Abstract: A planetary gear hub assembly (1) comprising a housing (2) with a planetary sun gear (3) rotabably mounted in the housing (2). The planetary sun gear (3) meshes with a set of planet gears (4) which also mesh with a ring gear (5). A thrust bearing (25) is mounted on an outer end cover (7) of the housing (2) for engagement by an outer end of the planetary sun gear (3). The thrust bearing (25) is formed by a wear pad (26) mounted on an inner face (27) of the end cover (7) and an associated wear plug (28) mounted in a central axial bore (29) at the outer end of the planetary sun gear (3). An oil passage (30) extends through the wear pad (26) and communicates between an interior of the housing (2) and an oil-filling port (32) during normal use. The plug (34) can be removed for checking the oil in the housing (2) without affecting the position of the wear pad (26).

Abstract: A method of recording multiple highlights concurrently includes steps of collecting N game videos concurrently, choosing one of the game videos to execute a highlight recording treatment, inserting an in point and an out point for a highlight picture, and concurrently copying time position information of the aforementioned in point and the out point of the game video in N?1 video games to form respective highlight segment records. Thus, human and material resources involved in collecting videos at multiple viewpoints for the sport live broadcast can be largely reduced.

Abstract: A method of generating highlights for live videos includes steps of setting a rule for inserting an out point, inserting an in point when a highlight picture appears, automatically finding out the rule whereby the out point is inserted, calculating a position where the out point is inserted to form a highlight segment record, loading the highlight segment record into a standby list, and searching the needed highlight segment record when the playback is in action to find the corresponding game video and a start position and an end position of a highlight segment. Therefore, steps for generating highlights can be reduced, and incorrect operations caused by human error can be effectively decreased.

Abstract: A method for continuously playing video clips without regeneration involves calling on clip records to be continuously played, making an index file according to the order of playback, during replay, finding out a game video of a current play node and its start position and end position, playing the game video to S second before an OUT point, starting to pre-read a video of the next play node and storing it in a memory, and when the current play node is played to its end, reading out the pre-read video from the memory and playing it, thereby achieving seamless playback.

Abstract: A process for the isolation and/or purification of a desired component, particularly 3?sialyl lactose, from whey, particularly cheese whey, comprising the steps of: optionally subjecting the whey to ultrafiltration to provide a protein concentrate and a whey permeate; contacting the whey or whey permeate with at least one series of ion exchange resins, said series comprising a first weak acid cation resin, a first weak base anion resin, a second strong acid cation resin, a second weak base anion resin to demineralize the whey permeate; contacting this demineralized permeate with two final ion exchange resins comprising a strong acid cation resin and a final weak base anion resin, wherein the desired component, such as 3? sialyl lactose, is taken up on the final anion resin; and eluting the desired component from the final anion resin.

Abstract: A process for the demineralization and fractionation of cheese whey or raw milk comprising the steps of: a) subjecting the whey or raw milk to ultrafiltration to provide a retentate fraction and a permeate fraction; b) concentrating the permeate fraction by means of nanofiltration; c) subjecting the nanofiltration retentate to ion permeation chromatography at elevated temperatures of between 50° C. and 80° C. using an appropriate resin; and d) eluting the nanofiltration retentate with water in various fractions to obtain fractions which may be low in mineral content and/or high in 3?-sialyl lactose content and/or high in other desirable components.

Abstract: An article dump truck has a front tractor unit connected to an associated rear trailer unit with a tipping container by an articulated coupling. The articulated coupling is operable to allow the front tractor unit and rear trailer unit to pivot about a vertical pivot axis, rams being provided to turn the front tractor unit and rear trailer unit about the pivot to steer the dump truck. The articulated coupling also allows the front tractor unit and rear trailer unit to rotate relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the dump truck. In addition, the front tractor unit has a front chassis mounted on a pair of wheels by an independent suspension system.

Abstract: A process for the isolation and/or purification of a desired component, particularly 3?sialyl lactose, from whey, particularly cheese whey, comprising the steps of: optionally subjecting the whey to ultrafiltration to provide a protein concentrate and a whey permeate; contacting the whey or whey permeate with at least one series of ion exchange resins, said series comprising a first weak acid cation resin, a first weak base anion resin, a second strong acid cation resin, a second weak base anion resin to demineralise the whey permeate; contacting this demineralised permeate with two final ion exchange resins comprising a strong acid cation resin and a final weak base anion resin, wherein the desired component, such as 3? sialyl lactose, is taken up on the final anion resin; and eluting the desired component from the final anion resin.

