Abstract: A sensing system is provided for sensing the pressure of liquid in a vacuum chamber (7). The system includes a pneumatic microswitch (14) having an operating element (15) arranged for movement in response to movement of a diaphragm (10) operated by a change in pressure and a plate means (16) in contact with the diaphragm (10) and with the operating element (15).

Abstract: A liquid flow sensing system for sensing the flow of liquid within a supply line (2) of a metering pumping machine, the system including a magnetic member (4) arranged for movement relative to a pneumatic switch (8) operated by the presence or absence of a magnetic field, the magnetic member (4) being contained within a sealed unit (5) located within the supply line (2) and the arrangement being such that, when the liquid flow rate falls below a predetermined level, the magnetic member (4) moves downwardly from a first operative position into a second operative position.

Abstract: A level sensing system for sensing the level of liquid in a container (19) includes a magnetic member (12) arranged for movement relative to a pneumatic switch (18) operated by the presence or absence of a magnetic field, a spring (13) acting on the magnetic member (12) and urging it towards a first operative position, and a weight (16) suspended from the magnetic member (12), the weight being positioned, in use, within the liquid in the container (19) such that, when the level of liquid in the container (19) falls to a predetermined level, the magnetic member (12) is caused to move from its first operative position (FIG. 1) into a second operative position (FIG. 2).

Abstract: In some embodiments, an X-ray target includes a target cap formed of a substrate material and a focal track layer of emitting material, and at least one of the substrate material and the emitting material has a density greater than about 95.0% of theoretical density. In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing an X-ray target includes forming an intermediate target cap form of substrate material and a focal track layer of emitting material, and compacting the intermediate target cap form by application of gas pressure at elevated temperature to form a final target cap form, and at least the substrate material is dense substrate material having a final density greater than an intermediate density or the emitting material is dense emitting material having a final emitting material density greater than an intermediate emitting material density.

Abstract: This invention relates to a supersonic center-feed nozzle system within the feed-inlet tube of a fluid-energy mill used for grinding particulate material such as titanium dioxide. Particularly, in the feed-inlet tube of the present invention, particulate material is introduced into the supersonic feed jet of primary grinding fluid in almost a perpendicular fashion, with the supersonic nozzle installed in the center of the particulate material core, imparting momentum to the particulate material. The momentum entrains the particulate into the main grinding chamber of the feed-inlet tube. In the main grinding chamber of the feed-inlet tube, a secondary stream of grinding fluid, introduced annularly, constricts the primary jet's divergent flow, enabling a higher turbulent mixing of the grinding fluids and the particulate material.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to process for producing titanium dioxide pigment having reduced chlorides, comprising: a) reacting titanium tetrahalide vapor, rutile-forming agent and at least a stoichiometric amount of oxygen in a reactor to form a gaseous suspension comprising titanium dioxide particles; b) introducing silicon tetrachloride into the reactor at at least one point downstream of the point of contact of the titanium tetrahalide, the rutile forming agent and the oxygen, and where at least 97% of the titanium tetrahalide has been converted to titanium dioxide to provide a substantially uniform encapsulation of pyrogenic SiO2 on the titanium dioxide; c) passing the gaseous suspension to a cooling conduit; d) introducing scouring material, typically selected from the group of calcined titanium dioxide and compressed titanium dioxide, and mixtures thereof, into the cooling conduit; wherein the particles of the scouring material have a diameter in the range of about 0.25 mm to about 12.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an X-ray target includes a target cap formed of a substrate material and a focal track layer of emitting material, and at least one of the substrate material and the emitting material has a density greater than about 95.0% of theoretical density. In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing an X-ray target includes forming an intermediate target cap form of substrate material and a focal track layer of emitting material, and compacting the intermediate target cap form by application of gas pressure at elevated temperature to form a final target cap form, and at least the substrate material is dense substrate material having a final density greater than an intermediate density or the emitting material is dense emitting material having a final emitting material density greater than an intermediate emitting material density.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to process for producing titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigments, comprising the following steps: a) oxidizing a mixture of titanium tetrahalide and a rutile forming agent, such as aluminum halide, present in the vapor phase and in the presence of a nucleant to form a gaseous suspension comprising titanium dioxide particles; b) passing the gaseous suspension to a cooling conduit; c) introducing scouring material into the cooling conduit; wherein the particles of the scouring material have a diameter in the range of about 0.25 mm to about 12.7 mm; d) separating the vapor phase to form a powder comprising the titanium dioxide particles and the scouring material; and e) simultaneously subjecting the powder to substantially uniform heating at a temperature of about 300° C. to about 600° C.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an X-ray target is produced by the method of: stacking a primary substrate layer and a focal track layer, the primary substrate layer being formed of primary substrate material, the focal track layer being formed of emitting material; and bonding the emitting material to the primary substrate material by heating a primary compacted interface to an elevated temperature while maintaining the elevated pressure for a time period to form a primary bonded interface of the emitting material and the primary substrate material. In some embodiments, an X-ray target includes a focal track layer of emitting material, a primary substrate layer bonded to the focal track in a primary bonded interface, and a secondary substrate layer bonded to the primary substrate material in a secondary bonded interface by one of diffusion bonding, diffusion brazing and brazing.

