Abstract: A capacitive fill level measuring instrument includes a fill level sensor having several sensor arrays (1), electrical lines (2) connected to the sensor arrays (1), select switches (4) with multi-pole sides (3) connected to the lines (2), and a power supply and evaluation circuit (8) having a power supply circuit (6) and an evaluation circuit (7) connected to the mono-pole sides of the select switches (4). A measured value is determined for a state in which no sensor array (1) is connected via the evaluation circuits (7) and (8), the sensor arrays (1) are alternately connected to the multi-pole side (3) of the first select switch (4) and the multi-pole side (3) of the second select switch (4), and after a first fill level determination, the sensor arrays (1), adjacent to a boundary layer, are triggered or interrogated, advantageously, solving various problems with background art devices.

Abstract: A method of treating a well including injecting a thermally stable, substantially water-free well-treating fluid into the well, wherein the well-treating fluid comprises a polymer, a glycol compound, and a salt is disclosed. In another embodiment, a thermally stable, substantially water-free well fluid including a polymer, a diol compound, and a salt is disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasound system determines the presence of a foreign object in a container of fluid by measuring echo signals from the outer surface of the container and the inner surface of the container. The amplitude of the echo signals are compared to determine the presence of an object in the container. The system also determines viscosity of the contained fluid by measuring a through-transmission time through the container and the fluid, measuring an outer echo transmission time of an outer echo signal from the outer surface of the container and an inner echo transmission time of an inner echo signal from the inner surface of the container, and determining a time difference between the outer echo transmission time and the inner surface transmission time.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for coupling energy into or out of a dielectric resonator circuit by means of a coupling loop. More particularly, the invention is a method and apparatus for adjustably mounting a coupling loop relative to a resonator, the method and apparatus particularly adapted for use with conical and similar resonators in which the field of interest, typically the TE mode, varies as a function of longitudinal position relative to the resonator.

Abstract: An alternating current (AC) electrical motor/generator electrodynamic machine and methods include, according to disclosed embodiments of the invention, providing a wound rotor having a polyphase AC winding and a damper winding. The machine can operate as a low slip induction motor or generator, and alternatively can operate as a synchronous motor or generator.

Abstract: Infrared generation is disclosed. A first laser field having a first frequency associated with a first interband transition is generated. A second laser field having a second frequency associated with a second interband transition is generated. The generation of the first laser field occurs substantially simultaneously with the generation of the second laser field. A third laser field is generated from the first laser field and the second laser field. The third laser field has a third frequency associated with an intersubband transition. The third frequency is substantially equivalent to a difference between the second frequency and the first frequency.

Abstract: A resin composition provides good optical properties when stretched and efficient oxygen-scavenging, the resin composition comprising a film-forming polyester and an effective amount of oxygen-scavenging particles, wherein the particles have a particle size distribution such that particles of less than about 25 microns in size do not exceed a concentration defined by a formula that includes the apparent density of the particles. Another resin composition comprises a film-forming polyester and from about 50 to about 2500 parts by weight of iron per million by weight of the resin, wherein the amount of iron particles having a size of less than about 20 microns does not exceed about 800 parts per million by weight of the resin. A method is also provided for incorporating high levels of oxygen-scavenging particles into a film-forming polyester resin composition with low haze when stretched.

Abstract: “Black holes” in the genomes of bacterial pathogens represent deletions of “anti-virulence” genes, i.e. genes that are detrimental to a pathogenic lifestyle. Identification of the missing genetic loci in the “black hole” identifies genes that are incompatible with the bacteria's pathogenicity. These genes, their gene products, and compounds generated by the enzymatic action of these gene products represent potential new compounds that are inhibitory to the bacterial pathogen and thus useful as pharmaceuticals. The utility of this concept is demonstrated in the missing gene for lysine decarboxylase, and the resulting inhibitory activity of cadaverine (the diaminoalkyl reaction product of lysine decarboxylase) on the Shigella enterotoxins. Diaminoalkyl compounds are therefore potent inhibitors of E. coli and Shigella spp. enterotoxins. Lysine decarboxylase generated from the gene cadA results in attenuation of the enterotoxic effects.

Abstract: Precipitated silica product having low surface area and enhanced flavor compatibility. The precipitated silica product is especially well-adapted for use in dentifrices containing cetylpyridinium chloride, which do not attach to the low surface area silica product in a meaningful level and thus remain available for antimicrobial action. Processes for making the low surface area silica product are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a sheathed penetrator having a steel sheath and a heavy-metal core with a smooth surface. The method includes heating the steel sheath to a temperature between 70 and 350° C.; inserting the heavy-metal core into the heated steel sheath; and allowing the steel sheath to cool down. An inside diameter of the steel sheath and an outside diameter of the heavy-metal core are such that an interference fit exists between the steel sheath and the heavy-metal core after the steel sheath has cooled down.