Abstract: A process for the demineralisation and fractionation of cheese whey or raw milk comprising the steps of: a) subjecting the whey or raw milk to ultrafiltration to provide a retentate fraction and a permeate fraction; b) concentrating the permeate fraction by means of nanofiltration; c) subjecting the nanofiltration retentate to ion permeation chromatography at elevated temperatures of between 50° C. and 80° C. using an appropriate resin; and d) eluting the nanofiltration retentate with water in various fractions to obtain fractions which may be low in mineral content and/or high in 3?-sialyl lactose content and/or high in other desirable components.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension spring system for a vehicle wheel station includes a hydraulic cylinder or strut having a piston which divides the cylinder volume into a main oil volume and an annular oil volume. The main oil volume communicates via a first oil passage with a first accumulator having a main gas volume. The annular oil volume communicates via a second oil passage with a second accumulator having an auxiliary gas volume. The oil in each accumulator is separated from the gas by a separator piston or diaphragm. A third oil passage with an isolating valve interconnects said first and second oil passages. Operation of the isolating valve is regulated by a controller. At least one sensor for sensing a parameter associated with vehicle attitude is connected to the controller. The controller is operable for switching the isolating valve between open and closed positions for altering spring stiffness of the strut in response to said sensed vehicle attitude parameter when the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: An article dump truck has a front tractor unit connected to an associated rear trailer unit with a tipping container by an articulated coupling. The articulated coupling is operable to allow the front tractor unit and rear trailer unit to pivot about a vertical pivot axis, rams being provided to turn the front tractor unit and rear trailer unit about the pivot to steer the dump truck. The articulated coupling also allows the front tracter unit and rear trailer unit to rotate relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the dump truck. In addition, the front tractor unit has a front chassis mounted on a pair of wheels by an independent suspension system.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension spring system for a vehicle wheel station includes a hydraulic cylinder or strut having a piston which divides the cylinder volume into a main oil volume and an annular oil volume. The main oil volume communicates via a first oil passage with a first accumulator having a main gas volume. The annular oil volume communicates via a second oil passage with a second accumulator having an auxiliary gas volume. The oil in each accumulator is separated from the gas by a separator piston or diaphragm. A third oil passage with an isolating valve interconnects said first and second oil passages. Operation of the isolating valve is regulated by a controller. At least one sensor for sensing a parameter associated with vehicle attitude is connected to the controller. The controller is operable for switching the isolating valve between open and closed positions for altering spring stiffness of the strut in response to said sensed vehicle attitude parameter when the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A suspension assembly has a pair of suspension arms, namely a forward suspension arm and a rear suspension arm. Each suspension arm is pivotally mounted on a housing containing spring means associated with each of the suspension arms. A wheel hub assembly is mounted at an outer end of each suspension arm. An inner end of each suspension arm is connected by a pivot shaft with a lower end of an associated lever arm mounted within the housing. An upper end of the lever arm is connected to the spring means. The spring means opposes pivotal movement of the suspension arm away from a neutral position. Mounting flanges on the housing allow the assembly to be bolted to a floor of a vehicle and adjusted for correct alignment on the vehicle.

Abstract: A pulveriser is disclosed which comprises a fan which sucks air through a pipe. A hopper receives material which is to be pulverised, the hopper having an open lower end which communicates with the pipe. Between the hopper and the fan there is a venturi. Air flows through the venturi at a speed of Mach 1 or above. Pieces of frangible material dropped into the hopper are sucked to the venturi where they are blown apart and reduced to powder.

Abstract: A vehicle driveline for a multi-axle vehicle includes a through drive axle unit; which is a close-coupled assembly comprising a torque transfer mechanism with an associated differential unit and an axle differential unit. An output shaft of the through drive unit is on substantially the same axis an input pinion to the axle differential unit.

Abstract: An independent suspension system has a pair of control arms having inner ends which are attached to a vehicle body and outer ends which support a wheel hub therebetween. A ball joint interconnects each control arm with the wheel hub. Each ball joint has a ball pin rotatably mounted in an associated housing. A first threaded shank on the ball pin is bolted to one of the control arm and the wheel hub. A second threaded shank on the housing is bolted to the other of the control arm and the wheel hub. Thus each ball joint is a separate unit which is demountable from the control arm and wheel hub and can be installed without dismantling the ball joint. Conveniently also a threaded shank of the ball joint may screw into a complementary threaded socket in a control arm to allow adjustment of the effective length of the control arm.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system (1) which provides roll control comprises a pair of hydraulic actuators (2, 3) mounted at wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle chassis, each hydraulic actuator (2, 3) being connected between the wheel and the chassis. Each hydraulic actuator (2, 3) has a fluid filled variable volume fluid chamber (8, 9) defined by a cylinder (4, 5) and piston (6, 7), one part being connected to the wheel and the other part to the chassis. An hydraulic accumulator (12, 13) is connected to each fluid chamber via a fluid transfer line (14, 15) to act as a spring with damping means being provided by a flow restrictor orifice (10, 11). A pump (16) communicates via fluid transfer lines (14, 15) between both hydraulic actuator fluid chambers (8, 9) through a control valve (19) which is operable to isolate both chambers (8, 9) from each other and from the pump (16) or to selectively connect one chamber (8, 9) to an inlet (17) of the pump (16) and the other chamber (8, 9) to an outlet of the pump (16).

Abstract: A vehicle transverse structural member (1), particularly for heavy vehicles, incorporates an axle and wheel assembly having independently sprung hub units (4). The structural member 1 provides both extra strength and stiffness for a chassis in addition to providing for improved wheel control.

Abstract: An improved self controlled watering planter device of the type utilizing a porous moisture sensor, an air-tight fluid reservoir and a membranous fluid inlet port on the interior bottom of the device including concentric annular ridges and a solid circular disk for inhibiting the interference of plant roots with the fluid inlet port. The improved device further includes baffle structures to inhibit debris from fouling the bottom portion of the inlet port, an interiorally mounted moisture sensing unit and an inward draining niche surrounding the fluid reservoir fill port.