Abstract: A conduit has a first end and interior and exterior surfaces extending downstream from the first end. A strainer has a first end and a second end. An upstream portion of the strainer is positioned engaging a projection on the interior surface of the conduit to resist downstream shifting of the strainer. A strainer body extends at least partially downstream of the upstream portion. The apparatus may be used as a strainer/coupler and may be used to filter water in a chiller apparatus.

Abstract: A method is described for optimal simultaneous design and floorplanning of integrated circuits. The method is based on formulating the problem as a geometric program, which then can be solved numerically with great efficiency. Prior work discloses the design of many different analog circuit cells such as operational amplifiers, spiral inductors, and LC oscillators which can be cast as geometric programs. The present disclosure adds to this layout floorplanning constraints in posynomial form that can be mixed with design constraints for different analog circuits. This allows the simultaneous design and floorplanning of numerous analog circuits using geometric programming. Thus, the design and floorplanning can be performed optimally in a single step.

Abstract: A chuck (1) for tools, especially screwdriver bits with a polygonal section (2), has a polygonal cavity (3) for the insertion of the polygonal section (2). A wall (4) of the polygonal cavity (3) has a window (5) in which is disposed a pressure-piece (6) which can be displaced in the insertion direction (E) and which, in order to secure the inserted polygonal section (2) against being drawn out, is forced against the polygonal section (2), in a direction transverse to the insertion direction (E), by a sloping inner wall (9) of an actuating element. The actuating element is outside the window and is retained in a clamping position by a restoring spring (10), and, in a release position of the actuating element (7), moves aside out of the polygonal cavity (3) in order for the polygonal section (2) to be drawn out.

Abstract: A solenoid valve has a valve closure member (5) which is positioned in a self-centering manner about a center of rotation (D) between the valve tappet (4) and the valve seat (14).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for bleaching or whitening a dairy product, comprising adding a lipoxygenase (LOX) to the dairy product. The method of the invention may be used to whiten milk, cheese, butter oil, cream or whey products. The invention further provides the use of a LOX to bleach a dairy product and a dairy product whitened by the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A refrigerant system is provided where the functions of an economizer heat exchanger and liquid-suction heat exchanger are combined. The two configurations are disclosed with a single common heat exchanger construction. In a first configuration, a series of valves selectively routes only one of two possible refrigerant flows through a common heat exchanger such that a control can selectively activate either an economizer heat exchanger circuit or a liquid-suction heat exchanger function. In a second configuration, both refrigerant flows are passed to the common heat exchanger through separate fluid lines and are selectively activated by the control. Variations of the second configuration are also disclosed.

Abstract: An anti-tip linkage mechanism for vertical file cabinets of the type having drawers and/or pivotal front panels includes molded polymeric cam follower housings that snap-fit onto each of the slide channels for the drawers or panels and non-circular connecting rods attached to cam actuators that enable interaction of the anti-tip mechanisms incorporated with each slide channel. Lock actuated auxiliary cam mechanisms and panel locking assemblies controllable by a single cabinet lock are connected with a cabinet lock by linkage bars or cables.

Abstract: A detector and a computed tomography unit are disclosed. The detector includes a first detector region for acquiring projections of a first projection direction, and additionally includes at least a second and a third detector region for acquiring projections of a second and a third projection direction. Given appropriate operation of the detector, it is possible to carry out flexible scanning of an examination area in an optional fashion with a high time resolution, a high volume coverage or with a large coverage of a cross section of the examination area, doing so perpendicular to the system axis of the computed tomography unit.

Abstract: A prophy device incorporating a shaft and one or more corrugated members which eliminate the need for plastic gears of the prior art is disclosed. The corrugated members effectively transfer rotational energy from a shaft to an applicator. In another version, a flexible paste chamber contains polish within a housing of the device. A difference between a rotational speed at a front of the paste chamber and rear of the paste chamber causes the flexible chamber to contract on itself thereby automatically forcing polish from the chamber and into a polish applicator. A user dictates the amount of polish dispensed by controlling the rotational speed at the front of the paste chamber by pressing the polish applicator against the teeth of a patient. As the speed differential increases, the amount of polish dispensed increases as well. The design is simple and cost efficient such that the design overcomes many shortcomings of the prior art.

Abstract: This invention relates to endless tracks and systems used to propel track laying vehicles [i.e., vehicles which use endless tracks rather than tires to contact the terrain over which they are driven, e.g., tractors, tanks, bulldozers, etc.] and, more particularly, to an improved rubber track design and system allowing the endless track to be driven more efficiently at highway speeds. The track is made from a polymer adapted to travel over a drive sprocket, a plurality of guide wheels and a tensioning wheel, the track having a first exterior ground engaging surface and a second interior drive sprocket engaging surface, the track comprising: a carcass portion in which reinforcements are embedded into the polymer; a plurality of tread lugs disposed on the first engaging surface; a plurality of drive lugs disposed on the second engaging surface and a plurality of guide horns disposed on the second engaging surface.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for triggering a software rejuvenation system and/or method includes receiving a request for resources, determining an estimated response time to the request for resources, determining that the estimated response time is greater than a first threshold, determining that a number of estimated response times greater than the first threshold is greater than or equal to a second threshold, and triggering the software rejuvenation system and/or method.

