Abstract: An integrated pump and meter having a spindle axially extending in the direction of the flow of fluid for pumping and metering the flow of fluid. A volume of fluid pumped is calculated as a function of spindle rotation. In one particular of embodiment, a pair of pressure sensors are located at the inlet and outlet of the pump/meter, respectively for computing a gap loss volume due to fluid passing between the pump/meter spindle and the cylinder wall. The gap loss volume and calculated flow volume are combined to calculate a total volume of fluid to be dispensed.

Abstract: A technique for increasing the lifetime of optical components that are used in a laser for laser shock peening. The technique employs a properly sized iris or a gradient reflector within a laser oscillator to produce a single-transverse-mode laser beam. This technique eliminates hot spots that significantly reduce the lifetime of optical components. Utilization of the present invention can increase the lifetime of components by a factor of ten of their conventional lifetime.

Abstract: Flexible conduit tubing used throughout a fuel dispenser. flexible conduit separately houses wiring and supplies fuel for the operation of the dispenser. The ends of individual segments of the flexible conduit tubing contain fittings which allow easy connection and disconnection with another conduit segment or other dispenser components.

Abstract: A central system controller located at a remote service facility performs the centralized processing of the various refueling transaction requests originating from a network of service station sites. The transaction request is transmitted by the customer from a vehicle RF transceiver to a dispenser equipped RF transceiver where it is routed through an on-site dedicated controller to the central system controller over a long-haul communications link. The central system controller processes the transaction and directs the dedicated controller to render operative control of the fuel dispenser and an associated hydraulic arm assembly that selectively maneuvers the nozzle assembly into fueling engagement with the vehicle in an automated fashion. The central system controller is connected to other commercial retailers such as online merchants to permit the customer to request additional transactions unrelated to the refueling activity.

Abstract: A sieve insert for a cylinder sieve machine, and especially for a tumbling sieve machine. A sieve insert is provided with the features of a level sieve onto which the material to be sieved is charged, a rebound bottom substantially parallel and arranged at an interval to the sieve and carries a plurality of rebound bodies, a sieve frame for carrying the sieve, and a carrier frame carrying the rebound bottom and the sieve frame. The sieve insert is subdivided into a series of sieve segments, in which sieve frame supports the sieve segments along their contours.

Abstract: An aerial bucket support apparatus is comprised of a contoured support portion, for receiving and supporting an aerial bucket operator, and an attachment portion, for attaching to a wall of the aerial bucket. The aerial bucket support apparatus provides support to an operator when the operator may lean against the aerial bucket walls, providing more comfort and providing additional safety. The aerial bucket support apparatus can also include a recessed portion for housing tools.

Abstract: A plasma device which is provided with a container, a gas supply system, and an exhaust system. The container is composed of a first dielectric plate made of a material capable of transmitting microwaves. An antenna for radiating microwaves is located on the outside of the container, and an electrode for holding an object to be treated is located inside the container. The microwave radiating surface of the antenna and the surface of the object to be treated with plasma are positioned in parallel and opposite to each other. A wall section of the container other than that constituting the first dielectric plate is composed of a member of a material having electrical conductivity higher than that of aluminum, or the internal surface of the wall section is covered with the member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a substantially debris-free laser beam path for use during laser shock processing. The method and apparatus include a system for removing debris from the laser beam path and a system for preventing debris from entering the laser beam path.

Abstract: An inflatable pet cage, including a top member, a bottom member, and a plurality of inflatable wall members. The wall members have interior sides and exterior sides, with one of the inflatable wall members forming an entrance member.

Abstract: A cleaning method capable of processing at room temperatures without conducting heating, uses little chemicals and water, and does not require special devices or materials. The chemical cleaning processes and rinse processes employ pure water or ultrapure water in a semiconductor wet cleaning process, rinse water or chemicals which suppresses formation of surface oxide films, removes particles and prevent their redeposition, and aids in the hydrogen termination of the silicon atoms. The cleaning method of the resent invention includes cleaning which is conducted using pure water containing ozone, cleaning conducted using a cleaning liquid containing HF, H2O, and surfactant, while applying vibration having a frequency of 500 kHz or more, cleaning conducted using pure water containing ozone, cleaning conducted using a cleaning liquid containing HF and H2O in order to remove oxide films, and cleaning which is conducted using pure water.

Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of executing size comparison operations on a plurality of data at high speed and in real time and using simple circuitry. An inverter circuit group is used containing a plurality of inverter circuits constructed using neuron MOS transistors. Predetermined signal voltages are applied from the exterior to the first input gates of the inverter circuits, and the output signals of all inverters contained in the inverter circuit group are inputted into a first logical arithmetic circuit and a second logical arithmetic circuit, and the output signal of the first logical arithmetic circuit is inputted into a third logical arithmetic circuit controlled by the output signal of the second logical arithmetic circuit, and the output of the third logical arithmetic circuit is fed back to the second input gates of the inverter circuits contained in the inverter circuit group.

Abstract: An x-y axis guiding apparatus is utilized as the guiding mechanism for a laser marking device. Wear compensating bearings are utilized in conjunction with the x-y axis guiding apparatus so that the gaps between the bearings and the guide components which occur as the bearings wear is taken up and the desired precision maintained.

Abstract: A washing apparatus and a washing method, which further improve a washing effect and enable highly clean washing with a small amount of chemical. Also, it is an object of the invention to provide a washing apparatus of high throughput involving rapid switching of various chemicals of high responsibility and capable of performing a series of washing operations at high speed. The washing apparatus comprises undiluted cleaning liquid injection means for injecting an undiluted solution or undiluted gas of a cleaning liquid into a ultrapure water channel to make a cleaning liquid of a desired concentration, cleaning liquid supplying means connected to the super demineralized water channel for simultaneously supplying front and rear surface of a substrate with a cleaning liquid adjusted to a desired concentration or a ultrapure water, means for superposing ultrasonic wave or high frequency sound waves of 0.

Abstract: A mechanical press having a wet clutch/brake assembly. The wet clutch/brake assembly is cooled and lubricated using a recirculating flow of lubricant. The entire press acts as a heat sink for the recirculating lubricant and effectively cools and lubricates the clutch/brake assembly. The recirculating flow of lubricant can be formed from press lubricant.

Abstract: An air stream transfer apparatus capable of preventing particles in a transfer passage from adhering to an object to be processed and removing the particles. The apparatus includes that of a transfer face and a transfer passage partition both constituting a transfer passage, which are made of an electroconductive material and each have a thin insulating layer on the surface. A planer dust collecting electrode is opposed to an object to be processed and mechanism is provided for bringing the dust collecting electrode and the face to be cleared of dust close to each other while jetting air. A mechanism is provided for applying voltages between the transfer face and the dust collecting electrode and between the transfer passage partition and the dust collecting electrode and between the transfer passage partition and the dust collecting electrode.

Abstract: A mechanical press having a variable drive arrangement. The press includes a link drive which drives a crankshaft. The drive altering mechanism includes adjustment means which changes the position of the link drive, thereby altering the drive mechanism of the mechanical press and the corresponding velocity curve of the press slide.

Abstract: A multiple laser peening cell apparatus for receiving pulses of energy from a laser shock peening device is comprised of a first cell for receiving a first pulse of energy, a second cell for receiving a second pulse of energy, and a beam distribution means, for directing the first pulse of energy and the second pulse of energy. Also, a method of directing pulses of energy originating from a single source to multiple workpieces comprises the steps of creating a first pulse of energy, directing the first pulse of energy to a first workpiece located in a first laser peening cell, creating a second pulse of energy, and directing the second pulse of energy to a second workpiece located in a second laser peening cell.

Abstract: An image processing system for monitoring a laser peening process includes a laser peening system having a workpiece positioner and a system controller. A video camera is utilized for forming an electronic image of at least a portion of a workpiece. An image processing computer is connected to the video camera, and the laser peening controller includes a program to determine a position of the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating dissolved gasses from a fluid to produce de-aerated fluid which includes a fluid pump, a gas separator, and a vacuum pump for removing liberated dissolved gasses from the gas separator. In one particular embodiment, a unified pump/meter unit is used to both pump fluid, as well as volumetrically measure the amount of de-aerated fluid pumped.

Abstract: A clothes hanger with a pants holding device comprising a shoulder contour segment with a hook, a cross bar between the arms of the shoulder contour segment and a flexible spring element which is attached to the pants holding device. The spring element extends somewhat parallel to the cross bar and is held in place by means of interlocking openings. The spring element can be moved between a release position and a clamping position, wherein the pants are firmly clamped between the cross bar and the spring element in the clamping position. In order to design the pants holding device with an economy of means and long-lasting efficiency, to securely retain the spring element in the clamping position and in the release position and to enable troublefree switching of the spring element from one position to the other, the ends of the spring element are held in the interlocking openings by forming a joint having a substantially stationary rotating axis.