Abstract: An apparatus for producing an active carbon using a carbon-containing material inclusive of an used active carbon as a raw material wherein the carbon-containing raw material is carbonized in a carbonizing unit to produce a carbonized material having electric conductivity and the carbonized material is then activated in an activating treatment unit installed downstream of the carbonizing unit in an atmosphere of steam with a power of electricity induced by electric discharge as well as a function of self-heating of the carbonized material with its own electric resistance are disclosed. The carbonizing unit is constructed in the form of a thermal radiation type batch furnace including an outer wall and a vessel mounted on a firing lattice in the outer wall while a heating chamber is formed therebetween.

Abstract: A system of drying moist sludge includes a drier as a main component. The drier is composed of a lower gas fluidizing section and an upper high speed fluidizing section. Moist sludge to be be dried is introduced into a mixer in which each particle is coated with the moist sludge, and the coated particles are supplied to the gas fluidizing section. Fine particles flown away from the gas fluidizing section are fluidized in the high speed fluidizing section while they are dried by heating elements. After completion of the drying operation, dried sludge particles are collected in a dust collector. Subsequently, fine dried sludge particles are conducted to a bag type dust collecting unit from which they are discharged to a sludge hopper. A part of the coarse dried sludge particles collected in the dust collector is supplied to the gas fluidizing section, a part of the same is supplied to the mixer to be mixed with moist sludge, and the balance is delivered to the sludge hopper.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous ultrasonic method and apparatus for breaking the carbon-sulfur (C--S), sulfur-sulfur (S--S), and if desired, carbon-carbon (C--C) bonds in a vulcanized elastomer. It is well known that vulcanized elastomers having a three-dimensional chemical network, cannot flow under the effect of heat and/or pressure. This creates a huge problem in the recycling of used tires and other elastomeric products. Through the application of certain levels of ultrasonic amplitudes in the presence of pressure and optionally heat, the three-dimensional network of vulcanized elastomer can be broken down. As a most desirable consequence, ultrasonically treated cured rubber becomes soft, thereby enabling this material to be reprocessed and shaped in a manner similar to that employed with uncured elastomers.

Abstract: A seat cushion frame structure in an automotive seat, wherein the seat cushion frame is formed with forward and backward frame sections, and a U-shaped main frame section disposed between the two frame sections, such that the main frame section may be desirably positioned and welded at its both forward ends to the forward frame section, thereby permitting variation of length of seat cushion frame.

Abstract: Method and device for controlling a motor in a powered seat, wherein one of normal and reverse drive signals from manual or auto switch is detected by a central processing unit, which in turn provides a first period of time defined between one point when the motor starts to drive in normal direction and another point when the normal drive of the motor is stopped, and a second period of time defined between one point when the motor starts to drive in reverse direction and another point when the reverse drive of the motor is stopped, and then, a motor torque switch element brings resistor in electrical connection with the motor terminal, only druing one of those first and second periods of time.

Abstract: This invention is a novel exercise device, for use in either aerobic, anaerobic (i.e. muscle strengthening), proprioception activities, or aquatic exercises, which is capable of exercising opposing muscle groups in sequence using one apparatus. The device comprises a tensioning means which is used to resist elongation, thereby exercising one set of muscles, and a compressible means which is used to resist compression, thereby exercising the opposing set of muscles. Additionally, this device is constructed with an optional set of supplemental safety loops or handles which can be used in operation which will minimize the potential of the apparatus to slip off a users' limb when in the elongated position, thereby recoiling with potential injury to the participant.

Abstract: Self-reinforced polymer composites of about 98-2% by weight of a mixture of polystyrene and poly(phenylene oxide) and about 2%-98% by weight of a melt processable wholly aromatic polyester which exhibit anisotropic properties in the melt phase. This wholly aromatic polyester is a liquid crystal polymer, or LCP. The composite contains predominantly unidirectionally oriented fibers primarily in the range of about 1 to 10 micrometers in diameter formed in situ, from the wholly aromatic polyester, distributed in a polymer matrix of the mixture. The polymer composites of this invention have high tensile strength, high modulus, satisfactory elongation, good impact strength, and good high temperature properties, especially at LCP amounts of 40% by weight and upwards.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed which comprise parallel, multiring, porphyrin-related compounds, particularly two-ring phthalocyanine compounds, which have a coordinating atom, either a metal or a metalloid, located at their center. The coordinating atoms in adjacent rings are connected by an oxygen bridge along an axial backbone disposed at right angles to the rings, and the coordinating atom and the ring on one end of the axis has a hydrophilic group attached thereto, while the coordinating atom in the ring at the other end of the axis has a hydrophobic group attached to it. Semiconducting films made from such compounds and devices made from such films, especially gas sensors, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for tightening threaded fasteners in a flange joint or the like, which comprises initially tightening each fastener to a predetermined initial load or stress, measuring the final load, stress, strain or elongation of each fastener after all fasteners have been tightened, and calculating interaction coefficients from the experimental data thus obtained. The interaction coefficients are representative of elastic interactions occurring between each fastener in the system, and enable an initial fastener strain value or load to be predicted for each fastener in the system. Using the predicted initial strain, stress or load values and the interaction coefficients for each fastener and applying an initial stress to each bolt in a second test in accordance with these calculations, allows updating of the interaction coefficient values along with the predictions of initial loads so as to enable calculation of preloads on each bolt which will yield essentially uniform bolt stress.

