Abstract: One of these devices comprises: a reaction with cold plasma (10b), for producing the reforming of a primary mixture consisting of fuel gas (hydrocarbon or alcohol), as well as oxygen and/or water vapor, thus producing a secondary mixture containing in particular hydrogen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide; an intake piece (18) for mixing these constituents, co-operating with a burner (42) and an associated combustion chamber (40) to bring the resulting primary mixture to a high temperature, before it is introduced into the reaction chamber (10a); a ring-shaped chimney (48) enclosing this chamber for maintaining it at a relatively high temperature; a high frequency alternating high voltage source (58), modulated by brief periodical low frequency pulses and electrodes (62-66) for generating silent discharges, in the reaction chamber (10b) thus generating a cold plasma producing a high chemical reactivity to the gas mixture present; a membrane (12) with high selective permeability for extracting the nascent hyd

Abstract: An antistatic bicomponent fiber comprises a nonconductive first component made of a first polymer and a conductive second component made of a second polymer containing a conductive material, where the second polymer has a lower melting point than the first polymer. The bicomponent fiber is made by co-extruding the two polymers at a temperature above their melting points, stretching the extruded fiber to increase the tensile strength, and heat treating the fiber at a temperature between the melting point of the first polymer and the melting point of the second polymer to improve the conductivity of the conductive second component. The bicomponent fiber is preferably a sheath/core fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injection device (10) having a housing (15) and an injection fluid container (12) which can move, in relation to this housing, between a distal and proximal end position, and also having a pushrod (14) to act on a plunger (23) in this container (12) for the purpose of expelling fluid from the container. A drive connection (27) is provided between the pushrod (14) and the container (12) and, in the distal end position of the container, this drive connection is effective in both the proximal and the distal direction, but in the proximal end position of the container (12), it is only effective when the pushrod (14) is moved in the distal direction.

Abstract: An over-center ejector blade retaining system which automatically locks the ejector blade in a loading position when the ejector blade has been retracted into the load position by operation of the hydraulic cylinder or ram to which it is attached. Movement of the ejector blade into the load position rotates a lock plate attached to the vehicle body into engagement with a locking roller attached to the ejector blade thereby compressing a spring attached to the lock plate. Upon movement of the connection between the lock plate and the spring over the center of rotation of the lock plate, the compressive force on the spring is released and the ejector blade held in the load position. When the ejector blade is moved from the load position to discharge materials, the process is reversed and the lock plate held in an open position for again receiving the locking rollers upon the return of the ejector blade to the load position.

Abstract: In the operation of a construction machine, such as a wheel loader, it is essential to provide load distribution capabilities for improved strength characteristics in the components. Additionally, high visibility is required for an operator to view a work implement during normal operation or coupling. The present invention includes a hydraulic coupler utilizing a pair of separate coupler assemblies which are connected at opposing ends of an upper and lower coupler pin boss at a pair of pin joints including a pair of pins to define a spatial relationship therebetween. The pins each have a cylindrical central portion and rectangular shaped end portions which are fixed within rectangular shaped pin mounting openings in first and second end portions of the coupler assemblies. The separation of the coupler assemblies provides enhanced visibility for an operator.

Abstract: An injection device has a housing (112,116) wherein there is a longitudinally movable expressing member (186) for expressing an injection fluid from a fluid container (118). In order to displace the expressing member (186) longitudinally within the housing, an actuating member (170, 172) is associated therewith. The actuating member is displaceable between a proximal end position and a distal end position. Between the actuating member (170, 172) and the expressing member (186), a position-dependent connecting device (166″, 167″, 198, 210, 212) is provided, which is disabled in the distal end position of the actuating member (170, 172) and is enabled in a position range adjacent to the distal end position of the actuating member (170, 172) including its proximal end position. One thus obtains an injection device which is simple to operate, and which is especially adapted to permit a patient to repeatedly administer the same constant injection dose.

Abstract: An improved landscape rake including a rotatably operable rake mechanism for performing a raking function, a bucket for receiving material raked by the rake mechanism, and a fluid actuator connected to the rake mechanism operable for moving the rake mechanism relative to the bucket, the fluid actuator having a first port adapted for connection to a source of pressurized fluid for receiving the pressurized fluid therefrom for moving the rake mechanism to a position proximal to the bucket and a second port adapted for connection via a fluid path to a fluid receiver for discharging fluid thereto, the improvement including a fluid control system for the fluid actuator including a second fluid path connecting the first port of the fluid actuator with the first named fluid path and a valve disposed in the second fluid path operable for allowing fluid flow therethrough from the first port to the first named fluid path while preventing fluid flow from the first named fluid path to the first port to allow the rake mec

Abstract: A shelf unit comprising uprights and shelves. The uprights are formed by two flanks each provided with a plurality of windows into which the ends of the shelves can be inserted, such that, at each end of a shelf, clearance is provided between a horizontal “locking” face of the shelf and a “locking” edge of the window, which edge faces the locking face. For each shelf, the unit is provided with at least two locking elements, one for each end of the shelf, each locking element comprising a clamping member suitable for being inserted between the locking face of the shelf and the locking edge of the window, and for being displaced so as to come into contact with said locking face for locking the shelf.

Abstract: An electronic smart card adapted to be inserted into a PCMCIA interface or other smart card reader and an interface adapted to be plugged into a card reader and including at least one recess whose dimensions permit only a partial insertion of the smart card, where that portion of the smart card which cannot be inserted into the PCMCIA interface or the like includes at least one recognition device.