Abstract: A pressure sensing apparatus has a light source for transmitting pulses of light along a monomode optical fibre. The polarisation of light backscattered from the light pulses in the optical fibre is detected by a polarisation processing unit (PPU) and a photo detector. The optical fibre is adapted to deform asymmetrically under the influence of applied external isotropic pressure, e.g. from a fluid. The deformation causes the birefringence of the optical fibre to change proportionally to the applied pressure. The change in birefringence can be determined from the detected polarisation of the backscattered light, allowing detection of pressure distribution in the fluid. Importantly, the construction of the optical fibre is such that the birefringence beat length of the optical fibre at the wavelength of light propagated by the fibre remains more than twice the spatial length of the light pulses transmitted along the optical fibre.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to process for producing titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigments, comprising the following steps: a) oxidizing a mixture of titanium tetrahalide and a rutile forming agent, such as aluminum halide, present in the vapor phase and in the presence of a nucleant to form a gaseous suspension comprising titanium dioxide particles; b) passing the gaseous suspension to a cooling conduit; c) introducing scouring material into the cooling conduit; wherein the particles of the scouring material have a diameter in the range of about 0.25 mm to about 12.7 mm; d) separating the vapor phase to form a powder comprising the titanium dioxide particles and the scouring material; and e) simultaneously subjecting the powder to substantially uniform heating at a temperature of about 300° C. to about 600° C.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting changes in tire status in real time, e.g., changes in tire pressure or changes that might indicate an imminent tread separation or other failure, using magnetic sidewall torsion (SWT) signatures for tires. A measured magnetic signature of a tire is compared to a stored magnetic signature that describes the tire in an undamaged state or otherwise acceptable state. If the measured magnetic signature deviates too much from the stored signature, or if a change in tire pressure is detected, the system and method can further provide an associated warning to the driver and/or provide an input to a vehicle control system, which would automatically take action to correct or at least mitigate the effects of the failing tire, e.g., by decelerating the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting changes in tire status in real time, e.g., changes in tire pressure or changes that might indicate an imminent tread separation or other failure, using magnetic sidewall torsion (SWT) signatures for tires. A measured magnetic signature of a tire is compared to a stored magnetic signature that describes the tire in an undamaged state or otherwise acceptable state. If the measured magnetic signature deviates too much from the stored signature, or if a change in tire pressure is detected, the system and method can further provide an associated warning to the driver and/or provide an input to a vehicle control system, which would automatically take action to correct or at least mitigate the effects of the failing tire, e.g., by decelerating the vehicle.

Abstract: An assembly that can be used in conjunction with a resin moulding apparatus includes means defining a chamber containing a pressure sensor, and an entry passage leading upwardly into the chamber. The arrangement is such that, when the assembly is mounted in an upper section of a mould and a moulding operation is being carried out, the resin enters the entry passage so that the level of resin in the entry passage increases producing an increase in the pressure within the chamber, and the configuration of the entry passage is such that the cross-sectional area thereof reduces with height.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an operating condition of a vehicular tire. The method includes providing magnetized areas in the tire and magnetic field sensors on the chassis of the vehicle. Rotation of the tire produces magnetic field pattern signatures which characterize the tire's materials, construction and deformation conditions. Changes in magnetic field pattern signatures from a baseline are indicative of impending abnormalities in tire integrity that can be recognized in advance to forestall vehicle accidents attributed to tire faults.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting changes in tire status in real time, e.g., changes in tire pressure or changes that might indicate an imminent tread separation or other failure, using magnetic sidewall torsion (SWT) signatures for tires. A measured magnetic signature of a tire is compared to a stored magnetic signature that describes the tire in an undamaged state or otherwise acceptable state. If the measured magnetic signature deviates too much from the stored signature, or if a change in tire pressure is detected, the system and method can further provide an associated warning to the driver and/or provide an input to a vehicle control system, which would automatically take action to correct or at least mitigate the effects of the failing tire, e.g., by decelerating the vehicle.

Abstract: An assembly that can be used in conjunction with a resin moulding apparatus includes means defining a chamber containing a pressure sensor, and an entry passage leading upwardly into the chamber. The arrangement is such that, when the assembly is mounted in an upper section of a mould and a moulding operation is being carried out, the resin enters the entry passage so that the level of resin in the entry passage increases producing an increase in the pressure within the chamber, and the configuration of the entry passage is such that the cross-sectional area thereof reduces with height.

Abstract: A resin applicator comprises a roller mounted on a shank connected to a handgrip, and a hose for feeding the resin to the roller under the action of a prime mover. A normally open air bleed switch is positioned so that it is accessible to a thumb or finger of a hand holding the handgrip and is operable to control operation of the prime mover.

Abstract: A resin applicator comprises a roller mounted on a shank connected to a handgrip, and means for feeding the resin to the roller under the action of a prime mover. A normally open air bleed switch is positioned so that it is accessible to a thumb or finger of a hand holding the handgrip and is operable to control operation of the prime mover.