to be connected to the cartridge unit (12) in place of the pump unit (10) in order to introduce the data into the memory unit (36).

Abstract: The invention relates to a watch case comprising a case middle (16), a bezel (18) mounted so that it can turn on the middle and defining between them an annular chamber (36) and a gap (40) open towards the outside of the case, a glass (22) mounted in sealed fashion on the bezel, a seal (42) inserted between the bezel and the middle and arranged in said chamber (36). According to the invention said seal comprises a ring (44) of annular shape made of a material of the highly elastically deformable type, of annular shape, and the cross section of which comprises two lips (44a), one bearing against the bezel (18), the other against the case middle (16), and a compression member (48) arranged in said chamber on the side of the gap, inserted between and collaborating with said lips in order to compress them against the bezel and against the case middle, respectively.

Abstract: A steering system control apparatus having a centering unit for resisting off-center movement of the steer wheels of a vehicle and returning them to a selected center position after each such movement. A centering shaft is connected to the steering shaft of a vehicle steering gear for rotational reciprocation therewith and an intermediate rotational position thereof defines a neutral position that is remotely adjustable by a trimming unit to vary the selected center position of the steering system during vehicle operation. A holding force and a return force are applied to the centering shaft by a pressurized cylinder arranged for reciprocal movement relative to a stationary piston.

Abstract: A steer wheel control system having a centering unit for holding center by resisting off-center movement of the steered wheels of a vehicle and returning them to a selected center position after each such movement, and a trim unit for remotely varying the selected center position. The resistance and return forces may also be varied remotely. A plurality of passages and check valves make the trim unit operable by a single solenoid valve mounted in an externally accessible socket within an intermediate head between the trim unit and the centering unit. An orifice assembly between a fluid accumulator and the centering unit prevent overly rapid off-center movements during tire blowouts.

Abstract: A steer wheel control system having a centering unit for holding center by resisting off-center movement of the steered wheels of a vehicle and returning them to a selected center position after each such movement, and a trim unit for remotely varying the selected center position. The resistance and return forces may also be varied. A plurality of passages and check valves in a remote trim valve assembly make the trim unit operable by a single solenoid valve mounted on a remote manifold that is in fluid communication with passages in an intermediate head between the trim unit and the centering unit. A 3-way valve between a fluid accumulator and the centering unit provides depressurization of the centering unit in the absence of electrical power or upon a loss of power steering.

Abstract: A system and method is described having a single reaction vessel (12) using superheated stream optionally augmented by oxygen for reducing nitrogen oxides present in a wide variety of organic compounds. Reduction takes place quickly when a stream/oxygen mixture is injected into a fluidized bed (22) of ceramic beads. Reducing additives are metered into the reaction vessel (12) and/or provide energy input to reduce nitrates to nitrogen. The speed of the fluidizing gas mixture agitates the beads that then help to break up solid wastes and to allow self-cleaning through abrasion thereby eliminating agglomerates, and the oxygen, when used, allows for some oxidation of waste by-products and provides an additional offset for thermal requirements of operation.

Abstract: A gas-fired grill that includes a full length side burner and baffle for channeling heat towards food on a rotisserie spit. The burner and baffle are the same width as the grill. The baffle is made of a reflector shield stamped from sheet stock, corrugated for strength, and made of a material having good reflective properties. The baffle has edges that fit into lances carried by the grill housing for convenient removal and cleaning of the baffle. The position of the burner within the baffle and the shape of the baffle itself increase the hot air circulating around the food during cooking and concentrate radiant energy directed towards the food.

Abstract: A steering control apparatus centers a vehicle steer wheel movable away from a selected center position and includes a rotary member having a face with centering detents, a piston member having a face arranged opposite to the rotary member face with a centering detent aligned with each rotary member detent when the rotary member is center. Bearing members are resiliently pressed between the rotary and piston members, and each is arranged to be in contact with a seat of each of the aligned detents when the steer wheel is centered and to move out of the seats when the rotary member rotates relative to the piston member in response to steering movements by the vehicle driver. Each of the detents includes opposing ramps sloped up from the seat to a track in the corresponding face, and the ramps and tracks may be formed as grooves having substantially the same radius as the bearing members.

Abstract: The antenna element comprises: an electrically conductive ground plane (2) on which two orthogonal symmetrically crossing slots (3) are formed; a radiating patch (1) supported in a spaced relationship on the one side of the said ground plane; conductive feeding tracks (4) supported on the other side of the said ground plane and electromagnetically coupled with the slots (3). One of the ends of each feeding track (4) is input/output port (5) of the antenna element and the other end is disposed after the slot (3), so as the feeding tracks (4) to cross the slots (3). A compensating capacitive element (6) couples the ends of the feeding tracks (4) laid after the slots (3).

Abstract: A vessel for contacting a plurality of objects with a fluid. An upwardly directed stream of fluid and a portion of the objects are confined in a conduit such that the fluid stream causes the objects to flow upward from a moving bed thereof to a disengaging position from where they fall onto a distribution shield and move downward to a feed position. The vessel may be used for treating electrically conductive objects wherein the fluid is an electrolyte, an electrode is positioned to contact the moving bed, and a counterelectrode is positioned in spaced relation to the moving bed. The vessel may be fixed or portable.