Abstract: The system includes a fuel sender and a controller. The fuel sender has a variable resistance and the variable resistance varies based on the quantity of fuel in the fuel tank. The controller is in electrical communication with the fuel sender. Further, the controller includes a voltage input for sensing a voltage across the fuel sender, and a voltage output that provides a biasing voltage to the fuel sender. The biasing voltage causes the voltage across the fuel sender to vary with relationship to the variable resistance of the fuel sender. Further, the voltage output is in communication with a circuit that is configured to alternate a direction of current flow through the fuel sender based on the voltage output. By alternating the direction of current flow through the fuel sender, corrosion to the fuel sender due to a reaction with the fuel is minimized.

Abstract: A combination container and container cap (10) includes a container cap (11) having a deformable cover (14) on which a plurality of levers (15) are operatively connected. The levers (15) move from a first position to a second position, wherein the levers (15) move downward and radially outward to puncture a membrane (20) thereby allowing the substance in the container cap (11) to mix with a liquid (102) in a cavity (101) of a container (100).

Abstract: A method of determining an average length of reinforcing fiber in a sample of reinforcing fibers is disclosed. A sample of reinforcing fibers is weighed to obtain a total sample weight. The sample of reinforcing fibers is placed in a fiber separating mechanism and suspended in water. The water is stirred after which the water is allowed to settle such that the sample of reinforcing fiber divides into a plurality of fractions in separate sections of the fiber separating mechanism. Each fraction has reinforcing fibers of substantially similar lengths and is separately weighed. An average fiber length is calculated from the relative weights of each of the plurality of fractions and the total sample weight. In addition, a method of determining an average length of a reinforcing fiber in a composite material having a resin and a plurality of reinforcing fibers is disclosed.

Abstract: A cable in conduit superconductor. The superconductor is formed from bundles of superconducting strands made of superconductor filaments, copper, and a layer of electrical resistant material. The superconductor strands are organized around a solid copper central strand, and a plurality of such wires are organized within a circular stainless steel foil, leaving a spiral gap in the middle for liquid coolant to flow. This configuration is then placed within a conduit tubing and compressed for stability.

Abstract: A system for identifying the location of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a sensor, a receiver, a processor, and a database. The sensor is configured to determine the status of a component and transmit a component ID signal and a component status signal to a controller for monitoring status of the vehicle. The receiver is located external to the vehicle and configured to collect the signals from the sensor. The processor is in communication with the receiver and adapted to correlate the component ID signal and the location of the receiver. The database is in communication with the processor and configured to store the component ID and the receiver location.

Abstract: A method of determining an average length of reinforcing fiber in a sample of reinforcing fibers is disclosed. A sample of reinforcing fibers is weighed to obtain a total sample weight. The sample of reinforcing fibers is placed in a fiber separating mechanism and suspended in water. The water is stirred after which the water is allowed to settle such that the sample of reinforcing fiber divides into a plurality of fractions in separate sections of the fiber separating mechanism. Each fraction has reinforcing fibers of substantially similar lengths and is separately weighed. An average fiber length is calculated from the relative weights of each of the plurality of fractions and the total sample weight. In addition, a method of determining an average length of a reinforcing fiber in a composite material having a resin and a plurality of reinforcing fibers is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for determining the average length of a reinforcing fiber of a composite material comprising a resin and a plurality of reinforcing fibers encapsulated therein. In addition, a fiber separating apparatus for dividing a sample of reinforcing fibers into fractions defined by the relative lengths of the reinforcing fibers is also disclosed.

Abstract: An inflatable knee bolster for a vehicle occupant is mounted in opposing relation to the knees of a vehicle occupant. The bolster is an expansible chamber of multipiece construction having a face portion and a separate three dimensional expansible body portion. The face portion and body portion are joined about their peripheries to define and substantially enclose the chamber. The expansible body portion is formed from injection molded polymeric material and has one or more integrally molded at least partially collapsible pleated profile elements disposed along the sides and across the top of the body portion in raised and lowered profile with respect to the face portion. Deformable mounting brackets extend outwardly from the body portion for attachment to the vehicle. The materials forming the face and body portions are of either similar or dissimilar chemical and physical character.

Abstract: A conveying device that permits the continuous accumulation and intermittent injection a molding material is herein disclosed. The conveying device comprises a housing having a bore with an inlet and an outlet and a shaft reciprocable disposed within the bore. The shaft and bore are constructed and arranged to form an annular space therebetween. A slip ring is slidably captured on the reciprocable shaft and may travel longitudinally on the shaft between a forward position and a rearward position. When the shaft is retracted from the bore, the slip ring moves to its forward position on the shaft and the molding material may flow between an inner surface of the slip ring and the shaft. When the shaft is inserted into the bore, the slip ring moves to its rearward position and the slip ring acts as a piston head and forces the molding material from the bore and into a downstream molding or handling mechanism.

