Abstract: A method of controlling a chassis dynamometer (10) to simulate actual road conditions experienced by a vehicle (12) is disclosed. The chassis dynamometer (10) includes at least one actuator (14) coupled to a roller (16). The actuator (14) and roller (16) respond to commands from a controller (18). A load cell (22) is disposed between the actuator (14) and the roller (16) to measure the force exerted between vehicle's tires (24) and the surface of the roller (16). The method comprises the steps of rotating the roller (16) to attain a predetermined target force between the roller (16) and the vehicle (12) and includes the step of establishing a mathematical model of the target force between the roller (16) and the vehicle (12) and rotating the roller (16) in accordance with the mathematical model. The mathematical model accurately simulates the response of the actuator (14) and roller (16) for a given controller input to accurately predict the target force between the roller (16) and vehicle tires (24).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing of an improved attrition resistant catalyst having an oxide-rich surface layer involving forming an aqueous slurry comprising; catalyst, catalyst precursor or catalyst support particles (e.g., vanadium/phosphorus oxide, V/P/O catalyst), a large particle colloidal oxide sol (e.g., 200 Å, 600 Å, 750 Å colloidal silica, sodium stabilized) as the major oxide-rich surface layer forming component, and a second oxide-rich surface layer forming component solution wherein the solute is selected from the group consisting essentially of a precursor of the oxide-rich surface with average particle size no greater than 5 nm (e.g., aqueous silicic acid or polysilicic acid), a colloidal oxide sol wherein oxide particles in the sol have an average size below 10 nm (e.g., 50 Å colloidal silica), and mixtures thereof and then spray drying the slurry to form porous microspheres of attrition resistant catalyst; and, calcining/activating the spray dried microspheres.

Abstract: Apparatus for anonymous remote transactions over a network comprising a computer readable data unit, a host storing a record of a sum of money associated with said computer readable data unit, and a transaction unit for identifying said associated record at said host on the basis of data obtained from said computer readable data unit, and debiting said associated record in accordance with a transaction being carried out by a user.

Abstract: This assembly comprises a hopper and a manger being connected together by means of a frame, said hopper comprising means to control the dry feed quantity to be supplied, means to supply water to the manger being fitted to the frame. Characteristic of this assembly is the fact that the manger is divided into a central area for the dry feed, and two lateral areas for the water, said three areas being separated by two transversal partitions, said central area comprising a centrally located, raised portion with a stepped edge, at least the lowest step having a slightly concave section, each of the manger sides comprising a drain hole being arranged at a lower level as compared with the top edge of the transversal partitions. The means to control the dry feed quantity comprise a vertical pipe being held by an axial rod being associated to an external control.

Abstract: A submersible motor unit is used to drive a pump and is submerged with the pump in liquid (water). The motor unit includes a tubular housing member and a tubular inner member which is enclosed by and disposed in a coaxial relationship with the tubular housing member. A stator is disposed in a stator chamber formed between the tubular inner member and the tubular housing member. A rotor is disposed in a rotor chamber disposed within the inner member. End walls close opposite ends of the tubular housing member and the tubular inner member. An annular capacitor is disposed in the stator chamber in an axially spaced apart relationship with the stator. The capacitor extends around the rotor chamber. A body of potting compound is disposed in the stator chamber and at least partially encloses the stator and the capacitor.

Abstract: Advantageous processes are disclosed for the production of vinyl fluoride. Also disclosed are advantageous methods which may be employed for the preparation of catalysts useful in such processes. Included are methods which involve (i) reducing surface B2O3 present in a bulk chromium oxide composition containing surface B2O3 by treating said composition with HF at an elevated temperature and/or (ii) treating a bulk chromium oxide composition containing B2O3 to enrich the B2O3 present on its surface by heating said composition in oxygen or an oxygen-containing environment (e.g., air) at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to enrich the B2O3 on the surface of the composition by at least a factor of two compared to the surface analysis of the untreated bulk composition.

Abstract: A pump device to couple a pump radiation to an active optical fiber adapted to amplify optical signals, includes a first optical coupler (150) that optically couples a first fraction of the pump radiation (145) to the active fiber (130) and has an insertion loss for the optical signals less than or equal to 0,2 dB; and a second optical coupler (160) that is optically coupled to the first coupler (150) to receive from the first coupler (150) a second fraction of the pump radiation, that is further optically coupled to the active fiber (130) for feeding to the active fiber (130) at least part of the second fraction of the pump radiation and that has a coupling efficiency for the pump radiation of at least 70%.

Abstract: Poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) fibers are disclosed which have been grafted with nitrobenzyl, allyl, or nitrostilbene groups to increase adhesion of the fibers to rubber. A process for making the grafted fibers is, also, disclosed.

Abstract: An internal rearview mirror has a mirror assembly, and an assembling device for connecting the mirror assembly to a windshield, the assembling device including a first base connected with the mirror assembly provided with a fixation device, and a second base fixable to the windshield and formed so that the first base being detachably connectable to the second base, the first base having a superior face adapted to be adjacent to the windshield and provided with a resilient pawl with a projection, and the second base having a posterior edge, formed so that when the first base is forced onto the second base the pawl with the first projection first resilient deflect and thereafter the projection engages behind a posterior edge of the second base so as to retain the bases assembled with one another.

