Abstract: The present invention provides a flat fluorescent lamp. The flat fluorescent lamp comprises a single plate. Consequently, the flat fluorescent lamp is structurally safe, brightness of the flat fluorescent lamp is high, and efficiency of the flat fluorescent lamp is also high without the provision of other additional optical components. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing such a flat fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: Devices and methods for locating a target site for the electrical stimulation of muscles are disclosed. The intensity of a search stimulus is varied continuously near the threshold to evoke an M-wave recorded by EMG electrodes. A feedback signal allows the clinician to judge when the threshold is sufficiently low to warrant the implantation of the stimulation electrodes at that site.

Abstract: A tile for lining an internal surface in a heavy wear area. The tile includes at least one locating rod embedded within said tile and an internal mechanism for laterally extending said at least one locating rod out of said tile and into a gap in an adjoining structure which may be another tile. The tiles forming the lining surface are securely held in place as a result of the selective deployment of the locating rods into a gap in the adjoining structure.

Abstract: Aqueous polishing slurries for chemical-mechanical polishing are effective for polishing copper at high polish rates. The aqueous slurries according to the present invention may include soluble salts of molybdenum dissolved in an oxidizing agent and molybdic acid dissolved in an oxidizing agent. Methods for polishing copper by chemical-mechanical planarization include polishing copper with low pressures using a polishing pad and a aqueous slurries including soluble salts of molybdenum dissolved in an oxidizing agent and molybdic acid dissolved in an oxidizing agent, particles of MoO3 dissolved in an oxidizing agent, and particles of MoO2 dissolved in an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging inspection system for bags and packages. Transmission imaging is performed using a fan beam and a segmented detector, while scatter imaging is performed with a scanned pencil beam, with both beams active simultaneously. Cross-talk between the beams is mitigated by a combination of shielding, scatter detector design, positioning and orientation, and image processing. Image processing subtracts the measured radiation scattered from the transmission beam into the scatter detectors, reducing cross-talk.

Abstract: The corrosion rate of a metal immersed in a fluid medium is measured by transmission of a beam of radiation normally in the visible or near infra-red portion of the spectrum, through a thin film of the metal immersed in the medium. The film of the metal is suitably supported on a radiation-transmitting substrate such as a glass plate or slide. The corrosion rate can be determined by passing a radiation beam through the metal film sample using a twin beam system to compensate for instrument factors such as the absorbance by the fluid medium, the cell windows and the film-supporting substrate. As the thickness of the film decreases, the reduction in film thickness is determined by the increase in beam intensity, using a reference beam to compensate for the instrument factors.

Abstract: A method of producing a high quality of yarn by an iron-heating apparatus, including the steps of: guiding a yarn to pass between upper and lower rollers, wherein the yarn is exited at a front nip in a twisting triangle area; guiding the yarn to enter to a groove of a heating main body of the iron-heating apparatus; heating the yarn along the groove to reduce a rigidity of the yarn so as to allow the yarn to be easily twisted to form an improved yarn with high quality; and enwrapping the improved yarn on a spun yarn tube. In addition, a counter frictional force is applied at the yarn through walls of the groove such that fiber on a surface of the yarn is further twisted to the yarn for minimizing hairiness.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method to increase the activity of a catalyst by first performing an ion exchange step with a potassium ion, followed by performing an ion-exchange step with an ammonium ion. Specifically, the present invention describes a method to increase the acidity of a zeolite by incorporating a potassium salt ion-exchange prior to an ammonium salt ion-exchange step. Even more specifically, the present invention is drawn to a method of increasing the activity of a zeolite by employing more than one potassium ion exchanges followed by at least one ammonium ion exchange. The present invention also describes a method to reduce the amount of sodium normally found in commercially produced zeolite by employing any of these methods. The present invention is also drawn to the catalysts produced by any of these methods.

