Abstract: A chain sprocket has the flank shapes of successive teeth along the circumference differing from one another. The flank profiles vary according to a precise or randomly determined rule (randomisation). It allows the noise level of the chain to be reduced without affecting the load on said chain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage system and identification device for storing objects associated with the devices in stations. Each identification devices includes an electronic memory device with a unique code. The storage system receives information relating each identification device with both its code and its associated object. A user can enter information as to a particular object and the system identifies the location of the station holding the identification device. Thus, identification devices can be returned randomly. This can be used for many objects as small as keys and very large objects connected to the identification devices.

Abstract: Species of fungi have been identified, which can be used to control coleopteran infestations of host plants. The fungi are particularly useful for controlling infestations of Diaprepes abbreviatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sprocket system having an internal torsional damper which absorbs crankshaft torsional vibrations and minimizes their transfer to other components in the engine system. In particular, the present system interposes uses friction plates in the various embodiments to absorb the dissipated torsional and vibrational energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage system and identification device for storing objects associated with the devices in stations. Each identification device includes an electronic memory device with a unique code. The storage system receives information relating each identification device with both its code and its associated object. A user can enter information as to a particular object and the system identifies the location of the station holding the identification device. Thus, identification devices can be returned randomly. This can be used for many objects as small as keys and very large objects connected to the identification devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor and pump which operate completely submerged in the pump fluid which uses surrounding fluid to cool the heat generated within the motor. The motor is also built with the intention that it can run in non-submerged applications by placing a cooling jacket around the stator portion of the motor and passing a cooling fluid through the jacket to absorb the motor heat. The cooling system disclosed is such that it can be filled with a fluid circulated within the system but not in direct contact with the fluid being pumped within the pump. Preferably the cooling system includes a flow control tube for use in controlling the flow rate of the cooling liquid and an expansion tank for use in limiting the pressure of the cooling fluid in the cooling system.

Abstract: A steering handle apparatus for a watercraft provided with a steering shaft comprises a housing attached to the body of the watercraft, a tube member supported on the housing so as to be able to tilt back and forth around a pivot portion and including a gear portion and a guide hole through which the steering shaft is passed, a locking member including a fitting portion movable between a locking position for engagement with the gear portion and an unlocking position for disengagement from the gear portion, and an operating member including a retaining portion for moving the locking member. The operating member is operable between an up position in which the locking member is moved to the unlocking position and a down position in which the locking member is moved to the locking position.

Abstract: An integrated chain drive, sprocket, and tensioning assembly includes sprockets, a drive chain, and a guiding and supporting structure for the sprockets. This structure includes a fixed shoe that is integral with the body of a fluid operated tensioning device, and a movable element with a tensioning shoe that is adjustable in position. The assembly can be fixed to a base or fixed structure and forms a single pre-assembled unit for transportation and mounting to an engine body.

Abstract: A method of controlling plant infestation by fungus or insects by administering to a plant an aqueous solution that includes a chelating agent, humic acid and an alpha-keto acid.

Abstract: In a roller chain sprocket for a chain drive, the profile of each tooth comprises a proximal portion (AB), an intermediate portion (BC) and optionally a distal portion (CD). The proximal portion (AB) is shaped like an arc of a circle with a radius (r) at least as large as the radius (r.sub.r) of each roller of the chain. The intermediate portion (BC) has a complex curvature defined by mathematical equations, whereas the optional distal portion (CD) is shaped like an arc of a circle with a radius R, equal to the pitch minus the radius of the roller.

Abstract: In a chain drive system, initial calibration or adjustment for take-up or compensation of the manufacturing and assembly tolerances is achieved by an adjustment device that comprises a fixed block (12) and a spring-loaded moveable pad or snubber member (14), which, after initial positioning for take-up of tolerances, is fixed in position on the body. The adjustment device(10) can generally be positioned on the tight portion of the chain and can be an independent device or it can be combined with a traditional hydraulic or mechanical tensioner for taking up slack due to wear.

Abstract: A tensioner for a chain drive (10) having a shoe (12) made of wear-resistant thermoplastic material and one or more flat spring blades (15) with the ends contained in pockets (13a, 14a) provided in the enlarged ends of the shoe. The ends of the flat spring blade or blades (15) are slightly curved with the convexity turned toward the same side on which the spring presents a concavity, to prevent these ends, as they wear, from creating a groove in the surface of the plastic material of the shoe pocket and blocking the free flow of the ends of the spring in the pockets.

