Abstract: A system is provided for use on large vehicles of the type wherein the vehicle frame is supported on vehicle axle assemblies through air bags, and each air bag has a lower end coupled to the lower end of an arm such as a swing arm whose upper end is pivotally mounted on the frame. The height of the air bag is sensed by a pair of tilt sensors, sensing tilt of its location with respect to gravity, and the difference in tilt indicates air bag height. The output of the tilt sensors may be filtered, and a motion detector allows rapid filling or dumping of air bags independent of filtering of tilt sensor signals. Control of the vehicle air suspension can also be based upon inputs from one or more air bag pressure sensors.

Abstract: A ceramic composite is able to whithstand temperatures in excess of 2200 F on a repeated basis without cracking due to thermal shock. The composite has a web of reinforcement fibers; and a matrix that substantially the web after the firing step. The matrix is formed around the web by impregnating the web with a sol containing alumina and, in some cases, rare earth oxides, and firing the composite after the impregnation. The web may be a three-dimensional orthogonal weave of the reinforcement fibers, where the fibers are a transitional phase alumina. The composite is essentially free of Group I and Group II metals and transition metal oxides. The composite may be used as a refractory brick or lining and may also be used as an insulatingmaterial due to its chemically non-reactive nature.

Abstract: A system is provided for use on large vehicles of the type wherein the vehicle frame (12) is supported on vehicle axle assemblies (14, 20, 22) through air bags (26, 30, 32), and each air bag has a lower end coupled to the lower end of an arm such as a swing arm (112) whose upper end is pivotally mounted on the frame. The height of the air bag is sensed by a pair of tilt sensors (50, 52), one on a tilt arm such as the swing arm (112), that has one end pivotally connected to the vehicle frame and an opposite end at least pivotally connected to the vehicle axle assembly. The other sensor senses tilt of the vehicle frame about an axis parallel to the axes of pivoting of the tilt arm. Each tilt sensor senses tilt of its location with respect to gravity, and the difference in tilt indicates air bag height.

Abstract: The portable display unit carried by a person for displaying a message at an elevation above the person. A media player, inverter, and screen power supply are mounted within a backpack having a video screen mounted above and to the backpack. The backpack includes a hip-circling belt carrying a power supply.

Abstract: Multiphase ceramic composites containing single phase silicon aluminum oxynitride and boron nitride wherein the boron nitride is one phase in the composite and the single phase silicon aluminum oxynitride is the matrix phase in the composite. The boron nitride phase is uniformly distributed in the form of discrete particles throughout the single phase silicon aluminum oxynitride matrix. A window transparent to electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined frequency spectrum is made by forming a homogeneous, finely-divided mixture of boron nitride and single phase silicon aluminum oxynitride matrix-forming compound and compacting the homogeneous, finely-divided mixture at an elevated temperature and pressure for a sufficient time to form the composite. In a preferred embodiment, about 75% by weight homogeneous, finely-divided mixture of single phase silicon aluminum oxynitride matrix-forming compound and the balance boron nitride is densified at a temperature of 1,760.degree. C.

Abstract: Multiphase ceramic composites containing 47% to 52% by weight aluminum nitride, 23% to 27% by weight silica, 3% to 7% alumina and the balance boron nitride wherein the boron nitride is one phase in the composition and the reaction products of aluminum nitride, silica and alumina are the other phase in the composite. The boron nitride phase is uniformly distributed in the form of discrete particles throughout the reaction products of aluminum nitride, silica and alumina. A window transparent to electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined frequency spectrum is made by forming a homogeneous, finely-divided mixture of the foregoing composite and compacting the homogeneous, finely-divided mixture at an elevated temperature and pressure for a sufficient time to form reaction products of the aluminum nitride, silica and alumina. In preferred embodiments, the homogeneous, finely-divided mixture of aluminum nitride, silica, boron nitride and alumina is densified at a temperature of 1760.degree. C.

Abstract: An improved sintered ceramic core is used in a mold during the casting of a reactive metal. Prior to sintering, the core contains ceramic material which includes yttrium aluminate and alumina (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3). It is preferred to have the ceramic material contain between 10% and 40% yttrium aluminate. Prior to sintering, the yttrium aluminate has a mean particle size of less than 20 microns and, preferably, less than 10 microns. Particularly advantageous results has been obtained by using yttrium aluminate having a mean particle size, prior to sintering, of approximately 3 microns. It is contemplated that the ceramic material will be utilized to form other articles, such as a mold, filter, or liner for a ladle, which are exposed to reactive metals during casting.

Abstract: An improved sintered ceramic core is used in a mold during the casting of a reactive metal. Prior to sintering, the core contains ceramic material which includes yttrium aluminate and alumina (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3). It is preferred to have the ceramic material contain between 10% and 40% yttrium aluminate. Prior to sintering, the yttrium aluminate has a mean particle size of less than 20 microns and, preferably, less than 10 microns. Particularly advantageous results has been obtained by using yttrium aluminate having a mean particle size, prior to sintering, of approximately 3 microns. It is contemplated that the ceramic material will be utilized to form other articles, such as a mold, filter, or liner for a ladle, which are exposed to reactive metals during casting.