Abstract: A shaped reinforced thermoplastic composite, such as composite laminate (10 or 10A), comprises a thermoplastic matrix polymer (22) and a plurality of fibers (20) of a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) which are formed in situ in the matrix polymer. This composite is formed by forming a prepreg as a plurality of individual sheets or layers (50), each of which comprises essentially unidirectionally oriented fibers (20) of said LCP in a thermoplastic polymer matrix (22). A lay-up is formed by cutting each individual sheet or layer into pieces so that the direction of fiber orientation in each such piece is either parallel to one pair of edges or at angles of 45.degree. to all of the edges. The lay-up is shaped under heat and pressure to form the composite.

Abstract: A new class of metal-exchanged, metal-impregnated zeolite catalysts has been prepared for the oxidation of halogenated organics including chlorinated, fluorinated and chloro/fluoro hydrocarbons. These catalysts are supported or unsupported, comprising from 0 weight percent, hereinafter wt.%, to about 95 wt. % of a binder, from about 10 wt. % to about 95 wt. % of a metal-exchanged zeolite, and from about 0.2 wt. % to about 12 wt. % of an impregnating metal compound, said percentage being calculated as the metal loading on an oxide basis, where the metal in the metal-exchanged zeolite can be selected from the representative and illustrative group consisting of V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Fe, Mo, and Mn and the impregnating metal compound can be selected from the representative and illustrative group consisting of compounds of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Pd, and Pt.

Abstract: In the Freeze Control Valve is situated a bellows that will contract at a temperature of 33 to 34 degrees F. thus triggering the valve to its position allowing the water or liquid to flow through a small discharge hole in the valve body, this in turn allows the water to heat to a higher temperature as it flows from the water line that are normally buried underground or an area that would have an above freezing temperature of 45 to 50 degrees F., the bellows at this temperature will expand, thus closing the Freeze Control Valve shutting off all exiting through the small discharge hole in the side of the valve body. When the water in the Freeze Control Valve drops again to 34 degrees F. the valve bellows repeats its action, this keeps the water from freezing.

Abstract: A seat suspension device for an automotive seat, in which an upper frame is movably connected with a lower frame via an X-shaped link in a vertically movable manner, with the arrangement that an upwardly curved section is formed at the frontal part of the upper frame whereas a downwardly curved section is formed at the frontal part of the lower frame, and that a damper is interposed vertically between those upwardly and downwardly curved sections.

Abstract: Method for on-line quality assurance when processing materials with laser energy by means of electro-optical detection of the near-infrared radiation of the material which is thrown out of the "key-hole" during the material processing operation with laser, thus detecting the dimension of hollows (pores, holes) which have arisen in the workpiece. The detection of the thermal radiation of the thrown out material is effected in a wavelength of 800 nm up to approximately 1300 nm, preferably with simultaneous detection of the ultraviolet radiation of the plasma could in a preferred wavelength of approx. 200 nm up to 450 nm. Finally, there is also a description of the processing procedure for near-infrared signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing covering means for a furniture raising/lowering type floor equipment employable for a building such as a hall, a theater, a gymnasium or the like wherein the covering means in the form of a rigid cover plate is accommodated in a cover plate accommodating gap with the aid of a link mechanism when a plurality of furniture accommodated in a furniture accommodating chamber in an inoperative state are to be raised up to stand upright above the floor surface of the building thereby to assume an operative state is disclosed. The link mechanism comprises an opposing pair of links each having cutouts formed at the opposite ends thereof and an opposing pair of slide links pivotally connected to one end of the cover plate. A flexible cover plate adapted to be laid across the furniture accommodating chamber may be substituted for the solid cover plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and holding a flexible and collapsible trash liner comprises a rigid upright trash receptacle having a main body with a generally closed bottom and an open top. The bottom has a periphery about which the bottom is affixed to the main body, and this periphery has at least one cavity formed therealong. The cavity effectively forms a foothold for a user in removing the trash liner from the receptacle as well as a handhold for a user in transporting the trash receptacle.

Abstract: A vehicle differential unit including adjustable bearing assemblies has a differential carrier adapted to support a differential case assembly including differential case bearings associated therewith The differential case bearing assemblies rotatably support the differential case assembly within the carrier of the differential unit. Adjusting rings are provided and supported internally in a pair of axle tubes associated with the differential carrier. The adjusting rings are selectively biased against the bearing assemblies to impart the desired bearing preload and backlash within the differential unit. The adjusting rings replace the use of adjustment shims, and are accessible to permit adjustment if necessary without the need to remove the differential case assembly. The adjusting rings are threadably supported within the axle tubes to provide a rigid construction which simplifies constuction and adjustment of the differential unit.

Abstract: Composite laminates are prepared from thin sheets of thermotropic liquid crystal polymer blends. A preferred blend contains 2 thermotropic liquid crystal polymers, i.e., a first liquid crystal polymer in LCP-1, and a second liquid crystal polymer (LCP-2), the second liquid crystal polymer having a higher melting point than the first. The second liquid crystal polymer is molecularly oriented and is preferably at least partially in the form of microscopic fibers in a matrix of the first liquid crystal polymer. The two liquid crystal polymers are phase separated in the solid phase and have overlapping melt processing temperatures.