Abstract: A polymer blend including a polyester and another thermoplastic polymer. The polyester includes terephthaloyl moieties and, optionally, other aromatic diacid moieties; and ethylene glycol moieties; optionally diethylene glycol moieties; isosorbide moieties; and, optionally one or more other diol moieties. The polyester has an inherent viscosity of at least about 0.35 dL/g.

Abstract: A steam washing device comprising a metal body having a recess housing the part to be washed, the recess being provided with ducts for introducing the steam into the recess and discharging it from the recess; there being provided three ducts for introducing the steam and one for discharging the steam; the recess being defined by a wall of a sleeve provided with through holes communicating the recess with a steam expansion chamber; one of the ducts being adapted to introduce the steam into the expansion chamber, whereas the remaining two ducts are adapted to introduce the steam into the recess; a slit opening in the chamber forming a steam sucking duct that in turn is connected with the system exhaust duct.

Abstract: Recombinant organisms are provided comprising genes encoding a glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and/or a glycerol-3-phosphatase activity useful for the production of glycerol from a variety of carbon substrates.

Abstract: A bicycle upper rear fork unit (1) comprises a one-piece body (10) and presents a fork (13) connected to a lower rear fork unit (4) of the bicycle, the upper fork unit (1) having a tubular end portion (12) arranged to cooperate with a saddle connection element (5) connecting the fork unit (1) to the remaining portion of the bicycle frame (2), the one-piece body (10) presenting a substantially triangular portion (15) interposed between the tubular portion (12) and the arms (14) of the fork (13). The saddle connection element (5) receives within one of its parts the tubular end portion (12) of the upper rear fork unit (1), said terminal portion (12) projecting from the said part of the saddle connection element (5) for a maximum distance of 2 centimeters measured from that vertex (17) of the triangular portion (15) close to the tubular portion to ensure a high resistance to rear flexural and torsional stresses.

Abstract: A machine for processing a carcass-half comprising a loin and a flank partially separated by scribing. The machine has a frame which is fixed an elongated rectilinear working surface intended to receive and support the loin of the carcass-half to be processed. A conveying system is mounted onto the frame above the working surface for engaging and pressing the loin and moving it together with the flank connected thereto up to a cutting zone. A cutting blade is mounted to the frame in the cutting zone for engaging the loin when the frame is moved by the conveying system and for separating the flank from the loin. In this machine, the frame is devised to let the flank fall down from the working surface while the carcass-half is moved by the conveying system. As a result, more spacing is left between the cut ribs once the flank is folded down from the loin, thereby making the machine easier to operate.

Abstract: Color-system to enhance or activate shades, reflections and coverings of the hair coloring, comprising a group of specific ingredients to form a product which is offered in the form of a liquid measurable (dispensable) in calibrated drops, and is to be used in association with other products for the treatment and coloring of hair, to obtain precise and predetermined color results according to tables established on the basis of specific laboratory experiments and use controls.

Abstract: A method of forming a ratchet wheel adapted to be disposed in at least one end of the ratchet wrench for engaging an element to be turned, includes the step of providing a wheel blank having a generally hollow, cylindrical body formed with a radially projecting rib located midway between an upper hub portion and a lower hub portion, the upper hub portion being integrally formed with an upstanding lip having a diameter equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the upper hub portion. The method also includes the step of bending the lip inwardly to form a retention ring adapted to engage the upper surface of the element to be turned and prevent the element from slipping through the wheel of the ratchet wrench.

Abstract: A temperature control unit for independent control of a number of independent channels, as can exist with a cluster tool used for semiconductor fabrication, has high efficiency, long term life and reliability, and requires only a small floor area. To these ends, the unit employs a single high capacity refrigeration system and disposes a number of separate temperature control channels for the individual tools, with only some channels receiving refrigerant. Low temperature channels use high pressure, sub-cooled refrigerant for chilling the heat transfer fluid to selected levels controlled by proportional valves adjusting refrigerant flow through evaporator heat exchanger units which cool heat transfer fluid. Moderate temperature channels cool the heat transfer fluid for associated tools to an ambient temperature level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for determining dimensions in a three-dimensional object. According to the invention, the arrangement includes a pillar (2), an arm (3) which is mounted fro linear movement in a rotatable guide member (4) that is carried by the pillar and rotatable about the longitudinal axis (Z—Z) of the pillar and also about an axis (X—X) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (Z—Z). The arrangement further includes a measuring probe attached to one end of the arm, and angle indicators (8, 9) for measuring rotation of the rotatable guide member about its rotational axes, and a scale (10) for measuring linear movement of the arm.

Abstract: A process for purifying a nitrile such as acrylonitrile is disclosed. The process comprises (1) contacting a product mixture, which comprises acrylonitrile and hydrogen cyanide, with an acid or a precursor of the acid to produce an acid-treated product; and (2) recovering the nitrile from the acid-treated product. The product mixture can be produced by contacting ammonia with a hydrocarbon such as an olefin under a condition effective to produce a nitrile and hydrogen cyanide.