Abstract: Processes for producing aromatic dicarboxylic acids are disclosed, the processes including a step of combining in a reaction medium a dialkyl aromatic, a solvent comprising water and a saturated organic acid having from 2-4 carbon atoms, and an oxygen-containing gas, at a temperature from about 125° C. to about 155° C., in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising cobalt, manganese, zirconium, and bromine, wherein the weight ratio of cobalt to manganese in the reaction mixture is from about 10 to about 400. The processes provide improved conversion, while reducing the formation of carbon oxides and other by-products.

Abstract: A brokering system and method for providing an incentive for use of more efficient internal combustion engines and hydrogen retrofit kits is disclosed. End users of retrofitted vehicles are provided with discounted fuel costs at authorized fueling stations. The vehicle owner's savings include: a) a reduction in fueling charges because of the vehicle's new reliance on 30% less fossil fuel (which is displaced by hydrogen in the engine), and b) by the purchase of methanol which can be set at a lower cost per calorific equivalent than a barrel of oil while also earning emission offsets to be sold for cash to the end users/creators of carbon credits. In this manner, retrofitted existing internal combustion engines linked to a trust for trading emission offsets will create a consumer-driven hydrogen economy which governments as well as the automotive and petroleum sectors will endorse. Hydrogen, which is substituted for fossil fuel in a retrofitted IC engine result in emission offsets (i.e.

Abstract: A semiconductor device (100) is formed on a semi-insulating semiconductor substrate (101) including a channel layer (104), a spacer layer (105), an electron supply layer (106), and a barrier layer (108). A composite layer (110) is formed over the barrier layer (108). A metal (116) is deposited over the composite layer (110). The metal (116) is annealed to promote a chemical reaction between the metal (116) and the composite layer (110) in which a portion of the metal sinks into the composite layer (110) and forms an ohmic contact with the composite layer.

Abstract: An inductor includes an inductor body having a top surface and a first and second opposite end surfaces. There is a void through the inductor body between the first and second opposite end surfaces. A thermally stable resistive element positioned through the void and turned toward the top surface to forms surface mount terminals which can be used for Kelvin type sensing. Where the inductor body is formed of a ferrite, the inductor body includes a slot. The resistive element may be formed of a punched resistive strip and provide for a partial turn or multiple turns. The inductor may be formed of a distributed gap magnetic material formed around the resistive element. A method for manufacturing the inductor includes positioning an inductor body around a thermally stable resistive element such that terminals of the thermally stable resistive element extend from the inductor body.

Abstract: A system for retrofitting an internal combustion engine to use a proportion of hydrogen gas and existing fossil fuel is disclosed. The system is comprised of a source of hydrogen gas and means for delivering hydrogen gas to the combustion chamber of the engine. The engine operating parameters are adjusted and the delivery of hydrogen is controlled to provide selective introduction of hydrogen gas throughout the engine's operating cycle. The source of hydrogen gas can comprise an onboard hydrogen reformer, or hydrogen and carbon monoxide can be reformed inside the cylinder from an on board carrier of hydrogen. A single point injector placed at the intake manifold in close proximity to the engine intake valve can be used to mix the hydrogen gas to the air/fossil fuel mixture or sequential injectors can deliver hydrogen in close proximity to each engine intake valve, or directly into each cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wetness monitoring system that includes a data collection device that sends wetness measurement data to a central computer that detects changes in wetness measurement data caused by the presence of urine or other dielectric fluids. The data collection device includes a semi-reusable sensor and reusable data collector that are worn on a garment of the person. The data collector includes an internal power source so that the person can live a normal ambulatory life. The data collector has an electrical circuit that uses the changing resistance characteristics in the sensor to gather wetness measurement data. The data collector periodically generates and transmits a signal containing the actual wetness measurement data. The signals are coded to identify the particular data collector or person sending the signal. The data collector is programmed to conserve power by sending signals less frequently during periods when the sensor is clearly dry.

Abstract: Processes for the liquid phase oxidation of one or more of a para- or a meta-substituted dialkyl aromatic compound are disclosed, the processes including a step of combining in a reaction medium the one or more para- or meta-substituted dialkyl aromatic compound, a solvent mixture comprising water and a saturated organic acid having from 2-4 carbon atoms, and an oxygen-containing gas, at a temperature from about 130° C. to about 180° C., in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising cobalt, manganese, bismuth, and bromine. The processes produce the corresponding aromatic dicarboxylic acid product with improved conversion, while reducing the formation of carbon oxides.

Abstract: Processes for producing terephthalic acid are disclosed, the processes comprising combining in a reaction medium p-xylene, a solvent comprising water and one or more saturated organic acids having from 2-4 carbon atoms, and an oxygen-containing gas, at a temperature from about 135° C. to about 165° C., in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising cobalt atoms and manganese atoms, with bromine atoms provided as a promoter. The amount of cobalt used may be from about 1,800 ppm to about 6,000 ppm, with respect to the total weight of the liquid in the reaction medium, and the weight ratio of cobalt to manganese may be from about 40 to about 400.

Abstract: Processes for producing aromatic dicarboxylic acids are disclosed, the processes including a step of combining in a reaction medium a dialkyl aromatic, a solvent comprising water and a saturated organic acid having from 2-4 carbon atoms, and an oxygen-containing gas, at a temperature from about 125° C. to about 155° C., in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising cobalt, manganese, zirconium, and bromine, wherein the weight ratio of cobalt to manganese in the reaction mixture is from about 10 to about 400. The processes provide improved conversion, while reducing the formation of carbon oxides and other by-products.

