Abstract: When an electrophotographic printer is manufactured, the initial electrical resistance of its transfer roller is measured and a corresponding value is stored in a memory device in the printer. During operation, the printer's control program estimates the resistance of the transfer roller from the stored value, taking aging into account, then measures the actual resistance of the transfer roller, and infers ambient conditions from the difference between the estimated and actual resistance values. The electrophotographic printer is controlled according to the inferred ambient conditions.

Abstract: In an optical disk reproducing device capable of rotating an optical disk at a selected one of a plurality of preset linear velocities, vibration or shock of the device is detected during rotation of the disk, and the linear velocity of the disk is determined based on the result of the detection of the vibration or shock to restrain the vibration and shock within a permissible range. A limit rotational velocity above which the vibration or shock is excessive may be determined during a test conducted each time a disk is inserted, and the linear velocity of the disk during reproduction may be determined such that the rotational velocity does not exceed the limit rotational velocity.

Abstract: A vacuum heat insulation panel for refrigerators and freezers comprises a thin-box shaped enclosure (4) for controlling permeation of the open air, and therein a core member (2) with thermal insulating properties and a barium-lithium alloy getter (3) which has long life time as getter.

Abstract: An electromagnetic drive mechanism (1) for the periodic movement of at least one valve (2) for gas exchange of an internal combustion engine is provided. The valve (2) includes a disc-type rotor (9) located at an end (8) of its shaft (5). The rotor (9) is surrounded by a stator (12), a small gap (22) located between the rotor and the stator. The rotor (9) and stator (12) have ring windings (10, 13). When the stator (12) is supplies with electric voltage from a voltage converter (13a) with a microprocessor (14), the rotor (9) with the valve (2) is moved axially by the magnetic field which forms.

Abstract: A toy vehicle comprises a chassis having a front end, a rear end and first and second lateral sides extending between the ends. Two wheel trains are disposed on separate lateral sides of the chassis. Each train includes first, second, third and fourth wheels, a first pair of the wheels being mounted on separate axles fixed with respect to the chassis and a second pair of the wheels being mounted on separate axles movable along the first lateral side of the chassis. A separate continuous track extends about each wheel train so that the track engages over at least the first wheel and another other wheel. A separate linkage connects each second pair of wheels with the chassis and is configured to displace the second pair of wheels between a first wheel arrangement in which the wheels of the train are generally disposed in a single row, and a second wheel arrangement in which the wheels of the train are generally disposed in two rows and all the wheels engage the track.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention, when temporarily unable to print, a facsimile machine stores received facsimile data in an internal buffer memory, transfers facsimile data from the buffer memory to a coupled computer system to prevent overflow of the buffer memory, and later prints a list of facsimile transmissions transferred to the computer system. According to a second aspect of the invention, when temporarily unable to print, a facsimile machine stores received facsimile data in an internal buffer memory, and transfers facsimile data from the buffer memory to another facsimile machine to prevent overflow of the buffer memory.

Abstract: A unitary paving block having an exposed surface in use having a multitude of markings to simulate individual, random paving elements has a periphery with a shape which enables the block to be laid with other similar blocks in an irregular, substantially unrepeated paving array. The shape of the periphery of the blocks is such that the blocks can be laid with each block angularly moved with respect to each other and/or laid in staggered relationship with respect to each other.

Abstract: A method of treating an injured or diseased aquatic animal by adding an emulsion of cajeput oil to water containing the aquatic animal is disclosed. Effective amounts of cajeput oil which promote recovery from bacterial or fungal diseases, or from wounds, abrasions, or burns, range from 0.001 ml to 1 ml of cajeput oil per day per 10 gallons of water. The cajeput oil emulsion can also contain 0.01% to 20% of an emulsifier, and up to 5% of a defoamer.

Abstract: A method of reading multiple RFID tags located in a field of an interrogating antenna is based on periodic transmissions from the tags with large, non-transmission intervals between transmissions. The non-transmission intervals are fixed for a given tag, but are random between tags due to manufacturing tolerances in electrical components from which the tag is constructed, such that no coordination of transmissions from the interrogating antenna is required.

Abstract: A dense ceramic workpiece is made by a process of combining a powdered 312 component, e.g., Ti.sub.3 SiC.sub.2, with a powdered component that is soluble in the 312 component, e.g., TiSi.sub.2 in Ti.sub.3 SiC.sub.2, forming the mixture into a green body, heating the green body under pressureless sintering conditions to a temperature above a point at which a liquid is formed but below the melting point of the 312 compound to yield a dense ceramic workpiece, and thereafter cooling the dense 312 ceramic workpiece.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for dehydrating, passivating and coating HVAC and refrigeration systems having fluid enclosures are provided. The methods include adding a composition including organometalloid and/or organometallic compounds to the system, allowing the compositions to react with water in the system and sealing the system. The organometallic compounds include at least one alkoxy, carboxy and/or enoxy functional group bound to the metal element within the compound. The organometalloid compounds include at least one enoxy functional group bound to the metalloid element within the compound. Compositions for sealing such systems are also provided. The sealing compositions also include one or more organometallic compounds having at least one enoxy, carboxy and/or alkoxy group and/or organometalloid compounds which include at least three hydrolyzable groups, at least one of which is an enoxy group.

