Abstract: A three-position plunger is provided including a sleeve having an opening at a distal end, a pre-load cavity proximal to and in communication with the opening, a first cavity proximal to and in communication with the pre-load cavity, a second cavity proximal to and in communication with the pre-load cavity, and at least one rib. The rib(s) is generally aligned with the first cavity. The plunger further includes an insert configured to be displaced from the pre-load cavity to the first cavity and from the first cavity to the second cavity. The insert is configured to provide support for the compression of the rib(s) when the insert is positioned in the first cavity.

Abstract: A three-position plunger is provided including a sleeve having an opening at a distal end, a pre-load cavity proximal to and in communication with the opening, a first cavity proximal to and in communication with the pre-load cavity, a second cavity proximal to and in communication with the pre-load cavity, and at least one rib. The rib(s) is generally aligned with the first cavity. The plunger further includes an insert configured to be displaced from the pre-load cavity to the first cavity and from the first cavity to the second cavity. The insert is configured to provide support for the compression of the rib(s) when the insert is positioned in the first cavity.

Abstract: A convertible plunger is provided comprising an internal portion and a generally cylindrical exterior surface. At least a portion of the exterior surface is maintained in an initial expanded state by a property of the internal portion. The expanded state is reducible to a constricted state by an operation that is applied to the internal portion of the plunger to alter the property. A film coating may also be applied to a sidewall of the sleeve to reduce a sliding friction between the sleeve and barrel. A film coating may also be applied to a nose cone of the plunger to provide a barrier between the plunger and product in the barrel.

Abstract: A three-position plunger is provided including a sleeve having an opening at a distal end, a pre-load cavity proximal to and in communication with the opening, a first cavity proximal to and in communication with the pre-load cavity, a second cavity proximal to and in communication with the pre-load cavity, and at least one rib. The rib(s) is generally aligned with the first cavity. The plunger further includes an insert configured to be displaced from the pre-load cavity to the first cavity and from the first cavity to the second cavity. The insert is configured to provide support for the compression of the rib(s) when the insert is positioned in the first cavity.

Abstract: A convertible plunger is provided comprising an internal portion and a generally cylindrical exterior surface. At least a portion of the exterior surface is maintained in an initial expanded state by a property of the internal portion. The expanded state is reducible to a constricted state by an operation that is applied to the internal portion of the plunger to alter the property. A film coating may also be applied to a sidewall of the sleeve to reduce a sliding friction between the sleeve and barrel. A film coating may also be applied to a nose cone of the plunger to provide a barrier between the plunger and product in the barrel.

Abstract: A student neural network that is capable of receiving a series of tutoring inputs from one or more teacher networks to generate a student network output that is similar to the output of the one or more teacher networks. The tutoring inputs are repeatedly processed by the student until, using a suitable method such as back propagation of errors, the outputs of the student approximate the outputs of the teachers within a predefined range. Once the desired outputs are obtained, the weights of the student network are set. Using this weight set the student is now capable of solving all of the problems of the teacher networks without the need for adjustment of its internal weights. If the user desires to use the student to solve a different series of problems, the user only needs to retrain the student by supplying a different series of tutoring inputs.

Abstract: A cable management system and method for winding on or letting out a length of cable from a cable support apparatus, in a generally curved, figure eight path, to prevent continuous twisting of a fixed length of cable coupled between the cable support apparatus and a fixed device. A control system is used to move the cable support apparatus in the figure eight path. The cable support apparatus includes a pair of spools which are arranged at a generally 45° angle to one another. Cable is alternately wound onto or wound from the two spools as the apparatus is moved in the figure eight path.

Abstract: A cable management system and method for winding on or letting out a length of cable from a cable support apparatus, in a generally curved, figure eight path, to prevent continuous twisting of a fixed length of cable coupled between the cable support apparatus and a fixed device. A control system is used to move the cable support apparatus in the figure eight path. The cable support apparatus includes a pair of spools which are arranged at a generally 45° angle to one another. Cable is alternately wound onto or wound from the two spools as the apparatus is moved in the figure eight path.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a condition such as tire air pressure where the monitor at each tire is remotely energized by radio waves, there being two embodiments disclosed for effecting this. A loop antenna concentrically mounted with respect to each tire receiver and/or transmits electrical energy to the remote location which is typically at the operator's console. Each pressure sensitive device is mounted away from the valve stem and may include a strain gauge mounted on the tire side wall or between the wall and rim. An infra-red detector may also be employed as a pressure monitoring device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring mass flow, and particularly the sum or difference in mass flow of distinct streams of flowing materials, wherein a plurality of channels are provided in one or more conduits rotating or oscillating as a common unit with additive streams or a common stream being flowed through the channels in a first direction and subtractive streams being flowed through the channels in an opposite direction, and in which the net Coriolis force imposed upon the conduit unit is measured.