Abstract: A tread rubber composition for tires, including a sublimation dye that is activated by heat generated by frictional contact with a road surface to generate smoke having various colors at a wavelength of about 39-76×10?6 cm (390 nm to 760 nm) in a frequency range of about 39.5˜77×1013 vps (39.5×1013 Hz to 77×1013 Hz. In addition, a tire including the tread rubber composition and a method of manufacturing the tread rubber composition are also provided. According to the current invention, the tread rubber composition included in the tire can generate smoke having a single color or mixed colors selected from among various colors, therefore obtaining smoke that gives optimal enjoyment and satisfies requirements of drivers at motor sports events, such as drifting.

Abstract: A system and method for quantifying opaque inhomogeneities within a fluid sample. The system uses an optical lens system to focus a light beam onto a stage where the sample is introduced. The light beam is directed onto the sample in a pattern such that the intensity of transmitted light is measured as a function of path length. A photo detector measures the transmitted light through the sample. Fluctuations in transmitted light intensity are then correlated with detection of opaque inclusions in the sample. The system also includes an automated program which utilizes these optical concentration measurements to determine the fouling potential of visbroken tars, and regulates the introduction of chemical inhibitors into a visbreaker unit to improve the yield of light streams and/or economic value of product.

Abstract: A device includes a housing configured with a working element. The device further includes a motor configured for urging motion of the working element. The device further includes a power control module. The power control module is configurable for being in electrical connection with at least one of the motor, a first power source configuration and a second power source configuration. The first power source configuration is configurable for being electrically connected to a battery assembly having a DC power output. The second power source configuration is configurable for being electrically connected to a power inverter, the power inverter configured for receiving an AC power and further configured for outputting a DC power to the second power source configuration. The motor receives power via the power control module from the first power source configuration and/or the second power source configuration.

Abstract: A hybrid electric lawnmower is described which includes a first and a second electric motor operating blades and the ability to drive the motors from either 120 VAC line voltage or from a battery pack. There is a user selectable power selection switch for switching between DC or AC power and also a boost and conserve feature which allows for increased speed of the blade as necessary. Running the mower at the conserve setting prolongs battery pack duration per charge. Power supply and control systems allow the user to select operation of the motors in either series or parallel configuration depending on the power source.

Abstract: Total analysis systems and methods for simultaneously monitoring a suite of biological and/or chemical species in water and/or other process systems are disclosed. The system provides a sample-volume controlled sensor array comprising a fluid delivery device and a plurality of optical sensor elements for determining the presence and total concentrations of multiple analytes in the process system simultaneously. Image identification algorithms are provided for identifying the analytes based on image intensity, color pattern, positional arrangement, and the like. The methods incorporate multivariate optimization algorithms to analyze multiple sensor responses. This produces analytical results that are typically difficult to obtain without full system or variable compensation. The improved array response may then be utilized to measure, monitor, and control the concentration of analytes in the chemical or biological sample or water system.

Abstract: A propulsion apparatus (20) which can be mounted to a wheel (8) (or integrally formed therewith) of a vehicle, for example a wheelchair. The propulsion apparatus (20) has a first portion which can be statically attached to either a rim of the wheel (8) or structural member which is rigidly attached to the wheel (8) projects therefrom. The propulsion apparatus (20) also has a second portion (23), which is pivotal about the rotational axis of the wheel (8). Furthermore, the propulsion apparatus (20) comprises coupling means which are interposed between the first and second portions so that when the second portion (23) is rotated about the axis of the wheel (8) it causes the first portion, and therefore also the wheel (8), to rotate.

Abstract: Methods for reducing inclusion content of sputter targets and targets so produced are disclosed. Inclusions may be reduced by adding a small amount of Si to the molten Al or molten Al alloy followed by filtering of the molten metals through a filter medium. Targets having substantially no inclusions therein of greater than about 400 ?m are especially useful in the sputtering of large flat panel displays and result, upon sputtering, in a reduction in the amount of macroparticles sputtered onto the substrate.