Abstract: A baseball cap having distorted graphics applied to the upwardly facing surface of the cap's visor, wherein the graphics are distorted in such a manner as to compensate for perspective and become more easily readable when viewed from a particular viewing position, more particularly, a frontal viewing position. The graphics may be text or pictorial views, and are distorted in such a manner that the distortion compensates for the distortion that normally exists when the visor is viewed from the frontal position whereby the graphics are easier to read or understand when so viewed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-straining a bolt-on strain sensor. The pre-strain is preferably adjusted by inserting a strain adjusting tool through strain adjusting holes in the sensor and the structural member. The portion of the tool engaging the sensor is preferably offset from the portion of the tool engaging the hole in the support structure to provide a camming function. After the strain has been adjusted to a desired value, a bolt adjacent the strain adjusting hold of the sensor is tightened to fixedly secure the sensor to the support structure and maintain the preadjust strain at the desired value.

Abstract: An acoustic ranging system monitors the level of material inside one or more vessels. The system includes an ultrasound transducer mounted in each vessel that is connected to a transmitter and a receiver through a transmit/receive isolation switch and a multiplexer. The transmitter applies a transmit signal to the transducer responsive to a trigger signal generated by a processor thereby causing the transducer to generate an ultrasound signal. An electronic receiver coupled to the transducer generates a receive signal responsive to the reflections of the ultrasound signal from the material. The receive signal is coupled to the processor which determines the elapsed time interval between generating the trigger signal an receipt of each receive signal. The processor then converts one of the elapsed time intervals into a distance indication corresponding to the level of the surface of the material.

Abstract: A load measuring system specially adapted for installation on the support legs of existing storage vessels. The load measuring system includes an attachment plate that is fastened to each support leg of the vessel, a support plate that is mounted on anchor bolts projecting upwardly from the supporting surface, and a load cell positioned between the attachment plate and the support plate. The support plate is supported by nuts threaded on respective anchor bolts. The nuts are rotated to raise the lower ends of the support legs above the supporting surface, thereby transferring the portion of the vessel's weight carried by the support leg to the load measuring system. The space between the support plate and the supporting surface is then filled with a supporting material such as concrete.

Abstract: A remote control mechanism has a gear lever 1 with a control knob 6 at its upper end and fastened at its lower end to a lever block member 7. The lever block member 7 is mounted on a first ball stud 9 so as to be pivotable about two mutually perpendicular axis 2, 3, such that pivotal movement of the gear lever 1 about the axis 2 effects translation of the cable core 17 of a push pull cable 4 attached to the bottom of the lever block member 7, thereby to execute a gear change. A second ball stud 20 is mounted on the lever block member 7 and is mounted in a complementary shaped surface of a bearing member 23, the external periphery of which is mounted for translational movement in an aperture 24 in one arm of a bell crank lever 25.

Abstract: A bolt-on strain sensor includes an L-shaped sensor body having a mounting hole formed at the end of each leg of the L-shaped body and a mounting hole formed at the intersection of the legs. A first strain sensing structure is formed in the sensor body between two of the mounting holes and a second strain sensing structure is formed in the sensor body between the other two mounting holes. The strain sensing structure is preferably a strain gauge instrumented measurement beam connected to the sensor body on opposite sides of the strain sensing region by spaced apart interconnecting members. A printed circuit board on which a plurality of electrical components are mounted is secured to the sensor body with a suitable fastener. A cover is then placed over the sensor body and printed circuit board.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer includes a resonant driving assembly having an ultrasound radiating surface covered with a propagation disc of impedance matching material. The resonant driving assembly and propagation disc are housed in a polymeric or stainless steel enclosure. All exposed surfaces of the enclosure, resonant driving assembly, and disc are covered with a coating of polyparaxylylene to make the transducer substantially impervious to industrial chemicals.

Abstract: A control device for detecting the presence of an obstacle on the basis of the current absorbed by the motor controlling the window in the course of an opening or closing stroke. For effectively distinguishing an obstacle from other factors, such as defects on the window guide resulting in a regular, local increase in current absorption, the current measurement is integrated and compared with threshold values varying within the stroke and describing a reference line consisting of a number of line portions, each equal in value to the integral of the current in a respective portion of the stroke in the absence of an obstacle.