Abstract: A system for retrofitting an internal combustion engine to use a proportion of hydrogen gas and existing fossil fuel is disclosed. The system is comprised of a source of hydrogen gas and means for delivering hydrogen gas to the combustion chamber of the engine. The engine operating parameters are adjusted and the delivery of hydrogen is controlled to provide selective introduction of hydrogen gas throughout the engine's operating cycle. The source of hydrogen gas can comprise an onboard hydrogen reformer, or hydrogen and carbon monoxide can be reformed inside the cylinder from an on board carrier of hydrogen. A single point injector placed at the intake manifold in close proximity to the engine intake valve can be used to mix the hydrogen gas to the air/fossil fuel mixture or sequential injectors can deliver hydrogen in close proximity to each engine intake valve, or directly into each cylinder.

Abstract: A high power resistor includes a resistance element with first and second leads extending out from the opposite ends thereof. A heat sink of dielectric material is in heat conducting relation to the resistance element. The heat conducting relationship of the resistance element and the heat sink render the resistance element capable of operating as a resistor between the temperatures of ?65° C. to +275° C. The heat sink is adhered to the resistance element and a molding compound is molded around the resistance element.

Abstract: A multiple extend ball screw and nut linear actuator incorporates a revolvable axially restrained ball screw with a ball nut thereon. A constant speed reversible drive revolves the screw to move the ball nut forwardly and rearwardly. External helical threads of the same hand as the ball nut threads are provided externally on the ball nut but have a substantially reduced lead. A second rotatably restrained nut having threads matching the external threads on the ball nut mounts on the ball nut and connects to the system to be actuated.

Abstract: A multiple extend ball screw and nut linear actuator incorporates a revolvable axially restrained ball screw with a ball nut thereon. A constant speed reversible drive revolves the screw to move the ball nut forwardly and rearwardly. External helical threads of the same hand as the ball nut threads are provided externally on the ball nut but have a substantially reduced lead. A second rotatably restrained nut having threads matching the external threads on the ball nut mounts on the ball nut and connects to the system to be actuated.

Abstract: A ball screw and nut linear actuator incorporates an axially extending screw and a nut received on the screw to provide a helical raceway with recirculating load bearing balls. An axially extending member carried by the nut on a surface of the nut radially outboard of the raceway has ball return passages opening to the screws groove extending axially to span different turns of the screw groove. The ports lead to the ball return passages and are supplied with a liquid lubricant by a distributor system.

Abstract: A ball screw and nut linear actuator incorporates an axially extending screw and a nut received on the screw to provide a helical raceway with recirculating load bearing balls. An axially extending member carried by the nut on a surface of the nut radially outboard of the raceway has ball return passages opening to the screws groove extending axially to span different turns of the screw groove. The ports lead to the ball return passages and are supplied with a liquid lubricant by a distributor system.

Abstract: A multiple extend ball screw and nut linear actuator incorporates a revolvable axially restrained ball screw with a ball nut thereon. A constant speed reversible drive revolves the screw to move the ball nut forwardly and rearwardly. External helical threads of the same hand as the ball nut threads are provided externally on the ball nut but have a substantially reduced lead. A second rotatably restrained nut having threads matching the external threads on the ball nut mounts on the ball nut and connects to the system to be actuated.

Abstract: An extended nip press apparatus is disclosed for pressing a web of paper extending therethrough. The apparatus includes a rotatable backing roll and a press shoe having a concave surface which cooperates with the backing roll. The arrangement is such that the concave surface and the backing roll define therebetween an elongated pressing section for the passage therethrough of the web. The shoe includes an upstream portion and a device for urging the upstream portion toward the backing roll. A downstream portion extends from the upstream portion, the downstream portion being resiliently disposed relative to the upstream portion. A further device selectively urges the downstream portion toward the backing roll for controlling a pressure profile applied by the shoe to the web for inhibiting delamination of the web.

Abstract: A ball nut and screw assembly with a screw having exterior helical ball carrying groove portions separated by land portions and a co-axial nut having complemental, helical interior ball carrying groove portions separated by land portions with the same lead as said screw groove and land portions has, an end attachment for the nut with a reduced diameter sleeve extending axially therefrom. The sleeve has helical exterior thread portions, of the same lead as the nut groove portions, which are of a matching configuration and are threaded into one end of the nut. The sleeve has an interior diameter which receives and passes the screw without interacting with the screw. A recirculating train of load bearing balls is accommodated within nut and screw groove portions which are axially spaced from the sleeve.

Abstract: A ball nut and screw assembly has a backdrive control member that travels with the ball nut and has an internal thread complementary to and engaging the helical ball receiving groove on the screw. The backdrive control member is indexable on the screw relative to the ball nut to adjust the load of a spring that is interposed between the control member and ball nut. The spring acts to urge these components apart and thereby determine the frictional drag of the threaded engagement between the control member and the ball screw. The preload of the spring is set by indexing the control member to effect sufficient drag to prevent axial loads on the nut and screw from causing backdrive translation of the nut. The backdrive control member also removes lash from the ball nut and screw assembly under reversing loads at load magnitudes equal to or less than that produced by the load spring.

Abstract: A ball nut and screw assembly has a conventional helical raceway and balls received therein that react load through the centerline of the assembly and an added helical raceway and balls received therein that react radial load on the ball nut to the relief of the first mentioned raceway and balls.