Abstract: A hydrodynamically lubricating rotary seal for partitioning a lubricant from an environment has a generally circular seal body, a sloping dynamic sealing lip, and an energizer. The dynamic sealing lip is provided for establishing compressed sealing relation with a relatively rotatable surface, and has a sloping dynamic sealing surface that varies in width, and also has a hydrodynamic inlet curvature that varies in position around the circumference of the seal. When the seal is installed against a relatively rotatable surface, the dynamic sealing lip deforms to define a variable width interfacial contact footprint against the relatively rotatable surface that is wavy on the lubricant side, and wedges a film of lubricating fluid into the interface in response to relative rotation. The environment edge of the interfacial contact footprint is substantially circular, and therefore does not produce a hydrodynamic wedging action in response to relative rotation.

Abstract: Urea is prepared by reacting ammonia and carbon dioxide in an apparatus comprising a vertical condensation and synthesis column and a stripper, to provide a urea synthesis solution comprising urea, unreacted ammonia, unreacted carbon dioxide and water. The urea synthesis solution is transferred from the top of the vertical condensation and synthesis column to the top of a stripper. Carbon dioxide is introduced into the bottom of the stripper and contacted with the urea synthesis solution, thereby separating the unreacted ammonia and the unreacted carbon dioxide from the urea, and providing a mixed gas comprising ammonia, carbon dioxide and water. The mixed gas is transferred into the bottom of the vertical condensation and synthesis column, where it is reacted with liquid ammonia injected into the bottom and a middle of the vertical condensation and synthesis column. The mixed gas and liquid ammonia are condensed and react to form urea.

Abstract: A method for producing a capillary bead array comprises the steps of: dispensing beads into a liquid pool, outside a capillary, having a depth of almost the same length as the particle diameter of a bead; leveling the excessive beads by moving a leveling member which is in contact with and relatively capable of be moved to the liquid pool to remove excessive beads that the liquid pool cannot contain; aligning the beads in the liquid pool one- or two-dimensionally; bonding adjacent individual beads to each other; producing a structure having the plurality of beads bonded and aligned one- or two-dimensionally; removing the structure from the liquid pool; and disposing the structure in the capillary formed of soft resin, so that the beads comprising the plurality of beads retaining the one- or two-dimensional alignment can be introduced simultaneously into the capillary.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a mixing system that provides improved mixing of quench gas and process fluids in a height constrained interbed space while not increasing pressure drop. In particular, the device improves the effectiveness of an existing mixing volume in mixing the gas phase of two-phase systems. The mixing system includes a horizontal collection tray, a mixing chamber positioned below the collection tray, at least one passageway extending through the collection tray into the mixing chamber, and a vapor slipstream passageway extending through the collection tray into the mixing chamber for directing a vapor slipstream from above the collection tray into the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber and the collection tray define a two-phase mixing volume. The passageway conducts fluid containing at least some vapor from above the collection tray into the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber preferably includes at least one outlet opening for the downward passage of fluid.

Abstract: Methods for forming electrically conductive heated dielectric panels are provided. The panels are utilized for warming objects and/or insuring unobstructed viewing through the panels by removing moisture. The methods include depositing electrically conductive metal bus bars onto the dielectric panel, onto which panel a conductive coating has previously been disposed. The conductive metal bus bars are deposited onto the coated dielectric panel through the use of a circularly rotating or an inline heating head and mask apparatus, in combination with an oxyacetylene or a plasma device. A metallic tab, which extends from the panel peripheral edge, is brought into electrical contact with each conductive metal bus bar for external electrical connectivity.

Abstract: A dermabrasion apparatus operates by a flow of air and reducing substances conveyed to a patient through a handpiece. The apparatus includes an oval-shaped mixing bottle that has a first enclosed region for holding reducing substances. The mixing bottle includes a cap that has two tubes extending therefrom, for coupling to respective input and output legs of the handpiece. The mixing bottle also includes a second enclosed region for holding one of the two tubes that provides an air-tight coupling between the output leg of the handpiece and a collecting bottle. The mixing bottle is oval-shaped so that a user can readily manipulate the handpiece so as to move the handpiece coupled to the mixing bottle in a desired direction. This is especially useful for small handpieces that are hard to hold onto by themselves.

Abstract: A support device for supporting a plurality of elongated members. The support device having a longitudinally extensive strip having a plurality of sets of transverse corrugations located at successive longitudinal locations along the strip. Each set of transverse corrugations forming a plurality of elongated member engaging zones extending laterally outwards from both faces of the strip to engage the elongated members in the tube bundle on opposite sides of a tube lane. The support device is useful to support elongated members in a bundle and to mitigate the possibility of damage from flow-induced vibration in elongated members.

Abstract: A control method for the modulation of the torque of piston combustion engine that has a compression chamber (6) of variable volume and operable inlet valves (3). The torque requested for a predetermined operative condition is obtained through a selection of the volume of the compression chamber (6) combined with a selection of the time of opening and the time of closure of the inlet valves (3) combined with a selection of the frequency with which power strokes are performed.