Abstract: A radio controlled toy vehicle has a central chassis, a front end mounting a pair of front wheels which is rotatably coupled to the front of the chassis and a rear end mounting a pair of rear wheels. An electric motor is provided in the chassis to selectively rotate the front end with the front wheels about a generally longitudinal axis through a partial rotation for steering or through as many complete rotations as desired for stunts. In one embodiment, the front end includes a yoke pivotally supporting a pivot body mounting the front wheels. The rear end contains a propulsion drive coupled to the rear wheels and is pivotally coupled with the chassis so that both rear wheels remain grounded as the chassis pivots in reaction to rotation of the front end for steering. In another embodiment, a stop is provided to limit the rotation of the front end. The stop releasably engages a collar around a shaft rotating the front end and is disengaged by providing more torque to the shaft.

Abstract: A rocker arm (1) or finger lever for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine is provided in which a guide bushing (7) is press-fit in a receptacle hole (2). The guide bushing (7) has a bore (9) in which an outer part (4) of a hydraulic play compensation component (3) is guided in a sliding manner. The guide bushing (7) has a radially inwardly directed projection (10) which holds a shoulder formed by a diameter reduction of the outer part (4) from behind or meshes in a groove of the outer part (4). This arrangement allows the hydraulic play compensation component (3) to be secured from loss using the press-fit guide bushing (7).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the provision of an anode for a non-aqueous electrolyte cell, which is excellent in rapid charge/discharge characteristics, discharge capacity characteristics at high temperatures, charge/discharge characteristics at low temperatures and shelf life, and thus has high reliability. According to the present invention, a sheet, mainly composed of an alkali metal having a body centered cubic crystal structure as an active material, is pressed from a direction normal to the principal surface thereof, thereby preferentially orienting crystallites so that (100) planes, (110) planes, (211) planes, (310) planes, (321) planes or (222) planes are parallel to the principal surface of the sheet, and the thus pressed sheet is used for the anode.

Abstract: A child-resistant blister package having a tray adapted to receive a blister card with at least one blister compartment is provided. The tray includes a first slide component. A cover having a top and a second slide component is provided. The second slide component is complementary to and slidingly engaged with the first slide component. The second slide component is connected to the top of the cover such that the cover can be slidably displaced relative to the tray between a first position, in which the top of the cover substantially overlies the tray and is adapted to prevent access to the blister card, and a second position, in which the cover is displaced at least partially from the tray such that the blister card is exposed. A tab is connected to the cover, and one of a locking projection and a slot is located on the tab.

Abstract: A seal assembly adapted for use in sealing two mating surfaces spaced apart by a gap is provided. The seal assembly includes a sealing element adapted to be located in a groove in one of the mating surfaces. A back-up ring assembly is provided which includes a first back-up ring made from a relatively soft material and a second back-up ring made from a relatively hard material. The first back-up ring includes a body with first and second sides, with one of a groove and an interlocking projection being located on the body along the second side. The second back-up ring includes a body with first and second sides, with the other of the groove and the interlocking projection being located along the first side.

Abstract: A method for producing a hydrogen storage alloy electrode comprising the step of treating a hydrogen storage alloy by immersing it in an alkaline solution containing cobalt ion or copper ion at a high temperature at a stage wherein the alloy is in powder state before formed into an electrode and/or at a stage wherein the alloy has been formed into an electrode. By this treatment, a hydrogen storage alloy electrode having an excellent high-rate discharge performance at a low temperature is obtained.

Abstract: Polymeric acid functional polyols are provided which are the reaction product of at least one hydroxyl-terminated polymer and a nonaromatic polyanhydride. Polymeric acid functional polyols are also provided which are the esterification reaction product of a first component which is at least one of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, a polyol and mixtures thereof and a second component which has at least two unhindered functional groups and at least one hindered carboxylic acid functional group. Methods of making such polymeric acid functional polyols by reacting a hydroxyl-terminated polymer and a nonaromatic dianhydride or by the esterification reaction of the first and second component described herein are also included in the invention. Further, hydrophilic polyurethane foams and water borne polyurethanes formed from the reaction of these polymeric acid functional polyols with polyisocyanates are also provided.