Abstract: An irrigation system for controlling a number of control valves (104) is disclosed. The valves (104) control the flow of water in a corresponding branch pipe (102) leading from a common supply pipe (101). The system uses wireless transmission of control signals to operate a control unit (115) which operates the corresponding control valve (104) from a corresponding power generator (107). The control signal is encoded by an encoder (118) according to predetermined conditions and is decoded by each of the control units (115), the coded signal being received by each control unit (115) and the specified control unit (115) operating only.

Abstract: Accessories for a pickup truck includes a front brush/grill guard, a tubular rear bumper and a rally bar with lights. The brush guard has upper and lower flanges and offset front and rear mounting brackets which sandwich the flanges therebetween to fasten the guard on the front bumper of the truck. The rear bumper assembly has first and second tubes with angled end portions which angle inward toward the truck body. The ends of the tubes are parallel to the truck body for aesthetic appeal. The tubes provide a license plate mounting area and are mounted using large and small bumper tabs, a frame bracket and a tube bracket. The rally bar assembly includes front and rear rally bars releasably connected by a two member bracket. The bracket has a front member fastened to the front bar and a rear member connected to the rear bar. The bracket also supports a light assembly for projecting light forward of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of controlling the dressing operation of computer numerically controlled grinding machines. A contact probe is positioned relative to a dresser and contact measurements are made to determine the position of the dresser tip relative to a pivot axis about which the dresser rotates.

Abstract: An irrigation system for controlling the operation of a number of control valves each of which controls the flow of water in a corresponding branch pipe leading from a common supply pipe. The system comprises a pair of control lines which extend along the supply pipe and branch pipes to carry a control signal to operate a control unit which operates a corresponding control valve using a low voltage power supply. The control signal is coded by a data generator according to predetermined conditions and is decoded by each of the control units, the coded signal being received at each control unit, and the specified control unit operating only.

Abstract: A workpart chuck is provided with a centering member that is movable toward the axis of rotation of the chuck as the chuck rotates the workpart in an eccentric non-centered position. As the centering member moves the workpart, a sensing device senses the extent of changing eccentric movement of the workpart and generates an electrical signal that is indicative of the extent of such eccentric movement. The workpart is moved toward the chuck axis until the signal reaches a predetermined value indicative that the workpart is rotating about its axis; i.e., the workpart axis and chuck axis are substantially coaxial. The centering member is offset slightly relative to the chuck axis of rotation to assure that excessive movement of the centering member placing the workpart center beyond the chuck axis of rotation will not result in the workpart being driven to an extremely eccentric position and possibly even off the face of the chuck.

Abstract: A duplex glass preform for forming hermetic glass-to-metal seals of the compression type. The duplex glass preform comprises a glass infrasturcture or matrix having at least one end thereof modified by the selective distribution therein of ceramic particles. The ceramic particles are selectively distributed to form a ceramic density gradient having the largest concentration of ceramic particles at the surface and gradually decreasing with depth. The duplex glass preform of the present invention has utility in forming glass-to-metal compression seals in hybrid metal packages containing microcircuit chips. The duplex glass preform may be used in the normal insulative fashion or as a conductive member.

Abstract: A duplex glass preform for forming hermetic glass-to-metal seals. The duplex glass preform comprises a glass infrastructure or matrix having at least one end thereof modified by the selective distribution therein of ceramic particles. The ceramic particles are selectively distributed to form a ceramic density gradient having the largest concentration of ceramic particles at the surface and gradually decreasing with depth. The duplex glass preform of the present invention has utility in forming glass-to-metal seals in hybrid metal packages containing microcircuit chips.

Abstract: Provided herein is an in-line, non-invasive device and method for calculation of consistency of a non-Newtonian fluid flowing in a laminar manner through a non-rotating conduit where the consistency is calculated directly from a power-law model equation employing as independent variables pressure head loss over a specific distance and the bulk velocity of the fluid.

Abstract: To separate a small alga such as Dunaliella from a containing liquid, a filter substrate is provided with a surface coat including a large alga such as Spirulina. The Dunaliella and some liquid are run through the Spirulina and the substrate and so are separated with some Spirulina content.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing excess liquid and contaminants from a belt filter cake includes a perforated main belt extending over a separation drum. An anti-wear permeable belt has one portion lying against part of the main belt supported by the separation drum. There are exterior suction headers and chambers effective through the anti-wear belt and main belt and a main suction box within the separation drum for cake recovery where the main belt is in contact therewith. Wash water nozzles are within the separation drum directed toward the exterior suction headers and chambers.

Abstract: It has been discovered that by cleaning a substrate having a negative ink pattern of a desired circuit in a plasma comprising 60/40 oxygen/argon and then sputtering a thin (10-50 Angstroms) layer of catalytic copper thereover, the treated substrate when exposed to an electroless plating bath will selectively plate only in the areas where there is no ink.

Abstract: A separation drum for suction recovery at high concentration of fine particles, such as algae, removed from dilute liquid medium by a belt filter has a thin, perforated wall rotatably mounted on a substantially horizontal, cantilevered beam fixed on a base. A pair of rings or hubs engage the separation drum at opposite ends. One ring is rotatably supported on rollers mounted on the beam, and the other ring is rotatably supported on a bearing mounted on a shaft extending from the beam to a removable end pedestal on the base. A number of interior rollers, also supported from the beam, engage the interior surface of the drum. A conduction or suction box is disposed on the beam or built into the beam in juxtaposition with the upper, interior portion of the separation drum to receive and carry away material passing through the perforated drum wall. A main belt extends around the exterior of the separation drum wall and around a filtration drum within a liquid medium containing algae.