Abstract: A hanger comprises a contact portion that makes surface contact with one face of the duct; a tongue piece as an engagement member that protrudes from the contact portion toward a tip end; a base portion bent continuously with the contact portion and away from the duct so as to form a guide rail accommodating space between the base portion and the tongue piece; a pressing portion formed continuously with the base portion, for pressing a face adjacent to the one face toward the tip end of the tongue piece to allow the guide rail to be securely retained between the pressing portion and the tongue piece; and a member for mounting a hanging member to the base portion. A method for hanging the duct comprises inserting a tongue piece of the hanger into the groove-shaped space of the duct; and bending the pressing portion toward the guide rail to press the face adjacent to the one peripheral face of the duct, thereby fixing the hanger to the duct.

Abstract: A gas sampling assembly takes a sample of a gas and passes the gas through a monitoring unit. A material within the unit removes particulates from the gas and a port is provided for feeding into the unit a material for indicating the presence of particulates. A transparent portion of the unit allows the indication to be viewed. The unit can be used in sterile packaging apparatus.

Abstract: The process of mitigation of spacecraft surface charging using ionized water vapor is used, since it helps taking excess surface electrons away from a spacecraft surface, leaving practically no residue after complete evaporation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stable microbicidal compositions which are characterized in that they comprise derivatives of methylenebisoxazolidine and 1H-benzimidazol-2-ylcarbamic acid. The compositions according to the invention can be employed in industrial products. The derivatives of methylenebisoxazolidine are used, in particular, for increasing the solubility of derivatives of 1H-benzimidazol-2-ylcarbamic acid in liquid preparations.

Abstract: A method of transitioning between the pneumatic and electric modes of an integrated pneumatic/electro-pneumatic train brake system which includes a brake control having a common operator brake controller. Initially, the control applies the brakes in response to the operator brake controller in the present mode. The control enables the next mode upon request from the operator and applies the brakes in the next mode to match the applied brakes in the present mode. Once the present mode brake is released, the control and system switch to the next mode. Other brake controllers monitor the network and automatically switches modes based on the status of the network.

Abstract: Ensuring that the correct wheel bearing is installed in the wheel assembly of an aircraft. A plastic mold is designed to hold only one size of wheel bearing. The mold is labeled with the wheel bearing serial number and the corresponding aircraft model number. Because only one size of wheel bearing fits properly in the mold, it facilitates identification and use of the correct size wheel bearing in the aircraft wheel assembly. The mold can be used to ship wheel bearings to air carriers and to store wheel bearings before installation into aircraft wheel assemblies. The mold also offers protection for the wheel bearing from contamination or damage.

Abstract: A heat curable, a one-component epoxy protective or decorative coating or adhesive composition comprising an epoxy resin, acid anhydride latent heat activated curing agent and an accelerator for the acid anhydride curing agent characterized in that 2-phenylimidazole phosphate salt is the accelerator.

Abstract: System and method for actively canceling the acoustic noise generated by changes in the electric current within the gradient coils of a magnetic resonance imager based on the finding that the acoustic noise in the magnetic resonance imager is highly periodic but that the period of the magnetic resonance imager noise changes substantially during a scan. The acoustic noise signal is measured at the ears of a patient undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging, delayed by a variable number of samples and the resulting signal is subtracted from the acoustic noise signal. Magnetic resonance imaging noise cancellation occurs at the level of 20 decibels or more.

Abstract: An electronic circuit is described that adapts the output of a position-sensing detector, designed to determine the position of an incident CW laser beam, to determine the position of a fast pulsing laser incident on the detector's surface.

Abstract: A process for deoxofluorinating a C2-hydroxyl group of a furanose, includes: (a) mixing the furanose and a deoxofluorinating agent in a solvent to form a reaction mixture, and (b) heating the reaction mixture to greater than about 50° C. The process provides deoxofluorinated products, such as 2-fluoro-arabinoses, in yields of at least 80% of theoretical.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used to modify the surface chemistry of an article. The article to be surface treated has at least a surface region that includes at least one polymer. The method comprises the steps of placing one or more articles into a closed reaction chamber which is evacuated to a negative pressure. After evacuation, a treatment gas is rapidly injected into the reaction chamber, the treatment gas having an essentially predetermined composition comprising one or more components which are reactive with the articles within the reaction chamber. The treatment gas is allowed to react with the articles within the closed reaction chamber for a predetermined period of time. The treatment gas is then removed from within the reaction chamber and replaced with an inert gas at about atmospheric pressure. Finally, the treated articles are removed from the treatment chamber.