Abstract: This is a method of filtration of a liquid comprising steps of sequential filtration of said liquid through at least one deep bed medium producing at least one first filtrate followed by at least one membrane medium filtration producing at least one second filtrate, wherein said membrane medium is at least periodically within said deep bed media Many types of deep bed and membrane media can be used. The domain of using contact clarification (direct filtration) can be expanded towards greater solids concentration. Operation and backwash, is simplified, continuous filtration becomes possible. Water can be water from natural source water, process water, wastewater, aqueous or non-aqueous suspensions, emulsions, solutions. Treatment can include mechanical interception of suspended particles, chemical, physical chemical, electrochemical, and biological processes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for launching spheres into a gas riser in order to reduce the risk that the output from the riser is lost. The apparatus comprises a rotatable body that is rotated to a first position to receive an object from an object storage means in an aperture and the rotatable body is then rotated to a second position such that the object received in the aperture is received within a riser.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a coin operated device, whereby the articles inside the locker can still be taken out with the spare key of the locker provider without damaging the coin operated device when the key is lost. The coin operated device is installed in the door frame of a locker and comprises first and second lock cylinders respectively for the insertion of the spare key and the key. The second lock cylinder is used to lock or unlock the locker, wherein a coin is inserted into the coin operated device, and a coin triggered module lets the coin fall into a coin accommodation module; then, the key is turned to latch the lock tongue and lock the locker, and the coin accommodation module is simultaneously driven to let the coin stay in behind the coin return.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing wrinkle resistance of a material, the apparatus including a base for receiving the material, the base coupled to a frame, at least one clamp for holding the material, the at least one clamp disposed upon the frame and movably fixed to an edge of the base and a loading mechanism for applying a desired load quantity on the material on the base. A method for testing wrinkle resistance of material, the method including providing a material on a base, the base coupled to a frame, providing at least one clamp for holding the material, the at least one clamp disposed upon the frame and movably fixed to an edge of the base and controlling a loading mechanism to apply a desired load quantity on the material on the base.

Abstract: Embodiments of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) device comprise a mixing pipe having an air inlet port and an outlet port disposed at opposite ends of the mixing pipe, and an exhaust inlet port disposed at a region of the mixing pipe between the air inlet port and the outlet port, wherein the exhaust inlet port is configured to deliver exhaust to be mixed with air inside the mixing pipe. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) device further comprises a nozzle disposed internally within a region of the mixing pipe between the exhaust inlet ring and the outlet port such that the diffuser nozzle defines an outer mixing channel in the spacing between the diffuser nozzle and the mixing pipe region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a LED lighting apparatus with one or more swivel connections. The LED lighting apparatus includes a housing with at least one end, at least one light emitting diode extending along the housing and at least one end cap. The end cap has an opening with a sidewall to cap the end of the housing and a surface opposite the opening and spanning the sidewall. At least two pin connectors extend from the surface and are connectable to a standard fluorescent or incandescent light fixture. Various configurations are described such that the housing will rotate within the end caps with application of a rotational force after connection of the pin connectors to the light fixture to adjust the light output direction of the LED lighting apparatus.

Abstract: In a die-cushion device of a press machine a controller controls an opening degree of a proportional flow-rate control valve to an appropriate opening degree in order to control the flow rate flowing out of a lower chamber of a hydraulic cylinder supporting a cushion pad before a slide collides against the cushion pad using a die-cushion pressure command commanded from a commander in advance and a slide speed signal inputted from a slide speed detector. By this, generation of a surge pressure when a slide collides against the cushion pad at a high speed is restricted.

Abstract: Present invention relates to a method and apparatus for separating particles from a fluid; particles are dispersed in the fluid and consist of lighter particles with lower density than the bulk, and heavier particles with a density higher than the bulk, method comprises the following steps: feeding the particle containing fluid to a separation device, evenly distribute the fluid over at least parts of the cross-sectional area by flowing through a distribution device (12) in an inlet chamber (11) providing the particle containing fluid with a specific velocity and leading the fluid to one or more collecting surfaces (5, 9) coalesce the lighter particles on the collecting surface (5, 9) remove the coalesced lighter particles from the collecting surface (5, 9) remove the particle depleted fluid and the lighter coalesced particles in at least two separate streams (2, 3) optionally remove the heavier particles from the bottom of the separation device in at least one separate stream