Abstract: A control method for modulating the torque in an internal combustion engine with mechanical power transmission and with pneumatically, hydraulically or electromagnetically controllable valves that are open and closed based on signals from a control system, by which method a torque that is requested in an operative situation at a certain moment is provided by a selection of the frequency with which power strokes are performed by controlling the number of power strokes in relation to the number of idle strokes. The power strokes take part in 2-stroke cycles or 4-stroke cycles, and one or more 2-stroke cycles are alternated with or more 4-stroke cycles.

Abstract: When a conventional semiconductor container opening/closing apparatus opens a lid of a semiconductor container, foreign particles enter into the container from outside through a gap between the container and a wall surface of the container opening/closing apparatus and adhere to a wafer in the container. A method is provided to reduce the number of foreign particles adhering to the wafer by preventing foreign particles from entering into the container at the time of opening the container by the opening/closing apparatus. To achieve this, a velocity-differential pressure ratio obtained by dividing the maximum velocity at the time of opening the lid of the container in a vertical direction to an opening of the container, by the differential pressure between the inside pressure and the outside pressure of said semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, is set to be 0.06 ((m/s) Pa) or less.

Abstract: A configuration builder useful in configuring software-containing hardware units which are serviced by a center which services a multiplicity of similar units having a plurality of different configurations, the configuration builder including: functionality enabling configuration of at least one software-containing hardware unit by a configurer; and functionality operative automatically in response to configuration of the at least one software-containing hardware unit for correspondingly configuring the center, thereby to enable the center to interface with the at least one software-containing hardware unit. Methodologies and point of sale systems employing the configuration building functionality are also disclosed.

Abstract: A programming circuit includes an LT fuse read circuit programming a defective address during a wafer-processing, an electrical fuse circuit electrically programming a defective address, an electrical fuse circuit storing therein whether the electrical fuse circuit is used, a select circuit receiving data programmed by the LT fuse and that programmed by the electrical fuse for switch and output, an electrical fuse circuit designating a switching of the select circuit, and a repair decision circuit comparing an output received from the select circuit and an input address received from the address buffer.

Abstract: A device for easily determining whether a rare short circuit, which results from the generation of heat exceeding a predetermined value, has occurred in a load circuit. The device includes a fuse for detecting a load current that flows through the load circuit and generates a detection signal. A determination circuit is connected to the fuse to determine whether a rare short circuit has occurred. The determination circuit calculates one of a first parameter and a second parameter based on the detection signal. The first parameter relates to a first time period during which the load current exceeds a predetermined reference current value. The second parameter relates to a second time period during which the load current is less than or equal to the predetermined reference current value.

Abstract: A system for combustion and removal of residual carbon within fly ash particles in which the fly ash particles are fed into an array of process units for combustion. The fly ash particles are subjected to heat and motive air such that as the fly ash particles pass through the particulate bed, they are heated to a sufficient temperature to cause the combustion of the residual carbon within the particles. The fly ash particles thereafter are conveyed in a dilute phase for further combustion through the reactor chamber away from the particulate bed and exhausted to an ash capture. The fly ash is then separated from the exhaust air that conveys the ash in its dilute phase with the air being further exhausted and the captured fly ash particles being fed to a feed accumulator for re-injection to the reactor chamber or discharge for further processing.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting, locating, and quantifying contamination in a fluid flow system like a pipe or duct. This characterization technique uses a conservative and one or more interactive tracers that are injected into the fluid flow system and then monitored at another location in the system. Detection, location, and quantification are accomplished by analysis of the characteristic features of measured curves of tracer concentration.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a method for easily molding projections on an end edge along an opening in a housing which project towards an opposite side of the end edge to the opening, and to provide a housing structure related to the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light tube for illumination by a power supply circuit including a bulb portion and a pair of end caps disposed at opposite ends of the bulb portion. A plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed inside the bulb portion and in electrical communication with the pair of end caps for illuminating in response to electrical current to be received from the power supply circuit.

Abstract: A friction clutch includes a housing arrangement connectable to a drive element for rotation in common about an axis of rotation, a plurality of first friction disks connected to the housing arrangement such that the first friction disks are fixed with respect to rotation and axially movable relative to the housing arrangement, a hub rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to the housing arrangement and having a plurality of radially outward-projecting connection arms, a plurality of second friction disks defining engagement opening therein being closed on radial inner sides thereof, wherein the connection arms of the hub engage the engagement openings of the second friction disks such that the second friction disks are fixed with respect to rotation and axially movable relative to the hub, and a force-exerting arrangement exerting a force for urging the first friction elements and the second friction elements into contact with each other.

Abstract: The invention provides an ion exchange membrane electrolyzer ensuring a satisfactory circulation of electrolyte, high electrolytic efficiency and great ridigity. An anode chamber partition in a flat sheet form is joined to a cathode chamber partition in a flat sheet form. An electrode retainer member in a sheet form is joined to at least one partition at a belt-like junction. A projecting strip with an electrode joined thereto is located between adjacent junctions. A space on an electrode surface side of the electrode retainer member defines a path through which a fluid goes up in the electrode chamber, and a space that spaces away from the space defines a path through which an electrolyte separated from a gas at a top portion of the electrode goes down.

Abstract: A two-tired seating riser for a sports stadium comprises upper and lower metal plates bonded together by a solid elastomer core. The elastomer core has different thicknesses in the treads and rises. The lower tread has a lip portion in which the metal plates are flared to facilitate alignment with the riser below.