Abstract: An air induction arrangement 7 for a variable displacement engine is provided. The air induction arrangement 7 includes first and second plenums 22, 24 fluidly connected to respective first and second throttles 26, 28. The first and second throttles 26, 28 are connected to respective first and second inlets 44, 60. In partial operation, the air induction arrangement 7 induces air into the first plenum 22. In higher power demand operation, the air induction arrangement 7 additionally induces air through the second plenum 24. There is a reduction of the cancellation of acoustic output between the first and second inlets 44, 60 so that an acoustic output of the engine 14 operating with only a first group of cylinders 16 is similar to the acoustic output of the engine when the engine is operating with both groups of cylinders 16, 20.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for updating a buffer containing display information used to display pixels from a first layer and a second layer on a display in the data processing system. Display information is identified for pixels in the first layer in a region corresponding to a removal of pixels being displayed in the second layer. This identification is performed using a data structure containing display information for displaying pixels in the first layer and pixels in the second layer to form identified display information. Display information in the buffer is updated using identified display information.

Abstract: An air induction arrangement 7 for a variable displacement engine is provided. The air induction arrangement 7 includes first and second plenums 22, 24 fluidly connected to respective first and second throttles 26, 28. The first and second throttles 26, 28 are connected to respective first and second inlets 44, 60. In partial operation, the air induction arrangement 7 induces air into the first plenum 22. In higher power demand operation, the air induction arrangement 7 additionally induces air through the second plenum 24. There is a reduction of the cancellation of acoustic output between the first and second inlets 44, 60 so that an acoustic output of the engine 14 operating with only a first group of cylinders 16 is similar to the acoustic output of the engine when the engine is operating with both groups of cylinders 16, 20.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for updating a buffer used to display pixels from a first layer and a second layer in the data processing system, wherein identification display information for pixels from the first layer and the second layer are stored in the buffer. Pixels are identified for the second layer having opaque pixel types to form a selected set of pixels. Overwriting of display information is prevented for the selected set of pixels in the buffer when updating the buffer.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing linear hydroxy end-terminated linear siloxanes comprising the steps of; a) mixing chlorosiloxanes having the formula ClR2SiO(R12SiO)xSiR2Cl  where x is an integer having a value from 1-10, each R and R1 is an independently selected monovalent hydrocarbon group, with volatile methyl siloxanes to form a solution of chlorosiloxanes in volatile methyl siloxanes; b) hydrolyzing the solution of chlorosiloxanes in volatile methyl siloxanes to form a hydrolysis mixture of reaction products; c) separating the hydrolysis mixture of reaction products into an aqueous phase and a siloxane phase comprising hydroxy end-terminated linear siloxanes and volatile methyl siloxanes; and d) recovering the hydroxy end-terminated linear siloxanes from the siloxane phase.

Abstract: A pump enable system includes a variable-displacement piston pump having a displacement control device. The displacement control device controls displacement of pistons in the pump based on a position thereof, and a position control system in the pump controls a position of the displacement control device based on a load on the pump. An over-ride system selectively over-rides the position control system such that the displacement control device assumes a position which reduces displacement of the pistons in the pump.

Abstract: An air control valve for an engine includes a throttle body defining an air intake passage and a throttle valve rotatably mounted in the passage. The range of valve rotation includes an idle control portion extending from a minimum air flow position to an intermediate air flow position and a power control portion extending from the intermediate air flow position to a maximum air flow position. The intake passage is defined by an internal wall of the throttle body having a pair of arcuate surfaces spaced from the valve periphery, at a maximum first radius from the valve axis, with gradually increasing clearance on opposite sides of the valve axis in the idle control range from the minimum to the intermediate air flow position of the valve. The arcuate surfaces are defined by second and third radii greater than the maximum first radius and centered on second and third axes spaced laterally of the passage a predetermined offset distance beyond the valve axis relative to their respective surfaces.

Abstract: An air seeder is provided with a pneumatic distribution system for delivering product through a plurality of primary tubes arranged in first and second rows. The pneumatic distribution system has a plenum housing having a plurality of outlet ports also arranged in first and second rows, each of said plurality of outlet ports associated with one of the primary tubes. A fan is in fluid communication with the upstream end of the plenum housing. A damper is mounted in the plenum housing upstream from the outlet ports for directing the air flow toward at least one of the first and second rows of primary tubes, and a perforated baffle plate is mounted in the housing between the damper and the outlet ports. The baffle plate has a plurality of openings adapted for governing the airflow into the outlet ports.

Abstract: A process of recovering PHA from a suspension which comprises particles of PHA in a liquid which comprises maintaining the suspension at a temperature at which the PHA melts and substantial coalescence of PHA particles occurs thereby at least partly forming a layer of molten PHA and separating the layer of PHA optionally after it cooling to form a solid.

Abstract: An adapter for use in a fixed angle centrifuge rotor has, in use, a radially inboard and a radially inboard portion. An opening is formed in the radially inboard portion of the adapter. The opening is sized so that substantially no part of the inboard portion of the adapter is exposed during centrifugation to a load that exceeds the ability of the material of the adapter to support itself. The material of the inboard portion of the adapter surrounding the opening has sufficient strength to support itself while under centrifugation. The adapter is fabricated from a light transmissive material. A plug that is slidably disposed and selectably positionable within the opening in the inboard segment of the adapter. The inside surface of the plug having a sealing material thereon that is biased into contact with a tube carried within the adapter.