Abstract: Precipitated silica comprising porous silica particles having a cumulative surface area for all pores having diameters greater than 500 Å of less than 8 m2/g, as measured by mercury intrusion, and a percentage cetylpyridinium chloride (% CPC) Compatibility of greater than about 55%. The precipitated silica product is especially well-adapted for use in dentifrices containing cetylpyridinium chloride, which do not attach to the low surface area silica product in a meaningful level and thus remain available for antimicrobial action. Processes for making the silica product are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides additive packages for polyolefins The additive packages of the present invention comprise at least one non-phenolic antioxidant and a hindered amine light stabilizer. The additive packages may contain other additives as needed, and may optionally include an acid scavenger. Articles made from the resultant polymers, such as radiator surge tanks, exhibit enhanced stain and discoloration resistance upon exposure to high temperatures and harsh chemicals such as those experienced in “under the hood” spaces of modern automobiles.

Abstract: A container assembly has a lid which connects to an open ended container. The container has a wall which defines a cavity therein and has an outer surface with a plurality of outwardly directed teeth and at least outwardly directed thread. The teeth are located intermediate the threads and a top of the container wall. The lid has an outer wall with an inwardly directed blade on a leg which cooperates with the outwardly directed teeth on the exterior surface of the container. The lid also has a cutout in a ridge which allows at least a portion of a locking member to extend therethrough, the locking member is normally biased toward a center of the lid in a first position so that the leg is brought into contact with the teeth on the container. The locking member can be moved to a second position to disengage the leg from the teeth to allow rotation in at least one direction.

Abstract: A microwave sensor is described, with a self-mixing oscillator (1), with a transmitting and receiving antenna (2), with an impedance (3) which is connected between the current or voltage supply (4) and the oscillator (2), and with an evaluation circuit (5), the self-mixing oscillator (2) producing both the transmitted signal and also mixing the transmitted signal with the received signal and the low-frequency mixed (Doppler signal) being tapped on the impedance (3) and supplied to the evaluation circuit (5). The microwave sensor has only lower power consumption, and the microwave sensor can also be economically produced in that the self-mixing oscillator (2) is made as a push-pull oscillator with two transistors (6, 7).

Abstract: A projectile body having a groove-shaped recess (2), in which a guide band (3) is disposed. To permit use of a relatively wide guide band (3), while preventing the band from being destroyed as the projectile body (1) passes through the gun barrel, and preventing significant copper-plating of the barrel, the guide band (3) is assembled from two partial guide bands (5, 6), with the relatively narrow, first partial band (5), which faces the base (7) of the projectile, comprising copper or a copper alloy and providing a seal against the propellant gases acting on the projectile rear under high pressure. The second, considerably wider partial guide band (6) essentially comprises plastic, and includes at least one hollow space (11), which lends it adequate deformation reserves with respect to the high surface pressure acting on this partial guide band (6) when the projectile body (1) passes through the barrel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for refining triglyceride oils to produce haze-free, clear oils for use in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The method includes subjecting unrefined triglyceride oils with moderate amounts of saturated fats to a sequence of thermally regulated and adsorbent aided filtrations followed by melting, crystallization, and filtration steps to produce translucent and clear oil that can be stored for long periods of time.

Abstract: A method, Packet Data Access Node such as a CDMA2000 Packet Data Service Node (PDSN) and a packet data system for provisioning the PDAN with an interim prepaid quota for auxiliary service instances related to a connection with a prepaid subscriber. The prepaid terminal requests registration with the PDAN and a prepaid server returns to the PDAN an indication that the prepaid subscriber has subscribed to multiple service instances and to certain service options. Responsive thereto, the PDAN requests immediate pre-initialization of a prepaid quota for the auxiliary instances from the prepaid server, and installs the prepaid quota. When the prepaid subscriber requests the auxiliary instances during the connection with the PDAN, the prepaid quota is already installed in the PDAN, and data packets are properly routed. The PDAN may be a CDMA2000 Packet data Service Node (PDSN).

Abstract: A system and method for automated package delivery and pick-up include at least one package portal located in a delivery and pick-up station to receive and dispense packages from the station. A station controller is coupled to an information input system and the package receiving and dispensing portal mechanism, and is arranged to associate package and intended recipient identification information with a received package. The controller is also arranged to process identification information, which may include biometric information, to authenticate the identity of an intended recipient, and to permit dispensing of the package from the at least one portal in response thereto. The station supports unattended delivery and pick-up of packages to improve overall efficiency of a package delivery system as well as user convenience and safety.

Abstract: An electroplating process reduces the whisker formation rate that results from an interruption of the electroplating process for an alloy. The process forms a tin strike or a thin layer of a pure(>99.9%) metal on the alloy during an activation operation, so that an interruption in the electroplating process during which the lead frame or other work piece remains in an activation solution etches the pure metal layer rather than the alloy and thus does not unacceptably roughen the surface of the work piece. An exemplary embodiment forms a tin strike on a predominantly copper lead frame during an activation operation and forms an Sn—Pb solder layer on the tin strike during a plating operation. The solder layer is generally more than five times as thick as the tin strike layer.