Abstract: An engine and associated methods are disclosed. An engine in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing defining a cavity and a slidable member disposed in the cavity. The slidable member is preferably configured to form one or more combustion chambers, and the slidable member adapted to slide back and fourth relative to the housing in a cycle. One or more intake ports are provided for selectively providing fuel to the one or more combustion chambers during selected timed during the cycle. One or more exhaust ports are provided for selectively venting exhaust from the one or more combustion chambers during selected times during the cycle. The intake and exhaust ports are preferably disposed so that intake and exhaust flows are in the same direction (e.g. uniflow).

Abstract: An orthogonal functional basis method for function approximation is disclosed. Starting with the orthogonal least squares method, a new subset selection method for selecting a set of appropriate basis functions is explained where, instead of picking a subset from a given functional basis, the subset is selected from a combination of functional basis evolved from a set of heterogeneous basis functions. The method results in a more efficient neural network.

Abstract: A foam includes a blend of low density polyethylene and polypropylene having a melt tension of greater than about 20 centinewtons at 200° C.

Abstract: The method includes reducing pressure of a charged brake pipe to a predetermined pressure value. The brake pipe is then charged only from the head end unit. Each intermediate brake pipe monitoring and charging device sequentially reports on the network a pressure which is an increase if the brake pipe is continuous between it and the head end unit. Subsequent to receipt of a report of an increased pressure on the network from an intermediate unit, the head end unit commands that intermediate unit to participate in charging the brake pipe. The head end unit determines the brake pipe continuity from the pressure increases reported by the intermediate units.

Abstract: An unloader system is provided for a reciprocating gas compressor. The system includes an unloader valve assembly including a valve member controlling flow between compressor cylinder and a clearance bottle. Opening and closing of the valve member is controlled by manipulating a control pressure acting through a manifold against the stem of the valve member by means of a pressure regulator connected in series with a pressure source. When the pressure in the compressor cylinder acting on the heads of the poppet valve members exceeds the control pressure acting on the stems, the poppet valve members open, partially unloading the compressor.

Abstract: A spacecraft power system utilizing a novel method for recharging batteries utilizing the ambient space plasma and at least two separate surface materials having different material properties is disclosed. This power system provides increased power and reduces electrical potential build-up of the spacecraft, thereby reducing the power needed from solar array panels and protecting sensitive electrical components and telemetry signals from damage or disturbance.

Abstract: An improvement to the process for separating dimethyl ether (DME) from byproducts in a one-step catalytic conversion of synthesis gas (syngas), the improvement comprising using a scrubbing solvent comprising a mixture of dimethyl ether and methanol for the separation of dimethyl ether and carbon dioxide from the unconverted synthesis gas in a scrubbing column. Additional improvements include recycling of the scrubbing solution, multi-step processing of the liquid effluent from the scrubber, and methods of processing the methanol-water effluent of the flash column that is interposed between the DME reactor and the scrubber.

Abstract: In the present invention, a technique is described for manufacturing microtube devices which have peripheral geometries that are not uniform along the tube or device axis. These geometries may exist in only one location on the periphery of the microtube device or geometries may be repeated either uniformly or non-uniformly with micron or sub-micron precision along the tube or device axis. The preferred manufacturing process involves forming a complex mandrel, ie., (one, for example, that can not be formed by extrusion or pultrusion under constant processing conditions) and giving it at least one metallic and/or nonmetallic coating by any of a variety of techniques. The complex mandrel can then be removed by appropriate chemical or physical means that do not adversely affect the coating(s) desired for the wall. The result is a microtube structure having an axial profile duplicating that on the mandrel from which it was formed.

Abstract: Optimization of an installation in which an operation is performed that requires control over the atmosphere inside a chamber (3), the operation being performed in the presence of a gaseous mixture capable of giving off emissions, the optimization being obtained by the presence of inlet (5) and outlet (8) devices external to the chamber to oppose the ingress of air into the chamber and the exit of gaseous emissions; and of an extraction device (4) comprising means (42) for regulating the flow rate to maintain an approximately zero pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the chamber.