Abstract: A bumper and front rail assembly includes first and second front rails with a steel cross-member extending therebetween. The steel cross-member has a substantially U-shaped cross-section. A steel forward member is secured to the cross-member and spans the length thereof. The forward member is configured to act as a spring for elastic deformation against the cross-member in a low energy impact. First and second steel crush cans are disposed in the cross-member adjacent the first and second front rails, respectively. The crush cans are configured for improved energy management and can be used with or without the energy absorbing bumper system described.

Abstract: A bumper and front rail assembly includes first and second front rails with a steel cross-member extending therebetween. The steel cross-member has a substantially U-shaped cross-section. A steel forward member is secured to the cross-member and spans the length thereof. The forward member is configured to act as a spring for elastic deformation against the cross-member in a low energy impact. First and second steel crush cans are disposed in the cross-member adjacent the first and second front rails, respectively. The crush cans are configured for improved energy management.

Abstract: A process for separating an emulsion into separate and easily recoverable phases. The process comprises exposing an emulsion comprising a discontinuous phase and a non-conducting continuous phase to an electric field thereby effecting coalescence of the discontinuous phase into droplets of a size for effective gravitation from the continuous phase, where the discontinuous phase and the continuous phase have different dielectric constants and densities and at least one of the phases comprise a silicon containing compound or a silicon containing polymer. The present process is especially useful for separating emulsions where the discontinuous phase is an aqueous acid solution and the continuous phase is diorganopolysiloxane.

Abstract: A sensing unit to be positioned between the matress of a bed and the bed frame for monitoring an occupant of the bed, the sensor consisting of thinly spaced upper and lower steel plates between which is located a point sensor such as a Hall effect transducer or a reed switch. The upper plate flexes in response to the weight of an occupant above. The sensing unit is to be attached to a control unit which generates an audible and visible alarm signal when the occupant leaves the bed. In a different embodiment, sensors are located in the bed frame to monitor the occupant of the bed.

Abstract: A conditioning composition comprising from 60 to 80% by weight of a diamagnetic mineral source, from 20 to 40% by weight of a paramagnetic basalt, from 2 to 5% by weight of a bonding agent, and from 1 to 20% by weight of a mixed colloidal mineral source.

Abstract: A composition for conditioning soil comprising from 60 to 80% by weight of a mineral source such as granite, from 20 to 40% by weight of basalt, from 2 to 5% by weight of a bonding agent such as grey cement, from 1 to 20% by weight of a mixed colloidal mineral source such as fine granite dust, and an amount of catalyst provided in the ratio of at least one half liter of catalyst to at least 20 liters of water per 10 ton of composition. The catalyst is composed of water, calcium nitrate, urea, molasses, phosphoric acid and at least one non-ionic surfactant, each being provided in the following amounts (w/w):______________________________________ water 30 to 60% calcium nitrate 2 to 40% urea 30 to 70% molasses 3 to 35% phosphoric acid 3 to 35% non-ionic surfactant 1 to 10%.

Abstract: A thermal printer for printing on a continuous print medium by ink transfer from a thermal print ribbon has a print head which is pivotally mounted and which is driven in an oscillatory nodding motion by a stepper motor so as to repeatedly to bring a linear array of energizable printing elements to bear against a platen roller. Both the element array and the platen extend transversely to respective paths of travel of the print medium and the ribbon. The print medium is fed through the printer from an inlet region, between the platen and print head, and thence to an outlet region. The instantaneous rate of travel of the print medium past the print head is substantially the same as the rate of feed of print medium to the printer. Typically this rate is of the order of 250 to 400 mm per second. The ribbon also travels between the print head and the platen, overlying the print medium and is driven in such a manner that it travels at the same rate as the print medium during each printing operation.

Abstract: A glass melter for vitrifying material including radioactive and hazardous materials. In one embodiment, the melter comprises an inner vessel or container having a solidified glass skull, at least one pair of vertically-oriented, retractable electrodes, a first wall spaced apart from said inner vessel to define a dry annulus therebetween for radiatively cooling the inner vessel, and a second wall spaced apart from said first wall to define a second annulus that serves as a water jacket when filled with water. Each electrode has a protective sleeve therearound with means formed therebetween for passing a purging gas therethrough. A central access nozzle allows waste material and glass formers to be fed into the inner vessel while simultaneously venting the off-gas generated in the inner vessel. Also, the dry annulus can have fluid circulating therethrough for regulated cooling or leak detection.

Abstract: Sulfate solutions containing at least one valuable metal from the group: Fe, Ni and Co, particularly solutions resulting from the leaching of lateritic ores or concentrates, are treated to recover the valuable metal. The latter is precipitated by treating the solution with magnesium hydroxide. The resulting magnesium-containing solution is treated with lime under controlled conditions to precipitate relatively fine particles of magnesium hydroxide and relatively coarse particles of gypsum. The difference in particle size is relied on to separate the magnesium hydroxide (for recycling) from the gypsum (which is calcined to regenerate lime).