Abstract: A contact sensor and system for incorporation within clothing and other wearable items to monitor activity at a body surface. The sensor includes a contact membrane having a body surface contacting area and one or more base layers of knitted fabric. The base layer(s) is thicker over an area congruent with the body surface contacting area of the contact membrane. As a result, the contact membrane is urged into the forming of a raised outer surface for projection against a body surface.

Abstract: A robot competition field assembly including field end sections, a field mid-section, and a field alignment system. The field end sections and the field mid-section include panels and sidewalls. The field alignment system is configured to align the panels so that there is a smooth transition between each of the playing surfaces of the field end sections and field mid-section.

Abstract: A contact sensor and system for incorporation within clothing and other wearable items to monitor activity at a body surface. The sensor includes a contact membrane having a body surface contacting area and one or more base layers of knitted fabric. The base layer(s) is thicker over an area congruent with the body surface contacting area of the contact membrane. As a result, the contact membrane is urged into the forming of a raised outer surface for projection against a body surface.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an apparatus design that minimizes fabrication and assembly costs for an omni-directional wheel.

Abstract: An electronic assembly includes a backplate, a substrate and a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). The backplate includes a cavity and the substrate includes a plurality of interconnected electrical components. The substrate is positioned within the cavity and a wall height of the cavity is greater than a combined thickness of the substrate and the adhesive, which bonds the substrate to the backplate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNAzymes which are targeted against mRNA molecules encoding EGR-1 (also known as Egr-1 and NGFI-A). The present invention also relates to compositions including these DNAzymes and to methods of treatment involving administration of the DNAzymes.

Abstract: An apparatus for gathering weather related information is disclosed, in particular wind related information and rain related information, along with associated methods of using the apparatus. The apparatus may calculate at least one of a wind speed, a wind direction, and a rainfall amounts. The apparatus may include a controller, a sensor, and a communication member.

Abstract: A propulsion mechanism is provided for driving a vehicle having a frame and socket. The propulsion mechanism has a spherical ball disposed within the socket and adapted to frictionally engage the ground surface. First and second powered drive members are frictionally engaged with the spherical ball and powered to rotate the spherical ball to propel the vehicle. The first and second powered drive members drive the spherical ball in first and second directions and may be operated simultaneously.

Abstract: A propulsion mechanism is provided for driving a vehicle having a frame and socket. The propulsion mechanism has a spherical ball disposed within the socket and adapted to frictionally engage the ground surface. First and second powered drive members are frictionally engaged with the spherical ball and powered to rotate the spherical ball to propel the vehicle. The first and second powered drive members drive the spherical ball in first and second directions and may be operated simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a powder metallurgy article comprising two or more individually compacted layers is described. The apparatus includes a number of powder deposition means for depositing powder into at least one die cavity, the number of powder deposition means corresponding to at least the number of different powder compositions in an article being compacted, a die assembly having a female die body which is moveable with respect to a first press ram, a mechanically driven second press ram, means for driving said second press ram, control system means for controlling the relative positions and movements of said female die body, said first press ram, said second mechanically driven press ram and said powder deposition means such that they operate in synchronism, characterised by said control system means including an angle counter having proportional drive means from the press apparatus such that one cycle of the angle counter corresponds to a required number of press compaction strokes.

Abstract: Sintered ferrous materials are described having a composition in wt % lying within the ranges of C 0.8-1.5/W 1-4.4/Mo 1-4.4/V 1-2.6/Cr 1.3-3.2/Others 3 max./Fe balance. The material may be made by a method comprising the steps of mixing between 40 and 70 wt % of a powder having a composition in wt % within the ranges C 0.45-1.05/W 2.7-6. 2/Mo 2.8-6.2/V 2.8-3.2/Cr 3.8-4.5/Others 3.0 max./Fe balance with between 60 and 30 wt % of an iron powder and from 0.4 to 0.9 wt % of carbon powder, pressing a green body of the article from the mixed powder and then sintering the green body. The material may optionally contain sulphur, metallic sulphides. The material may be infiltrated.

Abstract: A valve guide and a method for the manufacture thereof are described. The valve guide is a tubular article having a length to outer diameter ratio greater than about 1.5 and is made of a ferrous material by a PM route. The pressed guide is infiltrated by preparing a sheet of the infiltrant alloy, rolling the sheet into a cylinder and inserting it into the guide bore followed preferably by, simultaneous sintering and infiltration.

Abstract: A valve guide and a method for the manufacture thereof are described. The valve guide is a tubular article having a length to outer diameter ratio greater than about 1.5 and is made of a ferrous material by a PM route. The pressed guide is infiltrated by preparing a sheet of the infiltrant alloy, rolling the sheet into a cylinder and inserting it into the guide bore followed preferably by, simultaneous sintering and infiltration.

Abstract: Sintered ferrous materials are described having a composition in wt % lying within the ranges of C 0.8-1.5/W 1-4.4/Mo 1-4.4/V 1-2.6/Cr 1.3-3.2/Others 3 max./Fe balance. The material may be made by a method comprising the steps of mixing between 40 and 70 wt % of a powder having a composition in wt % within the ranges C 0.45-1.05/W 2.7-6. 2/Mo 2.8-6.2/V 2.8-3.2/Cr 3.8-4.5/Others 3.0 max./Fe balance with between 60 and 30 wt % of an iron powder and from 0.4 to 0.9 wt % of carbon powder, pressing a green body of the article from the mixed powder and then sintering the green body. The material may optionally contain sulphur, metallic sulphides. The material may be infiltrated.

Abstract: A piston is manufactured by incorporating a reinforcement which is formed at least in part by a fibre material and which is so non-uniform as to provide differing characteristics in the cast piston in predetermined differing regions of the piston. For example, the volumetric density of the fibres may be different in one region of the reinforcement as compared with another region in order to produce a more resistant region in the cast piston. Additionally or alternatively, the reinforcement may hold finely divided materials which combine with the piston material during casting to give improved properties. Examples of this are the incorporation of particles of silicon, silicon carbide or silicon nitride to improve wear and/or the incorporation of molybdenum disulphide and tungsten disulphide or graphite to improve lubrication.