Abstract: A variable thickness sputtering target which increases the target material thickness at strategic locations to greatly improve the yield of usable wafers per target, and a method of manufacturing such target comprising forming a generally flat and circularly shaped target blank so that a thickness dimension between the top and bottom surfaces decreases as a function of radius of the target blank. The variable thickness target blank is then formed into a variable thickness dome shaped target member having a bottom portion and a sidewall portion, wherein a wall thickness of said variable thickness dome-shaped target member is thickest proximate a center portion of said bottom portion. In one embodiment of the invention, the variable thickness target blank is formed by clock rolling (or compression rolling) the target blank with crowned rolls to obtain a variable thickness target blank.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for recuperating a triglyceride oil from wet gums from a vegetable oil, said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing wet gums by water de-gumming a crude vegetable oil, (b) mixing said wet gums with water containing a phospholipidolytic agent, (c) allowing the mixture to separate into two or more phases, said two or more phases including at least an oily phase and an aqueous phase, and (d) recuperating said oily phase.

Abstract: An improvement to a mechanical refining system relates to an apparatus including three or more actuators (100) coupled to a stator (42) of the refining system, and a controller for independently operating the actuators. An improved method of refining permits adjustment of the overall width of a refining gap between refining elements mounted by the stator and a rotor as well as the trim of the refining elements relative to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a vacuum stripping process having a first stripping vessel (2); at least one second further downstream stripping vessel (3), said at least one second further downstream stripping vessel (3) containing at least two trays (12), (13), (14) and (15) each provided with sparging (16), (17), (18) and (19) respectively, and further having a collector (4) connecting said first stripping vessel (2) and said at least one second stripping vessel (3), said collector (4) being provided with inlet openings above each said tray (12), (13), (14) and (15) and said collector (4) being connected to a pump (5) with a discharge into said first stripping vessel (2).

Abstract: A cementitious mixture that is comprised of class C fly ash and other industrial waste product such as either bottom ash or economizer ash. The mixture is preferably 15-35% weight class C fly ash based on the total weight of the mixture. The mixture excludes Portland cement, or other similar cement products. The dry mixture is placed in a desired location or form. Water is then added to the mixture when desired in order to harden the mixture in place. The cementitious mixture is particularly useful for securing fence posts, or the like, in the earth as the workability of the mixture is maintained by adding the water to the mixture only after the position has been properly plumbed and placed in the hole. The cementitious mixture thus provides an inexpensive alternative to standard blended cement products, and provides a convenient and effective way of securing fence posts to the earth.

Abstract: A composition and method for fabricating high-density Ta—Al—O, Ta—Si—N, and W—Si—N sputtering targets, having particular usefulness for the sputtering of heater layers for ink jet printers. Compositions in accordance with the invention comprise a metal component, Si3N4, and a sintering aid so that the targets will successfully sputter without cracking, etc. The components are combined in powder form and pressure consolidated under heated conditions for a time sufficient to form a consolidated blend having an actual density of greater that about 95% of the theoretical density. The consolidated blend may then be machined so as to provide the final desired target shape.

Abstract: A lawn mower has a striping roller assembly rotatably attaching a striping roller to a mower deck of the lawnmower. The striping roller assembly includes a mounting bracket connected to the mower deck, the bracket having a top arm that extends from the mower deck in a generally horizontal direction. A roller arm is pivotally mounted on the bracket at a pivot connection. A height adjusting rod attaches to the pivoting roller arm to permit the operator to select different height settings for the striping roller assembly, wherein the height adjusting rod passes through an opening in the top arm of the bracket and is slidable relative to the bracket. A U-shaped connection member having upper and lower legs is positioned such that the upper leg is above and the lower leg is below the top arm of the bracket. A spring biases the U-shaped connection member so that the upper leg is forced toward or against the upper surface of the top arm of the bracket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to extraction bedplates (10), (110), (210), (310), (410), (510), (610) for use in apparatus (5) for defiberizing paper making stock and methods for making such bedplates. Preferred methods for making such bedplates (10), (110), (210), (310), (410), (510), (610) include the step of cutting a disc shaped blank from a metal plate and the step of forming holes (45), (145), (245), (345), (445), (545), (645), (646) either the metal plate or the disc shaped blank. The holes (45), (145), (245), (345), (445), (545), (645), (646) preferably are formed using a cutting stream, most preferably either a laser or a water jet. Use of a cutting stream to form the holes facilitates the cutting of holes (45), (145), (245), (345), (445), (545), (645), (646) having non-circular, and preferably tesselatory, cross sections as well as holes (45), (145), (245), (345), (445), (545), (645), (646) extending at acute angles with respect to an axis (20) of the bedplate.