Abstract: A fluid coupling includes a carrier carrying a retention ring with inward and outward radially and angularly extending fingers for respectively engaging an outer surface of an endform inserted through a bore in the carrier and the inner surface of a bore in a housing in which the carrier is mounted to fix the endform to the carrier and to fix the carrier to the housing. Inner and outer seal elements are also carried on the carrier to seal the carrier to the endform and the housing to the carrier. Both of the seal elements are disposed axially closer to one end of the carrier than the inward and outward extending fingers.

Abstract: A device is provided for engaging and/or disengaging a roller with or from a first mating roller. The device includes a second mating roller, with which the roller is engaged, and with a basic unit, with which the roller can be moved to or away from the first mating roller in the circumferential direction of the second mating roller. A process for engaging and/or disengaging a roller of a printing press with or from a first mating roller is provided wherein the roller is engaged with a second mating roller and the roller is guided in the circumferential direction of the second mating roller in the state in which it is engaged with the second mating roller.

Abstract: An acetabular reamer for surgical use includes (a) a substantially hemispherical dome defining an equatorial plane, and (b) a reamer spindle interface structure fixedly attached to the inside of the dome so as to substantially inset the interface structure within the dome. This insetting of the interface structure helps minimize the size of an assembly of the reamer and a reamer spindle when performing minimally invasive joint surgery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fastening an in-fill panel element to a plane panel element of a covering for an aircraft, the in-fill panel element and the panel element being releasably interconnected at longitudinal sides facing each other, a transverse pin being arranged at least in the end portion of a longitudinal side so that a hook element arranged in the corresponding end portion of the other longitudinal side is able to clampingly engage with a hook opening, in such a manner that a covering surface of the in-fill panel element is arranged so as to be even with a covering surface of the panel element.

Abstract: A system and method in which a remote network source maintains source code and symbol files for debugging purposes with automatic downloading of the correct files when they are needed. Files are remotely maintained based on unique data associated with that file (unique parameters) that are independent of the product name, release and/or build number. Such data includes time / date stamp information and file size, or signature and age data. When a given file is needed, such as to debug an executable code module, a symbol server at the client constructs a path (e.g., URL) to the needed file based on the unique information from the corresponding executable file, whereby the correct symbol file is accessed. Via that symbol file, the correct source file may be located and accessed. Security via authentication and access control lists may control access to the files, and authentication may be automatic.

Abstract: A stability control system for road vehicles comprising a limit handling assistance controller which uses video lane detection measurements in conjunction with vehicle dynamics information, including inertial brakes and steering measurements to control vehicle EPS and VSC systems to assist the driver stabilize the vehicle and correct for any lane offset prior to and/or during of understeer, oversteer, split-? and heavy breaking conditions, and lane changes.

Abstract: A surgical ring (1) designed to be implanted around (a) biological organ(s), the ring (1) being formed by a flexible band (2) including a first and second extremity (3, 4), the flexible band (2) being designed to be closed near its two extremities (3, 4) by a closure system so as to form a closed loop featuring an internal contact surface (2A) external 10 surface (2B). The closure system includes a means of encircling (5) that is integral with the first extremity (3) and arranged to evolve between a de-latching configuration, where the means of encircling (5) forms an open collar freeing the second extremity (4), and a latching configuration where the means of encircling (5) forms a closed collar designed to surround the second extremity (4) so as to unite it with the first extremity (3), the closed collar having opposite front (6) and rear (7) faces, between which an encircling opening extends that is designed to accept the second extremity (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a window for an optical scanning device having a panel having a pair of oppositely directed light transmitting surfaces. A heater wire of a diameter less than the width of the smallest permissible indicia of a barcode is embedded between the first and second light transmitting surfaces. The heater wire being entirely contained within the perimeter of the optical scanning device window except for a length of both of its extremities.

Abstract: A tie-type security seal is described that comprises a body (2) of thermoplastic material with a passage (7) therethrough, a metallic insert element (11) that is fixed in the passage and has at least one opening (15) aligned therewith, as well as a locking tooth (14). An elongated strip of thermoplastic material (4) is integral, at one end, with the body (2) and has another free end for insertion through the passage (7) in a first direction where it is locked by the tooth (14) against removal from the cavity in the opposite direction, the body and strip having been manufactured by a plastic injection operation. In accordance with the invention, the seal is not only highly secure against tampering, but can also easily be mass manufactured since the metallic insert element (11) is incorporated into the body of thermoplastic material (2) during the injection operation.