Abstract: An inflatable knee bolster for a vehicle occupant is mounted in opposing relation to the knees of a vehicle occupant. The bolster is an expansible chamber of multipiece construction having a face portion and a separate three dimensional expansible body portion. The face portion and body portion are joined about their peripheries to define and substantially enclose the chamber. The expansible body portion is formed from injection molded polymeric material and has one or more integrally molded at least partially collapsible pleated profile elements disposed along the sides and across the top of the body portion in raised and lowered profile with respect to the face portion. Deformable mounting brackets extend outwardly from the body portion for attachment to the vehicle. The materials forming the face and body portions are of either similar or dissimilar chemical and physical character.

Abstract: An inflatable knee bolster for a vehicle occupant is mounted in opposing relation to the knees of a vehicle occupant. The bolster is an expansible chamber of multipiece construction having a face portion and a separate three dimensional expansible body portion. The face portion and body portion are joined about their peripheries to define and substantially enclose the chamber. The expansible body portion is formed from injection molded polymeric material and has one or more integrally molded at least partially collapsible pleated profile elements disposed along the sides and across the top of the body portion in raised and lowered profile with respect to the face portion. Deformable mounting brackets extend outwardly from the body portion for attachment to the vehicle. The materials forming the face and body portions are of either similar or dissimilar chemical and physical character.

Abstract: A device and a method for purifying and decontaminating air uses an exchanger of the cyclone type and furthermore employs a combination of the action of cyclonic centrifugation and the action of at least one path enhancing field. A tranquilizing chamber, which is separated from the cyclone exchanger by a vent, maintains a volume of liquid into which particles and droplets are received from the peripheral wall. To this end, particulates are partially electrified before entering the enhancing field.

Abstract: A polyketone is provided wherein the polyketone is water soluble and curable. A method to make a such a polymer is also disclosed, the method including the steps of: providing a polyketone, the polyketone comprising 1,4-diketone units; contacting the polyketone with a diamine wherein the diamine comprises one nitrogen which is more reactive than another of the nitrogens under conditions effective to incorporate the more reactive nitrogen in the polyketone; contacting the polyketone having the diamine incorporated into the polyketone with maleic anhydride under conditions effective to react the less reactive nitrogen with the maleic anhydride; contacting the polyketone having maleic anhydride incorporated thereto with a strong base; and recovering a functionalized polyketone wherein the functionalized polyketone is water soluble and curable.

Abstract: A process for the pollution-cleaning treatment of air combines the actions of dehumidification, thermal control, washing of the gases, fixing of the particles, disinfection, spraying and vaporization. An apparatus is provided for implementing the process, and includes a cyclone exchanger or a pseudo-cyclone exchanger which includes a nozzle for injecting a fixing liquid into the inlet stream.

Abstract: An air bag cover assembly includes a cover having a plurality of mounting posts extending downwardly from the cover and a gasket attached to the mounting posts. The air bag cover assembly further includes a reaction plate captured between the cover and the gasket and a membrane horn switch captured between the reaction plate and the cover. Thus, attachment of the gasket to the mounting posts securely attaches the reaction plate and the membrane horn switch to the cover during air bag deployment. Preferably, the mounting posts and the gaskets are integrally fused together by heat welding.

Abstract: Combination of at least two different food components for consumption in the freshly mixed state and packed in a sealable beaker or cup, comprising an aqueous, creamy or pasty fresh milk product and a hydrophilic, granular or flake-like dry cereal product. Both the aqueous fresh milk product and the hydrophilic dry cereal product are packed in the same cup. A premature softening of the dry cereal product is prevented by a hydrophobic fat barrier between the fresh milk product and the dry cereal product.

Abstract: A device for removing (i.e., suction, capture and trapping) vapors and products carried by the vapors, for placement above a system for cooking food products in water or oil, circulates the exhaust gases in a cyclone having cooled walls to cause cold-wall condensation of the exhaust gases over the flow path through the cyclone.

Abstract: An improved powder delivery system for use in dispensing powder to a printing press. The improvements include an agitator system for the powder reservoir, a wiper block for use with a curved feed roller, a split air flow amplifier which is openable for cleaning, a flow-through rotary manifold for distributing powder to press and an improved powder spray block. The foregoing elements minimize the flow restrictions and enhance air and powder flow through the system. A control panel is provided at the operator's console which is remote from the mounting position for the powder delivery apparatus. The control panel provides for, among other things, the delivery of powder at a fixed rate regardless of press speed or in accordance with variations in press speed. For example, in accordance with a factory determined linear relationship or an operator entered relationship. Such data can be stored for future reference and use.

Abstract: An end cap in the form of a plate which is connected by an attachment part to the side wall at the open end of a tubular member. The plate part is pivotal relative to the attachment part and therefore can be rotated between a closed position overlying and spanning the open end of the tubular member, and an open position exposing the open end of the tubular member.