Abstract: A for the production of polymeric fibers in the form of a tow includes drawing and heat setting, with and without crimping, in which the tow has a constant denier per inch during the processing. The process permits very large drawn tows to be produced having a thickness of at least 150,000 denier per inch of width during processing through the production equipment/apparatus. The production apparatus includes a conventional stacker, followed by drawing apparatus, followed by heat setting apparatus, and optionally followed by crimping apparatus. Positioning the stacker before the drawing apparatus allows very large tows to be produced using drawing and heat setting apparatus having rolls significantly shorter than is conventionally known.

Abstract: A main frame assembly is assembled by manufacturing a lower frame assembly with a pair of spaced side rails. A front wall extends continuously between the side rails and a pair of spaced and separated transmission housings are connected to the front wall and extend rearwardly therefrom a predetermined distance along a respective side rail. An upper frame assembly is manufactured with a pair of spaced tower assemblies and a pair of side members connected to a respective tower assembly. The upper frame assembly is mounted to the lower frame assembly by a horizontal connection exclusively between the side members of the upper frame assembly and the respective side rails of the lower frame assembly.

Abstract: The esterification of a carboxylic or polycarboxylic acid, such as terephthalic acid, with ethylene oxide is conducted in the presence of a supercritical or near critical fluid with an esterification catalyst to form a monoester such as 2-hydroxyethylterephthalate (MHET). The monoester can be easily removed from the involatile terephthalic acid/catalyst bed by continuous extraction with supercritical fluid before subsequent reaction to the diester occurs. The esterification catalyst, such as quaternary ammonium salts, are at least substantially insoluble in the supercritical fluid and capable of withstanding prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures. The process is highly selective to formation of monoesters, and economical. The process can be modified for production of bis-esters or higher esters. The monoesters are polymerizable and can be used as monomers in the production of polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: The invention proposes a dispenser for a web wound into a coreless roll, the roll (11) being mounted on an irrotational, substantially cylindrical support spindle (14), the web in this dispenser being dispensed by rotationally unwinding the roll (11) around the axis (A1) of the support spindle (14), characterized in that the support spindle (14) includes means (46, 48, 50, 52) axially locking the roll (11) and in that the spindle (14) bears means (36, 50, 52) for decelerating the roll (11) being unwound.

Abstract: An operational state sensor for controlling certain operations of a work machine such as a skid steer loader based upon the fulfillment of certain operator conditions, the operational state sensor including a first switch coupled to an operator restraint mechanism and actuatable between a first mode of operation corresponding to the condition when the operator restraint mechanism is in a non-restraining condition and a second mode of operation corresponding to the condition when the operator restraint mechanism is in a restraining condition, a second switch coupled to the operator seat and actuatable between a first mode of operation corresponding to the condition when an operator is not present in the seat and a second mode of operation corresponding to the condition when an operator is present in the seat, and an electronic controller coupled to the first and second switches for receiving signals therefrom, the controller being operable to receive a first signal indicative of when the first switch is either

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically monitored mechanical pipette which includes a microswitch in its volume delivery adjustment mechanism which operates to signal the electrical volume monitoring system of the pipette when a fluid volume delivery setting adjustment is being made. In this manner, the pipette operates in a low power mode during normal operation to display the present fluid volume delivery setting, but moves to a high power consumption mode when changes are being made to the fluid volume delivery setting. The microswitch allows the high power consumption elements in the electronic volume monitoring system, such as a Hall-effect transducer assembly, to be inactive and receive no power input until it is needed during adjustment of the fluid volume delivery setting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for melt spinning molten polymeric material into filaments, preferably embodied in the form of a spin pack assembly, utilizes an annular polymer filter formed of a screen mesh material to have a U-shaped axial cross-section defining an open end oriented to face upwardly for receiving polymer within the annular interior of the screen to flow outwardly therefrom to a downstream spinneret for extrusion. The filter eliminates any need to utilize sand or other filter material contained by the screen as a primary or auxiliary filtration medium and enables effective polymer flow substantially through the entire surface area of the screen without stagnation of material flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for steam-treating yarn, films, fibers, fiber tow and other polymeric articles is described. The apparatus includes a first orifice for generating minimum pressure areas and a second orifice to provide a sonic shock region operative to isolate the pressure in one chamber from the pressure in another chamber.

Abstract: A mounting and stabilizing arrangement for an engine with first and second end portions is disclosed. The mounting and stabilizing arrangement is adapted for use in a work machine with a frame assembly which includes a pair of side rails. A crossmember is connected between the pair of side rails. A bumper assembly is connected to the frame assembly at one end portion of the work machine. A pair of spaced mounts are connected to the crossmember. Each of the pair of mounts are positioned in a spaced relationship from a respective side rail. A single stabilizer is connected on the bumper assembly so that the first end portion of the engine is connected on the stabilizer and the second end portion of the engine is mounted on the pair of mounts to align the engine parallel with the pair of side rails of the frame assembly.

Abstract: A calendering apparatus and method for heatsetting a traveling multi-filament tow basically utilizes plural heated rolls about which the tow travels in a sinuous path to be conductively heated by the rolls and, at each roll, a plurality of infrared lamps in an arcuate arrangement facing the portion of the respective roll in contact with the tow simultaneously applies infrared radiation to the opposite side of the tow. In one embodiment, this arrangement of infrared lamps is retrofitted to a conventional calendering apparatus. An alternative embodiment provides for reducing or eliminating the number of calender rolls followed by a series of infrared heating tunnels collectively effective to accomplish heatsetting of the tow. The speed and/or throughput rate of each calendering apparatus and method is effectively twice that of conventional equipment of similar size.